Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Globalization Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 12

Globalization - Essay Example Talking about main impetuses of globalization, it is basic to make reference to that, above all else, the globalization is brought about by the target components of the worldwide turn of events, by the escalation of the universal division of work, logical and innovative advancement in the territory of transport and correspondence that lessens the supposed financial separation between nations. Permitting to get the important data from wherever on the Earth continuously, present day correspondence frameworks encourage the association of global capital speculation, creation and showcasing collaboration. In the states of the enlightening coordination of the world the exchange of innovations and selection of outside experience is incredibly quickened. The preconditions for the globalization of the procedures, which are nearby naturally, for instance, getting advanced education indirectly, are being shaped. The subsequent fundamental wellspring of globalization is the progression of exchange and different types of financial advancement, which caused the confinement of protectionism legislative issues and made the worldwide exchange increasingly free. Subsequently the taxes were brought down, numerous different obstructions set for products and administration exchange are evacuated. Different estimates prompted the heightening of the development of capital and different components of creation. The consequences of the procedure of globalization can be found in the way that the boundaries for financial, social and even political movement become progressively straightforward. Web, understudy trade, the insurance of human rights add to the making of extremely worldwide society, which comprises of systems. The globalization is communicated by the quick development of relocation and capital, unification of laws, division of work, the normalization of innovation and the association of the way of life in the worldwide scale. It is conceivable to express that it gives the boost to the development of new universal

Saturday, August 22, 2020

The Debate between the Principal-Agent Model and Organisational Essay

The Debate between the Principal-Agent Model and Organizational Culture Theory - Essay Example As the paper outlinesâ the head operator (PA) hypothesis depicts linkages dug in complex assignment chains that impact the limit of the global association pioneer to endeavor toward their own objectives. Scholars for the most part see the part states as the ‘principals’ and the universal association as the ‘agent’. The PA hypothesis can likewise go further the designation chain to take a gander at the head specialist ties inside worldwide associations that are explicitly useful as far as recognizing how much IO pioneers may comprehend their tendencies.This examination features thatâ organisational culture scholars have powerfully shown that IOs are entertainers, with capacity to grow and carry on in accordance with independent objectives and rules that can't be decreased to the objectives and standards of their part states. As expressed by this model, the ability of IOs towards autonomous conduct starts from their pro, good, appointed, lawful, and sound fo rce, which gives them ability to use power. Regular contentions of the authoritative culture hypothesis perceive as far as possible implemented by states. By the by, in practically the entirety of the experimental examinations the conceivable clash between the independent goals of the IOs and outside weights is dodged by choosing contextual investigations wherein IOs carry on self-rulingly however in understanding to the premiums of the states, or contextual investigations wherein IOs act where states are unsympathetic.

Thursday, August 20, 2020

Im embarrassed to be writing this entry.

I’m embarrassed to be writing this entry. Yesterday evening at MIT had a fairly random pair of events: First, pro wrestling announcer Jim J.R. Ross spoke at a colloquium hosted by the Comparative Media Studies (CMS) department. Later, there was a free advance screening of Blades of Glory by the Lecture Series Committee (LSC). I hope you dont think less of me for going to a talk about professional wrestling followed by a sophomoric comedy with lots of crotch jokes. Jim Ross lecture I admit it; growing up, my brother and I watched pro wrestling. Later, we both did varsity wrestling in high school, which is a real sport and does not involve costumes or beating people with steel chairs. Regardless, when I heard that J.R. was speaking, I was quite intrigued. When I came to MIT, I knew there would be lots of famous scientists and engineers who would give guest lectures. Over my years here, there have been lots of astronauts (including Buzz Aldrin), mathematicians (like Benoit Mandelbrot), CEOs (Bill Gates, Jeff Bezos, Jack Welch), technologists (Steve Wozniak, Jimmy Wales) the kinds of cool people youd expect to hear talk at MIT. But there have been lots of speakers here on other topics, too. Ive seen Mira Nair, the MIT Blackjack Team, Al Gore, Ralph Nader, Thomas Friedman, Orson Scott Card, and more. Ive also missed talks by Kofi Annan, Zhu Rongji, Frank Gehry, and the Dalai Lama, among others. The talk by Jim Ross fits into the category of speakers I never thought Id see, and certainly not at MIT. Actually, there is an entire class in the CMS department this term devoted to pro wrestling: CMS.602 Topics in Comparative Media Studies. The class is taught by Sam Ford, who is also a licensed professional wrestling manager and performs for Universal Championship Wrestling in Kentucky. Courses in CMS frequently take an academic look at topics in popular culture. For example, this term the course CMS.922 Media Industries Systems, looks at video games. It is taught by Chris Weaver, the founder of Bethesda Softworks the company that invented the original John Madden Football and created the hit RPG The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion. As for Jim Ross talk itself, I came away thinking about the concept of storytelling. What does it mean to tell a story well? What makes a good story? How do you create a story that a broad audience can relate to? There was also an interesting thread of discussion about the role of gender roles and sexuality in pro wrestling, and how characters, both male and female, are developed. Of course, we also talked about the legitimacy of pro wrestling: is it fake, performance art, sport, spectacle? (This discussion being done with everyone having an appropriate understanding of how pro wrestling actually works) Blades of Glory sneak preview After the Colloquium, I ran over to Annas Taqueria with my friends Dan Jeff for a quick burrito dinner, then we headed over to room 26-100 to get in line for a sneak preview of the new Will Ferrell movie, Blades of Glory. Blades of Glory isnt due out in theaters until March 30. Sneaks are a fairly regular event for LSC. A few of the sneaks from recent years include 8 Mile, Corpse Bride, I (Heart) Huckabees, School of Rock, and Harold Kumar Go To White Castle. There will be another free sneak preview in a couple weeks (just before CPW): Disturbia, which appears to be a bad remake of Rear Window. One of the best things about watching a sneak at LSC is the crowd. The night starts with trailers for upcoming LSC movies. Before each trailer, there is an LSC slide informing the crowd when the movie will show, for example, Next Friday and Sunday. The entire crowd, in unison, then responds, Next Friday and Sunday IN STEREO! Its pretty cool to see the whole crowd shout it at the screen. The related LSC tradition is that if the movie audio or visual should fail during the film, one audience members shouts LSC! and the rest of the crowd replies Sucks! You can try this at any movie theater near a large concentration of MIT alums (Boston, Silicon Valley, Manhattan, etc.) at a movie that might draw a large MIT crowd. At a screening of Star Wars Episode 1 in Los Angeles on opening night, at the appropriate moment I yelled LSC! and got a reply from somewhere in the large crowd; it was pretty cool. The crowd at the Blades sneak was particularly vocal. There was no LSC sucks! moment, but the crowd laughed quite heavily at just about every laugh line. Maybe its because Spring Break is almost here. As for the movie itself, it was funny, probably worth paying to see in a movie theater, if you like this sort of movie. It wasnt as good as, say, Anchorman or Old School, but still pretty good. Ice skating fans with a sense of humor will particularly enjoy it (lots of cameos; the one from Sasha Cohen is the best). Anyway, that was my Thursday evening.

