Wednesday, December 25, 2019

Duke Ellington Essay - 1260 Words

Duke Ellington Duke Ellingtons pre-eminence in jazz is not only because of the very high aesthetic standard of his output and not simply due to his remarkable abilities as a pianist, composer and bandleader, but also to the fact that he has extended the boundaries of jazz more than any other musician, without abandoning the true essence of the music. Perhaps no other American musician left such a massive and challenging legacy in composition and performance. Edward Kennedy Duke Ellington was born in Washington, D.C. on April 29, 1899, to parents James Edward and Daisy Kennedy Ellington. Duke, even as a teenager, had a great talent for music. His school music teacher, Mrs. Clinkscales, who played the piano, was always the†¦show more content†¦He would arrange dance bands for weddings and parties for extra money. He put his knowledge of piano playing to use and played at a few of the dance parties and weddings. After employing his artistic talent in painting posters, Duke then decided to put together his own band. This new music, known as jazz, was considered to be low and vulgar because it was music that grew directly out of the Black culture. In the early years of Dukes career, segregation was at one of its all time worst points in history. In time, jazz became a universally recognized form of art, and has been said that it is the only real form that has originated from the American soul. Duke, himself, was an elegant man. When the white people looked down on the black man and his music, Duke managed to bring dignity to every one of his performances. Once, the jazz historian Leonard Feather described Duke as, an inch over six feet tall, sturdily built, he had an innate grandeur that would have enabled him to step with unquenched dignity out of a mud puddle. Dukes private life was something of an enigma. Although he had many friends, he never really told them everything about himself. He would often guard his privacy, probably because he had so little of it. When he was alone though, he would almost always be arranging the next tune for the band to play, and was always preparing something for the band to do in the next performance. DukeShow MoreRelatedDuke Ellington Essay746 Words   |  3 PagesDuke Elington Duke Ellington was an American jazz bandleader, composer, and pianist. He is thought of as one the greatest figures in jazz. The French government honored him with their highest award, the Legion of Honor, while the government of the United States awarded him with the highest civil honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. He played for the royalty and for the common people and by the end of his fifty-year career, he had played over 20,000 performances worldwide. HeRead MoreEssay On Duke Ellington1506 Words   |  7 PagesDuke Ellington: 1899-1974 Edward â€Å"Duke† Kennedy Ellington was born April 29, 1899 in Washington, D.C. Duke Ellington was born into a typical family with average income and growing up, the future musician was home-schooled by his parents. His father James Edward Ellington and mother Daisy Kennedy Ellington were both pianist. His father played operatic arias while parlor songs were his mother’s first choice. It is an interesting fact that Duke is not actually Ellington’s name, but it is only hisRead MoreDuke Ellington Essay1129 Words   |  5 PagesDuke Ellington The Harlem Renaissance was an era full of life, excitement, and activity. The world in all aspects was in gradual recovery from the depression. The world of music was expanding, sharing it’s enthusiasm throughout the world. The evolution of jazz aroused the curiosity of the nation. As Blacks received their freedom, they were able to express themselves as talented individuals. Certain blacks contributed immensely to the era of jazz, for example, Duke Ellington. Ellington enteredRead MoreLouis Armstrong And Duke Ellington804 Words   |  4 Pages Throughout jazz there is a couple of ledges that had their hands in the success of the jazz genre as a whole. Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington are two composters that single handily contributed to the evolution of jazz. Both Louis and Armstrong performed for over fifty years. With this amount of time performing they both touch many eras in jazz. Although Duke was very influential during this time period I like Louie timeline more. Most likely because we are both from New Orleans and I feel closerRead MoreThe Music Of Duke Ellington898 Words   |  4 PagesI attended the Jazz Ensembles Concert, The Music of Duke Ellington, on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 at the Griffin Concert Hall, University Center for the Arts. I was not really sure what to expect since I had never experienced Jazz in a concert hall setting, however, I believe I am still able to make an informed and unbiased review. Not only was this my first Jazz concert, but it was also my first time visiting the University Center for the Arts. I was greeted immediately and with a very welcomingRead MoreWho is Duke Ellington?533 Words   |  2 PagesDuke Ellington was born on April 29, 1899 and died on May 24, 1974. He was born in Washington D.C but later on he moved to New York City. He was an American composer, pianist, and bandleader. He had that career for 50 years. He was known as one of the greatest composers. He had more than two thousand songs that where a hit at that time. He began to play the piano as a child his mom played that piano as well. She over saw his education. Duke played professional at age 17. When he moved to New YorkRead MoreEssay on A Portrait Of Duke Ellington By Tracy Frech1748 Words   |  7 PagesPortrait of Duke Ellington By Tracy Frech Duke Ellington is considered to be one of the greatest figures in the history of American music. Edward Kennedy quot;Dukequot; Ellington was born in Washington D.C. on April 29, 1899. His parents were James Edward and Daisy Kennedy Ellington. They raised Duke as an only child, until his sister, Ruth, was born when Duke was sixteen years old. Duke, even as a teenager, had a great talent for music. In the beginning of his musical life, Duke began to takeRead MoreEssay on A Portrait of Duke Ellington by Tracy Frech1779 Words   |  8 PagesA Portrait of Duke Ellington By Tracy Frech Duke Ellington is considered to be one of the greatest figures in the history of American music. Edward Kennedy Duke Ellington was born in Washington D.C. on April 29, 1899. His parents were James Edward and Daisy Kennedy Ellington. They raised Duke as an only child, until his sister, Ruth, was born when Duke was sixteen years old. Duke, even as a teenager, had a great talent for music. In the beginning of his musical life, Duke began to take a promisingRead More Duke Ellington: An American Legacy Essays1818 Words   |  8 Pages Duke Ellington: An American Legacy nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Where would music be had it not been for the men that stepped before him. The Motzarts and Beethovens, who wrote the music that today is known as the classics. These men were naturals in their own right, but these people wrote their music in the 17th and 18th century. Many people dont realize all of the changes that music had to go through between that period of music and the present day. One such musician stands alone at the topRead MoreAlvin Ailey And The Civil Rights Movement1233 Words   |  5 Pagesactivist whose work focused on the narrative of the African American during the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement. Informed and inspired by black church services, gospel music, and everything spiritual, the collaborations between him and Duke Ellington come as no surprise. Ellington’s career also focused on depicting â€Å"the character and mood and feeling of [his] people†, except he executed this artistry through musicianship in composing, conducting, songwriting, and bandleading. Together, they

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

`` Because I Could Not Stop For Death `` - 876 Words

We cannot leave death of death can â€Å"Because I could not stop for Death† by Emily Dickinson has written in 1863. Emily Dickinson was born in 1830-86, she is one of the greatest poets in American literature. Dickinson wrote love poems which it indicates strong attachment because of this it s difficult to know if does poems where subjects of her feelings or just part of her poetic imagination. The different tension that comes from her work is due to the cause of not accepting orthodox religion, â€Å"the flood subject†- immortality, and her rebellious (Emily Dickinson). We can see that this poem is one of many that were later discovered because the title and the first line of the poem are the same. Death came to take the speaker into his carriage and drive around in it. By the first passing to a school where children play. Then passing grain field and looking at the sun. The last stop is an old â€Å"house† getting eaten by the surrounding vegetation. Lastly, she comes to realize that centuries have passed, but only feeling like days, and moving to eternity (Dickinson). The meaning of â€Å"Because I Could not stop for Death† is that journey to death and its feelings. The separation of the stanza, it shows the different steps in how death feels and word choices. Introduction to death, Dickinson in the first stanza starts by telling who and what is going to be in the rest of the poem. The use of personification Dickinson gives death a human-like appearance, by doing this now she canShow MoreRelated`` Because I Could Not Stop For Death ``880 Words   |  4 PagesDeath is an aspect of life that everyone becomes acquainted with sooner or later. The poem, â€Å"Because I Could Not Stop for Death,† by Emily Dickinson, is seen as a reflection of the passing of time in one s life while living. No one knows when it is their time to die, and we live everyday as if tomorrow it promised. Dickinson is saying that since we as humans tend to live on the expectation for tomorrow, we don t think about the end of our life or when it will be. That time will stand still whenRead MoreBecause I Could Not Stop for Death1444 Words   |  6 PagesBecause I could not stop for Death In Emily Dickinsons poem Because I could not stop for Death the main theme seems to be the acceptance of Death. Emily gives reference to the theme by using death in the first line. The poem is unique and interesting because she presents Death in a different way by referring to it as an escort taking her on a journey towards eternity rather than making it seem like something frightening. Each stanza of the poem breaks down the journey through the stagesRead More`` Because I Could Not Stop For Death ``1229 Words   |  5 PagesEveryone will die one day. It is a true, but unpleasant fact. Since death is therefore universal, it is easy to understand why a theme of death occurs so often in films and literature. Poetry is no exception to this trend. Poetry is filled with references to death or dying, as death is one of the most significant human conditions. A number of poets in particular have used death frequently in their writing. Emily Dickinson and Dylan Thomas are two of those poe ts. Emily Dickinson was born in 1830 andRead More`` Because I Could Not Stop For Death ``1354 Words   |  6 PagesBecause I could not stop for Death is one of the most puzzling poems Emily Dickinson wrote. â€Å"Scholars who stress these subversive qualities note that this poet appropriated conventional language, images, and themes and twisted them, disrupting their usual meaning.† (Dunlap, 2) In this poem, she describes death in hindsight. She commentates the experience play by play, chronicling her actions and vision from the time he arrived to pick her up in his carriage to her final resting place. In theRead MoreBecause I Could Not Stop for Death700 Words   |  3 PagesRead over Because I Could Not Stop for Death by Emily Dickinson. 1. List as many examples of metaphors and similes as possible. The carriage, in stanza 1, is a metaphor for a hearse. When they â€Å"passed the setting sun† (12) it implies that she has finally died. When they â€Å"paused before a house that seemed / A swelling of the ground† (17-18), the word house is a metaphor for grave. 2. Explain the personification. In Emily Dickinsons poem, â€Å"Because I Could Not Stop for Death†, death is personifiedRead MoreBecause I Could Not Stop For Death1886 Words   |  8 PagesEvery major religion has an answer to what is expect in death. However, contrary to major religious beliefs the reality is that no one knows when death will come or exactly what death entails - because those that die cannot communicate with the living. This is precisely the issue that Emily Dickinson tackles in her poem â€Å"Because I Could Not Stop for Death†. The speaker begins by offering a sanguine outlook in the eyes of death, however, the speaker eventually rejects her initial optimism. DickinsonRead MoreAnalysis Of Because I Could Not Stop For Death963 Words   |  4 Pagesâ€Å"Because I Could Not Stop For Death,† and â€Å"The Bustle in a House† are two poems by Emily Dickinson that portray death in very different ways. â€Å" Because I Could Not Stop For Death† is written from the perspective of a woman who has recently died about her eternal journey with a kind Death. â€Å"The Bustle in a House,† on the other hand, is about how one reacts to the death of a loved one. Through these two poems, Dickinson employs literary devices such as personification and metaphor to portray two differentRead MoreAnalysis Of `` Because I Could Not Stop For Death ``870 Words   |  4 PagesThemes of death all ring loud and clear in Dickinson’s â€Å"Because I could not stop for Death†, Donne’s â€Å"Death, be not proud†, and Cherry’s â€Å"Alzheimer’s†. The poems are not explicitly about the act of dying, but death is personified or even foreshadowed in the work. Each piece has a different tone when referencing Death. Two of the poems reference Death by name, the last poem doesn’t specifically speak about dying or death per se, but based on the title, â€Å"Alzheimer’s†, it is clear that death is imm inentRead MoreAnalysis of Because I Could Not Stop for Death2013 Words   |  9 PagesAnalysis of Because I Could Not Stop for Death The poets of the nineteenth century wrote on a variety of topics. One often used topic is that of death. The theme of death has been approached in many different ways. Emily Dickinson is one of the numerous poets who uses death as the subject of several of her poems. In her poem Because I Could Not Stop for Death, death is portrayed as a gentleman who comes to give the speaker a ride to eternity. Throughout the poem, Dickinson develops herRead MoreBecause I Could Not Stop For Death Literary Analysis918 Words   |  4 Pagesand a positive subject, death, on the other hand, has numerous definitions between each person. Some people consider death to be morbid, horrifying, and a negative thing, whereas others celebrate death and believe that their soul will live forever. Each of the countless observations of life and death are portrayed in diverse types of literature. One contributor and writer of such literature includes Emily Dickinson. In her poems â€Å"Because I Could Not Stop for Death† and â€Å"I Felt a Funeral in My Brain†

