Use of Chemical Weapons and its Effects on the Neighboring Countries

Globalization can be defined as the process of integrating the social, economic, political, and cultural of different countries globally. Globalization stems back all the way to the second half of the 20th century. Globalization has plenty of accolades, but it also has major negative consequences. Scientific developments hastened with globalization and tools of mass destruction like chemical weapons started being produced on large scale and demand. This paper focuses on how the use of chemical weapons in Syria has affected the Syrian environment and its relations with its neighboring countries. Background Chemical weapons are some of the most dangerous tools to be used in war. Chemical weapons have been used for centuries in fight, but it was not until the First World War that they were used in large scale. According to Ahmet ÃÅ"zà ¼mcà ¼ says that this was all made possible by the rapid advances in science technology that enabled the mass production of these lethal weapons. Despite the early efforts to control the use of these weapons by signing the Geneva protocol in 1925, it did not require that one could not stock chemical agent; therefore, they continued to be used in warfare during the cold war and even the Iran-Iraq war. In 1993, the world community signed the chemical weapon convention, which was enforced in 1997 (1). This was a much comprehensive ban on chemical weapons. Destruction of these weapons is projected to conclude in the next few years. Recent events in Syria have reminded the world of the horrific impact of chemical weapons. According to Pita Renà © and Juan Domingo, the Syrian government accused a terrorist group of firing a chemical rocket at the southeast of the city of Aleppo, Khan Al Asal that took the lives of 25 innocent people and injured more than 110 people (2). Jefferson quoted the US secretary of state on the event as â€Å"moral obscenity†. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) could not investigate the disaster since at the time Syria was not a member of the Chemical World Convention. However, after the Syrian Government asked the United Nations to investigate whether the use of chemical weapons caused the attack, it started the UN Secretary-General Mechanism (SGM). The UN Secretary-General assembled a mission that consisted of OCPW personnel and medical staff from the world health organization (4). The investigation did confirm that the attack was chemical based, and also set the base for the investigation of other alleged chemical weapon attacks with France and the United Kingdom accusing Syria of another chemical related attack. These were followed by other allegations by Qatar and the USA. They were all alleging that through their investigations they had found the 12 different attacks to have been caused by chemical weapons which were in possession of the Syrian government. The investigations were conducted through the means of individualized governments, which meant that the UN could not use the findings. The United Nations could not use these findings because they did not have the proper chain of protection, as the United Nations required the investigation to be done by its personnel. However, after all the turn of events, the Syrian government decided to join the CWC led to the commencement of international efforts to completely Syria of these dangerous chemical weapons (5). Problems The use of Chemical weapons in Syria attracted a lot of attention from big world powers. Greg says that the USA and the UK became the most spoken in the fight against removing chemical weapons and a new regime in Syria. After the statement of the US secretary of state John Kerry, the then President of the United States of America Barrack Obama also issued a statement warning Syria that any use of chemical weapons by the country would be crossing a global red line. The British Prime minister David Cameron despite conceding the parliamentary vote on taking part in military action and gave a striking warning that the use of chemical weapons would quality a strong response from the United Kingdom. According to Christian Henderson, the UK decided that by â€Å"legal basis military action would be humanitarian intervention.† Syria had potentially made unnecessary powerful enemies who could subdue it if it went past diplomacy (3). Syria was not part of the CWC when the first attack took place; this meant that the relevant authority that was assigned with the task of investigating chemical attacks could not get involved. Even though other individualized governments had carried out their investigation due to the lack of chain of custody of the investigations, even the UN could not take any action. This meant the process would drag on for a longer period than it should have and the relationship between the countries involved would continue to strain. In turn, the process of ridding the universe of chemical weapons would suffer setbacks. Pros The attack in Syria brought back the attention of the world to a problem that needed an urgent solution. Syria was still one of the countries that were still not in the CWC, and the attack showed the world that they needed to do everything possible to get the other countries to join CWC. According to Catherine Jefferson, Syria did allow and joined CWC and had since cooperated with the body in the destruction of the chemical weapons stock. For the OPCW to get involved in the first investigation, it required the activation of the SGM, the enactment of this mechanism showed the importance of achieving Universal membership (2). Since Syria became part of the CWC actions have been taken to ensure that Syria destroys the chemical weapons and through this Samiotis and Grekos, shows in 2014 chemical weapons from Syria were destroyed aboard a vessel belonging to the US Maritime Administration by the name MV Cape Ray in the Mediterranean Sea. This was a big milestone in the fight for a world free from chemical weaponry (2). Cons The first agreement against chemical weapons, the Geneva protocol was signed in 1925, but countries were still stockpiling chemical weapons, and it took well over 68 years before the Chemical Weapon Convention was established in 1993. It took another four years for it to be enforced, but the drawback is that there are countries that are not part of the CWC; thus, this does not affect that which puts the convention under threat. This is seen when the attacks in Syria take place by the use of the weapons, and it is even harder to assemble a mission to investigate the attacks due to the lack of custody (Renà © and Domingo 2). The convention has played a big role in destroying chemical weapons, but there is still a long way to go before they accomplish this mission entirely. The use of chemical weapons in Syria has a very negative effect on the natural environment of the countries affected. According to Pita Renà © and Juan Domingo shows, that the samples collected from the scene of the attack had Sarin decomposition and metabolites. The destruction of chemical weapons in the Mediterranean Sea according to has consequences that even from a scientific perspective still do not know the extent to which it may destroy the sea. The chemicals involved in the making of the weapons cause a lot of damage to the environment which if not dealt with my cause a permanent problem. Many of the attacks have happened within Syria, and any signs of way are a threat to political stability and attainment of world peace. The claims that have been made against the Syrian government have not been proven, and thus no one has taken responsibility for the attacks (4). Solutions According to Christopher Jenkins, the CWC is on the right track towards the complete destruction of chemical weapons. The CWC should engage the countries that have not joined them to subscribe to the cause and help the world become chemical weapon free. Most of the countries are storing the weapons because of the uncertainty that they might face a war shortly. If the CWC and other relevant authorities come together, get involved and guarantee these countries that they won't fall into the attack, then it may be possible to get them to join CWC (1). Recommendations The Syrian government has strained relations with other countries due to the recent attacks. It is important for these countries to have a good international relationship for the CWC to be well enforced and reduce any chances of them getting into a war and spark another wave of large-scale production chemical weapons. The Syrian government should also get involved in the process of restoring the country to a more stable state. They should get as much outside help as possible and enhance their international relationships.

Human Impact of Climate Change Essay

Climate change concerns to a statistically momentous deviation in either the mean state of the climate or in its variability, remaining for an extensive period (normally decades or longer) (What is climate change, 2001). Climate change is term that adverts to any major and long-term change in average weather in a specified region or whole Earth. Fundamentally important variability of average weather over longer time period can be depicted as climate change. Climate change is due to natural internal procedures or external pressures, or to relentless anthropogenic alterations in the composition of the atmosphere or in land utilization. Earlier in the beginnings of Earth’s history climate changes were normally induced by different vibrant processes on Earth but recently it is caused by human activities. This is the reason that in our everyday talks the term climate change refers to climate change caused by global warming. The most disposed signs of climate change are glaciers that are presently melting at rapid level which entails climate change has already began. This time, climate change is only due to the recent human activities and had resulted in global warming process. Today, Global warming has become synonym for climate change due to its role in climate change. Undue emission of injurious greenhouse gases into atmosphere is causing a raise in average temperature that in turn is affecting the climate on Earth (What is climate change, 2001). The use of fossil fuels as a dominant aspect is continuing to emit CO2 and other greenhouse gases into atmosphere that is causing even more grave effects to climate change. With the rise in temperature globally effects like severe changes in weather patterns, climbing sea levels and increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather is been experienced. The world’ most susceptible areas are around Earth’s poles and Africa and these areas had already started experiencing momentous increase in average temperature. The depressing fact is that one can’t stop climate change and can only make attempt to adjust to it and not making it worse with its own activities. Our own activities induced global warming and at this time all of us are confronted with the climate change as our most prominent environmental challenge. Although, all of us are already aware of climate change but still lacking in our activities to stop further increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. For dealing with this present environmental challenge, there is a need to work vigorously for a global agreement to control climate change and to take possible domestic actions to attain satisfying diminutions in our own contribution. Discussion Significance & Scope of the Issue The management of the severe environmental challenge is essential as otherwise it could direct us towards drastic results. Already climate change is responsible for 300,000 deaths a year in accordance to former UN secretary general Kofi Annan’s think tank, the Global Humanitarian Forum. The study generated by the Global Humanitarian Forum also claims that approximate 300 million people in a year are affected by the outcomes of climate change (The Human Impact of Climate Change, 2009). Climate change is not only an all-encompassing menace but it is also an arbitrary threat-multiplier. With the affects of climate change a number of vulnerable communities of this planet can get destroyed (2009 Forum-Human Impact of Climate Change, 2009). The devastating effects of our development and measures for national, regional and global security are not measurable presently, but slowly or gradually its affects will start appearing along with destruction. The different studies done in this field projects that the increasing severity of events, like flooding and storms due to climate change will be accountable for approximately 500,000 deaths a year by 2030. Currently climate change is stimulating losses of over $125bn a year that is greater than the last year total of world aid. Anticipations exhibit that by 2030, losses could be around $600bn a year. With this weather related disasters problems like hunger, disease, poverty and lost livelihoods can increase (The Human Impact of Climate Change, 2009). If within coming 25 years, emissions are not brought under control the 310 million more people will start suffering with unfavourable health consequences connected to temperature gains, 20 million more people will fall under poverty and 5 million more people will be expatriate by climate change (The Human Impact of Climate Change, 2009). These statistics regarding the effect of climate change demonstrates that in present this is most significant environmental challenge that the world is facing. This need to be managed as soon as possible for everyone as otherwise it could lead to pressurize food production, decrease sanitation, and block economic development and degradation of ecosystems. Specific causes of Climate Change Climate change is the result of both the natural and human factors, but from some past decades it is mainly due to the subsequent human factors: †¢The most prominent reason of climate change is releasing of greenhouse gases and aerosols into the atmosphere. From last two hundred and fifty years, the concentrations of greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide have increased due to the burning of fossil fuels for energy production. The more the countries are moving towards industrialization and development, the more they are affecting their environment, which is resulting in the climate change (Climate Change, n. d. ). †¢Another prominent reason of climate change is deforestation, which is related with agriculture and urban development and harvesting timber for fuel, construction and paper. When the ecosystems are altered and vegetation is either burned or took out, the carbon stored in them is relinquished to the atmosphere as carbon dioxide (What causes global climate change, 2005). †¢Sulphate Aerosols and Black Carbon are other two crucial instances of anthropogenic forcings. Current industrial activities have recently increased the concentration of sulphate aerosols and black carbon in the atmosphere that is making imperative effect on our climate in the form of drastic weather events. Critical Analysis & Evaluation of Environmental and Ecological Consequences Earlier, the Earth’s atmosphere was changed very little. The temperature and the equilibrium of heat-trapping greenhouse gases were appropriate for humans, animals and plants to stay alive but presently everyone is confronting problems in maintaining the balance due to increasing industrialization and development activities. For our own comfort of life and economic development, all of us are making increasing use of fossil fuels from heating our homes to creating energy. This is adding more and more greenhouse gases to the atmosphere that in turn is raising the warming potentiality of the natural greenhouse effect. This enhanced greenhouse effect is causing environmental and ecological concerns as it has the potency to warm the planet at a range that has never been went through in human history. This warming of the climate is resulting in more extreme weather patterns, chances for several ecosystems to adapt naturally are decreasing, sea levels are rising, glaciers are melting, ocean acidification is increasing and agricultural outputs are ailing resulting in hunger. All these consequences are related with the use of fossil fuels that is the significant reason for CO2 emissions. The use of fossil fuels in turn is closely linked to economic growth, lifestyle and our culture. In present every human being is contributing to the CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere (Climate Change, n. d. ). Though, the person’s lifestyle and culture determines the amount emitted by him. The more flourishing a country’s economy is the superior is its fossil fuel consumption, ensuing in higher greenhouse gas emissions. Success of Solutions’ Proposed & Applied Climate change is affecting the whole world. Number of developed and developing countries are working together to discover the solution of environmental challenge of climate change. From the time, this issues has emerged a number of efforts had been done some of which had attained success and some had failed. In June 1992, 154 countries signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCC) that corresponded to alleviate the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere at levels that would not cause destruction. In Kyoto, in December 1997, Japan, Canada and 160 other industrialized nations committed to cut down their greenhouse gas emissions, as component of an international agreement on climate change identified as the Kyoto Protocol. This eventually came into force throughout 2005. Till the time these efforts had not attained immense success but with these efforts modest emission reductions had been encountered from industrialised countries. Countries are trying to reduce their emissions as now they had become aware with its severe results. Conclusion With the detailed discussion it can be said that in present climate change is with us. A decade ago, it was only an assumption but currently the future is unveiling before our eyes. Canada is experiencing it in the form of vanishing Arctic ice and permafrost. Latin America and Southern Asia is seeing it in lethal storms and floods whereas Europeans are experiencing it in melting glaciers, forest fires and disastrous heat waves (Pearce, 2006). All these experiences of different countries disclose that the consideration regarding this environmental challenge is imperative as otherwise more and more countries of the world will start experiencing its effects. The present rastic change in the climate needs to be controlled for assuring an appropriate level of CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere as otherwise it could bring unpredictable changes in our environment and ecological system. For controlling this environmental challenge staying educated about climate change and supporting attempts to deliberate its progress are the things that everyone can do and should do. Our ef forts regarding the climate change could make our economy more internationally competitive by creating expansion and jobs while raising less waste, pollution and greenhouse gases.

