What is Breast Cancer What is the Cause of it - 1328 Words

What is Breast Cancer? What is the Cause of it? Breast cancer is cancer cells that develop in the breast of a woman. The most common type of breast cancer is ductal carcinoma in situ. The cancer cells develop in the milk ducts of the breast. Doctors and researchers do not exactly know the cause of cancer. All they know is that it usually occurs when a cell’s DNA is damaged. When cells in the breast start to develop abnormally they begin to develop quicker than the normal cells. They also keep multiplying, causing them to metastasize throughout the breast to the persons lymph nodes and sometimes other parts of the body. Sometimes breast cancer occurs in the lobules, but most of the time it starts in the invasive ductal carcinoma. Breast†¦show more content†¦Stage 0, carcinoma in situ, has 3 different types of carcinoma in situ. The first type is Ductal carcinoma in situ. In this condition, there are abnormal cells that are lining the duct of the breast, but, has not me tastasized to other parts of the body. The second type is Lobular carcinoma in situ. There are abnormal cells found in the lobules of the breast in this condition. Cancer.gov says that having LCIS in one breast increases the risk of having breast cancer in one or both breasts. The last type is Paget disease, where abnormal cells are only found in the nipple. Next, is stage 1. In stage one we find that the person, has developed cancer. The stage is split into states IA and IB. In stage IA, the cancer cell is 2 centimeters or smaller, while in stage IB there are chunks of cancer cells smaller than 2 millimeters. In stage IA the cancer hasn’t spread but in stage IB it’s found in the lymph nodes. Stage 2 also is split into two parts, IIA and IIB. In IIA the tumor has either not been found in the breast, but 1 to 3 axillary lymph nodes or in the lymph nodes near the breastbone (Cancer.gov). Or, the tumor is no bigger than 5 centimeters and has not advanced to the lymph node s. In stage IIB there are cancer cells in the lymph nodes, they haven’t spread to the lymph nodes, or they have spread to 1 to 3 axillary lymph nodes or in the lymph nodes near the breastbone (Cancer.gov).Show MoreRelated Breast Cancer: The Epidemic Essay1332 Words   |  6 Pagesmammograms? Breast cancer is an epidemic that plagues women, even though some men can get it. According to the American Cancer Society, â€Å"breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get it, too† (Breast Cancer). Today many women are becoming diagnosed with breast cancer. ItRead MoreEssay on Breast Cancer- Awareness in Females1595 Words   |  7 PagesIntroduction- â€Å"What is breast cancer? How does it relate to women today? When is it appropriate to talk to a doctor?† These questions are all questions that women today ask each other, various health professionals, and doctors. As the most recognized form of cancer in the United States breast cancer affects so many women today. It is a disease that does not distinguish between race, religion and social status. In more recent cases, many young women are being diagnosed with aggressive forms of breast cancerRead MoreCauses And Treatments Of Breast Cancer1587 Words   |  7 PagesWHAT IS CANCER? Cancer can be said to be a generic term for a large collection of diseases that can have an effect on any part of the body, it can be sometimes called malignant tumors and neoplasms. In other words, cancer can be defined as the rapid creation of abnormal cells that grow beyond their normal boundaries, which are capable of invading adjoining parts of the body and spread through to the organs. However, this process is referred to as metastasis, which is the major cause of death fromRead MoreCell Signaling Essay1583 Words   |  7 Pageshuman disease breast cancer and sickle cell anemia have been the most prevalent. The importance of these topics in reference to breast cancer and sickle cell anemia are the background information on these diseases, the general population affected, what gene/proteins are involved in these diseases, the symptoms of the diseases, the experimental research, and the key advances/ problems relaying to treatment for the diseases. Understanding the background information and how much breast cancer affects peopleRead MoreBreast and Ovarian Cancer Essay1226 Words   |  5 PagesTitle: Breast and Ovarian Cancer Purpose Statement: This speech has a primary goal of educating the audience and to give a better understanding of what breast cancer is and how it can be treated with detection by a vast variety of methods. It will also give better understanding that not only women but men also are susceptible to breast cancer. Introduction I. Attention: There are a number of researches done about breast and ovarian cancer. Breast cancer is the second largest cause of deathRead MoreEssay about The Biology of Breast Cancer1069 Words   |  5 PagesToday in the United States, Breast Cancer occurs in about one in eight women which is currently the most common cancer among women. The number of cases is expected to decrease due to the advancements in technology and dedicated researchers. Scientists have put an estimated 4.8 billion dollars towards the research every year to help find a cure or a new treatment for breast cancer (STAT Facts Breast Cancer). Researchers have found causes, put in research and theories that help with understandingRead MoreBreast Cancer : A Dangerous Type Of Cancer1502 Words   |  7 PagesMost people know breast cancer is a dangerous type of cancer that affects both men and women. Author Gayle Sulik of Pink Ribbon Blues: How Breast Cancer Culture Undermines Women s Health describes breast c ancer as, â€Å"abnormal cells [that] appear in the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) or the lobules (glands that make milk) and, more importantly, have the capacity to spread (metastasize)† (164). Breast cancer can be treated with surgeries and chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapiesRead MoreEssay on Breast Cancer Awareness 1413 Words   |  6 PagesAccording to the American Cancer Society, Every year, more than 200,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer; furthermore Twelve percent of all women will contract the disease, and 3.5% of them will die from breast cancer (American Cancer Society, 2005). There are risk factors that may lead to breast cancer. There are 4 stages of breast cancer and several treatments, although treatments vary from types and stages of breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of death among women who areRead MoreOne of the Most Well-Known Cancers in Todays Society, Breast Cancer1304 Words   |  6 PagesBreast Cancer is one of the most well-known cancers in today’s society. Or is it? What does society know about breast cancer other than it obviously is cancer of the breast? Breast cancer is very well advertised with the pink ribbons, the commercials and advertisements, the Breast Cancer walks, and the promotional information given out regarding mammograms. In today’s world there are several cancers, but breast cancer is very prevalent among women and men. This paper is designed to research whatRead MoreEssay Breast Cancer961 Words   |  4 PagesBreast cancer is everywhere. The pink ribbons, the â€Å"I heart boobies† bracelets, and the thousands of breast cancer walks all over the United States. These all contribute to breast cancer organizations. Over one hundred million dollars has been raised to support breast cancer. This may not seem serious by the promotions and jokes that these organizations pull support from, but don’t forget the millions of people who have breast cancer. Breast cancer affects, approximately, an eighth of all American