Monday, December 9, 2019

Brighton Beach Memoirs free essay sample

The Jerome family is a very loving, close caring family. They both worry about each other and worry for them and their family members well being. On top of that, everyone has problems, their own unique problems. Not all these problems are disclosed with the other family members. Eugene is a teenager living in Brooklyn in the older days. He is growing up and feels he is deprived of being with girls. He often brings up his thoughts on them and sex. In his home he feels as if he is not loved because his mother is always yelling at him and seems to be taking out all her anger on him. In my view, I believe she does really love him but she worries so much that she tends to lose it all and it all goes out on Eugene . Nora, who is Eugene ’s cousin, wants to be famous and on Broadway. We will write a custom essay sample on Brighton Beach Memoirs or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page She believes she has found the perfect opportunity for this but for this she must leave school which no one agrees with, and Stanley is the only one who seems to be complimenting her but that may only be because she is his attractive cousin. Stanley, Eugene ’s brother has worries and problems of his own, quite a big one actually- he has a job that keeps the family going on top of his fathers work. He is very responsible for his family’s well being because of this but he has a problem with gambling. Kate and Jack are Eugene and Stanley’s parents. Blanche is Kate’s sister; Nora and Laurie are Kate and Jacks Nieces. Kate is very loving and caring and worries for her family a lot, especially her husband Jack who has a heart problem where anything can happen anytime. On top of that, the family has very little money. They are not able to afford to take care of Jack’s health but they are trying hard, which is why Stanley has such a big responsibility. Jack loves his wife, Kate and tries to assure her everything will be okay and nothing will happen, but I think something may. Laurie is just a young girl right now, the youngest of them all and doesn’t understand much. She is usually just there asking questions and being oblivious. In act two of this play, the tensions in the family start to become clear. Eugene continues to mention (to the audience) how rotten everyone is behaving in the family. Kate still worries for Jack, Blanche is supposed to be going on a date, Nora and Laurie also have not changed. ut there is something new for Stanley. The family, at this time, depends heavily on Stanley because they need the extra cash for Jack’s health complications and Stanley is unfortunately hustled in a big game of gambling and loses his weeks allowance of $17. At first, the only person he told was Eugene. It lead to a fight and made Stanley want to look at Eugene’s report card because he doubted his capabilities an d he is taken by surprise when he sees they’re all A’s and B’s and says he is very proud. Kate freaks out over things like Jack walking down the stairs. Kate and Blanche get involved in a big fight that releases all the tensions that have built up over the years of their sisterhood. Ultimately, it is resolved but Kate is finally able to tell Blanche that she is being very selfish and that she has too many other things to worry about other than Blanche and her children. This is unlikely for Kate but understandable because Kate has the whole family on her shoulders. Stanley eventually tells his mother about the gambling and is furious but of course ultimately forgives him but not until after his attempt to run away and leave his family. He left saying he is going to he army and does not know when to return until he realizes his family needs him more than the army does. Blanches date never shoes up because he gets into an accident while being intoxicated. She finds out from his mother in a letter. Kate keeps referring to him and his mother as â€Å"those people† because Kate never liked the man. Blanche defends them and argues the point â€Å"How are we any better? † and that they’re human beings just like us. At the end of the play, despite all the arguments, disagreements and tensions, they are still one big loving, caring family with problems many people may have.

Sunday, December 1, 2019

Neem Oil Essay Example

Neem Oil Essay NEEM (Azadirachta indica) OIL USED IN AN OIL BURNER AS INCENSE MOSQUITO REPELLENT LEADER: OCAMPO, YSABELLA ASST. LEADER: BALASOTO, JANUS MEMBERS: ALLASAS, PATRICIA CASTANARES, JASON MIRANDA, CHRISTIAN NEEM (Azadirachta indica) OIL USED IN AN OIL BURNER AS INCENSE MOSQUITO REPELLENT INTRODUCTION Mosquitoes are well-known pests to the entire human race. Later in the 90s, they discovered that these arthropods are also carriers responsible for transmission of devastating diseases to mankind. They transmit diseases by feeding on blood from vertebrates, including us humans. As years gone by, many studied: the relationship between the mosquitoes and the diseases they carry; the possible ways of eliminating or preventing the spread by these diseases in areas observed to have a large number of victims. Mosquitoes thrive in moist and relatively warm environments just like what Tropical Countries are. Tropical Countries are home to most number of species of mosquitoes. Our country, the Philippines, is among the Tropical Countries. Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles are among the most common species of mosquitoes and they carry a vicious disease namely Dengue, Malaria and Yellow Fever which can kill a human. We will write a custom essay sample on Neem Oil specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Neem Oil specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Neem Oil specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer These diseases are common yet deadly diseases to us and the number of victims are still drastically increasing. This leaves some authorities arguing whether mosquitoes are the most dangerous animals to mankind. The average life span of the female mosquito is three to 100 days; the male mosquito will survive 10 to 20 days, but we are not waiting that long for the mosquitoes to die for us to be safe. Neem oil is a natural substance extracted from the seeds of the neem tree (Azadirachta indica), an evergreen native to India. Long used in certain systems of traditional medicine (such as  ayurveda), neem oil is thought to offer a number of benefits when applied to the skin and/or hair. Neem oil contains several fatty acids thought to be beneficial to the skin, such as oleic acid and linoleic acid. Some proponents also suggest that neem oil can act as a  natural insect repellent. Known as azadirachtins, certain compounds found in neem oil are thought to possess insecticidal properties. (Wong, 2012) In 1994 the the Malaria Research  Center  of Delhi, India tested whether kerosene lamps with 1% Neem oil can protect people from mosquito bites. For that test they burned the lamps in living rooms, and from 6 pm to 6 am caught the mosquitoes sitting on the walls and those attracted to human bait (i. e. volunteers). Neem oil clearly reduced the number of bites on the volunteers and also the number of mosquitoes caught. The protection was greater against anopheles species (the ones that transmit malaria) than against culex. A 1995 study at a field station at the Malaria Research Centre in Ranipur, Hardwar, India tested a mix of 2% neem oil mixed in coconut oil. They showed that applying that mixture to the skin provided significant protection from various mosquitoes. It worked best against anophelines, offering 96-100% protection. The malaria transmitting anopheles mosquitoes fall into this group. The numbers for other species were 85% for aedes (carries dengue fever), 61-94% for Culex spp. (can carry West Nile virus) and 35% for Armigeres. In 1996 the Malaria Research  Center  of Delhi, India did another field trial with kerosene lamps in an Indian village. Kerosene lamps with 1% Neem oil were kept burning from dusk to dawn in living rooms. They found that the lamps kept the mosquitoes out of the living rooms and that the malaria incidents of the population dropped dramatically (from about ten cases per thousand people to only one per thousand). Once the lamps were removed, the mosquitoes returned and so did the malaria. As for the safety of this method another 1996 study by the Malaria Research Centre in Delhi, India tested the effects of kerosene lamps with 1% neem oil. Clinical examination of 156 adults and 110 children did not reveal any major adverse effects after one year of exposure to 1% neem oil. This shows that depending upon  what species of mosquito you are dealing with, effectiveness of use varies. For malaria protection Neem oil is fantastic. If you combine the 96-100% protection rate of the home made mosquito repellent with burning Neem oil when sitting outside and wearing sensible clothing you are well protected indeed. A. Statement of the Problem. The number of victims of Malaria, Yellow Fever, and specially Dengue is drastically increasing as PIA or Philippine Information Agency has confirmed. B. Objective of the Study. This study aims to know if the neem oil used as incense added with herbs and other aromatic flowers will be an effective mosquito repellent. The main objective of this study is to know if our Neem Oil Incense along with other herbs will be enough to repel the mosquitoes from our skins and prevent them from biting us and for how long will it be able to repel the mosquitoes. C. Significance of the Study. This study is significant in solving problems relating the diseases brought by mosquitoes. The incense will repel the mosquitoes that carry diseases from the citizens living in areas with a large mosquito population. We will observe if the number of victims in a specific community will decrease once the incense is implied and used. Since our research is aiming if our Neem Oil Incense will be enough to prevent the mosquitoes from biting us, this shall help our community lessen victims of the notorious mosquitoes. METHODOLOGY A. The primary materials needed for this experiment are oil burner and neem oil. Sampaguita and lemon grass will be added to the neem oil to ensure an aromatic scent. The sampaguita and lemon grass does not necessarily affect the properties of neem in repelling the mosquitoes. B. Neem oil  is a  vegetable oil  pressed from the fruits and seeds of the neem (Azadirachta indica), an  evergreen  tree which is  endemic  to the  Indian subcontinent  and has been introduced to many other areas in the tropics. You can buy neem oil in Research Agencies like the International Rice Research Institute located in UPLB, Phil. The sampaguita’s and lemon grass’s juices will be pressed with 1 ml of water until their juices are extracted. The juices of sampaguita and lemon grass will be added to the mixture. This will improve the scent of the neem mixture. The mixture will be placed in the oil burner. We will light the burners for 6-10 hours. There will be 3 cages each having two hours of difference. Cage A’s burner will be lit for 6 hours. Cage B’s burner will be lit for 8 hours. Lastly, Cage C’s burner will be lit for 10 hours. We will observe if the number of hours the burner will be lit has a great effect in the â€Å"repellance† of the neem oil. Since we are aiming on how to repel mosquitoes, we should know first how to attract them in order to know how effective our research will be. We will lure mosquitoes by putting on sweet-smelling lotions or creams. Invest in floral-smelling perfumes. To mosquitoes, these products are sweet-smelling like blood. These fragrances cause the mosquitoes to associate their floral scent for a possible blood supply. And then, as said earlier, we will test each cage with different number of hours. REFERENCES: Ways on how to attract a mosquito. Retrieved from: (http://www. ehow. com/how_8264153_attract-mosquito. html) Reviews of Related Literature. Retrieved from: (http://www. terawet. com/Mosquito_Control_by_Neem. html) Diagram of Comparison. Retrieved from: (http://www. doh. gov. ph/sites/default/files/2012Den28WMR. pdf) Information about Aedes. Retrieved from: (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Aedes) Information about Anopheles. Retrieved from: (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Anopheles) Information about Culex. Retrieved from: (http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Culex)

Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Goddess of the Truck Drivers Essays

Goddess of the Truck Drivers Essays Goddess of the Truck Drivers Essay Goddess of the Truck Drivers Essay A hero is a person who has heroic qualities or performs heroic acts and is regarded as a role model. A hero is a person who inspires us, and one person that really inspires me is my mother. She works really hard. Mom is a person who likes to smile all the time. Wherever clients enter to the restaurant, they see her shiny smile giving good vibes around. She has light brown curly hair, brown eyes, she is short and super energetic. Presently, she is living in a small town called ‘Curauma’ in the city of Valparaiso, Chile. My mother inspires me in the way that she can fall several times, but she knows how to stand up fast and perfectly. In the past, she did not have various opportunities, how ever, she made her dreams come true, such as becoming a chef, and owning a restaurant. She taught me that I have to be brave, smile, and be friendly to people, but most importantly, she taught me how to be respectful and always be humble no matter what. I amgrate ful that I resemble her personality, moreover proud to say that my mother is my hero. Carmen Lucero, my mother, is the owner of the restaurant ‘House Lunch’ in Chile . My mom works and lives there. Every morning, she wakes up at 7 oclock to start to serve the truck drivers who are going to have lunch early because they have to load up their trucks cities far away from Valparaiso. My mom has mass energy like a nuclear plant. Her energy never runs out. She can be working 12 hours straight and wake up next day at 7 oclock waiting for the clients. My hero’s hobby is to play soccer.She plays soccer in a soccer team in Valparaiso. She likes to spend her free time going to the soccer field and play with her friends. My mom is one of the greatest female soccer players. She runs super fast around the field without stop for the whole match. Hence, her nick name on the field became ‘The Atom Ant’. Her eyes are light brown like honey, her skinny legs are like Madonna’s. Never old, n :

Saturday, November 23, 2019

License vs. Licence

License vs. Licence License vs. Licence License vs. Licence By Maeve Maddox My recent post on Driver License vs. Driver’s License stirred a discussion about the spellings licence and license. In American usage, the word license is used as both noun and verb: license (noun): permission to act. license (verb): to grant or issue a license to someone, usually after special qualifications have been met. Modern British usage distinguishes between the noun licence and the verb license: She has framed her licence to practice medicine and hung it on the wall. (noun) She was licensed just last week. (verb) According to a note in the OED, the spelling licence for the noun is more etymologically correct than license because it comes from Latin licentia, by way of French licence. The editor notes that licence would be an acceptable spelling for the verb as well, but acknowledges that the spelling license conforms to the rule that governs other noun/verb pairs like prophecy/prophesy and advice/advise. Although modern British usage prefers the spelling licence for the noun, Dr. Johnson’s 1755 Dictionary of the English Language has these entries for license (so spelled): License, a permission, liberty. (noun) License, to grant leave; to permit by a legal grant; to set at liberty. (verb) Late 19th century British dictionaries â€Å"almost universally have license both for noun and verb, either without alternative or in the first place (OED).† And it’s clear from several of the OED citations used to illustrate the noun licence that at least some British authors and journalists spelled it license up until the 20th century: Others would confine the license of disobedience to unjust laws. (1861) The Sandy Foundation Shaken’ was printed without a license from the Bishop of London. (1872) The same license was granted to him for dealing with all future criminals of the same class. (1888) These implements of license were originally made by God. (1901) I like the modern British practice of distinguishing the noun from the verb. In fact, for a very long time, I believed that licence was the only way to spell the licentious kind of liberty described in 1Peter 4:3: â€Å"licence, debauchery, hard drinking, noisy revelry, and drunkenness.† It’s perhaps regrettable that Americans have only one way to spell license, but that’s the rule. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Misused Words category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Spelling Test 1Top 11 Writing Apps for iOS (iPhone and iPad)Wood vs. Wooden

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Obsession Compulsive Disorder Research Proposal

Obsession Compulsive Disorder - Research Proposal Example "Researches have found that one-third to one-half of OCD cases identified in adults began during childhood" (Hyman and Pedrick 16). Most of the causes of OCD are biological. "About half of all the people with OCD experience the symptoms in childhood. Among children, twice as many boys than girls demonstrate characteristics of OCD. For others, the disorder begins in adolescence or early adulthood. Interestingly, by adulthood, the male female ratio is almost fifty-fifty." (Boyles and Contadino 233). Obsessive Compulsive Disorder has a variety of symptoms like contamination symptoms, symptoms related to performing tasks and intrusive fears and thoughts. Along with this symptoms can be of violent or aggressive thoughts, and inappropriate sexual thoughts. "Although people appear to be distinct dimensions in OCD, it should be noted that most patients report multiple symptoms that cut across dimensions" (Swinson 7). With obsessions, "there are three common themes: unwanted thoughts of aggression/harm, unwanted sexual thoughts, and blasphemous thoughts" (De Silva and Rachman 4). In layman's language the symptoms include, some patients fear the presence of body secretions like sweat and saliva. Some symptoms related to performing actions repeatedly can be specific counting patterns or repeatedly washing the hands or clearing the throat. Some people suffer with repeatedly getting unpleasant and involuntary thoughts and images, usually a result of depression. Some people suffer with repeatedly violent thoughts like jumping off a bride or a train or even hurting a child. Sometimes people suffer from inappropriate sexual thoughts like kissing, fondling, oral sex intercourse or anal sex with parents, strangers, friends or even children. This usually happens when the sufferer doubts his or her sexual ability. Scientists believe that the causes of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are both biological and psychological. Biologically it is believed that there is some abnormality with the neurotransmitter serotonin of the patient that causes OCD. Psychologists believe that OCD is caused by anxiety provoking intrusive thoughts. Some studies have proved that OCD can also be caused due to nutrition deficiencies. There is no complete cure for OCD, however, there are some treatments to help people suffering with OCD. In the past, people suffering from OCD did not have any medical or psychological help, they had to fight their symptoms on their own, which caused most patients to live in pain. Today treatment is available and a person suffering from OCD to seek early treatment. The early treatment is started the less are the chances of a person developing complications from the illness. However, "most writers simply discount the possibility that the outcome can be influenced by treatment" (Mavissakalian, Tuner and Michelson 29). The first line treatments for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder are cognitive therapy, behavioral therapy and medication. One of the most effective methods of treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder if Psychotherapy. Psychotherapy is done on a one to one basis or within a group setting assisted by a trained specialist. It is usually the first step of treatment for OCD patients, especially children. The only proven form of psychotherapy for OCD is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or CBT. Cognitive Behavior

