Employment and Unemployment

The employment rate means the number of people that is presently employed divided by the population of working age. Unemployment is a situation where labour force participants are avaible, willing to work and actively looking for a job but are unable to find any jobs. Labor force is defined as the people above the age of 16 and older who are employed or are actively seeking employment. Unemployment rate can be calculated by dividing the number of unemployed with the labor force.Changes in unemployment depend mostly on inflows made up of non-employed people starting to look for jobs, of employed people who lose their jobs and look for new ones and of people who stop looking for employment. The cause of unemployment in Malaysia varies. There are four types of unemployments, which include cyclical unemployment, frictional unemployment, structural unemployment and seasonal unemployment. Cyclical unemnployment of Malaysia happens when there is lack of jobs due to the downswing in a busine ss cycle or a recession.Due to this economy declines, the number of job layoffs crossways the world is rising extremely. The International Labor Organization affirmed that up to 51 million jobs worldwide could be eliminated due to the recession. Malaysia is no exception. Normally with an unemployment rate of 2% to 2. 5%, could rise to 4. 5% in that particular year. Since January 2009 about 10,000 Malaysians have been jobless. Another problem that causes the increasing of unemployment rate of Malaysia is that there are so many new job seekers each and every year.Research shows that every year there are 600,000 new job seekers in Malaysia. This is when the frictional unemployment happens which people are in between jobs, entering and reentering the labor force. For example when people quit their jobs for a better position or higher wages or when fresh graduates are actively seeking for jobs. Even though these people are not working, but they are counted as part of the labor force beca use they are searching for jobs.It is stated that structural unemployment is when jobs are available but the unemployed does not have the skills to fill these jobs. In Malaysia, the case is quite the opposite. There are many highly-qualified candidates, but they are too embarrassed to take on low-paying jobs, although a local spokesperson says that ‘job seekers should accept whatever job positions they can get’. That would decrease the number of people seeking jobs, which would decrease unemployment based on frictional and structural unemployment. Seasonal unemployment takes place hen seasonal variations happens during the activities of particular industries caused by climatic changes, changes in fashions or by the intrinsic nature of such industries. In Malaysia, there are a lot of opportunities in the plantation sector. With the typical weather of Malaysia, people in the plantation sector are able to grow crops all year round. Nonetheless, seasonal unemployment still takes place. For example, the sugar industry is seasonal in the sense that the crushing of sugar-cane is done only in a particular season. Such seasonal industries are bound to give rise to seasonal unemployment.

