Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Scene Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Scene Analysis - Essay Example However, Laizi’s quest for freedom leads the two into a frantic search for freedom in a world where it can be compromised by anyone. The film begins in a setting a town where a crowd is distracted from the frantic attempts by Laizi to leave the dojo. The director does not reveal the initial intention of Laizi and his desires if he gets the freedom. One of the key features about this film that make it outstanding is the wide use of Chinese tunes to create an atmosphere. The use of sounds and music makes the movie emotional, which is one of the features about the movie that helped it win the Cannes Palme dOr, making it to be the first and only Chinese movie to win the award. Douzi’s introductory scene is also very intriguing. Initially, Douzi’s mother takes her young boy to the master who refuses to accept him due to his disability, which is a polydactyly finger. His mother chops off the finger making a contract with the master on leaves that the master accepts her son. This scene is characterized by a close up of the camera shifting closer towards the finger being chopped off to create suspense and to achieve a more dramatic scene. Douzi and Laizi’s relationship grows and they become good friends for years. However, as was the initial case, Laizi influences Douzi to run away from the troupe, but they choose to return after attending a performance in the Perkin Opera. After Laizi’s death, Douzi is faced with countless challenges. For instance, the Eunuch Zhang sodomizes Douzi. However, the director avoids this scene only showing the initial attraction that the Eunuch Zhang had for Douzi and later revealing that the latter had been molested and was a little shaken by the situation. The director opts to eliminate the scene in which the Eunuch Zhang traumatizes Douzi to ensure that the film does not become too obscene. This form of censorship is common in most Chinese movies covering themes such as sex. The

Monday, October 28, 2019

The Pearl Manuscript and medieval visionaries Essay Example for Free

The Pearl Manuscript and medieval visionaries Essay Pearl texts and their surviving manuscripts are the rich heritage property of Middle English poetry. When a war is won, mention of important soldiers and Generals who contributed to the success of the war, if often mentioned and recorded. Similar is the case about the literature. The scholars who read, analyze, interpret and offer their criticism on ancient classics are often remembered by the .literary enthusiasts. So when one talks about the Pearl Manuscript, one remembers Sir Israel Gollancz. His views containing Pearl, Cleanness, Gawain and the Green Knight and Patience are original and noteworthy . His views have contributed much to shape the modern critical perspectives of this great text. The highlight of the poems of the Pearl Manuscripts is the   timeless appeal and the   inherent capacity to reach the inner realms of the human being with their latent   spiritual strength. What makes Gollancz’s editorial achievement exclusive? It is so, because it is comprehensive and well-researched.   Gollancz has taken into account all the important aspects of the Pearl Manuscript. His facsimile was reprinted three times since 1923, was reissued in 1971.For the later scholars Gollancz was the inspiration and the base. The audience for these poems is of two categories. The scholars engaged in study and further research on them, and the lay readers. Both owe a debt of gratitude for the enthusiasm and dedication with which Gollancz worked on Pearl Manuscripts. He kindled the interest of both categories in profound riches of the medieval English verse, for the period 1891 to 1940.But for Gollancz’s dedication, the task of going through the Pearl Manuscript in facsimile, would have been difficult. The original version of the Pearl texts and the authentic details of their codex are available at the Manuscript Room of the British Library. The other route to get it is costly and time-consuming—order copies of individual leaves from the Library’s Photographic Reproductions Office. â€Å"For these major achievements and for the many smaller contributions he made to resolving specific textual problems which vexed scholars of the Pearl poems, I believe the name of Sir Israel Gollancz must be placed alongside those of Sir Frederick Madden and Richard Morris on the list of founders of modern scholarship on the Pearl Manuscripts poems.†(Reichardt†¦) Some examples of the poems are: â€Å"Hope 3e à ¾at He heres not à ¾at eres alle made? Hit may not be à ¾at He is blynde à ¾at bigged vche y3e. (Patience, 123-24)1† (Reichardt..) The narrator of Patience recalls the Psalmist’s words: no one can escape the omniscience of God. Presently, this omniscience of God is related to the faculties of sight and hearing. You can not run away from the realities of life. You have to suffer or enjoy the consequences of your evil or good actions. There is no escape from it because you don’t have a secure place of escape away from the vision of God. Not even a leaf oscillates without His wish. The Creator sees all and hears all. The relationship between man and God is undeniable. All types of manifestations in the world are as per the will and command of God. Wherever we are and whatever we may do, our prime concern should be to exemplify and demonstrate the validity of the power of the Supreme Being. It is no use getting intoxicated by the intellectual achievements disregarding the reality of the Cosmic Supreme. â€Å"BÄ•rÄ «th is the Hebrew word which, in the Old Testament, is applied to ‘the three great covenants established by God at the three critical stages of the history of mankind: the creation, the reestablishment of mankind after the flood, and the birth of the Hebrew nation.’5 The centrality of covenant to the poems in this manuscript is manifest in the inclusion of the stories of both Noah and Abraham in Cleanness.†(www.marginalia) What is a fully imagined devotional response? It is the beginning of the search within.   Action without the motivated desire is possible through the sensory organs as seen in Pearl when the Dreamer approaches Christ. This means God can not be searched in the world outside. He can be realized in the innermost chambers of our heart and that too through a specific procedure. God is not sitting in the sky granting rewards and punishments. â€Å"Delyt me drof in y3e and ere, My manez mynde to maddyng malte; Quen I se3 my frely, I wolde be à ¾ere, By3onde à ¾e water à ¾a3 ho were walte. (Pearl, 1153-56)†(Reichrdt..) Wise people say that a poet sees what the sun can not see! This statement highlights the strength of the power of the narrative imagery. The images created by the poet are as powerful as those seen with the eye, if not more. Spoken words can provide you with some understanding but they can not reveal the truth. The truth can only be experienced, through the inner eye. If one wishes to see and know God, one has to perceive the eternal Divinity within one’s true Self. For that the precondition is to ignite a passionate and inextinguishable thirst to see, know, and realize our eternal Father. Since the dawn of the Creation, the procedure to know God has been one and the same. One’s own inner self is the eternal witness to one’s actions. There is no escape from this position under any circumstances. To watch means to participate. This condition is also in tune with the legal process. A covenant would not be valid without the witness, which ipso facto means that the witness has the perfect understanding of the contract. The witness has truly educated himself as to the true implications of the action. The word education is derived from the root â€Å"edu†, which means to draw out. So what is to be drawn out? It is one’s inherently blocked flow of latent potential including wisdom and creativity that needs to be squeezed out. Here one can understand what Mass implies. It is the enactment of both the spiritual and legal aspects of the covenant. The bread and wine symbolize the body and blood of Christ. In the Sacrifice of the Mass the priest takes recourse to dual actions-affirmative and destructive. A comparison can be drawn here, between the positive and negative tendencies of an individual. He re-enacts Christ’s breaking of the bread at the Last Supper and his immolation in the Passion. The question is how to beat the negative tendencies and how to draw out the celestial flow of dormant potential in every individual. For that, the need is to dig a tunnel right up to one’s core personality. Such a tunneling effect is the outcome of establishing unity between all one’s personality layers while harmonizing each one of them with one’s core personality called Pure Consciousness or Soul, which is the actual reservoir of one’s total potential.  Ã‚   The sum and substance of the Pearl Manuscript is to know and understand one’s inner world, which is the fountainhead of bliss, the communion with it paves the way for eternal happiness. Happiness and melancholy are the outcomes of one’s own positive and negative thoughts respectively. A spiritual flight is an ecstatic transcendental experience carried out by one’s soul. It involves the intermingling of one’s Soul with All-pervading eternal Consciousness. The deeper the Soul delves into the Infinite ocean of Universal Consciousness, the more it gets embellished with the spiritual pearls. This mystical transcendental experience is inexplicable, as it beyond all words, known languages and varied expressions. This is hurdle faced by greatest of the great poets. At this point, the power of poet’s imagery becomes powerless. For, this state can neither be defined nor confined and hence is inexpressible in terms of words and expressions. The best way to know it is through Self-Realization. Such a state is described by Poet Wordsworth in his poem ‘Daffodils’ as â€Å"the bliss of solitude.† Confessio Amantis (The Lover’s Confession) is a Middle-English poem by John Gower. It uses the confession made by an old lover to the Chaplin of Venus. The 33,000 lines poem is one of the great works of late 14th century English literature. The poet was an eminent writer, and belonged to a wealthy family. The contents of the poem again relate to vices and virtues, the sinner and the sinned, the different grades in the society, how the sinner can return to God, how he can obtain pardon by Jesus Christ, and his mother, the glorious Virgin. Probably it was written about 1376-1379.Confessio Amantis is addressed to King Henry IV. The subject dealt with has been called â€Å"In Praise of Peace.† In the conversation between the confessor and the penitent, seven deadly sins are discussed, by tales borrowed from other notable works, including the Bible. The transition from earthly love to higher plane of love is also elucidated. John Gower is no ordinary writer and â€Å"Confession Amantis, is by no means slender, and in some respects will stand comparison with Chaucers admittedly great gifts as a narrator.†(Catholic Encyclopedia) Conclusion The medieval poems have a charm of their own. That was the time the humanity was not affected by materialism, industrial and internet revolution. Rule of the heart prevailed, over the rule of the reason. The Kings and Queens dominated the political scene. Romanticism was part of the life of men in the high society. God and spirituality influenced every segment of the society and every aspect of human life. Human being feared the divine powers and prayed for peace and welfare.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚            References Cited: Andrew, Malcolm, Waldron, Ronand; Book: Poems Of The Pearl Manuscript: Pearl, Cleanness, Patience Gawain and the Green Knight (UEP Exeter Medieval Texts and Studies) Paperback: 380 pages Publisher: University of Exeter Press; 3 edition (January 1, 2002) Language: English ISBN-10: 0859897265 ISBN-13: 978-0859897266 Reichardt, Paul F. Sir Israel Gollancz and the editorial history of the Pearl findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3708/is_199504/ai_n8729842/pg_11 33k Cached Similar pages, Retrieved on May 2, 2008 Reading and Believing: Covenant in the Poems of the Pearl Manuscript Gower’s words.. www.marginalia.co.uk/journal/06cambridge/bates.php 37k Cached Similar pages,Retrieved on My 2,2008. CATHOLIC ENCYCLOPEDIA: John Gower The Confession Amantis was translated into Portuguese by Robert Payn.. www.newadvent.org/cathen/06685a.htm 30k Cached Similar pages   Retrieved on May 2, 2008