Sunday, May 24, 2020

Physical And Emotional Benefits Of Physical Activity

Despite the physical and emotional benefits of moderate physical activity, most Americans are not getting enough exercise to sustain healthy behavior and reduce their risks of illness. A lack of physical activity has been shown to be a risk factor for several conditions. Less active people tend to have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, as well as feelings of anxiety and depression (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2015). Studies have shown the physically inactive people have an increased risk of colon and breast cancer. One study showed a 40% decrease in cancer mortality in people who were physically active. Physical activity also prevents insulin resistance which is the underlying cause of type 2 diabetes. A lack of physical activity increases the loss of lean muscle tissue which in turn makes activities of dialing living such as dressing and bathing or even grocery shopping, much more difficult to perform. As we age out bones lose some strength and like mu scles, require exercise to maintain their mineral content and strength. Being physically active also helps keep one’s immune system which helps ward off various illnesses and diseases (Rimmer, 2015). Effects of Fitness on Cardiovascular Health Other Metabolic Diseases Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for the development of obesity and other cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD). Vascular endothelial dysfunction is a key event in the development of CVD and is associated with aShow MoreRelatedThe Social-Emotional, Cognitive and Physical Benefits of Physical Activity1153 Words   |  5 PagesThe social-emotional, cognitive and physical benefits of physical activity During childhood our body and mind changes very fast. I believe that nowadays parents focus more on the brain developement of their children than their physical activity. When I was a little girl - over 20 years ago - we spent most of our time outside playing, running and enjoying fresh air and being in movement. Physical activity of children can secure them health and well being in their adulthood as well as teachRead MoreIdentifying And Understanding The Factors That Shape Health1636 Words   |  7 Pageslife expectancy. Ideally, the element of social support has been thought to offer a potential pathway for the promotion of health among the aged adults. Fundamentally, social support is one of the most essential factors in predicting the emotional wellbeing and physical health of everyone. Too often, the presence of social support shows some advantages among the impacted individuals, especially among the aged adults (Landau Litwin, 2001). Knowing that there are family members, re latives, and friendsRead MorePeople in Rural Areas Experience Better Health Than Those in Urban Areas770 Words   |  4 PagesPeople in rural areas experience better health than those in urban areas. Compare and contrast the social constructs of these populations. The people living in urban and rural areas have varying social constructs for health and physical activity. This is due to the different social circumstances of the community and the location of which they live in. People living in rural areas- living in a characteristic of farming or country life, in comparison to urban dwellers- Of or belonging to a cityRead MoreEssay on Healthy Living591 Words   |  3 Pages Health is described as physical and mental well-being and freedom from disease, pain or defect. However, such descriptions only superficially define the actual meaning of health. There may be many occasions when individuals are not necessarily ill or in pain but may be overweight, stressed or emotionally unstable. Health is a quality of life involving dynamic interaction and interdependence among the individual’s physical state, their mental and emotional reactions, and the social context in whichRead MoreThe Positive Effects of Having Sport Activities for Prisoners1 706 Words   |  7 PagesThe Positive Effects of Having Sport Activities Offered For Prisoners Introduction: With many correctional facilities in the United States providing some recreational and sport activates, many have thought that it will become a growing trend. However, the continuous budget cuts that have been made are limiting their activities and programs. The benefits of sport activities can reduce the tension and stress while promoting healthy choices to the prisoners. Also Prisoners develop pride in winningRead MoreChildren and Sports Essay1053 Words   |  5 Pagesnature’s process. Children develop emotional and social benefits from participating in sports. Children experience character and leadership development through peer relations leading to an increase in self-esteem and a decrease in anxiety levels. Children will get opportunities to experience positive and negative emotions throughout their practice and games trials. It is important for the coach to understand the â€Å"psychology of youth sports and physical activity participation† (Weinberg Gould, 201 1Read MoreImproving Sports At School Time1566 Words   |  7 Pagesfor their children than paying attention to the importance of physical education. Even public schools do not allocate enough time for kids to practice sports as much as they do for class-based education. In fact, physical activity for children is not only about pleasure time. Rather, it helps grown-up children to extend their capacity to grasp concepts explained in their classes. Children who are active while doing physical activity are expected to be active at class time. Thus, encouraging sportsRead MoreExercise for Optimal Emotional Health651 Words   |  3 Pagesfor Optimal Emotional Health People who are emotionally healthy are more efficient in controlling their behavior and emotions. This makes it easier for them to take on life’s daily challenges with strength and resilience, without experiencing depression and emotional breakdown. Lifestyle changes are essential in keeping the balance in our emotional health and it includes healthy eating, exercise and focusing on positive mindset. Regular exercise is not only essential for physical health, it canRead MoreThe Positive Benefits Of Human Animal Bond1278 Words   |  6 PagesIn writing my final reflection assignment, I chose to conduct my research on the many positive benefits that a human-animal relationship has on a person’s emotional, physiological and even physical wellness across the lifespan, in this paper I will discuss a review of the literature regarding my chosen topic and how this information will impact my life. I chose to conduct further research on the importance of the human-animal relati onship, because according to our class readings, interactions withRead MoreThe Importance of Physical Activity Essay1545 Words   |  7 PagesThe teaching profession plays a fundamental role in educating children. Some of which include physical activity Teachers engage in many roles in student’s learning, some of which are more challenging and important than others and all which contribute to a child’s development. The process of childhood development is dynamic, recognised by various fields including the influential society, inherited characteristics through genetics, and the psychological behaviour of the child. These fields all play

Wednesday, May 13, 2020

The Wild West Rides Into The Sunset Essay - 1389 Words

Connor Lucas ENG 3080J Hollis February 20, 2014 The Wild West Rides Into The Sunset Have you ever read a text that included items such as a bold cowboy, trusty horse, beautiful female, or a dark villain in a dry, isolated, and undeveloped setting? If so, it’s a great possibility that you were reading a classic Western. Many readers of this genre would describe its stereotypes as what I listed above. You can almost always find that protagonist cowboy hero, who tends to be a good-looking and sharp character that fights the dirty, rugged, evil villain in an epic climax while trying to save his gorgeous and innocent lady. The setting is often a flat, unpopulated, and undeveloped town, surrounded by mountains. The Western genre played a†¦show more content†¦However, Kolb describes Marshal Jack Potter as â€Å"a nervous unarmed honeymooner, who rides a train instead of a horse† (98). In the story, Potter is described as wearing a new black suit that most likely was purchased in San Antonio (23). This gives the reader the idea that the East influence d the West a great deal, considering a hard-nosed, sharp-shooting town hero most likely should not be wearing a new suit that was made in the East. The stereotypical western criminal is mean, dirty, selfish, and constantly stirring up trouble. In â€Å"The Bride,† your criminal is Scratchy Wilson. However, as Kolb describes, the difference between Scratchy and most other Western villains is that Scratchy’s â€Å"main crime seems to be that he cant hold his liquor† (98). The eastern culture is brought up again in the story through Scratchy’s clothes. You’d expect to visualize a rough and dirty character whose soul is as dark as his clothes. With Scratchy, you get a criminal wearing a â€Å"maroon-colored flannel shirt† that was made in New York (24). Crane uses these characters to portray an idea to his reader’s that the influence the East has on the West is far greater than the average person would expect. Expectations for a women in a Western story are generally perceived to be a beautiful, innocent,Show MoreRelatedAnalysis Of The Book The Wild West : The Mythical Cowboy And Social Theory ``1707 Words   |  7 Pagesbe supported with information from Slotkin’s book â€Å"Gunfighter Nation†, Will Wright’s book â€Å"The Wild West: The Mythical Cowboy and Social Theory†, John White’s book â€Å"Westerns†, and Jane Tompkin’s book â€Å"West of Everything, The Inner life of Westerns† and various films which consist of William A. Wellman â€Å"The Ox-Bow Incident†, Fred Zinnemann â€Å"High Noon†, John Ford â€Å"The Searchers†, Sam Peckinpah â€Å"The Wild Bunch†, and Robert Altman â€Å"McCabe Mrs.Miller†. Old western movies are one of the most classicRead MoreAmerican Idols of the Old West: Cowboys1271 Words   |  5 Pages Cowboys are the American idol of the â€Å"Old West† pictured as silhouette riding out over the prairie on their horse with the sunset ahead of them. They are what shaped the entire cattle raising industry in America. A study of the cowboy way of life helps us to discover the hardships they faced and the experiences that every cowboy has witnessed. The cowboy is usually pictured as a full grown man working hard in a pasture or in a set of pins but in reality, cowboys started off at ages as early as 7Read MoreThe Holy Fool Archetype1667 Words   |  7 PagesPhiladelphia to San Francisco, he continually finds himself in trouble with thieves, the law, and Native Americans, yet escapes each trial with unwavering persistence and a steady religious devotion. Set in the mid 1800’s, at the height of the American â€Å"Wild West† era, the film serves as a parody of the traditional Western hero, substituting an inexperienced, yet cagey Jewish Rabbi for the usual hardened, gun-slinging cowboy. As detailed by Matthew Turner in his â€Å"Black Sheriffs and Villains in White Hats:Read MoreNo Country For Old Men1745 Words   |  7 Pagesbut in Chigurh’s mind, everything happens for a reason. No Traditional Justice No Country for Old Men goes against the archetype of the classical American Western; the law abiding, just protagonist defeats his evildoing opponent, and rides off into the sunset. However, NCFOM presents none of this. You see the protagonist, a morally grey laborer, gunned down, and not even by the main antagonist. The protagonist’s wife, an innocent woman completely removed from nearly all events of the narrativeRead MoreThe Truth about Cowboy Types1782 Words   |  7 Pagesa wide-brimmed hat, a belt of bullets, and a flannel shirt; he might be guiding his herd lazily along grassy plains, singing folk songs around a campfire with his companions under a starry sky, riding off with a beautiful ranch girl into an iconic sunset backdrop, or even wearing a mask and enforcing vigilante justice in a small town terrorized by hardened western thugs or hostile Native Americans. These clichà ©s are drawn mostly from the hundreds of movies and television productions that claim theRe ad MoreThe Egyptian Culture Of Egypt1316 Words   |  6 Pagesinscriptions the glyphs are very detailed an in full color. When the Egyptians began to write, they wrote from the beginning in ink, on papyrus. Papyrus is a plant that grows wild all over the Nile River valley, which is to say it is very common in Egypt. At first papyrus was only used in Egypt, but by about 100 BC people all over West Asia began buying papyrus from Egypt and using it, since it was much more convenient. The modern Egyptian communication has changed a lot from the ancient one. EgyptiansRead MoreMy Day On A Summer Day2150 Words   |  9 Pagessomewhere extravagent. In my mind pictures of crystal clear waters and sugar white sand filled my imagination. The Carribean? Dominican Republic? France? Anywhere outside of the country would be absolutley breath taking... well anywhere outside of the mid-west atleast. Snapping out of my day dream Chayce, my youngest brother at the time asked me to put his shoes on. I hated putting on his shoes it was like cutting a tree with scissors. â€Å"Push Chayce!† i yelled â€Å"I am! You’re hurting me! he replied.† AfterRead MoreClassical Hollywood1981 Words   |  8 Pagesopposite between the East of America and the West. Cities already established In the East are presented to us as feminine and cultured places, contrasting with the ‘wild west’ . In director John Fords The searchers(Ford,1956,US) we see the iconic John Wayne star in a celebration of the spirt that vanished with the taming of the American wilderness. This is an indication of the system of the East taking hold and our heros evidently have no more sunset to ride off into. Read MoreAnalysis Of The Movie The Grand Parade 1764 Words   |  8 Pagescompetition participants dressed in fishnet tights and Old West bustle skirts. The competition winner, known as the â€Å"Oil Queen,† sat smiling in a white wicker throne before a glittery cutout of a derrick gushing a rooster-tail of crude. Most associate the Central Valley with agriculture. But here in the dry southwestern corner of the vast basin, oil is the undisputed king. The â€Å"giant† oil fields that envelop the town of 9,000 – the Midway-Sunset, Cymric and Belridge – are among the largest in the countryRead More Australian Camels Essay3530 Words   |  15 Pagescamels. They are the Bactrian, or two-humped camel (C. bactrianus), and the Dromedary (Arabian), or one-humped camel (C. dromedarius). The Bactrian camel is native to Chinese Turkestan and Mongolia, and probably lived as far west as Iran and eastern Russia.[2] There are few wild herds of Bactrians remaining in the world today. Those that are left can be found roaming the Gobi Desert and in the mountains of China and Mongolia. Domesticated versions of the camels are readily found throughout central