Do the Benefits of Globalization Outweighs Its Disadvantages Essay

ORGANIC FARMING (Farming without the addition of artificial chemicals.) Organic farming can be defined by the proactive, ecological management strategies that maintain and enhance soil fertility, prevent soil erosion, promote and enhance biological diversity, and minimize risk to human and animal health and natural resources. It can also be defined as Vegetable and livestock production using natural sources of nutrients (such as compost, crop residues, and manure) and natural methods of crop and weed control, instead of using synthetic or inorganic agrochemicals. It is also called low input farming. Many kinds of farm products are produced organically including vegetables, fruit, herbs, grains, meat, dairy, eggs, fibers, and flowers. In the past organic farm production was often considered as being only for radicals or hippies. Now it is seen as a viable economic move – with benefits to the farm soil, to the environment, and to the purchasers of the products. An organic approach can contribute towards making a farm more financially viable in several ways. * First, it is a low input way of farming. You do not need to invest so much money in expensive chemicals and fertilizers. However, any declines in initial production are balanced against these reduced costs. * Second, it is less likely to result in land degradation than many other production methods; hence the long-term cost of sustaining production is less. * Thirdly, public demand for organic produce has markedly increased over recent years. The key characteristics of organic farming include; 1| Protecting the long term fertility of soils by maintaining organic matter levels, encouraging soil biological activity, and careful mechanical intervention.| 2| Providing crop nutrients indirectly using relatively insoluble nutrient sources which are made available to the plant by the action of soil micro-organisms.| 3| Nitrogen self-sufficiency through the use of legumes and biological nitrogen fixation, as well as effective recycling of organic materials including crop residues and livestock manures.| 4| Weed, disease and pest control relying primarily on crop rotations, natural predators, diversity, organic manuring, resistant varieties and limited (preferably minimal) thermal, biological and chemical intervention.| 5| The extensive management of livestock, paying full regard to their evolutionary adaptations, behavioral needs and animal welfare issues with respect to nutrition, housing, health, breeding and rearing.| 6| Careful attention to the impact of the farming system on the wider environment and the conservation of wildlife and natural habitats. TYPES OF ORGANIC FARMING Organic farming works with nature, rather than against it. It recognises the fact that nature has many complex processes which interact to control pests, diseases and weeds, and to regulate the growth of plants. There is a variety of ways of growing plants that work with nature rather than against it. Some techniques have been used for centuries. Some of the most effective and widely used methods are:Poly-culture Theoretically, it is better for the long-term welfare of the land to avoid a monoculture approach to farming. Monocultures tend to utilize the same nutrients from the soil and deposit the same â€Å"pollutants† into the soil; causing nutrient deficiencies and pollutant toxicities. When several different plants, and/or animals are growing together, the waste products of one will often be used by another; and the nutrients used by one, may be replenished by the activity of another.Biodynamic farmingIt views the farm or garden as a â€Å"total† organism and attemp ts to develop a sustainable system, where all of the components of the living system have a respected and proper place.| Permaculture Systems Permaculture is a system of agriculture based on perennial, or self perpetuating, plant and animal species which are useful to man. It is a philosophy which encompasses the establishment of environments which are highly productive and stable, and which provide food, shelter, energy etc., as well as supportive social and economic infrastructures. Crop rotations Crop rotation consists of growing different crops in succession in the same field, as opposed to continually growing the same crop. Growing the same crop year after year guarantees pests of a food supply – and so pest populations increase. It can also lead to depletion of certain soil nutrients. Growing different crops interrupts pest life cycles and keeps their populations in check. Crop rotation principles can be applied to both broad acre and row crops alike. The principles may even be applied to pastures. In crop rotation cycles, farmers can also sow crops that like legumes that actually enrich the soil with nutrients, thereby reducing the need for chemical fertilisers. For example, many corn farmers alternate growing corn with soybeans, because soybeans fix nitrogen into the soil. Thus, subsequent corn crops require less nitrogen fertiliser to be added. MERITS OF ORGANIC FARMING Sustainability over the long term: Many changes observed in the environment are long term, occurring slowly over time. Organic agriculture considers the medium- and long-term effect of agricultural interventions on the agro-ecosystem. It aims to produce food while establishing an ecological balance to prevent soil infertility or pest problems. Organic agriculture takes a proactive approach as opposed to treating problems after they emerge. Soil. Soil building practices such as crop rotations, inter-cropping, symbiotic associations, cover crops, organic fertilizers and minimum tillage are central to organic practices. These encourage soil fauna and flora, improving soil formation and structure and creating more stable systems. In turn, nutrient and energy cycling is increased and the retentive abilities of the soil for nutrients and water are enhanced, compensating for the non-use of mineral fertilizers. Such management techniques also play an important role in soil erosion control. The length of time that the soil is exposed to erosive forces is decreased, soil biodiversity is increased, and nutrient losses are reduced, helping to maintain and enhance soil productivity. Crop export of nutrients is usually compensated by farm-derived renewable resources but it is sometimes necessary to supplement organic soils with potassium, phosphate, calcium, magnesium and trace elements from external sources. Water. In many agriculture areas, pollution of groundwater courses with synthetic fertilizers and pesticides is a major problem. As the use of these is prohibited in organic agriculture, they are replaced by organic fertilizers (e.g. compost, animal manure, green manure) and through the use of greater biodiversity (in terms of species cultivated and permanent vegetation), enhancing soil structure and water infiltration. Well managed organic systems with better nutrient retentive abilities, greatly reduce the risk of groundwater pollution. In some areas where pollution is a real problem, conversion to organic agriculture is highly encouraged as a restorative measure (e.g. by the Governments of France and Germany). Air and climate change. Organic agriculture reduces non-renewable energy use by decreasing agrochemical needs (these require high quantities of fossil fuel to be produced). Organic agriculture contributes to mitigating the greenhouse effect and global warming through its ability to sequester carbon in the soil. Many management practices used by organic agriculture (e.g. minimum tillage, returning crop residues to the soil, the use of cover crops and rotations, and the greater integration of nitrogen-fixing legumes), increase the return of carbon to the soil, raising productivity and favouring carbon storage. A number of studies revealed that soil organic carbon contents under organic farming are considerably higher. The more organic carbon is retained in the soil, the more the mitigation potential of agriculture against climate change is higher. However, there is much research needed in this field, yet. There is a lack of data on soil organic carbon for developing countries, with no farm system comparison data from Africa and Latin America, and only limited data on soil organic carbon stocks, which is crucial for determining carbon sequestration rates for farming practices. Biodiversity. Organic farmers are both custodians and users of biodiversity at all levels. At the gene level, traditional and adapted seeds and breeds are preferred for their greater resistance to diseases and their resilience to climatic stress. At the species level, diverse combinations of plants and animals optimize nutrient and energy cycling for agricultural production. At the ecosystem level, the maintenance of natural areas within and around organic fields and absence of chemical inputs create suitable habitats for wildlife. The frequent use of under-utilized species (often as rotation crops to build soil fertility) reduces erosion of agro-biodiversity, creating a healthier gene pool – the basis for future adaptation. The provision of structures providing food and shelter, and the lack of pesticide use, attract new or re-colonizing species to the organic area (both permanent and migratory), including wild flora and fauna (e.g. birds) and organisms beneficial to the orga nic system such as pollinators and pest predators. The number of studies on organic farming and biodiversity increased significantly within the last years. A recent study reporting on a meta-analysis of 766 scientific papers concluded that organic farming produces more biodiversity than other farming systems. Genetically modified organisms. The use of GMOs within organic systems is not permitted during any stage of organic food production, processing or handling. As the potential impact of GMOs to both the environment and health is not entirely understood, organic agriculture is taking the precautionary approach and choosing to encourage natural biodiversity. The organic label therefore provides an assurance that GMOs have not been used intentionally in the production and processing of the organic products. This is something which cannot be guaranteed in conventional products as labelling the presence of GMOs in food products has not yet come into force in most countries. However, with increasing GMO use in conventional agriculture and due to the method of transmission of GMOs in the environment (e.g. through pollen), organic agriculture will not be able to ensure that organic products are completely GMO free in the future. A detailed discussion on GMOs can be found in the FAO publication â€Å"Genetically Modified Organisms, Consumers, Food Safety and the Environment†. Ecological services. The impact of organic agriculture on natural resources favours interactions within the agro-ecosystem that are vital for both agricultural production and nature conservation. Ecological services derived include soil forming and conditioning, soil stabilization, waste recycling, carbon sequestration, nutrients cycling, predation, pollination and habitats. By opting for organic products, the consumer through his/her purchasing power promotes a less polluting agricultural system. The hidden costs of agriculture to the environment in terms of natural resource de gradation are reduced. Organic farming proves to be more profitable than the age-old traditional farming methods. It has been found that organic farming reduces the production cost by about 25 – 30%, as it does not involve the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides, which thus makes organic farming very cost-effective. This type of farming leads to a less toxic environment as far as the air, water and soil is concerned. Soil is the most important component in farming, and organic farming preserves the soil by reducing soil erosion up to a large extent. Organic farming also enables the farmers to use the soil for a longer period of time to grow crops, as soil fertility is maintained for a long time in such a case. Organic farming has a positive effect on the ecosystem, as it proves vital in supporting the survival of wildlife in the lowlands. It even provides safe pasture lands for grazing. This kind of farming is not only beneficial to the farmers, but it also has proved useful for the dairy industry. Cattle grazing on organic farmlands have been found to be less prone to diseases, and they also yield more milk. These are definitely good signs for a consumer of these dairy products from a health perspective, and for a dairy organization from the profit perspective. Organic farming eliminates the chances that are there of the fast production of food through artificial means. Products or foodstuffs produced from organic farming neither contain any sort of artificial flavors or preservatives, nor do they contain any harmful chemicals. The original nutritional content of food is preserved due to the absence of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides. Organic products moreover are tastier than the products yielded from traditional farming. Consumption of products obtained from organic farming minimizes the risks of physical ailments such as heart attacks, cancer, and ever strokes. Scientific studies have proven that organic foods are healthier than the inorganic ones Organic farming automatically promotes diverse habitats. At such places, one will find a place full of life with animals, birds and insects. Read more at Buzzle: http://www.buzzle.com/articles/benefits-of-organic-farming.html