Saturday, October 26, 2019

The Story I Was Made To Tell :: Personal Narrative Depression Papers

The Story I Was Made To Tell This is the story that I am made to tell. I have written pages and pages of other tales, dancing legends and laughing mysteries, choking secrets that fell away from me the minute they dripped on to the page. But I have always, it seems, been working around this one core subject, the one that eludes me and presses in on me at the same time. You see, I think that in the end, we all have one true tale to tell, to tell well, to tell with all the truth and simplicity, honor and respect that it deserves. And that story will live inside of us forever, praying to be let out. But it isn’t easy to unravel the chapters of your one story. For me, it is still quite impossible, but it is time that I try. Nothing I will ever write can approach truth until this story is told. And perhaps it is my job to try. The story — it is my mother’s. And therefore, mine. It is built of nothing less than miracles and tragedy. It is nothing more than the story of one person. It is the only thing that makes me cry, in the deepest pocket of myself, because it is an untold, unfinished story of the highest importance. The story actually sings in me every time I breathe in, breathe out, every time my eyes lift to see the air and its tingly life, every time my hip aches or my hands sing, or my cheeks puff up in sickness or cold. But no matter its majestic significance, its indelible mark on my life, I still have never been able to tell it. That is the hole I am trying to fill. 1994, spring, a school day. My father, for some reason, drove me back from school one day. This was very unusual, since my father spent more than half his time in England during those years, and a great deal of time in other countries, as well, all as part of his job. He was rarely around, and when he was, he certainly wasn’t picking me up from school or anything else. Either way, he drove me home on this particular day, and as we approached the driveway, almost at our house, he told me an interesting piece of news. The Story I Was Made To Tell :: Personal Narrative Depression Papers The Story I Was Made To Tell This is the story that I am made to tell. I have written pages and pages of other tales, dancing legends and laughing mysteries, choking secrets that fell away from me the minute they dripped on to the page. But I have always, it seems, been working around this one core subject, the one that eludes me and presses in on me at the same time. You see, I think that in the end, we all have one true tale to tell, to tell well, to tell with all the truth and simplicity, honor and respect that it deserves. And that story will live inside of us forever, praying to be let out. But it isn’t easy to unravel the chapters of your one story. For me, it is still quite impossible, but it is time that I try. Nothing I will ever write can approach truth until this story is told. And perhaps it is my job to try. The story — it is my mother’s. And therefore, mine. It is built of nothing less than miracles and tragedy. It is nothing more than the story of one person. It is the only thing that makes me cry, in the deepest pocket of myself, because it is an untold, unfinished story of the highest importance. The story actually sings in me every time I breathe in, breathe out, every time my eyes lift to see the air and its tingly life, every time my hip aches or my hands sing, or my cheeks puff up in sickness or cold. But no matter its majestic significance, its indelible mark on my life, I still have never been able to tell it. That is the hole I am trying to fill. 1994, spring, a school day. My father, for some reason, drove me back from school one day. This was very unusual, since my father spent more than half his time in England during those years, and a great deal of time in other countries, as well, all as part of his job. He was rarely around, and when he was, he certainly wasn’t picking me up from school or anything else. Either way, he drove me home on this particular day, and as we approached the driveway, almost at our house, he told me an interesting piece of news.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Bullying Provoked by Differences in Gender, Sexuality, Religion, Race :: Social Issues, Bullies, homosexuals

In November of 2012, a 14 year old girl committed suicide in Canada after receiving numerous threats from 2 of her classmates because of a â€Å"falling out† in the girls' relationship. This past year, a freshman at Rutgers University took his own life after a video revealing his true sexuality was discovered and put onto a commonly known website for all the university to see. The well known â€Å"Columbine Shootings† shocked the world because the shooters were said to have been picked on and bullied in school. The effects of bullying, even in one’s childhood, can haunt them forever: â€Å"Sometimes, a whisper in an elementary school classroom can echo for decades. A threat called out in a middle school hallway can cling to the subconscious into adulthood. And an insecurity exploited in a high school cafeteria can redefine a future† (Johnson 1). It’s clearly obvious that bullying can take lives and torture the people whom loved the victims of such c ruelty. People, not just kids and teenagers, but people are bullied everyday across the world. The effects of bullying, or the practice of coercion by force or intimidation due to specific characteristic, are about as common as its practice in American public schools. Studies over the decades show bullied students are more likely to skip class, disengage socially and abuse substances (Johnson 1). Bullying can be provoked by a difference in race, sexuality, or a conflict within a relationship; such as a rumor. There are a variety of reasons as to why someone could and is being bullied, however those few seem to be the main source. In some cases, being bullied can be caused by the fact that a person is simply intimidated by how well you fulfill an aspects of life in which they wish to be equally successful, if not better than you. Whatever the reason may be, the forms in which to be bullied all share equal impacts and severity. Receiving physical harm, verbal abuse, or intimidation or humiliation through the internet are all forms of bullying. The pain a victim sometimes receives is severe, resulting in high anxiety, stress, eating disorders, suicide, violent retaliations: â€Å"When teens intimidate each other, they may attack with bats, knives, guns, or other weapons† (Kowalski 1). Bullying can even result in eating disorders: â€Å"Many teens with eating disorders ha ve suffered abuse. Unconsciously, they try to control one tiny portion of their lives-eating-when everything else seems out of control† (Kowalski 2).

Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Case Study: Michelin’s supply chain strategy Essay

