Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Lepenski Vir - Mesolithic Village in the Republic of Serbia

Lepenski Vir is a series of Mesolithic villages located on a high sandy terrace of the Danube River, on the Serbian bank of the Iron Gates Gorge  of the Danube river. This site was the location of at least six village occupations, beginning about 6400 BC, and ending about 4900 BC. Three phases are seen at Lepenski Vir; the first two are whats left of a complex foraging society; and Phase III represents a farming community. Life in Lepenski Vir Houses in Lepenski Vir, throughout the 800-year-long Phase I and II occupations, are laid out in a strict parallelepiped plan, and each village, each collection of houses is arranged in a fan shape across the face of the sandy terrace. The wooden houses were floored with sandstone, often covered with a hardened limestone plaster and sometimes burnished with red and white pigments. A hearth, often found with evidence of a fish-roasting spit, was placed centrally within each structure. Several of the houses held altars and sculptures, sculpted out of the sandstone rock. Evidence seems to indicate that the last function of the houses at Lepenski Vir was as a burial site for a single individual. Its clear that the Danube flooded the site regularly, perhaps as much as twice a year, making permanent residence impossible; but that residence resumed after the floods is certain. Many of the stone sculptures are monumental in size; some, found in front of houses at Lepenski Vir, are quite distinctive, combining human and fish characteristics. Other artifacts found in and around the site include a vast array of decorated and undecorated artifacts, such as miniature stone axes and figurines, with lesser amounts of bone and shell. Lepenski Vir and Farming Communities At the same time as foragers and fishers lived at Lepenski Vir, early farming communities sprang up around it, known as the Starcevo-Cris culture, who exchanged pottery and food with the inhabitants of Lepenski Vir. Researchers believe that over time Lepenski Vir evolved from a small foraging settlement to the ritual center for the farming communities in the area--into a place where the past was revered and the old ways followed. The geography of Lepenski Vir may have played an enormous part in the ritual significance of the village. Across the Danube from the site is the trapezoidal mountain Treskavek, whose shape is repeated in the floor plans of the houses; and in the Danube in front of the site is a large whirlpool, the image of which is repeatedly carved into many of the stone sculptures. Like Catal Hoyuk in Turkey, which is dated to roughly the same period, the site of Lepenski Vir provides us with a glimpse into Mesolithic culture and society, into ritual patterns and gender relationships, into the transformation of foraging societies into agricultural societies, and into resistance to that change. Sources This glossary entry is a part of the About.com Guide to the European Mesolithic, and part of the Dictionary of Archaeology. Bonsall C, Cook GT, Hedges REM, Higham TFG, Pickard C, and Radovanovic I. 2004. Radiocarbon and stable isotope evidence of dietary change from the Mesolithic to the Middle Ages in the Iron Gates: New results from Lepenski Vir. Radiocarbon 46(1):293-300. Boric D. 2005. Body Metamorphosis and Animality: Volatile Bodies and Boulder Artworks from Lepenski Vir. Cambridge Archaeological Journal 15(1):35-69. Boric D, and Miracle P. 2005. Mesolithic and Neolithic (dis)continuities in the Danube Gorges: New AMS dates from Padina and Hajducka vodenica (Serbia). Oxford Journal of Archaeology 23(4):341-371. Chapman J. 2000. Lepenski Vir, in Fragmentation in Archaeology, pp. 194-203. Routledge, London. Handsman RG. 1991. Whose art was found at Lepenski Vir? Gender relations and power in archaeology. In: Gero JM, and Conkey MW, editors. Engendering Archaeology: Women and Prehistory. Oxford: Basil Blackwell. p 329-365. Marciniak A. 2008. Europe, Central and Eastern. In: Pearsall DM, editor. Encyclopedia of Archaeology. New York: Academic Press. p 1199-1210.

Monday, December 23, 2019

Essay on Imagery of nature in Wuthering Heights - 1363 Words

Imagery of Nature Wuthering Heights is immensely filled with nature imagery. Mathison believes that Wuthering Heights is a â€Å"wild novel† because of its illustration of the wild nature (18). From the moors to the barren landscape, Bronte brings together these images to depict a dreary and desolate setting. Bronte also uses the elements of nature to convey characteristics of characters. Bronte uses the imagery of nature to reflect the personalities of the characters in Wuthering Heights. â€Å"’Wuthering’ is a Yorkshire term for roaring of the wind† which is constantly seen in the weather of Wuthering Heights (Wuthering Heights 316). The weather in Wuthering Heights changes with the mood of the characters or with the mood of the place.†¦show more content†¦An example of Heathcliff’s character associating with storms is the cruelty he shows towards Isabella in their marriage to satisfy his desire of revenge Bronte ) Along with the imagery of nature is the imagery of the elements: â€Å"air, water, earth, and fire.† The imagery of air for Lockwood is very refreshing and accentuates his briskness. Lockwood deals with the closest association of the imagery of air. After reading the names of the shelf of the window and shutting his eyes â€Å"the air swarmed with Catherines† (Bronte 16). Lockwood enjoys the cool, crisp morning the next day at Wuthering Heights where he shakes off the horrible dreams from the night before. Air presents the invigorating personality of Lockwood (Laar 23). Catherine is connected with the imagery of air in a more violent feature. When Catherine chose to marry Edgar over Heathcliff, a violent storm ensued, displaying characteristics of three elements: â€Å"air, fire, and water.† This is symbolic of Catherine’s torn feelings between loving Edgar and loving Heathcliff. The wind on the moors is Catherine’s â€Å"breath of lifeâ₠¬  because the moors fill Catherine with joy (Laar 28). The most noticeable imagery of air for Heathcliff is the â€Å"violent wind† which represents Heathcliff’s violent personality (Laar 30). Examples of Heathcliff’s violent personality are the fights he engages in with Hindley, and the hanging ofShow MoreRelatedWuthering Heights by Emily Brontà « : A Perfect Misanthropist’s Heaven1585 Words   |  6 Pagesartists/authors are brutally honest in how they depict human nature: greedy, sinister, and above all, hopeless. This essential element of gothic, with the inclusion of the supernatural, takes the main stage in Emily Brontà «Ã¢â‚¬â„¢s Wuthering Heights. This story of romance, mystery, and violence is not only the epitome of the gothic novel, but also a social commentary that rings true for the human race in its entirety. In a sense, Wuthering Heights is a true story, not because the characters and events areRead MoreAnalysis Of Emily Bronte s W uthering Heights 975 Words   |  4 PagesBronte’s two main sources of imagery are nature and the supernatural. Using Wuthering Heights, write a well-developed essay that explores the symbolic associations of storm and calm through the characters. â€Å"Wuthering heights†, a novel that explores different types of imagery: natural and supernatural. Along the storyline, the characters change and the reflections are noticed throughout with symbolic natural occurrences. In times of disarray and unrest, â€Å"Wuthering Heights† becomes symbolic in representingRead MoreWuthering Heights ch 1-3 analysis1105 Words   |  5 Pages In Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte, what first appears to be an overabundance of descriptions about a mansion in nineteenth century England easily turns into a myriad of sentiment, hatred, and love among the protagonists. The work can be classified as an unprecedented satire, using indirect actions of its characters to convey a forthright message regarding human misdeeds. The first few pages of the book presents two main characters, Mr. Heathcliff and Mr. Lockwood, where both serve an importantRead MoreThe Conflict Between Nature and Culture in Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontà « and a Room with a View by E.M.Forster1649 Words   |  7 Pagesâ€Å"Man is born free, but everywhere he is in chains.† - Jean-Jacques Rousseau Many readers enjoy ‘Wuthering Heights’ as a form of escapism, a flight from reality into the seclusion and eerie mists of the Yorkshire moors, where the supernatural seems commonplace and the searing passion between Catherine and Heathcliff absolute. Yet Wuthering Heights reaches much further than its atmospheric setting, exploring the complexities of family relationships and Victorian society’s restrictions; similarly, inRead MoreTheme Of Nature In Wuthering Heights1458 Words   |  6 Pagesmeanings of nature describe the phenomenons of the physical world and inherent features of a specific being or object. Present in the novel Wuthering Heights, written by Emily Bronte, the nature aspect life depicts is uncovered in various types of ways. Brought to attention throughout the novel is the use of weather and seasonal change, as well as characterization and how one can discover a form of nature from the perspective of a certain character. Bronte expresses the form of nature through characterizationRead More Comparison of Thrusscross Grange and Wuthering Heights Essay764 Words   |  4 Pagesand Wuthering Heights Never have two more opposing places existed than Thrusscross Grange and Wuthering Heights. Wuthering Heights is a dwelling characterized by fiery emotions, primal passions, bitter vengeance, and blatant evil. Thrushcross Grange is a peaceful, beautiful abode which epitomizes all that is good and lovely. Emily Bronte includes these two places in the Romantic novel, Wuthering Heights, to create a contrast which furthers the overall theme of good vs. evil. Wuthering HeightsRead MoreAnalysis Of The Novel Wuthering Heights 1636 Words   |  7 PagesJournal - Wuthering Heights Point of View – Wuthering Heights has two main narrators from whose point of view the novel is written. Lockwood is the primary narrator, and much is of what takes place in the present is told through his eyes, via first-person. The narration shifts to Ellen Dean, as she gives, to both Lockwood and the reader, her version of past events. She serves as the peripheral narrator, who is meant to tell the tale of what transpired before Lockwood’s arrival to Wuthering Heights. Ellen’sRead MoreWuthering Heights and Thrushcross Grange - Contrast Essay790 Words   |  4 Pagesopposing places existed than Thrusscross Grange and Wuthering Heights. Wuthering Heights is a dwelling characterized by fiery emotions, primal passions, bitter vengeance, and blatant evil. Thrushcross Grange is a peaceful, beautiful abode which epitomizes all that is good and lovely. Emily Bronte includes these two places in the Romantic novel, Wuthering Heights, to create a contrast which furthers the overall theme of good vs. evil. br brWuthering Heights is a house set high upon a hill where is exposedRead MoreEssay on Early Criticisms Of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte2511 Words   |  11 PagesWuthering Heights was first published in 1847 with the author’s name given as Ellis Bell. Wuthering Heights was actually written by Emily Bronte, but she adopted a male alias as female authors rarely got published. Her work was praised for the imagination used, but criticised for its moral ambiguity. Wuthering Heights challenged Victorian ideals and this shocked its first critics. The fact that Emily Bronte felt the need to use a male alias is an indication of how she feared the public wouldRead More Comparing Virginia Woolfs Mrs. Dalloway and Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights1678 Words   |  7 PagesWoolfs Mrs. Dalloway and Emily Brontes Wuthering Heights Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway and Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights share similarities in many aspects, perhaps most plainly seen in the plots: just as Clarissa marries Richard rather than Peter Walsh in order to secure a comfortable life for herself, Catherine chooses Edgar Linton over Heathcliff in an attempt to wrest both herself and Heathcliff from the squalid lifestyle of Wuthering Heights. However, these two novels also overlap