Wednesday, May 6, 2020

Discuss the economic, political and social impacts of international trade in the 21st century Free Essays

Globalisation has emerged over the past 30 years bringing new dimensions to the traditional economic thinking around international trade. Discuss the economic, political and social impacts of international trade in the 21st century. Globalisation is the trend towards markets crossing international and regional borders, lessening the differences in customers’ wants1. We will write a custom essay sample on Discuss the economic, political and social impacts of international trade in the 21st century or any similar topic only for you Order Now The process of globalisation, assisted by the technological revolution in communications and computers, is radically altering the shape of world markets, as well as the nature of business and everyday life. The economic, political, and social significance of international trade has been essential for the growth of globalisation. The restrictions to international trade would limit the nations to the services and goods produced within its territories, and they would lose out on the valuable revenue from the global trade. Globalisation has not only changed the way we live it has improved efficiency in flow trade and finance, modernised technology for consumers and increased wealth. International trade is the exchange of goods and services between countries. This type of trade gives rise to a world economy, in which prices, or supply and demand, affect and are affected by global events. Economically it can be extremely complicated especially the fact that all countries whether they like it or not, are related to each other in one way or another. For example, an increase in the price of one commodity such as oil creates a long and complex chain of events which makes analysis of all the causal relationships virtually impossible. The risk of the exchange rates can also be a impact between countries due to the different currencies around the world. During recession, countries suffer local pressure to change laws governing International trade to protect the local industries. The most painful and memorable of such incident is the Great Depression. However, nations with strong international trade have had the power to control the world economy and this has allowed them to reduce poverty. Trade has also allowed countries to increase in profits and sales which have allowed businesses to expand internationally. Political impacts of international trade are not taken lightly as there may be many impacts which may affect the trade of goods and services between the countries. The risk of non- renewal of import and exports licenses can affect the consumer and supplier, this is because if a license is not renewed jobs will be lost and consumers will be dissapointed as their good or service is no longer being offered to them. The risk of war is also dangerous as it can leave the country in harm and have a huge impact as businesses will no longer want to provide their goods and services to the country at war. If war is declared between to countries this impacts the economy greatly. Through diversifying cultrally and socially a nation becomes more open and desirable to tourists. It allows for major growth and change as well as initiating connection with other countries. Therefore, if more tourists are willing to come to a country it further increases economic growth. International trade may also impact the way individuals behave towards each other, as new customs from overseas are learned and adapted. According to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the growth in exporting and companies becoming global has created over 250,000 new jobs. Conclusively, international trade in goods, services and finance has been increasing at an exponential rate which is giving consumers a wider choice of products and services to choose from. Globalisation has not only changed the way we live it has improved efficiency in flow trade and finance, modernised technology for consumers and increased wealth. The process of globalisation, assisted by the technological revolution in communications and computers, is radically altering the shape of world markets, as well as the nature of business and everyday life. How to cite Discuss the economic, political and social impacts of international trade in the 21st century, Papers