Michelin is the forefront of the radial tire as well as a leader on the world tire market; they occupied almost 20% market share in the world. It’s  realized that the trend towards globalization as more intense competitions that obtain to lower cost and improve the efficient operations. Meanwhile, Michelin have its strong vision, because they have already established a global mission since 1900s, and built 35 factories around the world between 1960 and 1975. Michelin can be gain the competitive edge in the global market through various manufacturing strategies, refer to (2000, Geoff Buxey) indicates that it’s generally classify into a several evolve levels, _Domestic, Market access, Low cost and Global ._Furthermore, in order to cope with the challenges under several competitions such as Goodyear and Bridgestone, they have setting a position as successful in the †Quality assurance.† Also there are comparison and contrast the global operations between Michelin and Bridgestone in the latter sector. Q1. _THE MANUFACTURING STRATEGIES ADOPTED BY MICHELIN IN ORDER TO GAIN COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE IN GLOBAL MARKET._ Michelin have 69 production sites in19 countries and their commercially available in 170 countries. This successful is not only base on the ability to coordinate the whole entities in the global supply chain network, but also depends on their manufacturing strategies to obtain Michael Porter (1985) a sustainable Competitive advantage. GLOBAL In 1906, Michelin built its first plant outside of France in Turin, Italy and United States, that’s implicated that they begin to develop and access to the international market. More recently, Michelin have dispersion to six target markets: Europe, North America, South America, Asia Pacific, China, Africa and the Middle-East. MICHELIN’S MANUFACTURING STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT THE COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGES Michelin’s Tire manufacturing is consist the nature of labor-intensive and capital-intensive, therefore they need to adopting different strategies between advanced countries and emerging countries, mix of _low cos_t and _market access_ strategies to enter into the global market, as (2000, Geoff Buxey) points out that the _global manufacturing strategy_ is consist of low cost and market access strategy. DOMESTIC Europe is the industrial base of Michelin, their products are provides to two main markets to the world: Original Equipment Market and Replacement market. In Europe, they keen to keep its competitive advantage in providing high technical products and offer a high-quality and innovative products and services; also a R&D department act as a major role in providing a continuous support to their manufacturing strategy. Besides, Increase the productivity can be directly reduce their operation cost, as the case mentioned, Michelin tend to be through reduced the production size to increase the productivity in Europe. FOCUS ON HIGH QUALITY & TECHNICAL PRODUCTS PRODUCED IN EUROPE. This is no doubt that, Michelin is leadership in advanced technologies, not only in _Safety_, _Energy efficiency_, but also in _Environmental friendliness_. For instance, develop a low rolling resistance tires for the purpose of reducing vehicle fuel consumption as the public is more consider about environmental friendliness. The powerful evidence to prove that the quality of Michelin’s products are recognized, World trade Magazine to award of †Manufacturer of Honor† to Michelin in 2007, because they provide vehicle tires to U.S. military throughout the world. ACCESS INTO THE EMERGING MARKET AND DIFFERENTIATION Meanwhile, the increases in the demand of emerging market and the y realized that the transportation cost is involves a large percentage of their net sales, therefore, establishing a plants in the oversea market and let the production close to the marketplace, it can not only reduce the inventory and transportation cost, but also able to fulfill the customer needs immediately and response to the market change. From the annual report in 2006, there are 3 fields of strategies need to be implement, that including †_Differentiation through innovation and expansion in emerging countries to stimulate growth_.† Martin Christopher (2005) discusses that, in today’s marketplace where customers seek individuality and where segments are getting smaller, a major source of competitive advantage can be gained by linking production flexibility to customer need for variety. It’s agreed that provides a diversity of products might grab the market share in the emerging market. Moreover, Michelin establishes more plants in different areas can be fulfilling the sharp increases in demand. SPECIALIZED /FOCUSED FACTORIES To achieve the major strategic productivity gains, Michelin concentration on industrial capacity and specialization of plants. Michelin expect to through †_The Michelin Manufacturing Way_ (MMW) † to increase their productivity, which is a management tool shared by all Group plants and able to reduce their purchasing costs Besides, owing to cater for specific and unique local demands, Michelin adopted specialized/focused factories strategy as so to fulfill various  customer needs and achieve local customization . Martin Christopher (2005) points out that, Focus Factories means † limiting the range and mix of products manufactured in a single location the company can achieve considerable economies of scale.† It allows Michelin to enjoy lower operation cost because the significant scale economics can be achieved in manufacturing if greater volumes are produced on fewer sites and it allow each factory on a specific product range. As a global company, Michelin adopting a different strategy in various markets and fulfill the customer needs at full steam. Through achieve a products differentiation to capture the new customer in the emerging market; also, they have its strong local presence to adapt to the specific features of the world markets. In addition, further develop the technical products which depend on their ability to offer a high-quality and innovative products and services can be maintaining a sustainable competitive advantage in the global market. Q.2 EVALUATE MICHELIN’S GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT STRATEGY (GSCM), ANY ISSUES THEY NEED TO COPING WITH AND PROVIDE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR THE FUTURE DEVELOPMENT. With increased globalization, GSCM strategy is becoming an important issue for Michelin, the flow between and among all firms engaged in offering a good or service to the final customer. FROM UPSTREAM TO THE DOWNSTREAM OF THE GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN GLOBAL SOURCING The GSCM in Michelin is very complicated, because different markets also have its own characteristics in the customer needs and the sales network is covering over 170 countries. From the upstream supply chain, Michelin adopted a _Global sourcing_ as a strategic approach to reduce the raw-material cost and mix of the  manufacturing inputs available anywhere in the world and gain access to the oversea markets, which supported by †The Factor-Input Strategy† and †The Market-Access Strategy† OEMS AND REPLACEMENT From the downstream supply chain, Michelin have established 11 specialized business units to monitor and co-ordinate the operation among entities into the GSCM. Besides, they have two different business models, OEMs and Replacement market. But it’s interrelated, because the original equipment sector sales will make a direct contribution by boosting demand for replacement tires. The tire dealers obtain the inventory of new replacement tires through Michelin’s Distribution Centres and the demand is come from different customers and it’s less certainty than OEMs market. Therefore, the Lead time in the OEMs can be reduced, because the orders are placed by the major vehicle manufacturers in a short period of time. For instance, Michelin was also OEMs supplier to _General Motor’s_ and _Honda’s_ vehicles Bob Ulrich (2007) until recently. Therefore, these two types of market segments have to using different strategy to control the downstream supply chain. EFFICIENT SUPPLY CHAIN AND RESPONSIVE SUPPLY CHAIN Fisher (1997) suggested two distinctive strategies, Efficient supply chain (ESC) and Responsive supply chain (RSC), and presented a model which links supply chains to products. There are two distinctive supply chain approaches; Replacement products represent an ESC and the lead time is longer, the OEMs products represent a RSC because it’s able to flexible in handling variance in customer demand.  Huang, Uppal et al. (2002) presented a _hybrid supply chain_, demonstrate that some automobile components may contain innovative features, and the hybrid supply chain may therefore be appropriated in Michelin. Nonetheless, Michelin also tend to integration of the global supply chain network to maximum their profitability and the core factors to determine their global supply chain strategy is depending on the market and product’s characteristics. POTENTIAL ISSUES FACING BY MICHELIN The increases in the cost of raw-materials and which are resulting in a negative overall impact on operating income. The OEMs market is growing show in advanced market, however, there are growing rapid in emerging market in both OEMs and Replacement, and it has increased 15% tire sales from 60% in 2005 to 75% in 2006 in Replacement market. As the sharply increase the demand in Replacement market, Vollmann(2005) states that †the Customer order decoupling point† which position in the †Finished stages† of the supply chain in replacement market, therefore, achieve an optimize inventory and avoid stock out is very difficult, meanwhile, product life cycle become shorter and the product variety continuous increase will force the demand more difficult to forecast. Michelin need to face several potential issues, Increases in the cost of Raw-Material( rubber), OEMs market growing slow, Increases in lead time, Increases in the inventory related- cost, It takes a high cost in transportation because of shipping across boundaries, The supporting activity to develop in the emerging country, especially in technological aspects. Replacement products require a forecast driven supply chain, the demand is variety and the inventory will be increase continuously, because the lead time is very long, dealers have to make a buffering stock to reduce the risk in stock out, also, a increasing in distribution cost is a considerable issue as well. RECOMMENDATION FOR THE FUTURE VENDOR MANAGED INVENTORY (VMI) PRACTICES AND VERTICAL INTEGRATION Working closely with key supplier can be reduce the in-bound lead times, that’s allow the upstream supplier planning and monitoring the inventory control systems for the downstream parities. There are allow information sharing between both parties, inventory could be replaced by information, the more accurate information you obtain, the less the inventory you hold. Meanwhile, it ensures the raw-material supply certainty and the reduction of the procurement cost to offset the increased in the price of raw-material. The major benefits will be gained from a great deal of reduction in inventory and the reduction of lead time, not only in the ordering processing stages but also in the distribution stages. In addition, although Michelin have its own natural rubber plantations, and there are only supplies a part of the raw-materials, moreover, a dual supplier to reduce the risk in disruption of supplies is necessary. STRATEGIC ALLIANCES WITH THE THIRD-PARTY LOGISTICS PROVIDERS (3PLS) To cope with the increases in the distribution cost, the global tire company decided that outsourcing its distribution network was the right way to leveraging new capabilities for competitive advantage, because Manufacturing firms and 3PLs can specialize on there area of competences, Thomas A. Foster  (2004) points out that, Michelin decided to transform its North America business to TNT in 2004 based on their well local experience. It’s suggested that, Michelin can be take the same action in the emerging market to directly reduce their operations costs, transportation costs as well as handling costs, additionally, Michelin can increase the cash flow because running a DC will tied up a million of dollar. RE-ENGINEERING OPERATIONS Actually, OEMs is a best approach to reduce the total lead time and reduce the inventory as well, therefore, they should more concentrate on this market. Charles J. asserts that †manufacturers can obtain the largest decreases in lead times through _re-engineering operations.†_ Many new terms describe the re-engineered production methods that companies are adopting, for instance Just-In-Time manufacturing, lean/agility manufacturing. And there are two major benefits gain from re-engineering operation, Company can use the short lead times to drive down its costs as well as generate increased sales. Nevertheless, before implement this approach, it’s very important to synchronize and standardize the technological standard so as to transfer the high technical product line to the emerging market. Q 3. COMPARISON AND CONTRAST THE GLOBAL OPERATIONS BETWEEN MICHELIN AND BRIDGESTONE Michelin is a French company and Bridgestone is a Japanese company, both of them also got award in the Fortune global 500 in 2006, former ranked in 335, and latter ranked in 245. Nonetheless, if based on the market share, Bridgestone is currently ranked as the second company in the global tire market, Michelin is the first. GLOBAL STRATEGY The global strategy in both companies is very similar; they also serving two major markets in the worldwide: Original Equipment Market (OEMs) and  Replacement market. In the previous stage, they strengthen their operation in domestic market (France and Japan) and gradually access into the different countries and the production belt shifting from host countries to new areas. Owing to penetrate the advanced-market such as United-state, Michelin acquires a U.S. tire manufacturers B.F. Goodrich in 1988 and Uniroyal Company in 1990. Meanwhile, Bridgestone acquires the second largest tire manufacturer in United States in 1988 and acquires a US-based Bandag, Inc., in recently. They can directly grab a part of market share in U.S. market, and achieved a synergy effect. To allow an effective to implementation of the global operation, Michelin have establish 11 specialized group services to make sure that they are consistent on a global scale, meanwhile, Bridgestone also have 8 strategic business units (SBUs) to support their global operation, Each SBU has substantial autonomy to focus on satisfying customer needs within the policy framework. GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN Michelin is adopts a global sourcing strategy in the upstream of the supply chain, in contrary, Bridgestone adopts vertical integration with the raw-materials suppliers and maintain the sources steadily. In the sales networks, there are totally different; Michelin through dealer to sale the products, and Bridgestone combines dealer operations together with company-owned facilities, and acquires Bandag, inc., to capture the global network of about 850 franchised dealers in over 86 countries. However, in the distribution network, Michelin have outsourced the U.S. distribution operation to TNT and layoff the own-DCs in 2004, it can reduce the cost directly. LOCATION OF PRODUCTION AND THE TARGET MARKETS The global distribution network is very sophisticated in both companies, and  there are the comparisons between two companies. The target markets also focus on six geographic areas; however, there is little bit difference. Because Bridgestone is a Japanese company, therefore, the domestic market (Japan) capture a great deal of percentage of their total sales, in contrary, the total sales of Michelin have 49% is account for Europe’s business. Generally, their geographic coverage is almost similar, it covering Europe, Japan, North America, South America, Asia Pacific, China, Africa and the Middle-East. In Michelin, the Group’s growth in Asia will be significant, and along with the increase volume in demand and they have ability to enhance industrial performance at their plants to achieve cost reduction. But in the Bridgestone, they increase the capital investment in Europe and increase the production capacity in strategic product line while keen to develop in the emerging markets. PRODUCTS DIFFERENCE Michelin represents a leader of advanced technologies in safety, energy efficiency, as well as environmental friendliness. Also, they have offering a tour guide books and online mapping services. In contrary, Bridgestone is emphasis on high-value added products and it’s divided into two types of products, Tires and Diversified Product. Tires account for 80 % of sales in 2006 and the rest is the others. _CONCLUSION_ Michelin based on persistent strong brands, quality and services, to pursuing a targeted growth strategy that is worldwide, until now, the global footprints has been significant increased, as a leader in an advanced technological and providing high quality products, Michelin need to balance and co-ordination their operation between industrial base countries and the emerging countries for the purposes to maintain a sustainable competitive advantages. In the emerging market, with the sharply increase growth in the replacement sector, Michelin need to concentrate on this sector as well as increase the productivity to fulfill the large volume in demand, meanwhile, the supply chain performance always is a critical element to achieve the cost reduction as the main objectives in Michelin in recent years is focus on raising their productivity and implementing the cost reduction programs, it enable sufficient to compensate for any sharp increases in raw material costs. Last but not least, it’s recognized that that, Michelin is a very successful tire manufacturer in providing a high quality products and which are beyond to its value. _REFERENCES_ Martin Christopher (2005), 3rd Ed † Logistics and Supply chain management creating Value-adding Networks† Great Britain: Person Education Limited 2005, p194,p212-213,p235 Geoff Buxey, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia (2000) † Strategic in an era of global competition† International Journal of Operaions & Production Management, Vol. 20 NO. 9 2000, pp. 997,1003 Vollmann/Berry/Whybark/Jacobs( 2005), 5th Edition † Manufacturing Planning and Control for Supply Chain Management† McGraw-Hill/Irwin: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc., p.20-21 Porter, M. (1985) _Competitive Advantage_, Free Press, New York, 1985. Steermann, H (2003) â€Å"A practical look at CPFR: the Sears – Michelin experience.† _Supply Chain Management Review_, July/ august 2003, pp. 46-53. Fisher, M. L. (1997). â€Å"What is the right supply chain for your product?† _Harvard Business Review_ (March-April 1997), p.105-116. Donald F. Wood Anthony P. Barone, Paul R. Murphy, Daniel L. Wardlow (2002) International Logistics 2nd Edition. AMACOM: American Management Association p.368-371 Huang, S.H., M. Uppal, (2002), â€Å"A product driven approach to manufacturing supply chain selection† _Supply Chain_ 11 _Management: An International Journal_, Vol. 7, No. 4, pp. 189-200. The Michelin group, Annual Report of Michelin in 2006, pP.4,5,8,16,20,22,25,26, 31-36,43, 49,61 The Bridgestone Group, Annual Report of Bridgestone in 2006, pp. 1, 2-7, 10, 13-15, 18-20 Fortune Global 500, 2006. From the July 24, 2006 issue [online] Available at: http://money.cnn.com/magazines/fortune/global500/2006/full_list/ [Accessed 5th November 2007] Charles J. Murgiano (no date) Short Lead Times = Tall Profits [online] Available at: http://www.waterloo-software.com/leadtime.html [Accessed 7th November 2007] Thomas A. Foster (2004) The Trends Changing the Face of Logistics Outsourcing Worldwide [online] Available at: http://www.supplychainbrain.com/archives/06.04.3pl.htm?adcode=90 [Accessed in 8th November 2007] Neil Shister (2007) Manufacturer of the Year for Global Supply Chain Excellence [online] Available at: http://www.worldtrademag.com/CDA/Articles/Cover_Story/BNP_GUID_9-5-2006_A_10000000000000095846 [Accessed in 11th November 2007] _Koo, Sunglim(2005) Tire industry strategy [online] Available at:_ _http://www.kumhotire.com/download/TireIndustryStrategy_Aug05.pd f_ [Accessed in 20th October 2007] Bob Ulrich (2007) What vehicles? O_E tires stole the show in Cleveland_ [online] Available at:http://www.moderntiredealer.com/t_pop_pdf.cfm?link=research/April%20OE.pdf [Accessed in 18h November 2007] Africa, the Middle-East, South America and Asia Pacific 16% Europe 49% North America 35% Donald F. Wood Anthony P. Barone, Paul R. Murphy, Daniel L. Wardlow (2002) †International Logistics †2nd Edition. AMACOM: American Management Association p.368-371 US-based Bandag, Inc., a leading manufacturer of tire retreading materials and equipment.