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Statistics-demographic reports Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Statistics-demographic reports - Essay Example From the General summary report it is evident that if we rank students on the basis of their educational status, then we will come to know that the highest percentage of students i.e. 44.19% is completing their bachelor’s degree. 33.99% of students are related to graduate degree that’s why ranked at 2nd place in 2000 Educational Attainment. Therefore, the product should be introduced in the market by keeping the students of this age group in your mind as they appear to be significantly large segment in the region. Before pricing the product, the household income needs to be considered. The change in median household income is 123.60% from 1980 to 1990 and 68.10% from 1990 to 2000. The percentage changes for average household income are 178.80% and 69.50% from 1980 to 1990 and from 1990 to 2000 respectively. Similarly, percentage changes for per capita income are 184.00% and 65.60%. Among three categories average household income has the highest income in 2000 and the highest percentage change for household income. So, the new snack food should be launched by keeping average household income in mind. According to the given data, the percentage changes of the people with salary $150,000 + is highest so, the target market for the products should be the people having salary above $150,000 +. However, if the new snack is going to have a low to average price then other income groups can be also targeted. In addition, it is also important to consider which the income bracket of the target market. The highest percentages of the people of the ages less than 25, 65-74 and 75+ earn Less than $10,000. The highest percentages that are 15.87%, 14.43%, 11.86% and 11.50% of people of ages 25-34, 35-44, 45-54 and 54-64 respectively earn $100,000 - $124,999. So, the people having salary range $100,000 - $124,999 should be targeted for this product. The people having salary range $75,000 to $99,999 also have large percentages

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Gantt chart Essay Example for Free

Gantt chart Essay The phenomena of calendar effects in stock markets seem to be a center of curiosity for many researchers across the world. Following many studies about the significance of calendar anomalies, testing the presence of Monday effect and January effect appears to be an area of interest. The aim of this study is to discuss about calendar anomalies and its significance. It should be noted that the study will focus mainly on Monday effect and January effect on the stock returns of companies listed on SEM-7. The research proposal will consist mainly of the literature review part and the methodology part. 2.LITERATURE REVIEW 2.1DEFINITON OF BASIC CONCEPTS Calendar anomalies are effects which include apparently different behavior of stock markets on different days of the week, month and year. Calendar effect may also be defined as a collection of theories that state that certain days or month are subject to above price changes in stock market and can therefore represent good or bad times to invest. Brooks and Persand (2001) defined calendar effects as the tendency of stock returns â€Å"to display systematic patterns at certain times of the day, week, month or year †. As mentioned above, the study will discuss mainly on Monday effect and January effect. The day of the week effect also called Monday effect indicates that the average daily return of the market is not the same for all days of the week as we would expect on basis of Efficient Market theory. Monday effect is a theory which states that return of the last trading day is the highest and return on the first trading day is the lowest across the days of the week. January effect is a phenomenon whereby stocks claim higher rates of returns during January compared to any other month. Smaller stocks tend to beat bigger stocks during this period. The January effect also known as â€Å"year-end effect† indicates rise in price during the period starting on the last day of December and ending on the fifth trading day of January . The Stock Exchange of Mauritius was incorporated in Mauritius on March 30, 1989 as a private limited company responsible for the operation and promotion of an efficient and regulated securities market in Mauritius. The SEM operates two markets namely the official market and the Development Enterprise Market (DEM). The study will focus only on the official market. On 31 March 1998, the Stock Exchange of Mauritius launched the index SEM-7, comprising companies listed on its official market. The SEM-7 comprises the seven largest qualified companies of the official market measured in terms of market capitalization, liquidity and investibility criteria. Therefore, the study will be based on the 7 companies in the SEM-7. 2.2Theoretical Explanation on Calendar effects EFFICIENT MARKET THEORY The growing number of studies proving the significance of calendar anomalies has led to doubts on â€Å"Efficient Market Hypothesis†. According to Fama (1970), â€Å"a capital market is efficient if all the information set is fully reflected in securities prices†. Efficient market hypothesis is one of the theories which states that, in whichever form, all the information is completely integrated in the share prices and therefore no one can beat the market. There are three form of market efficiency; weak form, semi-strong form and strong form based on set of information. The weak form efficiency states that no one can outperform the market based on past information while in the semi-strong form, despite using public information, the market cannot be beaten. The strong form efficiency states that no one can beat the market despite using past, public and private information. As a result, according to the efficient market theory, the calendar anomalies have no effect on the share prices and that no one can use this anomaly to gain abnormal returns. MONDAY EFFECT As already mentioned above, Monday effect, also known as weekend effect, is a theory according to which returns on Monday is less than the other trading days. Two hypotheses that have been formulated to explain Monday effect are Calendar Time Hypothesis and Trading Time Hypothesis. According to the Calendar Time Hypothesis, Monday’s average return will be different from the other days’ average returns. A reason for this difference is that Monday’s average return will be three times higher than the average returns of the other working days. According to Trading Time Hypothesis, the returns on stock are generated during a transaction. This indicates that average returns will be the same for all weekdays including Monday. JANUARY EFFECT January effect occurs when there is a general rise in stock prices during the month of January. January effect is also known as small firm in January effect because it is most frequently observed in small cap stocks . The nature of this anomaly suggests that the market is not efficient as market efficiency would suggest that this effect would disappear. The theories which explain January effect are: †¢Tax-Loss Selling Hypothesis This hypothesis was first suggested by Branch (1997) . In order to reduce tax liabilities, investors sell their loser stocks in December and create capital losses which they offset with the capital gain. Due to excessive selling of shares in December, stock prices are decreased and then investors purchase it again in early January which forces stock prices to rise. However, it is noteworthy of the fact that since in Mauritius, capital gains is not liable for tax purposes, this hypothesis cannot be used to explain January effect. †¢Window-dressing Hypothesis Some portfolio managers also do window dressing to their portfolio by creating January effect. Since they have to report their portfolio holding as at 31 December, they just sell riskier stocks before 31 December in order to make their portfolio look less risky on Annual Report. Later on, they just purchase the risky securities again in a view to earn high profits. †¢Information Release Hypothesis According to this hypothesis, also known as differential information effect, the excess January returns are the effect of significant information releases that occur in the first few days of January. This hypothesis relies on how discrepancy in the quantity of information available for different companies may result in different returns. According to Rozeff and Kinney (1976), distribution of year-end information may have a greater effect on the prices of small firms’ securities relative to large firms because the market for small firm stock is less efficient . 2.3Empirical evidences on Calendar effects In order to investigate on the existence of calendar anomalies, there have been several studies conducted obtaining different results. In a recent paper by Haug and Hirshcey (2005) on January effect, evidence is found that the anomaly is significant for small cap stocks and continues to be consistent over time . Moreover, Fountas and Segredakis (2002) investigate about the significance of the monthly seasonality in the Amman Stock Exchange and find very significant January effects in this market.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Critical Pedagogy :: Teaching Education Essays

Critical Pedagogy "Education must be understood as producing not only knowledge but also political subjects." This statement by Paulo Freire is very bold, and can be translated in many different ways. First, the word knowledge can be understood in many different ways. By definition, knowledge is defined as: the acquaintance with facts, truths, or principles. This knowledge according to Freire would be entirely based on a receptacle idea of education, and just "filling us up" with facts that our teachers know. In some countries this knowledge would mean only the information that the government or the rulers would like the citizens to know. In this sense, education is used to create subjects that are all exactly the same. It creates subjects that usually would not deviate from the normal pattern, and would definitely not rebel against the system. Knowledge can also be something that each person establishes individually by experience and by learning from teachers who do not teach in the banking method, b ut in a method to help students understand concepts, principles, and ideas. The idea of education creating political subjects is also up for argument. A subject can be defined as: a person who is under the domination of a sovereign or a state. This means someone who is forced to live their life according to a government, and obey certain laws. No one should have to be forced to live and think only in a way that is acceptable to a government or political power. Everyone is an individual, and can ultimately make decisions for him or herself. If one’s way of thought is dominated or ruled by anything or anyone, then the individual is the one who is allowing this to happen to himself. He does not want to be free. He does not want to be an individual. People who wish to be individuals will never allow their thoughts and minds to be dominated by a political power. They may be persecuted for their deviance from the accepted way of life, but they will never allow someone else to rule the way they think. This has been shown through many great historical figures. For example, Mahatma Gandhi was forced to be a political subject under the rule of political leaders, and was persecuted because of his thoughts and actions. Throughout his hardships he persevered, and did not let anyone control his thoughts and his mind.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Influence of Buddhism in the Catcher in the Rye Essay

