Introduction to Qualitative Research

Qualitative research is one of the ways doing research that involves only looking at the quality and not having any results that are quantifiable. This means that the conclusions that are made from a qualitative research are usually based on the secondary research, that is, other researches and conversations have to say. Qualitative research deals with either going through older researches that have already taken place and then using them as a support for taking interviews and focus groups of people or the target market that the research is looking for. This is the main objective of any qualitative research.â€Å"Qualitative is one of the two major approaches to research methodology in social sciences. Qualitative research involves an in-depth understanding of human behaviour and the reasons that govern human behaviour. Unlike quantitative research, qualitative research relies on reasons behind various aspects of behaviour. † (Wikipedia, 2007 ) Introduction to the Research The research that has been picked up for criticism is that which was done by a student on the garment industry in the subcontinent. There are a number of problems that are faced in this industry and there is not a lot that if happening from the WTO side.This is what the research carries further. Criticizing a Research Firstly, looking at the introduction of the paper, it does not explain the garment industry completely. The paper begins with a lot of numbers being thrown such as the garment number in the United States of America. Whenever, a research is conducted it is necessary that the researcher ensure that the secondary research be comparable to that of the research that is being conducted. If the research is being conducted about the subcontinent then there is a need that the garment industry of another developing country be analyzed rather than that of a developed country.The researcher must be careful when choosing such secondary data because it could be damaging to the results of the research. Another problem with the research’s introduction is that the explanation is too brief. The introduction is supposed to do a complete overview of the industry at to what the major products are and what are the current problems in this industry. Yet another point is that at this stage, the researcher should have provided some numbers of the subcontinent in a valid format so that the reader would have a better idea of the situation in the garment sector.The researcher is not going with a flow. There is a need to take up a complete flow of the information and ensure that there are no dead ends to the text. The last sentence of the research does not go with the entire introduction and it seems too abrupt and a lot of rephrasing is required. The next section of the research is the introduction of the WTO. According to a reader’s understanding, the introduction of the WTO should have come before that of the garment industry because the WTO would then be relat ed in the introduction of the industry, which has not been done.The introduction of the WTO is not a complete flow of statements but is rather just a list of the events that had occurred for WTO. The researcher should have taken out time to phrase the numbers and the events into statements so that the reader would be able to make sense of the format of the paper. There are a number of abbreviations that have been provided in the research but there is no glossary at the end of the research that explains what each abbreviation means. There are also no definitions of the operational terms that have been used throughout the research.The paper then goes about discussing the problems in the garment industry. There is no flow of the information and there is a lot of abruptness in the paper. Any reader will not understand what the research is about which also leads to another point. Any research always has an executive summary attached in the beginning of the paper so that the reader can ha ve a quick preview of the contents of the paper, also by looking at the table of contents, and understand the matter of the paper, whether it is worth reading or not.This is exactly what this researcher must also have done when he / she must have looked for articles. It is impossible going through the main matter of all the researches that a researcher would include in the secondary data. At first the researcher will look for understanding the article’s overview and then consider it as a source of data. To help guide the reader throughout the research, the researcher should have provided a clear summary of all the terms that are being used in the paper along with a few major points of the research as to what is being evaluated.There is no clear indication of what the research aims to look for. â€Å"Simply put, it investigates the why and how of decision making, as compared to what, where, and when of quantitative research. Hence, the need is for smaller but focused samples rather than large random samples. From which, qualitative research categorizes data into patterns as the primary basis for organizing and reporting results. † (Wikipedia, 2007 ) The researcher has then gone into providing recommendations and solutions to the two problems that were identified in the research.The solutions have been described very technically with a lot of understanding and analysis and it seems that the researcher knows what is being talked about. However, there is still some discrepancy on the sentence phrasing. The researcher has concentrated upon the branding side of the garment industry and there are a number of terms that are used here as well. However, there is a need to note that the researcher did not help the reader understand the whole situation first before providing the recommendations. The reader must know what the situation is like and what has currently been done for such industries that are not flourishing.There are a number of problems with the way the research is carrying forward because a reader would be unable to follow the whole idea and analyze it. The researcher has provided a lot of insight into the research such as the different options that are available to the industry to take control of such as branding themselves so that there would be a lesser possibility of competition from the foreign brands that have taken over such as Nike. The suggestions have proved to be quite helpful but then there is the problem of the researcher jumping from one section of the paper to another.There is a lot to provide to the reader and it seems like the researcher was unable to put it in a logical manner. Arranging information in a logical manner is a very important part of research because there is a lot of text that is going about and there is a need to keep the reader on track and help him / her understand every bit of the research. There is a requirement to follow these guidelines so that the research can be deemed helpful and successful and help in future researches on the same topic if there is any.The next thing that the researcher has jumped to is the external analysis of the industry. This should have been done before the whole introduction to the problems because there are a number of readers who would not have an idea of the factors that may affect the garment industry. The same problem occurs when the researcher is talking about the value chain analysis and this is why there could be a lot of problems with the technique that the researcher has used for placing the information. There is a need for the researcher to have a second look at the stream of information being provided.At the end of the paper, there is a description of a store that is currently selling clothes in the subcontinent and has been very successful because it deals with a brand and this is why the company is also facing a lot of brand equity. The conclusion of the paper was not available and hence, there is nothing that could have been drawn from the whole paper that was read. There was also no referencing that was done at the end of the paper. Such a violation would cause plagiarism which is not considered as lawful. References Wikipedia. (2007). Qualitative Method. Retrieved on May 10, 2007 from: http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Qualitative_method

Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 20th Century

In the 20th century, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the president of the United States that shaped the American Empire. He was a charismatic optimist whose confidence helped sustain the nation during crisis like the Great Depression and World War II. He received overwhelming support from his citizens throughout his four terms in office. President Roosevelt began a new era in American history. Despite an attack of poliomyelitis, which paralyzed his legs in 1921, he established social reforms that gave people a new perspective on government. Government was not only expected to protect the people from foreign invaders, but to protect against poverty and unemployment. Roosevelt had also shown his military and diplomatic skill as the Commander in Chief during World War II. Born in 1882 in Hide Park N. Y, he was raised in a high class family, graduated from Harvard University and received his law degree from Columbia Law School. At age 23 he married Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, niece of President Theodore Roosevelt. Even though coming from a privileged childhood, Roosevelt was close to the simple citizen†s aspirations. His New Deal program gave jobs for the workers and his wartime policies protected democracy. In 1932, F. D. R took the Democratic presidential nomination on the fourth ballot with John Nance Garner of Texas as his Vice Presidential running mate. Although there was rough competition during the choosing process, most party leaders were happy with the Roosevelt choice. It would help pull votes from the urban-Eastern region of the country. During the November campaign against Hoover, Roosevelt suggested a few parts of the â€Å"New Deal†. He spoke of relief and public works money. He wanted to develop a plan to cut agricultural overproduction. He was for public power, conservation and unemployment insurance. The repeal of prohibition and stock exchange regulation were also big items on his platform. But he mentioned little about his plans for industrial recovery or labor laws. As much foreign policy experience as he had, he talked very little of it during the campaign. When it came to election day, Roosevelt was the only viable alternative to Hoover, who many blamed for the Great Depression, although critics argue that it was the presidents preceding the Hoover administration. Roosevelt's second election was in 1936. As expected, Roosevelt won by a landslide. This reflected the nation's confidence in the man and his leadership ability. However, the nation still had a long way to go. After another over-all successful term, Roosevelt ran again in 1940. The Republicans based their campaign on the tradition that no President had ever gone for a third term in succession. To counter this, Roosevelt put the spotlight on his administration's achievements. Because of the risky situation abroad, many felt that Roosevelt's expertise was needed if war occurred. The election results against Wendell Willkie were closer than the previous two times. Much of this feeling was based on the idea that it would be a bad thing for the country to change leadership in the middle of the war. Many of the president's advisors felt he would not live through a fourth term, considering his hypertension, and cardiac failure. Because of his condition, the Vice President nomination for the 1944 election was of utmost importance. Roosevelt was persuaded to drop Henry Wallace, whom many regarded as too liberal and emotionally unsuited to be president. Harry Truman of Missouri was chosen to fill the spot. Again, the Republicans argument was term length. No President should serve for 16 years, they declared. The opposing argument by the Democrats was that no country should â€Å"change horses in mid-stream†. The election outcome was even slimmer this time, but Roosevelt still captured a hearty vote. By the time Roosevelt was inaugurated on March 4, 1933, the economic situation was desperate. Between 13 and 15 million Americans were unemployed. Of these, between 1 and 2 million people were wandering about the country looking for jobs. Thousands lived in cardboard shacks called â€Å"hoovervilles†. Panic-stricken people hoping to rescue their deposits had forced 38 states to close their banks. The Depression hit all levels of the social scale, heads of corporations and Wall Street bankers were left begging on the street. Roosevelt's action would be two parted: restore confidence and rebuild the economic and social structure. In one of his addresses, he pushed confidence with his statement, â€Å"the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself† . One of his first steps was to take action upon the bank problem. Because of the Depression, people rushed to the banks to pull their deposits out in return for paper cash and gold. On March 6, 1933, Roosevelt declared a bank holiday that lasted four days. All banks in the nation were closed until the Department of Treasury could examine each one's fiscal situation. Those that were determined to correct their financial condition were allowed to reopen and those who had been badly operated were not allowed. During the Great Depression, 5,504 banks had closed and deposits of nearly $3. 5 billion dollars were lost. Shortly after the President restored confidence in the banks, what is now known as the â€Å"100 days† began on March 9 and ended on June 16, 1933. Franklin Delano Roosevelt began to submit recovery and reform laws for congressional approval. Congress passed nearly all the important bills that he requested, most of them by large majorities. The fact that there was a Democratic Party majority in both houses helped speed things along. What emerged from these100 days was a 3-fold focus, Relief-Recovery-Reform. One of the relief actions was known as the Emergency Relief Act. This established the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) that pushed an appropriation of $500 million to be spent immediately for quick relief. Moreover, the Reforestation Act of 1933 helped stop and repair some of the environmental damage that had occurred as a result of the industrial revolution. More importantly, he created the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which eventually employed more than 2,5 million men at various camps. Projects included reforestation, road construction, soil erosion and flood control as well as national park development. The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) was designed to raise crop prices and raise the standard of living for American farmers. Production was cut to increase demand, therefore raising the price. It also gave the president the power to inflate the currency by devaluating its gold content and issue about $3 billion in paper currency. The United States Supreme Court later struck down the AAA as unconstitutional. Another recovery measure was the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA). It was designed to balance the interests of business and labor and consumers/workers and to reduce unemployment. This act set codes of anti-trust laws and fair competition, as well as setting a new standard: minimum wage. A new idea came about in those 100 days, it was known as the federal corporation. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was the first agency to work much like a private enterprise. The goal of the TVA was to reform one of the poorest parts of the country, the Tennessee River Valley. The TVA was responsible for the construction and management of power plants, dams, electricity, flood control systems and the development of navigation systems. After the initial 100 days, reform continued throughout the first term of the Roosevelt Administration. In Roosevelt's annual address to Congress on January 4, 1935, he outlined phase two of the New Deal, whose main component would be the establishment of the modern welfare system. The federal government would withdraw from the direct relief, leaving it up to state and local governments. This would include social security for the aged, unemployed and ill. Moreover, the farmers were aided by the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). Its goals were to provide electricity to isolated areas where private utility companies did not see it profitable to run lines and set up service. The year of 1935 brought with it numerous reform efforts. These were the final efforts of the New Deal before the nation geared up for war. Included in this was the National Labor Relations Act, whose most important function was to set up the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which monitored corporations to ensure worker rights and safety. One of the most important and lasting effects of the Roosevelt Administration was his push for the Social Security Act. This was an innovative plan that was supposed to lead to a nation-wide retirement system. Finally, a Revenue Act of 1935 capped off the New Deal with a tax on the rich, and a tax break on the middle class citizens. The Supreme Court was fairly conservative, and attempted to shoot holes in many of Roosevelt's New Deal programs. The Supreme Court even went as far as to strike the entire AAA program down, claiming that it violated state's rights. FDR was infuriated at the actions of the Court. He thought of them as nine old men who were living in days gone by, far too conservative to see the economic and social needs of today. He soon began to plan retribution, however in secrecy. He called upon his staff to write up the Judicial Reform Act of 1937. Essentially, this document alleged that the Judicial Branch of the federal government was overwhelmed. His answer to solve the dilemma was to use his executive power of appointment and place more Justices on the Court. Another section of the Act suggested that at age 70, each Justice would be supplemented with an additional Justice. This meant up to 15 Supreme Court Justices serving at one time. Roosevelt hoped to load the Court with social liberal Democrats who would not oppose his New Deal programs. After a long period of embarrassing debate, the Senate rejected Roosevelt's proposal. This, in turn, caused Roosevelt to reject the Senate. Roosevelt used his diplomatic and military powers in the later part of his administration nearly as much as he used his executive and legislative powers in the first half. At the time Roosevelt took office, the nation was isolationist. When the Great Depression hit in the 1930's, America became even more concerned with its own problems. However, seeing the importance of a global view and seeing the possible impact of World War II, Roosevelt directed the country toward nations abroad. He also withdrew American occupation forces from some Caribbean republics, and settled oil disputes with Mexico. His desire to spread ties across the Western Hemispheres led to trade agreements with Canada and many South American states. Furthermore, Recognition was given to the Soviet government in November of 1933. This was the first attempt at civil relations since the Russian Revolution in 1917. In 1933, for the first time in 16 years, the two nations exchanged representatives. The isolationist school of thought led to the Neutrality Acts of the 1930's. These acts, passed by Congress, prohibited the US from furnishing weapons or supplies to any nation at war. President Roosevelt disliked the fact that these Acts treated all nations the same, whether a country had attacked another or not. Germany†s aggressiveness in 1939 forced Roosevelt to take a tougher stance. On December 11th 1949, the United States declared war to Germany and Italy. With World War II still in progress, the commander in chief was a candidate in the 1944 elections for a fourth time. He won over the Republican Thomas Dewey. The president†s advisors feared that F. D. R might not live through another term. In fact, on April 12 1945, he died of a cerebral hemorrhage at the age of 63. Despite his physical limitations, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a highly popular president. He shaped the value of the free world and guided his citizens through tumultuous years. ‘ ‘Their Children would live to see the causes for which he stood for prosperity, freedom, economic justice and political democracy† . It can be said that President Roosevelt was a ‘ ‘Founding Father† of the American nation, along with all the other greats of Mount Rushmore.

Book Analysis The Male Brain

The Male Brain Similarly to Loan Breezinesss The Female Brain, Lethe Male Brain takes us through the changes throughout the lifetime of a male brain. It breaks down each stage of a males life and takes a look at the happenings of their brains from boyhood, through their teen years, into relationships and children, finally ending with the mature male brain. The Male Brain explains many of the biological reasons, along with the learned reasons behind many of the common traits and behaviors found in males.The focus of this analysis will be on how male brains differ from females, and whether that gives them n advantage or disadvantage in work settings. It will include how the early development of boys brains effects their traits and personalities, how men and women differ when it comes to emotions, and how all of these things contribute to the historical stereotype that men are better leaders than women. As Brazening explained, from a very early age boys are interested in completely different things than girls.Although I dont agree with her idea that boys are programmed to act a certain way, believe that part of their traits belongs to their biological hardwiring and the other are due to their ultra and upbringing. As it says in The Male Brain, at a young age boys are more likely to take risks and break rules. This relates directly with Eagle and Carols Through the Labyrinth when they state women presumably evolved a strong concern with their own personal safety as well as tendencies to be fearful and anxious and to avoid danger and risk. These statements translate very well into the stereotypical man when it comes to his career. While most of the time women are afraid to take risks, as it said in the TED talk Why We Have Too Few Women Leaders, men are willing risk takers which leads to egger paybacks, especially in their careers. Women are also more concerned with how other people f eel and everyone getting along, however beginning when boys are around a year old they begin ignoring their own mothers facial expressions. At this age, the opposite happens in little girls.They read and react to the slightest look of disappointment or anger on their mothers face almost immediately. This could contribute to the fact that when men grow up they are more self-centered and concerned with their own career, while women are worried about how others feel. Referring again to the TED elk View We Have Too Few Women Leaders, they stated that men are more likely to take credit for their own achievements, while women give a lot of credit to those who helped and supported them. This is one of the traits that men have which give them more opportunities to be promoted and join higher ranks in the work force.Another point that Brazening made was that during their younger years, boys are obsessed with and imitate their dads, uncles, or any other male role models that could be considered alpha males. Believe that this obsession with alpha males could lead to the strong drive hat men have to become one, whether it is in the ir home or their workplace. Again, strength and aggression are mentioned a lot. In her book Brazening states, by age two, a boys brain is driving him to establish physical and social dominance. All these traits and behaviors either taught or wired into boys at such a young age, all contribute to their actions and behavior as they grow older and climb the ladders in their careers. The common issue of men accuse women of being too emotional and women accuse men of not being emotional enough is explained very well in the male brain. From personal experience, I have seen relationships not work out just because one person doesnt feel the other is listening, or one doesnt react the way the other was hoping for. After reading this book I realize that all of this due to the fact that men and women process emotions differently.When faced with a problem, a man doesnt respond emotionally, instead his brain looks for a way to solve it. I think Brazening says it best when she states The male brain is a lean, mean, problem-solving machine. Faced with a personal problem, a man will use his analytical brain structures to find a solution. This leads to others getting annoyed by male responses because they feel as if their emotions are not being acknowledged and instead are being given advice and direction that they didnt want to hear. As hurtful as this can be in personal situations, I feel like it could be proven helpful in professional work situations.As it says in Eagle and Carry, women usually respond in a manner that acknowledges others rights and their own rights, giving a more emotional response. Men also react to situations by hiding their emotions. If they are scared or nervous their instincts tell them to mask that ND not show those feelings in their facial expressions. They learn at a young age that acting cool and hiding their fears are the unwritten laws of masculinity. believe that the differences in how men and women react to emotions and how they use their emotions gives men another advantage in the work force.After comparing both The Female Brain and The Male Brain, it has changed my views a little bit about how men are natural leaders. I believe that in our society today men are better suited to handle leadership roles. The use of their aggression and self-preservation is the type of traits that get people far in their careers in our world today. It is more likely that doing whatever it takes is hardwired into a males brain than females. In The Male Brain it says Instinctive male-male competition and hierarchical fighting is driven by both hormones and brain circuits. I interpret this as men having it built into their brains that they need to be the best no matter what. I dont feel like women have the same instincts. Women are more worried about how others feel and their emotions. As it says in Eagle and Carry, Women emerge more often than men as the social facilitators. This means that they trivet to help people get along but dont usually hold much power themselves. I believe that women dont hold as many executive jobs as men because to climb to those roles in todays society require someone who looks out for themselves before others.Another aspect of men fitting the leadership role better is due to the fact that they dont react to emotions as women do. The fact that men try to come up with solutions to problems is ideal for todays work force. The fact that they can pull of an instinctive poker face could also help when it comes to making deals, making tough decisions, ND controlling their emotions. However, I do believe that there are some leadership roles that require more of a womans emotions and consideration.That being said, those leadership roles usually arent what we think of in our society when we think of powerful leaders. All in all, after the comparison of the male and female brain I do believe that males have quite a few biological and cultural traits that give them an advantage over women in the workforce. Its not that I dont believe that women cant be successful, I just believe in order for them to climb the ladder n their careers, especially the corporate one, they need to learn some of the traits that men are born with.Eagle and Carry put it perfectly when they say Changes in the psychology of women and men follow f rom changes in their roles. The early development Of the brains Of boys, the differences in response to emotions between men and women, and the natural leadership qualities that men possess have been giving them an advantage in the work force. However, I feel that as society changes, women will be able to adapt and make more progress and become just as successful in their careers.