BRAAAP Company Essay

Introduction The Braaap motorcycle brand was established in 2008 by Brad Smith. Brad began with a vision to supply motorbikes which would making motorcycling more fun and accessible for people. The plan from the start was to build a motorcycle that would compete with custom built American race bikes, but be affordable for people that wish to have a go at this sport. It took a lot of visits to different manufacturers before they found one that believed in his vision. Since then it has been onwards and upwards for the Braaap brand, they have their own concept stores in Tasmania and Victoria, and franchise opportunities throughout Australia and the rest of the world. Braaap are also one of the only motorcycle brands on the market to offer a lifetime warranty. Key Characteristics of Braaap products and services The Braaap products have four major features to their products and services, they are: Lifetime warranty option, customisation, flexible finance and built for adults. The lifetime warranty option is available on all their products and bikes. Having this option improves the attractiveness of the product to their customers and gives them piece of mind about repairs and maintenance on aspects of their bikes. Customisation is another feature that Braaap offer to their customers. This means that the customers can choose from a wide range of colours and accessories to personalise their motorbikes to suit their own tastes. This doesn’t impact the performance of the bikes at all, in fact with all the different options available to purchase the customer can change some of the accessories on their bikes as their tastes change. This would actually improve the life of the bike and make certain that customers would perhaps return at a later stage to either upgrade their bikes or their cust omisations. Currently 37% of Braaap customers return at later stages to upgrade to full size bikes. Flexible finance is a big feature that Braaap offer, from $3 per day finance it makes owning a motorcycle very affordable for most people. As the bikes vary in price, Braaap will provide term payment and also a rent to own option. This enables customers to ride now and pay later. Braaap bikes have been spec ifically designed to that adults can ride them. They have the Learn to Ride program,  Lifetime Coaching and Ride Club which enables most adult riders to become proficient in riding the Braaap bike the correct way Review of pricing policy and analyse pricing variables to determine their effect of demand The pricing policy for the Braaap products are based on dealership and manufacture prices, including Braaap overheads, this determines the final price that’s displayed online and instore. These prices encompass all the products within the Braaap brand from clothing, spare parts, motorcyc les etc Prices for the bikes are as follows: Kids 50cc$1,799.00 88cc$1,999,00 125cc$2,399.00 Classic 150cc$2.999.00 Maistro 150cc$3,999.00 Pro 190cc$4,649.00 Road Racer 250cc$3,999.00 Braaap are a reasonably priced brand with the performance of the other major motorbike brands like Yamaha and Honda. Yamaha in comparison with the 250 cc road racer with a similar model sells for around $8,999.00 and Honda is around $4,300.00.This means that they are competitively priced and affordable to the mass market. One problem that could arise is the price of the components, if the cost of these rise this could influence the overall price of the motorbikes. Other factors that could affect this is the strength of of the Australian Dollar and the international market. Analyse the impact and importance of the following elements to market outcomes. a/The promotional methods – Customer Interaction Programs like having permanent ride clubs established to provide safe and fun riding environments for all riders from beginners to the more advanced. They have a ride club with sponsored events and  fundraisers; these provide another alternative for riders of all levels to be involved. They also have email newsletters that people can get regular updates as well as a facebook page (38570 likers) which promotes the safe riding environment and a place for people to interact with others. Using current technology is a huge plus for Braaap as the website is full of information, embedded videos for customers to see and also online stores and information about franchise opportunities, dealership opportunities and staff opportunities. b/Channels of distribution – The channels of distribution are online and instore. They have also introduced a franchise opportunity within Australia and are actively looking at distributors in the international market. The dealership opportunity is very generous with a Cashflow Positive Guarantee which removes cashflow risk. The other benefits are the same as the concept stores with the easy finance option, Braaap website availability plus customisation etc. c/Level of customer service provided_ Braaap have passionate and motivated sales staff that excel in the level of customer service provided. The despatch from their online stores is fast (the plan is to have parts ordered during the week and to the customer by the weekend so they can ride). The Braaap Company has a high expectation with regards to their customer service and they only employ driven people that love the motorcycle industry as much as they do. Braaap also demands a high level of customer service to be provided to their customers from their partners within Australia, NZ and the USA. Identify Braaap’s potential customer base and key pressure points for success in reaching them Braaap’s potential customer base is the 80% of customer’s new to the sport. They are not actively targeting the existing 3% of customers that currently own dirt bikes. The way that Braaap reach their potential clients is via social media, hosting dirt bike events regularly and through their Learn to Ride programs (registration is done on their website). Establish the components of the marketing mix, include information on how  each element of the marketing mix has been used, their significance to each other and their relevance to the customer base.

MGT Week 3 DB SA Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

MGT Week 3 DB SA - Case Study Example tart a new life to live in new York at the moment hence moving to Pennsylvania will help them to save some money since they will be living with their family. Deciding to live in Pennsylvania was a good decision irrespective of the fact that it will have an emotional impact on one of them. However, being financially stable greatly outweighs a negative emotional impact thus deeming it a good decision to move back to Pennsylvania. Many people use rational when making hard or simple decisions. Scholars have further dissected the rational people use in decision making to the use of positive illusions and bias availability. This is where one makes a decision based on the bias they have given the decision depending on the consequences they stipulate. For example, in the case study when the person was selecting a service operator he/she depended on the information they had derived from others thus creating a bias that the product was good. This is usually works for many people but should not be used when making serious decisions since the information from which one creates a bias might be totally

Pacific Island Cultures Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Pacific Island Cultures - Article Example In 1964, Dr John Cumpston had the foresight and the stamina to devise a now standard format for listing each and every shipping arrival and departure, vessel by vessel, visit by visit.1 This has proved to be a considerable legacy, as his pioneer work has sparked off research by many others who want to get beyond weak generalisations to look at the Pacific’s maritime past in real and quantitative terms. Comparable SADs have followed not only for all the main eastern Australian ports up to 1840, but also for the Bay of Islands, Akaroa and Port Otago.2 In 2000, the Pacific Manuscripts Bureau (PAMBU) at The Australian National University and the Hawaiian Historical Society published a comparable list for Honolulu.3 The publication of a comparable list for Tahiti is forthcoming, while the Samoas, Tuvalu, Solomon Islands, Marquesas and Pitcairn have already been covered in different ways.4 Indeed the stage is set to look afresh at all Pacific Islands and their ports to draw out new substantial facts about their contact and early post-contact histories. These new lists allow the track of a ship, previously unknown, to be followed across the Pacific from island to island and to see each ship’s trade, its impact on local health, and other consequences, in time and in space, in ways that were impossible before, because no comparable ethnographic and oral records have survived. Even though some of the lists read rather like a turgid telephone book, all names and no plot, a great deal of red-blooded life can be drawn from these listings. *An earlier version of this paper was read at Te Moana-Nui-a-Kiwa, the 17th biennial conference of the Pacific History Association at Otago University on 7 December 2006. 1 J. Cumpston, Shipping Arrivals and Departures, Sydney, 1788–1825 (Canberra 1964). 2 Rhys Richards with Jocelyn Chisholm, Bay of Islands Shipping Arrivals and Departures 1803 to 1840 (Wellington 1992); ‘The SAD truth about Bay of Islands shippi ng 1803–1840’, The Great Circle, 15:1 (Sydney 1993), 30–5; Ian N. Church, Opening the Manifest on Otago’s Infant Years: shipping arrivals and departures Otago Harbour and Coast 1770–1860, Southern Heritage 150 Series (Dunedin 2001). 3 Rhys Richards, Honolulu, Centre of Trans-Pacific Trade: shipping arrivals and departures, 1820 to 1840 (Canberra and Honolulu) 2000. 4 R. Richards and R. Langdon, Tahiti and the Society Islands: shipping arrivals and departures 1767 to 1852 (Canberra forthcoming), based on ‘Ships at the Society Islands 1800–1852’, lists compiled in the 1980s by R. Langdon, Pacific Manuscripts Bureau, Canberra; Robert Langdon, Where the Whalers Went: an index to the Pacific ports and islands visited by American whalers (and some other ships) in the 19th century (Canberra 1984); Rhys Richards, ‘Pacific whaling 1820–1840: port visits, shipping arrivals and departures, comparisons and sources’, The Great Circle, 24:1 (2002), 25–40. ISSN 0022-3344 print; 1469-9605 online/08/030375–8; Taylor and Francis _ 2008 The Journal of Pacific History Inc. DOI: 10.1080/00223340802499641 Article 2 First Page of the Journal Article International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education Vol. 23, No. 6, November 2010, 671–690 ISSN 0951-8398 print/ISSN 1366-5898 online  © 2010 Taylor & Francis DOI: 10.1080/09518390903468339 http://www.informaworld.com Family obligations in

Why should saudi arabia care about climate change Research Paper

Why should saudi arabia care about climate change - Research Paper Example Without any doubts, only if all the countries and nations in the world unite for this cause then only we could move towards a solution. Saudi Arabia is one of the countries, which has received the label on being an obstructionist to this cause because reducing carbon emissions would seriously hamper their economy. This paper is an attempt to show that â€Å"why should Saudi Arabia care about climate change†. This paper, written with the help of secondary sources, shows that with a shift from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources and creating a service based, free market, private sector dominated economy would allow the kingdom to remove inefficiencies from the economy and would result in creation of an economy, which would be less vulnerable to external shocks. Second, Saudi Arabia itself is facing the consequences of climate change in form of increasing temperatures, evaporation of Lake Layla, and other water sources, sand storms and others. Third, if Saudi Arabia contin ues to obstruct and create problems for in global climate change then it would not be long before the world would decide to corner Saudi Arabia and impose sanctions and barriers on trade with the country. Fourth, the world is actively looking for alternative energy resources and the kingdom would not be able to blackmail the world for long. Fifth, according to the Islamic principles, it is the responsibility of the government to save the planet. Sixth, if Saudi Arabia continues to destroy the environment with its carbon emissions then this current generation would not be able to look into the eyes of their children for which they would leave the planet in the worse condition. TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 3 INTRODUCTION 4 METHODS 4 RESULTS 5 DISCUSSION 6 CONCLUSION 9 REFERENCES 11 INTRODUCTION Without any doubts, the man of today and the world of today are entirely different from the first man on earth and the face of the earth when human civilization began. Over these past th ousands of years, human growth and development has taken place exponentially. However, at the other side of the picture, this development and progress have to the human civilization with strings attached to it (Moran, pp. 54-59, 2011). Global warming and climate change has already started to effect the environment and atmosphere of the earth and it appears that it would not be long before we witness drastic effects of this climate change. It is time that people should ask themselves one simple question that is â€Å"When we leave this world, would we be able to provide it to our coming generation in the same condition (if not better) in which we received it from our forefathers (Burroughs, pp. 58-59, 2005). Saudi Arabia is one of those countries, which has remained in the spotlight as the â€Å"bad guy† for obstructing and delaying all the resolutions, major movements, and collective global level actions taken for fighting with global warming and environmental destruction. S audi Arabian administration believes that by doing so it is â€Å"protecting its own interests† like every other country (Beniston, pp. 26, 2002). This paper is an attempt to shed some light on the fact that â€Å"why Saudi Arabia should care about Climate Change†. METHODS This research paper will mainly rely on the secondary sources such as books, journals, articles, previously conducted researches, facts, figures, statistics, and others. However, it has been ensured that the data and information, which is being used, is reliable and authentic. RESULTS With a glance at the available secondary data about the topic, there are many reasons why the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia should be concerned about the environmental issues and climate change. Important here to note is that a shift from high