J.D. Salinger, the author of The Catcher in the Rye, witnessed the atrocities of the Second World War firsthand as a soldier. In doing so, the horrors that he saw gave him concerns about his society. The fact that his native society could do such things repelled him. As a result, he began to read about Eastern Philosophy after the war. The eastern principles he learned about were appealing to him, so he decided to model Holden Caulfield, the protagonist in The Catcher in the Rye, after Siddhartha Gautama, who is commonly known as The Buddha. Siddhartha was a Prince whose father hid from him the atrocities of humankind, but when Siddhartha eventually did see poverty, he was dejected. He decided to become an ascetic, a lifestyle where one supplies himself with minimal materials. Eventually Siddhartha achieved enlightenment, and he created the principles of Buddhism. In The Catcher in the Rye, Holden is born into a wealthy family and attends a prestigious boarding school, although he is kicked out early in the novel. Salinger makes Holden’s life very similar to that of Siddhartha Gautama’s. Holden’s story mirrors that of the Buddha’s because poverty and sickness call them into action, they are displeased by the idea that people are not created equally, and they both veer of the path that has been set out for them. Holden and Siddhartha come across the unpleasant things in life for the first time in very different ways. Siddhartha is twenty-nine years old when he first sees an old man, after being sheltered for the early portion of his life, while Holden is just thirteen years old when his younger brother, Allie, grows sick and dies. When Siddhartha comes across poverty, it inspires him to devote the rest of his life to trying to end suffering. On the night that Allie died, Holden slept in the garage and, â€Å"†¦broke all of the goddam windows with my fist† (Salinger 39). Holden is irate because he couldn’t save Allie from death, the same way Siddhartha was displeased by the fact that he couldn’t save people either, the people that he was supposed to rule over someday, from poverty and suffering. Additionally, Holden, like the Buddha, enjoys helping out those in need. When Holden sees two nuns in Grand Central Station, he strikes up a conversation, and then gives them ten dollars as a donation. That amount of money is equivalent to around ninety-five dollars today. Later on, he says, â€Å"I started getting sorry that I’d only given them ten bucks for their collection†(Salinger 113). Instead of being happy in giving his donation, he is unhappy because he knows that what he has given is still not nearly enough to make a substantial dent in the poverty of the world. Nonetheless, Holden still strives to protect those who cannot protect themselves from the negative aspects of life, just as the Buddha endeavors to save humanity for suffering. One of the lessons that Siddhartha Gautama taught to his Buddhist followers was to reject the traditional class system. The Hindu people of India follow the belief of reincarnation, and that people are born into their social class based on how well they lived their previous lives, and thus those who are born into a low class deserve to be there. However, Buddha rejected that class system, preferring a society without classes, because he believed that all men should be treated as equals. Holden also believes that all men are created equal. In his conversation with his history teacher, Mr. Spencer, Holden says to himself in response to Mr. Spencer’s remark that life is a game that, â€Å"If you get on the side where all the hot-shots are, then it’s a game,†¦but if you get on the other side†¦then what’s a game about it† (Salinger 8). Holden doesn’t think that life should be better for some people than others just because they were born wealthy or have superior traits and abilities than others. He believes that no matter what someone’s social status is, he or she should be entitled to the same things as a wealthy person. When he sees the nuns in Grand Central Station, he is depressed when he sees what they are eating. He says â€Å"I hate it if I’m eating bacon and eggs or something and somebody else is only eating toast and coffee† (Salinger 110). Holden is from a wealthy family, and is saddened by the fact that not everyone can experience the same luxuries that he can. The Buddha was also saddened by the same thing; he could not provide his people with the same amenities that are given to him. For that reason both Holden and Siddhartha wish to find a better way to organize society than the traditional class system. Holden could easily choose to apply himself in school, go to college and get a well-paying job. However, the idea of following the path that society has set out for him displeases Holden, and he desires to create a new path for himself. Near the end of the book, Holden envisions himself hitchhiking out west and living in a cabin for the rest of his life. He exclaims, â€Å"I got excited as hell thinking about it† (Salinger 199). He falls in love with the thought of himself rebelling against society; the society that was the cause of so much poverty. Likewise, Siddhartha Gautama, a prince, chose not to live his life as royalty, which was expected of him, but rather become an ascetic, denying himself of worldly pleasures, as he strove to find a way to end suffering. Siddhartha found success, and he achieved enlightenment, as well as a way to end suffering, which is what Buddhism is. On the other hand, Holden found it to be difficult to break away from his path that is set before him. In response to Holden’s idea to run away, Sally, a friend of Holden, retorts, â€Å"You can’t just do something like that† (Salinger 132). Holden struggles to relate with fellow members of his society, and when they strike down his ideas, he finds it to be even harder to connect with them. Holden’s journey resembles the Buddha’s in three significant ways: he is inspired to end suffering, he believes that everybody should have the same opportunities in life, and he is determined to separate himself from his culture. But perhaps J.D. Salinger did not mirror Holden’s life after the Buddha’s, but after his own. Salinger also saw great suffering when he participated in World War Two. He refuted the values of Western Civilization, wondering how such great atrocities could be committed in it. Holden’s clash with his native land bears striking resemblance to that of Salinger’s. Salinger expresses his beliefs through Holden in the novel. Holden says, â€Å"I don’t think I could stand it if I had to go to war. I really couldn’t.† Salinger could not stand being in the war, just as Holden cannot stand the thought of being in it. Eastern philosophy influenced Salinger greatly after he served in the war, and in turn The Catcher in the Rye is influenced by that philosophy. Salinger subtly teaches his readers about Eastern philosophy as they follow Holden’s journey. Salinger attempts to push the reader into their own journey, in which he or she might wrestle between Western and Eastern thought in a similar way as he did.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

Private Equity Deals Essay

Private equity can be described as investing in a company through a negotiated process. Investment entails transformational, value-added and active management strategy. Private Equity investments can be undertaken following three categories. These are venture capital, Buy-out and special situation investment. Venture capital can be described as an investment to create a new company or expand a smaller company that is presently undeveloped. Buy-out investment involves acquisition of a significant portion of investment in a mature company so as to gain control or ownership of the company. Special situation investment involves changing government regulations or industry trends on investment due to availability of opportunity (Robinson and Cottrell, 2007). This paper will broadly analyze buy out investment in detail, discussing its history, growth, merits and failures.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Private equity firms accrue interest on investment through any of the three ways. These include an IPO, sale or merger and recapitalisation. Private equity firms sell unlisted securities directly to investors through private offering or private equity fund which attracts different sources of contributions from small investors who prefer to invest directly to investors due to the risks associated with private equity funds. Private equity fund require a large amount of money to allow entry which cannot be afforded by most private equity firms. Moreover Private equity firms prefer to invest in firms or investors where the firm can accrue returns after a short duration unlike private equity funds which can take up to twelve years to accrue interests. Private equity firms evaluate availability of opportunity to avoid investing in a failing company which, led to heavy capital losses by the firm. The risk has been noted to be higher in venture capital funds (Lasen, 2006).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Private equity industry was begun in 1946 by the American Research and Development Corporation (ARD) to encourage private institutions provides funding to soldiers who returned from World War II. ARD aimed to provide skills and funding to the management and this would stimulate success of the companies accrue profits. The success of the industry led to permeation of few wealthy families into the industry in 1970s. The industry focussed more on debt financed leveraged buy-outs (LBOs)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A Leveraged buy-out (LBO) occurs when a financial sponsor gains control of a majority of a target company’s stock ownership through the use of borrowed money or debt (Lasen, 2006). A Leveraged buy-out is a widely used strategy where a company acquires another company through significant amount of borrowed money. In most cases, the assets of the acquiring company and the company being acquired are used as security for the loans. Leveraged buyouts allow companies to make acquisitions without committing a lot of capital. In an LBO 70% debt to 30% equity ration is allowed though the debt can amount 90% top 95% of target Company total capitalisation. Private equity firm prefer to sue leveraged buyouts for two reasons. Use of debt that is widely used in US increased financial return to the private equity sponsor. Debts are exempted from taxation and hence the returns from debt are greater that from cash (Lasen, 2006; Robinson and Cottrell, 2007).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Many countries for example Germany have introduced new tax laws with an aim of discouraging leveraged buyouts through reduction of tax shield effectiveness. The performance of private equity firms that used LBO as their main source of financing went into bankruptcy in 1980s and 1980s.   The insolvency was largely contributed by excessive debt financing amounting up to 97%. This led to higher interest payment that exceeded the company’s operating cash flow. Most companies were taken over by other companies and government.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the recent past private equity industry has experienced a boom as noted in Great Britain as well as USA. Most pension scheme companies have invested in private equity firms and in particular LBOs. The size of private equity pool increased by 37% in 1994 in Great Britain. There is great disparity between foreign private equity pool and United States which present possibility of future growth. The rapid growth in the private equity industry has led to poor returns on capital invested. The returns from public equity deals are higher and this challenges the stability of private equity industry in using LBOs as way of financing (Clark and Whiteside, 2003).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   PED projects were initially known to have positive impact in paediatrics industry. The PED projects however are on the decline. This can be attributed to poor management and appointment of nationals who have worked in public service to oversee them yet they have little experience or knowledge that is needed. The PED has encountered pressure from fear of disappointing former and future employees and this has in most cases resulted in failure or problem in implementation of the projects (Saylor, Swenson, Reynolds and Taylor, 1999). References Clark, G. L., Whiteside, N. (2003) Pension Security in the 21st Century: Redrawing the Public-Private Debate. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Robinson, M. J., Cottrell, T. J â€Å"Investment Patterns of Informal Investors in the Alberta Private Equity Market† Journal of Small Business Management, 45, (2007):11-89. Larsen, D. L. â€Å"Challenges to the Private Equity Industry† Journal of Accountancy, 202, (2006):112-156. Saylor, C. F., Swenson, C., Reynolds, S., and Taylor, M â€Å"The Paediatric Emotional Distress Scale: a Brief Screening Measure for Young Children Exposed to Traumatic Events.† Journal of Clinical Child Psychology. 28.1. (1999): 34-70.

Thursday, November 7, 2019

5 Ways to Work Your Way Around the Weak With

5 Ways to Work Your Way Around the Weak With 5 Ways to Work Your Way Around the Weak â€Å"With† 5 Ways to Work Your Way Around the Weak â€Å"With† By Mark Nichol The preposition with is one of the workhorses of the English language, performing multiple functions, but it’s not a very powerful beast of burden. Writers often put it to work at the wrong task, employing it to link one phrase or another when a stronger word or phrase, or a form of punctuation, is much more structurally sound. Here are five examples of sentences better expressed without with: 1. â€Å"Requirements concerning the marital status of adopting couples are not uniform, with a stable relationship being required in most cases.† Omit with, split the sentence into two, and add, to signal contrast, the conjunction however: â€Å"Requirements concerning the marital status of adopting couples are not uniform. A stable relationship, however, is required in most cases. 2. â€Å"Governance by committee is the norm, with 67 percent of large companies having committees of senior business leaders that oversee and prioritize information-technology investments.† If what follows with is a definition or expansion, use a colon in its place: â€Å"Governance by committee is the norm: 67 percent of large companies have committees of senior business leaders that oversee and prioritize information-technology investments.† 3. â€Å"The debate largely focused on the wisdom of the Iraq invasion with Kerry attacking Bush’s decisions and Bush accusing Kerry of shifting views.† As is, this sentence is clumsily breathless, but rather than simply inserting a missing comma after invasion, try a semicolon instead and delete with: â€Å"The debate largely focused on the wisdom of the Iraq invasion; Kerry attacked Bush’s decisions, and Bush accused Kerry of shifting views.† 4. â€Å"Each year, more than 1 million children are poisoned in their own homes, with thousands receiving permanent or chronic injuries.† Make the sentence a simple compound by replacing with with and, and alter the following subject and verb as necessary: â€Å"Each year, more than 1 million children are poisoned in their own homes, and thousands of them receive permanent or chronic injuries.† 5. â€Å"Most Fortune 500 companies have hundreds of incidents per year, with only a small percentage of those incidents resulting in significant financial loss.† Select, in place of with, another conjunction that is appropriate for the context, and change the form of the subsequent verb: â€Å"Most Fortune 500 companies have hundreds of incidents per year, although only a small percentage of those incidents result in significant financial loss.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Grammar category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:100 Words for Facial ExpressionsLoan, Lend, Loaned, Lent50 Synonyms for â€Å"Villain†