Tuesday, October 22, 2019

The New Deal and Social Welfare Policy

The New Deal and Social Welfare Policy Introduction The New Deal is a term that was popularized by Franklin Roosevelt. It had programs and measures that he came up with to cope with the problems experienced. These problems arose because of the great depression, which occurred in the United States in 1930.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The New Deal and Social Welfare Policy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The New Deal involved a number of reforms that were focused to deal with problems affecting the social, economic and government arenas. It was adopted by each state. It went a long way in helping the US as a country especially in pulling it out of this hard time. This is why it was considered as a major breakthrough in American history (Shlaes, 2007). The social welfare system in America changed greatly during the 1930s. Before the changes, the local governments for each region distributed relief. Consequently, this led to the rise of various problems, as there were some scandals that arose. In 1933, the method was changed and the system was made much larger. The parties that were involved in this were the federal, state and local government. Bureaucracy dominated the scene because of these actions. The permanent social welfare system that was developed by the social security act contributed significantly to this process (Jansson, 2012). Social and economic conditions that led to the enactment of the New Deal programs The great depression This is one of the major problems that led to the need to adopt the New Deal. Various factors led to this. A key factor, which was a major cause of the great depression, was the stock market crash, which took place in the year 1929. There was a major loss of about 40 billion dollars within a period of only two years (Shlaes, 2007) Stockholders had lost too much money; despite attempts to recover some of the losses, the gap could still not be filled. By 1930, the great depression became inevitable. After the stock market crash, banks started failing. Over nine thousand banks closed, due to the difficulties they were experiencing. The remaining banks were not insured, and people lost their savings when the banks crashed. The remaining banks in order to remain afloat restricted the issuing of loans hence making it hard for most businesses to sustain themselves (Shlaes, 2007).Advertising Looking for research paper on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More A major outcome of the great depression was unemployment. Due to the crash of the stock market and banks, many people lost their jobs. This was due to the rampant layoffs to maintain the businesses. Some businesses went bankrupt hence the workers from the failed businesses lost their jobs. The decline of the buying of goods also led to unemployment. People became unsure of the situation after the stock market crash and bank failures. They decided to keep their money. This, in turn, led to less production hence bringing down the need of a big workforce, which eventually led to a reduction in labor. Another blow to the economy was the policy to reduce the number of imports from Europe from entering the country. Though this policy served to protect American companies, it led to a decline in trade between the countries, and eventually resulted to economic restrictions as the countries also held back in supplying resources that were needed by the US (Jansson, 2012). Unemployment led to rural to urban migration as many people who were unemployed decided to move to urban centers to try their luck in getting jobs. Most people in the rural areas who are farmers experienced severe poverty. They had over exploited the soils and did not have the funds to invest in agriculture. This led to a large influx of people moving to the urban centers, and this, in turn, led to an increase in population in the areas. The situation was further worsen ed by the fact that foreigners were also entering the country in large numbers to get jobs. These migrations led to the overpopulation of the urban centers. Overpopulation led to overcrowding which resulted in a strain on the social amenities, as the services were not enough for the large population. This also resulted in an increase in the crime rate as certain people opted for unacceptable methods of getting income.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The New Deal and Social Welfare Policy specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some companies took advantage of this situation and employed underage children at a very low wage to save money. Housing also became a problem, as the houses available could not hold the large population. This led to homelessness as many citizens could not afford homes and the rent was unaffordable to them. There was a big problem when it came to social welfare services. Non-profit organizat ions that volunteered and the local government did the provision of social welfare services. This minimized welfare, and in most cases, it was discriminatory. African Americans were given almost no welfare assistance benefits (Barrow, 2007). The system at this time was also corrupt as most welfare money was misused and unaccounted for (Jansson, 2012). New Deal Programs There was the Emergency Banking Act. This was established immediately after President Roosevelt took over presidency. FDR issued an order for the closure of all the banks in the country. Congress had passed the emergency Banking Act that authorized the government to assess all the banks in terms of their sustainability. This policy was meant to ensure that all the banks that were operating were legit and well managed. During the great depression, many banks had closed due to poor management and this greatly affected the economy and citizens (Jansson, 2012). The implementation of this program was to ensure that such a scenario would not happen again. The formation of the FDIC – the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was implemented to insure bank credits worth 5000 US dollars. This greatly boosted the banking sector. It reassured the citizens that banks were safe and in case of any complications, compensation was guaranteed. Good banks were then re-allowed to reopen and in a very limited time span, the citizens re-deposited their money in the banks (Venn, 1998).Advertising Looking for research paper on history? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The Social Security Act was another program in the New Deal package. It aimed to give welfare services and benefits to those who needed assistance. It was established after a careful scrutiny of the problems the citizens were experiencing and how the government would chip in to support them. It included the provision of pensions after a citizen was no longer employed. This was to ensure that the retiree could still be getting some money to help them through their problems. It also included benefits for survivors of industrial accidents; there was unemployment insurance, aid for mothers who were dependant and their siblings. It also catered for the physically challenged (Jansson, 2012). This Act assured the citizens of peace of mind in case these unexpected and unavoidable circumstances happened. This policy was very effective as it responded to the problems of the disadvantaged groups in the society and in turn offered millions of citizens’ security. This Act has had a huge i mpact on the current welfare policy as the current policy has adopted most of this principles and ideologies into its system. Most if not all of these policies may be currently adopted into the current welfare policy. The only difference is that they have been re-modified to fit the current conditions. A number of organizations were also set up to help in the implementation of the New Deal. An example of one of the organizations is the Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC). HOLC was set up to deal with the issue of home ownership. Many people were experiencing this common problem because of unemployment. This made many people appear unable to afford homes and eventually led them to lose their jobs. This organization was formed to prevent specifically people from losing their jobs. It did this by refinancing mortgages of average paid citizens who owned homes. This was helpful in the regulation of home repossessions (Jansson, 2012). Another organization that was set up was the Federal E mergency Relief Administration (FERA). Harry Hopkins managed this. The agency funded depleting relief agencies. It gave out five million dollars in two hours. This program also funded public work programs. The main reason this program was set up was so that it could help in sustaining the other relief programs that were experiencing financial difficulties. Getting finances was a major problem during this time as not many groups were willing to fund these agencies. Relief agencies aided a lot as they helped the people significantly, especially the needy. These organizations have had a huge impact on the current social welfare policy. From their establishment the government still gives home financial aid to the citizens who are not in a position to finance their home mortgages, it also funds banks and in turn influences the low cost of mortgages. The government also makes an initiative to fund relief agencies when they experience problems. Conclusion The New Deal marked a significant turning point in American history. Its adaptation resulted in the pull of America from a hard financial time. Before the implementation and enactment of the New Deal, the country was going through a number of social and economic conditions that were not favorable to the citizens. These conditions were the great depression, unemployment, rural to urban migration, overcrowding, crime etc. The main reason that led to the need for reforms through the New Deal was the great depression. This caused many problems in the country (Venn, 1998). Its implementation was dependent on a number of programs. These programs were focused on key aspects that were affecting the people. Three important programs that were incorporated in this plan was the Emergency Banking Act, which was aided by the formation of the Federal deposit insurance corporation (FDIC). The second program was the Social Security Act. Some organizations were also set up as programs this included the Home Owners Loan Corporation an d Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). These programs have also influenced and affected the current social welfare policy. The current social welfare policy has been created based on the ideologies and aspects dwelt on at that time. The basic ideas remain the same, but the only difference is in the addition of more policies and the restructure of the old ones, to fit the current social and economic conditions. References Barrow, F.H. (2007). Forrester Blanchard Washington and his advocacy for African Americans in the new deal. Social Work, 25(4), 201-208 Jansson, B. S. (2012). The reluctant welfare state. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Shlaes, A. (2007). The forgotten man: A new history of the great depression. New York: HarperCollins Publishers. Venn, F. (1998)The new deal, Edinburgh, England: Edinburgh University Press.