Comparison between the benefits of Vegetarian and Meat Diets Essay

Comparison between the benefits of Vegetarian and Meat Diets - Essay Example Plant foods are generally cheaper to obtain compared to animal foods. This is because of the reduced cost of production in plant foods. Going vegetarian can be beneficial for the environment. This is because of the reduced and none toxic waste associated with processing plant foods. According to Jaminet et.al; â€Å"†¦.vegetarian diets ensure vitality† (p.12). There are also aesthetic benefits associated with an all plant diet like better breath. DisadvantagesStrict vegetarians risk suffering from a deficiency of some essential nutrients like Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, and Iron. Vitamin B12 and D, for example, are only found in animal products. There are questions about the bioavailability of the B12 in algae. Strict vegetarians, therefore, require supplementation to meet their body needs. The iron in plants is not easily absorbed because of the presence of anti-nutrients that bind iron. Therefore, a vegan needs to take plants rich in iron combined with those rich in vitamin C to counter this effect. Access to complete proteins may be limited in plant based diets. A complete protein is one which contains all the essential amino acids that are not produced by the body. It is, therefore, necessary to pair foods together. A meat free diet does not necessarily mean a healthy diet. The elimination of meat does not necessarily mean one has done away with sugar or fat. Few restaurants serve vegetarian dishes which means for one to main tain this lifestyle, they need to be committed and adapt to preparing food for themselves.

Love Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 7

Love - Essay Example It focuses on Clegg’s road towards recovery from cocaine and alcohol at the age of thirty four. Clegg decides to enter an inpatient facility to help him reclaim his career, apartment, his dear cat and a boyfriend to love. His road to recovery is full of pain with little glory. The theme of love in the memoir gets portrayed through the support that Clegg receives from the circle of those trying to recover from addiction (Clegg 22). Clegg remembers friends who supported him and saved his life as they tried to relate to him. It is through their encouragement that he never gave up. He explains the friendships he made while on his road to recovery as incomparable to others he had. The friendship he creates is on another level as he gets to share experiences that other people would not understand. Clegg also tells of his story of sobriety so he can get loved by the old and new family he finds (Clegg 48). ‘This is our youth’ is a play by Kenneth Lonergan. The play centers on two friends, Warren and Dennis. Both are college dropouts. Warren shows up at his Dennis’s apartment after having stole fifteen thousand dollars from his dad. Warren gets introduced to the complexities of human relationships about loyalty and betrayal by Dennis and his female companion, Jessica. The play portrays young love by the characters. The theme of love gets depicted by the relationship between Warren and Dennis. Warren hopelessly hero worships Dennis and follows him through the life of the party. Warren hooks up with Jessica while Dennis gets along with Valerie, his girlfriend. The love between the characters is young, free, wild and careless. Jessica and Warren have sex yet they do not have a long standing chemistry. Dennis is rude to her girlfriend on the phone yet he claims to love her. The characters are bound with a love that gets characterized by experimentation with drugs. ‘Sex without love’ is a poem by Sharon Old. In the poem, the poet tries to understand how

Evaluate the effect of mergers in businessin the last ten years Essay

Evaluate the effect of mergers in businessin the last ten years - Essay Example The strength of this trend is shown by the fact that the total dollar value of the mergers in 1997 was about 50 percent higher than those in 1996, itself a record year. Companies are combining to create new entities on a scale larger than anything before, reflecting a growing belief among Government regulators, and many business executives, that big business is not necessarily bad†( LESLIE WAYNE WAVE OF MERGERS IS RECASTING FACE OF BUSINESS IN U.S. Top of Form Most of the mergers in the United States have involved domestic corporations. But there have also been an increasing number of deals between American and overseas companies. And a similar wave of mergers is taking place abroad, with European and Asian companies seeking dominant roles in the global economy â€Å"The EC Merger Regulation and the U.S. Clayton Act, as interpreted and applied, clearly recognize that mergers that place a firm in a position where it can raise price without a sufficient threat from an existing challenger, assuming there are significant barriers to entry, can be anti-competitive. Indeed, the U.S. has been slightly more inclined in recent years to challenge mergers because they "tend to create a monopoly" and therefore produce anti-consumer and anti-competitive unilateral effects than was the case previously†. (Robert Pitofsky(1)Chairman, Federal Trade Commission http://www.ftc.gov/speeches/pitofsky/pitintermergers.shtm) . Mergers and acquisitions are fundamentally dynamic events that may involve significant changes in the business focus of the consolidating institutions. Indeed, when some companies in an industry merge, others come under pressure to do the same to remain competitive. When two companies merged together, their monopoly, their market shar e and the competitive capacity will increase. This will be a headache for the other companies in the same line. They will also think in terms of merging

Work place diversity Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Work place diversity - Research Paper Example Consequently, to become more open to change and innovative, all organizations require diversity. Capitalizing and maximizing on diversity in the workplace has become a significant subject for today’s management (Kelli, et al., 2012). This paper delves into workplace diversity, its importance in creating a productive and healthy work environment, as well as policies and actions for improving the situation. Introduction Workplace diversity is an issue concerning people, which concentrates on the similarities and variations that individuals bring to their place of work. Esty and co-authors (1995) define diversity as recognizing, appreciating, valuing, accepting, and celebrating disparities among individuals with regard to gender, ethnicity, age, mental and physical ability, class, sexual orientation, race, public assistance status, and spiritual practice. Apparently, the broad definition of workplace diversity goes beyond those aspects that are legally stated in affirmative actio n non-discrimination as well as equal opportunity bills. The interpretation of diversity normally incorporates aspects that affect the perspectives and identities that individuals bring for instance geographic location education, profession, and parental status. Diversity as a concept is deemed to include everybody. More often than not, diversity initiatives match non-discrimination conformity programs through the formation of the organizational culture and workplace environment for making disparities work. Diversity is all about the creation of workplace practices and environments that promote learning from other people and capturing the benefit of varied perspectives, it is about respect and dignity for all, and about learning from other individuals who are not the same (Woods, Bormann & Joseph, 2010). Benefits of Diversity in the Workplace Workplace diversity is not only beneficial to employers but it is also beneficial to associates. Even though workplace associates are co-depen dent, respecting differences among persons can boost productivity. Workplace diversity places an organization at a competitive advantage in several ways. To start with, it ensures the retention of business. Esty and co-authors (1995) explain that a good number of organizations tend to be keen on the demographics of institutions/companies with which they do business. Municipal governments and federal agencies particularly have taken the lead in declining prospective clients and suppliers who fail to demonstrate a clear commitment to diversity. A good example is one of the Midwestern cities that declined to purchase computer equipment from a high-tech company whose entire sales team was white. Workplace diversity also brings about increased productivity. As Mor (2006) explains, this is attributable to job satisfaction, which is true in the sense that in such a work place, people feel valued, respected and included, which helps them to stop acting like outsiders thus making productivit y go up. Another competitive advantage of well-managed workplace diversity is increased marketing capabilities. A group of diverse employees is capable of providing insight into the establishment of a wide range of customers. Attracting new customers makes a critical difference between going out of business and survival of a business. Moreover, as markets become more and more differentiated, smaller market segments are imperative (Esty, et al., 1995). A diverse workplace also builds the largest possible pool of talent for recruitment. This is more important especially with the present-time’s increased competition that calls for every organization to hire

Consider the taxation of benefits in kind for employees in the UK, Essay

Consider the taxation of benefits in kind for employees in the UK, should benefits in kind be taxed at all To what extent does - Essay Example This monetary value is included in the total earnings of the employee and then taxed accordingly. There has been a debate whether benefits in kind should be taxed or not. Taxing such benefits is essential because employees cannot be allowed to have numerous benefits but low salaries so that they are taxed less. However, the same can prove to be very unfair when an employee is provided with a one-time benefit in kind and he has to pay too much tax as a result. Another problem arises when an employee is provided with a benefit in kind which is clearly of a great value but is not taxed u/s 62 because it cannot be converted into something having monetary value. Valuation can be very tricky for some articles and it can end up relieving the employee of tax liability for the benefit hence giving him an unfair advantage. There have been numerous cases which had to be settled in court due to the confusion of valuation. The courts have a history of deciding theses cases while remaining within the confines of S 62. This section seems inadequate and unfair on occasions where an accommodation can go untaxed but a mere provision of a suit is taxed because one can be valued and the other cannot. In order to be fair, the valuation system is required to be adequate and broader in scope. Another problem is that the benefit code does not apply to lower paid employees. The lower paid employees are defined in such a way that can include those employees who are not actually lower paid. According to S 217(1), a lower paid employee is one who has an earning rate of less than ?8,500. By the inclusion of benefits obtained under the benefit code, many employees, who have the monetary earnings rate of less than ?8,500, do not fall in the definition of lower paid employees. However, when employees hold benefits of great values, which are such that are not convertible to something having a monetary benefit, the employees fall in the definition of lower paid employees and become exempt from the benefits code. This is a huge problem which can only be solved by broadening the scope of S 62 and the valuation system. Section 64 is also of importance as it deals with the relationship between earnings and benefits code. There may be a case that a single benefit is provided to an employee but it gives rise to both an amount treated as earnings and an amount to be treated as earnings under the benefit code. Section 64(2) provides that in such a case, the amount that is constituted as earnings is to be treated as earnings, and only that portion of the second amount is to be treated as earning under the benefits code which exceeds the first amount. This section actually attempts to avoid the double taxation of a benefit if it falls both under S 62 and S 63. It is not a bad idea to tax such benefits in this way but there can be another way that is simpler to understand. Such benefit could also have been taxed entirely under the benefit code system. This would not have brought any changes to the resulting revenue but it would have been a better tax due to its simplicity. The underlying principle of having the benefit code system is very fair. This system is designed to make employees accountable for their perquisites. However, this system has many loopholes which allow avoidance of tax. Also, employees are also open to the danger of paying more tax than the fair amount. As mentioned above, most of the problems are created by the valuation process. Another problem arises in cases of benefits