Tuesday, May 5, 2020

Explain Different Methods of Assessing free essay sample

Twice a year the pastoral carers are required to transfer this knowledge from note-taking, observations, record books, assessments of the children they care for, onto ‘progress reports’ for the parents to receive. â€Å"Sound reflection on the observations we make not only enhances professional practise, but also aids our understanding of children. † (Advanced Early Years 2nd Ed: I Macleod-Brudenell amp; J Kay:Pg328:2008) We sit together and discuss each child and ensure we have accurate and up-to-date details to add onto the progress report. Any concerns are dealt with on a daily basis and are not collected to discuss just twice a year. A primary purpose of observation is to record in order to inform our response to the needs of children. † (Advanced Early Years 2nd Ed: I Macleod-Brudenell amp; J Kay:Pg328:2008) The pastoral carers are then able to take time to sit and write a short report for the child, of which a copy is given to the parents and a copy is stored within the child’s file at playgroup. We will write a custom essay sample on Explain Different Methods of Assessing or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page The parents are also invited to come along and meet with their child’s pastoral carer before the report is sent home. Observations and assessments of the children within our care may be required for the following reasons: Concerns about a child’s behaviour and/or development * Routine assessments (starting at playgroup, leaving playgroup) * Structured assessments in cases of special needs * Assessments for purposes of a case conference or court * Students for learning purposes * Assist with planning our curriculum * To assist with planning IPP’s (Individual Play Plans) â€Å"Observation is a diagnostic tool, confirming capability or progress at a point in time. It is a means of unobtrusively collecting potentially rich information about children’s development. † (Advanced Early Years 2nd Ed: I Macleod-Brudenell amp; J Kay:Pg329:2008) At playgroup we are aware of the following, but may only use a few within our setting: Observation: Observations can be taken inside or outside and at different times of the day and within different areas of the setting. They record what the child is doing in a subjective way, enabling you to support childrens development / be aware of their current stage of development? Its most appropriate to use this method when a childs development is causing concern. â€Å"Observations should be as objective, valid and reliable as possible; and conclusions should not be drawn from one observation only. (Special Issues in Childcare:M O’Hagan amp; M Smith:Pg37:1995) Information from colleagues and carers: Parents/carers who know the child and colleagues expertise are invaluable, especially when planning for social and academic success for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. If we are concerned about childs development its good to ask/share information. We also share information such as a parent pops in to explain theyre concerned their child might be feeling a little poorly one morning, a colleague lets you know how they saw a child achieve a milestone in their development. Your data should be discussed with appropriate persons and parents, compared, cross-checked and further assessments done where necessary. † (Special Issues in Childcare:M O’Hagan amp; M Smith:Pg39:1995) Assessment framework: It is the way in which a child is assessed to decide whether they have any particular needs and what these needs may be. It is useful in deciding whether the child is reaching expected milestones of development in different areas. Assessment frameworks involve methods from the Welsh ‘Foundation Phase’ and ‘Birth to Three Matters’. Assessments should not be judgemental and negative but should accurately reflect your findings, based on observational and other sources of information where relevant. † (Special Iss ues in Childcare:M O’Hagan amp; M Smith:Pg39:1995) Standard measurements: Tests/cognitive aptitude tests that demonstrate a snapshot of childrens academic ability or skill at retaining taught information and that might then be used to compare outcomes between a larger population of same-age children. Health programmes that might measure head circumference, weight, height, visual and auditory functioning. Educational psychologists may use reasoning tests to assess an intellectual age in contrast to a chronological age. Types of observation we use within playgroup are: Naturalistic – where we observe the children during the general playgroup routine and in their natural surroundings. No attempt is made to structure the situation. This is used for general information such as how well an activity has been received or how well a child completes an activity – especially useful with our new style planning as we can gauge whether children are enjoying the topic and getting the most from it. Structured – a situation is organised prior to the observation with a view to gaining specific information e. g. building blocks on the table, can the child build a tower of four blocks? This is used more for the child’s development book; we can record any progress or areas of concern. Snapshot – notes are made which capture what the child is doing at a particular point in time. This is useful to see what the most popular activities are and what children enjoy doing. Longitudinal – several observations over a period of time. We use these types of observation if there appears to be a concern over behaviour or development. Table of different techniques that we use at playgroup: Method of assessment, recording, monitoring children| How this is used| Why this may be used| Time Sampling| Regular intervals over a set period of time e. g. every half an hour during the session| can be used to observe a childs behaviour to identify possible concerns. E. g. a shy child who does not relate to other children| Event Sampling| Observing/recording specific events such as temper tantrums| helps to clarify what really happens during a tantrum. For example is the child provoked, does the event happen at certain times of day, how long does the tantrum last? | Checklist of development| Record of child’s abilities within a development book| Good way of seeing where the child is with their development – do they need encouragement in a certain area? | Structured records| Usually given by Flying Start/1st Opportunity to update their records| Records that are passed to us by a third party regarding what the child is able/not able to do prior to starting with us. Sociograms| Recording how children relate to each other in a group| Good exercise to see who plays with whom. In older children you can observe whether they are starting to form more settled friendships. | Anecdotal, diaries and log books| Specific events recorded over time and recording situations as they happen, of what the child does and says, and more importantly how the child does and says things| Spontaneous observations can show surprising things about a childs development that might otherwise never be seen. Target child| More specialised form of observation which focuses on one child within a group or situation| show a childs unique all round development at a particular age and stage| Video recording / photographs| To document a child’s progress and enjoyment of activities whilst at the setting| Very useful to show parents what their child is able to achieve at playgroup and great for non-verbal children to be observed without missing anything. |

Wednesday, April 1, 2020

American Business Managers In Cross-Cultural Negotiations

American Business Managers In Cross-Cultural Negotiations One of the fastest ways for an American to sour negotiations with other cultures is to think that everybody does business the same as Americans. Thank goodness that this is so very far from the truth. For Americans to succeed in the foreign business world, we must learn to be more observant of the feelings and cultures of others. In no place is this more evident than in our own back doorMexico and the Latin/South American countries.Just because they are "local", we should be able to treat them the same as we do our own contacts. This is so very far from the truth.The Spanish culture of Mexico and the Latin/South American countries are similar in so may ways to their Spanish ancestors, but are still quite set in their own Cultural manners. Even in the smallest of towns, there is a tight social ladder that must be adhered to if negotiations are to be successful.United StatesEach person has their own place in the society, and they must be counted as such.A key are that the American Cult ure must re-learn is that of being polite and proper. The Spanish-American culture is very socially oriented, and the "air" that is left is very important. Common courtesy and protocol are sensitive issues. A quick way to sour most relationships is to demean the dominant male figure.More than anyone else I have observed, American Businessmen and Women like to dress-up and show how "proper" they are. This immediately causes a problem in that conservative dress is the norm. On arrival for meetings, or other activities, observe what the local attire is.It is a bad omen to dress more formally than those you are meeting are.Observe the bankers, lawyers, and the professionals/bureaucrats.Americans are...

Saturday, March 7, 2020

Psychology of Television essays

Psychology of Television essays Today many people think that television is the cause of violence in todays youth. Many have pondered that television disturbs traditions as well as interferes with the minds of adolecened children who can not yet comprehend the truth of fiction and reality. Thus television has become a widely talked about controversy, mainly because of the fatal incidents that have been occurring during the past couple of years. Questions are being raised and people want answers. What kind of effects does the television have on human beings? In todays society the public is interested in the detailed information about the content of television. Persons who work in the media are often concerned with what the television portrays and why it portrays the way it does. Even though they know that their shows are representative to their viewers tastes and not that of the real world. Although this information is not acknowledged as fiction or non-fiction it is still portrayed and processed information by the viewer. One must be able to realize, How this information is different from everyday life? By mocking a family, situation, or community, distortions and biases occur on the television when these subjects are compared to real life. Still unsure of these problems the majority of humans watch even when they dont understand why? Television is a medium of novelty, with each new season bringing new shows with dreamier characters and more enticing situations. These shows are successful because they challenge ones wisdom if he or she were in the same situation. This is the reason why people are starting to question and be afraid of the pushed boundaries of television. With the dramatic increase of violence in todays world the programmers are filling ones mind of not wisdom, but the dark escape of violence which makes up the viewers mi ...

Thursday, February 20, 2020

Biggest challenge Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Biggest challenge - Essay Example With the vast number of people on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, it is hard not to be distracted by it. There is nothing worse than getting down to some serious study or washing the dishes when a Facebook notification pops up asking if you would like to go to a friend’s birthday party next weekend. Before a decision can be made, the guest list has to be checked (i.e. stalked) to see who is going to be there. If the event is worth going to, then practically every cool person should be attending. Before realizing it, 25 minutes have passed by and studying, or the dishes, has been left far behind. Despite the drawbacks, Facebook and Twitter are not all bad. In fact, they can be quite helpful in the area of homework in particular. For example, study groups can be formed online and classmates can provide encouragement and expertise wherever needed. In the case of a household chore, mentioning it on a Facebook status update or sending out a tweet may provoke a flurry of responses. The key is to leave everyone also while carrying out the chore and only check the reaction