Sunday, December 15, 2019

Taxation Assignment Free Essays

Question 1: aTax treatment to an individual if his employer was to provide the following benefits in package 1: Rental of apartment $ Salary Airfare for home leave (1trip) (20% x 5000) 1,000 220,000 Employee’s remuneration 221,000 Rental of apartment (housing accommodation benefit) for a non- director will be assessed based on the lower of: the annual value of the accommodation provided or 10% of the employee’s remuneration inclusive of all other benefits except hotel accommodation. Therefore, housing benefit will be assessed at $22,100 because it is assessed based on the lower of (10% x 221,000= $22,100) or annual value of rental apartment of $60,000. Home leave passage According to Singapore tax law, home leave passage is provided by the employer to nonSingaporeans and non-permanent residents, the benefit is assessable to tax based on 20% of the cost to the employer. We will write a custom essay sample on Taxation Assignment or any similar topic only for you Order Now This concessionary treatment only can apply to ONE return leave passage per annum each for the employee and spouse, and TWO return passage for each child of employee per annum if child should be unmarried, under 16 years old or otherwise receiving full-time education or incapacitated. Therefore, in this package 1, Mr Rouse will be assessed for home leave passage at: 20% x 5,000= $1,000 Relocation passage According to Singapore tax law, relocation passages are by concession not a taxable benefit on the employee so that all the relocation expenses is not taxable benefit for Mr Rouse. b Package 1: $ Salary Annual rental of apartment Home leave passage (20% x 5000) Statutory income Less: donation Assessable income Less : Relief Chargeable income Tax on 1st $160,000 Balance @ 17% (238,100 – 160,000) x 17% 220,000 22,100 1,000 243,100 NIL 243,100 (5,000) 238,100 15,500 13,277 28,777 Less : 20% tax rebate (capped at $2000) Net tax payable (2,000) 6,777 Package 2: $ Salary Statutory Income Less: donation Assessable income Less: Relief Chargeable income Tax in 1st $160,000 Balance @ 17% 17% x (295,000-160,000) 300,000 300,000 NIL 300,000 (5,000) 295,000 15,500 22,950 38,450 Less : 20% tax rebate (capped at $2,000) Net tax payable (2,000) 36,450 c Mr Rouse should choose package 1 because in this package, he can receive many benefits as well as many concessionary treatments that can redu ce the net tax payable, in order to get higher return than in package 2. Singapore is a country where the government uses many policies that include many benefits, treat with consideration to attract talents from many the other countries and tax law is not the exception. Therefore, Mr Rouse should choose or ask more benefits instead of only high salary such as house accommodation benefit, home leave passage, relocation passage, transportation benefit, etc†¦. to earn many concessionaries to minimize his statutory income as well as to reduce tax payable. Question 2: aThe relevant dates in shareholder’s continuity test are different for unabsorbed capital allowances and trade losses and donation. Unabsorbed capital allowances can be carried against future profits provided the shareholdings are substantially the same (50% or more) in the 2 relevant dates: The last day of the YA (31 Dec) it arose And The first day of the YA (1 Jan) it is utilized Trade losses and donations can be carried against future profits provided the shareholdings are substantially the same (50% or more) in the 2 relevant dates: The last day of the year it arose (31 Dec of the calendar year) And The first day of the YA it is utilized (1 Jan of YA) b YA 2008: – Adjusted tax loss (trade loss) YA 2009: – Adjusted profit $40,000 $422,000 The shareholders of Feathers Pte Ltd based on % are as follows: 31/12/2007 Ee Mei Sarah 60% 40% 30/9/2008 40% 60% 31/12/2008 40% 60% 1/1/2009 10% 90% Assumption: on 1 Jan 2009, Donald still holds 5000 shares (total shares are 50,000 shares) Therefore, Queens’s shareholders and their shareholdings are as follows: Number of share 31/12/2007 Donald Ee Mei Ee Mei 25,000 20,000 60% x 5,000 = 3000 Sarah 40% x 5,000 = 2000 Total number of 50,000 shares 30/9/2008 5,000 10,000 40% x 35,000 = 14,000 60% x 35,000 = 21,000 50,000 s at 31/12/2008 5,000 10,000 40% x 35,000 = 14,000 60% x 35,000 = 21,000 50,000 1/1/2009 5,000 40,000 10% x 5,000 = 500 90% x 5,000 = 4,500 50,000 Two relevant dates in shareholder’s continuity test for trade loss are 31 Dec 2007 and 1 Jan 2009. Queens’s shareholders and their shareholdings in % as follows: 31/12/2007 Donald Ee Mei 50% {(20,000 + 3,000)/ 50,000} x 100% = 46% Sarah (2000/ 50,000) x 100% = 4% 100% 1/1/2009 10% {(40,000 + 500)/ 50,000} x 100% = 81% (4,500/ 50,000) x 100% = 9% 100% Previous year’s trade loss (adjusted tax loss) in YA 2008 can be carried against YA 2009 current year’s profit because the shareholdings are substantially the same (50% or more) in the two relevant dates of 31/12/2007 and 1/1/2009. YA 2009: $ Adjusted profit Less: trade loss brought forward 422,000 (40,000) Assessable income/ chargeable income 382,000 Conditions to qualify for the tax exemption for new start-up company: A â€Å"qualifying company† means a company incorporated in Singapore which for each of the first three years of assessment is resident in Singapore for that YA, and has its total share capital beneficially held directly by no more than 20 shareholders: ? ? All of whom are individuals throughout the basis period for that YA or At least one of whom is an individual shareholder holding at least 10% of the total number of issued ordinary shares of the company throughout the basis period for that YA. In the case of a company limited by guarantee: ? ? all of its members must be individuals throughout the basis period for that YA or at least one of its member is an individual throughout the basis period for that YA, and the contribution of that individual under the Memorandum of Association of the company to the assets of the company in the event of its being wound up, amounts to at least 10% of total contributions of the members of the company throughout the basis period for that YA. Question 3: aThe Singapore tax system is considered as a territorial system because income accruing in or derived from Singapore (Singapore sourced) or overseas income received or deemed received in Singapore is assessable to tax. In other words, income that is sourced outside Singapore is not chargeable to Singapore income tax if this overseas income is not received or deemed received in Singapore. One exception to this rule is dividend gain in Singapore. Under the new one-tier corporate tax system since 1 January 2003, tax will only be imposed at the corporate level and all dividends distributed by a Singapore tax resident company will be tax exempt for its shareholders. b Assumption: basic period is 1/1/200x to 31/12/200x Ms Dinh Tam’s 2-year contract will be from 1/4/2006 to 31/3/2008. Year assessment of Physical presence in Residence Singapore/ period of employment YA 2007 1/4/2006- 31/12/2006 Resident Exercise of employment in Singapore is more than 183 days in the basic period YA 2008 1/1/2007- 31/12/2007 Resident Exercise of employment in Singapore is more than 183 days in the basic period YA 2009 1/1/2008- 31/3/2008 Non-resident Both periods of employment and physical presence are less than 183 days. Remarks c Mr Tan KL, a Singapore resident, purchased a house in China. He rents it out and the rent is credited into his bank account in Hong Kong by the property agent. It means he receives a rental income in China and this income may be subject to tax in China remitted to Singapore is exempt from Singapore tax. In addition, according to Singapore tax law, all foreign sourced income remitted by INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT in Singapore on or after 1 January 2004 will be exempt from tax. d Determine whether the following receipts would be considered as income for tax purposes: iThis income will be exempt from tax if Ah Kow is Singapore resident because this income may be taxed in Macau remitted to Singapore is exempt from Singapore tax. In addition, according to Singapore tax law, all foreign sourced income remitted by INDIVIDUAL RESIDENT in Singapore on or after 1 January 2004 will be exempt from tax. ii   Profits made by a share broker from sale of shares is taxable income because shares are considered as his inventory to make profit therefore it is called revenue receipt for this share broker and that is subject to Singapore tax. iii Samantha Lee, a teacher made a profit from the sale of her piano is exempt from tax if this piano is her fixed asset and Samantha Lee doesn’t repeat piano buy and sale transaction many times. It means this profit is capital receipt, not revenue receipt and so that it is not taxable. iv Money received from an unlawful business in Singapore is taxable income because it is revenue receipt and income derived in Singapore so that it is subject to tax in Singapore. v Money received from sale of computer by a private school is exempt from tax because computer is considered as fixed asset of this private school. It means this income is capital receipt that is not taxable income. How to cite Taxation Assignment, Essay examples

