An Introduction to the Development of the Greek Alphabet

The Effects Of Video Games On Children - 2093 Words

For many years, the age-old debate of whether video games lead to violence has caused dismay to parents and children alike. Parents because they fear for their child’s development and children because they fear the restrictions that will be put upon them. The topic itself falls into the much wider realm of censorship and how it should be handled regarding children. Many different types of media including things like television, social media, and video games have become sacrificial lambs for the most violent and aggressive acts that younger people commit. It is important that these distinctions be made to help concerned parents determine if they want their child to consume forms of media like video games and to keep others safe. The two†¦show more content†¦In their task force report they showed that, â€Å"The research demonstrates a consistent relation between violent video game use and increases in aggressive behavior, aggressive cognitions and aggressive affect, a nd decreases in prosocial behavior, empathy and sensitivity to aggression† (www.apa.org). The research that often suggests links to increased aggressiveness with video games are continually being done to support this side of the argument giving it a heavy load of numerical data to back it up. They will use this data to explain how this increase in aggressive behavior will cause potential crime in the future. Having aggressive behavior does not always result in a violent action, but it can lead to them and this is where the concern comes into play for the people on this side. Another thing is that there is no doubt that real world crimes may be inspired by video games with some stories coming out that relate real world crimes to video games, drawing more attention to the topic. These real-world acts are what separates aggressive behavior from actual violent actions that someone commits. One of the very first huge acts of violence that really started up the whole debate happen o n April 20th, 1999 at Columbine High School in Jefferson County, Colorado. It was here where two students, who were known to play video games such as Wolfenstein 3D and Doom, killed thirteen other students. This leads to the argument that most shootersShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Video Games On Children Essay1279 Words   |  6 PagesIntroduction Video games have always been a controversial type of entertainment, that may come from how relatively new video games are compared to other mediums of entertainment[1]. Maybe because of that when a violent crime occurs and the culprit has played a lot of games the media is quick to point at violent games as the reason for the crime, but is that true or are the media just biased or looking for quick views, this report aims to answer that question. Do games affect our way of thinkingRead MoreEffects Of Video Games On Children Essay1357 Words   |  6 PagesScreening to a halt: Are parents in New Zealand able to identify signs of dependency or addiction in their children due to over use of screen-time from the recreational use of video games? Digital technology and the vast amount of video games have increased the amount of screen time consumption in contemporary New Zealand society. The saturation of smart phones, ipad’s, tablets, computers, game consoles and the Internet are devices with the means of connection to gaming. Many New Zealand families integrateRead MoreThe Effects of Video Games on Children1288 Words   |  6 PagesThe Effects of Video Games on Children Technology today has progressed rapidly from generation to generation. Children and young adults are both into video games and the latest gadgets out there. Video games have been available to customers for the last 30 years. They are a unique way to entertain individuals because they encourage players to become a part of the games script. Victor Strasburger an author of â€Å"Children, Adolescents, and the media† stated â€Å"The rising popularity of video games hasRead MoreThe Effects Of Video Games On Children1548 Words   |  7 PagesVideo Games Introduction Today video games are a staple in most households. It is pretty amazing to know that the first creation of games date all the way back to the 1900s. They were not originally invented to make a profit, but to give patients something to do while waiting in the lobby of an office. One inventor had a simple idea of using the monitor not just as a television set, but as a way to play games. College students were just playing around with equipment and happened upon something greatRead MoreThe Effects of Video and Video Games on Children2043 Words   |  8 Pagesaction, usually in a cartoon, movie, or video game. For many of us, Disney is where we refer back to early forms of animation with the idea of using thousands of consecutive drawings; through Disney, we can now see how far this idea of breathing life into static objects has advanced. Today, animation is becoming more and more realistic. With highly advanced technology and computer programs, it has become easier for simple cartoons to develop into what children see as real life. These animated cartoonsRead MoreVideo Games And Its Effects On Children927 Words   |  4 PagesVideo games are a more interesting form of entertainment for the simple reason that players may become part of the game’s plot. Video games were invented for many years now. However, the current variety of games raised concerns about how they affect the children s behavior due to the fact that the games are becoming more sophisticated. Children spend most of their free time playing video games. Sometimes children refrain from completing important duties and dedicate all of their time playing videoRead MoreVideo Games And Its Effects On Children940 Words   |  4 Pageswas bored they went outside to play, they created new games, or they played with friends. But, for the past three decades, video games and other digital media have been persuading many adolescents and children to spend the majority of their time playing them. Video games seem to satisfy children’s natural need to interact socially, however more often than not, they lead to social isolation. Overexposure to digital media, such as video games is detrimental to the health and function of a child’sRead MoreVideo Games And Its Effects On Children1519 Words   |  7 PagesVideo games in the 21st century have transformed from friendly competing into guns, explosions, and major violence. Video games are getting away with more violence every year and the games are becoming more extreme. The consistence and severity of violence is at an all-time high leading the most popular games in the gaming community to have a ‘mature’ rating due to the considerable amount of violence involved. For example, one of the highest selling video games of all time grossing one billion itsRead MoreThe Effects of Video Games on Children1656 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction For more than 30 years, video gaming has been a popular activity amongst many of America’s children. With over $63 billion (Reuters, reuters.com) worth sold each year, video games are here to stay. While much controversy has arisen over the subject, video games have benefited the United States of America and its citizens to a great degree. For example, the military and CIA use gaming to train soldiers (Davidson, www.ehow.com), and classrooms use video games to teach students. The potentialRead MoreThe Effects Of Video Games On Children Essay1736 Words   |  7 PagesEffects of Video Games We see it everywhere we go, video games. Kids and adults are being captivated over the new video games that are coming out. Call of Duty, Battlefield,Uncharted; these are the games that people are enjoying and becoming fascinated with. What do all of those things have in common? There is only one answer and that is violence. Fighting, shooting, killing, these are the things that video games bring to the table and stimulate people s minds. We should ask ourselves whether

Bureaucracy Report Card Free Essays

In certain parts of the world, the bureaucracy or certain government agencies are being given feedback by their clients, more specifically the citizens, through a report card. The said report card seeks to provide a picture of the performance exhibited by the public servants, and the bureaucracy in general, based on a number of facets that needs to be considered but mostly depends on their experience of the service rendered to them. However, there are certain limitations that this grading system poses. We will write a custom essay sample on Bureaucracy Report Card or any similar topic only for you Order Now It has the tendency to provide a greater sphere of power to the society due to the fact that they are given a very powerful tool through which they can serve as the indicators or trends. If it could be as easy to remove a public servant through the report card given to them by the public, it is feared that continuity within the bureaucracy is disturbed with the constant changes brought about by the grades given by the citizens. This happens, if and only if, it will serve as the sole basis for termination or would have a greater weight among other things. In light of such, it also means that the security of tenure provided for several bureaucrats that is based on the intention to establish a rational organization based on merit would also be affected. If such is to be implemented, there should be safeguards established in order to achieve its goal of gathering objective feedbacks from the people. It has been successfully implemented for different agencies and relevant studies of the factors that contribute towards it success should have much bearing on how it is to be considered by different parties. Likewise, the approach should be that the tool is only supplemental to other forms of feedback that could come from other sources such as that which is advocated through a 360-degree feedback. It can be said that the tool of providing a report card for the bureaucrats is helpful but it is to be considered in light of the different amendments that are to be made to fill the gaps that it currently has. How to cite Bureaucracy Report Card, Papers