News Paper Summary Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

News Paper Summary - Essay Example nce been evident especially on the waterfront, and buyers are relying on the Latin American-style of financing, which necessitates one to deposit a minimum of 50% before closing to fund construction. Developers will thus affect the rental market adversely since everyone is moving away from rentals thus raising demand. CIT group is set to acquire $3.34 billion in cash from OneWest in a deal they project to produce profits of 3.35 times its initial investment. OneWest collapsed in 2008 thus becoming the third largest bank failure due to growing concerns by customers about its rising mortgages. The deal drew scrutiny from the dividends they produced for private-equity firms and their investors, but regulators had few choices. CIT majors in commercial lending and the deal is set to boost its assets to $67 billion. The firm’s top cop is confident the regulators will approve the deal, and he is gratified with the deal because it will be worth the expense that comes about with crossing the $50 billion mark. The article tinctures on a court ruling set to be revisited to determine whether misconducts done by employers to staffs should apply to cases brought under Connecticut law. It further cites an example from a case brought forward by Mr. Trusz, who was fired by UBS for allegedly overvaluing properties leading to excessive fees for clients. He consequently sued the banks citing his superiors treated him differently from others who did not complain before winding up their employments. Investors predict they could lose a lot if the court interprets the law narrowly since whistleblowers will have their safety compromised against reporting firms’ wrongdoings. If the ruling favors Mr. Trusz, it will limit employers’ flexibility to make tough verdicts on workers. In its defense, UBS claimed Mr. Trusz duties encompassed in his official duties did not include valuations of property, but he defended his actions by saying that whistleblower shelters are essential to shield

Clinique Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Clinique - Case Study Example For the recent product, they developed moisturizer cream which not only moisturizes skin, but also brightens and supposedly removes wrinkles for this one product. The Clinique advertisement page is significantly attractive and makes audience's attention at once. Clinique is advertising their product called "Youth Surge SPF 15" which will give user daily moisturizer skin looks younger, longer. The general color of this advertisement is very bright and white background which reminds the audience of pure sensitivity. Because of this color effect, users can imagine themselves using this product and believe that their lines and wrinkles seem to evaporate. This age decelerating moisturizer is also a white cream and makes users to feel like they are really able to slow down visible aging. The relative size of the objects appeared in the advertisement is a bit bigger than the real product. By enlarging the product and the size of the turtle capture's the audience's attention immediately. The turtle image makes audience to think what does the turtle has to do with the moisturizing cream The size of the objects that compose the image in this advertisement plays a big role to give audience a message. The most significant of the layout is little turtle carrying this product on top of its back. The reason why this turtle is appeared in this advertisement is that Clinique wants to emphasize the phrase "unless you're in a hurry to look your age". This phrase implies the inside meaning that unless users do not care about their skin, by using this moisturizer, people will be able to extend their youth skin with visible effects longer. Although most of turtles spend their life on land instead of swimming in the sea, the general image of turtle is slow since they cannot move fast. This image of slow motion without much speed gives an impression to people that they should be hurry to purchase this moisturizing cream especially when they mind about their skin care. Clinique actually takes a lot of inspiration from Maxine, a Slider Turtle born during the Eisenhower years, although the turtle really doesn't look a day over 30. The message of the turtle is that there will come a time when ag e catches up with us, meaning why do we have be so hurry - There's no need to rush the visible aging effect. They are emphasizing the product that it can "reset the clock" and giving skin cells a ling, happy life. More importantly, by situation the main product in the middle of the advertisement, even though the advertisement seems very simple and plain, the effect is great. In addition, the way that Clinique locate the product on top of turtle's back gives us the message as well. The turtle cannot see the product. Placing the turtle under the product gives another important message to the audience. If you act like a turtle as slow and not being sensitive about your skin care, you may lose a time to sustain your youth skin. And as time goes by, if there will come a time when catches up, you can't go back in time. This means that you have to hurry up to purchase this moisturizer immediately. There are myriads of products that offer good skincare products, this is certainly one of a kind and no other product can even come close to this product, it is made from a special formula that enhances the condition of the skin and it

Competitive Advantage - Microsoft Case Essay Example for Free

Competitive Advantage Microsoft Case Essay When trying to spill the beans of MSs success, the titles of two books from Bill Gates slip into my mind. They are The Road Ahead and Business @ the speed of thought, which I would translate into Direction and Speed and could be the reason for MSs success be good at setting strategy and adapting to the changes. However, to reframe them within the context of Modern Competitive Strategy, the reasons for MSs success are to create and maintain its modern COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES. With the analysis of it competitive advantages, MSs profitability was more rely on its ability to DEFEND its market position rather than to create. To put it another way, the usage of MSs resources and capabilities can be better understood in light of isolating mechanisms. On one hand, MS focus on increasing customer retention. Software is an experience good. It can be tell exactly from the name Windows XP where XP is short for experience. For an experience good, the search costs, training cost and learning cost are high, which in turn help to increase customer retention. Here is a classic example. In 1998, Bill Gates gave his speech at Washington University and talk about piracy in China, and he said: About 3 million computers get sold every year in China, but people dont pay for the software. Someday they will, though. As long as they are going to steal it, we want them to steal ours. Theyll get sort of addicted, and then well somehow figure out how to collect sometime in the next decade. For the same reason, MS bundled Office Suite, expanded server platforms, and gave many stuffs/features for free like IE and Media Player. We can expect the adding to the list will grow on and on. Its broad scope of products and global presence also helped MS to increase customer retention. On the other hand, MS defend its market position fiercely. A typical tactic used by MS is the prohibitive development cost. For example, it spent $2 billion alone in 2001 for its .net platform. When MS identifies a potential threat, it react with all of it resources and capabilities to compete with. Through advance technology, enticement OEM manufactures, or even giving for free, it won battles over Office Suite, OS, Internet browser and media player. As a result, MS stands above its competitors and reaps its profit like printing money. For example, while application software price dropped by an average of 8.9% at 1989, MS could raise its OS price. While WordPerfect was priced at $79, MS charged $249 for upgrades of Office 2000. The challenges MS faced somehow derived from its own marketing activities. The antitrust litigation is a warning for its aggressive assault on its competitors. In general, Microsoft should keep focus on defending its market positions, using its resources and capabilities cautiously and smartly. Its isolation mechanisms could be enhanced by strategies like product development and acquisition, platform integration, user and channel enticement, all happen at prohibitive cost.

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census Essay Example for Free