Tuesday, February 4, 2020

Argue which three employability skills (Communication, Citical Essay

Argue which three employability skills (Communication, Citical thinking and teamwork) employers would consider to be the most im - Essay Example The feature of teamwork is a fine example to focus on in that the two afore-mentioned characteristics (communication and critical thinking) come in to play in terms of what any a position demands with regard to a clear understanding of overall goals and the expected role to be performed. An understanding and ability to perform well in a team is critical. The following essay focuses on these three elements of communication, critical thinking and the value of team work/being â€Å"a team player†, a person who is comfortable working in a team. The latter characteristic, team work, expresses what it takes to achieve employment. While the former two are indispensable, it demands the ability to work in a team to bring out one’s skills of communication and critical thinking. Communication Being a â€Å"good† communicator is essential. Within health care, it can take several different forms, it can be paternalistic or empathic and caring and involve the patient in decisi ons regarding his/her care (Brotherton et al., 2006). A nurse’s communicative skills reflect the major goal of nursing, namely being person-oriented and humanistic in one’s practices and patient care. ... Communication must be person centered. This allows us to look at ill-health as linked to human beings and embedded in the life course of individuals, a life course that is specific and continually changes, develops and is highly complex. Communication must, thus, rest on an understanding that sickness and related impairments have various social and psychological dimensions. In one’s communication and care for the patient one must realize that there are two sides to sickness, â€Å"disease† (biological malfunctions recorded as particular disease categories, e.g., cancer, neurological disorders, cardiac diseases, palsy) and the response to these by patients and their carers (family), the â€Å"illness experience†. The diagnosis of disease is based on external medical criteria. â€Å"Illness†, on the other hand, is defined as the personal reaction to â€Å"perceived disease†. Illness is, by this definition, a personal construction and refers to the wor ld of the patient, his/her coping with illness. The distinction between â€Å"disease† and â€Å"illness† provides a view of the social and psychological complexities involved, and is fundamental to a comprehension of the patient (Good 1994). Critical Thinking On the top of a potential employer’s list is often a candidate’s problem-solving skills, i.e. a person’s ability to successfully to complete a task and/or solve a problem, which may involve a great deal of creativity and/or pooling of his/her team’s resources (see on â€Å"teamwork† below).. The next characteristic to be stressed therefore, the faculty of critical thinking, shapes and is shaped by the previously-discussed fundamental communicative approach to the patient as a human being. These two attributes are clearly interlinked. It is