Friday, December 6, 2019

Personal Reflection on Leadership Study for Data- myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about thePersonal Reflection on Leadership Study for Data. Answer: Introduction The concept and definition of leadership has always been an ever-changing subject for me. The learning that I received from my professor Alan Lawton over the course has considerably influenced and as well as changed my definition of leadership. I will contribute this paper towards the understanding and knowledge that I received in the course and how it will benefit me in the course of my life in various fields and situations. I will also find the gap in my learning and illustrate the opportunity to develop my knowledge of leadership that is required and the process that will be favorable for me to gain the required knowledge. Discussion I started my journey with the same confusion people often possess of leadership. I considered the leadership position as the position of authority or management. According to me, leadership was the ability to manage the work force of the organization and get the best possible outcome from the work that is profitable to the organization. Knowing how to manage the process was a sign of good leadership in my definition. The learning I received in the first week of the course has completely changed my thought of leadership. I now clearly see the difference between management and leadership. Leadership is a collective phenomenon, where the primary factors that come into action are the values, ethics and the relationship between the leader and the followers (Antonakis House, 2013; Ciulla, 2013). Without followers, there can be no leader and the value and the ethics reflects the leaders personal values and ethics. What makes the leader different from others is the ability to channelize the ir values in the team and influence the followers with motivational activities (Chemers, 2014). These are the skills, according to my understanding can be learned, opposing the views of some scholars and historians as they stated that one has to born a leader and it cannot be learned. Though I refuse to completely disagree their thought as the culture one is born in has positional influence over building the persons value and ethics. Vision, identity and passion are some important aspects that a leader must have (Bernhardt Hebert, 2014; Copeland, 2014; Summerfield, 2014). The course enabled me to study different definitions of leadership that are proposed over time by different scholars from historical times staring from the time of Plato and the change of perception over time. The scholars in early time saw leadership as an inborn talent which cannot be learned which has considerably changed over time. Irrespective of the differences of the definitions of the scholars over time, there are some commonalities that can be found in their studies that I highlighted in the previous paragraph. There are also styles of leadership that I came to know from the course that are applicable in different given environment. The study clearly defines that the leadership is directly related to the personality of the leader (Landis, Hill Harvey, 2014). Hence, it was important for me to learn myself further in-depth before I continued to learn about leadership. This process helped me to understand myself in a systematic way and I can say that now I have better understa nding of myself. The course helped me to build my personality, set my identity and clear my vision and also identify my passion. I was never been a more focused person than I am today and I consider this as a benefit that I had from this course. I am now bound by values and ethics that were unclear for me even a few weeks earlier. I came to know about the gender biasness that prevails in the leadership which has its impact on leadership style. The masculine point of view of the society restricts the women from climbing the ladder of the management which needs to be changed. I came to know some of the important stereotypes proposed by people over time that I learnt in time. Some are Women who speak out are immodest and will be shamed; women who are silent will be ignored, Women can exercise either their wombs or their brains, but not both and Women who are considered feminine will be seen as incompetent; women who are considered competent will be seen as unfeminine (Burke Collins, 2001). The knowledge I received from the course has limitless implications in not only in the professional sector I will be working on, but also in daily and personal life. It can be implemented in a wide range of sectors that I might work in, starting from managing a school football team, managing a project team or even in the industrial settings. As I am now clear to myself, it will be easier for me to have a better understanding of others and also to influence them with my ideology of work. Motivation is one thing that a leader should always provide to his or her followers that will be useful for me. In the personal and daily life, I can handle situation better than I could earlier. I can now direct any work with a proper knowledge of the process I am obtaining like organizing a party, performing a debate with friends, even in daily life activities. As every great man have ever told, that the process of learning if an endless process and we can only learn as much as we open ourselves towards the sources of knowledge. No matter how much effort we put in, we can only learn the slightest portion. I think, no one can achieve the absolute and improvement is always welcomed in any learning process. Though I have developed a few of my skills, but the course has let me think that improvement can be done in every aspects starting from personality development to develop value and ethics, vision and passion (Northouse, 2015). I will use my observation open all the time and continue my study in order to enrich my knowledge to improve my understanding. Case study is an important tool to gather knowledge any field and has a vast archive of cases as we learn from observation. The workers can have potential leadership skills or contribute the leader in their learning. The skills related to motivate people is an important part of leadership acti vity that I need to develop to become a good leader (McCleskey, 2014). In this process of learning, I will conduct the study of motivational statements proposed by different leaders over time. The statements of successful leader will contribute in building the motivational attitude in me as already proposed in the learning course. on to it, I believe the common people who are often overlooked can also show potential motivational skills in everyday life which needs to be taken into consideration. Moreover, styles of leadership are also another important factor that needs further study. The deeper understanding of various types of leadership will provide a greater insight of how leaders work and vice versa (Giacalone Jurkiewicz, 2015). Hence, I consider the biographies of different leader will help me developing the understanding. Conclusion I think we all try to manage people instead of leading them. This course helped me to improve my understanding of leadership and enabled me to be more reflective and more assertive. I also get to know that the process of learning about the leadership directly relates with the process of understanding of me. Leadership is something that comes from within us. To better understand the leaders and the leadership, the development of integrity and soul is the prime requirement of me. This course increased by self confidence which has direct impact on my flexibility to try out new perspective to influence people around me and the passion to try again. For me, leadership can never be learned completely. For me, the understanding of leadership is a lifelong journey where one will continuously be a part of the learning process. References Antonakis, J., House, R. J. (2013). The full-range leadership theory: The way forward. InTransformational and Charismatic Leadership: The Road Ahead 10th Anniversary Edition(pp. 3-33). Emerald Group Publishing Limited. Bernhardt, V., Hebert, C. (2014).Response to intervention and continuous school improvement: Using data, vision and leadership to design, implement, and evaluate a schoolwide prevention system. Routledge. Burke, S., and Collins, K.M. (2001). Gender differences in leadership styles and management skills. Women in Management Review. 16(5), 244-256. Chemers, M. (2014).An integrative theory of leadership. Psychology Press. Ciulla, J. B. (2013).Leadership ethics. Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Copeland, M. K. (2014). The emerging significance of values based leadership: A literature review.International journal of leadership studies,8(2), 105. Giacalone, R. A., Jurkiewicz, C. L. (2015).Handbook of workplace spirituality. ME Sharpe. Landis, E. A., Hill, D., Harvey, M. R. (2014). A synthesis of leadership theories and styles.Journal of Management Policy and Practice,15(2), 97. McCleskey, J. A. (2014). Situational, transformational, and transactional leadership and leadership development.Journal of Business Studies Quarterly,5(4), 117. Northouse, P. G. (2015).Leadership: Theory and practice. Sage publications. Summerfield, M. R. (2014). Leadership: A simple definition.American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy,71(3), 251-253.