Recruitment At Richer Sounds Essay

John Clayton is the training and recruitment director within the business. His two key areas are the colleague support or the recruitment/training office. He works closely with the manager of colleague support, Tracey Armstrong. Richer Sounds personal views on Recruitment Richer Sounds always tries to recruit people who have friendly personalities and like to enjoy their work. The company looks for these keys on candidates rather than much of their grades because normally these people normally start to work as a sales person or work in the support department. The promotion policy in Richer Sounds enables efficiently working colleagues to be promoted up in the company rather than recruiting new employees who have no understanding within the business. Richer Sounds only recruit employees if they need someone who has the skills to do particular work such as professional in I.T. How Richer Sounds advertise for new colleagues Within every edition of the in-store catalogue and website they advertise their vacancies, these vacancies are usually for needs of new sales person or need new employees to work in the departments. This generates ongoing application from many interested people. If there are no vacancies at that time then they keep all record of people who applied, for about six months. Colleagues are also able to advice his/hers friends o relatives to work in the company, however these applicants should also follow the same rule of application as all other people. These adverts causes the company to save major amount of money each time because if they would publish it on the newspaper everytime then they would have to pay certain amount to the newspaper company therefore this idea of having to publish on their catalogues and website is good idea. If the company doesn’t receive any phone call from any people regarding the job then finally the company will have to publish it on the newspapers. For specialist employees to recruit the company notifies the vacancy to the employment agency. The recruitment process at richer sounds The recruitment process is shown on the following steps: – Identify any vacancies within the business – Advertise the vacancies – The company the look’s through all the CV’s relevant to that store or department – They schedule for interviews – with appropriate store or department manager. In Richer Sound all managers have completed their Managers Development Course and while doing they also received training on interview, how to interview a candidate. – The applicant which is been successful is been given a trial day to work at richer sounds – If all the interview and trial day is completed and the candidates are successful then the candidates can either send an application form which states that he/she is agreeing to work with richer sounds. – Next all these new candidates have to meet either Jez Avens, John Clayton or Lee Nelson for their final approval – When the company receives the application form, the business then sends these forms for references and as the candidate gets one or more good reference he/she is offered the job. They then write a letter to the candidate, which also includes the statement of terms of employment. – Final step for the company is to send off letters to all candidates given an interview regarding that they have given this job to someone. This is given so the candidates would know if he/she would get the job. The company policy and rules Richer sounds have several policies on recruitment so they do not operate within the law but also operate truthfully. These include – The company’s equal opportunities statement. – The test shouldn’t require high level of English – Richer Sounds never ask a woman about their family