Monday, January 27, 2020

Consumer Shopping Decisions and Behaviour

Consumer Shopping Decisions and Behaviour Literature Review Introduction Satisfaction of consumer needs and wants is the definitive goal for triumph in business. Hence, an effectual marketing strategy must spotlight on serving consumers/customers better than the competitors. The marketing manager should be interested in revealing the complexities of an individual buyer, the dynamics of consumer behavior and should also try to understand consumers individual differences so that he/she can segment the total market in terms of those differences Nisel (2001). Buyer decision making should be carefully studied by organizations and marketing managers to have a full understanding of how buyers obtain information, how they form their beliefs, and what specific product-choice criteria are sued by customers. Specific products/services can then be cultivated that will fulfill the appropriate requirements of these groups. Therefore, finding the motives that lead to differences in consumers decision-making processes is a critical factor for a company in accomplishing i ts marketing objectives in order to satisfy its customers Nisel (2001). Differences in consumers decision-making processes can aid the managers in classifying individuals into meaningful homogeneous subgroups. Olson Peter, 1994 defined consumer behaviour as â€Å"the dynamic interaction of affect and cognition, behaviour and environmental events by which human beings conduct the exchange aspects of their lives.† Every organization is interested in consumer behaviour for the sake of strategizing and streamlining their marketing mix to meeting the needs of their target market. Business entities have special interest in consumer behaviour for the reason that they can develop marketing strategies to induce consumers to purchase their products based on consumer research and analysis. For a company’s marketing strategy to hit the success mark, it will largely depend on how well the strategy is tailor measured to buyers needs and wants and how these buyers react to the strategy. Companies can find out what satisfies their customers by mandating their marketers to examine the main influences on what, where, when and how customers buy goods and services Dibb et al (2001). When these factors are well understood, companies through their  marketers can better be able to predict how consumers will respond to the marketing strategies of the firm. In the null shell, the information gathered through the market research and analysis will position the firm to compete more effectively in the marketplace, afford it will greater market share and better customer service delivery which will lead to customer satisfaction. This chapter which looks at the literature review will primarily center on why buyers behave the way they behave, their purchase decision process, the influencers of their decision, gathering knowledge for purchase decision, effective segmentation by supermarket operators, how to cultivate a good behaviour for shoppers, shopping convenience among other things. This is an attempt to develop a framework for the study buyer behaviour as a determinant for purchase. Shopping Motivation Shopping has become a part of everyday living for most people both home and abroad. Regardless of the increase of various home delivery shopping services, shopping for most reasons means physical visits to a shopping site. The place most repeatedly visited is either the supermarket or the shopping mall. In fact, going shopping is a major source of relaxation as well as a household chore according to Dholakia (1999). Oakley (1974) asserts that shopping is one of the activities with the most positive attribute of being able to talk to others while doing work. Shopping is widely regarded as a major leisure-time activity Reid and Brown (1996). Cullen (1990) emphasized that, shopping is second only to TV watching in the pantheon of British leisure. Others such as Bloch et al (1992) and Macalister (1992) have also generally and similarly supported that with statistical data. Shopping may or may not be a leisure or recreational activity Howard (2007). Theories of recreation and its meaning are numerous and often times they come with a moral factor. Bronowski (in Howard, 2007) for instance believes that, leisure brings a promise that: . . . â€Å"A deep sense of appreciation envelopes us and lifts us to a higher plane, where we discover that there is peace and beauty and joy in the world. And that may carry over into increasing appreciation of life itself†. Shopping motivation may be due to buyer leisure and an important factor to this can be attributed to be attitude to time by diverse consumers on special occasions. This assertion has had some exploring work on them (Davies, 1994; Whysall, 1991, Howard, 2007). There are a lot of scholars who have pointed out that, there is a nascent sense of time pressure on consumers/customers and these tend to be more affluent than the normal citizenry (Lewis and Bridger, 2000 and Howard, 2007). Schiller (1999) make a case that â€Å"mainstream retailing† (consisting of routinely and regularly purchased goods) is increasingly being put under a time squeeze, partly because of longer working hours and higher female participation rates in the labour market, and partly because holidays and other leisure activities are taking an increasing share of consumers’ time and money. Schiller (1999) explain â€Å"leisure shopping† â€Å"as the mirror image of mainstream retailing where the outing is not so much a means to an end as the whole point, and shopping is only part of the experience†. There is evidence of an increasing proportion of people saying that they spend time looking around the shops as a leisure activity (Mintel, 2000). Tauber 1972 gave two categories of shopping motives to be role playing and Social experience outside the home. The table below shows nine shopping motives which have been grouped under two main categories. Table I Shopping Motivation Source: Tauber (1972) In his research, Dholakia, (1996) empirically determined three motives for going shopping based on factor analysis of 13 statements. These three motives were labeled as: Interactions with family Utilitarian and Shopping as pleasure Shop attractiveness The shop must be attractive to meet the expectation of the target customer. Shop attractiveness may come as a result interplay of multiple of factors. A customer may find a shop attractive due to its versatility in terms of product assortment and variety, physical evidence, tailor-measured customer service, fast service recovery rate, longetivity, location convenience, one-stop shopping advantage among other things. Howard (2007) asks what she terms as the obvious question of shopping as just what makes shopping a pleasurable or leisure experience. Amongst the work on particular environments and factors have appeared some interesting ideas about browsing (Bloch et al., 1991, 1994; Lombart, 2004, Howard, 2007). Jones (1999) looked at the array of factors involved in entertaining shopping experiences. Jones observed retailer factors (prices, selection, store environment and salespeople) and customer factors (social aspects, tasks, times, product involvement and financial resources) tog ether. There have been a few empirical studies done to analyze the motivational aspects of consumers to explain their attraction to shopping malls (Bodkin and Lord, 1997; Ruiz, 1999; Dennis et al., 2001; Nicholls, et al., 2000, 2002, El-Adly, 2007). Ruiz (1999) puts the starting point of some shoppers’ attractiveness to shops on the motives of purely economic motives; while others are attracted due to emotional motives and other due to multi-purpose shoppers which are the combination of these motives. In Nicholls et al. (2000), he found that Chilean consumers visit malls for fundamental reason of purchasing factors and also he found USA consumers visit to shopping malls is for diverse reasons which largely revolves around entertainment. Wakefield and Baker (1998) found that the mall environment influences the desire to stay and re-patronage intentions to the mall. Bloch et al. (1994) on the other hand in his paper investigated the consequence of shopping mall physical environment on consumers’ emotional states. His research reviewed that malls were viewed by consumers as a place for shopping as the basic reasons; however, entertainment played a role among other things in the view of consumers about the shopping mall. Nicholls et al. (2002) added to entertainment motives when he observed that today’s mall patrons tend to be more leisure driven than shoppers in the early 1990s. Finn Louviere, 1996; and Sit et al., 2003 in their studies have given the indication that, the significance of the shopping centre image is a decisive determinant on consumer patronage decisions. Terblanche (1999) was concerned about the impact of four dimensions on shopping centre patronage. His four dimensions of shopping center patronage included, functional, recreational, socializing, and convenience dimensions. He based on these dimensions to be the perceived profit that consumers enjoy when visiting a super regional shopping centre or a shopping mall. His findings showed that recreation (entertainment) appears to be the major benefit pursued by shoppers that patronize a super regional shopping centre. Bellenger et al., 1977; Bloch et al., 1994; and Roy, 1994 also looked at demographic and psychographic characteristics of mall patrons. Martin and Turley (2004) studied the attitudes of the young segment of shoppers towards malls, and factors arousing utilization. They found that they were more likely to be objectively rather than socially motivated to patronize. In addition to the effect of malls’ internal attributes on patronage, other attributes such as travel components that include comfort, reliability of transport mode, effort, tension, distance, and value were significant in affecting shopping centers’ patronage (Ibrahim, 2002). Segmenting the consumer market of shopping mall Over the last three decades, there has been a substantial amount of research on market segmentation for consumer goods and services El-Adly (2007). As competition in the retail marketplace increases, the need for more precise segmentation tools becomes greater Chetthamrongchai and Davies (2000). However, segmentation research in retailing was very rare and concentrated on individual stores, not on the mall itself (Frasquet et al., 2001; Ruiz et al., 2004). Demographic variables alone provide a narrow perspective of consumer behaviour and thus market segmentation (Boedeker and Marjanen, 1993). Methods using shopping motivation as the basis for distinguishing between individuals offer a more grounded approach in classifying shoppers, Stone (1954), Tauber (1972), Westbrook and Black (1985) and Bellenger and Korgaonkar (1980). Retail market segmentation is necessary and often critical to the development of effective marketing strategies in today’s competitive marketplace Segal and Giacobbe (1994). Segal and Giacobbe (1994) further posit that, the impetus for a market segmentation strategy is basic: customers exhibit heterogeneous needs and purchase patterns, and thus respond differently to different marketing stimuli. El-Adly (2007) suggest that there are two segmentation approaches that have been introduced in the marketing literature, a priori and cluster-based segmentation (also called post-hoc). Priory segmentation has been subject to criticism in that it focuses on the external characteristics of consumers (e.g. sex, age and social class) in describing the differences between segments’ behaviour El-Adly (2007). Harrison, (1995) asserts that, these external characteristics are not necessary determinants of buying behaviour. Thus, it is found that, just a few researchers have used this approach in shopping centre segmentation Chetthamrongchai and Davies (2000). Lee et al. (2005) as an instance studied shopping centre factors that have an influence on shopping enjoyment of male segment. They found that â€Å"shopping-centre features†, â€Å"ancillary facilities†, â€Å"value-added features† and â€Å"special events† are momentous in shaping male shoppersâ€℠¢ pleasure. Dennis et al. (2001) in a part of their study used different subsets of a priori segmentation pairs: male/female, higher/lower socio-economic groups, higher/lower household income, older/younger and auto/public transport. Dennis et al. (2001) however, the finally based their study on post-hoc segmentation. â€Å"Service† and â€Å"shops† were identified groups importance of motivation, which were seen as more useful than conventional a priori segmentation roots in modeling spending behaviour among shoppers. Compared with a priori segmentation, the post-hoc or cluster-based approach has obtained much attention in shopping mall segmentation El-Adly (2007). Using this approach, a heterogeneous population is segmented on the basis of homogeneous responses from within the population (Gwin and Lindgren, 1982). In this concern, Finn and Louviere (1990) identified shopper segments based on differences in shopping mall consideration sets and investigated the differences in mall choice parameters for these segments. At the same line, Boedeker (1995) segmented shoppers on the basis of their general choice criteria of a retail outlet, into two groups the â€Å"new type shoppers† who value both the recreational and economic/convenience characteristics of a retail outlet and the â€Å"traditional shoppers† who were much lower in their desire for the recreational aspects. Mall attributes have been used by Reynolds et al. (2002) to segment malls into five segments namely enthusiasts, basi c, apathetic, destination and serious. Sit et al. (2003) used the mall image attributes to segment shoppers into six market segments labeled as the â€Å"serious† shopper, the â€Å"entertainment† shopper, the â€Å"demanding† shopper, the â€Å"convenience† shopper, the â€Å"apathetic† shopper, and the â€Å"service† shopper. Stone (1954) suggested that consumers engage in the shopping process for a variety of reasons which can be identified with one or more of four shopper-orientation profiles, namely economic shoppers, who view shopping as a necessary task; personalising shoppers, who value the social networking integral to shopping; ethical shoppers, who see shopping as an activity influenced by their views as to what is right or wrong, and apathetic shoppers, who dislike the activity. Other researchers have advanced and refined the notion of shopping motivation using the same or similar conceptualisations (Tauber, 1972; Buttle and Coates, 1984). Boedeker (1995) found that shopping profiles can be classified into two main types, new-type shoppers and traditional shoppers. Boedeker (1995) put forward that the main differences between these factions lie in their fondness for the use of leisure time and their experiences while shopping. New type shoppers refer to those