Management Principles for DGL International- MyAssignmenthelp.com

Question: Discuss about theManagement Principles for DGL International. Answer: Introduction DGL International is a manufacturing company that deals with the manufacture of refinery equipment. Over the previous years, the company has experienced a lag in the technical service department as it has been seen to be nonproductive despite the fact that they are the most educated and highly paid. The management hired a new manager who was to head the department, and his aim was to turn it around. John Terrill first step was to identify where the problem was so that to be able to know the way and strategies to use in the changing the department into a productive one. After a meeting with the engineers, he was able to come up with possible reasons that were making the engineers not be in the position to produce results (McGrath, Bates, 2013). The fact that the engineers spent most of their time writing reports to the top management they had no time to work on their daily activities that they were hired to do and the reports were not being read at all. The reason as to why the depar tment was poorly performing was also of the idea of being pushed to doing what they were not hired to do. The top management was always on their back pushing for results that were not being worked for. The department was also seen to lack a manager that would be representing them and their problems. Key Management Challenges The management of DGL International has been in the position to source for highly qualified employees so that they can be productive to the company. The company has also been able to ensure that the employees hired are compensated and paid off well so that to ensure their well-being at the enterprise. The companys management has been able to make sure that the welfare of its employees is taken care of adequately but they forgot to also touch on the key areas of the company. Over the years the company has also been seen to face challenges and problems in their daily operations. All this saw the company be in the position to lag behind in some of their activities and departments. The fact that the top management will have to ask for a report from the departments so as to monitor their progress, the managers have not been in the position to read and review them. If the top management does not read the reports that are provided by the departments they will not be able to know and identify the reason as to why a certain department is not productive. The top management is always seen to be pushing and complaining about the technical service department, and they have not been able to find out the reason as to why the department is not productive. The top management is seen to be ignorant and less concerned with whatever takes place in the departments. The fact that the management will have to hire highly qualified employees to their company, it is seen that the company will not be in the position to assign them to their specified job and also be able to monitor them. The employees will find themselves working on other different activities that will prevent them fr om working on their jobs. The company has been seen to have a problem with their top management. This is in the sense that the top management will be seen to be in the position to control everything without the help of ground supervisors. The flow of information will at thus be affected a great deal as the chain of command and information will not be in place (Adetule, 2011). Employees will have to be dealing directly with the top managers, an act that is not healthy for an organization or company. The technical service has been seen to operate without a manager who represented them, and this made the engineers deal directly with the top managers. The top managers were not interested to know and monitor what was happening in the department as they had no time for the department. Case Analysis Systems Theory DGL International Companys technical service unit seems be have been inactive over the years. The company was not in the position to act the moment they realized that the department was not performing. The management failed to use the systems theory in their management processes (Wallis, 2010). Systems theory is a theory that has proved to have ability to help the manager to identify and understand all the systems in the organization that affects their productivity. The theory help managers to connect all the systems by ensuring that information is relayed from one point to the other without existing barrier (Jackson, 2000). The top management of DGL International failed to connect all the systems in their organization that would have helped them identify the problem in the technical department. The company had to hire a new manager who would lead the department and ensure that it is in the position to produce results. John Terrill was able to use the system theory by making sure that he linked all the empty gaps in the department (Birolini, 2001). He was able to identify the kind of system that was being used in the company that was not conversant with the employees. He was able to use the system theory that the employees were comfortable with and also that made the employees feel free and share information (Skyttner, 2001). He was also able to connect activities and ensured that their operations were smooth and each one of them was able to depend on the other for one reason or the other. Chaos Theory This is a management theory that focuses on change in the organization widely. Change at times is to be rigid but at the same time seen to be inevitable (Hodge, 2010). There are some activities and ideas in an organization that cannot be changed or done differently as they are used to be done. Chaos theory explains that every organization has got their ways in which they operate and so this will have to determine what kind of activity or rule will have to be changed. Despite the fact that some ideas and activities in the company cannot be modified, but when it comes at a point where the rule has to be changed for the benefit of the company, there will be no reason but to change it. John Terrill was in the position to exercise chaos theory when the management hired him. He was able to scrutinize the technical department in a way that he was able to come up with the strategies and the norms that were making the department lag behind (Fairholm, Fairholm, 2009). Despite the fact that changing the way the companys technical department was operating was in a way difficult, he was able to change the operations gradually. The fact that the engineers were preparing and writing reports in triple copies, he was able to try and change the culture. The change was able to ensure that the engineers were in the position to carry out the duties that they were hired to do. This change was able to create ample time for the engineers, and so they were able to produce results as they had time to work on the companies technicalities. Chaos theory helped John change the culture of the department and took it to appoint that it was supposed to be (Nohria, Khurana, Anand, 2010). The e ngineers were seen to be happy as they were now doing what they were hired for, compared with the first time they used to spend most of their time writing reports that were even not being read and reviewed. Contingency Theory Contingency theory is a theory that managers use to deal with situation at hand rather than generalizing every situation to represent the rest. The theory has also been seen to be able to help managers identify a problem that affects a certain department and be able to deal with it separately and accordingly (Witzel, Warner, 2013). The theory has also been seen to help the management when it comes to the point of determining the most efficient project to be chosen from the many that have been presented. A manager will have to be able to ensure that he will be able to carefully scrutinize a project and be able to identify strengths and weaknesses of the project and their effects on the company. The process will have to ensure that the specific problems that affect the project and the company will have to be dealt with accordingly so that to avoid further damage to the other departments. Contingency theory is one essential theory that a manager will have to ensure that they use to man age their company efficiently. DGL International management failed to use contingency theory in managing the company actively. The technical service department was seen to be poorly performing in the previous months which were to raise the alarm to the management, but it did not. The department continued to post poor results, but the management was seen to assume that the department will soon pick up as it has the most educated and highest paid employees. The administration failed to recognize the impending threat that was originating from the department, and so they did not act towards it. The situation worsened, and so this made the management to hire John Terrill to lead the department and change the operations (Barnes, 2002). John was in the position to deal with each particular problem that affected the performance of the department. He was able to ensure that the engineers had enough time to perform their duties by making sure that the daily reports that they wrote were only done once a month. He was also ab le to ensure that the top management was out of the engineers backs so that to make them ease and relaxed while partaking their duties. The move was able to ensure that the department was able to get back on track and started to produce results as expected (Morrison, 2000). The performance was realized as the factors that acted as a hindrance to the department had been relieved. Recommendations DGL International should be in the position to ensure that all the managers work together and can exercise the best management skills in managing the companys operations (Cole, 2004). The technical service department should be in the position to be left independent from the top management (Northouse, 2013). This is to ensure that the engineers work with ease and be able to produce results when they are settled and also work without being pressed. The companys top management should be in the position to ensure that the welfare of the employees is catered for and the employees are free from activities that will make them work under pressure. The fact that the management will be in need of reports from the departments, it should not be in the position to exploit the employees by expecting daily reports that are not reviewed at all. Conclusion In conclusion, management theories are important to any company or organization's management (Kazmi, 2002). Any management should be in the position to ensure that they exercise more than one theory and exercise it adequately. This will have to make the organization be run smoothly and without any hardship. The theories will also help the companys management be able to portray the best character that will have to ensure that the set goals and targets are achieved. The organization's employees will also be favored in the sense that they will be comfortable as the management has also considered their perspective. The theories should be well studied by the managers so that to ensure they exercise them adequately in the companies. References Adetule, J. (2011).Handbook on management theories. Bloomington: Author House. Barnes, S. (2002).Knowledge management systems: theory and practice. Australia London: Thomson Learning. Birolini, A. (2001).Quality and Reliability of Technical Systems: Theory - Practice - Management. Berlin, Heidelberg: Springer Berlin Heidelberg. Cole, G. (2004).Management theory and practice. London: Thomson Learning. Fairholm, M. Fairholm, G. (2009).Understanding leadership perspectives: theoretical and practical approaches. New York: Springer. Hodge, B. (2010).Chaos theory and the Larrikin Principle: working with organizations in a neo-liberal world. Malmo, Sweden Frederiksberg, Denmark Oslo, Norway Portland, OR: Liber Copenhagen Business School Press University International Specialized Book Services distributor. Jackson, M. (2000).Systems approaches to management. New York: Kluwer Academic/Plenum. Kazmi, A. (2002).Business policy and strategic management. New Delhi: Tata McGraw-Hill. McGrath, J. Bates, B. (2013).The little book of big management theories ... and how to use them. Harlow, England: Pearson. Morrison, K. (2000).Management theories for educational change. London Thousand Oaks, Calif: P. Chapman Pub. Nohria, N., Khurana, R. Anand, B. (2010).Handbook of leadership theory and practice: an HBS centennial colloquium on advancing leadership. Boston, Mass: Harvard Business Press. Northouse, P. (2013).Leadership: theory and practice. Thousand Oaks: SAGE. Rabin, J., Miller, G. Hildreth, W. (2011).Handbook of strategic management. New York: M. Dekker. Skyttner, L. (2001).General systems theory: ideas applications. Singapore River Edge, N.J: World Scientific. Wallis, S. (2010).Cybernetics and systems theory in management: tools, views, and advancements. Hershey, PA: Information Science Reference Witzel, M. Warner, M. (2013).The Oxford handbook of management theorists. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

16Th Century Poetry Essays - The Canterbury Tales,

16Th Century Poetry Part I: 1. Name three of the Germanic tribes that brought to England the dialects that make up the basis of the language we now call Old English. The Germanic tribes that brought the dialects were the Angles, the Saxons, and the Jutes. 2. Give an example from Beowulf of three of the following poetic devices: alliteration, the kenning, variation (repetition of appositives), or the litote (understatement). There are several examples of alliteration in lines 3079-3084, Nothing we advised could ever convince the prince we loved, our lands guardian, not to vex the custodian of the gold, let him lie where he was long accustomed, lurk there under earth until the end of the world. He held to his high destiny. I found lines 427-429 to be a good use of the caesura, And so, my request, O king of Bright-Danes, dear prince of the Shieldings, friend of the people and their ring of defense. The author used the kenning several times in the sentence on lines 647-651, He realized that the demon was going to descend on the hall, that he had plotted all day, from dawn-light until darkness gathered again over the world and stealthy night-shapes came stealing forth under the cloud-murk. He used dawn-light to mean morning or dusk, night-shapes to mean demons, and cloud-murk to mean fog. 3. Name three epic conventions and tell in what way each is used in Beowulf. Beowulf certainly consist of an epic journey by which Beowulf travels by sea from southern Sweden, home of the Geats, to Zealand, home of the Danes. It involves single-handed combat, I hereby renounce sword and the shelter of the broad shield, the heavy war-board: hand-to-hand is how it will be, lines 436-439. It also involved someone who was not an ordinary man, There was no one else like him alive. In his day, he was the mightiest man on earth, lines 196-197. 4. Name some of the types of literature Chaucer uses in The Canterbury Tales. Tell what types of literature three of the Prologues and Tales assigned for the course represent. The romance, the sermon, and the confession are all types of literature that Chaucer uses. The Pardoners Prologue and The Wife of Baths Prologue are examples of the confession. An example of the sermon is found in The Pardoners Tale. The Wife of Baths Tale is a good example of the romance. 5. Chaucer is a master of irony. Give one example of his use of each of these three types of irony: verbal, dramatic, and situational. The examples may come from any of the Chaucer selections assigned. Chaucer uses verbal irony describing the Summoner in The General Prologue in line 650, A better felawe sholde men nought finde, saying that the Summoner is a good man when he truly thinks of him as a sinner. Part I: 6. What military event, which took place in what year, made French the most widely used written language in England for over 150 years? The Norman Conquest of 1066. 7. Why is the Knight on the pilgrimage? How does Chaucer indicate this? The knight was on the pilgrimage for fun. Chaucer indicated this by telling of the knight just coming from a voyage of battle, and he now does not wear his armor. 8. In what century did the Germanic tribes whose dialects form the basis of Old English arrive in England? In the fifth century, between 450 and 600 A.D. 9. In what month did the pilgrimage described in The Canterbury Tales take place? Who wore a brooch of gold ful sheene, / On which ther was first writen a crowned A, / And after, Amor vincit omnia? Who was The holy blissful martyrThat hem hath holpen whan that they were seke? Who said, I preche of no thing but for coveitise? The pilgrimage takes place in April after the drought of March had broken. The Nonne, a Prioresse, wore the brooch of gold ful sheene. St. Thomas ? Becket was the holy blissful martyr. It is The Pardoner who says I preche of no thing bur for convetise. 10. Of whom is it said, Ther nas no man nowher so vertuous; He was the beste beggere in his hous? Of whom is it said, But greet harm was it, as it thoughte