Friday, November 29, 2019

Human Resources Management the case of Carrefour in UAE

Case Background Carrefour is an international chain of hypermarkets with its head office in Levallois-Perret, France; it is the world largest hypermarket in sales volume. The company’s first branch was opened on June 3, 1957 in Annecy, France by Lars Olofsson and Amaury de SÃ ¨ze. The Company has diversified its operation to the United Arabs Emirates through a joint venture with Majid Al Futtaim (MAF Group).Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Human Resources Management: the case of Carrefour in UAE specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More In the UAE, the company is located at various strategic points with some of its management services like human resources offered centrally in the regional office in Dubai. Currently, the company has 11 hypermarkets and 2 supermarkets in the United Arabs Emirates. The company offers more than 3,000 non-food items; some of these items include cosmetics, furniture, electronics, offic e equipments, and kitchenware’s (Carrefour Official Website). To effectively manage the multibillion stores, the company requires an orchestrate team. For an effective operation, Carrefour requires an optimal combination of physical and human resources. Well-trained and experienced work force is the greatest asset that an organization can have; it is through human resources that an organisation exists. Great leaders or managers are credited for their ability to combine available strengths and weakness in their organisation to develop an orchestrate team. In Carrefour, the human resource department has the mandate of ensuring the company has, at all times, the right number and quality of personnel necessary to attain its corporate goals and objectives. To have a winning team, the department with the assistance of other line and top managers has put on elaborate programs for hiring, training, retaining and redeployment of staffs. This paper discusses how Carrefour manages its h uman resources. Carrefour overall HR strategies and practices The retail industry is competitive and labour intensive, the industry requires people with different experiences, some semi-skilled and others experts in different areas. To remain competitive in the changing business environment, a company need to have an efficient working team that can meet the expectations at group level, which in turn translate for the wellbeing of the company. The management has to define the destination of the organization and it is the employee to drive the entire firm to that destination. Carrefour being a French hypermarket requires to have an effective team so as it can outdo its competitors; it wide range of products need to be managed in an effective manner to ensure that there is plenty at any one-time.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Some of the company’s competitors are Wal- Mart and Tesco. Although the human resource department are given the mandate of managing human resources; there is close collaboration among different teams leaders in the company, the human resources mostly deals with factors that emanate from people on the ground devising of strategies that are responsive to the people needs. The department is seen as the link between top management and people of the ground with the head of human resources sitting in the committee of executives and top managers. To have the right number of people at any one time, the human resources department engages in a continuous planning process. Planning involves putting on measures to realize the needs of employees at a certain particular in time: this process is only effective with the assistance of departmental managers who feed the departments with the number and the experience they they have and what they need. The main aim of human resources planning is to ensure that there is the right number of emplo yees, at the right time, at the right place, and at the right cost. Human resources planning are a continuous process as long an organization is operating. A number of human resource policies exist that the company has endeavoured to keep and respect; for instance, the human resources department has the role of ensuring that national and international laws have been respected when managing the human resources. On the other hand, the department makes sure that it has internal rules and regulations governing the operation of people in the organisation. Internal rules define the relationship between the company and the employees and aims at developing healthy human resources relations that lead to general well being of the company. Carrefour understands that for an effective work to be done by teams, and then the employer and the employee must retain healthy contracts that are seen to be mutually beneficial. Employees and employer have goals to meet thus there must be close coordinatio n in this effect.. This gives the need for understanding expectations. In an ideal situation, the employer must understand what his employees expect from him or her and the employees must understand what their employer expects from them.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Human Resources Management: the case of Carrefour in UAE specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The contract that exists is an exchange contract that an employer exchanges money (pay), benefits and employment security for employees’ loyalty, commitment and productivity. To ensure that there is good operation in the company, the company has embarked on fulfilment of employees’ psychological contracts. In the fulfilment of these contracts, the company has focused on two psychological contracts they are transactional: they are based on economic terms with a close-minded approach. Each party of a contact in a transitional contact aims to fulf il his or her own financial gain. Carrefour offers good salaries and rewards performance; it also expects the same form employees and thus it pegs its salaries on the performance of an employee. The next psychological contract that the Carrefour aims at fulfilling is the relational psychological contract; the focus of this approach is on socio-emotionally (non-economic returns). It is a dynamic approach and nothing is seen as static but open-minded. In this approach, it is a complex one where the interests of both parties are put into consideration. The employee works to satisfy his employer and the employer understands the employee as a business partner who needs to be well compensated and satisfied with his job. Here the employees work hard to meet targets set by the employer and the employer compensates them appropriately. Both parties look into the present and the future. The employee demands for employee’s loyalty and employees demand for a continued improvement of their status. Carrefour not only offers a job to its employees but a career, it exposes its employees to challenges and rewards performers. In current business world, being innovative is a virtue that is going a long way in ensuring there is competitiveness in an industry; for employees to be innovative and invent better ways of handing situation as well of doing things, the company offers a conducive environment. The environment encourages that employees should use their intellectual property for the benefit of the company; when they do so, they are rewarded accordingly.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The company’s human resources management frameworks are supported by it freelance organisational culture where employees can talk directly to management on certain issues of concern. Human Resources Practices at Carrefour An effective human resource management process starts with analysing of current employee’s capacity, the near future needs and the future needs of employees; with the figures in mind, an analysis of what the market can offer is conducted. Carrefour HR department has the role of understanding labour market dynamics to ensure that it has made plans to guarantee every department that it will be having required human force. To ensure that it has attained this goal, the company engages in the following practices: Recruitment After realizing that there is human resource gap that need to be fulfilled, Carrefour human resources department gets into the market to fetch for the required talents and qualifications. There are different ways that the organizatio n uses to get the attention of the public in general, or a specific group in the society that they need some employees. The internal human resources recruit junior employees however, for top managers and executives; the company outsources recruiting companies to conduct the task on their behalf. Recruitment may from external or internal sources: internally the company advertises for posts through intranet and notice boards; there are also some positions that recruits are deployed directly. In recruitments adverts, the company give clear guidelines on the kind of a person that the organization is looking for; their qualifications and the responsibilities are also well defined. Selection After applications have been received, the nest stage is for the company to sit down and shortlist candidates for interview. During this stage, integrity is highly observed to ensure that those people who do not meet minimum qualification are not short-listed. Since the company is regarded as a good employer, in many instance posts are over-subscribed; human resource clerks have the role of sorting the applications with the supervision of head of human resources. The day of interview is sent with the notification of successful short listing: the company has a panel-interviewing model where a candidate is scrutinized for talents, intellectualism, professionalism, integrity and creativity. Training and development After the interview, human resources department has the mandate of informing the participants of their fate at the interview whether negative or positive. Successful candidate/candidate has to be integrated into the new environment. This integration is meant to ensure that the employee understands the organizational structure and culture. This goes far from the most common inauguration stage to introducing the new entrants to departments they have been posted into personally. Human resources make sure that employee is comfortable in the new environment before serious business is started. After the employee has started performing his duties, the management should have a good way to appraise the employee and realize the areas of his/her weakness and adequate measures taken. The management should ensure that the employee is well motivated; highly motivated employees are more productive. After joining the organisation, an employee is kept under probation period for a period of six months; it is in this period that intensive training on the area of future specialization takes place. When working alongside other employees, the employee is given more attention by supervisors to ensure that his practical capabilities and weakness are understood for better blending in the company. In some circumstances, the company may feel that the capabilities of the new employee does not fit the requirement of the company and thus recommend for dismissal; Carrefour human resource management only dismisses a person after report from immediate supervisor on the perform ance of the employee. The employee on the other gets a chance to gauge his potential and make decision whether to terminate the contract or not. Motivation Motivation is the drive an individual has; it makes him persevere to attain set goals either in life or in an organization. People have different personalities and so different things motivate them. One motivator is not static but changes with among others age, economic status and social status; Carrefour understands the need to have a motivated work force, it thus has enacted internal rules and legislations that motivate employees. Ability is facilitated through learning and experience; motivation is attained after putting into consideration all factors that can make employees enthusiastic and vigil in their works. One of the major world motivator is money, the company has good packages for their employees; they ensure that their wage rate is above the market rate so as they can motivate existing staffs and become competitive in the industry. Other than financial packages, the company has other staff benefits like medical schemes, education schemes, retirement benefit schemes and leadership succession strategies. The company has also embarked on improvement of its operating environment; staffs are offered some basic needs like breakfast and afternoon snacks. It has also allowed the organisation to have an internal employee’s organisation and a Sacco. Promotions and compensation One of the ways that the company uses to motivate employees is the use of promotion as a tool of motivation; employees are expected to fulfil some obligations; with the attainment of these objectives, an employee is rewarded differently. Those employees who work excellently and have the capability are given a direct promotion to higher positions. Another way that the company promotes is while an employee has added his expertise; they consider additional education and give promotions where it is due. Carrefour wage rate is higher than the market rate; the wage rate includes monthly packages, annual leave payments, maternity leave payments, per-de-elms, holiday packages among other. Other than, the wage rate being higher, the company pay on time and in any case, if the pay date falls on a weekend or holiday, the company pays the previous weekday. During festive season, the company pays some days later to ensure that employees enjoy their pay in the festive season. Another practice associated by compensation and motivation is the operation of a check-off system with some financial lenders to offer their employees unsecured loans at a fair rate of interest. It also has car and mortgage loans at subscribed rate to their employees. Retaining After the employee has started meeting Carrefour expectations, the organization realizes that the employee also has his targets that he want met. To retain the employee, who at this point is an asset to the organization, the human resource department has developed m easures to retain the employees; the policies set range from good packages to maintaining of good human relations. Another ways to retain the employees adopted by the company is to make the working environment as comfortable as possible. Many are the times that human resources management hold meetings with their staffs to explain to them the expectations of the company and getting their views on the expectations. Performance appraisal strategies in the organization Employee’s performance need to be appraised regularly to ensure that they are on track with the organisational expectations and in case they have an area of deficit, the areas can be recognised for further training. Carrefour performance appraisal strategies consists of competitive moves and business approaches aimed at producing guiding reports to facilitate and improve performance; when appraising the employee is the main consideration; how well he or she has been able to contribute to the entire organisation. Th e potential of employees that the organisation had seen when employing the particular employee need to be evaluated alongside the performance recorded. The employee is given a chance to evaluate the working condition that the employer has provided. It seeks to understand how an employee is able to meet all the above organisational expectations and if he does not it seeks to establish the reason why. The company has a four-stage evaluation strategy; they are: Conventional Appraisals After certain period, an employee is appraised by the immediate supervisor; the supervisor has a guidance sheet that he is supposed to fill some guiding questions about the employees and finally has to write his recommendations. The supervisors are supposed to comment on the performance of an employee and allocate a percentage of attendance to the expected or goals attained. He is also supposed to note any special performance that the employee has had over a period. Generally, the manager appraises how well an employee is doing. Any area that the employee feels he needs some training is indicated. Self-appraisal During the appraisal period, which is mostly at the end of the year, an employee is given a guiding sheet where he is supposed to gauge his performance against some set parameters. The employee is given a chance to give some details about performances that were below or beyond the expectations, if there is something that the employee feels need to be recognized in his performance, he is given a chance to indicate. Any area that the employee feels he needs some training is indicated. 3600 appraisals Under this system, human resources department allows colleagues to gauge the performance of their peers; the appraisal may be specific to a certain person or may be general. The most important attributes that are looked at this appraisal is social skills and attitude of an employee. Final appraisal reports With the three reports, a departments manager reviews them together with the supervisor and the employee; at this review, the employee self-performance is gauged with that of the manager and the differences are explained by either party. This stage aims at harmonizing the appraisal report and coming up with a final draft that should work as the appraisal report of the employee. The report is used to develop, train and reward the employee in the next trading season. After the final report has been made, a confidential document goes to human resources department for recommendations implementation (Swanson and Elwood 56-123). Recruiting, external Vs internal, in Carrefour When the company is need of an employee, it has the freedom of recruiting internally, if there is the needed expertise, or externally. Whether getting employees internally or externally, the company emphasis on qualification and experience of the employee. Lets elaborate on the process independently: Internally Carrefour recruits internally either as a form of transfer amongst depa rtments, promotion or normal recruitments. After certain position has occurred, the company aims at offering their internal staffs the first chance to apply for the posy; internally advertising for posts internally, the company uses the intranet and notice boards to give the information that there is a post vacant and needs filling. In the advert, the duties, expectations, education and experience required is explained. Some positions are only available for a certain grade in the company or those people who have worked for the company for a certain period. All this information is given in the advert. After receiving of applications, the company them undergoes the normal vetting process to ensure they have given the post to the most appropriate person. Externally It is not always that the company’s human resources needs be fulfilled from the capacity that it has, again there are times that additional employees or people with a different experience are required; the time that the company recruits externally. Posts are advertised in the local media, internet and in the company’s public notice board, the company employees internationally for some positions, thus it places some adverts in its website and others in international media. When applications have been received, only those that reach before the deadline are considered for short listing. Shortlisted candidates then follow the right channel of recruitment to ensure that the right candidates are selected. Incentive plans that exist and distinguish between the various plans To have a robust and enthusiastic team, Carrefour has developed some incentive plans for their employees. An incentive plan is a combination of variable with the expected result as an increased enthusiasm and morale in once work. Carrefour human resource department is mandated with this task of developing incentive programs, however, it spans more that human resources practice; the way an organization is structured, the kin d of organization culture that an organization has, power distribution and employees relations are all variable of incentives. Use of incentives can be said to be an altruistic approach to respecting human dignity, but more are the benefits that accrue to an organization. One system that the company operates as an incentive is flex-time policy; the policy is managed at departmental level where a manager is supposed to oversee that there are adequate employees at any one time but there is an employee enjoying some free time because he or she has done something pleasing the organisation. For example the company has weekly department performance evaluation, to performers are given an allowance to report to duty one hour rate or leave an hour early; the policy increases competitiveness among staffs. The company allows it employees to subscribe to corporate memberships and professional bodies, like accountants and lawyers associations. To some of these organisations, the company pays for annual subscriptions as a way of encouraging the employees to sharpen their skills. For the benefit of its staff, the company accepts to be loan guarantor and operate a check off systems so as their employees can get loans at a rate lower than the market rate. Another strategy that the company has adopted is team building and festive season greetings strategy: all year round, every employee is expected to have gone for a team building exercise mostly with his or her department to an area of luxury. During festive seasons, like Christmas and Ramadan, the company offers employees shopping vouchers so as they can celebrate the season with their family members and friends. From a psychological point of view, the company encourages managers to interact feely with their juniors, they may have sporting competitions, have lunch together or perform different duties together. When a member of staff has been faced by a social phenomenon good or bad, for example death, sickness or birth of new born, there is a kitty by the management that is passed to the person affected (Smith and Mazin, 12–45) Conclusion An organization requires physical and human resources for its operations; the success of Carrefour hypermarket chains in the United Arabs Emirates has been attributed to effective human resources management strategies adopted by the company. The human resource department blends its human capital effectively so that the company can tap their intellectual capabilities; it creates an environment with challenges good enough to trigger innovation, creativity and invention. The company’s human resources department is given the mandate of ensuring that adequate employees are available at all times. It has the mandate of planning, deploying, employing, training, retaining, and dismissal of employees; it also has adopted motivational and incentives strategies to make the working conditions in the company favourable. Carrefour human resource department looks into qu antitative and qualitative aspects of the company’s human capital and ensures that both economical, social, and psychological needs of staffs are met effectively. Works Cited Carrefour Official Website. Carrefour UAE. 2011.Web. Smith, Shawn, and Mazin, Rebecca. The HR answer book: an indispensable guide for managers and human resources professionals. New York: Amacom Div American Mgmt Assn, 2004.Print. Swanson, Richard, and Elwood Holton. Foundations of Human Resource Development: Easy read Large Edition. San Franscico: Read How You Want Press, 2009. Print. This report on Human Resources Management: the case of Carrefour in UAE was written and submitted by user Mohamed M. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Monday, November 25, 2019