Monday, October 21, 2019

March to the Sea - Civil War

March to the Sea - Civil War Conflict Dates: Shermans March to the Sea took place from November 15 to December 22, 1864, during the American Civil War. Armies Commanders: Union Major General William T. Sherman62,000 men Confederates Lieutenant General William J. Hardee13,000 men Background: In the wake of his successful campaign to capture Atlanta, Major General William T. Sherman began making plans for a march against Savannah. Consulting with Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant, the two men agreed that it would be necessary to destroy the Souths economic and psychological will to resist if the war was to be won. To accomplish this, Sherman intended to conduct a campaign designed to eliminate any resources that could be used by Confederate forces. Consulting the crop and livestock data from the 1860 census, he planned a route that would inflict maximum damage upon the enemy. In addition to the economic damage, it was thought that Shermans movement would increase pressure on General Robert E. Lees Army of Northern Virginia and allow Grant to gain a victory in the Siege of Petersburg. Presenting his plan to Grant, Sherman received approval and began making preparations to depart Atlanta on November 15, 1864. During the march, Shermans forces would cut loose from their supply lines and would live off the land. To ensure that adequate supplies were gathered, Sherman issued strict orders regarding foraging and the seizure of material from the local population. Known as bummers, foragers from the army became a common sight along its route of march. Dividing his forces in three, Sherman advanced along two major routes with Major General Oliver O. Howards Army of the Tennessee on the right and Major General Henry Slocums Army of Georgia on the left. The Armies of the Cumberland and Ohio were detached under the command of Major General George H. Thomas with orders to guard Shermans rear from the remnants of General John Bell Hoods Army of Tennessee. As Sherman advanced to the sea, Thomas men destroyed Hoods army at the Battles of Franklin and Nashville. To oppose Shermans 62,000 men, Lieutenant General William J. Hardee, commanding the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida struggled to find men as Hood had largely stripped the region for his army. Through the course of the campaign, Hardee was able to utilize those troops still in Georgia as well as those brought in from Florida and the Carolinas. Despite these reinforcements, he seldom possessed more than 13,000 men. Sherman Departs: Departing Atlanta by different routes, the Howard and Slocums columns attempted to confuse Hardee as to their ultimate objective with Macon, Augusta, or Savannah as possible destinations. Initially moving south, Howards men pushed Confederate troops out of Lovejoys Station before pressing on towards Macon. To the north, Slocums two corps moved east then southeast towards the state capital at Milledgeville. Finally realizing that Savannah was Shermans target, Hardee began concentrating his men to defend the city, while ordering Major General Joseph Wheelers cavalry to attack the Union flanks and rear. Laying Waste to Georgia: As Shermans men pushed southeast, they systematically destroyed all manufacturing plants, agricultural infrastructure, and railroads they encountered. A common technique for wrecking the latter was heating railroad rails over fires and twisting them around trees. Known as Shermans Neckties, they became a common sight along the route of march. The first significant action of the march occurred at Griswoldville on November 22, when Wheelers cavalry and Georgia militia attacked on Howards front. The initial assault was halted by Brigadier General Hugh Judson Kilpatricks cavalry which in turn counterattacked. In the fighting that followed, Union infantry inflicted a severe defeat on the Confederates. During the remainder of November and in early December, numerous minor battles were fought, such as Buck Head Creek and Waynesboro, as Shermans men pushed relentlessly on towards Savannah. At the former, Kilpatrick was surprised and nearly captured. Falling back, he was reinforced and was able to halt Wheelers advance. As they approached Savannah, additional Union troops entered the fray as 5,500 men, under Brigadier General John P. Hatch, descended from Hilton Head, SC in an attempt to cut the Charleston Savannah Railroad near Pocotaligo. Encountering Confederate troops led by General G.W. Smith on November 30, Hatch moved to attack. In the resulting Battle of Honey Hill, Hatchs men were forced to withdraw after several assaults against the Confederate entrenchments failed. A Christmas Present for Pres. Lincoln: Arriving outside Savannah on December 10, Sherman found that Hardee had flooded the fields outside the city which limited access to a few causeways. Entrenched in a strong position, Hardee refused to surrender and remained determined to defend the city. Needing to link up with the US Navy to receive supplies, Sherman dispatched Brigadier General William Hazens division to capture Fort McAllister on the Ogeechee River. This was accomplished on December 13, and communications were opened with Rear Admiral John Dahlgrens naval forces. With his supply lines reopened, Sherman began making plans to lay siege to Savannah. On December 17, he contacted Hardee with a warning that he would begin shelling the city if it were not surrendered. Unwilling to give in, Hardee escaped with his command over the Savannah River on December 20 using an improvised pontoon bridge. The following morning, the mayor of Savannah formally surrendered the city to Sherman. Aftermath: Known as Shermans March to the Sea, the campaign through Georgia effectively eliminated the regions economic usefulness to the Confederate cause. With the city secured, Sherman telegraphed President Abraham Lincoln with the message, I beg to present you as a Christmas gift the City of Savannah, with one hundred and fifty guns and plenty of ammunition, also about twenty-five thousand bales of cotton. The following spring, Sherman launched his final campaign of the war north into the Carolinas, before finally receiving the surrender of General Joseph Johnston on April 26, 1865. Selected Sources History Channel: Shermans MarchSon of the South: Shermans MarchCivil War Home: Shermans March to the Sea

Sunday, October 20, 2019

Biography of Francesco Clemente, Neo-Expressionist Artist

Biography of Francesco Clemente, Neo-Expressionist Artist Francesco Clemente (born March 23, 1952) is an Italian artist most closely associated with the Neo-Expressionist movement. His work reacts against Conceptual and Minimalist Art by returning to figurative ideas and techniques from the past. His work is influenced by other cultures, most strongly that of India, and he frequently collaborates with artists and filmmakers. Fast Facts: Francesco Clemente Occupation: ArtistKnown For: Key figure in the Neo-Expressionist artistic movement Born: March 23, 1952 in Naples, ItalyEducation: University of RomeSelected Works: Name (1983), Alba (1997), The Sopranos (2008)Notable Quote: When I look at a drawing of a person, I look at that person as living. Early Life and Career Born into an aristocratic family, Francesco Clemente grew up in Naples, Italy. He studied architecture at the University of Rome. He has spoken about a philosophical crisis that he experienced as a student. He felt deeply the fact that all people, including himself, would eventually die, and he believed he had no specific separate identity or consciousness from others. He said, I believe there is such a thing as an imagination shared by the different contemplative traditions. Self-Portrait (1991). Sally Larson (CC BY-SA 3.0) Clementes first solo exhibition took place in Rome in 1971. His works explored the concept of identity. He studied with Italian conceptual artist Alighiero Boetti and met American artist Cy Twombly, who lived in Italy. Boetti and Clemente traveled to India in 1973. There, Clemente encountered the Indian Buddhist concept of anatman, or lack of self, which became a central thematic element in his work. He opened a studio in Madras, India, and created his 1981 series of gouache paintings titled Francesco Clemente Pinxit while working with painters in the Indian states of Orissa and Jaipur. In 1982, Clemente moved to New York City, where he quickly became a fixture of the art scene. Since then, he has lived primarily in three different cities: Naples, Italy; Varanasi, India; and New York City. Neo-Expressionism Francesco Clemente became part of what was known as the Transavanguardi or Transavantgarde movement among artists in Italy. In the U.S., the movement is considered part of the broader Neo-Expressionist movement. It is a sharp reaction to Conceptual and Minimalist Art. The Neo-Expressionists returned to figurative art, symbolism, and an exploration of emotions in their works. Neo-Expressionism emerged in the late 1970s and began to dominate the art market for the first half of the 1980s. The movement received sharp criticism for the omission or marginalization of female artists in favor of all-male shows. Clemente was at the center of sometimes-heated discussions about Neo-Expressionism and its authenticity. With its relative lack of political content, some observers criticized the movement for being inherently conservative and market-focused instead of concerned with the creation of art itself. Clemente responded that he didnt feel it was necessary to tamper with reality in his work and said that he preferred to present the world as it truly exists. One of Clementes best-known Neo-Expressionist works is his 1983 piece entitled Name. The vividly-colored painting depicts a man, who looks similar to Clemente, staring out at the viewer. There are small versions of the man inside his ear, eye sockets, and his mouth. Another significant portrait in Clementes career is his 1997 painting titled Alba, featuring the artists wife. She is a frequent subject for his paintings. In the portrait, she is reclining in a slightly uncomfortable pose. The image feels like it is squeezed into the frame, giving the viewer a claustrophobic sensation. Many of Clementes portraits have a similarly distorted, almost uncomfortable style. Collaborations In the 1980s, Francesco Clemente began a series of collaborations with other artists, poets, and filmmakers. One of the first of those was a 1983 project with Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat. The artists each began their own individual paintings, then swapped so that the next artist could add their own content. The result was a series of canvases full of dramatic flourishes that are instantly recognizable as belonging to an individual artist; these flourishes collide into and overlap each other. In 1983, Clemente began his first project with poet Allen Ginsberg. One of their three collaborative works is the book White Shroud, with illustrations by Francesco Clemente. In the 1990s, Clemente worked with the poet Robert Creeley on a series of books. Another joint project was Clementes 2008 work with New Yorks Metropolitan Opera. He first worked with the renowned opera company when he created a large banner for the Philip Glass opera Satyagraha. Later in the year, Clemente created a series of paintings called The Sopranos: portraits of the divas featured in the Metropolitan Operas 2008-2009 season. They were created over a four-month period and featured the singers in their stage roles. Film and TV Appearances Francesco Clemente began his association with the film industry in 1997, when he made a cameo appearance as a hypnotherapist in Good Will Hunting. In 1998, Clemente created approximately two hundred paintings for director Alfonso Cuarons adaptation of Charles Dickens classic Great Expectations. In 2016, Clemente appeared in a film by independent writer, director, and actor Adam Green titled Adam Greens Aladdin. In the reworking of the Arabian Nights story, Aladdins dysfunctional family lives in an average American city ruled by a corrupt sultan. Francesco Clemente appears as the genie, Mustafa. Clemente is a frequent subject of TV interviews. One of the best-known is an extended interview with Charlie Rose in 2008 from his self-titled PBS show. Legacy and Influence Clementes work often defies specific characterization. Although he uses figural techniques associated with Neo-Expressionism, his pieces are not always intensely emotional in content. He eagerly embraces inspiration from artistic traditions other than his own. He encourages other artists to experiment boldly with media and techniques that are new to them. Travels, everyday life, and study in India heavily influence Francesco Clementes work. He has avidly studied Indian spiritual texts, and he began studying the Sanskrit language in New York in 1981. In 1995, he took a trip to Mount Abu in the Himalayas and painted a watercolor a day for fifty-one consecutive days. The Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City organized a major retrospective of Clementes work in 2000. Another retrospective at the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin followed in 2004. Source Dennison, Lisa. Clemente. Guggenheim Museum Publications, 2000.