Free Essays on Black Boy

Short Summary of Black Boy: Black Boy: A Record of Childhood and Youth is hailed in the genre of American literature as one of the most important non-fiction works documenting not only a piece of history, but a piece of African American culture. The novel starts with Richard at the age of four, who mistakenly burns down the house after starting a fire out of boredom. As punishment, Richard is beaten - a typical punishment he receives from authority figures. When Richard father figuratively says to kill a cat outside (because it is making too much noise), he purposely disobeys his father by strangling the cat. When his mother makes him bury and pray for the cat, he is haunted by the image of the cat's ghost. Richard's father deserts the family, and his mother is left to earn money to feed the family, leaving Richard and his brother unattended. When Richard is six years old, he wanders into the local saloon and learns how to drink and swear. Despite Richard's obvious intellectual capabilities exemplified by his q uick learning skills, he is still unaware of the relationship between blacks and whites in the South. Richard and his family move to Elaine, Arkansas, to live with Aunt Addie and Uncle Hoskins a successful proprietor of a saloon catering to black workers. On the way to Elaine, they stop to stay with Granny in Jackson. When Ella the young schoolteacher renting out a room from Granny reads Richard the story of Bluebeard, Granny kicks her out of the house for blasphemy and "Devil stuff." Richard is also beaten for saying obscenities to his Grandmother. In Elaine, Richard is allowed to eat as much as he wants for the first time. But when an envious group of white men murder Uncle Hoskins, Richard and his family flee the town. They stay at Granny's house for a period before moving on to West Helena, where Richard would associate with the black neighborhood children and ridicule Jewish people in the neighborhood. They live in a po... Free Essays on Black Boy Free Essays on Black Boy Short Summary of Black Boy: Black Boy: A Record of Childhood and Youth is hailed in the genre of American literature as one of the most important non-fiction works documenting not only a piece of history, but a piece of African American culture. The novel starts with Richard at the age of four, who mistakenly burns down the house after starting a fire out of boredom. As punishment, Richard is beaten - a typical punishment he receives from authority figures. When Richard father figuratively says to kill a cat outside (because it is making too much noise), he purposely disobeys his father by strangling the cat. When his mother makes him bury and pray for the cat, he is haunted by the image of the cat's ghost. Richard's father deserts the family, and his mother is left to earn money to feed the family, leaving Richard and his brother unattended. When Richard is six years old, he wanders into the local saloon and learns how to drink and swear. Despite Richard's obvious intellectual capabilities exemplified by his q uick learning skills, he is still unaware of the relationship between blacks and whites in the South. Richard and his family move to Elaine, Arkansas, to live with Aunt Addie and Uncle Hoskins a successful proprietor of a saloon catering to black workers. On the way to Elaine, they stop to stay with Granny in Jackson. When Ella the young schoolteacher renting out a room from Granny reads Richard the story of Bluebeard, Granny kicks her out of the house for blasphemy and "Devil stuff." Richard is also beaten for saying obscenities to his Grandmother. In Elaine, Richard is allowed to eat as much as he wants for the first time. But when an envious group of white men murder Uncle Hoskins, Richard and his family flee the town. They stay at Granny's house for a period before moving on to West Helena, where Richard would associate with the black neighborhood children and ridicule Jewish people in the neighborhood. They live in a po... Free Essays on Black Boy In Richard Wright’s novel, Black Boy, Richard is struggling to survive in a racist environment in the South. In his youth, Richard is vaguely aware of the differences between blacks and whites. He scarcely notices if a person is black or white, and views all people equally. As Richard grows older, he becomes more and more aware of how whites treat blacks, the social differences between the races, and how he is expected to act when in the presence of white people. Richard, with a rebellious nature, finds that he is torn between his need to be treated respectfully, with dignity and as an individual with value and his need to conform to the white rules of society for survival and acceptance. As a child growing up in the Jim Crow South, Richard is faced with constant pressure to conform to the white authority. However, even from an early age, Richard has a strong spirit of rebellion. The black community reacts to his rebellion disapprovingly, and Richard suffers intense isolation and loneliness during the early years of his life, feeling that he does not fit in or belong with his family or the black community. An example of Richard’s rebelliousness because of his attempts to gain respect and equality is shown when he is selected as the valedictorian of his graduating class and he is asked to deliver a speech. The principal calls him to his office and tells him to recite a speech that the principal wrote himself, saying that Richard needs to recite his speech because he is going to be speaking in front of white people and it is important to make a good impression. Richard, of course, refuses the principal’s speech and recites his own, despite the disapproving feelings of his peers and elders. Richard tells the principal, â€Å"I know I’m not educated, professor. But the people are coming to hear the students, and I won’t make a speech that you’re written† (Wright 193). Richard did not understand until later that the b lack communit... Free Essays on Black Boy This novel is set in Harlem in New York City. The Grimes migrate to the North in search of new opportunities. Elizabeth bids goodbye to her aunt in Maryland and leaves with Richard. She arrives in New York with great expectations but she is sorely disappointed. "Here, in this great city where no one cared, where people might live in the same building for years and never speak to one another, she found herself, when Richard took her in his arms, on the edge of a steep place and down she rushed, on the descent uncaring, into the dreadful sea." New York is a big and bustling city but it is heartless. The only way Elizabeth and Richard make their existence meaningful is by visiting places of interest in the city on weekends. They go to the Central Park or the Museum of Natural history to take their mind off from the daily drudgery. John Grimes does the same when he has to escape out of his dingy quarters at Harlem. He climbs a hill nearby to view New York in all its majesty and imagines himself to be an influential figure in the city. From there he walks over to mid-town Manhattan and Central Park to get a feel of the city. John experiences a sense of freedom in all the places outside his home at Harlem. His house was "narrow and dirty; nothing could alter its dimensions, no labour could ever make it clean. Dirt was in the walls and the floorboards, and triumphed beneath the sink where roaches spawned; was in the fine ridges of the pots and pans, scoured daily, burnt black on the bottom, hanging above the store; was in the wall against which they hung, and revealed itself where the paint had cracked and leaned outward in stiff squares and fragments, the paper-thin underside webbed with black." In similar quarters live Florence and other Negroes like her. If they look out of their window, they can see "scraps of paper and frosty dust, and - the hanging signs of stores and storefro...

DQ Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

DQ - Assignment Example Q2. No, all businesses do not have the same functional areas. The functional areas in a business would depend on the size and need (Singla, 2009). With variation in size, larger organizations tend to have more and independent functional areas such as marketing and sales, production, customer service and human resources than their smaller counterparts. For example, Apple Inc., a technological firm, has information and technology department to undertake its ICT functions (Apple Inc., 2015). However, a small scale fisherman would not have such a functional area as the business does not need to leverage on information technology to execute its functions. Q3. At Apple Inc., functional areas are interdependent, with Design relying on Human Resources to attract the rightful personnel to undertake its mandate and Finance dependent on Sales to meet the financial obligations of the corporation among others (Apple Inc., 2015). Thus, for a consultant, there would be need to understand all the various functional areas of the organization before offering the needed services. This follows the argument by Srivastava and Verma (2012) that such a consultant would have to consider a problem from the perspective of the organization as a whole, factoring in the interest of all functional areas to reach a

GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

GLOBAL FINANCIAL CRISIS - Essay Example It started when the US sub-prime mortgage market collapsed due to the default on payments. A sub-Prime mortgage is a loan made for homes to borrowers who are not eligible for prime home loans because they either do not have sound credit history or have non at all. For example, people with low incomes, low bank transactions, history of defaults or unemployment, can use these mortgage loans to purchase homes. These loans are generally given out by lenders on higher interest rates, additional fees, penalties for early satisfaction of the loan and other additional costs such as adjustable interest rates (ARM). With such instruments where the borrowers do not have a credit history for the borrowers to base heir decisions on, there is a high risk of default. What was once known as the leader and a strong entity of the economy in 2007, the real estate business took a complete nosedive, which was not expected as the values of houses had not declined since World War 2 and were on a continuous rise after the great depression, and thus, lead to the liquidity crunch in the US market. The mortgage taken by investors had real estate as collateral which eventually lost all its value and hence defaults on payments occurred. The demand for houses increased also during 2001 because the federal government reduced the interest rates, it was the lowest in 2001. This allowed people to invest in more houses and people started buying vacation houses and second homes. The builders continued building more and more houses even after the demand for property started to decrease after a while. The property market became so overvalued that finally the market collapsed, resulting in a rapid decrease in the rates properties and property demands. (University of Iowa, 2008) Many Credit Rating agencies also played a major role in the event. The Mortgage backed securities which were in great demand in the early 2002, continued with the increasing demand and although

Chapter's summery Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Chapter's summery - Essay Example Seizing leadership in everyday conversations is a great art. To an extent it is God-given but one can achieve that level by constant practice. Such perfection in the art of conversation with the backup of solid backgrounder information is an attainable reality, so that the words spoken carry a deep impact and not a passing influence. The listener responds with the feeling that something tangible is added to his knowledge on the subject. When a person speaks, one’s inner perceptions come to the fore and the speech has the impact on the person or the audience with whom one interacts. If the impact is positive, the framing aspect is perfect. If it is negative, more efforts and exercises in the area of framing are needed. With the charismatic leadership the role of language is unique and such leadership makes proper use of metaphor, analogy etc.at the proper time. What you speak is no doubt important; but how you speak what you speak, supported by the wealth of relevant informatio n is more important. Such level in the art of speaking is possible by proper framing. The listener feels amply rewarded and shows an express intent to get more and more details when he interacts. He remains attentive. In chapter I the quote that appeals to my heart immensely, is what we remember of John F. Kennedy’s 1961 inaugural address when he said, â€Å"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.†(1) The brevity of the idea and the profound impact that it creates instantly on the audience is worth emulating. This type framing carries the universal appeal and it addresses to the entire humankind. This quote has two important parts. It appeals to the citizen to be less demanding and perform more in the interest of the nation. The hearty expectation of sacrifice for the national interests is ingrained in the appeal of President Kennedy. It hints in style about the responsibilities