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Contently for Freelancers

Contently for Freelancers A freelancer in one of my online groups posted that he received a $500 writing assignment for a 500-word profile. This assignment fell into his lap because of his Contently profile. Im a firm believer in the not all your eggs in the same basket school of thought. Contently falls into this category. It wont generate enough money to be your sole source of income, but it is an additional money making avenue. Contently (www.contently.com) is a site that connects freelance writers with large corporate clients. Although freelancers cant actively search for work, the pay rates are significant enough to compensate. Most assignments are in the $0.75-$2.00 per word range. Most flat rates range from $200 to $1,500. To create a portfolio, go to Contently.com and create an account. Its free. It will take approximately 15-30 minutes to set up, depending on the number of clips you have to attach. Youll need a current email and at least one URL to a published work. You can also upload documents from your computer. Contently has a tool that will search for other works Leslie, a freelancer in the group, shared that he felt the

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Violence in Modern Drama Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Violence in Modern Drama - Essay Example Both works deal with different forms of racism, hatred and violence. Both the works try to show the futility of violence and hatred. In both the works, the mental turmoil faced by teenage boys due to frustration and confusion is highlighted .In "Master Harold and the Boys"' the cause of the violence is the policy of Apartheid followed by the government of South Africa , which fanned the anger and hatred between the blacks and the whites. In "American History X" written by David McKenna and directed by Tony Kaye, the death of their father who was shot while he was doing his duty as a fireman, turns the sons violent and full of hate for the other races. Athol Fugard has written a semi- autobiographical play in "Master Harold". The entire play takes place in a restaurant, St.George's Tea Room, in Port Elizabeth in South Africa . The year is 1950, when South Africa still followed a policy of apartheid. The play begins when the seventeen year old boy Hally (Harold), who is the son of the owner of the restaurant, comes back from school. Hally treats Sam and Willie, the two black employees as his friends. Sam is his special friend because Sam allows himself to be taught by the boy. Hally's father is an alcoholic and Hally does not like him. In fact, he hopes his father will stay some more days in the hospital where he is admitted. The friendship between Hally who is white and Sam and Willie who are black is quite sincere. Sam had taught the boy how to make a kite and fly it. Making and flying a kite had increased Hally’s self confidence. Hally teaches Sam what he learnt in school, and Sam teaches Hally real life skills, like a father. Sam is an admirable character, who attempts to transcend the hate. He thinks life is like a dance where nobody knows the steps. In the racist environment of South Africa, Hally's role model is Sam, since his own father is not an admirable character. Hally who lacked self confidence, is taught by Sam to make and fly the kite .By the act of flying a kite, Hally gains self confidence. He says, ".I still can't believe my eyes.It was flying.I was so proud of us." (Fugard 1092) In the mid twentieth century, South Africa followed a policy of apartheid which humiliated the blacks. Sam says, referring to a "WHITES ONLY" bench on which Hally was sitting, "I couldn't sit down there and stay with you". (Fugard 1091) Growing up in such an environment, Hally is a confused person. Hally's father who is a cripple and a racist besides being an alcoholic, makes him do horrible tasks like cleaning pot full of phlegm Finally , when Hally hears that his father is returning from the hospital that day, his confusion turns into rage, and he ends by spitting in Sam's face. He forgets all the teachings of Sam to consider life like a dance, and turns violent. The policy of apartheid and his father's blatant racism are too much and they push him towards violence. The film "American History X" also deals with violence caused among young people by hate and intolerance. Written by David McKenna and directed by Tony Kaye, "American HistoryX" is a powerful

Thursday, October 31, 2019

Religious Traditions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Religious Traditions - Essay Example The concept of ‘Divine’ is found in all religions irrespective of whether it represents the sacred or self. They differ in how they conceive their relationship with Divine. Some recommend medication while others believe in individual communication with God. The early Quakers, for example, believed that they can commune with God without any intermediary like a priest as they say that Christ came to the world Himself and therefore each person can experience and respond to the divine and allow the action of the spirit. They consider ‘prayer’ as a means to enter a relationship with beyond. Though they do not have a strict embodiment of the divine and some of them may not even accept a personified divine, they might be in awe of the universe or identify themselves with someone in great hardship or relish the laughter of a baby and these actions are interpreted as their efforts to connect with the beyond. What they look for is the wisdom, guidance, and inspiration of the spirit or divine within and without (McBee, 2010).Hinduism has many Gods and Goddesses who are timeless and are unrestricted by space. â€Å"The divine is not only beyond gender and name, but also beyond number, has resulted in its manifestation in many shapes and forms† (Cline, 2010). Despite the numerous gods personified in the religion, the divine is the omnipresent universal soul. This can be found in all the natural elements. The followers are considered devotees and worship their favorite deity in a holy shrine or in a temple with or without the help of a priest.

Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Human-Computer Interaction Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Human-Computer Interaction - Research Paper Example Back in the 80’s, when human-computer interfaces were born, the factors of ergonomics and user-friendly design were mostly ignored, which led to dissatisfied users and threatened the life of the interface. But as the computer software and hardware industry developed, so did the methods of evaluation of these products. The development and innovation in computer systems, may it be software or hardware, requires constant usability testing and interface modifications. This technique is used to evaluation a product by testing it on users. This is inarguably an irreplaceable testing practice since it gives a direct input on how users use the system (Nielsen, J.,1994). These modifications need to take place constantly thorough the development cycle of a particular software or hardware. Various methods can be employed in order to test and evaluate a particular computer interface in development. . A. USER-BASED TECHNIQUES An array of techniques is available for evaluating the usability of a particular interface. Overall, these techniques can be classified in the following categories: 1. User-Based The user-based method, as the name implies, takes real users as a testing medium. This method yields the most reliable and valid results as it directly analysis the feedback from the user. In this technique, a group of users are provided with the test interface in a defined environment or out in the field. They interaction with the interface is closely observed with emphasis on how they use that particular software or hardware to complete their task. Speed is also one of the primary gauges. After the task is complete, users are then interviewed and are asked to describe their own experience and perception of the interface. Thus, using this data and feedback, the interface can be further improved which will eventually improve the satisfaction level of the user. The user-based evaluation procedure is usually video recorded and analyzed later. However, this evaluation can also be in the form of a joint interaction between the user, the evaluator and the interface under evaluation. This enables the evaluator to get a more hands-on feedback from the user. Ideally, a large group of users would provide a more concrete feedback, but this is not always logistically possible. As a result, there is a considerable interest among HCI professionals in how to get the best feedback from the smallest focus group. While popular myths exist about being able to determine a majority of problems with only 2 or 3 users, it is believed that a sample size requirement is largely dependent on the type of errors one seeks to identify and their relative probability of occurrence. Whereas 3 users might identify many problems in a new application, substantially more users will be required to tease out the remaining problems in a mature or revised product (Lewis 1994). 2. Expert-Based Once again, as the name suggests, an expert-based evaluation is when an HCI expert evaluates th e application in order to determine and forecast its usability in the hands of the user. Obviously, this method is far more cost efficient and quick as compared to the user-based evaluation as it does not involve hiring a focus group and then analyzing their feedback. In HCI, two common expert-based usability evaluation methods are Heuristic evaluation (e.g., Nielsen, 1994), and Cognitive Walkthrough (Wharton et al, 1994). In the Heuristic method, the evaluator is provided with a simple checklist made according to a set guideline which he uses to evaluate the application step by step. Any incompliancy of the application with respect to the list is treated as a problem. In the Cognitive Walkthr