Resistance to Change Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Resistance to Change - Essay Example The other tactic that can be used to reduce change in an organization is education. In most cases, when there is lack of information about a particular change initiative, people tend to resist it. it is therefore imperative to educate the members involved so that they can share the same understanding with the change agents. There are likely chances that people will understand why change is necessary in the organization if they are educated. For example, people may resist computerisation in their workplace in preference of traditional methods of storing and processing information which are manual in most cases. The main reason for this resistance is that people may lack knowledge about operating computers. Therefore it is important to educate them so that they can also understand the benefits of using computers in the workplace. The other method that can be implemented in order to reduce resistance to change in the organization is negotiation. According to Jackson & Schuler (2000), when a certain group will clearly lose out in a change and that group has considerable power to resist, then it is important to negotiate. Negotiation will create a win-win situation where the groups involved are likely to benefit from the change initiative at the end of the day. For instance, the management may not be able to fire the productive employees in the organization simply because they have resisted change. Instead, the two groups should come to the drawing table and negotiate so that they can map the way forward about how they can tackle the pressing issue together as a group not individuals. Cooptation is the other tactic that can be implemented in order to reduce change when other tactics will not work or are too expensive. Different ideas are taken into consideration so as to enable the members of the organization to agree on one thing that can rescue the company from collapse. This is more of a compromise situation where a

Capital Investment Proposal of Mineral Plc Essay - 8

Capital Investment Proposal of Mineral Plc - Essay Example The objective of this report, therefore, is to consider the soundness of the proposed capital investment from the angles of financial feasibility, country risk of Medco Republic and the foreign exchange risk in undertaking transactions in the currency of Medco Republic as against the British Pounds as the investments the commitment of substantially larger sums by the Company to be recouped over a longer period. The analysis is based on a review of the net cash flows from the project using the recognized capital budgeting evaluation methods of Net Present Value (NPV) and Internal Rate of Return (IRR), taking the weighted average cost of capital of the Company of 15% as the hurdle rate and the rate for discounting the present value of future cash flows from the project.Financial Feasibility The financial feasibility of any capital investment proposal can be judged based on the ability of the project to enhance the shareholders’ wealth by contributing positive net cash inflows from the proposed investments. Just any other domestic capital project is being evaluated, for the international investments can also be evaluated by calculating the ‘Net Present Value’ (NPV) future cash flows expected out of the project. The NPV of the project depends on the initial investment or initial cash flow, expected future cash flows and the cost of capital. Based on the comparison of the NPV of the future cash flows with the proposed capital investment the feasibility of the project can be established. While working out the NPV the effect of the factors like Sales creation (additional sales), cannibalization (loss of sales), opportunity cost, transfer pricing and fees and royalties on the future cash flows should be taken into account. The Internal Rate of Return (IRR ) is the other criterion that needs to be carefully looked into while deciding on the capital investment.In the case of the proposed capital investment proposals, the NPV and IRR from the projects have been worked out and exhibited in the Appendix. From the NPV calculations, it is observed that the project has a negative net present value which implies that the project is not acceptable.

Hui 325 E1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Hui 325 E1 - Essay Example The angel kissing Beatrice symbolizes that she is safe, and she would be loved in the world in which she is headed. In the Divine Comedy, Dante spends three nights in his ascent to Purgatory, and has a different dream each night. The dreams foreshadow events that are to take place during his journey. Dante’s three unique dreams, all happen in the early morning hours. Each dream portrays specific happenings and connects events of Dante’s journey. The dreams prepare Dante for events that he is to encounter, and prepare readers for his journey. The first dream is the image of a golden eagle, which appears in Canto IX, just before dawn as Dante sleeps outside the gates of Purgatory. The eagle snatches him and soars upwards. This symbolizes the ascension that Dante and humans need to undergo in order to reach Paradise. The divine characteristics of the eagle are shown. It’s fixed and determined flight path (lines 25-28). To Dante, the eagle’s glory symbolizes the glory of the Roman Empire. The dream also prophesies Dante’s ascension. When he awakens, he realizes that he has been physically moved by Divine Lucy to paradise. Among the three dreams, it is the only one that gives a picture of Dante’s physical appearance. The dream ends and immediately Lucy departs, symbolizing divine transportation that Divine Lucy offers Dante. Dante’s second dream takes place in Canto XIX in the early morning hours. In this dream, Dante encounters a siren. He sees a woman who at first he describes as ugly (lines 8-9). Dante’s powerful gaze converts her into a powerful object of beauty (lines 10-15). The woman sings, captivating Dante’s eyes and sending him into a trance. An angelic woman who alerts Virgil about the trance saves him. This symbolizes that without Virgil, Dante could not have made it through the journey of Purgatory. It also shows free will, depicted by the way Dante had to choose

Work life balance is increasingly used as a strategy to attract and Essay - 1

Work life balance is increasingly used as a strategy to attract and retain employees. Argue the business case for and against implementing Work Life Balance initiatives - Essay Example The family ­ friendly workplace develops systems for organising how work is arranged in order to support workers in achieving a greater integration across their work and personal responsibilities. More formally, a family-friendly workplace "recognises the non ­-workplace family responsibilities of its employees and develops and implements policies that allow employees to simultaneously fulfill work and family responsibilities" (Strachan & Burgess, 1998, p. 251). These policies are considered to be a major recruitment and retention tool. Ezzedeen (2003) defined work-life balance from a holistic, individual domain perspective, as the degree to which individuals are satisfied with their involvement in domains of life they value. Work-life balance is understood as a satisfactory temporal, cognitive, and physical participation in the domain (s) in which one finds meaning, fulfillment and enjoyment (Ezzedeen, 2003). Work-life balance acknowledges that all employees have lives outside of work. Work-life balance illuminates traditional cultural assumptions about gender roles that shape mens and womens experiences in and out ofthe workplace (Redman and Wilkinson, 2006). It challenges the public/private dichotomy of roles and responsibilities by acknowledging that the sex and gender system operates differently in mens and womens lives; such that a man may be stigmatised for taking leave to care for a newborn in much the same way that a woman will be stigmatised for choosing to work after a baby is born. Rapoport, Bailyn, Fletcher, and Pruitt (2002) explain: "Accepting that individual priorities differ, our goal is that men and women should be able to experience these two parts of their lives as not in conflict, or separate, or in need of balance, but integrated. By this we mean that they should be able to function and find satisfaction in both work and personal life, independent of

What can literature, music, cinema, theatre or art bring to the study Essay

What can literature, music, cinema, theatre or art bring to the study of International Relations - Essay Example The field of International Relations (IR) is a body of knowledge that deals with political activities that are intertwined among various key state players. According to the research conducted by Polat (2012), through International Relations, individuals are able to comprehend the kind of relations that exist between various states. In this case, International Relations refers to the study of the interactions between the members of the field of International Relations, which are the nation states. International Relations can also be defined as the study that scrutinizes the relationships between countries and the responses displayed by these countries as a result of the interactions between the states. It would appear that no country can subsist on its own. In this case, it is imperative to appreciate the power relations between the nations in the International Relations. International Relations, according to Mandaville (2003), is a body of knowledge that highlights the factors that inspire the connection between the countries in the world. In simple terms, International Relations refers to an understanding of the interactions that are present between different countries in the International arena. This includes reviewing the flow of information from one country to another, the manner of responses by each party, and the outcomes that spring from the entire relations process. These implications vary from political, social and economic implications.

Assessing Young Learners Speaking Ability in the Fifth Grade of Three Elementary Schools in Padang Essay Example for Free

Assessing Young Learners Speaking Ability in the Fifth Grade of Three Elementary Schools in Padang Essay CHAPTER I INTRODUCTION A. Background of the Problem Communicative view development in English learning makes the focus on English teaching changed. What once became structurally focused, it now moves toward meaningful language-focused. Students are not asked to memorize structure-based dialogues without knowing the meaning anymore. There are no more grammatically controlled sentences for students’ meaningless repetition. Dialogues, if used, center around communicative functions and are not normally memorized (Richards Rodgers, 1986). That makes the teaching of speaking becomes the core part of English teaching. Just like the adults, young learners today are also taught speaking meaningfully and communicatively. However, young learners have distinctive characteristics compared with adult learners. One of them is children are still developing cognitively, linguistically, socially, emotionally, and physically (Teaching Knowledge Test Young Learners: Handbook for Teachers, 2010). In other words, in teaching speaking to them, teachers need to consider children’s development of skills in the native language first. Young learners also enjoy rhythmic and repetitive language more than adults do. They are more likely to play with language than adults are, and they can be more effectively engaged through stories and games (Peck, 2009). The different techniques and approaches in teaching speaking to young learners lead to different ways in the speaking assessment. This is the problem faced by Indonesian young learners’ teachers nowadays. Most teachers do not know how they should assess their young learners’ speaking ability; some finally choose to skip the speaking assessment and focus on pencil-paper-tests. Thus, this research is conducted to discover and reveal ways of assessing young learners’ speaking ability. B. Identification of the Problem Based on the background above, the speaking assessment techniques used for young learners should be different from the adult. It should be suited with their cognitive, linguistic, social, emotional, and physical development. As we looked upon Language Assessment: Principles and Classroom Practices by Brown (2010) and integrated it with curriculum standard in Indonesia, KTSP 2006, young learners will be better to be assessed in imitative and intensive speaking categories, such as imitating teachers’ saying, directed response tasks, read-aloud tasks, and dialogue completion tasks. Alternative assessments such as interviews and conferences can also be applied for them. C. Limitation of the Problem In this research, the problem will be focused on the speaking assessment techniques in the fifth grade of three selected elementary schools in Padang. D. Formulation of the Problem * What kind of speaking assessment technique used by elementary school English teachers? * Why do they use such techniques? E. Purpose of the Research The purpose of this research is to discover and reveal the technique used by English teachers to assess elementary school students’ speaking ability. F. Significance of the Research Theoretically, this research is aimed to give a description of how speaking assessment for young learners done in Indonesia. Practically, some techniques used by English teachers provided here can be a source of alternative speaking assessment. CHAPTER 2 REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE A. The Nature of Assessment There has been various explanation of what assessment is. Brindley (as stated in Linse, 2005) refers assessment as â€Å"collecting information and making judgments on a learner’s knowledge†. It means that in assessing students, we need to find out what students know about the subject being taught and how far that understanding has reached the learning indicator. In the same line with Brindley but with an addition, Brown (2010) states assessment as â€Å"an ongoing process of collecting information about a given object of interest according to procedures that are systematic and substantively grounded.† In his statement above, Brown implies that the process of collecting and judging students’ understanding is not done orderly in one single time; it is done continuously. Harris and McCann (1994) also give an essential note that in doing assessment teachers have to measure the performance of their students and the progress they make, as well as diagnose the problems they have and provide useful feedback. In other words, collecting and judging students’ intelligence is not enough; finding out what becomes students’ problem and giving advice to them to overcome the problems is also important to create a more successful learning process. Based on the theories above, it can be seen that assessment involves collecting information about students’ knowledge and judging their understanding in order to diagnose the learning problems they have so that students can get useful feedback to be more-successful learners. B. The Nature of Speaking As stated in the previous chapter, today’s English teaching focuses more on communicative purpose of language learning than in the past. It leads to the more important consideration of speaking skills than in previous time. Just like assessment, there is also various definition of speaking. One of them is from Lingua Links (1998) that defines speaking as productive skill in the oral mode that involves more than just pronouncing words. Referring to today’s communicative view, of course speaking cannot be thought as just pronouncing words; it needs to be meaningful, and communicative. Furthermore, Noonan (2003) states that, if pronunciation included, speaking involves three areas: mechanics (pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary), functions (transaction and interaction), and social cultural norms and rules (turn-taking, rate of speech, etc). All of them are connected to each other and prove that speaking is not only about what is uttered, but also the meaning and social purpose. C. The Nature of Young Learners Young learner is a child who is in their first six year of formal education, from age 6 to 12 (Teaching Knowledge Test Young Learners: Handbook for Teachers, 2010). Many experts argue that it is beneficial to teach the children English since young age. TKT Young Learners (2010) notes one of the advantages that those children will have positive self-esteem toward English and it will help them to learn English more once they are adult. That is why teaching English to young learners considered important today. However, young learners have characteristics that make them different from the adults (Teaching Knowledge Test Young Learners: Handbook for Teachers, 2010). First, they are still morally, cognitively, psychologically developed. Based on Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, children in age 6-12 years old are still in concrete operational thought stage, they already have the ability to do logical reasoning and understand reversibility with the help of concrete objects (Santrock, 1998). It means that explaining theory will not do for them, we need to make them move, do games, sing, etc. Second, young learners often have no obvious reason for learning English. Unlike adults who want to do it because of the career-related reasons or teenagers that do it to pass an exam, young learners do not have concrete reason why they must learn English. However, it does not mean they are not motivated to learn English; their goodwill, energy, and curiosity to learning overcome that. Third, they may not always have well-developed literacy skills to support their learning of English. Many children in the age of 6-12 years old are just getting to know their first language. It means that as a teacher we need to not have too-high expectation and do more. Fourth, young learners often learn slowly and forget quickly. It is related to the first characteristic that young learners are still developed morally, socially, and cognitively. Their still-ongoing developments in those basic things make them forget easily and learn slowly. This is why songs, agmes, and chants do best for them. D. Principles of Assessing Young Learners According to METU Open Course Ware (2006), principles of assessing children’s language learning are: 1. Assessment should be seen from a learning-centered perspective. It means that we cannot get a true assessment by testing kids what they can do alone. It has been stated by many experts that the goal of learning English is to be able to communicate meaningfully in English. Testing students, let alone young children, as a tool to get true assessment will not congruent with the real goal of English learning and it will just be wasting time. 2. Assessment should support learning and teaching. This is something that is not also becomes a problem with young learners, but also with the adult. Before performance-based assessment is introduced, teachers chose paper-and-pencil tests as their source of assessing (Puppin, 2006). It becomes a problematic then since students do not see the connection between the learning and the test they are doing, ; they see them as two different incongruent things. If the assessment done is congruent with the learning they did, children will feel that what they have learned is useful. 3. Children and parents should understand assessment issues. Their understanding will make the assessment process more meaningful since they can participate and supports greatly on behave of children’s English development. On the other hand, if they do not understand why the teacher does this and that, there will be no good communication between these three subjects to help children’s development. E. Techniques of Speaking Assessment Brown (2010) states some techniques of speaking assessment based on students’ language development level: Imitative Speaking This kind of assessment is intended to see whether students can imitate saying in English correctly. Eventhough it focuses on the accuracy of repeating words, it does not mean that it cannot be communicative and meaningful. Besides, in recent years many experts have discovered that an overemphasis on fluency can sometimes lead to the decline of accuracy in speech. Intensive Speaking There are four tasks in this kind of assessing: directed response task, oral questionnaire, and picture-cued task. In oral questionnaires, students are first given time to read the dialogue to get its main idea and to think about the appropriate lines to fill in. Then, as the tape, teacher produces one part orally; the students respond. In directed response task, students elicit a particular grammatical form of a transformation of a sentence. Such tasks are clearly mechanical and not communicative, but they do require minimal processing of meaning in order to produce the correct grammatical output. Picture-cued task requires a description from the students. Pictures may be very simple, designed to elicit a word or a phrase, or composed of a series that tells a story or incident. This task is meaningful since sometime a little sense of humor is injected. Responsive Speaking Assessment of responsive tasks involves brief interactions with an interlocutor, differing from intensive tasks in increased creativity given to the student and from interactive tasks by somewhat limited length of utterances. The kinds of this assessment are question and answer, giving instructions and directions, and paraphrasing. Questions and answers involve oral interaction with teacher.