Ebays Failure in China - 6789 Words

International Strategy eBay’s failure in China 1 Table†©of†©contents†© 2†© Introduction........................................................................................................................................... 2†© 3†© Theoretical†©background .................................................................................................................... 3†© 3.1†© The†©SWOT†©Analysis......................................................................................................................................3†© 3.2†© The†©Porter’s†©5†©forces ...................................................................................................................................4†© 3.3†¦show more content†¦what†© is†© the†© appropriate†© organizational†© structure†© to†© support†© the†© configuration†© of†© the†© MNC†© (PORTER,†© 1986).†© Furthermore,†© a†© company†© has†© to†© determine,†© in†© respect†© to†© its†© industry,†© the†© optimal†© trade†© off†© between†© global†© integration†© †© local†© responsiveness.†© The†© standardization†© vs.†© localization†© trade†© offâ₠¬ ©matrix†©has†©lead†©to†©4†©international†©approaches:†©International†©Exporter,†©Global,†©Transnational†© and†© Multi†domestic†© (PRAHALAD†© †© DOZ,†© 1987†© /†© BARTLETT†© †© GHOSHAL,†© 1989).†© Two†© frameworks†©can†©be†©useful†©for†©companies†©in†©this†©case:†©The†©OLI†©framework†©identifies†©the†©firm’s†© motivation†© for†© becoming†© a†© MNC.†© Furthermore,†© the†© AAA†© framework†© helps†© companies†© decide†© how†©to†©expand†©their†©business†©abroad.†© Where†©Ã¢â‚¬â€œÃ¢â‚¬ ©Should†©companies†©start†©operations†©in†©large†©markets†©or†©the†©familiar†©ones?†©On†©which†© terms†© should†© companies†© basedà ¢â‚¬ © judgments†© about†© investing†© in†© foreign†© markets?†© †Ã¢â‚¬ © The†© CAGE†© framework†© helps†© companies†© in†© evaluating†© the†© proper†© opportunities†© in†© foreign†© markets,†© compared†©with†©the†©respective†©costs†©and†©risks†©that†©might†©occur.†© The†©focus†©of†©this†©paper†©is†©to†©understand†©and†©analyse†©the†©key†©drivers†©behind†©why†©eBay1†©has†© experienced†©failure†©in†©China†©and†©success†©in†©the†©UK.†©Our†©analysis†©will†©be†©supported†©by†©a†©SWOT†© analysis†©and†©a†©5†©Porter’s†©forces†©analysis,†©as†©well†©as†©by†©the†©frameworks†©mentioned†©above.†© 1†©EBay†©Inc.,Show MoreRelatedEbays Major Mistakes in the Asian Markets1374 Words   |  6 Pagescareful planning, they would have been able to successfully make the transition to Asian markets. eBay instead debuted in these countries with too much of a swagger and not enough cultural knowledge and sensitivity. One of the biggest reasons for eBays failure in Asia was that the company failed to understand that in  Asia  theres a stigma against buying used goods. In some parts of Asia, even among siblings, people dont even pass down their clothes (Schonfeld, 2005). Even though the need to tradeRead MoreCase Study â€Å"Ebay in China†1652 Words   |  7 Pagesby acquiring a 33% stake in its local counterpart, EachNet, followed by a full acquisition a year later in 2003. Critically assess eBay.s choice of market entry strategy for China, listing both the advantages and disadvantages of its acquisition strategy. As we know, eBay’s China expansion strategy can be considered as failure, despite the fact that eBay entered this potentially rewarding market with caution. This cautious strategy was very unusual for eBay, because they used full-forced, head-onRead MoreEbay s Strategy Of China912 Words   |  4 PagesEbay’s Strategy in China Founded in 1995 by Pierre Omidyar, eBay became a very successful U.S. company that provides global e-commerce and e-payments. EBay developed very rapidly due its unique expansion strategies. While during mid – to late 1990s dotcom companies had been facing failure of their crash, EBay managed to survive and by 2006 had 221.6 million registered users (Exhibit 10), 2.4 billion items listed (Exhibit 5), and global net revenues of $4.3 billion (Exhibit 4). In order to describeRead MoreTaobao Case Analysis1551 Words   |  7 PagesHARVARD BUSINESS CASE: ALIBABA’S TAOBAO (A) GROUP 2 – GMBA Question 1: What are the major differences in the web designs of Taobao and eBay in China? Which is preferred to on-line buyers and sellers in China? Why? Taobao sought to distinguish itself from eBay in numerous ways. So Taobao’s web designs were imbued with a strong local culture that reflected a deep understanding of Chinese consumers and an attitude of informality. First of all, the website was designed like a Chinese department storeRead MoreEbay International Case Study Essay739 Words   |  3 Pagesexpediential growth has propelled EBay to be the world’s largest online market place. EBay started in the United States, which still accounts for a large part of EBay’s profits, but as EBay continues to expand the international market has started to outpace the national market. In 2010 international sales accounted for 51% of eBay profits. EBay’s unprecedented growth in the global market has been an astonishing feat of strategic marketing and branding with its use of joint ventures, licensing, and purchasingRead MoreE Commerce Powerhouse Ebay Is Known Internationally As A Leader1476 Words   |  6 PagesPierre Omidyar in 1995 in San Francisco Originally eBay went by the name Auction Web and was launched with the purpose of enabling site users/consumers with the ability to trade unique items with each other. Under eBayâ €™s business model, of the time a seller would place an item on eBay’s site with a minimum bid set for the buyer and the duration specified for auctioning that item. The services were provided by eBay free of charge. The free services however, did not last long as the site quickly gainedRead MoreAnalysis of Ebay China’s Failure and Suggestions to Ebay’s Return Strategy from the Perspective of Cross-Cultural Conflicts7600 Words   |  31 PagesAnalysis of eBay China’s Failure and Suggestions to eBay’s Return Strategy from the Perspective of Cross-cultural Conflicts 1. Introduction Along with the development of global economy, no one is unfamiliar with the word of globalization, and the world is filled with multinational-corporations. In such circumstances, those companies have realized that the necessary way to survive in the global market and maintain the competitive advantages is toRead MoreEssay on Ebay in Asia1188 Words   |  5 Pagesinternet. The growth of eBay was quick and continuous, and today is a biggest global internet business. However, with all of eBay’s success, the company has struggled in Japan, China, and other Asian markets. Yahoo and eBay have both similar and different strategies they use to approach the Asian market. China made a significant move by giving control of its main China operation to Tom Online. In addition to all that they have done, there are a few additional strategies that eBay could use inRead MoreEbay Problems in Asian Markets2166 Words   |  9 Pagesglobal business. Answering the question about the pr oblems that EBay has in the Asian market will allow me to discuss and apply concepts of the global market learned in module one in support of my answers. Lastly this correspondence will assess how EBay’s Marketing Mix assessment of the Four P’s assisted them in the global marketing strategy the company adopted for the Asian Markets? Why did EBay want to expand globally and why did nations wanted their business? The reasons EBay decided toRead MoreEbay Case Study2736 Words   |  11 Pagesmarketplace for eBay to expand their business. Since 1995, eBay enjoyed strong revenue growth and was a dominant player in online auction industry. With previous experience of extending their business in Europe, North America, Latin America and failure in China and Japan, eBay was once again struggling to compete in the Asian market. From the beginning, there is no main aim for eBay to have a further plan about acquisition to expand and identify synergies within existing business line. But for taking

Public Relations Practice-Free-Samples for Students-Myassignment

Question: Write a Personal Reflection on Professional Public Relations Practice in the New Business Environment. Answer: Introduction In this reflective summary I would be discussing about the topics that I have learnt about through week 1 to week 7. I would be mainly focusing on stakeholder approach, globalization and its impact on entrepreneurship. I would also be discussing about the challenges, problems and issues that I have faced while attending these lessons and understanding the concepts that have been covered in these weeks. Examination of my experience, actions, and emotions and comparing them with the concepts learned from the literature would be carried out. The reason of me choosing this topic is because I wish to be able to use this learning and apply them to real projects in future. Discussion A generic and broad definition of stakeholders is any individual or group who have the capacity of effecting or gets affected themselves by any accomplishment of any organizations purpose (Andriof et al. 2017). Another definition of stakeholder is someone or an organization that is actively involved any project or whose awareness might be affected as an outcome of project execution or project completion (Weiss 2014). Based on the literature that I have covered in these weeks, I would be attempting to resonate them with what I have understood from the lessons. I have completely understood that stakeholders are extremely important to any organization or project. It is important that the needs and requirements of any stakeholder are considered to ensure success. For any business or project, their clients and end users are significantly more vital than any other stakeholder (Crane and Matten 2016). I have understood from my lessons that in any stakeholder management process, a consultative approach is always recommendable in place of a unilateral decision, which does not take into account the opposing viewpoints and opinions of other stakeholders. In such scenarios, the best approach would be using the stakeholder management salience model that would be helpful in analyzing the stakeholders and identifying the main and most important stakeholder, while at the same time correctly identifying the salie nce of the actual stakeholders (Bundy, Shropshire and Buchholtz 2013). Today, the organizations are going through dramatic changes as stakeholder groups are putting an ever-increasing influence on the responsibilities and place of organizations in the society. Some important drivers that are included in this process are organizational learning, ethics, the concept of sustainable development, the search for total quality management, and the environmental movement (Tantalo and Priem 2016). As the different stakeholders have the capability of viewing these complicated problems in a quite different manner from the organization, it is extremely vital that those people who are working with communications have the capability of understanding the underlying intricacies of stakeholder associations. My lessons and literature on a varied number of fields have provided with a comprehension of the elements that are involved in the development of an effective communication strategy. Stakeholder theory acts as an important contributor in something it provides as a mea n of discovery of the pertinent participants in the process (Hrisch, Freeman and Schaltegger 2014). The readings contend that the coordination model, as a part of this process, have the capacity of providing a unifying framework for the identification of the nature of the associations between the stakeholders or the actors in the communication process. I have processed form the lessons that for any kind of communication process to come out effective it is necessary that these models get oriented in a proper manner. The literature is built on the already existing research from different organizational learning field for gaining a deeper understanding of the processes that have an influence over the perceptions of different stakeholder groups. From the discussion I have cleared out my doubts regarding the exact communication skills that have been identified as enablers of the engagement of stakeholders in a meaningful dialogue and their consequent enhancement of the effectiveness of t he communication efforts of the organization. These major communication skills are inquiry, reflection and advocacy. Much emphasis has been provided to integrated marketing communication (IMC), but very little has been done to critically analysethe existent standpoints, the evolution of the concept and their application. IMC is getting hugely challenged from the perspective of the rising paradigm of strategic communication.This is carried out through a joint definite, theoretic and integrated communicative viewpoint.There is a need of approaching IMC thinking from a tactical and corporate brand standpoint that would be assisting in engendering intensely altering prospectsand demands across different organizations to get a lucid comprehension of IMC practice and theory.Most marketers consider IMC to be something important and to be practiced. In reality is hardly successfully implemented. The key of building major brands are initially finding the appropriate positioning and then successfully creating a durable, optimistic brand attitude. IMC is vital on making sure that every aspect of a brands mark eting communication delivers a constant message toward that end (Argenti 2005). Because of the advanced and swifter development of communication, todays world is shrinking. The advent of satellite has altered the whole outlook of mankind. It has been able to bring mean much nearer to one another, even countries (Marks 2016). Today none of the countries can call themselves as being like an isolated island as what is happening in any country is important for even the remotest places on the globe because of modern communication. The earth is shrinking and the world is becoming a global village as the people of the earth are coming closer to one another, in terms of both time and space (Scherer and Palazzo 2008). Despite the various cultural, religious and economic differences among different countries everybody is today known to each other like it is a village. The concept of global village was first suggested by Marshall McLuhan. Events that are happening in one part of the world can be faced in other parts, that too in real time, which is similar to the concept o f a villagers experience when they were living in a small village (Wasson, Butler and Copeland-Carson 2016). For understanding global civil society different theoretical perspectives can be used. It can be understood by some as being an actor providing a bottom-up contribution to theeffectivity and legitimacy of the whole international system. It is in essence democracy in action as power gets hold up accountable by the populace. Many interpret it as a tool for using by the most powerful states for advancing their eventual interests abroad, most of the time popularizing and promoting ideas that seem key to the national interest. Marxist are known to be viewing global civil societyas a form of political vanguards that can distribute a diverse world view that tests the dominant order. Moreover, some are even of the opinion that the idea of global civil societyas a whole which is different from the state, family and market remains truly a Western concept that is not applicable easily for the societies where the boundaries among these spheres are fuzzier (Kaldor 2013). One huge misconception and unawareness I had was about how to proceed with composing a reflection in case of such topics. I understood that reflection is a completely focused skill, whose main objective is making the practitioner more and more aware of their own reasoning and thinking procedure. Putting a halt or slowing down on the thought processes and making sure to avoid any kind of rapid climbing up the ladder of inferring helps in accomplishing this. The initial stage that I covered in distinguishing between the real data and what abstractions are based on that. Most of the activities of stakeholders and their approaches are based on assumptions, which makes it important for formally identifying these and then testing them in the light of the present situation. For example, this can be carried out by explicit identification of the data behind any specific statement, all the while seeking agreements on what is and what is not the actual and relevant data, also providing clarific ation on lines of reasoning and giving confirmation of the interpretations of other peoples statements. Conclusion Based on the magnitude of the issues that are now faced by majority of the organization, the casual takes on the combination of communication and strategies is serious shortcoming that I understood from my analysis and the lessons learned. Communication is an acclaimed significant element in the overall strategy process of any organization. In spite of the purported importance it has, very less could I comprehend about the ways of integrating communications with the strategy development and implementation work. Irrespective of the importance given to communication, it has been found from my readings that its majority of the times gets relegated to a secondary function in different organizations and gets performed by the people who have no idea or skills or training that would help them in accessing any strategic decision-making. In this paper I have attempted to put across all the ideas and challenges I have faced during the weekly lessons, attempting at finding solutions to my issue s and coming out as a better manager of stakeholder management situations. References Andriof, J., Waddock, S., Husted, B. and Rahman, S.S., 2017.Unfolding stakeholder thinking: theory, responsibility and engagement. Routledge. Link:https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=enlr=id=Pqo0DwAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PT7dq=Andriof,+J.,+Waddock,+S.,+Husted,+B.+and+Rahman,+S.S.,+2017.+Unfolding+stakeholder+thinking:+theory,+responsibility+and+engagement.+Routledge.ots=ixsMfv6-ESsig=ph2vzGDWxsIpkqIfPEdvzFEQ8e0#v=onepageqf=false Argenti, P. 2005.The Power of Integration: Building a Corporate Communication Function That Is Greater Than the Sum of Its Parts. NIRIs Center for Strategic Communication. Bundy, J., Shropshire, C. and Buchholtz, A.K., 2013. Strategic cognition and issue salience: Toward an explanation of firm responsiveness to stakeholder concerns.Academy of Management Review,38(3), pp.352-376. Link: https://media.terry.uga.edu/socrates/publications/2013/06/Bundy_Shropshire_Buchholtz_2013.pdf Crane, A. and Matten, D., 2016.Business ethics: Managing corporate citizenship and sustainability in the age of globalization. Oxford University Press. Link:https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=enlr=id=J8-SDAAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PP1dq=Crane,+A.+and+Matten,+D.,+2016.+Business+ethics:+Managing+corporate+citizenship+and+sustainability+in+the+age+of+globalization.+Oxford+University+Pressots=5rSi-uLmlesig=P8a1MZqypEN0ffgHfcLVToKE3Rw#v=onepageqf=false Freeman, E. and Moutchnik, A., 2013. Stakeholder management and CSR: questions and answers.uwf UmweltWirtschaftsForum,21(1-2), pp.5-9. Link:https://s3.amazonaws.com/academia.edu.documents/32695143/stakerholder_management_and_csr_-_question_and_answer.pdf?AWSAccessKeyId=AKIAIWOWYYGZ2Y53UL3AExpires=1511082968Signature=5lJLfvRDyq9FbNvjUgme16v4IfY%3Dresponse-content-disposition=inline%3B%20filename%3DStakerholder_management_and_csr_-_questi.pdf Harrison, J.S., Freeman, R.E. and de Abreu, M.C.S., 2015. Stakeholder theory as an ethical approach to effective management: Applying the theory to multiple contexts.Revista Brasileira de Gesto de Negcios,17(55), p.858. Link:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Monica_Abreu4/publication/283194075_Stakeholder_Theory_As_an_Ethical_Approach_to_Effective_Management_applying_the_theory_to_multiple_contexts/links/565b1fa608ae4988a7ba701b.pdf Hrisch, J., Freeman, R.E. and Schaltegger, S., 2014. Applying stakeholder theory in sustainability management: Links, similarities, dissimilarities, and a conceptual framework.Organization Environment,27(4), pp.328-346. Link:https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Stefan_Schaltegger/publication/264382617_Horisch_J_Freeman_E_Schaltegger_S_2014_Applying_stakeholder_theory_in_sustainability_management_Links_similarities_dissimilarities_and_conceptual_framework_Organization_Environment_DOI_101177108602661/links/56c8cdd908ae96cdd06bb921/Hoerisch-J-Freeman-E-Schaltegger-S-2014-Applying-stakeholder-theory-in-sustainability-management-Links-similarities-dissimilarities-and-conceptual-framework-Organization-Environment-DOI-10.pdf Kaldor, M., 2013.Global civil society: An answer to war. John Wiley Sons. Link:https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=enlr=id=SRcoAAAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PT4dq=Kaldor,+M.,+2013.+Global+civil+society:+An+answer+to+war.+John+Wiley+%26+Sons.ots=NZBrXOJuqAsig=rUyuvjy0cXOnLRq80gixLX_vjLE#v=onepageqf=false Marks, A. 2016.Thought Leadership Content | The CCO as Builder of Digital Engagement Systems | Arthur W. Page Society. [online] Awpagesociety.com. Available at: https://awpagesociety.com/thought-leadership/the-cco-as-builder-of-digital-engagement-systems [Accessed 18 Nov. 2017]. Scherer, A.G. and Palazzo, G., 2008. Globalization and corporate social responsibility. Link:https://poseidon01.ssrn.com/delivery.php?ID=757114096124126124091084005011089023030092050084043069014031075120089118098112064110018011103047026000040102117124083004126125045037034011050086081086066096090075089043020083070114073006003106030113081069116029068010106116123030073086093013127124001EXT=pdf Tantalo, C. and Priem, R.L., 2016. Value creation through stakeholder synergy.Strategic Management Journal,37(2), pp.314-329. Link: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/smj.2337/full Wasson, C., Butler, M.O. and Copeland-Carson, J. eds., 2016.Applying anthropology in the global village. Routledge. Link:https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=enlr=id=Id1mDAAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PP1dq=Wasson,+C.,+Butler,+M.O.+and+Copeland-Carson,+J.+eds.,+2016.+Applying+anthropology+in+the+global+village.+Routledge.ots=M8KUAMRnCtsig=0PCeoxYMBUMFWW9G_QvEdn3fKC8#v=onepageqf=false Weiss, J.W., 2014.Business ethics: A stakeholder and issues management approach. Berrett-Koehler Publishers. Link:https://books.google.co.in/books?hl=enlr=id=gMUlAgAAQBAJoi=fndpg=PT19dq=Weiss,+J.W.,+2014.+Business+ethics:+A+stakeholder+and+issues+management+approach.+Berrett-Koehler+Publishers.ots=Ws5_dl26hVsig=kYmMJexjiuXAKFRYmLVv1XMutVA#v=onepageqf=false