The eNotes Blog 8 Summer Vacation Destinations forBooklovers

8 Summer Vacation Destinations forBooklovers School is out and so is the sun! Summer is finally here, and it’s time to start plotting a travel itinerary for your coveted vacation time. If you’re a bookworm eager to tackle your summer reading list, why not also visit the places that inspired your favorite literary works? From New Orleans to Chicago, we’re highlighting the top vacation destinations for traveling booklovers. Pack your essentials because once you visit these literary cities, you may never want to leave. Here are our top eight U.S.-based summer destinations for booklovers. Image via CBS Miami 1. Key West, FL Craving a tropical getaway this summer? Located in the heart of Old Town Key West, Ernest Hemingway’s former home and the feline legacy he left behind reside on a lush property close to the southern coast of the island. If you visit during mid July, you may stumble across hundreds of Hemingways roaming the streets for the Hemingway Days Festival. The celebration includes a commemoration of the author with poetry readings, a look-alike contest, and a unique take on Pamplonas Running of the Bulls. If you’re not a Hemingway fan, check out the other homes of writers that have lived the island life, including Tennessee Williams, Elizabeth Bishop, Robert Frost, and Shel Silverstein. Image via TripAdvisor 2. Salem, MA While Salem’s cultural identity is rooted in the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692, the city has transformed into an epicenter of New Age phenomena. Once the Puritan capital of the northeast, Salem has been the subject of classic literary works including Arthur Miller’s The Crucible and Nathaniel Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter. While visiting the city, take a tour of The House of Seven Gables to see the birthplace of Nathaniel Hawthorne and the setting for his famous novel. Be sure to also check out the Hawthorne Hotel, named after Hawthorne himself, and buy a souvenir at Salem’s Harry Potter-themed wand shop. Image via Wikipedia 3. San Francisco, CA Compiled of eclectic neighborhoods along the bay, San Francisco is an ideal city for a literary walking tour. Start your visit in North Beach, the outpost for members of the Beat Generation and grab an espresso at Caffe Trieste, a popular writing spot for Beat-figures like Gregory Corso and Alan Watts. Continue your tour with a stroll through the Jack Kerouac Alley before venturing into City Lights Books, the bookshop that published Allen Ginsbergs â€Å"HOWL†. Right next door to City Lights is Vesuvios, a local bar frequented by Neal Cassady and Jack Kerouac. If you make your way to Ocean Beach, you’ll witness the Pacific Coast landscape that inspired Jack London to write Martin Eden and the Robert Frost poem â€Å"Once by the Pacific†. Image via Merrimack Valley 4. Concord, MA Just outside of Boston lies the â€Å"birthplace of American transcendentalism.† Begin your visit with a tour of The Orchard House, the family home of Louisa May Alcott and the setting that inspired Little Women. Have a picnic by Walden Pond, take a stroll down the â€Å"Transcendentalist Trail,† or visit Thoreau’s carefully preserved cabin on the lake. At some point, be sure to read Susan Cheever’s American Bloomsburg, which highlights the literary world of Concord in the nineteenth century and the interconnected lives of Ralph Waldo Emerson, Henry David Thoreau, Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Margaret Fuller. Before you leave, pay a visit to the â€Å"Author’s Ridge† in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery where some of the most famous Concordian authors lay to rest. Image via TripSavvy 5. New Orleans, LA From Truman Capote to Eudora Welty, writers have flocked to New Orleans for centuries not only for the jazz and gumbo but also to gain inspiration for their latest literary endeavors. Hop on a streetcar (preferably one named â€Å"Desire†) and visit the homes of Tennessee Williams and Anne Rice. While roaming the French Quarter, pop into Faulkner House Books, formerly the home of William Faulkner himself. If you want to extend your visit overnight, try booking a room at the Hotel Monteleone, one of only three literary landmark hotels in the country, and have a drink at its famed Carousel Bar. Image via The Baltimore Sun   6. Baltimore, MD Baltimore may seem like an unlikely destination for literature lovers, but there’s a reason it’s known as â€Å"Charm City.† The most notable literary figure that hails from Baltimore is Edgar Allan Poe. Take a tour of Poe’s home, visit his grave, and grab a bite at the Annabel Lee Tavern, a themed bar named after his last poem. Poe isn’t the only literary icon that has spent time writing and living in Baltimore. You can visit the homes of Gertrude Stein, F. Scott Fitzgerald, H.L. Mencken, and John H.B. Latrobe. Perhaps you’ll even bump into Madison Smartt Bell or Alice McDermott, who still reside in Baltimore teaching a few lucky students attending the local universities. Image via Behance 7. New York City, NY The birthplace of the Harlem Renaissance and The New York Intellectuals, there’s no denying that the Big Apple has a literary culture that runs vast and deep. The city is a mecca for literary enthusiasts with a seemingly endless list of things to do. You can take a Literary Walk through Central Park, visit the Poe Cottage, or visit the Central Park Carousel like Holden Caulfield. Stop by the Round Table Room at the The Algonquin Hotel, which hosted members of the Vicious Cycle including Dorothy Parker and Simone de Beauvoir. The Plaza is another landmark hotel and favorite of F. Scott Fitzgerald. It’s famous for hosting Truman Capote’s Black and White Ball and is the setting for the popular childrens’ book series Eloise. Before you depart, be sure to grab a drink at The White Horse Tavern, a popular watering hole for Beat writers, including Jack Kerouac who was kicked out on numerous occasions. Image via YoChicago 8. Chicago, IL The Windy City is another urban hub for bibliophiles. Philip Roth and Kurt Vonnegut both got their starts within a few years of each other at the University of Chicago. There are quite a few house tours you can take in Chicago, including Hemingway’s first home, the Carl Sandburg House, and Lorraine Hansberry’s House. If you’re a history buff, check out the Devil in the White City Tour to learn the history of 1893 World’s Fair serial killer H. H. Holmes. Take a stroll through Nelson Algren’s favorite Neighborhood, Wicker Park, or venture to Oz Park dedicated to Frank L. Baum. There’s a lot to see in the Second City, so be sure to reference Chicago’s Literary Hall of Fame for special events and a map of literary Chicago. Wherever your travels may take you, be sure to slap on the sunscreen, bring home a souvenir, and savor the flavors of summer!