Physico-Chemical Analysis of Sugar Industry Effluents

Physico-Chemical Analysis of Sugar Industry Effluents Physico-Chemical Analysis of Sugar Industry Effluents of Gayathri Sugar Factory Nizamabad district, Telangana state Bondugula Vanitha, Dr. Nirmala Babu Rao, ABSTRACT Present work is based on the physico – chemical analysis of effluents released from gayathri Sugar Factory. Sugar mills place a major rolling polluting the water bodies by discharging a large amount of waste water as effluent. The sugar mill effluent are having high amount of Suspended solids, dissolve solids, BOD, COD, Chlorides, Sulphates, Nitrates, Calcium and Magnesium. The Continuous use of the Effluents harmfully affects the crops when used for Irrigation. It was found that the sugar industries consume large amount of water and released almost equal amount effluent containing highly toxic material in solid and dissolve form. Sugar Factory effluents was more worst like Average values of lower PH (6.2), high temperature (42Ã ¢-Â ¦c), chloride (862mg/ lit), total hardness (571mg/lit), calcium (362 mg/Lit), Magnesium (211 mg/Lit), total solids (2452 mg /Lit), Total Dissolved solids (1915 mg/Lit), Total Suspended Solids (542 mg/Lit), Nitrate (0.8 Mg/Lit), Phosphate (9.8mg/L it), Sulphate (49.3 mg/Lit) and Oil Grees (87.8 mg/Lit). And finally this water is Unsafe for domestic and agriculture purposes. Therefore it should be recycled and utilized for Industrial purpose only. Key words: Gayathri Sugar Factory, Sugar Factory Effluents, Physico Chemical Analysis INTRODUCTION: Sugar mills play a major role in polluting the water, land and air. Commonly the pollutants are through effluents and hazardous chemicals in the form of air (1). Sugar industry plays an important role in the economic development, but the effluents released will produce a high organic pollution in both aquatic and terrestrial and air ecosystems (2). Metals and non-metallic elements can be useful for the agricultural seed germination and growth, but in high concentration they show a very adverse effect (3). Effluents also affect characteristics like flora and fauna of receiving aquatic bodies, effluent discharged in the environment poses a serious health hazard to the rural and semi-urban populations that use stream and river water for agriculture and domestic purposes. Damage to paddy crops due to sugar industry waste-waters entering agricultural land have been reported (4). It had been reported that the lower concentration of sugar factory effluent increases the seedling growth (56). As sugar factory effluent not treated properly, it will have an unpleasant odor when it is released into environment (7). Farmers using effluents water for irrigation to reduce water demand have found that plant growth and crop yield were reduced and soil contaminated(8). This is also causing deaths of domicile animals of such polluted water have been reported increasingly (9). MATERIALS METHODS: The effluents from Gayathri sugar factory was collected during the beginning of rainy season (2013 July -2014 June) in the glass bottles from the discharge channel and properly sealed. It was preserved by adding chemicals to analyze in the laboratory, for the assessment of various physico-chemical characteristics a standardized protocol of APHA (10) was used. RESULTS DISSCUSSION Color As per the present study, the color of untreated effluent was dark brownish. The photosynthesis activity is found to be reduced due to dark coloration also affecting other parameters like temperature DO and BOD etc. Temperature Temperature plays an important role in certain chemical and biological reactions taking place in water which affects organism’s metabolic activity. It depends upon season, time sampling etc. The effluent which had been released from the industry has generally high temperature and it affects land. The temperature of untreated effluent was recorded 43Â °C. The temperature of the discharge should not exceed 35Â °C. The high tem i.e. 43Â °C of the untreated effluent has adversely affected the process. pH In the present study, pH values of treated and untreated are 5.8 and 6.2 respectively. According BIS standards pH of the effluents should be in the range of 6.5 to 8.0. These low pH values of both treated and untreated samples are due to usage of phosphoric acid and Sulfur dioxide during the process of cleaning of sugar cane juice. If such water is used for irrigation for a longer period the soil becomes acidic resulting in poor crops growth and yield. Dissolved Oxygen The analysis of Dissolved Oxygen (DO) is one of the very important factors in water pollution and waste water control. Aquatic ecosystem totally depends on DO only. It effects the metabolic activities of microorganism were very well documented. According to the BIS standards, the DO of effluent should be within the range 4 to 6 mg/lit. In the present study, DO of the untreated effluent sample was recorded 1.16 and 2.23g/lit respectively which is sufficiently low than the BIS Indian standard values. BOD Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) is defined as amount of oxygen required by microorganism while stabilizing biological decomposable organic matter in water under aerobic conditions. The BO is a very slow process in oxidation; organic pollutants are oxidized by microorganisms into carbon dioxide, water using dissolved Oxygen. In the present study, the BOD of the untreated effluent was 86mg/lit. According to BIS Indian standard the BOD should not exceed the 50 mg/l. COD The chemical Oxygen demand test describes the amount of oxygen required for chemical oxidation of organic matter with the help of strong chemical oxidant. The COD is a test which is used to measure the amount or quantity of pollution which has been released by domestic and industrial waste. COD is useful to determine the exact toxic condition and presence of biological matters. In the present study, the COD of the untreated effluents was 460 mg/l. In untreated effluent it is appreciably high compared to BIS standard (250 mg/L). This indicates a high amount of organic pollutants in the sample. TDS The total dissolved solids concentration in the effluent represent the colloidal form and dissolved specters. The rate of collision aggregated process is also influenced by pH of this effluent. In the rainy season less concentration of total dissolved solids are obtained due to dilution of waste effluent with rain water. In the present study, the total solids in untreated effluent were 1958 mg/lit. The samples in TDS values are much higher compared to BIS Indian Standards (500 mg/L). TSS Suspended solids are the cause of suspended particle inside the water body influencing turbidity. According the present study, the suspended solids of untreated effluent were542mg/l Chlorides The presence of chloride in natural water is attributed to dissolution of salt deposit, discharge of effluents from chemical industries oil well operations. In the present study chlorides of untreated was 862 mg/l. Sulphate Sulphate can also be produced an oxidizing action as in the oxidation action. Sulphur itself has never been limiting factor in aquatic system. In the present study, sulphate in untreated effluent was 493 mg/l according BIS Indian standard, the sulphate should not exceed 100 mg/l. Oil and grease In the present study, oil and grease present in un-treated effluent showed 87.8mg/l oil and grease values are higher than BIS standards. Table: 1 Seasonal variation in the Physico- Chemical parameters of the un-treated sugar factory effluents (during period of 2013 July -2014 June) Table: 2 The Physico-chemical parameters of untreated sugar mill effluent CONCLUSION The Gayathri sugar industry situated at Nizamabad district, Telangana State is one of the good factories. It has own distillery unit in its own premises for waste which is generated from the sugar factory. The sugar industry needs modification in effluent treatment. Thus the sugar industry effluent which is untreated exhibits high COD, BOD, and TDS content. And low content of DO which is toxic to plants and animals, so it is not permissible for irrigation. The sugar industry effluent is highly polluted and they do not satisfy the BIS Indian standard values

Paul, the Motherly Paterfamilias Essay -- History Paul Historical Essa

Paul, the Motherly Paterfamilias Introduction In Paul's time the role of paterfamilias in Roman households—as well as in general society—was that of an authoritarian ruler with absolute control over all people in his realm. In his letters to the congregations that he had founded and towards which he felt paternal affection, the apostle Paul transcended this dominating relationship by expressing deep emotions of longing and affection. He also nurtured them by sharing his life with them and helping them resocialize to Christianity. Role of the Paterfamilias During Paul's time, the ruling Roman tradition understood the family as the basis of society and the paterfamilias as the literal "head of the family." This man, the oldest male in direct line within his familia, had unprecedented power in the form of patria potestas ("paternal power").[1] The unlimited authority that he exercised over all members of his household (children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren were all under his omnipotent hand) did not end when they grew up, rather the paterfamilias controlled every aspect of their lives (from collecting their income to allowing their marriages) until his death. His reign extended over the whole of the domus ("household"), meaning that slaves were in a similar relationship. Children and slaves were both owned by the paterfamilias because "they are both born into their parents' household and require to be supported."[2] He even had ius vitae nescisque, the right of life and death over the members of his family.[3] Such was the supr emacy of paternal power that the second century lawyer Gaius was moved to say: "virtually no other men have over their sons a power such as we have."[4] Aristotle had maintained that... ...70), 157. [26] Charles Wanamaker, "'Like A Father Treats His Own Children': Paul and the Conversion of the Thessalonians," Journal of Theology for Southern Africa 92 (1995): 51. [27] 1 Thess. 2:9 (NIV) [28] Philip Esler, "Imagery and Identity in Gal. 5.13 to 6.10," in Constructing Early Christian Families, pp. 121-149. Edited by Halvor Moxnes (New York: Routledge, 1997), 122. [29] Sara Ruddick, "Maternal Thinking," in Mothering: Essays in Feminist Theory, pp. 213-30. Edited by Joyce Trebilcot (Savage: Rowman & Littlefield, 1983), 226. [30] Barbara Katz Rathman, "Beyond Mothers and Fathers: Ideology In a Patriarchal Society," in Mothering, Ideology, Experience, Agency, pp.139-60. Edited by E.N. Gelnn, G. Chang and L.R. Forcey (New York: Routledge, 1994), 155. [31] Rathman, "Beyond Mothers and Fathers," 157. [32] Ruddick, "Maternal Thinking," 227.