Sunday, October 27, 2019

Stakeholder And Issues Management Approaches Management Essay

Stakeholder And Issues Management Approaches Management Essay The stakeholder management approach is a response to the growth and complexity of contemporary organizations and the need to understand how they operate with their stakeholders and stockholders. Underlying the stakeholder management approach is the ethical imperative that mandates businesses in their fiduciary relationships to their stockholders and shareholders to: 1) act in the best interests of and for the benefit of their customers, employees, suppliers, and stockholders; and 2) respect and fulfill these stakeholders rights. The ethical dimension of this approach is based on the view that profit maximization is constrained by justice, that regard for individual rights should be extended to all constituencies of business that have a stake in the affairs of business, and that organizations do act in socially responsible ways not only because it is the right thing to do, but also to ensure their legitimacy. A. The Outsourcing Debate 1. Competing stakeholder claims become heated when executives must choose between profit and the welfare of some or all stakeholders. 2. Conflicting studies report that, on one hand, every dollar of corporate spending shifted offshore generates $1.13 in new wealth for Americas economy and, on the other hand, U.S. workers may lose $120 billion in wages to outsourcing by 2015. Arguments against outsourcing of jobs and work include: Jobs are not presently being created in the private sector, which has not happened before in U.S. history. The U.S. trade deficit continues to escalate, with no trade surplus in the United States for more than 20 years. At least three million jobs have been lost over the last three years, with no end in sight. The job loss is not only at lower levels, but also at middle and administrative levels. Local communities and states depend on individual and corporate taxes to survive. Massive outsourcing threatens the American middle class as well as local communities. 3. In a pluralistic society, corporate leaders need a method that helps them understand and keep score on each of their stakeholders strategies, ethics, and power relationships. 2.2 Stakeholder Management Approach Defined The stakeholder approach argues that ethical principles can result in significant competitive advantage, and provides a framework that enables users to map and, ideally, manage corporation relationships (present and potential) with groups to reach win-win collaborative outcomes. A stakeholder approach does not have to result from a crisis or controversial situation nor is it limited in its use to large enterprises. It can also be used as a planning method to anticipate and facilitate business decisions, events, and policy outcomes. A. Stakeholders 1. A stakeholder is any individual or group who can affect or is affected by the actions, decisions, policies, practices, or goals of the organization. The focal stakeholder is the company or group that is the center or focus of an analysis. Primary stakeholders include owners, customers, employees, suppliers, stockholders and the board of directors. Secondary stakeholders include all other interested groups, such as the media, consumers, lobbyists, courts, governments, competitors, the public, and society. B. Stakes 1. A stake is any interest, share, or claim that a group or individual has in the outcome of a corporations policies, procedures, or actions toward others. 2.3 How to Execute a Stakeholder Analysis The stakeholder analysis is a pragmatic way of identifying and understanding multiple (often competing) claims of many constituencies. A. Taking a Third-Party Objective Observer Perspective 1. Taking a third-party objective observer perspective while doing the stakeholder analysis in the following section helps students see all sides of an issue and then objectively evaluate the claims, actions, and outcomes of all parties. B. Role of the CEO in Stakeholder Analysis 1. The stakeholder analysis is a series of seven steps aimed at the following tasks (Frederick et al, 1988): Step 1: Map Stakeholder Relationships Figure 2.2 shows a general picture of an initial stakeholder map. The following five questions, in particular, offer a quick jump start on the analysis: Who are our stakeholders currently? Who are our potential stakeholders? How does each stakeholder affect us? How do we affect each stakeholder? For each division and business, who are the stakeholders? Step 2: Map Stakeholder Coalitions. Determine and map any coalitions that have formed. Coalitions among and between stakeholders form around issues and stakes that they have or seek to have in common. Step 3: Assess the Nature of Each Stakeholders Interest Along with Step 4, this step helps in assessing the nature of each stakeholders power by identifying the interests of various stakeholders as supportive, nonsupportive, mixed blessing, or marginal. Step 4: Assess the Nature of Each Stakeholders Power. This part of the analysis asks, Whats in it for each stakeholder? and Who stands to win, lose, or draw over certain stakes? Three types of especially useful stakeholders are those with voting power, political power, and economic power (Freeman, 1984). Step 5: Identify Stakeholder Ethics and Moral Responsibilities Determine the ethics, responsibilities, and moral obligations your company has to each stakeholder. Figure 2.3 shows a matrix of stakeholder responsibilities. This part of the analysis should continue until you have completed matching the economic, legal, ethical, and voluntary responsibilities for each stakeholder, so that you can develop strategies toward each stakeholder you have identified. Step 6: Develop Specific Strategies and Tactics. First, consider whether to approach each stakeholder directly or indirectly. Second, decide whether to do nothing, monitor, or take an offensive or defensive position with certain stakeholders. Third, determine whether to accommodate, negotiate, manipulate, resist, avoid, or wait and see with specific stakeholders. Finally, decide what combination of strategies you want to employ. Figure 2.4 provides a useful typology for both identifying and deciding strategies to employ in a complex situation, based on potential for threat and potential for cooperation. Figure 2.5 presents an illustration of the typology in Figure 2.7, using the Microsoft case as an example. While developing specific strategies, it is important to keep the following points in mind if you are the focal stakeholder: Your goal is to create a win-win set of outcomes, if possible. Keep your mission and responsibilities in mind as you move forward. Consider what the probably consequences of your actions will be. Keep in mind that the means you use are important as the ends you seek. Step 7: Monitor Shifting Coalitions Because time and events can change the stakes and stakeholders, it is important to monitor the evolution of the issues and actions of the stakeholders, using Figure 2.4. C. Summary of Stakeholder Analysis 1. The stakeholder approach should involve other decision makers inside and outside the focal organization. 2. The stakeholder analysis provides a rational systematic basis for understanding issues involved in complex relationships between an organization and its constituencies. 3. The extent to which the resultant strategies and outcomes are moral and are effective for a firm and its stakeholders depends on many factors, including the values of the firms leaders, the stakeholders power, the legitimacy of the actions, the use of available resources, and the exigencies of the changing environment. 2.4 Negotiation Methods: Resolving Stakeholder Disputes Disputes are part of stakeholder relationships. They occur between different stakeholder levels: e.g. between professionals within an organization; consumers and companies; business to business (B2B); governments and businesses; and among coalitions and businesses. A. Stakeholder Dispute Resolution Methods 1. Dispute resolution is an expertise known as alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Its techniques cover a variety of methods intended to help litigants resolve conflicts (see Figure 2.6). 2. Integrative approaches are characterized as follows: Problems are seen as having more potential solutions than are immediately obvious. Resources are seen as expandable; the goal is to expand the pie before dividing it. Parties attempting to create more potential solutions and processes are thus said to be value creating. Parties attempting to accommodate as many interests of each of the parties as possible. The so-called win-win or all gain approach. 3. Distributive approaches have the following characteristics: Problems are seen as zero sum. Resources are imagined as fixed: divide the pie. Value claiming. Haggling or splitting the difference. 4. Relational approaches consider power, interests, rights, and ethics, and are based on: Relationship building. Narrative, deliberative, and other dialogical (i.e. dialogue-based) approaches to negotiation and mediation. Restorative justice and reconciliation (i.e., approaches that respect the dignity of every person, build understanding, and provide opportunities for victims to obtain restoration and for offenders to take responsibility for their actions). Other transformative approaches to peacebuilding. 5. Four principles of negotiation used in almost any type of dispute include: Separate the people from the problem. Focus on the interests rather than positions. Generate a variety of options before settling on an agreement. Insist that the agreement be based on objective criteria. 2.5 Stakeholder Approach and Ethical Reasoning The stakeholder analysis requires the focal or principal stakeholders to define and fulfill their ethical obligations to the affected constituencies. Chapter 3 explains major ethical principles that can be used to examine individual motivation for resolving an ethical dilemma, including rights, justice, utilitarianism, relativism, and universalism. 2.6 Moral Responsibilities of Cross-Functional Area Professionals One goal of a stakeholder analysis is to encourage and prepare organizational managers to articulate their own moral responsibility, as well as the responsibilities of their company and their profession, toward their different constituencies. With the Internet, the transparency of all organizational actors and internal stakeholders increases the risk and stakes of unethical practices. Figure 2.7 illustrates a managers stakeholders. A. Marketing and Sales Professionals and Managers as Stakeholders 1. Sales professionals and managers are continuously engaged-electronically and/or face-to-face-with customers, suppliers, and vendors. 2. Moral dilemmas can arise for marketing managers who may be asked to promote unsafe products or implement advertising campaigns that are untrue or not in the consumers best interests. 3. The stakeholder analysis helps marketing managers in morally questionable situations in terms of identifying stakeholders and understanding the effects and consequences of profits and services on them. B. RD Engineering Professionals and Managers as Stakeholders 1. RD managers and engineers are responsible for the safety and reliability of product design. RD managers must work and communicate effectively and conscientiously with professionals in manufacturing, marketing, and information systems; senior managers; contractors; and government representatives, to name a few stakeholders. 2. Moral dilemmas can arise for RD engineers whose technical judgment and risk assessments conflict with administrative managers seeking profit and time- to-market deadlines. C. Public Relations Managers as Stakeholders 1. Public relations (PR) managers must constantly interact with outside groups and corporate executives, especially in an age when communications media, external relations, and public scrutiny play such vital roles. 2. PR managers are responsible for transmitting, receiving, and interpreting information on employees, products, services, and the company. 3. Moral dilemmas can arise when PR managers must defend or protect company actions that have possible or known harmful effects on the public or stakeholders. D. Human Resource Managers as Stakeholders 1. Human resource managers (HRMs) are on the front line of helping other managers recruit, hire, fire, promote, evaluate, reward, discipline, transfer, and counsel employees. HRM professionals stakeholders include but are not limited to employees, other managers and bosses, unions, community groups, government employees, lobbyists, and competitors. 2. Human resource managers face constant ethical pressures and uncertainties over issues about invasion of privacy and violations of employees rights. 3. Moral dilemmas can arise when affirmative action policies are threatened in favor of corporate decisions to hide biases or protect profits. HRM professionals also straddle the often-fine line between the individual rights of employees and corporate self-interests. E. Summary of Managerial Moral Responsibilities 1. Expert and functional area managers are confronted with balancing operational profit goals with corporate moral obligations toward stakeholders. Using a stakeholder analysis helps clarify the issues involved in resolving ethical dilemmas. 2.7 Issues Management, Stakeholder Approach, and Ethics: Integrating Frameworks Issues management methods complement the stakeholder management approach. Issues management is also a formal process used to anticipate and take appropriate action to respond to emerging trends, concerns, or issues that can affect an organization and its stakeholders. A. What is a Public Issue? Many national and international business-related controversies develop around the exposure of a single issue that evolves into more serious and costly issues. Stakeholder and issues management frameworks can be used to understand the evolution of these issues in order to responsibly manage or change their effects. B. Other Public Issues There are other types of public issues from the external environment that involve different companies and industries. For example the issue of obesity has become prominent. Another issue that affects numerous stakeholders is drivers who drink. C. Stakeholder and Issues Management: Connecting the Dots 1. Issues and stakeholder management are used interchangeably by scholars and corporate practitioners. The process begins by analyzing and then framing which issues are the most urgent and have (or may have) the greatest impact on the organization. 