Race and ethnicity in the United States Census Essay The media is an industry where the competition is intense and it has been used by the government individuals, organizations, institutions, society, and family etc. for various purposes. However, due to the increasing competition in the industry, many at times the functions and duties which the media owes to the society are significantly overlooked. There are various functions of the media some will be discussed later on in this paper. The aim of the media has to a fearfully large extent shifted from fulfilling its roles to the society, rather their focus is often on how much entertainment they can offer to their audience and how much money they can make and how quickly they can make it. Entertainment and money making is definitely key in the existence, survival and growth of this industry, nevertheless, this should not be achieved by inappropriately portraying a group’s identity in any form. DEFINITION OF KEY TERMS Construction – To make or create, by putting together ideas, components or arguments. Group Identity – This refers to a person’s sense of belonging to a group. Media- Are communication channels through which news, entertainment, education, data or promotional messages are disseminated. Media includes every broadcasting and narrow casting medium such as newspapers, magazines, TV, radio, billboards, direct mail, telephone, fax and internet (business dictionary, 2015). THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK SOCIAL IDENTITY THEORY BY TAJFEL TURNER (1979) This theory was propounded in order to understand the psychological reasons and basis for inter- group discrimination. The components of this theory goes thus: Categorization- This is the process of putting ourselves and others into categories, our self-image is associated with the categories we belong to. Identification – This is the process by which we associate ourselves with certain groups of people. Nevertheless there are some groups we don’t want to be identified with (out groups) and there are some we would want to be identified with (in groups). Comparison- This is the process through which we compare our groups with other groups, thereby creating a positive bias towards the groups in which we are members of. This aspect of this work will focus on two salient functions of the media amidst the various ones there are. Social heritage function- The onus lies on the media to transmit positive racial and ethnic values about every existing race and ethnic group. The act of highlighting and spotlighting the various negativities of races and ethnic groups should be avoided. Surveillance function- This is the duty the media owes to the society in circulating news and information when necessary, the media is responsible for providing information about events. THE CONSTRUCTION OF GROUP IDENTITY BY HOLLYWOOD (A STUDY OF THE LATINO RACE) There are five acclaimed races in the world: 1) Mongoloid (Asian and American Indian) 2) Caucasoid (European) 3) Australoid (Australian and oceanic) 4) Negroid (East African black). 5) Capoid (South African black) The Latinos could be said to belong to the Mongoloid race and most of the 315 million people who live in the United States of America are either immigrants or have ancestry to another country. In actual fact, the only truly American people are the Native ones. This country is based on the idea of migration in pursuit of a better social and economic life. According to U. S. Census Bureau (2012), there are roughly 52 million Hispanics/Latinos living in the United States, representing approximately 16. 7% of the total population of United States of America, and making them the nation’s largest ethnic minority. Among Hispanic subgroups, Mexicans rated as the largest at 63%, followed by Puerto Ricans (9. 2%), Cubans (3. 5%), Salvadorans (3. 3%), Dominicans (2. 8%), and the remaining 18. 2% were Colombians, Guatemalans, Portuguese, Honduras, Ecuadorians, Peruvians, Brazilian. The main reason for their migration has been either that they are politically endangered or have financial problems. For instance the Cubans who ended up in America wanted to escape from the political conditions in their country. Escaping from the communist government practiced in Cuba, they were considered as ‘political refugees’ in America for three and a half decades until 1995. As a result of America’s opposition to the Cuban government, they were treated in America better than almost any other ethnic group. This has also been partly because of their high level of education and professionalism before migration (Martins, 2006 as seen in Mousavi Sadeghi, 2013). Latinos, Mexicans in particular, mostly live in the Southwest; almost half in California and Texas. Puerto Ricans are mostly in the East and Cubans are in Florida. According to the U. S. Census Bureau, legal Hispanic household income is only 75 percent of White American income. There is also a high rate of poverty and unemployment among them, and their socio economic status is at a low level. The cause for this situation is partially their jobs being the lowest paid ones, their low education level, and employment discrimination (Camarillo and Bonilla, 2001). They are present in the news, advertisements, election campaigns, political debates, television and films. The common major feature that is present in all of these portrayals is the problems related to them that should be solved and not to be glorified, exaggerated or exploited by Hollywood. Before now African Americans were more likely to be portrayed as domestic workers in Hollywood. African Americans played major roles in television sitcoms such as â€Å"Beulah† in the 1950’s and â€Å"Gone with the wind† in 1939. In recent times Latinos have increasingly replaced African Americans as Hollywood domestics. Hollywood has presented an incorrect reality of the Latino people to the American people and to the world at large, it has exaggerated a poor image of this particular race. Although the Latinos who live in America get more roles to play in Hollywood, most of these roles are mentioned in the next paragraph. The Latino female is often presented as a temptress, vamp, lustful, promiscuous, unfaithful, manipulative, of loose morals or submissive at times in relation to a white male fantasy, low class, serving the whites. A list of Ten Latino Female artists who have played the role of a maid in Hollywood Movies/series. Jennifer Lopez – Maid in Manhattan, 2002 Aida Linares- Clueless, 1995 Lupe Ontiveros- As good as it gets, 1997 (She has played an estimate of 150 maid roles on television). Consuela-Family Guy, 2005-till present Nadine Valesquez-My name is Earl, 2005-2009 Paz Vega- Spanglish, 2004 Kate Del Castillo- La misma Luna, 2007 Adriana Barraza- Babel, 2006 Catalina Saavedra, The maid, 2009 Roselyn Sanchez, Devious Maids, 2013- till present Pania Ramirez – Devious Maids, 2013 till present THE MEDIA, DIVERSITY AND SOCIAL CHANGE INITIATIVE (MDSCI)’S SIX YEAR STUDY REVEALS SOME STATISTICS. Among the racial and ethnic groups studied in the Media, Diversity, and Social Change Initiative’s report, released August 2014, Latinos made up only 4. 9% of movie characters across 100 of 2013’s top-grossing films. According to the U. S. Census Bureau’s estimates, there are roughly 52 million Latinos in the U. S. as of July 1, 2011, or just over 16% of the current U. S. population. That number is on track to reach 132. 8 million — or about 30% of the U. S. population — by July 1, 2050. LATINOS THAT ARE DEPICTED IN TOP-GROSSING MOVIES ARE MOSTLY NAKED. While the study does note that â€Å"Hispanic females (37. 3%) were more likely to be featured in popular films than were white females (29. 6%) or Asian females (32%),† Latinas are also more likely than females among any of the other groups studied (37. 5%, to be precise) to be shown partially dressed or nude on the big screen. LATINOS ARE ALSO HIGHLY LIKELY TO BE SEXUALIZED. The sexualization of Latinos does not stop with women. Latino men were the most likely among the studied groups (16. 5%) to be depicted wearing â€Å"tight, alluring or revealing clothing. † DANGERS OF THE NEGATIVE PORTRAYAL OF RACE ETHNICITY BY THE MEDIA ?Since there is a tendency to believe what is represented or depicted by the media; as particular races or ethnic groups are often negatively portrayed, others who are not acquainted with such group of people are bound to believe they are actually the way the media has presented them. ? Another danger of negative portrayals of race/ethnic groups by the media is that the younger ones from such groups may not be able to see themselves better than the way the media has portrayed them. For example if a race is continually depicted as a maid or as vulgar murderer the younger generation of such groups may not see anything wrong with being that way and could actually end up as same. ? This particular race have existing challenges of employment, poor education; the continuous depictions as such does not help solve these problems, but only worsens them. ?It could be difficult for people who are negatively portrayed to keep relationships with or amongst other races who are depicted as superior to them. THE NOLLYWOOD CONSTRUCT OF ETHNICITY (A STUDY OF THE YORUBA, AND NORTHERN NIGERIANS) The founding fathers of Yoruba films in Nigeria i. e. Herbert Ogunde, Moses Olaiya (Baba Sala) Based their works on the constructive values of the Yoruba ethnic group without leaving their audience entertained. In recent times Nollywood has neglected the transfer of social heritage function in the production of Yoruba films. More often than necessary abusive statements, raining of curses and the invention of such and rascality has been synonymous with Yoruba films. The very rich Yoruba culture which the world could learn from is often being tarnished by our film industry. However there are various Yoruba producers who focus on spreading the positivity of the Yoruba culture i. e. Tunde Kelani, Tade Ogidan, Yinka Afolayan. Men from the Northern part of Nigeria are also often times portrayed as either a gateman or the security man of a well-established family. The character who could actually be Yoruba speaks like a man from the north to convince the audience that the gateman is a man from the Northern part of the Country. Little does Nollywood know that many of the gatemen in Lagos which I can speak for are not even Nigerians. I have observed that most of the gatemen/security men in reality are actually from Niger Republic many of them look like Nigerian Northerners, are able to speak Hausa language but they are not Nigerians. RECOMMENDATIONS ? Every race has some sort of value and norms that could be positive, the media should hereby seek out such and spread them. ?The media needs to respect the fact that every human person has dignity and should be portrayed as such. ?They never should never assume that a particular race or ethnicity is less than the other, regardless of the socio economic status of such groups. ?The media should seek to solve the challenges faced by some races and ethnic groups rather than exploit them. ?The media should be reminded that they are socially responsible to the society, thus they should be mindful of what they feed the society with.