The Rise of American Industry- American Economic History Research Proposal

The Rise of American Industry- American Economic History - Research Proposal Example Although America has been blessed with abundant geological resources, the intensity of conversion of natural resources into manufactured commodities, which grew the most during 1880 to 1920, was the major reason that American industry could grow to this predominance. Economies of scale and capital intensive production was possible because of the access to new materials like aluminum and copper as well as larger markets through the transportation network (Chandler, 1992). This enabled the American industry to get a competitive advantage in the period prior to the First World War. During the inter-war years, 1929-41, the American economy witnessed the worst recession and unemployment situation as a result of demand crash, hence the period popularly known as the Great Depression. The economy recovered after the Second World War and the period between 1948 and 1973 was a boom time, with private non-farm enterprises growing fast. Interestingly, even during the depression years, growth in real output was higher than the growth in real wages and real capital, that is total factor productivity (TFP) grew faster than in the post-war boom years. Some economists have argued that this simultaneous existence of high labor productivity and unemployment stems from the fact that with decline in demand, private enterprises tended to lay off the unproductive labor. Hence, selective labor retention and improved management practices enabled higher labor productivity. However, other economists have found that factors other than selective retention of labor resulted in the high inter-war productivity growth, which was the base on which post-war economic revival happened in America. For example, quality of labor improved as Americans received better educational qualifications during the inter-war years, a level that was not achieved again since the 1960s (Goldin, cited in Field, 2006). On

Multiple Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Multiple - Case Study Example Judgment would bid all group members. Question 1: Like other defrauded clients, Mr. Groetsch’s compensation should be in accordance to how much money he had lost through the Medical Capital Holdings security. In spite of Mr. Groetsch’s diagnosis with Alzheimer and his family’s request for Securities America not to do business with him, the stockholder still went ahead and sold him the securities. The arbitrator should consider his health condition, and the fact that his family’s request for no business transaction between him and the American securities. The Americans sold securities regardless of the internal memoranda of Securities America, questioning the legality of the Medical Capital. The concerns spread to brokers diagonally in the company, yet Securities America continued to sell the bonds. The stockholder could have taken advantage of Mr. Groetsch’s health condition to manipulate him into signing the transfer of Medical Capital securities. The characteristics of the disease include loss of memory severe enough to disrupt the normal activities of everyday. The stockholder knew that Mr. Groetsch could experience difficulties trying to maintain his memory ability and, therefore, defraud him. With Alzheimer, he would be unable to maintain employment, plan and execute tasks, to reason and exercise judgment (Fungate & Kinicki 299-305). Question 2 Since arbitration is less complex, cheaper and profitable, the judge should consider class action before arbitration. In this way, the court will compensate people that appealed for class action since they are the majority, and afterwards deal with Mr. Groetsch. Compensation of arbitration before class action may lead to depletion of funds and creation of fear caused by fewer funds available for the compensation of class action. Convincing Mr. Groetsch in case of a negative outcome is easier as compared to those in the class action, because one individual understand faster and bett er than a mass of people. Resolving Mr. Groetsch’s case may be hard since he might not remember some details regarding his case due to his illness. This can further bring in contradictions that may delay the ruling of the arbitrator leading to loss of time and money. Arbitration in this case may take longer and might be expensive due to the one party involved who may experience loss of some memories and record different statements regarding the same case. It is more convenient to look for funds of one individual compared to those in a class action. Class action case consume a lot of time since it involves many people with similar interests, and the judge has to make a fair decision as compared to arbitration where the judge needs to approve the decision of the arbitrator (Fungate & Kinicki 300-303). Question 3: In most cases, teamwork is the best hence; Mr. Groetsch should join class action that is likely to be favored by the judge. Since arbitration is no longer possible, he should contemplate on where the best ruling will be, since the judges spent time on the class action case. Representation by attorneys is one of the issues he ought to think about because the attorneys perform well to ensure their clients get what they deserve. In addition, joining the class lawsuits will make the judge’s work easier since he has to only deal with one case, and make an equal ruling in both