Brown v. Board of Education Decision Essay examples -- Civil Rights Mo

The Broken Promise "Histories, like ancient ruins, are the fictions of empires. While everything forgotten hands in dark dreams of the past, ever threatening to return...†, a quote from the movie Velvet Goldmine, expresses the thoughts that many supporters of integration may have felt because no one truly knew the effects that one major verdict could create. The Brown v. Board of Education decision was a very important watershed during the Civil Rights Movement. However, like most progressive decisions, it did not create an effective solution because no time limit was ever given. James Baldwin realized that this major oversight would lead to a â€Å"broken promise.† Before the decision of Brown v. Board of Education, many people accepted school segregation and, in most of the southern states, required segregation. Schools during this time were supposed to uphold the â€Å"separate but equal† standard set during the 1896 case of Plessy v. Ferguson; however, most, if not all, of the â€Å"black† schools were not comparable to the â€Å"white† schools. The resources the â€Å"white† schools had available definitely exceed the resources given to â€Å"black† schools not only in quantity, but also in quality. Brown v. Board of Education was not the first case that assaulted the public school segregation in the south. The title of the case was shortened from Oliver Brown ET. Al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka Kansas. The official titled included reference to the other twelve cases that were started in the early 1950’s that came from South Carolina, Virginia, Delaware and the District of C olumbia. The case carried Oliver Brown’s name because he was the only male parent fighting for integration. The case of Brown v. Board o... ...le knowing their identity, so that they do not have to face the judgments of others. "Man is least himself when he talks in his own person! Give him a mask and he'll tell you the truth!" (Velvet Goldmine). Works Cited Baldwin, James. â€Å"Down at the Cross.† 1955. James Baldwin: Collected Essays. Ed. Toni Morrison. New York: Library of America, 1998. 63-84. Ewing, James. â€Å"Desegregation: Progress Report.† New York Times 26 Sep. 1954. â€Å"Integration Gain is Noted in South.† New York Times 7 Jul. 1957. Irons, Peter. Jim Crow’s Children: The Broken Promise of the Brown Decision. New York: Viking Penguin, 2002. â€Å"Text of Supreme Court Decision Outlawing Negro Segregation in the Public Schools.† New York Times 18 May 1854. Velvet Goldmine. Dir. Todd Hayes. Perf. Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale, Toni Collette. Miramax, 1998. Brown v. Board of Education Decision Essay examples -- Civil Rights Mo The Broken Promise "Histories, like ancient ruins, are the fictions of empires. While everything forgotten hands in dark dreams of the past, ever threatening to return...†, a quote from the movie Velvet Goldmine, expresses the thoughts that many supporters of integration may have felt because no one truly knew the effects that one major verdict could create. The Brown v. Board of Education decision was a very important watershed during the Civil Rights Movement. However, like most progressive decisions, it did not create an effective solution because no time limit was ever given. James Baldwin realized that this major oversight would lead to a â€Å"broken promise.† Before the decision of Brown v. Board of Education, many people accepted school segregation and, in most of the southern states, required segregation. Schools during this time were supposed to uphold the â€Å"separate but equal† standard set during the 1896 case of Plessy v. Ferguson; however, most, if not all, of the â€Å"black† schools were not comparable to the â€Å"white† schools. The resources the â€Å"white† schools had available definitely exceed the resources given to â€Å"black† schools not only in quantity, but also in quality. Brown v. Board of Education was not the first case that assaulted the public school segregation in the south. The title of the case was shortened from Oliver Brown ET. Al. v. the Board of Education of Topeka Kansas. The official titled included reference to the other twelve cases that were started in the early 1950’s that came from South Carolina, Virginia, Delaware and the District of C olumbia. The case carried Oliver Brown’s name because he was the only male parent fighting for integration. The case of Brown v. Board o... ...le knowing their identity, so that they do not have to face the judgments of others. "Man is least himself when he talks in his own person! Give him a mask and he'll tell you the truth!" (Velvet Goldmine). Works Cited Baldwin, James. â€Å"Down at the Cross.† 1955. James Baldwin: Collected Essays. Ed. Toni Morrison. New York: Library of America, 1998. 63-84. Ewing, James. â€Å"Desegregation: Progress Report.† New York Times 26 Sep. 1954. â€Å"Integration Gain is Noted in South.† New York Times 7 Jul. 1957. Irons, Peter. Jim Crow’s Children: The Broken Promise of the Brown Decision. New York: Viking Penguin, 2002. â€Å"Text of Supreme Court Decision Outlawing Negro Segregation in the Public Schools.† New York Times 18 May 1854. Velvet Goldmine. Dir. Todd Hayes. Perf. Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Ewan McGregor, Christian Bale, Toni Collette. Miramax, 1998.

Ginny’s as a Barren Whore in Jane Smileys A Thousand Acres :: Smiley Thousand Acres Essays

Ginny’s as a Barren Whore in A Thousand Acres Into her womb convey sterility, Dry up in her the organs of increase, And from her derogate body never spring A babe to honor her. (King Lear, I.iv. 285-288) Within the logic of the novel, it is soon established that Ginny understands and feels external reality through her body, and the most important instance of this is her bodily urge to have children. The sight of Rose's daughters, contrasted with her own miscarriages, Ginny says, "affected me like a poison. All my tissues hurt when I saw them, when I saw Rose with them, as if my capillaries were carrying acid into the furthest reaches of my system"(8). The body of any subject, it can be argued, is also a social body, not only a site of signification for the subject her- or himself, but for other people and society in general. In her despair and jealousy after losing Jess to Rose, Ginny expresses the problematic belief that having children somehow is a universal marker of human worth. This view of her own body as a failure both biologically and socially; that her body "had failed to sustain Jess Clark's interest, to sustain a pregnancy"(307), signals that she is still within the confines of a patriarchal system that sees women as property on a line with animals and the earth. The system, of which Larry Cook is the King, is able to criticize a childless woman, especially when she is "old for a breeder"(13). It is no wonder, then, that Ginny goes on trying to have children even after Ty egotistically wants to stop trying because he can't take the disappointment. It becomes a way for Ginny to reclaim control over her body, a secret project through which she can live a second life that is free from social imperatives that ultimately originate with the transcendental signifier, the great "I AM"(211) of Larry Cook. It is telling that her reflections upon her "secret world", full of "secret, passionate wishes" are interrupted by a sudden reminder that her past and present life is dominated by her father's world and her father's wishes (26-27). This secret world and these secret wishes are thwarted, in fact it turns out that they have always been illusions because nitrates in the water have caused her infertility. A Thousand Acres continually makes connections between patriarchy and capitalism, critiquing exploitation of women and nature in industrial farming alike. Ginny’s as a Barren Whore in Jane Smiley's A Thousand Acres :: Smiley Thousand Acres Essays Ginny’s as a Barren Whore in A Thousand Acres Into her womb convey sterility, Dry up in her the organs of increase, And from her derogate body never spring A babe to honor her. (King Lear, I.iv. 285-288) Within the logic of the novel, it is soon established that Ginny understands and feels external reality through her body, and the most important instance of this is her bodily urge to have children. The sight of Rose's daughters, contrasted with her own miscarriages, Ginny says, "affected me like a poison. All my tissues hurt when I saw them, when I saw Rose with them, as if my capillaries were carrying acid into the furthest reaches of my system"(8). The body of any subject, it can be argued, is also a social body, not only a site of signification for the subject her- or himself, but for other people and society in general. In her despair and jealousy after losing Jess to Rose, Ginny expresses the problematic belief that having children somehow is a universal marker of human worth. This view of her own body as a failure both biologically and socially; that her body "had failed to sustain Jess Clark's interest, to sustain a pregnancy"(307), signals that she is still within the confines of a patriarchal system that sees women as property on a line with animals and the earth. The system, of which Larry Cook is the King, is able to criticize a childless woman, especially when she is "old for a breeder"(13). It is no wonder, then, that Ginny goes on trying to have children even after Ty egotistically wants to stop trying because he can't take the disappointment. It becomes a way for Ginny to reclaim control over her body, a secret project through which she can live a second life that is free from social imperatives that ultimately originate with the transcendental signifier, the great "I AM"(211) of Larry Cook. It is telling that her reflections upon her "secret world", full of "secret, passionate wishes" are interrupted by a sudden reminder that her past and present life is dominated by her father's world and her father's wishes (26-27). This secret world and these secret wishes are thwarted, in fact it turns out that they have always been illusions because nitrates in the water have caused her infertility. A Thousand Acres continually makes connections between patriarchy and capitalism, critiquing exploitation of women and nature in industrial farming alike.

Journal on John Steinbeck “Of mice and men”

After having read the description of the novel, my expectations were that this would have been a typical story of a good ending, no matter how thrilling the suspension dots In the end may make the plot seem to be. However, upon reading It, It was becoming clearer that Steinbeck use of certain details and foreshadowing In the text was already suggesting the outcome resulting otherwise. For example at the very beginning the name of the town Leonie and George were going through, Scolded, already makes the reader think that the place is connected with solitary, loneliness.These guys have a dream together, that Leonie likes to be repeated to him by George. They want to earn enough money to buy a farm, and â€Å"live off the fat the Ian with Leonie tending the rabbits. A common during their days, American Dream. It did seem that they could have achieved it, until the first foreshadowing came into place. When when was mentioned Lien's enjoyment of touching nice-looking, soft objects/ mater ial. That got him In trouble at a previous farm where George and Leonie were working on, when he Just wanted to feel a girl's dress, and he was too simple-minded o let go of It, when the girl began to protest.The novel started with George and Leonie running away from the previous farm to work In another one, In order to escape persecution and to start earning for their American dream. New individual characters then came into play – Candy, Crooks, Curler, and Curler's wife but it would be more appropriate to describe the main characters Leonie and George first. Leonie is a strong, tall, but a mentally handicapped man, who trusts and admires George completely. He was perhaps a rather simple character, but one that arises sympathy cause of his defensiveness against Curlers aggression, and taunts from Curlers wife.George can be described as exact opposite of Leonie, being short-tempered, quick-witted but nevertheless caring for Leonie. Even though he showed frustration numerous t imes because he couldn't fully enjoy life as he had to look after Leonie, he was devoted In protecting Leonie from trouble until the very end. Candy was an ageing worker that lost halls hand In an accident on that farm, and was expecting from day-to-day to be fired because of his disability. Just like his dog was shot by Carlson, after the dog was too old to be useful in his opinion.He also wanted to contribute in George and Leonie getting a farm, and seemed to believe that it was going to be possible even after Leonie unintentionally killed Curlers wife. Crooks was a black man with a crooked back, smart, but always left out of from the workers' company, and therefore, extremely lonely. He admitted that when Leonie came into his room and started talking to him. He was one of the vulnerable type of characters, but like Curlers wife, turns that vulnerability into a weapon and attacks characters who are even lower than himself, like Leonie.He suggested to Leonie that George wouldn't co me back and the dreadful possibilities and asked what would Leonie do then. Nevertheless It seemed that the discrimination Is what made him a little cruel and lonely In that sense. Curler represented an evil character In the novel, being arrogant and always trying to pick fights, especially with guys bigger than him. He was fight with Leonie for no particular reason, Leonie smashes every bone in his hand in self-defense. Curlers wife was described by other characters as a Sailboat or a tart.She was unhappily married and out of boredom and loneliness walked around the inch and flirted with the other workers. Her death from Lien's hands caused an end to George and Lien's American dream. Carlson was the type of character, who, after working for years in the farm and caring only about himself became selfish to the point where he couldn't understand what friendship simply meant. He shot Candy's old dog because he saw that it only as useless, and Ã'›stinking†, even though that was the only friend Candy had. There were many themes presented in the novel, some of which strongly describe the grim aspects of human nature.Nearly all the harasser Of Mice and Men including George, Leonie, Candy, Crooks, and Curlers wife, admit, at one time or another, to have a sense of loneliness and isolation. That is what sort of connects them all. Each of them desires the comfort of a friend, but will settle for the attentive ear of a stranger. Curlers wife admits to Candy, Crooks, and Leonie that she is unhappily married, and Crooks tells Leonie that life is no good without a companion to turn to in times of confusion and need. The characters are depressed by their isolation, and yet, even at their weakest, they seek to intimidate those who are even weaker than they.Another theme is the impossibility of the â€Å"American Dream†. Many characters – George, Leonie, Candy, Crooks and even Curlers wife had dreams that became unrealistic in the novel. George and Lien' s dream of owning a farm, which would enable them to sustain themselves, and, most important, offer them protection from the cruel world, represents a typical American ideal. Curlers wife's death, which awakens George to the impossibility of this dream, and sadly proves that the bitter Crooks is right, such paradises of freedom, contentment, and safety are something not to be found in this world.