Saturday, October 19, 2019

Racial Profiling Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Racial Profiling - Essay Example Arguing that racial profiling does exist within Canadian law enforcement and that colorblind justice in this country is an idea which is not yet been attained, the following will address the racial profiling issue in holistic perspective. This research paper will begin with an introduction to racial profiling, both in Canada and throughout the world and will discuss what has been done to address this issue from a social policy perspective. While both descriptive and prescriptive, a significant portion of this research paper will explain what should be done in order to address this problem within Canadian law enforcement. Accordingly, this research paper will advocate a public policy which will address issues of criminal justice and social inequality with the aim of tackling racial profiling in this country. As with United States, racial profiling is an important issue which has garnered much media attention but which remains problematic for visible minorities as well as for the polic e services in this country. The following now turns to introduction to racial profiling. According to the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights, racial profiling is defined as â€Å"as "the practice of police and other law enforcement officers relying, to any degree, on race, colour, descent or national or ethnic origin as the basis for subjecting persons to investigatory activities or for determining whether an individual is engaged in criminal activity" (United Nations Commission for Human Rights, 2009). Although many would like to think that racial profiling is a thing of the past, the issue of racial profiling by police services was brought to the fore of international media attention with the arrest of African-American Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Junior. His arrest was quite controversial and was predicated on the fact that Prof. Henry

Friday, October 18, 2019

Applying Self-Determination Theory to Patients with Diabetes Research Proposal

Applying Self-Determination Theory to Patients with Diabetes - Research Proposal Example Obesity has for two decades gained much prominence in the lives of many people in the United States. Children were in the past considered immune from this disease while adults produced the highest obesity rates. At least 20-25% of children in the US suffer this preventable ailment that has become a leading cause of death in the country (Haslam, 2007). Several studies reveal that the mortality risk is lowest for those with a body mass index (BMI) of 20-25 kg/m2 for nonsmokers and 24-27 kg/m2 for smokers. Those above a BMI of 32 are considered as having a double mortality rate, especially amongst women. It is estimated that at least 111,000 to 365,000 deaths are recorded annually as a result of obesity-related ailments in the US, with at least 1.1 million deaths being reported across Europe annually. Obesity is seen as reducing one’s life expectancy by at least seven years especially for those above the BMI of 35, and those with BMI’s greater than 40 reducing their expect ancy by at least 10 years (Haslam, 2007). The main causes of obesity can be broken down to these eight reasons. One of them is age where one has increased chances of getting obese as they age due to slow metabolic rates. Another is gender, with women having a higher tendency to gain weight more than men. Genetics play a role with such trends running in the family. Environmental factors such as sedentary lifestyles or those that encourage such lifestyle changes put one at a higher risk (Haslam, 2007). Lack of physical activity also plays a great role in encouraging obesity tendencies since the excess sugars are not excreted from the body as required. Psychological factors influence eating habits and thus, obesity may result. Illnesses such as hypothyroidism and depression are also associated with obesity because of reported hormonal problems. The last one is medication, such as steroids and some antidepressants, which may lead to excessive weight gain (Haslam, 2007). Purpose of study The main purpose of this study is to assess the effectiveness of using the self-determination theory (SDT) in the treatment of obese patients Research questions i) How can the use of SDT be made effective in the treatment of obesity cases in the country? ii) Is there proof of its success in clinical or home settings? iii) Is there any proven correlation between SDT and obesity? Definition of terms: Obesity-a medical condition where the body accumulates excessive fat such that one has a BMI greater than 30 kg/m2 BMI-the body mass index is a heuristic representation for the amount of fat in the body, based on one’s height and weight. It is calculated by dividing one’s weight by one’s height. SDT-this is a theory that seeks to prove that an autonomy perspective context will generally foster the satisfaction of three basic psychological needs, namely the needs for competence, autonomy and relatedness. Motivation-an urge to achieve certain goals, can be intrinsic (o f an individual’s inner self) or extrinsic (external forces acting on an individual). Significance to nursing Learning more about the causes of obesity and looking for ways of motivating individuals to take it upon them to

Time Management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Time Management - Essay Example There are some general rules for pacing that are very valuable, but there are also necessary modifications to be made when there is a diverse group of students with varying levels of need. 1. Develop Awareness of Your Own Teaching Tempo: "We can learn to generate interest and enthusiasm by adjusting effectively or create a calming effete by adjusting our own personal pace in the classroom" (Jones & Jones, 2004, p288). These authors suggest videotaping or recording yourself during class to monitor your own behavior and then later replay it and evaluate your actions. While this is one excellent tool, quite often teachers can be too hard on themselves or not hard enough depending on their own ego structure and make incorrect decisions based on highly personal rather than objective criteria. It is recommended that the teacher pick a peer that they trust and respect to evaluate the tape to ensure a more well rounded set of inputs. Once the teacher has established the correct pace for the classroom they will be much more comfortable in class and able to quickly recognize those times when they may have to speed up or slow down that pace, appropriate to the needs of the students and the material being covered. 2. Watch for Non-Verbal Cues: During the course of a lesson if the class becomes too quite or too boisterous that may be a clue that the students are becoming bored. If there are glazed eyes all around or if students are fidgeting in their seats and tapping pencils; rather than remonstrate them for this undesirable behavior it is wise to take the time to listen to yourself, stop and break the pace that has caused this. "Wake people up by giving them a 2 minute test on last weeks vocabulary" (TEFL, 2007), this helps to enliven the group, perhaps agitate them a bit and cause them to pay more attention during the lesson

Thursday, October 17, 2019

Education - Diversity and Inclusion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Education - Diversity and Inclusion - Essay Example Developing a deeper understanding of how inclusion can develop with the growth of diversity and cultures then becomes an essential component for teachers that are working within the classroom. The personal relationship to diversity and inclusion is one which becomes complex because of the different perspectives which I relate to. The perspective as a student is one which is based on the cultural identity which I carry into the classroom. Each student comes from a different background, holds values and beliefs in place and creates specific attitudes and behaviors toward this. However, another individual, specifically those not from the locality, carry a different set of ideologies because of the cultural relationship which is presented. The relationships and dynamics which are created are complex in relation to the social development as well as the ability to teach the same subject matter to students that are at different levels of understanding. In my experience, this has created gap s in learning, specifically because no one is learning at the same pace or with the same approach to learning. More important, there is sometimes not the ability to develop the correct perspectives and associations with those that are in the classroom because of the cultural definitions and understanding. As a student, this has led to personal gaps in learning as well as times when it seemed as though the teacher was approaching only those which did not understand the subject matter. The problems associated with the perspective which I held as a student are linked directly to the questioning of what the definition of diversity and inclusion relates to. Currently, the policies and formulas for teaching in the classroom are to treat each student equally while giving students the same opportunities and information for success. However, the equality which is associated with teaching does not take into account the

The Users Experience of Critical Situations or Metal Psychiatric Medi Essay

The Users Experience of Critical Situations or Metal Psychiatric Medical Emergencies - Essay Example This is not quite in line with the NICE guidelines which suggest that mental health services should be provided for patients diagnosed with debilitating mental disorders that ensures that patients, and their families and carers, are well informed, cared for and supported (Nice.org.uk) There are several case studies in the literature with respect to critical situations or metal psychiatric medical emergencies. The perspective of users of the healthcare facility offered by the healthcare services is vital to gain a proper understanding of the situation. The other important aspect is the perception of palliative care and requirements of a patient suffering from a medical crisis. With respect to modern medicine, the French philosopher Descartes’s writings in the 17th century have had a very deep impact on the management of symptoms by healthcare professionals and their ways of approaching symptoms. This hence is reflected in both our perceptual understanding of them and consequently how we attempt to manage them. As mentioned earlier the principal outlook based on the philosophies of Cartesian dualism is that symptoms should be understood as aspects of a disordered biological state. The resultant trend is reflected in modern medicines approach to care which has largely been based on differentiating between physical and non-physical aspects of disease symptoms and subsequently targeting care at these physiological manifestations. However, most patients seldom if at all distinguish between the biological and perceptual symptoms, and indeed effective and appropriate acknowledgement of personal meanings of illness and its problems is a primary step to effe ctive care of sick individuals and their families ( Wenger, 1993; Halldorsdottir & Hamrin, 1996). Illness, as Pellegrino (1982) defines it, is only partially defined when understood as a physiological anomaly. The experience of sickness in psychiatric/behavioural dysfunction holistically is formed by an individual's acuity of alterations in his/her existential state and should not be ignored.  

Wednesday, October 16, 2019

Education - Diversity and Inclusion Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Education - Diversity and Inclusion - Essay Example Developing a deeper understanding of how inclusion can develop with the growth of diversity and cultures then becomes an essential component for teachers that are working within the classroom. The personal relationship to diversity and inclusion is one which becomes complex because of the different perspectives which I relate to. The perspective as a student is one which is based on the cultural identity which I carry into the classroom. Each student comes from a different background, holds values and beliefs in place and creates specific attitudes and behaviors toward this. However, another individual, specifically those not from the locality, carry a different set of ideologies because of the cultural relationship which is presented. The relationships and dynamics which are created are complex in relation to the social development as well as the ability to teach the same subject matter to students that are at different levels of understanding. In my experience, this has created gap s in learning, specifically because no one is learning at the same pace or with the same approach to learning. More important, there is sometimes not the ability to develop the correct perspectives and associations with those that are in the classroom because of the cultural definitions and understanding. As a student, this has led to personal gaps in learning as well as times when it seemed as though the teacher was approaching only those which did not understand the subject matter. The problems associated with the perspective which I held as a student are linked directly to the questioning of what the definition of diversity and inclusion relates to. Currently, the policies and formulas for teaching in the classroom are to treat each student equally while giving students the same opportunities and information for success. However, the equality which is associated with teaching does not take into account the