Philosophy, the second Topic Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Philosophy, the second Topic - Essay Example Aristotle’s viewpoints also underscore Plato’s assertion in that philosophy has a purpose of practicality attached to it. Gaining knowledge for its own sake does not restrict the projection of the acquired knowledge in any way. Rather, practical philosophy can be attributed to numerous situations that are intrinsically separated from merely conjectural inquiries made for the sake of flaunting one’s pedantic affectations. The rational components of practical philosophy have, however, been questioned by modern scientific innovations that strive to theorize every phenomenon. This is the main point of debate in this paper. What is the purpose of philosophy in real life? Does philosophy have any bearing on human life, individual or collective? The paper shall examine the arguments propounded by five seminal thinkers from the world of philosophy: Jean-Paul Sartre, Karl Marx, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Sigmund Freud. The existential quandaries of modern men have been addressed in-depth by the French thinker Jean-Paul Sartre. Commenting on philosophy, he claims that philosophy as an abstraction of human perception is only a vague concept which does not yield any ethical or realistic principles. The basis of his argument involves the interdependency of existentialism and Marxism for the sake of comprehending reality and its evolution from the past. This is an interesting premise because Marxist philosophy is different from existentialist philosophy in terms of explaining idealism (Sartre and Priest 17). Marx’s investigation is more akin to presenting every individual within a social setup which should be in perfect accord with a totalitarian worldview. Hence, the existential essence of subjective idealism is not the point of philosophical contention for Marx. He argues that betterment of living can be achieved not by the

Case Study Of The Dsu In Operation - From Complaint To Resolution Dissertation

Case Study Of The Dsu In Operation - From Complaint To Resolution - Dissertation Example The study relies on primary qualitative data in the form case studies constructed out of selected resolved disputes by the Dispute Resolution Body, and primary quantitative data in the form of statistical profiles drawn from the summary reports of the WTO. In the analyses of the case studies and the statistical profiles, significance was drawn from the disputes between developing and developed countries, as either complainant or respondent, the success rates in the pursuit of these disputes for either side, and the agreements most often cited as bases of the disputes. These observations provided an insight into the manner of implementation of the DSU procedures, in so far as it affects the balance between developing and developed countries. Aside from providing commentary on the implementation of the dispute settlement process, the study also examined the provisions of the DSU and the process as it was envisioned. The findings show that the DSU provisions manifested an intention to create a procedural advantage in favour of developing countries in the creation of a legal structure in dispute settlement, mandating reverse consensus, and setting of deadlines to expedite the process. Deficiencies are still seen, however, in terms of the cost of dispute settlement, the need for expert knowledge of procedure, lack of standards in setting the duration of reasonable time for compliance, and the perceived inadequacies of trade retaliation and other remedial measures. Table of Contents Abstract 2 Table of Contents 3 1.1 Background of the research 5 1.2 Statement of the research objective 7 1.3 Research questions 7 1.4 Criteria for evaluation 8 1.5 Significance of the research objective 9 1.6 Scope and limitations 9 Chapter 2: History and background 11 2.1 International Trade Law 11 2.2 International Dispute Settlement 13 Chapter 3: Analysis of the WTO Dispute Settlement Procedures 15 3.1 The Dispute Settlement Procedure 15 3.2 Functioning of Dispute Settlement Body under WTO 19 3.3 Aim of the dispute settlement procedure 20 3.4 Commentary on the dispute settlement implementation 22 3.5 Examination of the application of Article 21.5 24 3.6 Effectiveness of trade retaliation measures: the inadequacy of remedies 27 3.7 Effectiveness of compensation measures 31 Chapter 4: Developing Countries and WTO dispute settlement procedure 36 4.1 Developing country defined 37 4.2 Uruguay Round reforms in favour of developing countries 38 4.3 Provisions that fav our developing countries. 41 4.4 Issues in the implementation of DSU involving developing countries 43 4.5 Two case studies involving disputes between developing and developed countries 48 4.6 Profiles of disputes between developing and developed (industrialized) countries 52 4.7 Analysis of the foregoing data 63 4.8 Comparison between dispute resolution under the GATT and under WTO-DSU 66 Chapter 5: Summary and Conclusion 68 5.1 Summary of findings 68 5.2 Conclusion 74 5.3 Recommendations for future research 74 Bibliography 76 Appendix A 79 Summary Table of Cases and Results 79 Appendix B 86 Table of Cases with Determination of â€Å"Reasonable Period of Time† 86 Chapter 1: Introduction 1.1 Background of the research Globalization is probably one of the most contentious concepts in the present-day political-economic landscape.1 Both extolled and disparaged, global trade has both its merits and its pitfalls; whether one is in favour of it or not, however, is no longer the que stion, as most countries have committed to liberalized international trade by virtue of their accession as signatories to multilateral trade agreements that promote global trade and commerce. The question now is the manner in which global trade must be