American Idol Case Study

Case Analysis Week 1 American Idol Case Mostafa Morshedi MKT 645 Qualitative Research in Customer Behavior California Intercontinental University Date: 11/18/2012 American Idol Case To perform a prefect marketing research, it is needed to identify and define the marketing research problem accurately and then develop a proper approach. The American Idol case is a challenging management decision and marketing research problem case, focusing on reasons why to conduct a study on the viewers and voters.In this case study, we review defining the marketing research problem and developing an approach process, including objective/theoretical framework, analytical model, research questions, hypothesizes and specification of information needed. Discussion According to the case, the management decision problem confronting Marcello and Litzenberger could be â€Å"Do we need to conduct a study investigating American Idol viewers? † (Malhotra, 2010, p. 780). The corresponding marketing resea rch problem would be â€Å"to determine who watched and voted in the 2009 season of American Idol and to determine how durable the show’s concept is† (Malhotra, 2010, p. 81). In fact, they should conduct the study in order to understand what are viewers’ and voters’ demographic based on age and sex. The study’s out coming is worthwhile for sponsors like Coca Cola and Ford who invested millions on the show, or who are interested to invest in future. Marketing research problem specific components are defined as: * What is the age demographic of American Idol’s watcher and voters? * How effective is the sponsors’ ads in the show? * How durable is the show’s concept? * How sponsors could motivate voters?The theoretical framework for the study is based on statistics, normal distribution function with 95% certainty (Malhotra, 2010, p. 781). As we are seeking for the age demographic of show viewers and voters, it is rational to use gr aphical model as it provides a visual picture of the relationship between variables (Malhotra, 2010, p. 51). Research questions and relevant hypothesizes to above explanations could be counted as: * Do teenagers vote more than adults do? * H1: teenagers are majority voters. * H2: Adults vote more than teenagers do. * Are women interested to vote more than men do? H3: women are tough fans and consequently vote more than men do. * H4: Men vote more than women do. * How many of show watchers vote? * H5: More than 90% of watchers vote. * H6: 70 to 90% of watchers vote. * H7: 75% to 70% of watchers vote. * H8: Less than 50% of watchers vote. * Do voters and viewer remember about the sponsor? * H9: all remember who the sponsor was. * H10: They hardly know about the sponsor. So based on above components, analytical model, research questions, and hypothesis we can determine the specification of information needed. * The age demographic of show viewers * The age demographic of voters Sex of show viewers * Sex of voters * Participation percentage in voting * Sponsorship effectiveness and durability * The main reasons of voting/not voting Conclusion Key concepts of a marketing research problem is first determine management decision problems, and then defining a broad marketing research problem, which in turn should be narrowed down by specific components. These specific components guide researchers to define an approach to the problem, find relevant objective/theoretical framework and choose among analytical models (verbal, graphical and mathematical) the one best match to the research objectives.Research questions are dragged out of marketing search problem approach. Hypothesizes are rephrased research questions that guide decision makers on the problem and will be approved or denied after the research is done. The main important concept is that all the process should be integrated and focused to provide the best accurate answer to the management decision and marketing research problems, specifically in huge projects. References Malhotra, N. K. (2010). Marketing Research: An Applied Orientation, 6/E. Boston, MA, USA: Prentice Hall.