Classifications Of Business To Consumer Information Technology Essay

Classifications Of Business To Consumer Information Technology Essay Emergence of internet over the past few years has changed the trends of business world at exponential rate. Now world has become a Global Village which means what used to be a single physical market place located in one geographical area has now become a border-less marketplace, attracting customers and businesses from all over the world. It provides businesses with many advantages for instance setting up an online business is less costly since it doesnt require physical infrastructure for a shop, a business can operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and 365 days a year, these long working hours helps businesses generating more profits. It also offers businesses to try new product lines and marketing strategies in cost effective way. The biggest advantage of online business is that even small businesses can compete with international corporations since consumers cannot figure out the actual size of firm. E-commerce can be defined in different ways: E-commerce refers to various online commercial activities focusing on commodity exchanges by electronic means, internet in particular. Zheng Qin (2009) , Introduction to e commerce, Page 7 E-COMMERCE refers to the paperless exchange of business information using electronic data interchange, electronic mail, electronic bulletin boards, electronic funds transfer, world wide web, and other network-based technologies. E-COMMERCE, The Cutting Edge of Business , Second Edition (2005) by Kamlesh K Bajaj and Debjani Nag E-COMMERCE is the use of telecommunications and computers to facilitate the trade of goods and services E-commerce by S. Pankaj (2005) page 3 Types of E-commerce There are Four Main Types Of E-commerce Model: 1) Business to Business (B2B) B2B can be define as commerce transactions between businesses, such as transactions between a wholesaler and retailer. 2) Business to Consumer (B2C) As discussed in class lecture, B2C refers to a commerce transaction between business and individual rather then a company or Businesses selling to the general public for example Dell computer which sells directly to general public through website. 3) Consumer to Business( C2B) C2B is a reverse form of business to consumer, in C2B the commerce transaction take place between consumer and business, for instance Elance.com, which allow individuals to place their requirements on a website within hours companies review the project and make bids on a project then consumer review the bids and select the company with most suitable bid. 4) Consumer to Consumer (C2C) C2C is simply a commerce transaction between consumer to consumer, manay auctions webistes allow consumers to interact with other consumers to buy and sell all sort of items for example Ebay.com, Amazon.com. Above mentioned types of E-commerce clearly shows that electronic commerce is becoming the back bone of transactions at every level for both businesses and consumers. The impact of this emerging trend has changed the fundamentals of supply chain management by redefining the way in which consumers select, purchase and use products and services. E-commerce has also provided companies with opportunity to work more closer to customers what we call consumers intimacy which allow companies to shape their innovation process with changing demand of consumers. Classifications of Business-to-Consumer (B2C) E-Commerce: As described by Deborah Morley Charles S. Parker(2010) With the business to consumer model, businesses sell goods or services to individual consumers. The B2C model was one of the first major types of e-commerce business models to be defined and implemented using the Web. Some example of B2C businesses include Amazon.com, Walmart.com, Overstock.com, and BestBuy.com. There are two main types of B2C E-Commerce: 1) Direct Sellers Direct Sellers are those companies which provide products or services directly to consumers. The important factors that contribute towards the success of B2C e-commerce are Direct Selling experience and consumers database. There is a limit to amount of information that can be communicated through catalogs but internet offers a powerful medium by which direct sellers can provide consumers with thousands of products with detailed description and high-quality visuals. Example: Dell Computers 2) Online Intermediaries Online intermediaries are companies that facilitate transactions between buyers and sellers and receive a percentage of the transactions value. For examples Internet Service Providers( ISP). Supply Chain Management An electronic alternative to the traditional paper chain, providing companies with a smarter, faster, more efficient way to get the right product to the right customer at the right time and price. Combines the power of the Internet with the latest technology, enabling participating suppliers to access up-to-date company information and enabling companies to better manage and track supply and demand http://www.geemultimedia.com.au/glossary.asp IMPACT OF E-COMMERCE ON AIRLINE INDUSTRY: The blessings of Internet have been observed the most by Airline Industry and as a result of it Airline ticket sales now comprise of the largest portion of all product sales made online. This is because e-ticketing is beneficial for both the airlines as well as the travelers. Traditionally the only options available to a passenger were either to buy tickets from a travel agency or from airport. But now with the advent of Internet, airlines have used tool like e-distribution system. An airlines costs can be divided into following two parts: Direct Operating Costs- which includes aircraft, its fuel and salaries of the staff Indirect Operating Costs- which is the distribution cost. The direct operating cost will remain more or less fixed while there is room for saving on indirect cost. This is where e-commerce can play an important role by integrating all business units and efficiently managing logistics. The major components of indirect cost for airline industry includes Sales office, Reservation system ,Travel agent fees,Ticketing fees Promotion and advertisements. Previously, airlines payed commissions to travel agents for selling their tickets, in addition money was also spent on setting up of sales office and staff salaries. Extra capital was used for printing and issuing of tickets. To cut down the operating cost airlines had to turn to e-ticketing to limit their sales offices and reduce their dependency on sales agents. Every airline has now setup their own website offering online booking facility. This also allow Airlines to promote different marketing strategies through web site which gives them more chance to attract new customers. Through the use of e-commerce and development of websites airlines has integrated all the parties involve in a business process for instance tourism business industry can link up with airline website using the integrated information system so that they can get the real time data through share database about the customers booking for their hotel along with the airline tickets. Online sells has also extended the business hours for airlines since customers can do online bookings round the clock and thus throughout the year. While passengers have the luxury of scheduling their own flight in a matter of few clicks saving both time and money. Conclusion: E-commerce has revolutionized the business models. Trading online enables businesses to reach much wider audience while cutting the costs of traditional retailing methods. It also provide businesses with long working hours and minimum human capital. E-commerce allows businesses to better understand and meet the demands of customers, working more closely with them by managing databases, resulting in better supply chain management activities and efficient logistics. E-commerce has also changed the way customers learn , select, purchase and use products and services, providing them with more personalized experience ever and by cutting the middle man out businesses have provide consumers with fast processing and close interaction with company.

Immobilisation of Enzimes Essay -- Chemistry

Immobilization of enzymes is one of promising methods in enzymes performances enhancement, such as stability, recovery, and reusability. However, investigation of suitable solid support in enzyme immobilization is still the one of problems to prevent the reduction of enzymes activity. Polyethersulfone (PES) and aminated PES (PES-NH2) as novel materials for the immobilization were successfully synthesized. Structure of synthesized polymers were characterized by NMR, FTIR, and MALDI-TOF. The membranes based on PES and PES-NH2 with various pore sizes (from 10 to 600 nm) was fabricated to be applied as bioreactor to increase the immobilized lipase performances. The influences of pore sizes, concentration of additives, and the presence of functional groups on PES backbone toward enzyme loading and enzyme activities were studied. The largest enzyme loading was obtained by the immobilization of Mucor miehei onto PES-NH2 membrane composed of 10% of PES-NH2, 8% of DBP, and 5% of PEG (87 2.62 ï€  Ã¯  ­g/cm2). Activity of immobilized lipase was determined by hydrolysis reaction of pNPA and methanol to produce pNP which showed the hydrolysis reaction catalyzed by immobilized lipase onto synthesized PES (10%) membrane represented the highest enzyme activity value (568.48 mmol pNP min-1 cm-2). From the reusability test, the immobilized lipase onto PES-NH2 showed better constancy than the immobilized lipase onto PES by four times of reactions which indicated that this novel material is potential to be developed as bioreactor on enzymatic reaction. Keywords: Aminated PES, solid support, Mucor miehei, enzymatic reaction, lipase immobilization 1. Introduction Lipase, also known as triacylglycerol ester hydrolase (EC3.1.1.3), is one of inter... ...ovic, Appl. Microbiol. Biotechol. 49 (1998), 267-271. [23] L. Giorno, E. Drioli, TIBTECH 18 (2000) 339-349. [24] S.C. Stamatoglou and J.M. Keller, The Journal of Cell Biology, 96 (1983) 1820-1823. [25] M.G.Wolf, M. Hoefling, C.A. Santamaria, H. Grupmuller, G. Groenhof, Journal of Computational Chem. 31 (2010) 2169-2174 [26] T. Tosa, T. Mori, N. Fuse, I. Chibata, Biotechnology and Bioengineering. 9 (1967) 603-615 [27] L.A. Nelson, T.A. Foglia, W.N. Marmer, JAOCS, 73 (1996) 1191-1195. [28] G. Pozinak, B. Krajewska, and W. Trochimczuk, Biomaterials, 16 (1995) 129-134. [29] M.T. Sho, F. R. Eirich, H. Strathmann, and R. W. Baker, Journal of Polymer Science: Polymer Letters Edition, 11 (1973) 201-205. [30] D.S. Marsman, NTP Toxicity Report, 30 (1995) 5-93. [31] N. Handayani, N. Miletic, K. Loos, S. Achmad, and D. Wahyuningrum, Sains Malaysiana, 40 (2011) 965-972.

Cottle-Taylor Analysis

Question 1: Cottle-Taylor A company’s marketing mix strategy is key to their success. Thorough analysis is needed to assure that product attributes, distribution strategy, communication strategy and pricing strategy are all in line with the company’s strategic goal. The following analysis is of Cottle-Taylor’s marketing mix strategy in India. Product Attributes: Cottle-Taylor has three product categories in order to reach their three market segments: 1) Low-End Manual, 2) Mid-Range Manual, and 3) Battery-Operated. The manual toothbrush designs include â€Å"a variety of colors; all styles included rubber grips† (HBR 6).In the Low-End category Cottle-Taylor produced 5 different products with varying characteristics ranging from soft bristles, to flexible necks for minimal gum irritation, to kid sized brushes. This category contains a basic toothbrush with no significant innovation. The Mid-Range category has two products that have slightly more advanced fea tures such as multi-angled bristles and tongue cleaner. The Battery-Operated is the most advanced category in terms of innovation and product characteristics. It contains two electric toothbrush models with rotating bristles that perform 3,000 strokes a minute.Distribution Strategy: Cottle-Taylor has three distribution tactics in order to penetrate the large dispersed retail scene in India: 1) 20 distributors that focus on the large retail outlets in urban cities, 2) 250 medium sized distributors serving wholesalers and retailers in semi urban areas, and 3) â€Å"seed† distributors who work with over 300,000 outlets in small villages across the country (HBR 7). In the retail outlets in urban cities Cottle-Taylor mainly supplies their Mid-Range and Battery-Operated models to capitalize on higher-income Indians who shop at supermarkets.Cottle-Taylor uses â€Å"seed† distributors to supply the numerous small villages with its basic line. They see no value in building rela tionships because there are too many small stores and â€Å"seed† distributors speak the language. However, communicating key selling points was hard and assuring their products were visible in the small cluttered stores was impossible. Communication Strategy: Cottle-Taylor had three key communication messages in India: 1) Persuading consumers to brush for the first time, 2) Increasing incidences of brushing, and 3) Persuading consumers to upgrade to Mid-Range or PremiumProducts (HBR 8). They allocated 12% of sales on the advertising budget, which broke down into 9% for advertisements and 3% for promotions. The main target demographics are men and women ages 20-35 in rural and urban areas that currently brush or don’t brush. It is important to build awareness and educate consumers on the benefits of tooth brushing and they did this through the use of TV, radio, billboards and prints ads. Pricing Strategy: Cottle-Taylor prices their toothbrushes in respect to their targ et segments.The low-end brushes range from . 22-. 35 cents, the medium-end ranges from . 52-. 98 cents and the high-end ranges from $1-11. In terms of driving success in India, Cottle-Taylor’s strategy is strongest in the area of communication. They successfully positioned and communicated to customers that they are â€Å"an authority on oral care† (HBR 5) and consumers hold their products in high regard. Partnering with IDA has given their brand great credibility and helped them become an industry leader holding 47% of the oral care market share.As shown in Exhibit 5, Cottle-Taylor has experienced 53% growth in market share for toothbrushes from 2004-2009 and 47% growth in oral care market share. They ran successful campaigns where, â€Å"among rural residents†¦those exposed to the campaigns were twice as likely to adopt tooth brushing within a year than those who had not been exposed† (HBR 5). In just five years they have almost dominated the oral care ma rket and a key contributor to their success is their communication strategy.Their weakest strategy in the marketing mix is product attributes. It appears Cottle-Taylor has not fully understood their market segments when designing products for India. Looking at exhibit 8, it is clear the majority of demand is for the Low-End Manual with 87% of sales. The least amount of demand is for the Battery-Operated brush with only . 5% of sales. With 80% of the population in India living under $2 a day, does it make sense to market a high-end expensive product in India?Exhibit 4 shows that a very small percentage of Indians have sufficient amounts of disposable income to spend on expensive toothbrushes. India has a very small concentration of high income and a very large number of people living in poverty. The Battery-Operated brush is mainly marketed in urban areas however, â€Å"in 2009 roughly 78% of Indians lived in rural towns and villages and 22% in urban settings† (HBR 3). This is a very small percent of the population they are trying to capture with the high-end toothbrush. Overall, this is a very comprehensive marketing strategy.Cottle-Taylor has segmented the market and created specific products for each market. As mentioned earlier, the high-end segment does not have significant demand, which insinuates the segments could have been analyzed more. With this said, Cottle-Taylor has done a good job at navigating the complex retail scene in India through their distribution strategy. It is clear that Cottle-Taylor has successfully marketed their brand through communications mediums because there is high brand awareness and favorable brand positioning.