Tuesday, October 15, 2019

Innovation and Change Fed Ex Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Innovation and Change Fed Ex - Essay Example However, amid the incessant process of innovation, several challenges abound. FedEx is always at the forefront in addressing these challenges in order to make the organization better in the modern age. Innovation and Change FedEx Corporation is currently a global multinational company specializing in the highly intricate logistics industry across the world. The company is indeed a global brand that has diversified its operations across the several sectors bordering the logistics industry. Indeed, through its bunch of operations, FedEx is currently one of the leading corporations in its industry. Headquartered in the United States, the operations of the corporation are presently divided into several divisions. The corporation was formed in 1996 following the acquisition of Caliber Systems Inc. by the original FedEx Express. Since its formation, the major objective of the corporation has always remained the need to build a strong share and foundation in the highly competitive logistics industry across the world (2012). Indeed, over the years, the organization has sufficiently managed to realize most of its objectives. Most of these realizations have always been a result of the efficient operational processes in the organization and the focused sense of management often realized in the organization. ... Throughout the years, the company has grown and managed to take a lead in the highly competitive industry. The challenge has always been great amid the many dynamics that characterize the present business environment. Nevertheless, these drawbacks have always been addressed effectively by the management of the organization. As an external innovation management consultant, I would institute a number of changes in the organization with regard to innovation in the organization. This is about the production of new ideas in the organization, which normally takes a lot of time before approval is done. In this regard, it has been realized that the organization looses many new resources in terms of ideas given by the employees. It would therefore be imperative that the time for approval of new ideas be shortened so that the organization can effectively benefit from its large pool of resources. Similarly, much of the bureaucracy realized in the adoption of ideas in the organization has always been wanting. As an innovation consultant, I would effectively address this concern by instituting measures and policies that would mitigate the red tape presently realized. This would go a long way in making the innovation strategy of the organization one of the best in the industry. Innovation only thrives if such an environment is present in the organization. In terms of its value benefit, the company aspires to maximize the returns of its stakeholders through the provision of quality services using the latest trends in the market. Indeed, the operations of FedEx are almost indispensable in the present world. The organization is a very active participant in the global supply chain industry through its efficient logistics services

Gdp And Economic Welfare Essay Example for Free

Gdp And Economic Welfare Essay Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is the most important economic indicator and it is used for comparison purposes to see how countries are doing economic wise. It entails the aggregate production or output in a country. GDP can be measured using either the expenditure approach where all final expenditures are added or by the income approach where all compensations of employees and other forms of incomes are added up. GDP is used to measure an economy’s economic growth. Hartzenberg T et al (2005, 114). The real GDP can be used to establish how an economy is performing and hence compare various economies as one can compare their outputs. It is also important in the sense that it can be used for forecasting purposes and hence important in planning. This paper will distinguish the difference between economic growth which can be measured using GDP statistics and national welfare or people’s well being. According to McConnel and Brue in their distinguished book ‘Economics’, a country can be said to have economic growth when there is a positive increase in its GDP. Economic growth is different from economic welfare and economic development. Economic growth is characterized by an increment in natural resources, the quantity or quality for the human resources, as well as an improvement in technology that translates to increased productivity. Economic growth refers to a positive shift in the production possibility curve to the right or where economic efficiency is attained. McConnel and Brue (2005, 149). A country A could register a higher GDP than country B but this does not necessarily mean that country A is doing better in terms of economic welfare as there is a clear distinction between economic growth and national welfare. This can be blamed on the limitations attached or rather linked to GDP calculation and analysis. (facstaff. uww. edu). Walter in the book ‘Economics’, noted that GDP ignores or rather omits household production which is an important sector in as far as determining the welfare of people is concerned. Wessels W (2006, 75). Alan and Laurence backed this idea in their book ‘Macroeconomics an integrated approach’ where they argued that GDP does not account for the unreported incomes which are earned in the ‘underground economy’. A good illustration of unreported incomes is a situation where waiters fail to report all the tips they acquire while on duty. People may fail to report their actual incomes to evade taxes. Statistical problems could also have occurred creating the impression that country A had a higher GDP than country B though this may not be actually be the case. Some people may not divulge all the information regarding their incomes or expenditure leading to wrong GDP estimates. If country B has a very significant ‘underground economy’ then her citizens could be doing better than those in country A even though the latter had a lower GDP. This is an indication that high GDP rates do not necessarily translate to better welfare for the citizens. Auerbach and Kotlikoff (1998, 136). When calculating GDP the aspect of leisure is ignored although it is very critical in as far as defining people’s welfare is concerned. Country A could register a higher GDP than country B but the citizens in country A could have been overworked leading to health complications. In this case, the high GDP could be at the expense of the people’s health and we cannot conclude that it ensured their welfare or well being. Wessels W (2006, 75). Using GDP figures to determine the people’s welfare is inappropriate as it fails to include ecological costs incurred in the process of attaining the said GDP. Ecological costs include the costs of pollution. Country A could register a higher GDP than country B due to the fact that country A had better technology that ensured increased production. However, the increased production could have been realized in the face of increased air, water and land pollution all of which poses health hazards to the citizens. Wessels W (2006, 75). When such is the case then we cannot conclude that country B is doing better than country A. People’s well being encompasses the people’s health and not just their economic well being. A country with lower GDP but ensuring that her environment is safe for her citizens is doing well in terms of national welfare even though it could record a lower GDP than one with a higher GDP but has a polluted environment. GDP ignores a country’s environmental quality and it fails to account for the consequences that an economic growth could come along with. Auerbach and Kotlikoff (1998, 136). GDP also focuses on output or production although it is consumption that could best explain people’s welfare. For instance country A could sell more goods to other nations like country B since the demand for such goods in country B is higher. In this context, country B could be doing better than country A but since country A exports more it may create the impression that it is doing better. On the other hand, country B may register a lower GDP translating to being worse off as her net exports are negative but in the real sense they could be doing better. Focusing only on the output approach would lead to distortions while addressing the issue of national welfare. Another critical issue cited by Wessels as a limitation of using GDP to evaluate a country’s or nation’s well being is the fact that government spending is valued at cost rather than at its value. Government projects in country A could have been at a higher cost than those in country B but an important aspect to consider here is how much the projects were worth to the citizens. This is because some important projects could be undervalued while worthless projects are overvalued and this will have a significant impact in as far as influencing the people’s welfare or well being is concerned. Wessels (2006, 75). GDP calculation does not include the plight of the people in terms of health and life expectancy which are quite important in assessing the people’s well being or welfare. Country A could have a higher GDP than country B but if she has a lower life expectancy rate and is performing poorly in terms of general health of her citizens then we cannot argue that her citizens are better off than those of country B especially if in country B the life expectancy and general health is better. Health which is a very important factor in determining the people’s welfare when calculating a country’s GDP people’s conditions health wise are only included if they increase the costs of the health system. A country’s health costs could be attributed to modern and advanced health technologies but this does not guarantee a nations well being health wise as the costs incurred may not match the benefits attained. Democracy or political freedom is an important part in determining people’s welfare. Good governance is one where respective freedoms are respected and most importantly democracy embraced. Using GDP to evaluate people’s welfare is inappropriate as it does not provide any information regarding a country’s governance. Country A could register a higher GDP than country B but the political organization in country A could be oppressive to the citizens. In this context, we cannot argue that country A citizens are better than those in country B which could be exercising democracy and consequently not oppressing her citizens. (facstaff. uww. edu). Another vital issue in defining people’s well being is assessing social justice in a country. If country A registered a higher GDP but was very poor in terms of the civil justice system then we cannot conclude that her citizens well being was ensured. Country B citizens could be doing better at a lower GDP level if she ensured an effective social justice system. An effective system ensures that the rule of law is embraced and people’s rights respected. This is important in ensuring that corruption which threatens people’s welfare as it only benefits a segment of the total population is kept at bay. Using GDP to compare the well being of people in country A and B could give a wrong impression of what is actually the case. This is attributed to the fact that a country could have overly adjusted for inflation leading to the impression that increase in prices translate to hikes in prices even when this could be as a result of improvement in the products produced. Morse S (2004, 39). Another aspect that makes it inappropriate to compare country’s welfare using the GDP statistics is the fact that for such comparisons one must convert the currencies into the other country’s currency and when carrying out the conversions it is possible to understate a country’s GDP especially in the developing nations. A country A could register a higher GDP than country B due to errors arising from conversions of currencies. (facstaff. uww. edu). Country A could have a higher GDP than country B but her citizens could be worse off than those of country B in terms of national welfare. This is attributed to the fact that country A could be characterized by many social evils as opposed to country B. Failure to include the non-market production in the calculation of GDP makes it an inappropriate tool in determining people’s welfare in an economy. Such services like childcare, subsistence farming and care for the aged mean a lot in as far as people’s welfare is concerned. Country A could have a higher GDP but with a lower subsistence economy when compared to country B. A significant subsistence economy would ensure that a country’s food security is ensured and this would place her citizens at a better stance in as far as their well being or welfare is concerned. GDP fails to account for the effects or consequences of technology which has an impact in its determination. In contrast GDP is more concerned on the value of the end product without taking to concern the efficiency of the technologies in question. If country A registered a higher GDP than country B but country A’s government invested more in sectors like education and health ensuring that her citizens were better off in those areas then we can conclude that country B’s welfare is doing well even if it has a lower GDP than country A. Treating investment in education and health as consumption rather than investments makes it difficult to estimate people’s welfare. Willis I (1997, 164). Distribution of resources in a country is also a point to consider when using GDP figures to estimate people’s welfare. Country A could register a higher GDP than country B but this high GDP could have been arrived from a small insignificant proportion of the total population. This is to say that it is inappropriate to say that country A citizens are doing better than those in country B as the GDP is contributed by a small proportion while a large proportion of the society could be languishing in poverty. Income distribution is of much essence when determining people’s welfare in an economy. The inequality issue and GDP arise more so in developing countries or third world as opposed to developed ones. Willis I (1997, 164). Social issues like family stability are also not reflected when calculating GDP although it has an impact on people’s welfare or well being. GDP in country A could be higher than that in country B as more money is being channelled into paying divorce cases lawyers or building more police posts in response to increased crime rates. This illustrates that it is inappropriate to make conclusions about people’s welfare using GDP. In his book ‘The Japanese Economy’, Mitsuo Saito noted the inappropriateness of GDP as a tool of evaluating people’s well being due to the fact that it does not indicate the labour conditions, housing conditions, state of the social security or the urban life which are crucial in determining people’s well being. Saito M (2000, 13). Economic growth could be based on either the demand side or the supply side of an economy. The aggregate demand could increase due to an increment in the population size while aggregate supply could be due to the discovery of new natural resources. Aggregate output is affected by the level of labour supply, the stock of accumulated capital, level of technology as well as the institutions in place. There is an inverse relationship between prices levels and output and when prices levels fall the output increases. Tanzi and Chu (1998, 203). Monetary and fiscal policies in a given economy would affect the country’s well being or welfare. The people’s welfare will be affected by the policies that an economy embraces. Good policies are those that aim for equitable economic growth in a nation. They ensure that the poor in the society are not worse off but instead uplift them. This can be achieved through the application of equitable taxes such that people’s ability to pay is what determines the amount they are to pay all taxes. The rich will pay a higher amount than the poor in such cases. The government could also apply fiscal policies to ensure development for the poor in society. References: Alan J. Auerbach, Laurence J. Kotlikoff. 1998. Macroeconomics: An Integrated Approach. MIT Press. Bernard Baumohl. 2007. The Secrets of Economic Indicators: Hidden Clues to Future Economic Trends and Investment Opportunities. Wharton School Publishing. Campbell R. McConnell, Stanley L. Brue. 2005. Economics: Principles, Problems, and Policies. McGraw-Hill Professional Publishers. Measuring GDP and economic growth. Retrieved on 23rd November 2008 from http://facstaff. uww. edu/ahmady/courses/econ202/ps/sg3. pdf Mitsuo Saito. 2000. The Japanese Economy. World Scientific Publishers. Ian Wills. 1997. Economics and the Environment: A Signaling and Incentives Approach Allen Unwin Publishers. Stephen Morse. 2004. Indices and Indicators in Development: An Unhealthy Obsession with Numbers? Earthscan Publishers. T. Hartzenberg, Buck Standish, A. Wentzel, V. Tang, T. Hartzenberg, S. Richards. 2005.