Reflective Response on Gioconda Belli and Slavenka Drakulic books Essay

Reflective Response on Gioconda Belli and Slavenka Drakulic books - Essay Example Belli grew up in a high class Nicaraguan family and her entire family was very unsympathetic towards the Somoza dictatorship that reigned at the time, in Nicaragua. She was a political activist and was against the views of her family because right from a young age, she established a position for herself in the Sandinista Party and joined the revolutionary government. At the family front however, in order to not disturb the minds of her parents and close knit family members, she kept her bourgeoisie job at a lush advertising company. The story follows as she becomes a very immediate part of the totalitarian regime and upheaval taking place in her country. It is an account of a political as well as personal encounter with the realities that the revolution presents forth. She finds herself disagreeing to a number of things her family want her do, and soon is not able to take control of her heart because of a need to liberate it and set herself free from the active militant she had becom e. On the other hand, Drakulic wrote a nonfiction piece about the various ramifications of various social and political conflicts taking place in East of Europe. She has written an account of how the failure of Communism resulted in a failure to meet the needs of women belonging to several countries like Czechoslovakia, Bulgaria, Poland and Germany, with the help of primary information in the form of interviews that she took with women belonging to these countries. (The Country Under My Skin: A Memoir of Love and War) She has written the narrative in the form of an essay, explaining the impact of the political strata of society on women and feminism in general. She has made references and given examples as to how women were subject to oppression and were treated terribly during the time, for example, how they were forced to live under a careless government that refused to supply them with basic necessities including toilet paper and even tampons. Thus, Drakulic is different from Bel li in this aspect as she did not experience the totalitarian regime taking place in Europe on her own, but through the eyes of various other women living in different countries across Europe. At the same time, Belli was able to give a very personal and first hand stance as to the experiences she had and the times she went through under the totalitarian regime that reigned in Nicaragua during the course of her growing up. Belli lived under a right wing totalitarian regime by becoming a part of the government whereas Drakulic was completely against the Communist regime and tried her best to make an attempt and resist it. Belli managed to smuggle weapons, run roadblocks, and also form legions with various revolutionists. She writes about how she made arguments with Castro and his regime, and contributed to representations at Third World conferences in order to liberate Nicaragua. She was thus a true insider and has been able to provide an honest opinion from the view of a woman of that time. On the other hand, Drakulic criticized the Communist empire and helped women liberate themselves in order to achieve a level of empowerment. She has tried to point out the inadequacies of the government in power and how they thought they were radical, but in reality, they were far from reaching that stage. She has tried to express through her writing, how women were looked down upon and forced to undertake steps

Strategic Analysis Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Strategic Analysis - Research Paper Example Strategic Analysis It is best known for its Office software and Windows. It also develops and produces consumer electronics like game system and tablets. It is easily accessible thus making people hear, see and use technology. The company aims at enabling businesses and people worldwide to realize their full potential, a mission that they have succeeded in realizing. Nearly all businesses and individuals use their products. There are committed to their customers as they strive to design technology that is easily accessible to everybody. It is one of the industry leaders in building safe and easy to use products. Facebook, Inc., on the other hand, is an internet company that operates the social networking website Facebook. It is world’s largest social networking website with more than one billion active monthly users. It aims at making the world more connected and open, a mission that it has realized due to the rising number of Facebook users. It has offered people the power to share information. The CPM analysis shows that Microsoft is the leading player in the industry. It has relative strengths in market share, product quality, product design and price competitive. On the other hand, Google Inc. prevails in innovative culture and product quality. Oracle Corporations is the weakest of them all. It does not have any relative strength against the rivals in the industry. The companies, therefore, need to create strategies in accordance with their strengths and weakness and enhance their ratings in the most crucial areas of the industry.