English Essay Sample on America What America Means to Me

English Essay Sample on America What America Means to Me When asked what America means to me, I think about the positive aspects of this great nation. The thing that makes America distinct from all other countries is the rights that an American citizen has in America. American citizens probably have more rights than the citizens from any other country in the world . The most important right an American citizen has is freedom, a freedom that a citizen from no other country on the globe has. The second and probably the most important thought that comes to my head when I think about America is how America is definitely the greatest country of our time. Another positive aspect of this great country is how beautiful it is, and how well preserved it is. Although these three things are wonderful things for a nation to be proud of, the people of America have to keep these things up or our great nation will disintegrate. What I mean when I say that the people of America are free I mean that there is a very detailed bill of rights in our constitution listing all of our rights and it is by far the largest list of rights any country has. Americans have freedom of speech, which lets anyone say anything as long as long as it does not offend anyone. Americans also have freedom of the press, which allows journalists to write whatever they want in newspapers. One of the most important rights that American citizens have, and has been the factor that has attracted most of Americas immigrants over the ages, is separation between church and state. This means that people in America can chose which religion to believe in, or to just not believe in any religion. Additionally Americans can choose what level of affiliation they want to observe of any particular religion. This point in the constitution is especially important to me because I am Jewish and many of the countries in the world would not let me follow in t he path of my religion. Overall, I think the rights that we have in America is the best thing about this fabulous country. The second thing that I think about when I am asked what America means to me is how America is the almost like the supreme ruler of the world. Among other things, America is the leader in economy, technology, and defense in the world. As well, Americas people have the best status of living in the entire world and should be an example to all growing countries. America also has one of the most advanced cultures in the world and it is being developed. An example of how America is the supreme ruler is when in the peace talks in Israel, both sides are asking America to be the peacemaker. Why ask America and not any country? Because America is the only country that really has the power to make peace there. I think the only reason why they asked Arab states to be allied with us is because of diplomatic reasons, but not any military reasons, because we probably have the best army in the world. However, we must work hard to stay at the top of all these things mentioned above. The third and sort of afterthought that I think about when I am asked what America means to me is America the beautiful. The reason why they made up this song is that it is true; America is beautiful and very beautiful at that. You probably only have to drive less than an hour from most major cities in order to arrive at a very well preserved, beautiful national park. Of course, these national parks are the only way to remember how America was before colonists settled here; it was calm and peaceful. Although we Americans have made man-made parks inside our cities for our own pleasure, we must face the facts. It is not the real thing. We have the real thing though and the only thing we must do is protect and preserve it. So, is that really what America means to me? Yes, I think so, yes very much so. All these things are true and I would really like to keep these things true by maintaining all of them. We must especially keep on working at being the best, because I am sure most Americans like being the best, and would hate to not be. In addition, although we might not think the other two things mentioned above are important, they are, and they are probably a key part of most of our lives today. The main point I am trying to make is that all these things are excellent, but they must still be preserved and improved.

Free Essays on The Medieval University

The Medieval University: Model for Today’s Christian University? The relations with the neighboring Turtle Rock community would definitely be worse with the medieval model for many reasons. Getting use to a transition would be very hard and by doing this, Turtle Rock would have to adjust to the medieval model, which in a way would be hard. The language would first be a problem for the community for Concordia and Turtle Rock. Because the Medieval University requires each student to know the Latin Language, Turtle Rock would have to eventually learn the language. Personally, I think these adjustments aren’t necessary at all due to the fact that Turtle Rock is not part of the Medieval System. Because the medieval university wasn’t even a system with complete order, chancellors had to examine the teachers and reject the unworthy, and they had to create their very own constitution. I think that the Turtle Rock neighbors wouldn’t obey and agree on the constitution laws, because they wouldn’t feel obligated since they arenâ₠¬â„¢t a part of that system. The turtle rock community would also feel very uncomfortable with the fact that these students are quite the rowdy type. Medieval model students were known as the rowdy type and the students at Concordia would most likely follow these footsteps into childish chaos. In some universities, the students had controlled most of the curriculum, which in present Concordia, would never be the case. Students at Medieval Universities also had a good amount of power over the universities. Turtle Rock would definitely feel very insecure with this especially with their reputation of being rowdy. I think that the Turtle Rock community is happy and satisfied with the Present Concordia system. Another huge problem that would disturb the community would be the fact that medieval students and teachers were criticized for all the seven deadly sins. These sins included greed, sloth, pride, lust, glutton... Free Essays on The Medieval University Free Essays on The Medieval University The Medieval University: Model for Today’s Christian University? The relations with the neighboring Turtle Rock community would definitely be worse with the medieval model for many reasons. Getting use to a transition would be very hard and by doing this, Turtle Rock would have to adjust to the medieval model, which in a way would be hard. The language would first be a problem for the community for Concordia and Turtle Rock. Because the Medieval University requires each student to know the Latin Language, Turtle Rock would have to eventually learn the language. Personally, I think these adjustments aren’t necessary at all due to the fact that Turtle Rock is not part of the Medieval System. Because the medieval university wasn’t even a system with complete order, chancellors had to examine the teachers and reject the unworthy, and they had to create their very own constitution. I think that the Turtle Rock neighbors wouldn’t obey and agree on the constitution laws, because they wouldn’t feel obligated since they arenâ₠¬â„¢t a part of that system. The turtle rock community would also feel very uncomfortable with the fact that these students are quite the rowdy type. Medieval model students were known as the rowdy type and the students at Concordia would most likely follow these footsteps into childish chaos. In some universities, the students had controlled most of the curriculum, which in present Concordia, would never be the case. Students at Medieval Universities also had a good amount of power over the universities. Turtle Rock would definitely feel very insecure with this especially with their reputation of being rowdy. I think that the Turtle Rock community is happy and satisfied with the Present Concordia system. Another huge problem that would disturb the community would be the fact that medieval students and teachers were criticized for all the seven deadly sins. These sins included greed, sloth, pride, lust, glutton...

International Legal and Ethical Issues in Business IP Week 4 Essay

International Legal and Ethical Issues in Business IP Week 4 - Essay Example Competition law and the antitrust laws are examples of such regulations. The laws are set of rules and regulations designed to enhance competitive environment in the business environment. This paper evaluates an example of a merger between two major telecommunication companies. Some issues arise due to generic competition. Generic competition stems from producers who do not incur costs in research before they launch a product to market. It results in the original manufacture imposing some restrictions to protect their brands. This paper will address legal barriers in introducing a new product to market and possible dilemmas. Key words: competition, legal, mergers, antitrust and law. International Legal and Ethical Issues in Business Introduction The antitrust laws were put in place by the federal and state governments in United States to regulate businesses. The laws ensure that companies do not become too big and they do not fix their prices. The law also ensures that there is perfe ct competition in market so that the consumer welfare is maintained. The federal governments are also mandated in reviewing potential mergers to attempt to prevent market concentration. The antitrust laws apply to businesses and individuals. The laws were enacted to stop businesses that go too large from blocking competition and abusing their power (Baker, 2004). The antitrust law is aimed at ensuring perfect competition. ... It is estimated that pharmaceutical companies spend an average of $800-1 billion and between eight and sixteen years to research a new drug (Crandal & Clifford, 2003). Research need to be conducted to ensure that the drug introduced to the market can compete perfectly. The drug should also meet the target population needs; it should be in a position to solve their problems. As a result, an extensive research should be conducted to make sure that the brand conforms to set standard and market needs. Due to this, high cost is incurred. Legal Barriers to Market Entry Legal requirements have to be followed by the drug manufacturers to ensure that they enter the market with legal approval. There are legal barriers that control the entry of drugs to the market in the United States. In 2003, President Bush signed into law the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of Approval. The act has had major impact on the entry of generic pharmaceutical drugs to the market. The 2003 act contains three rules that control the entry of the drugs to the market. The act allows a minimum of one 30- month stay per generic application, clarifies the types of patents that must not be submitted to Food and Drug administration for listing in the orange book, revises the information required to be submitted on patents, and consolidates all patent information on declaring forms to ensure that the submissions are more informative and precise. In addition to the 30 month stay per application, the FDA tightened control on the types of patent claims submitted by the innovator company. The law ensures that the innovator drug companies would no longer be able to submit patents claiming packaging, metabolites and

E-Marketing Report for www.northbrisbanelandscapes.com.au Assignment

E-Marketing Report for www.northbrisbanelandscapes.com.au - Assignment Example A ranking of the four companies, North Brisbane Landscape, C Price Landscapes, Australian Native Landscapes, and Frosts Garden Centres, chosen in this paper, has also been done to deduce the comparative position of each company. The overall result suggested a lowly position of North Brisbane Landscape, the company discussed in the paper. The company was found to lack in its 7 I’s and 6 C’s components. The recommendations have been done, keeping in focus the deficiencies observed in these two components respectively. Introduction E-marketing is the marketing using digital technologies in order to help selling of the products or services. E-marketing provides businesses houses of any size an easy access to the general mass market within an affordable price range. Specific benefits achieved from e-marketing include the following aspects: global reach, lower cost, results that can be tracked and measured, 24-hour marketing, personalization, one-to-one marketing, etc (Develo ping an E-Marketing Plan, 2005, pp.2-3). Business websites should be maintained by every running company in order to propagate their products and services online. As websites are so important for a company, this needs to be audited on regular basis in order to determine their effectiveness as well as any broken link, i.e. a link which cannot be accessed by the user. A good website audit report would provide information on how often the website is accessed by the users, whether by subscribing or paid advertisements, etc (Website Audit – an Analytical Approach, 2007). In this paper, we will talk about North Brisbane Landscape and compare it with three other websites at the local, national and international levels, namely at local level - C Price Landscapes, nationally - Australian Native Landscapes, and internationally - Frosts Garden Centres located in Oxfordshire, UK. In this research, two tools of the 6Is and the 7Cs will be used to compare and evaluate these three websites. These websites belong to the same industry. The audit report of North side Landscape supplies says that the website of North side Landscape has been experienced in their services for the past 36 years but not experienced in the effectiveness of their website. This is because the website requires more information and features for providing information for their customers or even in dealing with their suppliers. The company lacks in features such as identification, individualization and interaction with customers (North Brisbane Landscape, 2010). The local company, i.e. C Price Landscapes, is better in terms of its homepage contents (C Price Landscapes, 2010). The information is clear and it has communication with the social network users like Facebook. The company chosen at the national level, Australian Native Landscapes, is far better than the rest of the company websites going by its contents and features. The website has made good use of color combination and provides correct li nks to guide its customers (Australian Native Landscapes, 2011). The last company chosen at the international level is Frosts Garden Centres in Oxfordshire. The company has a well maintained website. Interactive marketing Interactive marketing is the ability to address the customer, remember what the customer has said, and address the custo