Monday, October 14, 2019

The environmental entrepreneurship

The environmental entrepreneurship Introduction General Background Eco-preneurship refers to the environmental entrepreneurship who are poised towards coming up with sustainable business ideas (Libecap, 2009, p.34). EcoPreneurs indeed identify environmental challenges and therefore develop environmental products and services which will aid in solving both the business and environmental challenges by providing a sustainable solution. The main competitive advantage for Eco-preneurship businesses is the fact that they are able to utilize sustainable options in energy, waste management and other spectra of the ecosystem. Identification of the problem It is indeed emerging that most of the business ventures today are only interested in profits and growth without due concern on positive environmental impacts. It is this problem that gives rise to a set of sustainable business solutions provided by the EcoPreneurs. This paper shall seek to enlist the benefits of an eco-preneurship business venture. Statement of Purpose Eco-preneurship makes companies more environmentally responsible for their actions. In the recent past, there has been an outcry over the carbon emission menace. Several conferences have yielded the Kyoto Protocol which aims at making industries more environment sensitive in their production and general operation. There are various principles that hold eco-preneurship business ventures towards their sustainable business solutions. These principles are aimed at reducing energy waste as well as carbon emission. Businesses must recognize the fact that they owe a responsibility to the environment in which they operate in and must therefore develop sustainable solutions towards tackling problems related to waste management, energy needs, carbon emission, hazardous chemical usage as well as air pollution. What is imperative to consider is the fact that most of the eco-preneurship business ventures derive many benefits as a result of their eco-friendly business operations. This paper succinctly looks into the benefits that eco-preneurship has both to itself and the larger environment in which it operates. Main Body As earlier mentioned, eco-preneurship refers to environmental entrepreneurship. Eco-preneurship usually has a competitive advantage that they draw from being environmentally sensitive. Indeed, there are many benefits that the eco-preneurship business ventures enjoy. Isaak (1999, p.11) reveals that eco-preneurship enjoys a good reputation due to their initiatives towards maintaining a sustainable environment. This advantage gives eco-preneurships a competitive advantage against competitors hence these companies are able to amass a large number of customers, both existing and new customers. With the large number of customers among the eco-preneurship ventures, there will be increased sales volumes which translate into profitable business ventures. Eco-preneurship ensures that carbon emissions are reduced to negligible levels. Carbon emission is the main concern of every major company in the world today. Following the Kyoto Protocol, companies are required to be more vigilant in reducing their carbon emission. Since eco-preneurship is poised towards providing sustainable environmental solutions, reducing carbon emission has been at their foresight. Eco-preneurships therefore reduce carbon emission through reduced transportation. These companies are able to introduce environmentally sound solutions towards reducing transportation by utilizing the locally available material for their production lines hence reducing the need to purchase such items from a distant location. According to Schaltegger and Wagner (2006, p.47), the environment is full of eco-opportunities which would provide a just in time solution to the problems that the environment encounters on a day-to-day basis. For instance, considering McDonalds, a large hamburger restaurant found in most parts of the world; such a company could utilize locally supplied chicken and other food stuffs that it requires in its production process. Moreover, this will lead to the growth of small and medium enterprises in the countries of operation. Therefore, the eco-preneurship will be able to support sustainable environmentally sound solutions and effectively reducing the carbon emission menace. Alternatively, using solar or wind energy also helps reduce the carbon emission. Most eco-preneurships make use of these energy sources for the benefit of their environment. On the other hand, eco-preneurship is able to reduce the amount of hazardous chemical usage. Many eco-preneurships usually make use of chemicals that are not harmful to the environment. Chemical use within companies usually finds its way into the environment, either through seepage or intentionally (Folmer Tietenberg, 2005, p.114). These chemicals cause huge environmental damage to crops and living organisms. Eco-preneurships therefore reduce the amount of hazardous chemical usage. Chemicals that are used within the eco-preneurship business ventures should be tested and properly handled so as to reduce the chances of releasing them into the environment. Energy and resource efficiency is another benefit that the eco-preneurships have. Eco-preneurships usually seek sustainable energy use in order to ensure that there is limited energy loss during the production of goods and services. The preserved energy is thus channeled towards meeting other energy requirements within the venture. A good example of efficient energy use by the eco-preneurships, is the use of solar and wind powers. These are sustainable and renewable energy resources which are likely to lead to reduced carbon emission. These sources of energy are usually considered to be clean. The advantage of this is that, the eco-preneurship will incur fewer costs in their energy use since they will have depended on sustainable and renewable energy sources. Saving is a major advantage and benefit that eco-preneurships derive from their sustainable environmental solutions and should therefore uphold these values (Isaak, 1998, p.16). In addition, eco-preneurship ensures that there is an effective waste management system in place so that any wastes that emanate from the business venture is indeed managed properly, hence reducing the amount of environmental pollution. Industrial waste is a headache to most of the businesses. Eco-preneurship therefore provides a sustainable solution towards this dilemma. As such, eco-preneurships are largely competitive due to the fact that they introduce sustainable waste management systems which effectively deal with the environmental challenges pertaining to waste management (Schaper, 2005, p.63). An example of a waste management system that the eco-preneurship puts in place is found in the sugarcane factories. The bargase which is the waste obtained from crushing the sugarcane is used to produce energy. The bargase is burned in chambers that produce energy that is later channeled towards turning turbines. The turbines produce electricity cheaply for use within the company. Some of the sugarcane waste is also decomposed and used as manure by the farmers. Hence, there is limited waste in eco-preneurship. Both solid and liquid wastes are effectively managed in the eco-preneurships. There is a well managed system that ensures that solid wastes are treated first before being released into the environment. Hence, eco-preneurships are environmentally sensitive thus garnering support for such companies among world leaders. Eco-preneurship makes efficient use of water resources. Water is increasingly becoming scarce in the dynamic weather climate that we continue to experience. Therefore, this calls for efficient use of water. Eco-preneurships are beneficial since they put in place systems that ensure that there is efficient use of water resources. For example, in the sugarcane factory, water that is used to clean the factory is channeled towards irrigating the crops hence ensuring limited water wastage. In addition, eco-preneurships ensure that there is less air pollution. This is because of the sustainable and renewable energy that the companies use. For instance, solar and wind power are clean energy sources thus less air pollution to the environment. This is beneficial to the eco-preneurships since they are likely to gain international recognition that will boost their image internationally hence the company will witness an increase in customer volumes (Libecap, 2009, p.28). The large pool of customers will reciprocate to high sales volume and therefore more profitability for the eco-preneurships. Eco-preneurships are socially responsible since they promote sustainable environmental solutions and as such are revered as being socially sensitive. The eco-preneurships through their environmental awareness creation are likely to increase opportunities that are available for the employment of various personnel. These personnel will be deployed in the environment department so as to support the core values of the eco-preneurships. Folmer and Tietenberg (2005, p.34) argue that the alternative use of energy solutions is likely to save the company financial resources that will be used in employing more staff to ensure a sustainable business environment. Many times, the Eco-preneurships will be concerned with finding better ways of managing the environment and thus the need for more innovation which can only be realized through injecting new human resources into their systems. Conclusion Eco-preneurships are therefore bent towards ensuring a clean environment for the benefit of the community within. The environmental entrepreneurs also help to reduce carbon emission through the use of renewable energy sources that emanate from solar and wind power. These energy sources therefore help to reduce the costs of production as well, hence leading to more profitability for the eco-preneurships. It is a known fact that eco-preneurships usually have the best waste management systems in place. As such, this helps to reduce pollution within the operating environment. Carbon emission remains the biggest challenge for most companies (Isaak, 1999, p.64). However, Eco-preneurships have been able to effectively reduce carbon emission through the use of locally available raw materials in their production process and thus less transportation. Therefore, eco-preneurships will have a good reputation and a competitive edge against the other business ventures; hence, this will lead to more customers and thus higher sales volumes. Profitability in this case will be inevitable. Companies should therefore be driven towards a sustainable environment so as to ensure that they are able to save costs as well as manage their wastes effectively. References Folmer, H., Tietenberg, T 2005, The international yearbook of environmental and resource economics 2005/2006: a survey of current issues, Edward Elgar: Washington. Isaak, R 1998, Green logic: ecopreneurship, theory and ethics, Greenleaf: Sydney. Isaak, R.A 1999, Green logic: ecopreneurship, theory, and ethics, Kumarian Press: Michigan. Libecap, G.D 2009, Frontiers in Eco Entrepreneurship Research, Emerald Group Publishing: Edinburgh. Schaltegger, S., Wagner, M 2006, Managing the business case for sustainability: the integration of social, environmental and economic performance, Greenleaf: Michigan. Schaper, M 2005, Making ecopreneurs: developing sustainable entrepreneurship, Ashgate Publishing, Ltd: New York.