Shak bafaev Essays - Geography Of Africa, Geography Of Asia, World

Shak bafaev ' in the 1920s when people first got access to the Tutankhamun's tomb, it opens a door to ancient Egyptian art. 'River Nile, the longest river helped Egypt with agriculture. 'ancient Egypt had many symbols, For example different crowns on kings head represented different status. ' kings built templets to please the gods. ' some gods took human form while others were animals. 'ancient Egyptians were serious about afterlife, mummification or a sculpture would have been build for the royal. 'upper level society had Mastaba's, a building burying the whole family ' the mastaba's were later build into pyramids 'Ancient Egyptian art : sculptures , 2d stone painting , big scale mountain cave sculptures. ' relief pictures technique: the shadows did the work but sometimes they were painted 'Glassmaking: by mixing send and stones and heating it up Egyptians were able to make glass. Menkaure and a queen Made from stone. High detail on face a body. I like how queen is holding then king. Also the king is holding something in his arms. Seated Scribe This sculpture is made with more advanced techniques. Painted limestone and crystals for eyes. The men is writing something which means that he is higher class. The fat on his body also indicates his higher class. Ti watching a hippopotamus hunt This artwork is different because its two dimensional. Shows somebody high rank watching over others while they hunt. Most of the ancient Egyptian two dimensional work, shows faces and bodies from the side. In this case, everyone is looking to the right. I like how we can see the animals under TI's boat in the water. What tools were used to make the reliefs on the stone?