History and Types of Microscopes

History and Types of Microscopes What is a microscope? There is so many little objects that human eyes cant be able to see. The microscope is a tool to see minute objects consisting of lens or combination of lenses[1]. Due to their highly-improved lenses, we can observe high-quality images and these days this images can be transferred to computers. Todays microscopes are so advanced that they can show objects which are sized of the millionth part of a meter called micron[2]. The science of searching small objects with microscopes is called microscopy. Microscopic means that impossible to see, without a help of a microscope, with a naked eye[3]. History of Microscope After the glass is first made in the first century, Romans was trying to make objects to be seen bigger. The first and simple forms were called flea glasses and they were able to show 6 times bigger[4]. The microscope is developed in Netherlands at the 1590s but its inventor is not easy to identify. Some proofs are leading to Cornelis Drebbel[5]. But others insist that Zacharias Jansen and his father Hans were working with lenses, they combined some lenses and put them into a tube and invented the microscope. Few others believed that Galileo Galilei was the first discoverer of microscope[6]. First microscopes were not good enough to use at researches because it can only enlarge by 9 times bigger[7]. First, the real microscope was used by Anton van Leeuwenhoek in the late 17th century which was made by pipes, simple lens, plate and screw(Figure1). Figure 1 Unlike the others, his microscope could show objects one-millionth of a meter bigger of its sizes(270x). Others best achievement was 50x magnification. With this microscope, he saw and identified bacteria, erythrocyte, and sperm cells. He published their drawings on Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London at 1674.These drawings were forgotten until there were huge developments in science[8]. In 1665 Van Leeuwenhoeks work was a guide to Robert Hooke and he wrote Micrographia. It is the first book that provides microscopic pictures of insects, plants etc.   [9] (Figure 2). Figure 2-Drawing of an insect by Robert Hooke[10] After 200 years from Robert Hooke, German engineer called Carl Zeiss improved lenses of the microscope and he established a company named Zeiss. After that, he hired Ernst Abbe to the company. Abbe improved the microscopes and lenses[11]. Types of microscopes Stereoscope Dissection microscope is used with visible light. It is used to see dissection better. It has 3-dimensional images and it has low magnification. Figure 3 earthworm captured by Stereoscope Confocal Microscope Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) plays the most significant role on imaging tiny samples in three-dimensional form. CLSM works like an optical microscope with some differences. It uses monochromatic laser light instead of visible light [12].CLSM has widely used from cell biology, genetics, microbiology and development biology to quantum optics, nanocrystal imaging and spectroscopy[13]. History of Confocal Microscope Early in 1940, Hans Goldmann from Switzerland invented a slit lamp to make documentation of eye examinations. Some researchers believe it might be first confocal optical system [14]. Marvin Minsky invented first confocal scanning microscope in 1955 and in 1957 got its patent. Figure 4: Marvin Minskys patent application that shows the principle of CLSM [15]. By moving the stage, illumination point in focal plane could be scanned [16]. In 1969 M. David Egger and Paul Davidovits described the first CLSM in two pages and published. Only one illumination spot generated with this point scanner. It was used for the imaging of the nerve tissue [17, 18]. In 1983 confocal microscope was first used and controlled by a computer after the publication of first work by I. J. Cox and C. Sheppard from Oxford University. Based on Oxford groups designs, first CLSM was offered from 1982 [19]. At the Laboratory of Molecular Biology in Cambridge, William Bradshaw Amos and John Graham White and colleagues invented the first confocal beam scanning microscope in the middle of 1980s.This time the illumination spot was moving but not the stage. This technique allowed faster image acquisition, four images per second [20]. Working Principle of Confocal Microscope For getting higher intensities a laser is used. The laser light reflects from the dichroic mirror. After that it hits mirrors on motors and across the sample lasers get scanned by these mirrors. And emitted light passes through the dichroic mirror and gets focused onto pinhole. Finally, the detector measures that light. As it appears the complete image of the sample cannot be observed just one point can be observed. The photomultiplier detector is connected to a computer and one pixel at a time it builds an image [21]. Figure 5: Principal Light Pathways in Confocal Microscopy [22]. What is the advantage of using a confocal microscope? By scanning lots of thin parts of a sample, it is easy to build a very good three-dimensional image. Confocal microscope has better resolution horizontally and vertically. The best resolution can be obtained at 0.2 microns for horizontal and 0.5 microns for vertical [23]. Examples There are some examples of imaging with the confocal microscope.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Figure 6: Nematode. Miami University in Oxford, Ohio [24]. Figure 7 : Example image of confocal microscope [25]. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) SEM is an electron microscope that uses the focused beam of electrons to images of the sample. Electrons interact with atoms in the sample and gives information about external morphology (texture), chemical composition, and crystalline structure and orientation of materials making up the sample [26].A beam of electrons uses raster scan pattern which is a rectangular pattern of an image and reconstruction in the screen. Most computers use bitmap image systems to store the image [27]. The image is created by matching the position with the perceived signal. SEM can get better than 1 nm resolution. Standard SEM microscopes are generally suitable for dry and conductive surfaces in high vacuum. Also, there are specialized machines that work under changeable conditions from low temperature to high temperature and in low vacuum. There is environmental SEM for wet conditions. McMullan presented the history of SEM [28]. Manfred von Ardenne invented SEM in 1937. In the early 1960s, Cambridge groups marketed as Stereoscan in 1965[28, 29]. After interaction of high energized beam of electrons and outer orbit electrons of samples atoms Auger electrons which have low electrons will be formed. These electrons carry information about sample surface.After interactions, there will be electron beams which have lower energy, move to the surface of the sample and will gather there.These electrons called as secondary electrons. For imaging for SEM, mostly secondary electrons are being used. Change of secondary electrons numbers depends on the topography of surface and angle of the point where the beam hits the surface [30]. Figure 7: Blood image by SEM [31]. Transmission Electron Microscope High energized electrons pass through the very thin sample. After interaction of electrons, images are enlarged and focused on fluorescence screen, photographic film layer or CCD camera [32]. In 1930 Max Knoll and Ernst Ruska invented TEM [33]. It allows us to see smaller objects than the optical microscope. TEM is used in cancer research, virology, materials science, nanotechnology, and semiconductor. TEMs contrast depends on absorption of electrons, thickness, and composition of the sample. Complex wave interactions at higher magnifications modulate the intensity of the image with analysis of an expert for the image. The resolution limit is up to 0.2 nm for TEM. Compared to SEM, TEM has troublesome work to get the sample ready and the user must have a very good background about it [34]. Figure 8: Example of TEM of a plant cell [35]. Compound Light Microscopes Compound microscopes are 2-dimensional light microscopes and they are most used microscopes. Even though it has low resolution it has high magnification. Figure 9-meiosis seen by compound microscope[36]. Figure 10-Microscope view of plant cells[37]. Parts of Optical Microscope Figure 10 Parts of a microscope[38] Eyepiece Lens: The lens that allows us to see through. Tubes: It helps eyepiece to connect to lenses. Arm: Holds the tube. Base: Supports the microscope at the bottom. Illuminator: Light source or a mirror that helps us to see a sample from the tube. If it is a mirror it can reflect outer light to use. Stage: This platform is used to put samples and it has clips to prevent the sample from moving. Revolving Nosepiece or Turret: This part is for holding lenses together and it can rotate to switch between lenses. Objective Lenses: These lenses are most commonly can be put three or four lenses on the microscope. They have 4,10,40 or 100 times bigger magnification. They are color coded and should build to DIN standards. Rack Stop: It is used to protect the objective lens from breaking[39]. DIN Standards The real image is formed 160mm away from the objective lens. Parfocal distance should be 45 mm. Eyepiece lens should be 170mm[40]. Working Principle of Optical Microscope Figure 11 [41] As shown in Figure 9 light starts its journey from illuminator and with a mirror it reaches to sample. Then it goes to prism through objective lenses. It reflects from the prism and comes to eye in the tube.   When light passes through the objective lens makes the image of sample bigger and focuses 160 mm inside the tube and then ocular lenses magnifies the image of sample 25cm away from the eye. This image is a virtual image of the sample (Figure 10). Typical microscopes have four different objective lenses. Scanning (5x), low power(10x), medium power (20x) and high power lenses (40x). We can easily calculate the magnifying of the microscope with multiplying objective lens and ocular lens. For example, after image magnified by objective lenses 40 times of original image of the sample, will magnify second time 20 times bigger by ocular lenses. So, our eye can see 4020=800 times bigger image of an original image of the sample. Figure 12 [42] Differences Between Electron and Light Microscope Light microscopes techniques are simple but for electron microscope high-level technical skill needed. Preparation time of the sample is few minutes to few hours for light microscopes but several days for electron microscopes. Live or dead samples can be seen in light microscopes but for electron microscopes only dead and dried samples can be seen. Light microscopes have low resolution than electron microscope and the resolution limit for the light microscope is 200 nm but for SEM 1nm and for TEM 0.2 nm. Light rays are used to illuminate for light microscope but for electron microscope electrons are being used. Lenses are made of glass for light microscope but for electron microscope all lenses are electromagnets. Magnification of light microscope is 500x to 1500x but for EM 160,000x and photographic magnification is 1000,000x or more. Light microscopes are cheap but electron microscopes are expensive [43]. Calculation of Resolution If we want to get good details of very small objects like cells, we need to increase the resolution. It can be described as to see different between two small and very near objects. It can be affected of the wavelength of light and power of lenses. Mathematical formula of separating two different