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Sociology Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 3

Sociology - Essay Example Luxuries, such as vacations and dining out, are out of reach for the minimum wage earner that earns the $6.55 per hour as prescribed by federal law (Compliance Assistance). In addition, the low wage earner is not able to save for emergencies or make any plans on financing the college education of their children. While raising the minimum wage does help reduce the hardship on the poorest workers, it is often met with political resistance that claims it costs business too much money and reduces the number of jobs available. Another practical way to raise the wages would be to increase the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC). This is money given to the working poor through a yearly tax credit. In addition to increasing this allowance, it could be disbursed on a monthly basis, which would help workers meet their budgetary and immediate needs. The current maximum amount that can be claimed is $4,824 with two or more qualifying children (Earned Income Tax Credit). This equates to approximately $93 per week, or an additional $2.32 per hour in a 40-hour workweek. Increasing this amount would help the low wage earner

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Consumer Behaviour Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words - 5

Consumer Behaviour - Essay Example Risk taking being the major aspect in business, the trend of investing downtown for businesses that took the risk has actually guaranteed them their success. This success is also attributed to its ample parking space and accessible location (Schupp, 2005). Festival marketplaces’ main concern is their customers, so understanding consumer needs and behavior so as to coop with their ever changing trends is actually necessary. For this kind of business to be privileged in the human heart, then it has to consider the following factors: high quality goods and services and that’s what customers mainly go for, fairly priced goods and services, it should also offer a variety of goods and services so as to offer customers a wide collection to choose from. Festival marketplaces have actually succeeded in achieving most of this vital factor. However, understanding consumer behavior is a difficult task. I said difficult and not impossible. It has to start with market research. This will enable the marketplace to address issues from its consumers directly. Businesses must at all-time strive to be ‘human era’ oriented so as to win bias among the customers in the market. Festival marketplaces have wholly embraced the idea of openness, honesty, being empathetic and exciting. This is an exact illustration of a ‘human era’ oriented firm. This achievement has been through events like; monthly gift card drawing, holding free workshops and offering a ‘thank you’ to the community and its own staff (Blythe, 2008). Moreover, rising to levels that most festival marketplaces have managed to reach is a hectic transition that involves much hard work and devotion of its staff. However, there are easy procedures and strategies for getting to the top of your business line without necessarily having to wait for decades for the transition to occur. Business favors ‘smart’ people whose ideologies and actions are not limited or rather confined to a box. Festival

Monday, November 18, 2019

Sports Management - Sponsorship Proposal Assignment

Sports Management - Sponsorship Proposal - Assignment Example The event will be held concurrently from the month of October 10th to 12th, incorporated with training sessions, followed by sprints. This event stands as one of the most recognized events in the Plone Content Management System (CMS). The target audience for the event are developers, managers, agencies of the government, students, education institutions, and any party interested in learning about technology. As a result, the event brings together the leading developers and contributors around the world and enable them to share relevant success stories. Other Plone events were held in Arnhem, San Francisco, Bristol, Budapest, Washington DC, Naples, Seattle, Vienna, and New Orleans. An event is a non-profit event and the revenue collected will be raised by sponsors. The sponsorship packages offered vary and suitable for various organizations and the target group. The sponsorship plan for the conference offers maximum exposure to the technical audience. The initiative of sponsoring the Plone Conference 2014 will enable an organization reaches an audience of developers, software engineers, managers, investors, and service end users from more than 30 countries in the world. The conference will enable the sponsor to This category is available to sponsors who can meet an investment of US $ 18,000 but limited to four sponsors. The sponsor will enjoy a prominent space in the exhibition hall (4 MÂ ²). At the same time the brand exposure through logo placement in Plone conference websites, conference rooms, tot berg insert, conference guides for mobile devices, Twitter announcements, and joint announcements. In the job fair platform, the sponsor will enjoy a reserved table for recruitment as well as an ad as a company recruiter in conference websites. Furthermore, the sponsor will have 10 conference passes and 10 training passes. This level is entitled to sponsorship investment of US $ 8,500 and only limited to four parties.

Saturday, November 16, 2019

Investigation into the Force of a Bullet

Investigation into the Force of a Bullet The Force of a Bullet             Abstract: The aim of the experiment was to uncover whether or not, if when a person is shot in a movie and falls backwards is realistic. As the experiment was to see how far back a person goes when shot, the following hypothesis was made: if the momentum of a bullet out of a nerf gun is passed on to a toy soldier, then it will travel backwards because of the Momentum Conservation Principle. The hypothesis will be tested by using a nerf gun and bullet that will be shot at a toy soldier from various distances. Through the experimental data recorded, the hypothesis was found to be supported, however a new hypothesis could be developed to better suit this experiment. Introduction: 21st century movies show dramatic improvements in the special effects that are used to make a better movie. Over time, shooting scenes have been the main point decider in movies in whether or not it seemed realistic or over exaggerated. Although Computer-Generated-Imagery (CGI) helps to make these scenes better, how reliable is the recoil of a person falling back from taking a shot in the chest, shoulder or even the head. The realism of shooting in movies will be explored through investigating and experimenting to find out how realistic someone being shot and falling backwards is. The movie that will be used as the reference or comparison for this experiment is The Brothers Grimsby released in 2016 as an action cross adventure genre. The key scene that will be used from the movie is when Nobby, played by Sacha Baron Cohen, shoots two enemies using a 9mm gun as shown in the photo. This movie is used as the comparison due to the shooting scene looking realistic, in that when the two enemies are shot, they only fall backwards and dont jump back five meters, giving the appearance of a realistic shot or kill. For the experiment, a nerf gun was used as the replica gun for this experiment. The areas that will be explored in the experiment include Newtons Third Law, which is defined as For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction (Physicsclassroom.com, 2017). Newtons Third Law affects the experiment in that when the bullet is shot from the nerf gun, the energy behind the bullet is equal to that of when it hits the object and pushes it back while the bullet deflects in any given direction. Newtons Third Law relates to the Momentum Conservation Principle. The principle is a collision between object 1 and object 2 in an isolated system. The total momentum of the two objects before the collision is equal to the amount of momentum after the collision (Physicsclassroom.com, 2017). The expression of the above text can be shown through the equation of, F1 = -F2. It shows that the magnitude is the same but in opposite directions. The impulse in an object is equal to the change in momentum of that object (the impulse momentum change theorem). This means that the object contains positive and equal impulses. As an equation, this is expressed as:- p1xà ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  V1=p2x à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  V2 p= momentum à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  V= change in velocity Theoretical Calculations: The scale that is used is 1:32 and came from the size of the object in which it represents a six and a half foot tall person. Nerf gun bullet speed is 44.6 ft/s or 13.6 m/s meaning when scaled to see if the bullet is roughly the same speed of a 9mm bullet (Stoked About Science, 2017). The results came from an external experiment where the average firing speed was found. Scale used is 1:32, therefore 3244.6 = 1427.2 ft/s 3213.6 = 435.2 m/s The muzzle velocity of a 9mm bullet is 1246.7 ft/s or 380 m/s. The nerf gun when scaled is around the same speed of a 9mm, therefore it allows the experiment to be a realistic scale replica of the movies shooting scene. Momentum of the nerf bullet where mass of bullet equals 0.001kg. Momentum= mass x velocity p= m x v p= 0.001 x 13.6 p= 0.0136 kg/ms-1 m= mass of nerf bullet (1 gram) v= speed of nerf bullet in (13.6 ms-1) Momentum of the bullet equals 0.0136 kilograms-metre per second. Using the momentum change theorem to find how far back the soldier went. P= momentum P1=0.0136 P2=Unknown à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  v= change in velocity à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  v1=13.6 à ¢Ã‹â€ Ã¢â‚¬  v2=0.036 The equation is rearranged to find m2 Therefore the momentum of the toy soldier is equal to change in momentum of p1-p2. Change in momentum To find the length of how far back the toy soldier went, the acceleration formula is used. a = acceleration (ms2) 13.60 = 13.6-2.6810-3 vf = the final velocity (m/s) vi = the initial velocity (m/s) t = the time in which the change occurs (s) By finding the time, we can now calculate the distance by using the formula The theoretical length of the distance of how far back the toy soldier should go is 0.49 meters. Hypothesis: By using the background research that has been collected, the following hypothesis for the experiment was formed. If the momentum of a bullet out of a nerf gun is passed on to a toy soldier, then it will travel backwards because of the Momentum Conservation Principle. Material List: Nerf Gun The nerf gun was used as the comparison weapon to the 9mm gun used in the movie as it had similar speeds when scaled. Toy Soldier The toy soldier was the scaled replica of a human which was also the item that was shot at. Tape measure A tape measure was used to calculate the distance from where the shooter would be and to measure the length of how far back the toy soldier went when shot. 30cm ruler A ruler was used to keep the toy soldier parallel to the spot where they were going to be shot from. Enclosed Dome measuring scale The scale was used to measure the mass of the soldier to help with calculations for the theoretical data. Method: As the materials required could be sourced from home, there wasnt any needed to be ordered at school. Finding a suitable place that wouldnt be affected was the first priority as wind could easily blow the bullets around and have made the experiment harder to do. The classroom next to the physics room wasnt in use and due to it having enough room to shoot; it was the perfect area to conduct the experiment. Some desk and chairs needed to be moved to allow a wide and long enough section where the tape measure could be laid out. A 30cm ruler was used as a reference point and laid across the two metre mark on the measuring tape. The toy soldiers were placed just behind the ruler so they were parallel to the two metre mark on the tape measure. The shooter held the nerf gun at the four metre mark (two meters away from the targets) and shot the soldiers five times. Before every shot was taken, the shooter made sure that the front of the gun wasnt past the four metre mark on the barrel so then the results would be as consistent as they could be. The range of where the shooter was changed at the end of the five shots by one metre (three metres away from the target) to see if there would be a change in the distance of how far back the toy soldier went. Five shots (that hit the targets) were fired again and the results recorded into a table. The distance was changed for the final length to be four metres away from the toy soldiers with five shots that hit the toy soldiers to be recorded. The results that were recorded took the data of the travel of the toy soldier from where it had been placed. The dependent variable for the experiment is the change in distances of how far back the bullet was shot from. The independent variable of the test was the speed of the bullet as it didnt change (the same gun was used). The controlled variable of the test was the object being hit and the room that the experiment was conducted in. A layout of the experiment is shown below. Safety: The safety procedures that were followed consisted of wearing safety glasses and having an empty room. Although there was minimal chance of a bullet deflecting into an eye, glasses were worn to prevent any injuries to the eye. Having an empty room meant that there wasnt anyone to accidently hit compared to if the experiment was conducted in the main teaching room where there were other experiments being conducted. Results: The results of the experiment have been collected and recorded into the table below. Table 1. Shot No. Range from target (m) Distance from where the toy soldier was placed (m) 1 2 1.48 2 2 1.37 3 2 0.15* 4 2 1.89 5 2 0.95 Average of shot 1-5 excluding shot 3(*) 2 1.42 6 3 1.63 7 3 0.62 8 3 0.84 9 3 1.47 10 3 1.12 Average of shot 6-10 3 1.13 11 4 0.96 12 4 1.15 13 4 1.21 14 4 0.76 15 4 0.89 Average of shot 11-15 4 0.99 (*) means that shot 3 is not included in average calculation due to it being an anomaly. Result from theoretical calculations. Table 2. Shot No. Range from target (m) Distance from where the toy soldier was placed (m) 1 unknown 0.49 A chart of the average distance of how far back the toy soldier is displayed below to show the averages from the distances shot. Graph 1 Discussion and Conclusion: Looking at the results from table one and the graph one, a pattern emerges that shows how the further away the shooter is, the less the toy soldier goes back. Table one shows that although there is a decrease in the length of how far back the toy soldier goes; the results were not all similar to each other in that there wasnt just a two or five centimetre difference, but a 10-30 cm difference. Graph one shows the average of how far back the toy soldier goes and shows that the further back the shooter is, the less momentum there is to pass onto the object. In the first five shots, (range of two metres) an anomaly occurred that was not included in graph one. Compared to the other distances, it was not included as it had an 80cm gap between the next smallest distance that was recorded. The reason for why this occurred is unknown but the most logical reason for this anomaly is that the bullet hit the ground just before hitting the toy soldier loosing most of its momentum before impact. The results from the experiment also are similar to a real world bullet, in that when a bullet is fired, wind, air resistance and gravity affect the travel and trajectory of where it will land. Wind impacts the sideways movement and with air resistance, it slows down the speed of the bullet. Gravity impacts the height and overall distance of the bullet. These three impacts affect the nerf bullet just the same, but a lot more as the bullet its lighter and has less energy behind it. The results from the experiment shown in table one and graph one show the distance decreases as the shot is taken further back. Compared to the theoretical table, the results between the theoretical and experimental calculations are not similar as there is a significant difference in the distances when compared. The theoretical result is close to the distance of how far back the two people go in the movie The Brothers Grimsby where the experimental results are about a metre off. The results from the table and chart from the experiment show that increasing distance from where the shooter shoots from will reduce the distance of how far the toy soldier travels backwards. Therefore the hypothesis, If the momentum of a bullet out of a nerf gun is passed on to a toy soldier, then it will travel backwards because of the Momentum Conservation Principle is shown to be supported. Evaluation: The errors of the experiment consist of the shooter and the environment. The errors of the shooter involve accuracy, data recording and the position of where the gun was held. The environment that the experiment was held in also affected the results in how the bullet was affected by its surroundings (air conditions) and also the room itself. Accuracy of the bullet hitting the toy soldier had a major effect to how far back the soldier would go backwards. The reason why this was a problem is because if the bullet hits the soldier in the arm, then it wont go straight back, but more of a diagonally path that is to the left or right of the soldier. The momentum transfer is also affected because the arm is smaller than the bullet, not all of the energy will transfer compared to if it was shot in the chest. Data recording was done to a good standard, yet improvements can be made to make sure the right length is recorded to improve overall accuracy. As the toy soldier is five centimetres long, choosing what spot (head, feet or the chest) to look at to measure from when next to the tape measure was a problem. The solution to fix this is to have a laser set up with the point of the toy soldier that it furthest away from where it was when shot. This solution would give an increase in accuracy with the way data is recorded. The position of where the shot was made from also affected the results taken, but also how much momentum the bullet had upon impact. If the gun is in front of the point where it should be on the measuring tape, then the bullet will have more momentum than if it was shot from behind the point on the measuring tape. Although this will have only minor affects, a centimetre or two will decrease the accuracy of the average distance of how far back the toy soldier went. The overall experiment can be improved to help the accuracy of the results. Although the nerf gun is scaled down in the speed of a real gun, by having real guns and bullets the experiment will be similar to that of the movie scene. The object that would be shot at could be a pig or mannequin (as shown in MythBusters) that is similar in size and weight of a real person and placed on a stand to hold it up right. In the experiment, different bullet sizes can be used to see the differences of a .22 to a 9mm to a 50 calibre. The hypothesis for the experiment that was conducted can be improved. The new hypothesis that could be tested is, when a nerf bullet is shot at a toy soldier, the distance of how far back it moves will decrease as the range is increased. Bibliography In-text: (Grimsby Brothers,2016) Your Bibliography: Grimsbys Finest Nobby Opens Up About New Film Detailing His Life. Newscom Au. N.p., 2017. Web. 4 Mar. 2017. In-text: (9mm Ammo, 2017) Your Bibliography: 9mm Ammo. (2017). [online] Available at: http://9ammo.com/ [Accessed 18 Mar. 2017]. TOY MICROWAVE PICTURE In-text: (Aliexpress.com, 2017) Your Bibliography: Aliexpress.com. (2017). toy microwave Picture [online] Available at: http://www.aliexpress.com/item-img/1-Soft-Bullet-Clip-And-20-Pcs-Bullets-For-Nerf-Gun-Toy-Cartridge-Dart-Magazine-Ammo/32510200688.html# [Accessed 18 Mar. 2017]. MOMENTUM In-text: (Physicsclassroom.com, 2017) Your Bibliography: Physicsclassroom.com. (2017). Momentum. [online] Available at: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/Class/momentum/u4l1a.cfm [Accessed 18 Mar. 2017]. MOMENTUM CONSERVATION PRINCIPLE In-text: (Physicsclassroom.com, 2017) Your Bibliography: Physicsclassroom.com. (2017). Momentum Conservation Principle. [online] Available at: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/momentum/Lesson-2/Momentum-Conservation-Principle [Accessed 18 Mar. 2017]. NEWTONS THIRD LAW In-text: (Physicsclassroom.com, 2017) Your Bibliography: Physicsclassroom.com. (2017). Newtons Third Law. [online] Available at: http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/newtlaws/Lesson-4/Newton-s-Third-Law [Accessed 18 Mar. 2017]. NERF GUN DART SPEED-PART 2 STOKED ABOUT SCIENCE In-text: (Stoked About Science, 2017) Your Bibliography: Stoked About Science. (2017). Nerf Gun Dart Speed-part 2 Stoked About Science. [online] Available at: http://stokedaboutscience.com/episodes/nerf-guns2/ [Accessed 18 Mar. 2017]. WHAT ARE INDEPENDENT AND DEPENDENT VARIABLES?-NCES KIDS ZONE In-text: (Nces.ed.gov, 2017) Your Bibliography: Nces.ed.gov. (2017). What are Independent and Dependent Variables?-NCES Kids Zone. [online] Available at: https://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/help/user_guide/graph/variables.asp [Accessed 18 Mar. 2017].