Industry analysis for IBM server market

Industry analysis for IBM server market Free Online Research Papers IBM, as one of the most important multinational information technology corporations in the world, plays a role of indicator in their industry. And their strategies implies the situation and direction of IT industry. In this report, the strategic analysis for the server product and relevant services in the UK market will be mentioned. In addition, this report contains three main parts: stakeholder analysis, external internal analysis and the strategic options. Stakeholder Analysis The IBM’s main stakeholders in the UK and their expectations and interests are as follows (More in Appendix 1) : Table 1 Stakeholder Expectations and interests Owners private/shareholders Profit, Performance, Direction Government Taxation, VAT, Legislation, Employment Rate Senior Management staff Performance, Targets Non-Managerial staff Rates of pay, Job security, Working environment and hours Trade Unions Working conditions, Minimum wage Customers (Distributor/Government) Quality, Customer Care, Price Creditors Credit score, new contracts, Liquidity Suppliers Long-term Contract, Stable Payment Local Community Jobs, Involvement, Environmental issues, Shares To achieve their expectations and interests, these stakeholders affect IBM’s strategy making from different perspectives. However, the power and the effect of these stakeholders are different based on their status. The stakeholder power/interest matrix below demonstrates the power differences of these stakeholders. (more in Appendix 1) Power/Interest Matrix Figure 1 Hence, the strategy making of IBM should consider whether the new strategy can satisfy these key stakeholders who have high power. For example, the government element in the â€Å"keep satisfied†, they have high power (legislation power) but low interest. Another example is the shareholders in â€Å"key players†, who have high interest in IBM and high power on affecting the strategic decision. To sum up, if the strategic decisions threaten the benefits of the key stakeholders, this strategy might be difficult to be achieved. External Analysis PEST Analysis Political factors Taxation. The heavy taxes in the UK make the IBM server products increase the weakness on the price factor, especially on the premium price IBM products. (More in Appendix 2) Economic factors GDP factor. The healthy economic environment with strong and stable GDP in the UK provides a good market for the product and service business of IBM. Although the GDP increase rate is not fast, the stability could balance this disadvantage element. GDP composition by sector: The service industry in the UK contributed nearly 73.4% to the GDP in 2006. That indicated that the high value added service market in the UK is matured, and the customer experience on the service would be higher or more difficult to be satisfied. Chart 1 (CIA, 2007), Disposable income. The average disposable income in the UK was  £11,811 per head in 2004, and it indicated the current and potential opportunity for the products and services of IBM. (More in Appendix 2) Socio cultural factors Population and the internet users. In 2006, the population in the UK was nearly 60,609,153, and according to CIA,(2007), more than half of these people (37.6 million in 2005) were internet users. The well known about the internet indicated the opportunities of relevant products and services. Technological factors Internet. A survey from CIA,(2007) shows that there were 6,064,860 Internet hosts in 2006, and more than 400 Internet Service Providers in 2000. In this sophisticated market, the opportunity and competition will exist together. 5 Forces Analysis The threat of entry The threat of entrants for the server market was low because of the enormous costs on the RD, relevant support products and services, manufacturing and the distribution. For example, IBM spent nearly $171 million in system and technology for server product in 2005, (Annual Report,2006) and IBM spent over $1 billion in the Linux operating system in 2001.(Shankland, 2002) This was only the barrier on the cost, there were other barriers like technique, distribution channels etc. Power of Suppliers Intel and AMD, as the two biggest processor providers (monopolies) in the world, have very strong power on the chip supplying. Although the power of suppliers might be decreased resulting from the competition between these two companies, the wide range of customers and high costs on switching cause the buyers lack of power to bargain with these two giants. However, the power of suppliers for other low technical required material and parts was much lower than the core hardware providers. Power of buyers The power of buyers for the server products in the UK was high because the buyer did not concentrate to the firm and the switching costs for the buyers were low. There were many product choices for the buyers, e.g. IBM, HP, Dell etc. Competitive Rivalry By 2003, The UK server market continues to show promising signs, according to IDC,(2003), the competitive rivalry in the server market was becoming intense in the UK. These competitors included HP, IBM, Sun Microsystems, Dell and Fujitsu Siemens Computers were becoming the fifth leading server vendor in the U.K. Chart 2 Top five server vendors in the UK Source: IDC,(2003) The threat of substitutes The web hosting business might be the biggest threat of substitute for the server products in the UK. The advantages of web hosting include low cost, tech-support, easy to manage and low switching costs. In addition, the advanced personal computer might be another biggest threat to the server product. However, currently, the PC can not instead of professional server for the business uses. Internal Analysis Value Chain Analysis Figure 2 Value Chain Firm infrastructure: Supply-Chain Management in IBM.. Supply chains of IBM are becoming more complex, harder to manage and more costly to run. In fact, nearly $3.4 trillion was spent on supply chains in 2005. To address this, IBM is creating a supply-chain management business transformation outsourcing practice. The Supply chain management (SCM) solutions can help IBM to improve costs and customer service, while decreasing overall supply chain inventory. (IBM, 2006) Business Performance Management (BPM). According to 10-k,(2006), IBM enables companies to visualize end-to-end processes across business and IT systems, analyze execution in real time against goals, and make adjustments as needed. For instance, IBM offers consulting, services and middleware to simulate and monitor business processes, and provides clients with real-time analysis of the underlying IT systems carrying out those processes. HRM: To eliminating redundancies and overhead structures to drive productivity, this integration improves IBMs capacity to innovate by providing greater clarity of key priorities around shared goals and objectives and leads to a sharper focus for the company on learning, development and knowledge sharing. (10-k,2006) Otherwise, IBM acquired numbers of companies to enhance their capability. However the integration issues could appear during the acquisition process that would be the challenge of the HRM, e.g. the culture conflict. (10-k, 2006) Technology development: IBMs research and development (RD) operations differentiate IBM from its competitors. IBM annually spends approximately $5–$6 billion for RD, including capitalized software costs, focusing its investments in high-growth opportunities.(10-k,2006) Procurement: SCM outsourcing. IBM has developed Business Partner relationships with established, best-of-breed Supply Chain Management solution providers. Their solutions, coupled with IBM products and services, deliver the cost-competitive, scalable and secure infrastructure the customers need. (IBM, 2006) Acquisitions and mergers. In order to improve their businesses on the high value products and services, IBM acquired service-related companies into the global services segment, (e.g. Network Solutions). And the software-related companies that were integrated into the software segment. (Annual Report, 2006 ) Inbound Out bound Logistics and Operations: IBMs supply, manufacturing and logistics and customer fulfillment operations are integrated in one operating unit that has reduced inventories, improved response to marketplace opportunities and external risks and converted fixed to variable costs. (10-k,2006) Marketing and sales: In 2005, the company realigned its operations and organizational structure in Europe to give sales and delivery teams greater authority, accountability and flexibility to make decisions and to execute more effectively on behalf of our clients. (10-k,2006) Services: IBM Provides technology and transformation services to clients businesses, and invests to improve the ability to help their clients innovate. (10-k,2006) And this is the high value added and profitable process. (More in Appendix 3) Value System Analysis The value system of IBM is as follows: Figure 3 In this value network of server products, the processor and the software providers have higher profit pool than other suppliers. Furthermore for the distributors, the retailers have the high profit pool. Therefore, the profit space of server products for IBM is not wide enough. Value drivers: Channels Value Drivers Wholesalers: Price, choice, quality, logistics Retailers: Price, service, guarantee Business orders: Price, service, guarantee Table 3 The table above shows the main distributors of IBM and their value drivers. Because of high buyer power, satisfying their distributors is required for IBM. SWOT The SWOT model can be summarized from the external and internal analysis. Strengths: ? Advanced business performance management ? Good organization culture ? Strategic outsourcing, mergers and acquisitions ? High efficient fulfillment center ? Flexible marketing management ? Creative services Weaknesses: ? High costs in the value chain ? Possible acquisition issues Opportunities: ? Strong and stable economic market context. ? Sophisticated service market ? High individual consumption power ? Matured internet market ? High level of entry barrier to the server market Threats: ? Customers have high experience on the service ? Customers have low switching costs ? IBM has high switching costs on the core hardware ? Intense competition ? High threat of substitutes Strategies According to 10-K, (2006), the main strategy in the UK is that IBM delivers their high value added services (or software) to customers through their server product. And it can be divided into 4 pieces as follows: 1) Reallocating resources to enhance their server product business and reduce operation costs and optimize the efficiency. 2) To pursue an innovation agenda with its clients, partners and in other relationships, and to continue refining its portfolio to achieve higher value. 3) Acquiring businesses that contribute strategically to its portfolio 4) To maintain its leadership of this rapidly changing business by focusing on high-value innovation-based solutions and services while consistently generating high returns on invested capital for its shareholders. (10-K, 2006) (More in Appendix 4) Evaluations Acceptability :Stakeholder Analysis According to the expectations of the stakeholders and the power/interest map analysis mentioned above, the strategy can be accepted and supported by key players because their expectations can be satisfied by the current strategies, e.g. profit. Although that is difficult to be supported or accepted by the non-managerial employees who have high influence power but low interest on the strategy resulting from the culture conflict and management issues could appear after the acquisition, they are not the mainstream. To sum up, the new strategies are acceptable but IBM should consider carefully about their strategy for acquisition, because that threaten the interests of a small group of stakeholders who have high influence power. Suitability analysis: Lifecycle Analysis The server product is in the growing period in the UK market. (See the figure below). According to the environment analysis above, there are many opportunities on the server product or relevant services in the UK. IBM is one of the main server providers, furthermore the current strategy of IBM is focusing on server products and relevant high value added services (and software).. Therefore, these strategies are suitable to IBM. Figure 4 Lifecycle of server products in the UK Suitability: value chain analysis IBM attempts to use the strategic acquisition and reallocation to add more value in their value chain and optimize their internal system. These two strategic decisions can help IBM obtain competitive advantages on the profit and system synergy. Therefore, the strategies are suitable. . (More in Appendix 5) Feasibility: Resource deployment IBM can utilize their strengths on the finance and brand to acquire the organizations or outsource if it is required. Hence, there is no gap between IBM’s strategies and the requirement of resource coupled with competences. The current strategies are feasible for IBM. To sum up, according to the evaluation above, the current strategies of IBM are acceptable, suitable and feasible. Conclusion References Book: Johnson, G. (2005), Exploring corporate strategy, 7th ed., Harlow: Financial Times Prentice Hall. Internet: Alliance@IBM (2007), Statement of Principles, [online], Available from:allianceibm.org/, [Accessed on: 05/03/2007] Annual Report,(2006), 2005 IBM Annual Report, [online] Available from: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/annualreport/2005/2005_ibm_annual.pdf [Accessed 12 Mar 2007] CIA,(2007),United Kingdom, [online] Available from: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/print/uk.html [Accessed 18 Feb 2007] EHS,(2006), The Annual Real and Nominal GDP for the United Kingdom,[online]Available from: http://eh.net/hmit/ukgdp/ukgdp_answer.php [Accessed 18 Feb 2007] Gartner,(2006), IBM gains share as server market picks up,[online] Available from: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/hardware/0,1000000091,39270920,00.htm [Accessed 18 Feb 2007] IBM,(2005), Unleashing a better supply chain,[online] Available from: ibm.com/news/us/en/2005/06/2005_06_24.html [Accessed 18 Feb 2007] IBM,(2005), Scoring high on the supply chain maturity model[online] Available from: http://www-935.ibm.com/services/us/imc/pdf/g510-6219-follow-the-leaders.pdf [Accessed 12 Mar 2007] IBM,(2006),Supply Chain Management,[online] Available from: http://www-304.ibm.com/jct03004c/businesscenter/smb/us/en/SCM/nav_id/solutionareas?ca=qapromo-s0smb-b0sol-l0-d0smbna-n029-o0-g0usen-t0SVHL0re=smbsolscmsspot [Accessed 18 Feb 2007] IBM Annual Report (2006), Report of Financial, [online], Available from: ibm.com/annualreport/, [Accessed on: 20/03/2007] IBM, (2007), Partner Relationship, [online], Available from: ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/company/relationships/business-partners.shtml, [Accessed on: 05/03/2007] IBM Employees Relationship, (2007), Employees, [online], Available from: ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/company/relationships/employees.shtml, [Accessed on: 21/03/2007] IBM Governments Relationship, (2007), Center for the Business of Government, [online], Available from: ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/company/relationships/governments.shtml, [Accessed on: 05/03/2007] IBM Investors Relationship, (2007), Investors, [online] Available from: ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/company/relationships/investors.shtml, [Accessed on: 20/03/2007] IBM Relationships, (2007), Suppliers, [online], Available from: ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/company/relationships/suppliers.shtml, [Accessed on: 05/03/2007] IBM University Relationship, (2007), Universities, [online], Available from: ibm.com/ibm/responsibility/company/relationships/universities.shtml, [Accessed on: 05/03/2007] IDC,(2003), UK server market looks promising,[online] Available from: informationage.com/article/2003/october/uk_server_market_looks_promising [Accessed 12 Mar 2007] Kessler,J.QC,(2005), Taxation of Foreign Domiciliaries,[online] Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_the_United_Kingdom#_note-intro [Accessed 18 Feb 2007] Palmisano,S.J.(2006), IBM 2005 Annual Report,[online] Available from: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/annualreport/2005/2005_ibm_annual.pdf [Accessed 18 Feb 2007] Porter, M.F. (1979) How competitive forces shape strategy, [online] Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porter_5_forces_analysis [Accessed 18 Feb 2007] Shankland, S.,(2002), IBM: Linux investment nearly recouped,[online] Available from: http://news.com.com/2100-1001-825723.html [Accessed 12 Mar 2007] Statistics, (2006), Regional household income, [online]Available from: statistics.gov.uk/articles/economic_trends/ET633RegionalHouseholdIncome.pdf [Accessed 6 Mar 2007] Source ESB, (2007), IBM Distributors, [online], Available from: sourceesb.com/Distributors/IBM.asp, [Accessed on: 01/03/2007] Sourcewire,(2004),Press Release: Tatung to challenge UK server market?