Customer service Tesco’s customer expectations Essay

An accurate description of the basic characteristics of the different customers and their needs and an explanation of what is meant by customer service in the context of my chosen organisation Customer service is the degree of assistance and courtesy granted those who patronize an organisation. Customer service describes the extent to which Tesco satisfy their customers. All Tesco customers have their own individual needs. Each individual customer likes to be provided with different services to make them self feel more comfortable. Tesco core purpose is to create value for customers to earn their lifetime loyalty. Tesco believe its success depends on people, the people that shop with them and people that work with them. If Tesco customers like what Tesco offer, they are more likely to go back and shop with Tesco again and if the team find what Tesco do rewarding, they are more likely to go extra mile to help Tesco’s customers. Tesco regularly ask its customers and staff what they can do to make shopping and working with Tesco a little bit better. Tesco customers have told them they want clear aisles in order to get what they want at a good price, no queues and great staff. Tesco use its every little helps shopping trip for customers every day in order to ensure they are always working hard to make Tesco a better place to shop, at home and abroad. Tesco staff have told Tesco that it is important to them to be treated with respect, having managers that helps them, having interesting job and an opportunity to get on. Tesco helping to achieve what is important to its staff will help Tesco to deliver every little helps shopping trip for its customers. Tesco aim is to attract as many customers as possible and keep exisiting customers. If Tesco manage to achieve these aim, it will maintain or increase its turnover and make the profits it requires. A good customer service is one of the main ways for Tesco to succeed. The first step Tesco must take is to provide good quality product because if the products on sale are not of sufficiently high quality, customers will stop buying after some time. Before Tesco decide on what service to provide, Tesco must understand clearly its customers’ expectations. Tesco recognised the need to provide staff training and set up systems to ensure customers’ expectactions are met. Tesco’s customer expectations 1. Good value products: if Tesco do not offer good value products, it will lose customers. Tesco like to keep a close watch on prices charged by rivals in order to make sure that their own prices are competitive. 2. Clear and honest information: Tesco’s customers like to know the prices that they are expected to pay. They also want to know about any extra costs. Having hidden charges is not a good customer service for Tesco. 3. Efficient ordering systems: good quality customer service means that Tesco customers want to receive products soon after ordering them. Example of this is Tesco using order tracking systems on their websites. This will tell customers when the products they have ordered will be despatched. 4. After-sales-services: this include products such refrigerators, televisions breaking down. After sales services include repairs and replacement of faulty products. Tesco’s customers expect such repairs to be carried out quickly and efficiently and faulty products to be replaced without delay. 5. Dealing quickly with inquiries: Tesco should always reply promptly to complaints about poor service or low quality products. Tesco’s customers expect to be given telephone numbers and addresses where they can contact customer service when necessary or direct them to the customer service desk. Good customer service means keeping customers happy. Tesco may offer competitive prices, have helpful and friendly staff and respond quickly to customer complaints. Offering good customer service also helps Tesco to be competitive. Terry Leahy the chief executive of Tesco said that good customer service helps Tesco to compete successfully with other supermarkets. An explanation using appropriate examples, of how the organisation uses customer service to meet customer needs. Including the strategic objectives of the organisation Tesco customer service involves identifying and meeting customers needs in the most effective way. Effective customer service is very important to Tesco and it will help Tesco to meet its aims and objectives. Tesco will use effective customer service to attract new customers and retain existing customers. Tesco aim to achieve continuous improvements in its customer service so that they can gain competitive advantage. Tesco’s customer service offers a wide range of services to its customers, this include providing information, giving advice, providing assistance, after sales services and service for disabled customers. Tesco provides different information to its customers. For example Tesco’s website contains information about Tesco’s history, Tesco careers, Tesco financial information, how to shop online and so on. Tesco offer a wide range of advices to new and existing customers for example Tesco staff can help customers to choose a product. Tesco can help its customers in different ways; example of this is helping disabled people with their shopping. Tesco’s after sales services include handling and dealing with customer’s complaint. Tesco aim to provide high level of service to its customers. Tesco is always willing to hear from customers that are not satisfy, this matters can be shared with staff members face to face, by letter or by telephone. This year Tesco is sponsoring the 2006 Tommy’s Angel Award. This award will be presented to individual that deserves special rocongition for helping someone through a difficult pregnancy or a parenting promblem of any kind. The winner will be presented with a prize at the star studded Tommy’s parent frendly awards ceremony held at an exclusive London venue. Tesco has been voted Tommy’s most parent friendly supermarket for the third year running. Tesco knows how important it is to make shopping with a child as easy as possible, that’s why Tesco work really hard to offer its customers with the following parent friendly services. 1. Toiletries: Tesco offer a range of toddler wipes and toiletries which enable toddlers to start learning to do every day tasks themselves. 2. Parent and child parking: which is dedicated parent and child parking spaces, where possible located near the store for easier and safer access. 3. Trolleys: Tesco provides trolleys that carry car seats so that baby can stay in its carrier whilst the parent shop. Tesco also supply trolley wips to ensure the trolley is clean and hygienic. 4. Instore cafà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½: many of Tesco larger stores have cafà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s with healthier options available for children, these include sandwiches, fruit, jacket potatoes. Tesco also offer toddler cutlery, high chairs, bottle and food warming services. 5. Bag packing: Tesco provides customer assistants to help pack the parent’s shopping bags. 6. Queues: Tesco aim to open another till until all the checkouts are open is there’s more than one person in front of parents. 7. Umbrellas: Tesco provides umbrellas for customers to take out to their car if it’s raining. 8. Help: Tesco helps to take shoppings to the customer’s car if the customer can’t take it themselves. 9. Assisted shopping: Tesco helps customers with their shopping if they need a hand. 10. Baby clothing: Tesco offer an extensive range of exceptional quality, 100% cotton clothing which is machine washable and tumble dryable. 11. Baby changing rooms: many of Tesco’s larger stores have baby changing rooms and also provides free nappies. 12. Pharmacy: Tesco provides expert advise from its pharmacists, dispensing service, time saving repeat prescription service, full range of over the counter medicines, consulting rooms if customers need privacy. 13. Petrol at customer’s convenience: provides new pay at pump option, so customers don’t have to leave their baby alone in the car when they go to the till, offer competitive fuel prices in customer’s area, earn clubcard points on all petrol and automotive products. 14. Kids club: provide kids club for free for children between 5-8 years old, keep them entertained with fun and games in the clubzone magazine, plus exclusive offers, coupons and advice for busy parents. 15. Baby and Toddler club: Tesco baby and toddler club is a series of 10 segmented magazines which track baby’s lifestage, from pregnancy through to five years old. Tesco provide expert advice, top tips and money off coupons. If a customer was using a trolley and it broke down and would cause risk to the customer, depending on the physical status of the customer, he or she would want to be treated differently. If a customer had an illness or some sort of medical problem they would want to be treated in a way that they would be most comfortable. All Tesco customers would want their information to be kept private and safe so that when they buy products with debit or credit cards, their information will not be given out so Tesco have a database protection act where any customers information cannot be viewed by anyone that hasn’t got authority. Tesco have to provide staff who can meet targets of different customer service. If a customer is looking for Tesco manager they would expect to be referred to the person correctly including where and when the person can be found. Some of Tesco customers may not understand English and will find it hard to understand what the staff says so it is the responsibility of Tesco to provide different staff with different languages. Tesco can also provide signs and maps in different languages so that it will be easy for the customers to understand. If a staff does not speak the language that a customer understand, the customer should be refer to another staff that can speak the same language as the customer. Tesco have different customers with different needs. For example disabled people should be helped with their shopping, a blind person alone should be escorted around with a member of staff or Tesco can have sign that are brailed so that this will make it easy for blind customers. Customer service includes a variety of tasks but the crucial importance is for Tesco to keep its existing customers and gain new ones. All forms of customer service require communication between the provider of goods or services and the customer or potential customer. All Tesco member of staff dealing with customers must have specific skills and understand the importance of a number of aspects of the front line activity which includes: customer behaviour, modes of communication, interpersonal skills, telephone manner, technological skills and product knowledge. Customer behaviour: when dealing with customers, it is important to realise that different people react differently and that a customer’s response is frequently a direct result of the attitude and behaviour of the person they are dealing with. This includes not only appreciating the reasons for an individual customer’s behaviour on a particular occasion, but understanding the reactions of people in situations which are often quite stressful, as when seeking information that is difficult to obtain, asking for assistance or making a complaint. Modes of communication: many different modes of communication may be used in customer service which includes; written, verbal, non-verbal, face-to-face that is body language. Written communication: can be by letter, fax or e-mail. It should always be remembered that letters written to customers on behalf of Tesco are formal and all the rules of formal letter writing must apply. The customer’s name and address must be correct and the contents of the letter should be clearly laid out, brief and concise. If the letter is in response to a communication by the customer, care should be taken that it deals with matters raised by the customer. While faxes and e-mail need not be quite so formal in format, they must still be well written, give all the correct information and be properly laid out. Verbal communication: can be face to face or on the telephone. While politeness and courtesy are always important when talking to a customer, when the conversation actually takes place face to face, appearance and dress also become important. Non-verbal face-to-face communication: can convey more than is intended. Actions communicate our attitude to others and are certain to bring about certain responses. Communication via the internet: is used more and more frequently and the same rules of attention, patience and helpfulness should apply. Interpersonal skills: is the verbal and body language skills needed for good communication between people. Appearance: is important in all face-to-face situations, so Tesco lay down ground rules on how its employees should dress by giving them uniforms. One of the basic aims when talking to customers is to put them at ease. This will only happen if the number of staff willing to listen to them, does not interrupt and shows polite interest in what they are saying. The right attitude to the customer has the added advantage of making it more likely that he or she will not feel slighted or threatened, thus making it easier to deal with the matter in hand. Telephone manner: people use the telephone so often that many assume that anyone can talk effectively on the telephone. However in telephone conversations, it is important to learn the principles of pitch, projection, energy, volume, articulation. Pitch: nobody wants to listen to a screeching voice on the other end of the line. Projection: the voice should carry sufficiently to be easily heard. Energy: the speaker should ensure that he or she comes over as confident and fully in control. Volume: should not be so loud that it deafens the listener or so low that the listener has to strain to hear what is being said. Articulation: each word should be clearly pronounced, to avoid confusion and misunderstanding. These telephone skills have to be learned and wise employers provide training for employees, either inhouse or from their supervisors. Technological skills: staff working in customer services need to be trained in IT to be able to retrieve information, refer to records, handle customer accounts and personal files, set up and use customer databases and obtain feedback from internet/intranet websites. Product knowledge: staff in the front line of customer services must have a good knowledge of the goods or services provided by the business. Failure to do so will result in customers losing confidence in the produts offered. The above skills are equally important for all organisations, whatever their size, it is of course, easier for a large company to train its employees than it is for a small business. Customer charters: tesco have its own codes of practice which set out in detail the customer services that they aim to provide. On the basis of such codes of practice, Tesco create customer charters. These contain information about customer rights and the services offered. While customer rights are statutory, in other words laid down in various acts of parliament, it is the additional extras that are likely to interest customers and persuade people to buy from the company. Customer charters are only worth having if the promises they contain are kept. For example; Tesco promises to open another checkout if there is more than one person waiting at those that are open, this promise was adhered to all Tesco stores visited. Tesco promises to provide quality customer service at all times but fails to open enough checkouts at peak times thus increasing waiting time at the tills. A concise and accurate account of how the organisation had incorporated consumer protection into its customer service policy. Tesco is aware of the importance of good customer care. In order to ensure that Tesco know precisely what its responsibilities are towards its customers, legislation is necessary. All transactions between Tesco and the buyer are contracts with both sides having clearly defined responsibilities. The responsibility of the buyer is to pay for the goods purchased while the responsibility of Tesco is much more complex. Consumer protection looks after consumers in a number of ways. It prevents: > Tesco from charging very high prices or very high rates of interest > Dishonest practices, such as selling measures other than those stated on the label > The sale of unsafe products, such as children’s toys with sharp edges > Information about consumers being passed to other businesses without the consumers’ permission. Consumer protection legislation These are the main Acts of Parliament dealing with consumer protection: 1. Sale of Goods Act 1979: under this act products sold must be undamaged and in good working order. They should do what is expected of them and perform as described and be of satisfactory quality. If consumers discover that products do not meet these requirements they can reject them and ask for their money back providing they do so quickly, alternatively they can request for repair or replacement or claim compensation. The act covers fundamental requirements of purchasers which means that goods must be as described – this means that goods must conform to their description, be of satisfactory quality – in relation to the price paid, the description and the age of the item, must fit for the purpose for which they are intended – goods must carry out the purpose they are made for. Goods must be fit for any specific purpose, which the buyer has made clear to the seller at the time of the sale. If the goods are not of satisfactory quality the courts would take into consideration various factors such as whether goods were free from minor defects, satisfactory in appearance and finish, safe, durable and as described. Tesco customers are entitled to refund of unsatisfactory goods within a reasonable time after purchase. Tesco customers do not have to accept a credit note. 2. Supply of Goods Acts 1973: this acts deals with the responsibilities of the seller in relation to hire-purchase contracts. Anyone buying goods on hire purchase has the same protection under the law as a person who buys the goods outright. The supplier must ensure that he or she has legal title to the goods, the description of the goods is accurate and not misleading, the quality of the goods is of reasonable standard, if selling by sample, the sample is representative of the rest of the consignment. The buyer who enters into a hire purchase agreement is in a stronger position than one who pays for the goods outright. When buying on hire purchase, it is still possible to reject the goods after accepting them, whereas in transactions in which the full price has been paid, once the goods are accepted they cannot be rejected. 3. Data Protection Act 1984: this act protects the confidentiality of information stored in computers. As more and more organisations now hold personal information in their databases, it has become necessary for the government to regulate the ways in which such information should be stored and used. The act requires anyone an individual or an organisation holding personal data on computer to register with the Data Protection Registrar. It also requires that data must be acquired legally, data must only be used for the purpose for which it is held, data must not be disclosed to others unless this is necessary for the purpose for which it is held, data must be accurate and up to date, people whose data is held must be allowed access to any information about them, any incorrect information must be corrected, every data holder must make proper security arrangements to ensure that no unauthorised person gains access to the data. This means that computer users must not give unauthorised pr intouts of data to anyone and must ensure print outs are not left lying about. Passwords and Ids should be kept confidential and not disclosed to anyone. 4. Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982: this act requires traders to provide services to a proper standard of workmanship. If a definite completion date or price has not been fixed then the work must be completed within a reasonable time and for a reasonable price and any material used or goods supplied in providing the service must be of satisfactory quality. The law treats failure to meet these obligations, as breach of contract and consumers would be entitled to seek redress if necessary through civil courts. The act protects buyers against shoddy workmanship, delays and exorbitant charges. The act states that all services should be carried out for a reasonable charge, within a reasonable time, with reasonable care and skill and using satisfactory materials. 