2. Stakeholder analysis questions help connect the dots in understanding and closing the gaps of issues management. D. Moral Dimensions of Stakeholder and Issues Management 1. Ethical reasoning and behavior are an important part of managing stakeholders and issues because ethics is the energy that motivates people to respond to issues. When ethical motives are absent from leaders and professionals thinking and feeling, activities occur that cost all stakeholders. E. Introduction to Three Issue Management Frameworks 1. This section presents three general issues frameworks for mapping and managing issues before and after they become crises, all of which can be used with the stakeholder management approach. F. First Approach: 6-Step Issue Management Process 1. The process involves the following steps, illustrated in Figure 2.8: Environmental scanning and issues identification. Issues analysis. Issues ranking and prioritizing. Issues resolution strategizing. Issues response and implementation. Issues evaluation and monitoring. 2. These steps are part of a firms corporate planning process. This framework is a basic approach for proactively mapping, strategizing, and responding to issues that affect an organization. G. Second Approach: 7-Phase Issue Development Process (Figure 2.9) 1. Issues are believed to follow a developmental life cycle. Views differ on the stages and time involved in the life cycle. A felt need arises. Media coverage is developed. Interest group development gains momentum and grows. Policies are adopted by leading political jurisdictions. The federal government gives attention to the issue. Issues and policies evolve into legislation and regulation. Issues and policies enter litigation. H. 4-Stage Issue Life Cycle 1. Thomas Marx observed that issues evolve from social expectations to social control through the following steps: Social expectations. Political issues. Legislation. Social control. 2.8 Managing Crises Crisis management methods evolved from the study of how corporations and leaders responded (and should have responded) to crises. Crises, from a corporations point of view, can deteriorate if the situation escalates in intensity, comes under close governmental scrutiny, interferes with normal operations, jeopardizes the positive image of the company or its officers, and damages a firms bottom line. A. First Approach: Precrisis through Resolution (figure 2.11) 1. According to this model, a crisis consists of four stages: Prodromal (precrisis) warning symptoms. Acute damage done, point of no return. Chronic recover, self-analysis, self-doubt, healing. Resolution return to normalcy, the goal of crisis management. B. How Executives Have Responded to Crises 1. Matthews, Goodpaster, and Nash have suggested five phases of corporate social response to crises related to product crisis management, based on their study of how corporations have responded to serious crises. The phases, illustrated in Figure 2.12, are: Reaction lack of complete information, lack of time to analyze the event thoroughly. Defense overwhelmed by public attention, recoiling under media pressure. Insight stakes are substantial, executives realize and confirm whether company is at fault. Accommodation address public pressure and anxiety. Agency understand causes of safety issue and develop education program for the public. C. Crisis Management Recommendations 1. Corporations can respond more effectively to crises by: Facing the problem and telling the truth. Taking their lumps in one big news story. Recognizing there is no such thing as a secret or private crisis. Staging war games. Using their motto, philosophy, or mission statement to respond to a crisis. Using their closeness to customers and end users for early feedback. 2. The following tactical recommendations are helpful crisis prevention and management techniques: Understand your entire business and dependencies. Carry out a business impact assessment. Complete a 360-degree risk assessment. Develop a feasible, relevant, and attractive response. Plan exercising, maintenance, and auditing. 3. Issues and crisis management methods and preventive techniques are effective in corporations only if: Top management is supportive and participates. Involvement is cross departmental. The issues management unit fits with the firms culture. Output, instead of process, is the focus. Ethical Insight 2.1: Consultants Split On Bridgestones Crisis Management This case study examines how certain crisis management experts viewed the handling of the Bridgestone/Firestone scenario. The experts express their ideas and opinions on the case. questions What, if anything should Mattels CEO have done differently in this scenario/case to have prevented and/or avoided the resulting crisis? Explain. Answer: Students opinions will vary. There were a number of factors at play, many of which were internal to Mattel, but others that were not. The answer should involve a discussion of the stakeholder framework. The stakeholder analysis provides a rational, systematic basis for understanding issues involved in complex relationships between an organization and its constituents. It helps decision makers structure strategic planning sessions and decide how to meet the moral obligations of all stakeholders. The extent to which the resultant strategies and outcomes are moral and are effective for a firm and its stakeholders depends on many factors, including the values of the firms leaders, the stakeholders power, the legitimacy of the actions, the use of available resources, and the exigencies of the changing environment. Briefly describe a situation in which you were a major stakeholder. How was the situation resolved (or not resolved)? What methods were used to resolve the situation? Looking back now, what methods could or should have been used to resolve that situation? For example, what would you now recommend happen to effectively resolve it fairly? Answer: Students responses will vary according to their own experiences. Which of the types of power (described in this chapter) that stakeholders can use have you effectively used in a conflict or disagreement over a complex issue? Briefly explain the outcome and evaluate your use(s) of power. Answer: The students answer will vary. The answer should involve a description of power from the chapter. Three types of power stakeholders can use are (1) voting power, (2) political power, and (3) economic power. For example, owners and stockholders can vote their choices to affect the firms decisions. Federal, state, and local governments can exercise their political power by increasing regulations. Consumers can exercise their economic power by boycotting a firms products. Which roles and responsibilities in this chapter have you assumed in an organization? What pressures did you experience in that role that presented ethical dilemmas or issues for you? Explain. Answer: Students responses will vary according to their own experiences. What are the reasons for encouraging managers to use the stakeholder approach? Would these reasons apply to teams? Answer: Why should individual expert and functional area managers use the stakeholder analysis? First, by thinking in terms of stakeholders, managers can acknowledge and being to change their perceptual biases, blind spots, and harmful activities that affect the firms and their units operations. The analysis allows them to see and perform their roles and moral responsibilities toward external and internal groups. Second, by seeing how managers in a firm handle their complex stakeholder relationships, individual managers can begin to create value and realize corporate moral and legal obligations toward stakeholders. Third, the basis for increasing the quality of cross-functional communication and integration can be developed. The process and results of the stakeholder analysis can provide a platform for opening corporate communication channels to discuss stressful, unrealistic, or immoral expectations, problems, and pressures that often lead to illegal and unethical activities, such a s creating faulty products, price-fixing, cheating, and lying. Finally, by identifying specific stakeholders responsibilities, expert area managers can begin to see common patterns of pressures, resources, and ethical issues across the firm. An enterprises moral identity and mission can be identified or reinforced. Moreover, managers can begin to think ahead and operate with moral responsibility as they perform their work. These underlying concepts can apply to any group, team, or area managers for doing stakeholder analysis. Give a recent example of a corporation that had to publicly manage a crisis. Did the company spokesperson respond effectively to stakeholders regarding the crisis? What should the company have done differently in its handling of the crisis? Answer: Students responses will vary according to their own awareness of recent corporate public confidence issues. Some suggested examples include: Texaco ¾racial discrimination Mitsubishi ¾sexual harassment Archer-Daniels-Midland Company ¾price fixing Reynolds Tobacco ¾controversy regarding health problems of smoking Enron, WorldCom ¾accounting fraud Arthur Anderson ¾ineffective auditing procedures Political Parties ¾campaign financing/fundraising Describe how you would feel and what actions you would take if you worked in a company and saw a potential crisis emerging at the prodromal or precrisis stage. What would you say, to whom, and why? Answer: Students responses will vary according to their own experiences. Using Figure 2.4, identify a complex issue-related controversy or situation in which you, as a stakeholder, were persuaded to move from one position (cell) to another and why e.g., from nonsupportive to supportive, or from mixed blessing to marginal. Explain why you moved and what the outcome was. Answer: Students responses will vary according to their own experiences. Argue both the pros and cons of stakeholder theory, using some of the arguments in the chapter, as well as your own. What is your evaluation of the usefulness of stakeholder theory and methods in understanding and analyzing complex issues? Answer: Students responses will vary according to their own experiences. They should include in their answer pros and cons from the chapter. Cons: (1) negates and weakens fiduciary duties managers owe to stockholders; (2) weakens the influence and power of stakeholder groups; (3) weakens the firm; and (4) changes the long-term character of the capitalist system. Pros: (1) The approach provides an analytical method for determining how various constituencies affect and are affected by business activities. (2) It also provides a means for assessing the power, legitimacy, and moral responsibility of managers strategies in terms of how they meet the needs and obligations of stakeholders. exercises (Responses to the following exercises will vary with students experiences and views. However, sample responses are provided as suggestions where possible.) Describe a situation in which you were a stakeholder. What was the issue? What were your stakes? Who were the other stakeholders? What was the outcome? Did you have a win-win resolution? If not, who won, who lost, and why? Answer: A local department store had a policy that merchandise must be returned within 30 days of purchase for a cash refund. As a customer of this department store, I had purchased an item as a gift for a friends wedding. The wedding was canceled, and I went to the store to return the item I had purchased. I had my receipt and the item had not been opened. The date on the receipt showed I had purchased the item 34 days earlier. The clerk at the returns desk refused to accept the return due to the fact that the purchase was made more than 30 days ago. Given the reason for the purchase and return, I felt that this was unreasonable and requested to speak to the manager. After careful consideration and much argument, the manager agreed to accept the return, but only as an in-store exchange credit. Due to the hassles involved, both parties came away as losers. As a customer, I was not totally satisfied and will most likely take my business to another store with a more liberal and persona lized refund policy. The manager lost due to having to argue with me and this resulted in the loss of my business. Recall your personal work history. Who were your managers most important stakeholders? What, in general, were your managers major stakes in his or her particular position? Answer: In almost every business circumstance, the managers most important stakeholder has been the customer. The line most often heard was The customer is always right. It makes sense for the customer to be the most important stakeholder, because without the customer no other stakeholders would exist. If the customers are not satisfied, then they conduct their business elsewhere and the company ceases to exist. In your company or one in which you have worked, what is the industry? The major external environments? Your product or service? Describe the major influences of each environment on your company (for example, on its competitiveness and ability to survive). Evaluate how well your company is managing its environments strategically, operationally, and technologically, as well as in relation to new products and public reputation. Answer: ABC Consulting and Accounting, Inc. The industry of business consulting and accounting. The environments that most often accompany the consulting and accounting firms are economic, legal, and government/regulatory. The service provided by ABC consists of all accounting functions ¾bookkeeping, financial statement preparation, tax preparation, auditing, etc. The consulting services provided consist of reorganization, cost analysis, tax planning, capital investment planning, budgeting, etc. Potential stakeholders are government regulatory agencies-FASB, GAAP-as well as the stockholders of the business customers, their customers, their employees, etc. Each stakeholder affects ABC by either limiting what can be done in regards to reorganizing or analyzing the strengths and weaknesses of the firms that are our customers, or by the way that the accounting records are kept and reported. We affect our stakeholders by providing the service that they requested to the best of our ability. Choose one type of functional area manager described in the chapter. Describe a dilemma involving this manager, taken from a recent media report. Discuss how a stakeholder analysis could have helped or would help that manager work effectively with stakeholders. Answer: Regarding th