[online] Available from: e-consultancy.com/news-blog/284667/tatung-to-challenge-uk-server-market.html?keywords=dell+server [Accessed 18 Feb 2007] Wikipedia,(2007), Corporation tax,[online] Available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taxation_in_the_United_Kingdom#_note-intro [Accessed 18 Feb 2007] XKO, (2006), IBM Business Partner, [online], Available from: xko.co.uk/partners/ibm, [Accessed on: 01/03/2007] 10-K,(2006),IBM,[online] Available from: ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/annualreport/2005/2005_ibm_sec10k.pdf [Accessed 18 Feb 2007] Appendix 1 Stakeholder Analysis According to Johnson, G. (2005), stakeholders are those individuals or groups who depend on the organisation to fulfil their own goals and on whom, in turn, the organisation depends. The key stakeholders of IBM are as shown in Figure 1. Key shareholders of IBM Figure 1. Stakeholders of IBM From ‘Market’ Environment Suppliers: IBM perceives diverse suppliers are good for business, spent nearly $ 2 billion with them. It is committed to increasing diversity in its supply chain (IBM Relationships, 2007). Many suppliers from Span, Taiwan, Portage, Russia, Roman and so on. The main suppliers are Intel and AMD. Competitors: Hewlett Pachard, Freecom, Fujitsu Siemens, ASUS, Supermicro, Avocent Cyclades Many competitors are HP, Dell and Sun Microsystems (Gartner, 2006). Customers: Business (Distributors as shown in distributors) Government: The IBM Center for the Business of Government was created in 1998 and is dedicated to stimulating research and facilitating discussion of new approaches to improving the effectiveness of government at all levels in the United States and across the world. Since its creation, the Center has awarded nearly 200 research stipends to leading public management researchers in the academic and nonprofit communities. (IBM Governments Relationship, 2007). Universities: IBM today is involved with many aspects of higher education, seeking to better the education of students and the work of faculty (IBM University Relationship, 2007). Individual: They will be the growing market of server in following year. Therefore, they are the potential customers of IBM. Employees The employees are separate into two types as follows: Senior Managers Non-managerial staff As a flagship for the Information Age, IBM has long understood that it is the skill, knowledge and experience of IBMers - their expertise, in other words - that differentiates this company most from others. Employees understand that, too, and their passion for the company and its future is one of the distinguishing traits of being an IBMer (IBM Employees Relationship, 2007). IBM has many ways to encourage employees, for example: Online Jams Internal Appeals Global Pulse Survey Workforce Research Distributors: According to Source ESB, (2007), they are: American Design Components Atlantic Semiconductor Computer Supplies Unlimited Jan-Tronics Div. of Janco Technology Midcom Data Technologies Synnex Aztec Components Carlin Systems IBN Electronics U.S. Microtech Inc. Partners: IBM has number of strategic alliances and partners, with the growing sense of competition the company keeps the strategy to compete and cooperate at the same time. IBM sold its PC division to Lenovo, which is the third largest PC supplier in the world. (IBM,2007) IBM Business partners are able to deliver the hardware and middleware that you need to create a secure and reliable IT infrastructure for your organisation. XKO is a member of the IBM worldwide network of skilled resellers and authorised integrators. It offers pre-sales services that ensure you choose the right IBM technology for your requirements before buying, deploying and maintaining your IT infrastructure (XKO, 2006). Sapien International is a premier IBM partner for software and developers programme. (IBM, 2007) Besides those IBM possess strategic alliance programme with Novell and Red Hat, Oracle, SAP and Siebel systems (IBM, 2007). Investors Shareholders: According to the IBM Annual Report (2006), there are more than thousands of shareholders. A share of IBM stock is among the worlds most widely held equities. Stock has traded on the New York Stock Exchange for nearly a century. Furthermore, shareholders been provided quarterly financial result and they have a say on cumulative voting, pension, retirement, medical, offsharing and other voting issues. Furthermore, the annual meeting of stockholders is usually held the last Tuesday in April. IBM regularly holds its meetings in a different city each year so that investors from different parts of the country may have an opportunity to attend. (IBM Investors Relationship, 2007) From ‘Social/Political’ Environment Trade Union: Alliance@IBM, which has the important say in the company issues like pension legislation, loss of jobs to off-shoring, promises to retirees, health care affordability and labour law reform (Alliance@IBM, 2007). Government: To UK server market, government will be separate into two parts- local and foreign governments. Local government- UK, Foreign governments can influence suppliers more and the inbound logistics of IBM. In ‘Technological’ Environment: Owner of Competitive Technologies: Intel Microsoft These key stakeholders have different roles, expectation and interest in IBM. These different expectations will increase the conflicts. For example: there are so many shareholders and they have huge power of voting. Therefore, they have a big power in IBM. However, the main expectations of them are profit. If IBM wants to keep the shareholders happy, it needs to reduce cost. However, this will conflict with the expectation of employees- working environment, good payment and so on. These expectations means IBM should increase the cost. Therefore, in some degree, the expectations of different stakeholders will increase the conflicts. Furthermore, different power of the stakeholders will also influence the strategy of IBM. According the shareholder mapping, the issues are as follows: Almost of the key players are acceptable and supportable. As customers, government is positive to the strategy. When government as a whole, it has high power, low interest and neutral attitude. However, when unions and non-managerial employees make lobbing, government may become more interested in it. The attitude of the government also may be changed by lobby. The lobbing may be about reducing work force. Appendix 2 Political factors The value added tax (VAT), charged at the standard rate of 17.5% on supplies of goods and services.(Kessler, 2005) Otherwise, corporation tax (main rate is 30%) will reduce the profit of IBM, this tax charged on the profits and chargeable gains of companies. The main rate is 30%, which is levied on taxable income above  £1.5m. (Wikipedia, 2007) (Statistics, 2006) GDP (official exchange rate): $2.341 trillion (2006 est.) CIA,(2007), GDP real growth rate: 2.7% (2006 est.) CIA,(2007), Economic factors Labor force by occupation. The labor force occupied about 79.5% in the service industry in 2004, Labor force: 30.4 million (2006 est.) : agriculture: 1.5% industry: 19.1% services: 79.5% (2004) CIA,(2007), Table 2 Year GDP at current market prices (millions of pounds) 2000 953,227 2001 996,987 2002 1,048,767 2003 1,110,296 2004 1,176,527 2005 1,224,715 (EHS, 2006) Appendix 3 Revenues from Global Services in 2005 totaled $47.4 billion, an increase of 2 percent. Our backlog is estimated at $111 billion, the same as a year ago. (Palmisano, 2006), Supply Chain: Company supply chains – sequences of business activities that join together the production of goods and services, from procurement to manufacturing and distribution are becoming more complex, harder to manage and more costly to run. In fact, some $3.4 trillion will be spent on supply chains this year(2005). To address this, IBM is creating a supply-chain management business transformation outsourcing practice. This new practice draws on the success of IBMs own internal supply-chain transformation, as well as the expertise of the worlds largest supply-chain consulting practice. (IBM, 2005) The following three company-wide organizations play key roles in IBMs delivery of value to its clients: Sales Distribution Organization and related sales channels Research, Development and Intellectual Property Integrated Supply Chain (10-k,2006) Just as IBM works to transform its clients supply chains for greater efficiency and responsiveness to market conditions, the company continues to see business value as it establishes its globally integrated supply chain as an on demand business, transforming this function into a strategic advantage for the company (10-k,2006) IBM spends approximately $38 billion annually through its supply chain, procuring materials and services around the world. (10-k,2006) Firm infrastructure: With a comprehensive knowledge of IBMs business and infrastructure solutions, as well as the products, technologies and services IBM and its Business Partners offer, the companys global client teams gain a deep understanding of each clients organizational, infrastructure and industry-specific needs to determine the best approach for addressing their critical business and IT challenges. These professionals work in integrated teams with IBM consultants and technology representatives, combining their deep skills and expertise to deliver high-value solutions that address clients pain points and innovational aspirations. (10-k,2006) The broad adoption of open standards is essential to the computing model for on demand business and is a significant driver of collaborative innovation across all industries. (10-k,2006) Technology development: Some of IBMs technological breakthroughs are used exclusively in IBM products, while others are used by the companys licensees for their products when that new technology is not strategic to IBMs business goals. (10-k,2006) Procurement: Leveraging this experience, in June 2005, IBM launched its supply-chain business transformation outsourcing service to optimize and help run clients end-to-end supply chain processes, from procurement to logistics. (10-k,2006) Operations: The companys supply, manufacturing and logistics and customer fulfillment operations are integrated in one operating unit that has reduced inventories, improved response to marketplace opportunities and external risks and converted fixed to variable costs. (10-k,2006) Simplifying and streamlining internal processes has improved operations and sales force productivity and processes and thereby the experiences of the companys clients when working with IBM. (10-k,2006) to its own manufacturing operations, the company uses a number of contract manufacturing (CM) companies around the world to manufacture IBM-designed products. The use of CM companies is intended to generate cost efficiencies and reduce time-to-market for certain IBM products. (10-k,2006) IBM believes its business as a whole is not materially dependent on any particular patent or license, or any particular group of patents or licenses. IBM owns or is licensed under a number of patents, which vary in duration, relating to its products. (10-k,2006) Outbound Logistics: Improved delivery and outcomes for its clients. (10-k,2006) Leveraging this experience, in June 2005, IBM launched its supply-chain business transformation outsourcing service to optimize and help run clients end-to-end supply chain processes, from procurement to logistics. (10-k,2006) The company offers its products directly and through a variety of third party distributors and resellers. Changes in the financial or business condition of these distributors and resellers could subject the company to losses and affect its ability to bring its products to market. (10-k,2006) Marketing and sales: Remarketing. The sale and lease of used equipment (primarily sourced from the conclusion of lease transactions) to new or existing clients. (Revenue reported as Global Financing.) (10-k,2006) Retail Store Solutions. Point-of-sale retail checkout systems, software and solutions. (10-k,2006) In addition, the group provides leading semiconductor technology and products, packaging solutions and engineering technology services to clients and for IBM’s own advanced technology needs. (10-k,2006) Services: IBM invests to improve its ability to help its clients innovate. (10-k,2006) Providing technology and transformation services to clients businesses. (10-k,2006) Client financing. Lease and loan financing to external and internal clients for terms generally between two and seven years. (Revenue reported as Global Financing.) (10-k,2006) BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION OUTSOURCING (BTO). Delivers improved business results to clients through the continual strategic change and the operation and transformation of the client’s business processes, applications and infrastructure. (10-k,2006) ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY SERVICES (ETS). System and component design services, strategic outsourcing of clients’ design teams, and technology and manufacturing consulting services. (Revenue reported as Hardware segment.) (10-k,2006) BUSINESS CONSULTING SERVICES (BCS). Delivery of value to clients through consulting services for client relationship management, financial management, human capital, business strategy and change, and supply-chain management, as well as application innovation and the transformation of business processes and operations. (10-k,2006) CENTER FOR BUSINESS OPTIMIZATION (CBO). Helps clients continually optimize their business performance by drawing upon massive amounts of real-time data, advanced analytical methods, business expertise and deep computing power. (10-k,2006) Appendix 4 Strategy map: IBM is shifting from low value added hardware leader to the high value added service leader and the premium leader to the cost leader. Appendix 5 Suitability:Profit Impact Market Strategy Revenue: 2006 2005 2004 $ m $ m $ m Global services 48,247 47,407 46,283 Hardware 22,499 24,343 31,193 Software 18,204 16,830 16,141 Global financing 2,379 2,407 2,608 Others 94 147 68 Total Revenue 91,424 91,134 96,293 Cost: 2006 2005 2004 $ m $ m $ m Global services 34,972 35,093 35,078 Hardware 14,175 15,803 22,008 Software 2,693 2,534 2,489 Global financing 1,182 1,091 1,046 Others 107 81 103 Total cost 53,129 54,602 60,724 $ m $ m $ m Gross Profit 38,295 36,532 35,569 IBM core strategy revolves around building a competitive edge which is based on their value added service, apparently they had been out from the PC market but strategically they have added a value in it by selling it to Lenovo and making it key element in IBM’s network of alliances rather than an element in the IBM portfolio. At the same time they having a policy of compete and cooperate with their competitors to address the value drivers to the customers, they understand the business is global, fast moving and unpredictable so they have to be very proactive in their approach. IBM has phenomenal reduced in overall cost of every business sector, which in fact contributing towards increased gross profit. The credit should be given to their effective and efficient way of managing supply and value chain, they have a gross profit rise of more than US $ 3,000 m and US $ 2,000 m in the year 2006 as it was in 2005 and 2004 respectively. There is also a rise in market share of IBM because of their considerable earnings per share of common stock which increased by US $ 2.77 in 2006. IBM’s subtle strategy has positive and profound impact on the overall financial health of the company, which is proved by the statistical data provided from the annual financial report 2006. Positioning analysis: Strategy Clock As shown in the strategy clock, IBM server now is in good price and value and it aims at good price and high value position. IBM also wants to get competitive advantage from this positioning. What is more, using high services to add value can help IBM to increase the brand image- which is hard to be copies. Portfolio Analysis: Portfolio Matrix IBM used to focus on the PC business. However, to conduct its strategy effectively, it sold PC business several years ago. As shown in Portfolio Matrix, server is just a small business to IBM at that time and in the ‘Question Mark’ of the Matrix. And now, it becomes the ‘Star’, where IBM invests a lot of money in. The money needed of the investment is generated from ‘Cash Cow’- the services of IBM. Service sector occupies huge amount of the total revenue of IBM. IBM tries to use this strategy balancing the ‘Cash Cow’ and ‘Star’ and also to be a stronger player in server market. Risk Analysis As mentioned in the Portfolio analysis, the invest will be supported by the money generated from service sector- Cash Cow. Research Papers on Industry analysis for IBM server marketPETSTEL analysis of IndiaIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalThe Project Managment Office SystemAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaOpen Architechture a white paperDefinition of Export QuotasResearch Process Part OneTwilight of the UAWMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married Males