McDaid Development (Ireland) Limited Assignment - 1

McDaid Development (Ireland) Limited - Assignment Example The company shall exist in its own capacity so that it can do business, carry out activities, suffer losses, enjoy profits, hire and fire employees and pay the taxes. All these procedures are done under the company’s capacity and no owner, member or shareholder is liable for those activities. The law has recognized the company as a distinct legal entity because it gives the owners the capacity to enjoy limited liability and the risk for their investment in shares and stock. This principle allows the company to be treated individually, not as a person or machine. The company cannot operate itself and so a group of experts is needed to manage the activities under the policies and rules ethically and responsibly. This concept has its roots in the UK House of Lord case of Salomon v Salomon & Co Ltd. Salomon v Salomon & Co Ltd was a case of 1897. Salomon was a sole proprietor who sold his business to a corporation. He was the main shareholder of that company. However, the company’s debts increased and it eventually had to be liquidated. When the case went to the High Court, it was held that Salomon created the corporation solely in order to transfer his individual business to it. This was the prima face and according to this, Salomon and the company were one entity. The company was the agent of Salomon and he was liable for the debts to the unsecured creditors. The House of Lords overturned this decision and held that Salomon and the company were separate entities and he personally did not owe any of the creditors. Since the company had its legal personality, the debts belonged to the company alone. This concept applied to McDaid Development (Ireland) Ltd as the company was a limited liability company. It had one director, one secretary, and one shareholder. The owner and director could enjoy limited liability as the company had its own property and debts. The chapter 2 of part 10 in the Company Act 2006

Socrates on Oratory, Desire, Power, and Good in Gorgias 447a-468e Essay Example for Free

Socrates on Oratory, Desire, Power, and Good in Gorgias 447a-468e Essay To critically assess the language of Socrates within the work Gorgias, a look will be taken at the key steps to refutation and how Gorgias, and later Polus, may have failed in his attempt, and further, how Socrates makes the argument that tyrants, like orators or politicians, have no real power and that they are unable to act upon their own desires because they are crippled by the very power that makes them powerful. When Socrates and Chaerephon arrive at the lecture of Gorgias, Callicles makes the blithe joke that Socrates never lowers himself to such an argument that he is about to make—but he, like an arrogant rooster, forces his way into a refutation that Gorgias never knew was coming. By way of manipulating Chaerephon into asking the questions that spark the dialogue, Socrates gets Gorgias to admit that he is a rhetorician, and that even the ability to teach others the way of rhetoric is attributed to him. However, in his attempt at precision in language, Gorgias does exactly what Socrates intended to accuse him of doing—being unable to define his being and purpose in life purely because he sought to, and admitted he was best at, explaining things in the simplest of terms. Socrates refutation follows to first get Gorgias to define something, then to expound upon that with niceties and confusion, getting Gorgias to further his argument and, essentially, dig himself into the hole that Socrates planned all the while to push him into. Furthermore, Socrates is indisputably the ideal debater because of his innate ability to disarm his opponents by getting them to not only agree with him, but to abandon their beliefs as well. He patronizes Gorgias over and over, claiming that he isn’t trying to offend, he is a nice guy just trying to understand, but, indeed, Socrates knows very well the subject matter that he tries to get Gorgias to explain and is merely entering into such debate to prove a point. He leads the conversation in such a way that Gorgias never had a chance, even though, before the conversation began, Gorgias believed himself one of the best rhetoricians around and was very pleased with his previous lecture. Because Gorgias made the bold claim that he could answer any question put to him, Socrates dove in to make the point of how very wrong Gorgias is. To Socrates, Gorgias was merely easy prey. In making such a audacious statement, Socrates knew that he had to put Gorgias into his place—which was that he really had no idea what he was talking about all along. Gorgias had it in his head that the theory of rhetoric was, essentially, the art of speaking. Much later, Socrates convinces Gorgias that rhetoric is actually the art of persuasion, which irrevocably leads Gorgias into his greatest contradiction—that of morality in persuasion. But, despite whatever one might say about Socrates’ character, he does make a philosophical point that the nature of words and arguments cannot be so simply stated. Especially one so indefinable as rhetoric. With his refutation of Gorgias, Socrates gets Gorgias to claim that rhetoricians have the ability to speak in a manner that is more persuasive than a professional in the same field, but that because all rhetoricians practice a certain code of morality, that they would not act in such a manner as to fool people into believing they are a professional when they are not. In this, Socrates has Gorgias beat. Because, as Socrates adeptly catches, anyone who practices moral ethics would not behave in such a manner, and thus, what Gorgias has described cannot exist because of that contradiction. Socrates is ultimately about finding and defining the contradiction in any argument. Throughout his refutation with Gorgias, Socrates makes Gorgias define his belief, without a doubt, and then crushes him in an instant by proving how he is wrong. Gorgias, for his part, opened himself up to this messy refutation by making his bold claim, but, in a way, he stood no chance against Socrates’ bullying. In fact, Socrates entered into this refutation for the mere result of making Gorgias look the fool in front of the assembled crowd that he had just given a lecture to—to make Gorgias look very bad indeed in front of the people he had just been proud of himself for teaching. In essence, Socrates delivers a low blow and ultimately destroys Gorgias’ reputation instantly. The conversation follows a few beats later to the claim that Socrates makes to Polus that tyrants, like orators, or politicians, have no great power because in doing what seems best, politicians strive to do what is good for them—and in this is their failing, because in their attempt to do what they believe is best for themselves, politicians are unable to do what they want. Socrates explains that politicians are the weakest of humans because they have the innate gene that makes them follow the whims of others, and, paradoxically, are unable to choose what they want to do—which makes them excessively weak. And thus, those who have the most power have the least. Socrates makes the distinction that in doing what one thinks is best, one is often unable to do what one wants. In his argument, Socrates brings up the scenario that a politician might have to execute someone for the betterment of all, despite the fact that the politician might not want to go through with this execution at all. In this, Socrates defines that politicians have very little power at all—because they have to act for the community, they are literally unable to act solely for themselves. And, it is because of this nature that they have no power. Of course, Polus is forced to agree with Socrates because he can give no argument to the contrary. But, consider what Polus was unable to argue. While a politician may have to make decisions for the betterment of his community, he still has the ultimate choice of whether or not to go through with any action, and further, he has the choice, in his heart, that he must know is not only the right choice but the choice that will actually be what he wants to do. Indeed, one could argue that a politician that is unable to make choices for himself is the weakest creature, but, if all politicians are such weak creatures, who then is running the country? There has to be someone pulling the strings—and he has to be a master orator to make those strings move in a desirable way. Perhaps Socrates is correct in his assessment, but, it can also follow that Socrates is just a pompous bully rounding on the playground to make others feel the shame of being unable to stand up for their own values. If Socrates can be said to have a talent, it is the ability to make others immediately and irrevocably give up their core beliefs without, really, much argument at all. Sure, Gorgias put up a bit of a fight, but it was clear from the beginning that he never had a chance against Socrates—Callicles made it clear that Socrates was being kind to condescend to Gorgias’ level. In fact, no one does. Because Socrates enters into every conversation with the idea of drawing a simple question into a refutation that his opponent never saw coming and never had a fair chance of avoiding. Bibliography. Plato. (1994). Gorgias. Trns. Robin Waterfield. New York: Oxford UP.