5. Sale and Supply of Goods Act 1994: this act is important for its substitution of the term satisfactory quality for the previously used phrases merchantable quality and fit for purpose. Goods purchased from trader whether new or second hand must be of satisfactory quality. This means that it should be safe, durable and have acceptable appearance taking into account its price, nature any description that apply to it and any other relevant circumstances. A thorough explanation of the techniques used by Tesco to monitor and improve customer service. Customer service is important to Tesco. I have already looked in details at the laws that must be obeyed by Tesco and at the legal rights of customers. All the rules and regulations are the theory but what Tesco actually do to look after their customers is the practice. Am going to examine the ways in which Tesco establish, monitor and constantly try to improve customer service. A huge organisation like Tesco can provide a wide range of customer services and has at its disposal the financial and technological means to try and establish its edge over others. Tesco now recognise the importance of customer service. Tesco is so large that it could not operate without communication systems in place. There must be means of contact between separate departments and between the employees in each department. It is vital that customers are able to reach the correct department and then the person with whom they need to deal. There is always danger that decisions have to be referred through several channels, making for delays and failure of one part of the system can easily lead to customer dissatisfaction in Tesco. The personal touch approach is difficult if not impossible to achieve. Tesco like many other organisations now ensures that its telephone operators, the first link with customers identify themselves by name when answering the phone. This has the two-fold aim of creating a more informal atmosphere during any conversation and giving the caller a name, which he or she can then refer to or ask for again. Tesco have its own codes of practice to provide a benchmark against which the efficiency of their customer care can be monitored, measured and make any necessary improvements. Code of practice is not legally binding but Tesco usually guarantees that the contents of the code will always be adhered to. If a customer can show that the theory of the code of practice is not being translated into practice, he or she has very strong grounds for complaint. Tesco also have specific customer service policy, which includes detailed information on how staff must treat customers in a variety of situations. The nature of Tesco’s business dictates how the general principles of customer care should be implemented. The customer policy is a follow up of Tesco’s mission statement. Suggestions of how Tesco might improve its customer service. In order for Tesco to assess its existing standard of customer service and be able to introduce improvements, Tesco needs to know what its customers need and want and how these needs and wants can be satisfied. Tesco can use different techniques these are: customer questionnaires, interviews, user panel discussions, management information analysis, internet websites, telephone surveys, suggestion schemes and mystery shoppers. Customer questionnaires can be very useful in providing information on customer expectations, reasons for choice of provider, and negative as well as positive views about Tesco. Tesco can organise such surveys itself or use a market research firm to carry out the research. Interviews especially personal interviews with customers can often provide an insight that may be lacking in a questionnaire response. Tesco can ask its frontline staff for their views on services provided and their experience of customer reactions. User panel discussions also provide valuable information but are quite difficult to set up and are also expensive. If a user panel is successfully selected to include a representative cross-section of customers, the results can give the business organisation a good indication of what the customers want and need. Management information analysis is now much easier to carry out, as the information from every area of Tesco’s activities is usually stored on computer. Computerised information is only as good as the input, however to be effective, management information analysis must be based on correct input and reliable methods of analysis must be applied. Internet website are now in general use and valuable feedback can be obtained from websites. Tesco can use Internet to monitor its customer’s service and receive feedback from customers through Tesco’s website. Telephone surveys can be carried out in one of two ways. 1. calls can be made using an existing customer database, to tell customers about new additional services and or invite their opinions on services already provided. 2. the second method invites customers to phone in themselves and provides a free phone number on which to call. Tesco, inviting customers to suggest ways in which services could be improved, runs suggestion schemes. This might be a question of opening hours, store layout or information provided or specific facilities such as access for the disabled or mother and baby rooms. This sort of customer feedback can be very useful for Tesco. Tesco employs mystery shoppers. These shoppers visit the stores to ascertain the standard of customer care. Their activities might include playing the part of a difficult customer or lodging a complicated complaint. All these are only valuable if the findings obtained are analysed and practical conclusions drawn which can then be incorporated in Tesco’s customer policy. Tesco holds regular meetings with customer panels to discover what its shoppers do and don’t like. To improve customer service training is vital. The type, duration and frequency of training must be decided once the needs are identified. In customer service as in other areas of Tesco, it is relatively easy to pinpoint shortcomings and to resolve and overcome them. It is much more difficult to implement the changes. It should be remembered that the process of improving customer services is an ongoing one and therefore constant monitoring is necessary. If found that a particular technique does not bring the expected result, it often becomes necessary to revise and perhaps change the methods used. An independent approach to assembling and analysing information about Tesco. The most recent approach to customer service is to stress the role played by all employees in enusring that customers are satisfied. Every member of staff is expected to provide customer service to an equally high standard. Staff are all trained in customer service and given the opportunity to gain qualifications in this aspect of the job. In Tesco, a high standard of customer service is a way of gaining a competitive advantage. Tesco has acknowledged that one way that it competes with other supermarkets is by offering higher standards of customer service. High quality customer service offers Tesco a number of advantages which includes; immediate benefits and longer term benefits. The immediate benefits are: Tesco will win new customers, gives customers information about Tesco’s products, helps Tesco to keep market share while the longer term benefits are: improves corporate image of Tesco, may win a business increased market share, Tesco keeps existing customers and Tesco enj oys rising sales and profits. Below is a sample of role play that Tesco can use to approach customer service. Customer service assistant: hello, how can I help you? Customer: hello, sorry for disturbing you. I bought this play station 2 game five weeks ago, when I got home I then realise that the disc it’s not working but because I travelled I’ve not been able to return it on time so I’ll like to change it for a new one or a refund please. Customer service assistant: am sorry to hear that but unfortunately our policy is that customers only have 28 days to return purchase and you have missed the 28 days policy. Customer: the only reason I didn’t return it on time is because I travelled and I still have my receipt with me so it’ll not be fair if you don’t change it for me. Customer service assistant: am very sorry sir but I’ve to follow the company’s policy. Customer: so what do you expect me to do with a disc that’s empty, it doesn’t even show anything on it and you are telling me that because of your policy I should have missed my holiday. Customer service assistant: I didn’t say you should have missed your holiday but you should have return the disc on time in order for you to get it exchange or refund. Customer: so what’s going to happen because you can’t expect me to pay for nothing. Customer service assistant: there’s only one thing I can do to help you and that is to talk to my manager. Customer: oh please do that as long as I get the disc exchange or a refund. Customer service assistant: ok my manager just told me that I can exchange it for you this time but I can’t refund your money. Customer: that’s alright, no problem. Customer service assistant: this is your new play station 2 game and I hope this one will work. Customer: I hope so too. Thank you very much. Bye Customer service assistant: bye From this role play, Tesco will be able to know how employees deal with difficult situations with customers, type of train they need, if they need improvement and how the improvement will be done. A logical analysis of the effectiveness of customer service in the organisation using examples of good pratice. The main objective of customer service is customer satisfaction. Tesco can measure customer satisfaction by using questionnaires completed by customers. A satisfied customer does not mean someone who has no complaint but someone who is genuinely happy with the service, product and the whole experience of dealing with Tesco. There is then a feel good relationship established with the customer. It is then up to Tesco to develop the relationship into profit by using the techniques of customer relationship management. The overall effectiveness of Tesco customer services are; the staff contribution, the premises, the quality of products. > Staff contribution: the contribution made to customer service by staff can make or break Tesco. Some of these aspects may seem obvious, but it is when they are not present that the problems start, this can include: * General appearance: staffs’ tidiness and personal cleanliness and hygiene are important, a staff wearing uniform can help to give a good impression but a strong dose of garlic or unwashed socks can do a lot of harm to customer relations. * Mood and expression: a smile can make such a difference * Attitude: helpfulness can give a customer confidence. * Product knowledge: staff ignorance and uncertainty put the customer off, if a staff member does not know the answer to a question, he/she should be able to find someone who does. Teamwork is an essential element of the effective functioning of any workforce. It relates to all funtions of Tesco not just customer service. Teamwork is currently a popular method of management. It encourages a democratic approach. Through this, individual team members learn to take responsibility for what is going on and are motivated by success. Tesco encourage this approach to customer service by grouping its sales staff into customer service teams and holding team meetings to discuss customer problems, complaints procedures, shoplifting and new product campaigns. Customers can soon sense when teamwork is breaking down for example when staff members do not take responsibility for errors or problems and blame others. Effective staff training is another essential element in providing a high level of customer service. > The premises: the layout and organisation of premises of Tesco are important factors in welcoming customers and putting them at ease. Issues to consider when assessing the premises of Tesco include: * Is the layout and the product areas well signed * Is it tidy or are there boxes lying around, blocking customer access * Are the aisles wide enough * Are special offers prominently placed at the end of the display stands * Are the display stands well stocked * If the customer needs a trolley, are they readily available and is the car park easily accessible. > The quality of product: the quality of product is of prime importance. An easily overlooked feature of customer service is the product itself. Returning to shop again in Tesco or providing value for money is the product of high quality. It all depends on what the customer expects. Tesco pride itself on high levels of quality. The objective of Tesco is to provide value for money. An appraisal of the techniques used in Tesco for monitoring and improving customer service with built in quality measures An Appraisal of the techniques used in Tesco for monitoring and improving Customer Service with in-built quality measures. Tesco is a huge organisation and they know that the secret to being successful and reliable is to provide good Customer Service. Tesco monitor the customer service progression through Benchmarking, training and development, ISO 9000, quality circle, total quality management and quality assurance. Benchmarking is a used by many organisations and is helped to show the performance of Customer service with other supermarket outlets. If Tesco is to improve it must be able to set standards and monitor its progress. The motivation for continuous improvement by Tesco and its workforce must often be the recognition that they are not the best. If Tesco’s competitors are doing better so can Tesco. Benchmarking involves number of stages: 1. To decide what in Tesco needs benchmarking e.g. production time, delivery time or after sales 2. To choose another business for standards of excellence to benchmark against 3. Gathering information about the standards of excellence 4. Setting standards and making sure everyone in Tesco knows about them Benchmarking is a very simple concept and gives Tesco a target to aim at. Almost anything can be benchmarked such as: * Personnel, which are the number of, staff Tesco used to sell product, their qualifications, the amount and type of training, number of supervisors. * Use of IT which include type and quality of the sales database and type of equipment Products Tesco offered which include added value, features it have as standard, options available, and competitors’ products. Training and development is a crucial part of the implementation of any quality programme. The type and requirements of the training will depend on: 1. Current performance/success of Tesco 2. Current and planned quality system 3. Level of management 4. Tesco organisation structure All techniques designed to improve quality standards depend entirely on Tesco workers. If Tesco is to be truly quality focused it depends on everybody being involved. When the whole workforce is to be involved and effective then everybody needs to be properly trained. ISO 9000 (International Organisation for Standardisation) covers supply of goods, quality control, training, internal documentation, after sales service, procedures for dealing with faults and management of the system. All these ensure that finished product will be of a standard that will meet customer requirement. The certification process is very demanding. The benefits of IS0 9000 for Tesco include marketing necessity, saving in costs, fewer complaints, fewer problems and reduction of waste in internal processes. For Tesco to get the certificate they must document all its procedures and carry them out precisely as they are specified. There are three sections covering every aspect of Tesco operations, including product design and development, purchasing, manufacture, installation, inspection and testing, maintenance, storage, marketing, sales and distribution, packaging and waste disposal. Tesco needs to write: 1. Quality policy 2. Quality manual 3. Procedures and work instructions 4. Set up system to record and deal with all quality failures and customer complaints, including putting in place measures to stop them occurring again. 5. Name a quality manager who will have responsibility for managing the quality system and carrying out internal quality audits. Tesco would benefit from ISO 9000 accreditation particularly if they have ambitions to become suppliers to national or international companies. Quality circle is a way Tesco workers meet to examine workplace issues as quality, productivity and wastage. For Tesco team working to be successful, it relies on competent responsible workforces who want to improve quality. Their ideas for improvement can be discussed at regular meetings. The workers meet voluntarily at frequent and regular intervals to discuss problems encountered in their work with a view to discovering solutions. Problems they studied may relate to safety, productivity, cost reduction, improving the working environment as well as quality. For quality circles to be effective Tesco needs a well-educated and trained workforce capable of receiving, analysing and solving problems. The most effective quality circles have these features: * The group consists of between 5 and 10 people and all members have special training in quality control techniques, decision-making and problem solving. * Membership is voluntary and people can choose their own issues/problems to examine * The members are all involved in the same kind of work, which increases the range of experience and knowledge * The group has access to management and can make suggestions and recommendations. Quality circles are most appropriate in Tesco because there is participative, consultative management style, workers views are recognised as a valuable asset. Quality circles require trust from both Tesco management and workers. Tesco staffs need to be empowered or given responsibility to make decisions and create solutions, this comes with adequate training. Total quality management is a way Tesco manage to improve effectiveness, flexibility and competitiveness of business as a whole. Tesco effectiveness of total quality management depends on total team working. Tesco essentials of total quality management approach is that workers on production processes have personal responsibility for passing on to following operations only products of perfect quality. Total quality management and team working can result in high levels of motivation and involvement, leading to better quality standards, lower levels of waste and generally higher productivity. The basic principles of Total Quality Management Tesco have to put in mind are: 1. Put the customer first by * Making sure all customers, both internal and external are properly looked after and have their problems solved * Having systems in place to provide effective customer care and service * Anticipating and fulfilling their needs * Exceeding their expectations, by using market research to find out what they want * Being responsive and listening to their views so that complaints are welcomed and seen as an opportunity for positive change and improvement * Making sure all service standards are met. 2. Make continuous improvements by * Reducing costs * Reducing waste * Better ordering procedures * Better delivery systems. Quality assurance make sure that quality standard is maintained throughout all areas of Tesco. It is concern with preventing faults from happening in the first place by aiming at producing at producing zero defects. Quality assurance is by contrast, an organisation wide approach that places responsibilities for quality on the whole workforce particularly the front line operators who actually make the product. Tesco quality assurance for foods is seen as a priority for their customers. An evaluation of the provision of customer service in my chosen organisation and how the customer service is monitored Good customer service is vital for any business to success. Customer service is a set of behaviour which Tesco undertake during its interaction with customers. A good customer service is improtant for Tesco because it will allow Tesco to increase sales and market share. Providing good customer service will enable customers to shop again at Tesco because the customers will feel respected and value. Tesco’s policy is to offer value for money, good customer service, pleasant shopping experience and good qualities. Customer service includes different tasks but it is important for Tesco to keep its existing customers and gain new customers. Good customer service within Tesco require communication between provider of goods and customers. Tesco aim to provide all its customers with the best quality and good value for money when shopping. Having a store at every corner, Tesco provides all its shoppers with the benefit of very high quality products all at low prices. Tesco have a market share of 30.5% which is currently the highest supermarket market share in the UK so I’ll say Tesco has meet its aims and objectives by improving customer service and providing cheap products at good quality. Tesco customers believe that Tesco have a wide range of products. Realistic and thorough recommendations on how my chosen organisation could improve its quality systems to help meet customer quality expectations, with an explanation of the changes the recommendation would bring about. The story of Tesco began in 1919 when Jack Cohen sold groceries from a stall in the East End of London. Tesco name came into use in 1920’s when Jack and his partner took TES from TE Stockwell and CO from Cohen to coin what is now a household name. Having close to 600 stores, Tesco is now the largest food retailer in the UnitedKingdom holding an estimated 15% share of the total market. Tesco’s success is based on the principles of innovation, high standards of customer service and a firm policy of listening to its customers and acting on what customers say. I have designed a questionnaire to evaluate if Tesco has improved its products and customer services. Please tick the relevant box. 1. What gender are you? Male Female 2. Where do you normally do your shopping? Tesco Sainsbury Asda Other 3. How would you range the customer services of other supermarket? Good Bad 4. Do they offer wider range of products? Yes No Don’t know 5. Do you like shopping at Tesco? Yes No 6. How would you range the attitude of staff at Tesco? Poor Good Excellent 7. Do you think the staff have enough knowledge of products? Yes No Don’t know 8. Do you think the staff are friendly enough? Yes No 9. Do you think Tesco offer good products quality? Yes No 10. Is Tesco layout good enough? Yes No 11. Would you recommend Tesco to any one? Yes No Below are the results of the questionnaires I handed out to customers. This is the result of where different people shop.The chart shows that 12 out of 30 people shop at Tesco, 5 out 30 shop at Sainsbury, 7 out of 30 shop at Asda and 6 out of 30 shop at other supermarket. The chart below shows that 3 out of 30 people think that Tesco’s staff attitude are poor, 27 think the staff attitude is good while 10 think that staff attitude are excellent. Which means that Tesco staff have a good attitude to customers. In order for Tesco to keep to this, Tesco need to continuely motivates its staff to work efficiently. The chart below indicates that Tesco’s customers have good product knowledge. The chart below shows that customers are happy with Tesco’s product quality. Majority of Tesco’s customers believe that Tesco’s layout is good enough Majority of Tesco’s customer will recommend customer to other people. After conducting my research about Tesco I’ve now decided to write a report to the board of directors outlining the research I have done into customer service strategies employed by Tesco and making suggestions for improving the customer service. To the Board of Directors of Tesco. I have been conducting research about your company’s customer service and I found out that you are currently the top leading growth supermarket in the UK which indicate that your customer service is properly the best in the UK supermarket. Above the page are the results of questionnaires that I handed out to get your customers opinion about your company and I was impressed to know that most of your customers like the way your staffs treat them and also have enough knowledge of products. If you continue to keep to this, then I believe you will continue to meet your aims and objectives and also continue to increase your market share. I’ll recommend that you keep to providing goods and services at high standard always, ensure accurate procedures for dealing with enquiries and always give information that is accurate and precise, ensure your company only promise what can be delivered. I believe that if you keep to this, you will not loose customers. From my own point of view if you continue to provide good quality of products to your customers, you will make more profit because customers are always willing to buy good quality at a value price. I also believe that your managers should continue to encourage staff to provide good customer service. Having bad relationship with managers can cause poor customer service. Managers should always make sure they have very good relationship with all employees in order to improve customer services. Good customer service is essential in order to meet customers’ needs and make profit.