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

The Once And Future King :: essays research papers

Wart and The Master   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Many people wish to be an animal if only for a day, just to see what it is like to be that animal. The obvious problem is that nobody knows how to turn himself into an animal. However, in T.H. White's Once and Future King, Wart has the opportunity to experience life as an animal because his tutor, Merlyn the magician, transforms him into many different animals. Of all the adventures, the most significant transformation to Wart's kingship occurs when he becomes a badger because the badger teaches Wart valuable lessons about human behavior.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wart's transformation into a badger provides him with insight to become a great king. The badger teaches him certain characteristics about humans which help him to rule his kingdom. For example, he states, 'True warfare is what happens between bands of the same species'; (194). The animals in Wart's other transformations teach him only about their societies. The most important information that the badger gives to Wart is that humans are one of the only species in the world who fight among themselves. The badger supports this statement when he says, 'There are more than four thousand different sorts of them, and from all those kinds I can only think of five which are belligerent. There are the five ants, one termite that I know of, and Man';(194). This insult influences Wart to create the Round Table when he becomes the King. The purpose of the Round Table is to get all the barons to stop fighting among themselves and to form an alliance to fight only to protect th e weak. Therefore, the badger's insult influences the creation of the Round Table.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Wart's adventure as a badger was the most beneficial transformation to him as a king.

Monday, November 11, 2019

International Gecko

INTERNATIONAL GECKO AND ANTIQUE BUYER WE GUARANTEE A REAL TRANSACTION 15/08/12 International gecko and antique buyer Thank you for visiting our blog! Contact : Ichsan. Email   Ã‚  Ã‚   : [email  protected] com cellphone : +6281319518787 or +6285255966267 or +6287886022939 address  Ã‚   : Gading Serpong sektor 6, blok GB2 no 32, Tangerang, Indonesia We are International gecko and antique buyer from Indonesia wants to have a professional transaction with you, we are working globally to buy tokay geckos and antiques with the following criterias : TOKAY GECKO 1. Tokay gecko/gekko gecko species. 2.In good health. 3. Not wounded and has complete body parts. 4. The head of the gecko must be wider and bigger compared to its stomach/belly. 5. Sensitive and responsive. 6. Achieve the minimum weights and package. 7. Has the shape of a house lizard with red/green/white/purple spots. 8. Can stick to wall/wooden/glass surface. 9. Tokay is naturally fed and has a yellowish chest 10. No black magic PRICES DATED APRIL 16th 2012| | | PACKAGES| QUANTITY| PRICE IN INDONESIAN RUPIAHS| PRICE IN USD| 330-349 gram| 8 pcs/package| 15. 000. 000. 000/pce| 1,666,666/pc| 350-379 gram| 4 pcs/package| 20. 00. 000. 000/pce| 2,222,222/pc| 380-399 gram| 1 pce| 50. 000. 000. 000/pce| 5,555,555/pc| 400 gram up| 1 pce| 300. 000. 000. 000/100 gram| 33,333,333/100 gram| 500 gram up| 1 pce| 310. 000. 000. 000/100 gram| 34,444,444/100 gram| 600 gram up| 1 pce| 320. 000. 000. 000/100 gram| 35,555,555/100 gram| 700 gram up| 1 pce| 330. 000. 000. 000/100 gram| 36,666,666/100 gram| 800 gram up| 1 pce| 340. 000. 000. 000/100 gram| 37,777,777/100 gram| 900 gram up| 1 pce| 350. 000. 000. 000/100 gram| 38,888,888/100 gram| 1000 gram up| 1 pce| 600. 000. 000. 000/100 gram| 66,666,666/100 gram| net price, tax free (paid by buyer) * All contract is signed using Indonesian Rupiahs, but maybe converted to usd for overseas payment, the price of usd value is an approximate depending on Indonesian currency exch ange rate. * if the tokay is only 1 pce it must have the weight of minimum 380 gram to pass the weight examination, and also fulfills the other criterias as posted above. if it is below 380 g must be sold in package (see the list) * Currency exchange rate of the above calculation is Rp. 9000/ usd, and may   vary depending on Indonesian economic stability and exhange rate.