Retirement Issues In Malaysian Workforce Health And Social Care Essay

Retirement Issues In Malaysian Workforce Health And Social Care Essay Increasing life expectancy of Malaysians has raised the concern incredibly on retirement issues. In 2006, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) findings indicate that Malaysians life expectancy has increased from 1960 to 2006. Women life expectancy has increased from 55.9 to 76.5 years, a 20.6% increment, while men increased from 52.8 to 71.8 years, or 19.0% (OECD, 2007). More, latest statistical findings from United Nation Statistical Division (2010) provide that life expectancy at birth of Malaysians for women and men in 2005 to 2010 has increased from 72 to 76.7 years. With the longer life expectancy among Malaysian means without extending the retirement age, a typical Malaysian will have longer time to spend in their retirement life. According to United Nations data reviews, Malaysia are expected to have total number of 3.2 million individuals who aged 60s and above by 2020 (Yip, 2010). Furthermore, the Global Demographics Ltd also estimates that a 10% increment in the number of grey citizens will take place in coming 20 years from now (Hunt, 2009). These figures tell us that more Malaysians will be reaching retirement age and it is important to raise their awareness towards the importance of retirement planning now. Recently, Malaysian Governments announced that inclination of increasing the retirement age among civil servants in Malaysia is high. Retirement age may be set to 60 due to Governments plan of keeping experience civil servants to contribute for more human capital in nationals performance (Sarban Singh, 2010). This projection was made because it is estimated that Malaysia will lose up to one million civil workers in the early of 2011 (Sarban Singh, 2010). Despite changes made on the retirement age of government servants to 58, the mandatory retirement age for private sectors remain at 55 (Sarban Singh, 2010. In view of this, postponement issues on the public and private servants means that longer retirement life may by experience by most Malaysians (Sarban Singh, 2010). As life expectancy has increased much faster compared to retirement age, our country will have more retirees. If this happens, more challenges are coming ahead and different approaches must be taken on retirement plann ing as Malaysians are expected to have longer retirement life. As humans are bound with nature of biological aging process, shrinking in physical and mental strength is reality that no one can change (Yip, 2009). For that, continuous working becomes undesirable as age increases. Knowledge workers might be able to substitutes the physical strength with crystal knowledge and tacit knowledge gained through years of experience. However, for workers that rely much on physical strength might be a problem. Postponement of retirement age is not suits the physical strength workers because the physical body is unable to perform hard work in old age. Sometimes, they are not only having limited income but they only have limited education level. Retirement planning may serve as dreams but their income limit them to do so. Income earn is not enough for savings or investments. Proper preparation is needed financially to ensure that low income earners at least able to have minimum requirements to live and to ensure a bright future for them in retirement age. Existing retirement planning practices among Malaysians are basically relying much on savings, Employee Provident Funds (EPF) and children. Majority of them are not actively involved in retirement planning (HSBC, 2010). Although there are as much as 72 % of Malaysians having high propensity to save for retirement, 41% of them do not have a solid plan on how to build their retirement fund (Hunt, 2009). In addition, 77% of those who save for retirement rely much on fixed deposit and savings accounts which give low interest yield to them. Also, they failed to segregate part of their savings for retirement needs (Hunt, 2009). Monies put on the savings are in essence for all purposes without specific purposes for retirement (Hunt, 2009). What is alarming here is that majority of Malaysian might not insufficient source of income and there might be some risk involve if retirement planning is not done correctly during their retirement life (HSBC, 2010). Constant income scheme provided by EPF may seem adequate in the long run but it will never happen. Recent studies indicate that, 90% of EPF holders hold less than RM 100,000 in their accounts and almost 99.9% of the retirees withdraw their lump sum of EPF funds when they reach retirement years and surprisingly almost 70% of the retirees use up the money within 3 years (Hunt, 2007). EPF savings withdrawal in the early stage of retirement may create some risks during retirement (HSBC, 2010). In order to match with future insecurities, this action will without notice causes a poor retirement life. Solely depends on EPF savings may cause retirees to have a vulnerable financial position in their old age. To avoid this problem from happening, retirees awareness to act on retirement planning is strictly vital for an upcoming comfort and satisfaction in retirement life. Revolutions from ancient Asian culture to modern world today have changed the structure of a family mostly in the way how children treat their parents and expectation of taking care of them. Old forks are view as burden. Additionally, employing maids to take care of old parents will indirectly raise the living expenses. Thus, tendencies for some aging parents end up spending their life in old folks home is high. Family members or children supporting rate is relatively low today (Lee Law, 2004). Generation gap which indirectly affects the sense of belonging, responsibility, relationships and love towards aging parents has also lead to changes in cultural value (The Star, 2010). Late marriage and gap exist between children age is another issue affecting children support to their parents. Unique characteristics of each family have created different views on old parents retirement. Only strong family relationships may have higher chances to get financial aids and support from family mem bers (The Star, 2010). Therefore, it is advisable for pre-retirees to pay more attention on retirement planning to avoid end up living in old forks home. Worry-free retirement life cannot be easily reachable today compare to the past. Various impacts from macroeconomic events such as inflation, unemployment, and global recession may trigger the retirees in their retirement age. In 2008, due to increase in petrol price and global recession, Malaysias inflation rate was surged up to 5.4% high, a 0.6 % in year 2009 and now it is forecasted to be 2.0 % this year (International Monetary Fund [IMF], 2010). The impact from high inflation rate has lead to depreciation in value of ringgit, reduction in the consumers spending, and increases in cost of living over time (HSBC, 2010). No doubt, these will give a huge impact on pre-retiree of having insufficient money to spend or to save for the future reserves (The Star, 2010). Immeasurable increment in the medical fees and medical services are likely to reduce spending power and quality of retirees life over time (The Star, 2010). Addition to that, the MasterCard Asia Pacific predicts that old population will have to spend more next 5 years and will surpass RM 35 billion compared to last 10 years (The Star, 2009). These spending not only cover existing daily usage on products and services but also huge cost on medical fees and medical services (The Star, 2009). If this situation continues to trigger the pockets of each individual, greying population may have tendencies to live in financially poor conditions. Risk from all these unpredicted future events or increase in medical fees can be reduced if retirees do early retirement preparation to hedge for unfavourable events to happen. Without a proper retirement planning, increasing number of retirees might become a burden to government and society. Population restructure process not only increases the cost of government spending but may also serve a potential loss in human resources in labour force and affect the development of economy. Thus, consistent with the facts and issues raised above, preparation of retirement planning is important. Failure to derive proper retirement plan may cause various issues and impacts either to the individual, society, or government. Thus, the aim of this study is to examine the on the Malaysian awareness towards retirement planning, their plan for retirement, reasons for their retirement planning, barriers they face in planning for retirement and information and assistances they need for proper retirement planning. Through this study, more knowledge and understanding about planning behaviours in the context of Malaysian will be created. Background of the Research and Research Question Growing life expectancy among Malaysians over the past few decades have signalled that Malaysian will have longer time to spend in their retirement life (OECD, 2007; Yip, 2010; Hunt, 2009; United Nation Statistical Division 2010). Problems rise today for the preparation of retirement plan are generally due to natural biological aging process, types of workers, retirement age incremental policy, family cultural changes, unpredictable macroeconomic events, medical cost increases and many more. Pointing to existing poor retirement planning practices among Malaysians which relying much on savings, Employee Provident Funds (EPF) and children, proper actions must be done (Hunt, 2009; HSBC, 2010). These facts and figures highlight the raising concern and awareness of retirement planning among Malaysians is much needed. Through the view of all the poor or lack of retirement planning behaviour and challenges ahead that are going to affect the life of retirees, this research is important in cr eating new knowledge of better understanding of the underlying problems, barriers and factors face when doing retirement planning. Issues on retirement planning have been well studied in more developed countries such as in United States (e.g. Joo Grable, 2001; Taylor-Carter et al., 1997; Duflo Saez, 2002), United Kingdom (Sargeant, 2003), Hong Kong (Lee Law, 2004), and Singapore (Lim, 2002). These studies are targeted more to the Baby Boomer generation (e.g. DeVaney, 1995; Glass Kilpatrick, 1998; Josloski, Ekerdt DeViney, 2001; Lusardi Mitchell, 2007). On the other hand, wide scope interest mainly on issues related to women in retirement planning such as the longevity life of women compared to men, economic and psychological issues on women, factors affecting retirement planning and financial literate among women have been done and the result shows that majority of women do not plan for retirement (Glass Kilpatrick, 1998; Lusardi, 2006; Lusardi Mitchell, 2008). Findings found that women are less financial literate and are economically and psychologically weak in retirement planning (Glass Kilpatrick, 19 98; Lusardi Mitchell, 2008). Besides, some findings has also been directed on retirement income (Jing Lakshmi Malroutu, 1995), level of retirement planning preparation (DeVaney, 1995; Lee Law, 2004), antecedents or factors associate with retirement planning (Taylor-Carter et al., 1997; Kosloski et al., 2001; Duflo Saez, 2002; Lim, 2003; Lusardi Mitchell, 2008), retirement planning and satisfaction of retirement life (Elder Rudolph, 1999), retirement educational programs (Joo Graman, 1998; Hershey, Mowen Jacobs- Lawson, 2003), retirement planning information search (Joo Grable, 2001), marketing of retirement planning (Ekerdt Clark, 2001), and developing guideline for retirement planning (Greninger, Hampton, Kitt Jacquet, 2000). In light of the piece of evidence from the previous research focuses on retirement planning, there are lack of retirement planning can be observed in Malaysia (Hunt, 2009). There is no research has been done to access how Malaysian plan for their retirement in Malaysia till today. The relativity low per capital income among the Malaysians might limit the applicability of the studies conducted in more developed countries to Malaysia context (Muzaffar, 2010). Therefore, this study is paramount important, in particular, to explore or fill the research gap exist and to gain insight into a proper understanding on how Malaysians plan for their retirement. To address the research gap, this study focuses on the extent to which how Malaysians plan for retirement, reasons for their retirement planning, barriers they face in planning for retirement and information and assistances they need for proper retirement planning. Through this study, more knowledge and understanding about planning behaviours in the context of Malaysian will be created and a proper guideline to assist Malaysians in retirement planning and retirement preparation will be developed. To address this issue, the following research question is constructed: How Malaysians plan for retirement and why? Research Objectives The research objectives for this study include: To examine the Malaysian awareness towards retirement planning. To investigate how Malaysian prepare for their retirement life. To study factors affecting the type of retirement planning. To understand barriers or difficulties faced by Malaysians in planning for retirement. To understand type of assistance or information needed for Malaysian to properly plan for retirement. Significance and Justifications for the Study This study is important to explore more knowledge about retirement planning among Malaysians. As retirement planning is complex and personalizes, it is important to recognize a standard guideline or procedures to assist an individual to plan for retirement can hardly be effective. Therefore, this study opt for qualitative study to better understand the current retirement planning, reasons for retirement planning, barriers face during retirement planning and information needed for proper retirement planning among Malaysians. By exploring these knowledge and information collected from their heart and soul, these knowledge may use to identify different retirement needs and challenges face by Malaysians during their retirement planning, more effective and efficient information and guideline can be developed to accommodate different needs of individuals in planning for retirement. The outcomes of this study can be used by policy makers to identify the readiness and willingness of Malaysians in retirement planning. This information is important in helping Malaysians to facilitate and formulate better planning which ensure retirees to be independent in their financial support during their retirement age. Pre-retirees, retirees or individual may know how and what direction they must take to complete the journey of a successful retirement planning through the outcomes from this study. Addition to that, this will indirectly reduce the government burden to support them. Not only that, results from this study can also provide additional insights for policy makers to consider for the development of new policies to promote welfare of future retirees and better retirement life especially for economically and socially weaker group in Malaysia. Finally, information gathered from this research can be crucial for banks, insurance companies and other financial institutions in designing and marketing their future retirement planning products and services. Proper customer segmentation can ensure the products or services being delivered to the market more effectively. Fulfilments on special needs of different market segment the different can satisfy more demand and thus, facilitate better retirement planning among Malaysians. Research Scope and