Physicians Assisted Suicide Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Physicians Assisted Suicide - Research Paper Example In addition, the practice would lessen the urgency to develop new medicines designed to prolong life. Those who oppose the practice on religious grounds argue that it is ‘playing God’ therefore sinful. Health care professionals cite the Hippocratic Oath which forbids them from carrying out this procedure. This paper will examine the moral and ethical concerns surrounding euthanasia, clarify the meaning of the term, present arguments both for and against the practice and conclude with a recommendation to resolve the issue. The word euthanasia is from Greek origin meaning ‘good death.’ Writers of 1700’s Britain referred to euthanasia as a being a preferential method by which to ‘die well’ (â€Å"Definition†, 2007). Euthanasia describes a situation in which a terminally ill patient is administered a lethal dose of medication, is removed from a life-support system or is simply allowed to die without active participation such as by resuscitation. A doctor’s involvement in the procedure could be to either prescribe a lethal dose of drugs with the express intent of ending a life or by intravenously inserting a needle into the terminal patient who then activates a switch that administers the fatal dose (Naji et al, 2005). Physicians, lawmakers, and philosophers have debated the notion of euthanasia since the beginning of recorded history but the wide public debate regarding its legalization has only surfaced over the past four decades. In the 1970’s it bec ame lawful to draft ‘living wills’ which allows a patient to refuse ‘heroic’ life saving medical assistance in the event they were incapacitated and could only survive by artificial means (Rich, 2001). In other words, it gave the next of kin the right to direct doctors to ‘pull the plug’ if the patient’s condition was considered hopeless, a practice which is now broadly accepted. The unfortunate reality is the majority of people in the U.S. die a ‘bad death.’   A study determined that â€Å"more often than not, patients died in pain, their desires concerning treatment neglected, after spending 10 days or more in an intensive care unit† (Horgan, 1996).   Most Americans (53 percent) believe euthanasia to be not only compassionate but ethically acceptable and 69 percent would support the legalization of euthanasia according to a Gallup Poll conducted in 2004 (â€Å"Public Grapples†, 2004).   Opponents of a doctor-assisted suicide law often cite the potential for doctor abuse.   However, recent Oregon and UK laws show that you can craft reasonable laws that prevent abuse and still protect the value of human life.   For example, laws could be drafted that requires the approval of two doctors plus a psychologist, a reasonable waiting period, family members’ written consent and limits the procedure to specific medical cond itions.     

Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 48

Ethics - Essay Example seek to conduct a comparison of the various differences and similarities that tend to exist between utilitarianism, deontological ethics and virtue theory. The main similarity between the three theories of utilitarianism, deontological ethics and virtue theory is that they all attempt to try and set a common standard by which an individual who is considered to be a good moral person can live by within a given community (Manias et al, 2013). The virtue ethics measure morality in an individual by using aspects such as moral standing and character within a given community so as to effectively determine the individual’s goodness Devettere (2002), this is similar to deontology whereby a person is considered to be good and moral in the event that their actions within a given community are considered to be the right choice and as such, the actions are good and moral (Tännsjö, 2013). In utilitarianism, individuals are encouraged to base their actions and decisions on what action will ultimately be in the best interest for the majority of people (Manias et al, 2013). The common ground between these three theories is based on mora lity and goodness as is perceived by other individuals within the wider community. The three theories of deontological ethics, virtue theory and utilitarianism can also be seen to be similar in that they all share the same consequence of action. Although it might not be the main focus of the action, the outcomes of the action’s consequences are considered to be primary as a result. All these theories work towards what is being perceived to be the best result depending on exactly what someone else happens to believe that the best results may be. The main difference between the three theories of utilitarianism, deontological ethics and virtue ethics is that deontological ethics are primarily based on a fixed moral law and duty, utilitarianism on the other hand is based on an enlightened self interest, or simply what serves to make us all

Gun Control Persuasive Paper Essay Example for Free

Gun Control Persuasive Paper Essay A gun control law is any law that restricts the use, purchase, or possession of any firearms (Conservapedia). These laws are implemented to reduce the use of firearms to authorized members of a state’s government. Each state in America has its own laws regarding gun control; however, among all, California has the strongest laws, scoring 81 out of a 100 (O’Mara). Gun control laws are necessary in a state because they decrease violence, increase government’s protection in the state, and decrease the lethalness of other crimes. Gun control laws can reduce violence and crime. In the United States, 67% of crimes in 2010 were committed with firearms (Rogers, 2007). This means that majority of crimes committed in America had guns and other firearms involved. If firearms are prohibited in the state, then in theory, crime rates will go down by 67%. Guns have the ability to take someone’s life. Having that said, disallowing the use of guns can not only decrease crime rates, but lower causalities as well. Ozanne-Smith et al (2004) arrived at a similar conclusion in a study conducted in Victoria, Australia after examining the trend in the firearm-related deaths in the context of strong legislative reform. They found the following: â€Å"Significant and dramatic declines in rates of firearm related deaths occurred in Victoria and Australia after periods of strong legislative reform. Statistically significant reductions in firearm related suicides were observed after legislative reforms. In 2000, rates of firearm related deaths were less than two per 100 000 population for Victoria and Australia compared with 10.4 per 100 000 population for the United States. In Victoria, reductions in the numbers of registered firearms of 25% and of licensed shooters of 15% were seen over the four years between 1997–98 and 2000–01† (Ozanne-Smith, 2004). Prohibiting civilians from using guns can increase the effectiveness of the police in one’s state. When a person owns a gun, in theory he can protect himself and therefore does not need protection from the police. Thus, he becomes independent. However, if a person is not allowed to own a gun, he becomes more dependent upon the government for his safety and the police and the government now becomes more aware of the importance of their task in protecting their state. Lastly, the restriction of firearms can decrease the lethalness of crimes other than murder and homicide. Often times, minor criminals like thieves and robbers commit their crimes with a firearm, when in reality; the commission of their crime does not require it. They simply use the guns for self-defense. As a result, they are more likely to kill their victims rather than just stealing from them. Therefore, they not only steal, but they kill as well. The prohibition of firearms can lessen a criminal’s ability from committing another crime by decreasing the probability of murder and homicide. However, firearms have its benefits as well. But if the aforementioned is not used in the right way, it will lead to serious consequences: including death. That’s why gun control laws are implied in a state: to regulate and prevent the misuse of such firearms.