consumers who simultaneously value both the recreational and economic/convenience characteristics of a retail outlet Chetthamrongchai and Davies (2000). They further posit that traditional shoppers tend to enjoy the experience more. Bellenger and Korgaonkar (1980) argue that, for some people, shopping may even be a very enjoyable use of time without the purchase of goods or services. These shoppers can be referred to as the recreational shoppers; they usually embark on non-planned shopping and are more likely to persist to shop even after making a purchase. Convenience shoppers on the other hand, may seek to minimize the time required for shopping Chetthamrongchai and Davies (2000). While most studies have considered shopping for any type of product, some previous studies have focused specifically on food shopping behaviour, the product sector of interest here. Cluster analysis has been used to identify market segments who share similar views (Darden and Ashton, 1974; Herrmann and Warland, 1990). Purchase decision process Trout and Rivkin (2000) estimate that there are now more than one million stock-keeping units (SKUs) in America, and that an average supermarket stocks 40,000 SKUs. The complexity of consumer decisions is increasing: in the 1960s a consumer chose between approximately 100 models from four car manufacturers – now there are 260 models from 20 manufacturers (Trout and Rivkin, 2000). Lye et al (2005) in their study have done an in-depth review of both empirical and theoretical studies on consumer decision making. Lye et al (2005) comprehensive analysis of consumer decision is being adopted by this study. They analyzed the works of Kotler, 1972; Schramm, 1971; Howard (1963); Nicosia (1966); Engel et al., 1978; Engel et al. (1968); Farley and Ring, 1970; Lutz and Resek, 1972; Hunt and Pappas, 1972; San Augustine et al., 1977; Hunt and Pappas, 1972; Rau and Samiee, 1981 They posit that the simplest and perhaps earliest theoretical form of consumer decision model was the â€Å"black box† (Kotler et al., 2004, p. 244). Lye et al (2005) explained that, the black box provides a simplified model focused on exogenous variables. The black box model avoided any supposition associated with identifying processes and variables embedded in the minds of consumers. It is essentially a stimulus-response model based on early communication research, including the work of Ivan Pavlov (Kotler, 1972, p. 104). Schramm argues that: . . . most of the communication process is in the â€Å"black box† of the central nervous system, the contents of which we understand only vaguely [. . .] we are therefore dealing with analogies and gross functions [. . .] [not] a true copy of what happens in the black box, a matter of which we cannot now speak with any great confidence (Schramm, 1971, pp. 24-5). The early integrated models of consumer decision-making attempted to unpack the black box to provide an understanding of the internal consumer decision process for marketing purposes Lye et al (2005). Howard (1963) presented an integrative model of buyer behaviour that was modified and became the well-known Howard and Sheth model (1969). Nicosia (1966) published an influential model that used a diagram and equations to explain the decision process. However, a lack of empirical support or subsequent modifications (Engel et al., 1978) resulted in Nicosia’s model disappearing from marketing texts. The Engel et al. (1968) buyer behaviour model survives today, albeit in a modified form. Although other models have been published, these early models were ground-breaking: they evolved and two of the three have survived for over 30 years Lye et al (2005). These integrated buyer behaviour models comes with some criticisms, and empirical testing has proved problematic (Farley and Ring, 1970; Lutz and Resek, 1972; Hunt and Pappas, 1972). However, support for parts of the models has been published (e.g. San Augustine et al., 1977). The greatest empirical challenges have been creating a clear definition of the model boundaries, identifying the relationship between the variables and determining the best proxies by which the variables can be operationalized (Hunt and Pappas, 1972; Rau and Samiee, 1981). The purpose of the early consumer decision models was to illustrate conceptually an integrated decision model rather than develop a precise, comprehensive research roadmap. The stated purpose of the Howard-Sheth model was the â€Å"description, application, and assessment of those elements of the theory of human behaviour which they believe to be essential in understanding the range of activities that they call ‘buying’† (Rau and Samiee, 1981, p. 307). Our current powerful analytical techniques may allow us to test these â€Å"holistic† early models, but should we do so? Should we impose 35 years of empirical research on these foundational conceptual models and expect empirical validity, when their stated purpose was a conceptual description? Lye et al (2005) asked what they call the fundamental question of whether the existing decision models reflect the reality of current decision making. They answered both in the affirmative and in the negative citing that, in the affirmative, decision models have been found to reflect decision-making within the context of a single decision that is under examination within the empirical research. In the negative they cited lack of generalization across decision contexts. The psychology world of the decision maker is seen to be influenced by a set of expectations that are in turn a function of the background of dependent on product and company specific factors as well as on the process of joint decision making. Howard and Sheth also called attention to the critical factors in organizational buying. Consumer Decision theory Consumer decision theory has been developed simultaneously in the psychology, organizational behaviour and marketing disciplines, with each trying to understand the decision-making of individuals, albeit for different purposes and from different perspectives Lye et al (2005). There are three main sets of groupings of consumer decision theory; they are; (1) Normative decision theory (von Neumann and Morgenstern, 1947; Savage, 1954). The normative decision theory gives a prescription of how the person making the decision should behave to obtain maximum utility (Edwards, 1954; Simon, 1955; Fischhoff et al., 1983; Beach, 1998). The expected utility theory (von Neumann and Morgenstern, 1947) and subjective expected utility theory (Savage, 1954) are examples of the normative decision theory. Fischer et al., (2000) asserts that â€Å"the normative decision theory permits decision makers to be uncertain about the occurrence of events in the external environment, but assume that decision makers know their own preferences with certainty†. (2) Simon (1955) has challenged the normative decision theory. He argued that the decision maker has only bounded rationality (March, 1978) and is seeking to â€Å"satisfice†, not maximize. Based on that, the behavioural decision theory has been formed (Payne et al., 1988, 1993). Payne et al in both of researches has found that consumers are adaptive decision makers and their preferences are highly dependent on person-, context-, and task-specific factors (Tversky, 1969; Lichtenstein and Slovic, 1971; Simonson, 1989; Slovic, 1995; Luce et al., 1997; Luce, 1998; Swait and Adamowicz, 2001). This constructive view of decision-making differentiates between behavioural and normative decision theory (Payne et al., 1992). In reality, not all decision makers have well-established preferences. Hence researchers argued that consumer preference uncertainty leads to contingent use of decision strategies (Payne, 1976, 1982; Christensen-Szalanski, 1978; Payne et al., 1995) and contingent we ighting of attribute importance (Tversky et al., 1988; Fischer et al., 2000) by consumers. Behavioural decision research has identified many decision strategies. â€Å"Satisficing† (Simon, 1955) is arguably the most well known behavioural strategy. (3) The third theory is the naturalistic decision theory (Klein et al., 1993). This has evolved out of the principle that decision behaviour should be observed in its natural settings and decision models be developed from the observed real-life decision behaviour (Beach, 1998). Naturalistic decision theory approaches decision making from both a process and outcome perspective Lye et al (2005). Lye et al (2005) posits that, the naturalistic theory begins with a â€Å"situation assessment† and offers multiple paths to a purchase decision depending on the consumer’s assessment of that decision situation. Each decision theory category has developed in response to a need to understand the consumer decision process within the â€Å"black box†, with many different decision strategies providing insight into how consumers make decisions Lye et al (2005). Consumer Decision Strategies Consumers in making purchase decisions go through processes which will eventually will them to the choice of a decision alternative (Svenson, 1979, Lye et al., 2005). The strategies that consumers go through can be categorized by using two factors which are the compensatory versus non-compensatory comparisons; and alternative-based versus attribute-based (Bettman et al., 1998) comparisons. Lye et al., (2005) have tabulated the comparative summary of normative and behavioural decision theories which I present in table I below. Table I: Classification of decision strategies Compensatory Non-compensatory Alternative Additive models Equal weighting models Weighted adding Conjunctive Equal weight Satisficing Disjunctive Attribute Additive difference models Differential weighting models Majority of confirming dimensions Lexographic Elimination by aspects Lye et al., 2005 All normative decision strategies fall within the â€Å"additive† group, reflecting a process of analyzing each option in detail. Compensatory strategies require consumers to make a trade-off between differing values on multiple attributes (Stevenson and Naylor, 1990). Compensatory strategies require extensive information processing because substantial detail is gathered to analyze the trade-offs Lye et al (2005). Non-compensatory strategies do not involve trade-off – rather, they focus on whether or not an attribute meets a predetermined cut-off level (Stevenson and Naylor, 1990). Alternative-based processing refers to a consumer selecting a product/brand and examining all of its attributes before considering the next product (or alternative) Lye et al (2005). The consumer as an adaptive decision maker and does not have a master list of preferences, creating challenges when they choose in an unfamiliar environment Lye et al., (2005). Payne et al. (1993), proposing an accuracy-effort framework, found that consumers are adaptive decision makers. No single strategy is the more efficient across all decision environments (Payne et al., 1995), and therefore consumers constantly adjust their behaviour and their decision strategy in a way that represents reasonable accuracy-effort trade-offs (March, 1978; Payne et al., 1990). Bettman et al. (1998) have proposed an extension of the accuracy-effort framework. They made a case that, in addition to maximizing decision accuracy and minimizing cognitive effort, consumers would also want to minimize negative emotion and maximize ease of justification for the purchase made; i.e. a combination of four meta-goals contributes to consumers’ contingent decision behaviour. Empirical research has revealed that consumers use a decision strategy based on task complexity (Payne, 1976; Olshavsky, 1979), cognitions (Pennington and Hastie, 1986, 1988; Shanteau, 1988; Hammond, 1990) and â€Å"feelings† or emotion (Garbarino and Edell, 1997; Luce et al., 1997). Research reveals the consumer may be an adaptive decision maker, utilizing different strategies in purchase decisions Lye et al., (2005). Buyer Behaviour Rational buyer behavior is based on the decision process, which involves the set of rules that the buyer employs to match his motives and his means of satisfying those motives (Howard and Sheth, 1969). Different studies have shown that consumers showing differences in their characteristics have different needs and wants, so the variation becomes observable in the decisions they take during buying a product (Zeithaml, 198; Zeithaml, 1988; Stanton et al., 1994). In view of that, a number of buyer behaviour models have been developed and discussed in the literature. I will therefore at this point give the state of affairs in the marketing and economics literature concerning behaviour models. Buyer behaviour models The buyer behaviour models on the present day’s literature are extensive and divergent in their methodology and usefulness. Nicosia (1968) and Engel et al. (1978) are among the very ones that are mostly used by researchers and in an attempt to arrive at a more purposeful model, there has been modification and improvement since they were introduced. The foundations of current consumer decision theory were laid in the 1960s with the Nicosia (1968), Engel et al. (1968) and Howard and Sheth (1969) integrated models of consumer decision making. Despite increasing purchase complexity, two of these models have been remarkably resilient and have remained as the basis for current marketing texts and marketing education (for examples, see Kotler et al., 2004; Sheth and Krishnan, 2005). The Nicosia model (1968) has its focus on the processes that proceeds purchases and followed by the act; and not necessarily on the act of purchasing itself, `The act of purchasing is only one component of a complex ongoing process; a process of many interactions amongst many variables Vignali et al, (2001). Vignali et al, (2001) asserts that, the firms attributes lead to a message being sent out to the consumer, who in turn translates the message based on their own attributes and needs. The Nicosia (1968) model assumes that no prior consumer knowledge or experience with the product exists. Researchers such as Loudon, 1988; Chisnall, 1992; and Solomon, 1994 believe that, the search and evaluation processes considered in this model are over-rational Vignali et al, (2001). They alluded to high-cost products as opposed to low-cost products. Therefore, the use of this model to study food buyer behaviour is limited. Howard and Sheth (1968) also developed a model which was more or less a black box model. This model ended up categorizing three variables which determine and influence an individual’s buying decision. These categories are; institutional environmental characteristics; societal environmental characteristics; personal characteristics. This model involves information processing, perception and purchasing processes which are a result of motives Vignali et al, (2001). The next commonly used model is the Engel, Kollat Blackwell model (1978) which originated in 1968. This model in 1973 went through some development and was further revised in 1978. The model por