Limitation This study is conducted with the purpose of examine the retirement planning among Malaysians. As different people have different retirement needs and expectations, qualitative interviews are used to capture in-depth and rich information on Malaysians. Face-to-face interviews method is use in this study to focus on Malaysians awareness towards retirement planning, their plan for retirement, barriers they face in planning for retirement, reasons for retirement planning and information or assistance they need for proper retirement planning. At first, approximately 10 respondents made up from working adults in any part of Malaysia will be selected for convergent interviews. The interview will be audio recorded and transcribed. Next, another 20 to 30 interviews will be conducted for main data collection comprising semi-structured interviews will be conducted in Northern Malaysia, Central Malaysia, Southern Malaysia, and East Coast of Malaysia. Definition of the Key Terms Provide in the following format: Table 1: Definition of the Key Terms Key Terms Definition Source Financial Education Program A program designed purposely to give inform knowledge on ways and skills to perform financial-related decisions. Adapted from American Association of Retired Persons. (1992). Fact Sheet. Washington D.C. Peer Effects Retirement planning Will be further update on this on chapter 2 is complete. Organizational of Research This research is being organised into 3 main chapters which provide details for better flows of the topic under study. Chapter 1 gives the idea of how the current issues emerge real life situation on retirement planning and preparation for retirement planning. Also, it tends to identify the problems and research gap that exist in this study. Research objectives or research aim highlights the achievement needed towards this study. Other sub parts of this chapter are likely to find the importance of this research in fulfilling knowledge gaps exist in previous studies and knowledge creation in the end of this study. Justifications and limitation for this study emphasizes the importance of this study and how this study can fill up the knowledge gap exist. Finally, a table describing some key variables terms covered on this study is given for the sake of reference. Chapter 2 reviews related literatures from previous finding in the field of retirement. Next, the main context of the literature review such as the important issues on retirement planning is also being discussed here. Dependent variable and independent variables discuss the important variable exist in previous study. Summary gives a compact preview of what have been discussed earlier in this chapter. Chapter 3 emphasize on research framework development. First few parts explain what research methods, research instrument, sampling plan use in this study. The next part of this chapter provides comprehensive overview of the data collection method. How actually this data is collected throughout this study. Data analysis method further explains the tool or software used in the analysis part of this study. Chapter 2 Literature Review Introduction Retirement represents a stage of life where involvement in certain social activities and desirable conducts become narrow or fewer roles when the person reached the old ages (Parsons, 1942). Adequate retirement planning and preparation is needed to anticipate the new roles involve with the changes in major life activities (Atchley, 1982). Retirement life without planning requires continuous employment or working, lifestyle remains same with young age although that individual reaches retirement age (Lee Law, 2004). Lack of retirement planning preparation will generally bring some disappointment during retirement and yet preparation for retirement planning is not an easy task (Lee Law, 2004). Thus, planning for retirement is important (Volpe et al., 2006). Much of the literature on retirement planning focuses on studies to identify the relationship of socio-demographic factors to be related to the retirement planning (Lee Law, 2004; Joo Garman, 1998; Yakoboshi Dickemper, 1997; DeVaney, 1995; Joo Garman, 1998). Previous study emphasizes that income (Mitchell Moore, 1998; Kim, et al., 2005), age (Richardson Kilty, 1989; Joo Pauwels, 2002; DeVaney, 1995), gender (Yakoboshi Dickemper, 1997), education level (DeVaney, 1995; Joo Pauwels, 2002; Hogarth, 1985; Bernheim Garrett, 1996) and marital status (Glass Kilpatrick, 1998) are all important factors for ones behaviour towards retirement planning. DeVaney (1995) identified that income and age are important to guild pre-retirees in groundwork process of planning. In addition, gender differences also influence the early preparation for retirement planning (Yakoboshi Dickemper, 1997). Retirement education and certain related programs also affect the retirement planning behaviours (Joo Grable, 2001). There are number of studies have been conducted pertaining to retirement planning as discussed above. The sections below summarize further description on dependent and independent variables which are important to retirement planning. Summary parts provide a compact preview of what have been discussed in the whole literature reviews on retirement planning. Retirement Planning Over the past few decades, life expectancy has risen drastically of about 2 to 3 years for each decade and this number is expected to further increase in the future (Selene, 2005). As for the rising figures, financial planning for retirement becomes more important (Glass Kilpatrick, 1998; Grace, et al. 2010; DaVaney, 1995; Volpe et al., 2006). Retirement planning is vary from one another but can be observed by integrating individuals intention and behaviour that are partially different or unknown to one another (Hanisch, 1995). According to Parsons (1942), retirement is defined as a stage of life where involvement in certain social activities and desirable conducts become narrow or role less. Ming and Xiao (1995, p.17) found that having adequate income is the key to minimizing some of the problems during retirement. Income level is an important determinant for retirement wealth growth (Selene, 2005). Different types of planning will lead to different ways of wealth accumulations and lifestyle during retirement (Lusardi Mitchell, 2007). At the same time as retirement planning involves awareness and understanding of the problem underlies in life, individuals perception is strictly important to achieve the highest retirement satisfaction (Ming Xiao, 1995). Besides, Taylor-Carter, Cook and Weinberg (1997) identified that planning improves ones confidence and self-efficacy towards uncertainty typically in short or long time frame in retirement age. Although there are much researches interest on retirement planning, focus given to obtain a retirement planning guidelines in relations to the retirement planning is even more imperative to achieve a successful retirement plan (Greninger et al., 2001). Study concluded by Greninger, Hampton, Kitt, and Jacquet (2001) on retirement planning guidelines found that families should have completed their first 50 to 60% successful retirement savings goal by age of 50 and about 85 to 90 % by the age of 60. Moreover, asset allocation on more conservative investment is expected to be done within 3 to 5 years before retirement. With this, Taylor-Carter, Cook and Weinberg (1997, p. 286) found that Planning may enhance affective reactions to the financial and activity-oriented aspects of retirement, and informal transition. Earlier saving or planning for retirement may assure one to live with truly ideal and better quality life in retirement (Elder Eudolph, 1999). Demographic Variables Among the factors related retirement plans and decision, age, education level, gender, and household income are characterized as important demographic factors towards individual retirement preparation. Following parts will further discuss the demographic variables from the review of literature in details. Age A number of studies examine the effect of age on retirement shown that age to be related to retirement plan and decisions. Age has emerged as an important and consistent factor in human behaviour towards retirement planning (Richardson and Kilty, 1989; Joo and Pauwels, 2002; DeVaney, 1995). A procedural assumption found throughout the literature found that age help to guide pre-retirees in groundwork process of planning (DeVaney, 1995), lead to attitude and perception changes on retirement and also help to raise retirement confidence (Joo Pauwels, 2002). Lee and Law (2004) concluded that as age and income increases, individuals are more motivated to take action for retirement. This is supported by Montalto, Yuh and Hanna (2000) where as they found that planned retirement age are guided by reinforcement given from constant visit or review on the information needed for planning. Besides, age and income are found to be correlated in influencing ones behaviour towards retirement plannin g (Lee Law, 2004). DeVeney (1995) concluded that age and other demographic variables such as household income, educational level and household size are inter-related to guide pre-retirees in groundwork process of planning. Age has also shown to be important in the area of future educational program (Joo Garman, 1998). On the other hand, Malroute and Xiao (1995) uncover more compelling evidence on the factors affecting perceived adequacy of retirement income among pre-retired household, the finding suggest that different respondents age is likely to give different perception on income adequacy. Normally, on average individual tend to retire 3 years before the expected age (Zappala and Depolo, 2008) and the different between preferred and expected retirement age are: chronological age, perceive of income adequacy, work condition variables, and retirement attitudes. Education Level There are extensive studies on retirement covering education in general. The findings suggest that education is an important factor in affecting retirement planning preparedness (Hogarth, 1985; Joo Pauwels, 2002). Education enables individuals to explore more information relating to their retirement planning and that sources of information will influence their decisions, attitude and intention to do retirement planning (Hogarth, 1985; Joo Pauwels, 2002). Also, DeVaney (1995) addressed that the effect of education level may serve as a motivator or guidance for individuals to start the preparation for retirement planning. With the increase in age and educational level, individual tends to be more motivated to work on retirement planning preparation or take some action for their retirement (DeVaney, 1995). Joo and Pauwels (2002) found that higher educational level allows ones to experience and achieve greater confidence level in their retirement planning life. Men who had received higher education tended to be more confident in their retirement planning compared to those who had lower levels of educations (Joo Pauwels, 2002). The level of education and confidence found to be positively related (DeVaney, et al., 1995). On the other hand, older women are found to be less likely to have higher education in general because of limited education which had been given to them in the past (Lusardi, 2004). The effects of education on womens retirement makes women to be less financial literate or having knowledge on retirement and retirement planning (Lusardi, 2004; Lusardi Mitchell, 2008). Joo and Pauwels (2002) suggested that women participation in retirement planning increases as they receive education. In addition, Joo and Garman (1998) provide a good overview that education levels are significant to focus topic for future financial education programs. Highly educated people generally tend to posses and receive more knowledge relating to investing and knowledge on retirement planning compared to those who are less educated. According to Bernheim and Garrett (1996), education makes the possible of enhancing and exploring more knowledge and information on retirement for individuals and workers. Gender Gender differences are a significant predictor in retirement planning studies. According to Yakoboshi and Dickemper (1997), gender differences are the major influential factor for early preparation in retirement planning as male and female are generally will think and act differently upon their expectations and views. Males are found to be more ready and well prepared for retirement planning compared to women in general (Lusardi and Mitchell, 2008). In addition, Glass and Kilpatrick (1998) addressed that women are less prepared for retirement and this is generally due to women are lack of financial resources than men. Women are commonly found to be more economically and psychologically weak in retirement and are influenced by factors such as limited economic accessibility, low wage, pension scheme, gender prejudice and selection of career options in their intention towards effective planning (Glass Kilpatrick, 1998). Previous findings reveals that individuals either men or women who are more financially literate, richer, more tolerance to risk, and attitude towards retirement are among important factors in affecting an individual decision to engage in assistance in planning for retirement (Duflo Saez, 2002; Lusardi et al., 2007) and seek professional assistance in planning for retirement (Joo Grable, 2001). Gender differences do not bring any effect to the decision making on retirement as Joo and Grable (2001) highlight that the likelihood of both genders behaviour on professional retirement help-seeking are the same, but women involvement rate on professional help-seeking are slightly higher compare to men if they are given a chance. Women are more likely to seek financial advice from experts and those women who equipped with well financial knowledge tends to do well and more successful in their planning (Lusardi, 2004; Lusardi Mitchell 2008). Lusardi and Mitchell (2008) also pointed out that women are less financially literate to retirement planning compared to men. Majority of women do not have any plan to do their retirement planning and they depend much on the support from their family and friends in retirement age. On the other hand, Sunden and Surette (1998) identified that gender differences and marital status have significant relationships with investment decision on retirement planning. These factors will generate different level of assets distribution among women and men in retirement planning (Sunden Surette, 1998). Recent finding by Grace, Weaven and Ross (2010) indicates that males and females do not perceive and act for retirement planning in the similar way. Of an amount of 21 exploratory semi-structured interviews has been conducted to explore and identifying the differences, the result shows that males are likely to go for individual choice perspective while women tend to adopt life course perspective when it comes to retirement planning. Males tend to assume retirement as another stage of life in the future while women make no prediction on future life stages. Household Income A number of factors influence the individuals preparedness towards retirement planning. Kim, Kwon and Anderson (2005) identified that attitude and behaviour towards retirement are generally influence by household income. Household income is a critical measurement in some matter relating to retirement especially in retirement education program (Joo Garman, 1998) and professional financial help-seeking (Joo Grable, 2001). The findings by DeVaney, Gorham, Bechman, and Haldeman (1995) identified that household income is associated with the savings and investing behaviours in retirement preparation. Retirement preparation can only work when ones have enough money or wealth resources t