Saturday, November 9, 2019

We Beat the Street Essay Example

We Beat the Street Essay Example We Beat the Street Essay We Beat the Street Essay By: Nnamdi Anige In the book We beat the street Dr. Hunt, Dr, Jenkins and, Dr, Davis show how you do not have to get caught up in everything your friends do. When you do make mistakes, learn from those mistakes. These 3 doctors beat the hood, stealing, and jail in their neighborhood by staying positive. One thing they show in the book is how they beat the hood. For example â€Å"Quit throwin bottles in the street, man† (21). This shows how they would not let their neighborhood be destroyed and say that do not have a good neighborhood but they were ones making it bad. Also they did things that were bad but, they did not do it again. They were scared so they decide not to do it anymore. For example â€Å"We gonna jack us some ICEE’s from Jack’s† (31). They did a bad thing by trying to steal the ICEE’s from Jack’s but they learned from it and did not do it again. The 3 men also blocked another stint in jail by not doing the same thing or hanging with the bad people who got them in the whole situation. For example â€Å"Never again; I will not going to waste my life this way† (121). He is showing his determination not to go back to jail. He knows what he did and he knows how to learn from what he did. We all know that you’re supposed to learn from your mistakes and not to get caught up in what everybody else does. We sometimes forget this advice but we still choose to do these things that we regret. It helps when you do not do those things we regret again like the 3 doctors in the book. You too can beat the hood, the game, anything as long as you stay positive. Work Citation Davis, Sampson, George Jenkins, and Rameck Hunt. We Beat the Street. New York: Puffin, 2005.

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

Why Cultural Appropriation Is Wrong

Why Cultural Appropriation Is Wrong Cultural appropriation is the adoption of certain elements from another culture without the consent of people who belong to that culture. Its a controversial topic, one that activists and celebrities like Adrienne Keene and Jesse Williams have helped bring into the national spotlight. However, much of the public remains confused about what the term actually means.   People from hundreds of different ethnicities make up the U.S. population, so it’s not surprising that cultural groups rub off on each other at times. Americans who grow up in diverse communities may pick up the dialect, customs, and religious traditions of the cultural groups that surround them. Cultural appropriation is an entirely different matter. It has little to do with one’s exposure to and familiarity with different cultures. Instead, cultural appropriation typically involves members of a dominant group exploiting the culture of less privileged groups. Quite often, this is done along racial and ethnic lines with little understanding of the latter’s history, experience, and traditions. Defining Cultural Appropriation In order to understand cultural appropriation, we must first look at the two words that make up the term. Culture is defined as the beliefs, ideas, traditions, speech, and material objects associated with a particular group of people. Appropriation is the illegal, unfair, or unjust taking of something that doesnt belong to you. Susan Scafidi, a law professor at Fordham University, told Jezebel  that it’s difficult to give a concise explanation of cultural appropriation. The author of  Who Owns Culture? Appropriation and Authenticity in American Law, defined cultural appropriation as follows: â€Å"Taking intellectual property, traditional knowledge, cultural expressions, or artifacts from someone elses culture without permission. This can include unauthorized use of another cultures dance, dress, music, language, folklore, cuisine, traditional medicine, religious symbols, etc. Its most likely to be harmful when the source community is a ​In the United States, cultural appropriation almost always involves members of the dominant culture (or those who identify with it) â€Å"borrowing† from the cultures of minority groups.   African Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans, and indigenous peoples generally tend to emerge as the groups targeted for cultural appropriation. Black music and dance, Native American fashions, decoration, and cultural symbols, and Asian martial arts and dress have all fallen prey to cultural appropriation. â€Å"Borrowing† is a key component of cultural appropriation and there are many examples in recent American history. In essence, however, it can be traced back to the racial beliefs of early America; an era when many whites saw people of color as less than human. Society has moved beyond those gross injustices, for the most part. And yet, insensitivity to the historical and current sufferings of others remains apparent today. Appropriation in Music In the 1950s, white musicians borrowed the musical stylings of their black counterparts. Because African Americans weren’t widely accepted in U.S. society at that time, record executives chose to have white artists replicate the sound of black musicians. The result is that music like rock-n-roll is largely associated with whites and its black pioneers are often forgotten. In the early 21st century, cultural appropriation remains a concern. Musicians such as  Madonna, Gwen Stefani, and Miley Cyrus  have all been accused of cultural appropriation. Madonnas famous voguing began in black and Latino sectors of the gay community. Gwen Stefani faced criticism for her fixation on Harajuku culture from Japan. In 2013, Miley Cyrus became the pop star most associated with cultural appropriation. During recorded and live performances, the former child star began to twerk, a dance style with roots in the African American community.   Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke perform during the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards. Theo Wargo/Getty Images Appropriation of Native Cultures Native American fashion, art, and rituals have also been appropriated into mainstream culture. Their fashion has been reproduced and sold for profit and their rituals are often adopted by eclectic religious and spiritual practitioners. A well-known case involves the sweat lodge retreats of James Arthur Ray. In 2009, three people died during one of his adopted sweat lodge ceremonies in Sedona, Arizona. This prompted the elders of Native American tribes to speak out against this practice because these plastic shamans have not been properly trained. Covering the lodge with plastic tarps was just one of Rays mistakes and he was later sued for impersonation. Similarly, in Australia, there was a period during which it was common for Aboriginal art to be copied by non-Aboriginal artists, often marketed and sold as authentic. This led to a renewed movement to authenticate Aboriginal products. Cultural Appropriation Takes Many Forms Buddhist tattoos, Muslim-inspired headdresses as fashion, and white gay men adopting the dialect of black women are other examples of cultural appropriation that are often called out. The examples are nearly endless and context is often key. For example, was the tattoo done in reverence or because its cool? Would a Muslim man wearing  the  keffiyeh  be considered a terrorist for that simple fact? At the same time, if a white man wears it, is it a fashion statement? Why Cultural Appropriation Is a Problem Cultural appropriation remains a concern for a variety of reasons. For one, this sort of â€Å"borrowing† is exploitative because it robs minority groups of the credit they deserve. Art and music forms that originated with minority groups come to be associated with members of the dominant group. As a result, the dominant group is deemed innovative and edgy. At the same time, the disadvantaged groups they â€Å"borrow† from continue to face negative stereotypes that imply they’re lacking in intelligence and creativity.   When singer Katy Perry performed as a geisha at the American Music Awards in 2013, she described it as an homage to Asian culture. Asian Americans disagreed with this assessment, declaring her performance â€Å"yellowface.† They also found issue with the song choice, Unconditionally, alongside a stereotype of passive Asian women. The question of whether it is a homage or an insult is at the core of cultural appropriation. What one person perceives as a tribute, people of that group may perceive as disrespectful. Its a fine line and one that must be carefully considered. How to Avoid Cultural Appropriation Every individual has choices to make when it comes to sensitivity toward others. As a member of the majority, someone may not be able to recognize a harmful appropriation unless its pointed out. This requires awareness of why youre buying or doing something that represents another culture. The intention is at the heart of the matter, so its important to ask yourself a series of questions. Why are you borrowing this? Is it out of a genuine interest? Is it something you feel called to do? Or, does it simply look appealing and youre following the trends?What is the source? For material items such as artwork, was it made by someone from that culture? What does this item mean to them?How respectful is this to the culture? What would someone from that group feel about it? Genuine interest in other cultures is not to be discounted. The sharing of ideas, traditions, and material items is what makes life interesting and helps diversify the world. It is the intention that remains most important and something everyone can remain conscious of as we learn from others.

Monday, November 4, 2019

Business Strategy report Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Business Strategy report - Assignment Example ch concerns ability of the firm to set goals, according to which proper action plans are set in order to meet those goals and produce desired results. Some of the features of strategic management can be described as follows (DeWit and Meyer, 2004). Strategic thinking- The aspect of strategic thinking involves generation of unique ideas and insights that help to increase competitive advantages of business as well as to achieve desired goals more efficiently. The strategic thinking process requires managers to consider past performance of the business and realize ways in which change or implementation of a new strategy might affect the organization and its various interest groups. Strategic thinking is mostly done when a firm considers applying a change in operations or while incorporating new business ventures into a formal organizational structure. It is mainly a mental process and requires examining the firm from the view point of its capabilities. Managers and authorities brainstorm to come up with new and innovative methods for fulfilling organizational goals and developing new horizons of business opportunity. Strategic planning- The next step after strategic thinking is the process of strategic planning. In strategic thinking, the firm decides upon actions that are needed to be taken. In the strategic planning process, the firm formulates effective solutions so that proposed ideas and objectives can be achieved. Strategic planning involves analyzing the firm considering the following aspects (Johnson, Scholes and Whittington, 2005): Primarily strategic planning involves evaluating the firm from the view point of external environment. This involves conducting PESTEL (Political, Environmental, Social, Technological, Economical and Legal) analysis. The external environmental factors that can affect functioning of an organization are taken into perspective and ways in which external factors are likely to respond when a firm incorporates changes or new business