Standard English Definitions and Controversies

Standard English Definitions and Controversies In the entry for Standard English in  The Oxford Companion to the English Language (1992), Tom McArthur observes that this widely used term...resists easy definition but is used as if most educated people nonetheless know precisely what it refers to. For some of those people, Standard English (SE) is a synonym for good or correct English usage. Others use the term to refer to a specific geographical dialect of English or a dialect favored by the most powerful and prestigious social group. Some linguists argue that there really is no single standard of English. It may be revealing to examine some of the presumptions that lie behind these various interpretations. The following commentsfrom linguists, lexicographers, grammarians, and journalistsare offered in the spirit of fostering discussion rather than resolving all the many complex issues that surround the term Standard English. Controversies and Observations About Standard English A Highly Elastic and Variable Term [W]hat counts as Standard English will depend on both the locality and the particular varieties that Standard English is being contrasted with. A form that is considered standard in one region may be nonstandard in another, and a form that is standard by contrast with one variety (for example the language of inner-city African Americans) may be considered nonstandard by contrast with the usage of middle-class professionals. No matter how it is interpreted, however, Standard English in this sense shouldnt be regarded as being necessarily correct or unexceptionable, since it will include many kinds of language that could be faulted on various grounds, like the language of corporate memos and television advertisements or the conversations of middle-class high-school students. Thus while the term can serve a useful descriptive purpose providing the context makes its meaning clear, it shouldnt be construed as conferring any absolute positive evaluation. (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th edition, 2000) What Standard English Is Not (i) It is not an arbitrary, a priori description of English, or of a form of English, devised by reference to standards of moral value, or literary merit, or supposed linguistic purity, or any other metaphysical yardstickin short, Standard English cannot be defined or described in terms such as the best English, or literary English, or Oxford English, or BBC English.(ii) It is not defined by reference to the usage of any particular group of English-users, and especially not by reference to a social classStandard English is not upper class English and it is encountered across the whole social spectrum, though not necessarily in equivalent use by all members of all classes.(iii) It is not statistically the most frequently occurring form of English, so that standard here does not mean most often heard.(iv) It is not imposed upon those who use it. True, its use by an individual may be largely the result of a long process of education; but Standard English is neither the product of lingui stic planning or philosophy (for example as exists for French in the deliberations of the Academie Francaise, or policies devised in similar terms for Hebrew, Irish, Welsh, Bahasa Malaysia, etc); nor is it a closely-defined norm whose use and maintenance is monitored by some quasi-official body, with penalties imposed for non-use or mis-use. Standard English evolved: it was not produced by conscious design. (Peter Strevens, What Is Standard English? RELC Journal, Singapore, 1981) Written English and Spoken English There are many grammar books, dictionaries and guides to English usage which describe and give advice on the standard English that appears in writing...[T]hese books are widely used for guidance on what constitutes standard English. However, there is often also a tendency to apply these judgments, which are about written English, to spoken English. But the norms of spoken and written language are not the same; people dont talk like books even in the most formal of situations or contexts. If you cant refer to a written norm to describe spoken language, then, as we have seen, you base your judgments on the speech of the best people, the educated or higher social classes. But basing your judgments on the usage of the educated is not without its difficulties. Speakers, even educated ones, use a variety of different forms... (Linda Thomas, Ishtla Singh, Jean Stilwell Peccei, and Jason Jones, Language, Society and Power: An Introduction. Routledge, 2004) Although Standard English is the kind of English in which all native speakers learn to read and write, most people do not actually speak it. (Peter Trudgill and Jean Hannah,  International English: A Guide to the Varieties of Standard English, 5th ed. Routledge, 2013) Standard English Is a Dialect If Standard English is not therefore a language, an accent, a style or a register, then of course we are obliged to say what it actually is. The answer is, as at least most British sociolinguists are agreed, that Standard English is a dialect...Standard English is simply one variety of English among many. It is a sub-variety of English... Historically, we can say that Standard English was selected (though of course, unlike many other languages, not by any overt or conscious decision) as the variety to become the standard variety precisely because it was the variety associated with the social group with the highest degree of power, wealth and prestige. Subsequent developments have reinforced its social character: the fact that it has been employed as the dialect of an education to which pupils, especially in earlier centuries, have had differential access depending on their social class background. (Peter Trudgill, Standard English: What It Isn’t, in Standard English: The Widening Debate, edited by Tony Bex and Richard J. Watts. Routledge, 1999) The Official Dialect In countries where the majority speak English as their first language one dialect is used nationally for official purposes. It is called Standard English. Standard English is the national dialect that generally appears in print. It is taught in schools, and students are expected to use it in their essays. It is the norm for dictionaries and grammars. We expect to find it in official typed communications, such as letters from government officials, solicitors, and accountants. We expect to hear it in national news broadcasts and documentary programmes on radio or television. Within each national variety the standard dialect is relatively homogeneous in grammar, vocabulary, spelling, and punctuation (Sidney Greenbaum, An Introduction to English Grammar. Longman, 1991) The Grammar of Standard English The grammar of Standard English is much more stable and uniform than its pronunciation or word stock: there is remarkably little dispute about what is grammatical (in compliance with the rules of grammar) and what isnt. Of course, the small number of controversial points that there aretrouble spots like who versus whomget all the public discussion in language columns and letters to the editor, so it may seem as if there is much turmoil; but the passions evinced over such problematic points should not obscure the fact that for the vast majority of questions about whats allowed in Standard English, the answers are clear. (Rodney Huddleston and Geoffrey K. Pullum, A Students Introduction to English Grammar. Cambridge University Press, 2006) The Guardians of Standard English The so-called native speakers of standard Englishes are those people who have somehow espoused a particular set of conventions that loosely have to do with the way English has been codified and prescribed in dictionaries, grammar books and guides to good speaking and writing. This group of people includes a large number of those who, having espoused the conventions, nevertheless do not consider themselves to be excellent users of those conventions. For many of these so-called native speakers the English language is a unique entity that exists outside or beyond its users. Rather than considering themselves owners of English, users often think of themselves as guardians of something precious: they wince when they hear or read uses of English that they consider to be sub-standard, and they worry, in their letters to newspapers, that the language is becoming degraded... Those who do feel they have rights and privileges, who have a sense of ownership of the English language and who can make pronouncements about what is or is not acceptable, as well as those to whom these attributes are accorded by others, do not necessarily belong to a speech community whose members learned English in infancy. Native speakers of non-standard varieties of English, in other words, the majority of native speakers of English, have never had any real authority over Standard English and have never owned it. The actual proprietors may, after all, simply be those who have learned thoroughly how to use a standard English to enjoy the sense of empowerment that comes with it. So those who make authoritative pronouncements about a standard English are simply those who, irrespective of accidents of birth, have elevated themselves, or been elevated, to positions of authority in academe or publishing or in other public areas. Whether or not their pronouncements will continue to be accepted is another matter. (Paul Roberts, Set Us Free From Standard English. The Guardian, January 24, 2002) Toward a Definition of SE From the dozens of definitions [of Standard English] available in the literature on English, we may extract five essential characteristics. On this basis, we may define the Standard English of an English-speaking country as a minority variety (identified chiefly by its vocabulary, grammar, and orthography) which carries most prestige and is most widely understood. (David Crystal, The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language. Cambridge University Press, 2003) SE is a variety of Englisha distinctive combination of linguistic features with a particular role to play...The linguistic features of SE are chiefly matters of grammar, vocabulary, and orthography (spelling and punctuation). It is important to note that SE is not a matter of pronunciation. . . .SE is the variety of English which carries most prestige within a country... In the words of one US linguist, SE is the English used by the powerful.The prestige attached to SE is recognized by adult members of the community, and this motivates them to recommend SE as a desirable educational target...Although SE is widely understood, it is not widely produced. Only a minority of people within a country...actually use it when they talk...Similarly, when they writeitself a minority activitythe consistent use of SE is required only in certain tasks (such as a letter to a newspaper, but not necessarily to a close friend). More than anywhere else, SE is to be found in print. The Ongoing Debate It is in fact a great pity that the standard English debate is marred by the sort of conceptual confusions and political posturings (no matter how poorly expressed) ...For  I think there are genuine questions to be asked about what we might mean by standards in relation to speech and writing. There is a great deal to be done in this respect and proper arguments to be made, but one thing is clear for sure. The answer does not lie in some simple-minded recourse to the practice of the best authors or the admired literature of the past, valuable though that writing is. Nor does the answer reside in rules for speech laid down by either the educated of any official body held to be able to guarantee spoken correctness. The answers to the real questions will be found to be much more complex, difficult and challenging than those currently on offer. For these reasons they might be more successful. (Tony Crowley, Curiouser and Curiouser: Falling Standards in the Standard English Debate, in Standard English: The Widening Debate, edited by Tony Bex and Richard J. Watts. Routledge, 1999)