Sunday, January 19, 2020

Thomas Fudge on his Vanilla Jefferson :: essays research papers fc

Thomas Jefferson by Norman Risjord is a biography of the third president of the United States that takes Thomas Jefferson from his youth through his later years in the early 19th century. The purpose of this book is to give a political and social overview of the Thomas Jefferson's life and career. It was written for both the student of American history and the casual reader interested in the genesis of the United States government, seen through the eyes of one of its founding fathers. The value of this book is that it shows that Jefferson was not a saint, yet he was one of the most intelligent presidents that the country has ever had. Risjord has given the book great value because he has framed Jefferson among his peers. Consequently, the book truly comes to life, and the reader is able to learn about Jefferson as well as his contemporaries James Madison, John Marshall, and John Adams. The scope of the book is all-inclusive. Risjord begins with Jefferson's birth on April 13, 1743 on his father's plantation, Shadwell, in Goochland County on the western edge. The narrative continues on to show Jefferson graduating from William and Mary College, then entering politics in Virginians House of Burgesses in 1769. Jefferson married Martha Skelton on New Year's Day, 1772. With the Virginia legislature from 1776 to 1779, Jefferson formed the groundwork for abolition of entail and primogeniture, for the establishment of religious freedom, and not for the public school system. Jefferson was of course the author of the Declaration of Independence, and because he had set this document in motion, he waited out the Revolutionary War to see if the colonies would win. If they had lost, Jefferson would have been hanged for treason against the King of England. He served as the minister to France from 1785 to 1789. At this time there was growing opposition to Alexander Hamilton and his policies, and Jefferson associated himself with a group called the Republicans, who were actually forerunners to the present Democratic Party. While Jefferson was serving as vice President from 1797 to 1801, he drafted the Kentucky Resolutions. He was elected President following a long deadlock with Aaron Burr in the House of Representatives. This happened mainly because Alexander Hamilton considered Burr the more dangerous man and he gave his support to Jefferson. Jefferson's election was a great victory for the democratic forces, but it was black Tuesday to the thousands of Federalists who believed that the Republican leader was an atheistic anarchist who feared that his administration would be that of a bloodyhanded revolutionist.

Saturday, January 11, 2020

Business Entity Case Study Essay

Lou, Jose and Miriam can go into business in the form of a corporation, or partnership, or LLC where Miriam provides monetary capital, while Lou and Jose provide manpower. An operating agreement or purchase-option agreement should be established under which Lou and Jose could each buy a predetermined portion of the business at a predetermined cost. If they choose to establish a corporation, they can elect to be taxed as an S corporation where they will not pay tax at the corporate level. The taxes will be paid at the personal level to avoid double taxation. One thing that should be guarded against is entering into a future agreement where manpower or future personal effort will be exchanged for shares or capital contributions. This is because capital contributions must have present value. Furthermore, Miriam must be aware that any present transfer of her capital contributions to either Lou or Jose capital account or shares, could be considered as a gift, and could subject Miriam to g ift taxation. Also, it could be viewed as taxable income to Lou and Jose, which would reduce their net investment value (Hartman, 2006). Extermination Business Based on the fact that Frank wants to establish the extermination business in many different places, the first thing he needs to think of is that his business should be a corporation. His plan will not qualify for a limited partnership. The only option available to Frank is the corporate option because Frank plans on establishing the business nationwide. Projecting the expected growth rate of the business, it may be best to file for a standard C corporation which will allow his business to take in more than 30 investors which will likely occur based on franchises or other opportunities by which he can acquire investor money for the business. One of the primary reasons is to remove his own personal liability by making the company a legal entity of its own. Frank must pay careful attention to the fact that he will be using chemicals in homes and they must be properly tested and  approved for public use. He must make sure that all the chemicals meet the requirements of necessary to be used in people’s home. Because of this, it is important for Frank to have someone who can take the time to verify the validity of each product that he uses to ensure its safety. Furthermore, he must ensure that he has adequate liability insurance to cover lawsuits should someone be injured by a chemical or by an employee in the home of a customer. The liability insurance would be necessary to cover the cost associated with medical bills or a lawsuit associated with an action taken on someone’s property. This insurance should be in place from day one and Frank must make sure that all employees are covered by such an insurance policy. Frank will have some time before he needs to focus on additional employment laws. The early stage of the business will not require a lot of paper works and legal actions. As the company grows to more than 50, it will require additional investments of time and money to ensure the company is operating within its legal boundaries. At that point the company will need to have some sort of legal representation to ensure the actions taken by the company are done in an appropriate and legal manner (Mallor, 2003). Construction Scenario Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, a person cannot be discriminated against in employment based upon race, color, nationality, religion, sex age or disability, except where an employer would suffer an undue hardship if it were required to employ under the discriminatory condition, and where no reasonable accommodation of the employee is possible. In the case of Michelle who is pregnant, it presents an identifiable undue hardship to the employer, because should she or her fetus be injured during the operation of the jackhammer, the employer would be subject to a workers’ compensation claim. In addition, because the job requires the operation of the jackhammer, there is no reasonable accommodation that the employer can possibly provide, which would not prevent the employee from working. Therefore, even though the employer would discriminate against Michelle, it is not liable under either the Americans with Disabilities Act or under the Civil Rights Act which will be discrimination based on disability and sex respectively. In the case of Eric, him not having a high school diploma  excludes him from consideration for employment. However, as a person 40 years or older is protected by the Age Discrimination, because it is difficult for older employees to obtain high school diploma if they do not possess it already. This implies that, Surebuild could be liable for age discrimination, if the company uses the lack of a diploma as the reason for denying Eric. In the case of Felipe who does not speak English, Surebuild could be held liable for discrimination if English is not a requirement for the performance of the position he is applying for. Surebuild could be charged with discrimination against race, and nationality. Considering Nick, he has a high school diploma, and is well qualified for the job based upon his education. The problem he has is that, he has no experience and he is also epileptic. However, the advertisement does not state experience with a jackhammer as a requirement. The only issue at hand is his epileptic condition. Surebuild can deny Nick for employment and will not be liable for discrimination against him for being disabled. This is because he can have a seizure in the middle of the operation of the jackhammer and that can cause injury not only to himself but to others as well. However, if Nick can show proof or medical records that suggest that his illness is controlled by a certain medication and that he will not have a seizure while operating the machinery, then he should be qualified for the position. If Surebuild refuses to employ him based on his illness, the company will be liable for discrimination against the disabled (Mallor, 2006). References: Hartman, L. P. (2005). Perspective in Business Ethics (3rd Ed.). Columbus, OH: The McGraw-Hills Companies. Mallor, J.P., Barnes, J.A., & Bowers, T.L. (2003). The Ethical, Global, and E-Commerce Environment (13th Ed.). Columbus, OH: The McGraw-Hills Companies. * * *