small objects which have the smallest distance (dmin); Dmin = 1.22 x wavelength / N.A. objective + N.A. condenser Different then the theoretical power, in practice samples quality affects its resolving power[44]. Definition of Numerical Aperture(N.A.) is a value of objectives defined by Abbe. Numerical Aperture (NA)=n-sin( µ) or n-sin(ÃŽ ±) Figure 13 Numerical Aperture As shown in Figure 11 light waves go through a sample to the objective lens. But when it comes to practice it is nearly impossible to get the value of aperture above 0.95 with dry objective lenses. When the light cones get the bigger degree of ÃŽ ± starts to increase from 7 to 60 and N.A. increases from 0.12 to 0.87. In todays world, it is possible to use alternative media to make images in water (refractive index = 1.33), glycerin (refractive index = 1.47), and immersion oil (refractive index = 1.51) by the objective lens. We can clearly see Figure 12 and Table 1; highly corrected objectives have bigger N.A. Figure 14 Table 1 Numerical Aperture versus Optical Correction[45] There is a limit of resolution in optical microscopes as shown below; Let N.A. be 1.4 and resolution is different for lights wavelength. A minimum distance of two points of the image is 0.61 ÃŽ »/N.A. As we know visible light wavelength is between 400-700 nm. There will be no resolution between two objects if distance is 1/3 ÃŽ ». If we choose green light ÃŽ » = 500nm and r=0.61 x 500nm / 1.4 =218 nm. If we choose blue light ÃŽ » = 400nm and r=0.61 x 400nm / 1.4 =174 nm. If we choose green light ÃŽ » = 700nm and r=0.61 x 700nm / 1.4 =305 nm[46]. Diffraction Limit of Electron Microscope Electron microscope has diffraction limit and it is 1nm for SEM, 0.3nm for TEM. This limit occurs because of wave nature of electrons. Electrons has a phenomenon called wave-particle duality. Particle of matter (incident electron) can be explained as wave. We can assimilate to sound or water waves. Louis de Broglie says that the wavelength of a particle can be calculated as following formula: ÃŽ »=h/p ÃŽ »: wavelength of a particle h: Plancks constant (62610-34) p: momentum of a particle Momentum is the product of mass and the velocity of a particle and equation can be written as; ÃŽ »= h / mv Accelerating voltage determines the velocity of the electrons we can use following formula; eV = mv2/2 We can calculate the velocity of electrons by; Due to these formulae, we can show the wavelength of propagating electrons at a given accelerating voltage; Since the mass of an electron is 9.1 x 10-31 kg and e = 1.6 x 10-19; So, the wavelength of electrons is 3.88pm when the microscope is operating at 100 keV, 2.74 pm at 200 keV, and 2.24 pm at 300 keV. We know electrons in an electron microscope reach %70 of speed of the light wit accelerating voltage of 200 keV, there are effects which are significant length contraction, time dilation, and an increase in mass. By these changes; c: speed of the light (299 792 458 mps) So, wavelength of an electron at 100 keV, 200 keV, 300 keV in electron microscopes is 3.70 pm ,2.51 pm, and 1.96 pm, respectively [47]. Another reason for limitation for TEM is, sample transparency has to be proper for electron transparency. To be more precise its thickness has to be 100nm or less. Electrons can be deflected in magnetic fields by the Lorentz force. This problem may make crystal structure determination virtually impossible [48, 49]. Diffraction Limit of Optical Microscope There is a limit for imaging with an optical microscope called Abbe diffraction limit. This limit is ÃŽ »/2(ÃŽ » is imaging radiations free-space wavelength) [50]. Modern works show us that this limit can be passed and can make optical microscopes lenses to have a high resolution[51]. But with diffraction limit even though the lens is corrected there will be blur image of the point. This called Airy disk or diffraction. British mathematician Lord George Biddel Airy has found it. We can see its cross section and appearance below (Figure 13). Figure 15 Diameter of the disk is; Bdiff =2.44 ÃŽ » (f/#)[52] With f/# limitation can be controlled and wavelength of the light. The maximum resolving power of the lens is determined by this limitation. If we want to calculate diffraction limit we can use following formula; If we reach the limit lens will become unable to resolve greater frequencies. In theory, if the contrast is %0 the diffraction limit will appear to be as shown in Table 2 at different f/#s for 0.520 ÃŽ ¼m light as known as green light. Table 2[53] Different Ways to Break Resolution Limit of Optical Microscope There are several ways to break resolution limit of optical microscope. To do that researchers change lenses or different parts of microscopes. Here are some examples: By employing stimulated emission to inhibit the fluorescence process in the outer regions of the excitation point-spread function[54]. By using laterally structured illumination in a wide-field, non-confocal microscope(This method claims that spatially structured excitation light illuminates the sample) [55]. By improving the lenses with ZrO2. Synthesis of ZrO2 Nanoparticles Zirconium(IV) isopropoxide−2-propanol complex (5.6 g) and anhydrous benzyl alcohol (55mL) were charged into a 100 mL Teflon-lined autoclave. This Teflon-lined autoclave was sealed and placed into an oven at 240  °C for 4 days and then cooled to obtain a white turbid suspension. [56]. Figure 16[57]. Figure 16 is a schematic of hSIL integrated with an Olympus optical microscope for super-resolution imaging of the underlying nanopattern. The hSIL collects near-field information on the nanopattern and forms a virtual image that can be captured by the objective lens[57]. Figure 17 -Super-resolution optical imaging through hSIL on 45 nm gaps. SEM images of the chip with periodic structures of 50 nm gaps (a) and the gold-coated chip with 45 nm gaps (b). (c, d) Optical images of the chip with 50 nm gaps under white and filtered blue light (ÃŽ »max ≈ 470 nm) without SILs. (e1, e2) Optical images of the chip with hSIL of h/d = 0.8 (d = 11.5 ÃŽ ¼m). (f1, f2) Optical images of the gold-coated chips through SIL of h/d = 0.78 (d = 10.5 ÃŽ ¼m) and (g1, g2) with hSIL of higher h/d = 0.84 (d = 11.3 ÃŽ ¼m). Optical images of e1−g1 and e2−g2 were taken under white light and filtered blue light, respectively. The corresponding image magnification factors of e2, f2, and g2 are 3.1, 2.9, and 3.6. The scale bars for e1−g2 are the same as that of c[58]. References: 1.http://www.life.umd.edu/cbmg/faculty/wolniak/wolniakmicro.html 2.http://www.kurallarinelerdir.com/2016/04/mikroskop-nedir-mikroskobun-tarihi.html 3.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Microscope 4.http://www.history-of-the-microscope.org/history-of-the-microscope-who-invented-the-microscope.php 5.Albert Van Helden, S.D., Rob Van Gent, Huib Zuidervaart, The Origins of the Telescope. 2010. 6.Jay, S., Chapter 2: The Sharp-Eyed Lynx, Outfoxed by Nature. The Lying Stones of Marrakech: Penultimate Reflections in Natural History, 2000. 7.http://kanbilim.com/?p=193 8.http://www.history-of-the-microscope.org/history-of-the-microscope-who-invented-the-microscope.php 9.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Micrographia 10.http://www.bl.uk/learning/timeline/large107702.html 11.http://www.zeiss.com/corporate/int/history/founders.html 12.Littlejohn, G.R., et al., Perfluorodecalin enhances in vivo confocal microscopy resolution of Arabidopsis thaliana mesophyll. New Phytologist, 2010. 186(4): p. 1018-1025. 13.Hoffman, A., et al., Confocal laser endomicroscopy: technical status and current indications. Endoscopy, 2006. 38(12): p. 1275-1283. 14.Goldmann, H., Spaltlampenphotographie und photometric. Ophthalmologica, 1939. 98(5-6): p. 257-270. 15.Minsky, M., Microscopy Apparatus. US Patent 1961. 3.013.467. 16.Minsky, M., Memoir on inventing the confocal scanning microscope. Scanning, 1988. 10(4): p. 128-138. 17.Davidovits, P. and M.D. Egger, Scanning Laser Microscope. Nature, 1969. 223(5208): p. 831-831. 18.Davidovits, P. and M.D. Egger, Scanning Laser Microscope for Biological Investigations. Applied Optics, 1971. 10(7): p. 1615-1619. 19.Cox, I.J. and C.J.R. Sheppard, Scanning optical microscope incorporating a digital framestore and microcomputer. Applied Optics, 1983. 22(10): p. 1474-1478. 20.White, J.G., W.B. Amos, and M. Fordham, An evaluation of confocal versus conventional imaging of biological structures by fluorescence light microscopy. The Journal of Cell Biology, 1987. 105(1): p. 41-48. 21.http://www.physics.emory.edu/faculty/weeks//confocal/ 22.https://www.microscopyu.com/techniques/confocal/introductory-confocal-concepts 23.Prasad, V., D. Semwogerere, and R.W. Eric, Confocal microscopy of colloids. Journal of Physics: Condensed Matter, 2007. 19(11): p. 113102. 24.http://www.cas.miamioh.edu/mbi-ws/microscopes/confocal.html 25.http://depts.washington.edu/keck/intro.htm 26.http://serc.carleton.edu/research_education/geochemsheets/techniques/SEM.html 27.Leblanc, M., Etude sur la transmission à ©lectrique des impressions lumineuses. La Lumià ¨re à ©lectrique, 1880. 28.McMullan, D. An improved scanning electron microscope for opaque specimens. Proceedings of the IEE Part II: Power Engineering, 1953. 100, 245-256. 29.von Ardenne, M., Das Elektronen-Rastermikroskop. Zeitschrift fà ¼r Physik, 1938. 109(9): p. 553-572. 30.Smith, K.C.A. and C.W. Oatley, The scanning electron microscope and its fields of application. British Journal of Applied Physics, 1955. 6(11): p. 391. 31.http://metassoc.com/services/scanning-electron-microscopy/sem-eds-application-examples/ 32.Crewe, A.V., J. Wall, and J. Langmore, Visibility of Single Atoms. Science, 1970. 168(3937): p. 1338-1340. 33.http://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1986/perspectives.html 34.Meyer, J.C., et al., Imaging and dynamics of light atoms and molecules on graphene. Nature, 2008. 454(7202): p. 319-322. 35.http://www.vcbio.science.ru.nl/en/image-gallery/electron/ 36.http://www.cas.miamioh.edu/mbi-ws/microscopes/types.html 37.http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/images/ic/640xn/p023r74v.jpg 38.http://www.microscope-microscope.org/basic/microscope-parts.htm 39.http://www.microscope-microscope.org/basic/microscope-parts.htm 40.http://www.din.de/en 41.DEVEC °, D.D.E., M °KROSKOP ÇEÃ…Å ¾Ã‚ °TLER ° ÇALIÃ…Å ¾MA PRENS °PLER °. Dicle Universitesi. 42.https://www.cs.mcgill.ca/~rwest/wikispeedia/wpcd/wp/o/Optical_microscope.htm 43.http://www.biologyexams4u.com/2012/10/difference-between-light-microscope-and.html 44.http://www.life.umd.edu/cbmg/faculty/wolniak/wolniakmicro.html 45.https://www.microscopyu.com/microscopy-basics/numerical-aperture 46.http://www.math.ubc.ca/~cass/courses/m309-03a/m309-projects/cannon/resolving2.html 47.Bendersky, L.A. and F.W. Gayle, Electron diffraction using transmission electron microscopy. Journal of research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 2001. 106(6): p. 997. 48.Thomson, G.P. and A. Reid, Diffraction of cathode rays by a thin film. Nature, 1927. 119: p. 890. 49.Thomas, G. and M.J. Goringe, Transmission electron microscopy of materials. 1979. 50.Abbe, E., Arch. Mikrosk. Anat. 1873. 51.Hecht, L.N.a.B., Principles of Nano-Optics. Cambridge U Press, 2006. 52.Riedl, M.J., Optical Design Fundamentals for Infrared Systems, Second Edition. SPIE Press, Bellingham, WA 2001. 53.http://www.edmundoptics.com/resources/application-notes/imaging/diffraction-limit/ 54.Hell, S.W. and J. Wichmann, Breaking the diffraction resolution limit by stimulated emission: stimulated-emission-depletion fluorescence microscopy. Optics Letters, 1994. 19(11): p. 780-782. 55.Gustafsson, M.G.L., Surpassi