Choose from description below Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Choose from description below - Research Paper Example The author gives a good example of Europe during the Cold War when a huge percentage of the countries embraced the constriction of their soldiers (Yew-Kwang 374). However, the military draft was governed with a lot of controversies ranging from the costs incurred on the same which has forced a huge percentage of the countries to focus on volunteer efforts from other agencies so as to evade the costs (Yew-Kwang 375). Additionally, the weapons adopted in the war system are actually extremely sophisticated which has also contributed immensely to the elimination of conscription (Yew-Kwang 374). Despite the fact that the author argues, that the military draft may involve a lesser cost, it is arguable that the costs of paying this fee will be burdened on the taxpayers who have to overstretch their pockets to cater for that fund (Yew-Kwang 375). Sands’ article argues that the military draft may be useful for the protection of the humans, but the challenges that come alongside it are massive. The author gives an example of the Soviet bloc during the 2nd World War (Sands 33). The article also explains that adopting an all-conscript force is actually too expensive and does not save much cost for the taxpayers (Sands 33). Leaders of the present day era, as Sands argues, are ones that military forces and not military-conscript forces (34). Hummel explains that the military draft was applied in the case of USA during the Mexican war (30). The practices of the militia were by then varied from state to the other, some states spending about 2.5 % for the military draft (Hummel 40). Hummel takes a stand by saying that the difference portrayed in the USA militia drafts kept improving over the years, which led to efficient services from the militants (48). However, the author concludes by saying volunteer militia would be fit today, as opposed to provision of drafts as well as coercion to the militants (Hummel 69) Critique Yew-Kwang’s article may be termed as a vali d one for the study of the topic. It begins from the perspective of the author on what they would have done if they were to choose for or against the military draft. The author then gives an introduction that summarizes the paper. The next section focuses on the analysis of the work which is also explained in the form of graphical representation to explain the author’s perspective in details. The author also gives a simple model of calculation of the draft and its implications in a graphical representation with formulae to explain the graph (Yew-Kwang 379). From the conclusion of the article, it is evident that the author supports military draft in a way as he argues out to the economists that the draft may attract desirable costs. Sands’ article is in prose from and is seemingly one that contains explanations that may not actually be justified on the basis of the conclusions made. If the author had actually given raw data probably from the military personnel, the arti cle would have had a stronger implication on the reader or researcher in this field. Lastly Hummel’s work gives a historical account of what had been taking place throughout the world regarding the provision of military drafts as well as their effectiveness. With a detailed account of some of the wars fought during the time, the reader gets a clear glimpse of the exact picture of what ensued during the past and what needs to

Argument against Hiring and College-Admissions Quotas Essay

Argument against Hiring and College-Admissions Quotas - Essay Example This paper will present an argument against airing and college-admissions quotas. Additionally, it will show that using racial quotas in admitting students in colleges and either hiring or promoting employees in an organization is intuitive and substantial. A. To the government Quotas are simply numerical requirements commonly applied when hiring an employee in a company, promoting someone within an education or working center, and/or graduating members of a specific racial cluster to another level (Gildenhuys, 2004). In some cases, it is seeable that some people discriminate against others mainly due to their racial complexity. This aspect hampers growth and interaction from many angles. For example, one may fail to enter a certain college simply because he or she comes from a certain minority group. Such an act promotes racial discrimination, which is an issue that the whole universe has been fighting for many decades (Gildenhuys, 2004). In hiring, quotas are a very significant fac tor to consider since they provide a basis for selecting and thereafter hiring individuals from every social, racial, and/or economic background (Mwakikagile, 2006). Agreeably, some communities color pigmentation fails to accord them certain privileges. Some colleges and organizations do not hire, admit, or promote people of a certain color such as the blacks or Indians (Lindsay & Justiz, 2004). Some cases of racial discrimination show that there are colleges where students of Indian or black decency do not get admission whereas there are some companies that cannot hire or promote such people. People from these minority groups may possess special abilities or knowledge that...   Quotas are simply numerical requirements commonly applied when hiring an employee in a company, promoting someone within an education or working center, and/or graduating members of a specific racial cluster to another level (Gildenhuys, 2004). In some cases, it is seeable that some people discriminate against others mainly due to their racial complexity. This aspect hampers growth and interaction from many angles. For example, one may fail to enter a certain college simply because he or she comes from a certain minority group. Such an act promotes racial discrimination, which is an issue that the whole universe has been fighting for many decades (Gildenhuys, 2004). In hiring, quotas are a very significant factor to consider since they provide a basis for selecting and thereafter hiring individuals from every social, racial, and/or economic background (Mwakikagile, 2006). Agreeably, some communities color pigmentation fails to accord them certain privileges. Some colleges and org anizations do not hire, admit, or promote people of a certain color such as the blacks or Indians (Lindsay & Justiz, 2004). Some cases of racial discrimination show that there are colleges where students of Indian or black decency do not get admission whereas there are some companies that cannot hire or promote such people. People from these minority groups may possess special abilities or knowledge that they can offer and make their respective organizations gain more advantages over the others.  

Gay male culture Essay Example for Free

Gay male culture Essay American culture has focused much more heavily on gay men than on other members of the LGBT community. This may be due to larger numbers of men than women and it may also be due to gay men having more resources available to them to justify, explore and perform their sexuality. The western culture as a whole still sees men and male experience as the central experience in culture, even if the men in question are transgressing established gender norms. Gay culture relies upon secret symbols and codes woven into an overall straight context. The association of gay men with opera, ballet, professional sports, , musical theater, the Golden Age of Hollywood, and interior design began with wealthy homosexual men using the straight themes of these media to send their own signals. In the Marilyn Monroe film Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, a musical [filmfreakcentral. net] number features a woman singing while muscled men in revealing costumes dance around her. The mens costumes were designed by a man, the dance was choreographed by a man, and the dancers seem more interested in each other than in the female star, but her reassuring presence gets the sequence past the censors and fits it into an overall heterocentric theme. Today gay male culture is publicly acknowledged. Celebrities such as Liza Minnelli spent [topix. net] a significant amount of their social time with urban gay men, who were now popularly viewed as sophisticated and stylish by the jet set. Celebrities themselves were open about their relationships. Gay men cant be identified by the way they look or what kind of music they like. There are gay men in every field and all sorts of fashions and music. Lesbian culture A lesbian is a woman who is romantically and sexually attracted only to other women. The history of lesbian culture over the last half-century has been linked to the evolution of feminism. Older stereotypes of lesbian women stressed a dichotomy between women who adhered to stereotypical male gender stereotypes (butch) and stereotypical female gender stereotypes (femme), and that typical lesbian couples consisted of butch/femme couples. Today, some lesbian women adhere to being either butch or femme, but these categories are much less rigid and there is no express expectation that a lesbian couple be butch/femme. There is a sub-culture within the lesbian community called Aristasia, where lesbians in the community adhere to exaggerated levels of femininity. In this culture, there are two genders, blonde and brunette, although they are unrelated to actual hair color. Brunettes are femme, yet blondes are even more so. Also notable are diesel dykes, extremely butch women who use male forms of dress and behavior, and who often work as truck drivers. Lipstick lesbian refers to feminine women who are attracted only to other feminine women. Bisexual culture In modern western culture Bisexual people are in the peculiar situation of receiving hatred or distrust [Lunde 1990] or even outright denial of their existence from some elements of both the straight and lesbian and gay populations. There is of course some element of general anti-LGBT feeling, but some people insist that bisexual people are unsure of their true feelings, that they are experimenting or going through a phase and that they eventually will or should decide or discover which (singular) sex they are sexually attracted to. One popular misconception is that [Lunde 1990] bisexuals find all humans sexually attractive. That is no truer than the idea that, say, all straight men would find all women sexually attractive. More people of all kinds are becoming aware that there are some people who find attractive sexual partners among both men and women sometimes equally, sometimes favoring one sex in particular . Distinctions exist between sexual orientation (attraction, inclination, preference, or desire), gender identity (self-identification or self-concept) and sexual behavior (the sex of ones actual sexual partners). For example, someone who may find people of either sex attractive might in practice have relationships only with people of one particular sex. Many bisexual people consider themselves to be part of the LGBT or Queer community [Barris, 2007]. In an effort to create both more visibility, and a symbol for the bisexual community to gather behind, Michael Page created the bisexual pride flag. The bisexual flag, which has a pink or red stripe at the top for homosexuality, a blue one on the bottom for heterosexuality and a purple one in the middle to represent bisexuality, as purple is from the combination of red and blue [Lunde 1990]. Transgender culture The study of transgender culture is complicated by the many and various ways in which cultures deal with gender [hrc. org]. For example, in many cultures, people who are attracted to people of the same sex — that is those who in contemporary Western culture would identify as gay, lesbian, or bisexual — are classed as a third gender, together with people who would in the West be classified as transgender or transsexual. Also in the contemporary West, there are usually [hrc.org] several different groups of transgender and transsexual people, some of which are extremely exclusive, like groups only for transsexual women who explicitly want sex reassignment surgery or male, heterosexual only cross-dressers. Transmens groups are often, but not always, more inclusive. Groups aiming at all transgender people, both transmen and transwomen, have in most cases appeared only in the last few years. Some transgender or transsexual women and men however do not classify as being part of any specific trans culture. However there is a distinction between transgender and transsexual people who make their past known to others . Some wish to live according to their gender identity and not reveal this past, stating that they should be able to live in their true gender role in a normal way, and be in control of whom they choose to tell their past to. Epistemology of the closet. The expression being in the closet is used to describe keeping secret ones sexual behavior or orientation, most commonly homosexuality or bisexuality, but also including the gender identity of transgender and transsexual people [branconolilas.no. sapo. pt]. Being in the closet is more than being private, it is a life-shaping pattern of concealment where gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender individuals hide their sexuality/gender-identity in the most important areas of life, with family, friends, and at work. Individuals may marry or avoid certain jobs in order to avoid suspicion and exposure. Some will even claim to be heterosexual when asked directly. It is the power of the closet to shape the core of an individuals life that has made homosexuality into a significant personal, social, and political drama in twentieth-century America. (Seidman 2003, p. 25). Eve Kosofsky Sedgwick, in her book Epistemology of the closet, majorly focuses on male homosexuality. She is also an intellectual who is interested in gay and lesbian studies, queer studies, gender studies, and feminism. Sedgwick (Seidman 2003, p. 25) â€Å"proposes that many of the major thoughts and knowledge in twentieth-century Western culture as a whole are structured—indeed fractured—by the now endemic crisis of homo/heterosexual definition, indicatively male, dating from the end of the nineteenth century†. Incoherent ideas about homosexuality inform the way men are acculturated in the modern West, and (Seidman 2003, p. 25) since this is so, this incoherence has come to mark society generally. Incoherence characterizes the attitude toward homosexuality in the West and is beyond debate. examples, are gay men ridiculous figures of fun or are they sexual monsters who prey on young children? ; is the homosexual a limp-wrested effeminate unsuited for the armed forces, or the lothario of the showers who will gaze upon and/or rape his fellow servicemen? ; Is sexuality an orientation or is it a choice?; are homosexuals born or are they made? ; essentialism or social constructionism? ; nature/nurture?. These are all part of the effect of this crisis in modern sexual definition. Sedgwick believes that it is impossible to adjudicate between these (Seidman 2003, p. 25). In describing in general terms the mass of contradictions that adhere to homosexuality, she proposes that one consider it in terms of an opposition between a minoritizing view and a universalizing one. A minoritizing view takes the position that homosexuality is of primary importance to a relatively small group of actual homosexuals. A universalizing view takes the position that homosexuality is of importance to persons across a wide range of sexualities. Under the universalizing view, one can put nurture, social-construction, choice and a warrant for social â€Å"engineering† to eradicate homosexuality(Seidman 2003, p. 25). Sedgwick says that the current debate in queer theory, between â€Å"constructivist† and â€Å"essentialist† understandings of homosexuality is the most recent link(Seidman 2003, p. 25). She goes on to conclude that the continuation of this debate is itself the most important feature of recent understandings of sex. The aim of the book is to explore the incoherent dispensation under which we now live. Through an examination of a number of mostly late nineteenth century literary and philosophical works, including (Seidman 2003, p. 25). Melvilles BILLY BUDD, Wildes THE PICTURE OF DORIAN GRAY, various works of Nietzsche, James THE BEAST IN THE JUNGLE, Thackerays LOVEL THE WIDOWER, and Prousts REMEMBRANCE OF THINGS PAST, Sedgwick discovers a number of pairs of opposing terms (binarisms) which she then shows to be inconsistent with and dependent upon each other. I found it fascinating to follow her explication of the ways in which these terms were related. Among the pairings that she assembles and dissects for our consideration are secrecy/disclosure, private/public, masculine/feminine, majority/minority, innocence/initiation, natural/artificial, new/old, growth/decadence, urbane/provincial, health/illness, same/different, cognition/paranoia, art/kitsch, sincerity/sentimentality, and voluntarity/addiction (Seidman 2003, p.25). She asserts that a true understanding of the force of the opposition of these terms must be grounded in the realization and acceptance that the content of all of these terms was determined around the turn of the century amid and through anxious questioning over who and what was homosexual. These opposing terms, all of which operate today, therefore have a residue of the homo/hetero definitional crisis(Seidman 2003, p. 25). In addition, Sedgwick perhaps delivers the coup de grace(Seidman 2003, p. 25), if such was needed, to sleek, masculine, modernist objective criticism. She demonstrates that modernist criticism finds its genesis in the homo/hetero definitional crisis and both its flight into and prizing of abstraction is a direct reflection of its homophobia.

Television and Media - TV Violence and Childrens Behavior Essay

Television Violence and Children's Behavior    Drive-by shootings and school massacres are just two of the many violent past-times of today’s youth. Is television a contributor to this insidious erosion of children's respect for life?   Much research that has been done in an attempt to answer this question. The majority of the findings are very similar in content, and the results are grim.   Television violence has been shown to cause four major changes in children's behavior:   "Increasing aggressiveness and anti-social behavior, increasing their fear of becoming victims, making them less sensitive to violence and to victims of violence, and increasing their appetite for more violence in entertainment and in real life."   (AAP Committee)   Television is causing a change in America's children, and it is not a change for the better. If watching television is increasing children's aggressive behavior, then is it also causing a higher crime rate?   Once again, the answer is a resounding yes.   "Longitudinal studies tracking viewing habits and behavior patterns of a single individual found that 8-year-old boys who viewed the most violent programs while growing up were the most likely to engage in aggressive and delinquent behavior by age 18 and serious criminal behavior by age 30." (Booth, Mullins, Scott, and Woolston)   Not only do our children exhibit an immediate reaction to violence in the media but also a long term effect of a higher propensity toward committing crimes.   Another population study stated that the homicide rate doubled within ten to fifteen years after the introduction of television into several different locations where television was introduced at different times.   (Facts About Media Violence)   We are all affect... ...can child reaches the age of 16, he or she will have witnessed 200,000 acts of violence on television, including 33,000 murders.   (Juvenile Crime and TV)   Apparently we accept what we see over and over again as normal behavior.   We are teaching our children that violence is acceptable by inviting it into our homes everyday.   They, in turn, are becoming more violent from the playgrounds all the way to the prisons. Works Cited Booth, Vicki, Mullins, Heather, Scott, Erika, and Woolston, Jonathon.   "Juvenile Crime and TV."   Online.   http://staff.gc.maricopa.edu/mdinchak/eng101/juvenile.htm "Facts About Media Violence."   Online.   http://www.ama-assn.org/ad-com/releases/1996/mvfacts.htm AAP Committee on Pediatrics. "Some Things You Should Know About Media Violence and Media Literacy."   Online.   http://www.aap.org/advocacy/ChildHealthMonth/media.htm