Heart of Darkness :: essays papers

Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, achieved classical recognition for its depiction of humanity’s struggle to reconcile good and evil. From the very opening pages of the Bible man has wrestled with choice, opportunity, propensity and instinct. The knowledge of good and evil has surely caused us to die to simplicity and burdened us with the curse of self-awareness. At first it was a struggle for me to get from page to page because of Conrad’s intricate details. I was not accustomed to his unique writing style and I would often find myself lost in his descriptive language. I soon became frustrated with both the book and myself, which made it even more of a task to read. The devastating transition of Kurtz was the factor that awoke my interest. Kurtz, a highly respectable man full of talent and potential was taken over by the evil that stirred from deep within his soul. I found this change of character fascinating because of my interest in the field of psychology. I find the study of human nature intriguing, which attracted me to Kurtz. Conrad had made me wonder what made someone of Kurtz’s caliber change so drastically. I found myself relating this change in character to a personal experience. A year ago someone whom I knew and trusted betrayed me. I saw a side of her that I would have never even imagined was there. Something deep from within caused this person to hurt me, an evil that even she was not aware she possessed. This event in my life made me question what separates the weak from the strong, the good from the evil, or even Kurtz from Marlow? Kurtz’s transition from good to evil led me to the issue of nature vs. nurture. This question of whether hereditary or environment is responsible for the development of ones personality has been around for centuries, and still it remains unanswered. We have discussed this question many times in psychology. Some feel that your personality is reflective of your genetic makeup, and that personality will stay the same regardless of environment. Others are convinced that environment shapes personal characteristics. In The Heart of Darkness, Kurtz seems to have changed because of the environment. He was placed in an atmosphere where his evil instincts were able to take over. Heart of Darkness :: essays papers Heart of Darkness Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, achieved classical recognition for its depiction of humanity’s struggle to reconcile good and evil. From the very opening pages of the Bible man has wrestled with choice, opportunity, propensity and instinct. The knowledge of good and evil has surely caused us to die to simplicity and burdened us with the curse of self-awareness. At first it was a struggle for me to get from page to page because of Conrad’s intricate details. I was not accustomed to his unique writing style and I would often find myself lost in his descriptive language. I soon became frustrated with both the book and myself, which made it even more of a task to read. The devastating transition of Kurtz was the factor that awoke my interest. Kurtz, a highly respectable man full of talent and potential was taken over by the evil that stirred from deep within his soul. I found this change of character fascinating because of my interest in the field of psychology. I find the study of human nature intriguing, which attracted me to Kurtz. Conrad had made me wonder what made someone of Kurtz’s caliber change so drastically. I found myself relating this change in character to a personal experience. A year ago someone whom I knew and trusted betrayed me. I saw a side of her that I would have never even imagined was there. Something deep from within caused this person to hurt me, an evil that even she was not aware she possessed. This event in my life made me question what separates the weak from the strong, the good from the evil, or even Kurtz from Marlow? Kurtz’s transition from good to evil led me to the issue of nature vs. nurture. This question of whether hereditary or environment is responsible for the development of ones personality has been around for centuries, and still it remains unanswered. We have discussed this question many times in psychology. Some feel that your personality is reflective of your genetic makeup, and that personality will stay the same regardless of environment. Others are convinced that environment shapes personal characteristics. In The Heart of Darkness, Kurtz seems to have changed because of the environment. He was placed in an atmosphere where his evil instincts were able to take over.

Technologies of Seduction Essays -- Seduction Cinematic Body Film Essa

Technologies of Seduction â€Å"There can be no question of escaping the twisted logic of theoretical writing; there are only different ways of coming to terms with it.† (Shaviro 11) Blind Beast (Masumura Yasuzo 1969), Ghost in the Shell (Ohii Mamoru 1995), and Spirited Away (Miyazaki Hayao 2001) sustain the relation between the ‘body’ and ‘technology’: its terrific horror is its seduction. Captured bodies cut, cybernetic bodies hacked, and fattened bodies served. These three films all capture the viewer and take us to another place, and even in the seduction of representation understood as events (the theory-fiction of film analyses), such films can be understood as narratives, images, and sounds of losing the self in the moment, an abandon to seduction that constitutes a relation between technologies and bodies. The terrific is the pleasure of the seduction, and the horrific the unavoidable and, indeed, necessary trepidation felt in falling into the utterly convincing and charming seducer’s reality. Steven Shaviro’s theory of film fatale offers a thorough account of what sustains and characterizes the relationship Fri edrich Kittler describes between body and technology: â€Å"Wherever media were unable to connect, human interfaces filled the niche.† What is seduction? To answer this question would be to work productively, a principle of production that is very much oppositional to seduction. Seduction is something like persuasion or convincing, but does not work at a level of cognition. The cinematic image is at once intense and impalpable. On the one hand, film (even more than other visual forms, and in sharp contrast to the articulations of language) is inescapably literal. Images confront the viewer directly, with... ... the same level of suspicion as the productive and representational. The salvation, then, of this argument, a string of mediations that claim to produce an effect on discourse or understanding, is in its denied seductive ulterior. An allurement that occurs just where it is not spoken of, and for just the reasons that remain unsaid. Theory against itself is here a most cunning seduction. WORKS CITED Carpenter, Novella. â€Å"Avant-Prof. An Interview with Steven Shaviro.† Alt-X Press. Dec. 11, 2002. http://www.altx.com/int2/steven.shaviro.html Creed, Barbara. â€Å"Horror and the Monstrous-Feminine: an Imaginary Abjection.† in Jancovich, ed., Horror, The Film Reader. New York: Routledge, 2002. Haraway, Donna. Simians, Cyborgs, and Women. London: Free Association, 1990. Shaviro, Steven. The Cinematic Body. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 1993.

Gullivers Travels †Innocent Nature Essay -- Gullivers Travels Essay

Gulliver's Travels – Innocent Nature I disagree that Gulliver is a naive narrator and therefore doesn't see a connection between knowledge and the acquisition of power. As R.Davis and R. Schleifer wrote, "Gulliver, gullibly suited like the rest of us, never quite understands the ... relationship between knowledge and power." There is a very close relationship between knowledge and power. With them being such important traits, each one seems to be included with the other. In Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift, the use of satirical writing on both the island of Lilliput and Brobdingang serve to make the narrator a gullible character therefore excusing critiques of English government and politics. On the island of Lilliput, in Jonathan Swift's book, Gulliver's Travels, Gulliver's innocent nature satirize the story. Upon arriving mysteriously on Lilliput, Gulliver was tied down and his weapons taken away. To his surprise his captors were only six inches tall. Gulliver's pacifist attitude allowed him to befriend the Lilliputians,...

The Far Horizon convention centre

1.0  Ã‚  Ã‚   IntroductionThe 4 Ps of marketing are in more than one way interdependent. They together help customers in making purchase decisions. If planned properly, 4Ps can also help companies identify the right segment of customers.A product must satisfy a consumer’s need. It comes with a cost. Production costs must be kept in check and at the same time quality should not be compromised on. A brand must keep its consumer’s interest in mind always.Price is next. Price escalation takes place when a product moves through the distribution channel.   A manufacturer's selling price becomes a distributor's cost price. This hurts dealers who end up paying more to the distributor. Ultimately, this affects competition and sales. This escalation in prices forces many consumers to look elsewhere. There are many strategies employed by companies to beat competition. There are some who find it hard to offer at reduced price because of brand. There are others who reduce their price in the face of stiff competition. Then there are those who, while retaining their image, launch products that are branded but service a different segment of demographic. Thus, price plays an important role in a consumer’s behaviour.  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Place can also determine price. Factors like who the final consumer will be and what he or she looks for must be considered. Where does a consumer look for in a convention centre? Are the major needs of the client met by the infrastructure available? Distance is also considered to be an issue that determines choice. No client would think of going beyond his/her convenience to book a hall. Distances also determine transportation costs, which could cause price escalation for the client. Distribution gets affected, and time and money is lost. So, choice of place is also important.Promotion relates to publicity. Promotion can take many forms: advertising in various media, events, press releases, trade shows, brochures, flyers, internet and so on. This is where a company focuses on projecting itself and its product. Promotion creates awareness, the first step to sales.Thus, branding and 4Ps play a vital role in consumer buying rationale (Volker.M, 1998).2 .0  Ã‚  Ã‚   AnalysisIn any business the marketing environment, production costs, logistics, distributor/dealer margin and the manufacturer’s margin are considered before a product is priced to the consumer. All these are directly influenced by the 4 Ps of marketing.   Far Horizon, a well structured organisation is in the process of expanding its activities to incorporate a convention hall that can accommodate 850 people in a single sitting; a first of its kind in that community.Far Horizon already has a full-fledged catering wing that is operational and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner to the local inhabitants. The idea of the proprietorship organisation is to project Far Horizon as a one-stop solution for any activity like weddings, business meetings, conferences, trade shows and so on. Once the convention centre becomes fully operational, it will enjoy complete ascendancy in business against a rather tame competition. However, there are factors that can determine the success of a business in any environment; the factor of the 4 Ps.Product StrategyIdentify three factors that influence product strategy decisions: Size, Facilities, and Availability. The size of the convention centre will be bigger than any existing hall available in the community, and can cater to any kind of programme. The availability of a full-fledged restaurant and bar makes food and beverage ordering convenient, without requiring external catering services. The hall is large enough to accommodate any number of people in one sitting and its availability round the year will make it a very attractive proposition to time-conscious customers.Place StrategyIdentify three factors that influence place strategy decisions: Proximity, Location, and Connectivity. Far Horizon is located close to the airport and is thus a little far from the commercial hub of the community. However, because of its existing restaurant and bar, it has its share of regular customers, for whom distance may not be an issue. The idea to tie-up with the local transport authorities may be short-sighted, but customers who require larger halls with more facilities will be inclined to travel a little more to minimize responsibilities.Promotion StrategyIdentify three factors that influence promotion strategy decisions: Word-of-mouth communication, events and media presentations. Far Horizon will get that distinct advantage that its competitors lacked from their regular customers. Customer’s feedback is a sound way to project an organisation for its products or service. How many times have one seen friends influence the buying behaviour of others. The same principle applies in this case too. Events taking place at such venues as Far Horizon will attract immediate attention, because it is located close to the airport for one, and because many people visit this place for refreshments or drinks frequently. Media advertisements are very convenient to attract those people who have never venture d to Far Horizon previously. The sparsely populated community will get to know a lot more through media coverage.Pricing StrategyIdentify three factors that influence pricing strategy decisions: Logistics, Quality and Quantity. Far Horizon will beat competition through its sheer size and facilities. None of its competitors come close enough to even challenge it for its facilities. Because it is close to the airport, the convention centre can attract outsiders to it instantly. The price for organizing shows, events, weddings, conferences are minimized because of its volume of intake. The logic behind such a move to make a big hall is to minimize prices through volume sales. Catering costs will come down drastically as well, and so too would the cost of beverages. Far Horizon will be able to capitalise on the service of space, food and beverages. The client will benefit immensely; enjoy better facilities at lower costs and maintenance.3.0  Ã‚  Ã‚   ReferenceVolker.M, Business basics for Engineers, Marketing & 4Ps of Marketing, www.sfu.ca, Referenced on 09.05.2007