Strategies of Job Analysis

Strategies of Job Analysis The most basic building block of HR management, job analysis, is a systematic way to gather and analyze information about the content and human requirement of jobs, and the context in which jobs are performed. Job analysis usually involves collecting information on the characteristics of a job that differentiate it from other jobs. Information that can be helpful in making the distinction includes the following: Work activities and behaviors Machines and equipment used Interactions with others Working conditions Performance standards Supervision given and received Financial and budgeting impact Knowledge, skills, and abilities needed What Is a Job? Although the terms job and position are often used interchangeably, there is a slight difference in emphasis. A job is a grouping of common tasks, duties, and responsibilities. A position is a job performed by one person. Thus, if there are two persons operating word processing equipment, there are two positions (one for each person) but just one job (word processing operator). Differentiating between Job Analysis and Job Design It is useful to clarify the differences between job design and job analysis. Job design is broader in nature and has as its primary thrust meshing the productivity Job analysis A systematic way to gather and analyze information about the content and the human requirements of jobs, and the context in which jobs are performed. Job A grouping of similar positions having common tasks, duties, and responsibilities. Position A job performed by one person. needs of the organization with the needs of the individuals performing the various jobs. Increasingly, a key aim for job design is to provide individuals meaningful work that fits effectively into the flow of the organization. It is concerned with changing, simplifying, enlarging, enriching, or otherwise making jobs such that the efforts of each worker fit together better with other jobs. Job analysis has a much narrower focus in that it is a formal system for gathering data about what people are doing in their jobs. The information generated by job analysis may be useful in redesigning jobs, but its primary purpose is to get a clear understanding of what is done on a job and what capabilities are needed to do a job as it has been designed. Documents that capture the elements identified during a job analysis are job descriptions and job specifications. Job Analysis and the Changing Nature of Jobs Increasingly, commentators and writers are discussing the idea that the nature of jobs and work is changing so much that the concept of a -job  may be obsolete for many people. For instance, in some high-technology industries employees work in cross-functional project teams and shift from project to project. The focus in these industries is less on performing specific tasks and duties and more on fulfilling responsibilities and attaining results. For example, a project team of eight employees developing software to allow various credit cards to be used with ATMs worldwide will work on many different tasks, some individually and some with other team members. When that project is finished those employees will move to other projects, possibly with other employers. Such shifts may happen several times per year. Therefore, the basis for recruiting, selecting, and compensating these individuals is their competence and skills, not what they do.2 Even the job of managers changes in s uch situations, for they must serve their project teams as facilitators, gatherers of resources, and removers of roadblocks. However, in many industries that use lower-skilled workers, traditional jobs continue to exist. Studying these jobs and their work consequences is relatively easy because of the repetitiveness of the work and the limited number of tasks each worker performs. Clearly, studying the two different types of jobs- the lower-skilled ones and highly technical ones- requires different approaches. Many of the typical processes associated with identifying job descriptions are still relevant with the lower-skilled, task-based jobs. However, for fast-moving organizations in hightechnology industries, a job description is becoming an obsolete concept. Employees in these -virtual jobs  must be able to function without job descriptions and without the traditional parameters that are still useful with less changeable jobs.3 Work Analysis Work analysis studies the workflow, activities, context, and output of a job. This analysis can be conducted on a department, business process, or individual level. At one level, the industrial engineering approach of time and motion studies is useful in work analysis. At another level the linkage of what is done in one department may be looked at in relation to work activities performed Chapter 7 Analyzing and Identifying Jobs 215 Work analysis Studying the workflow,activities, context, and output of a job. in another area. For instance, in an electric utility if a customer calls with a service outage problem, it is typical for a customer service representative to take the information and enter it into a database. Then in the operations department, a dispatcher may access the database to schedule a line technician to repair the problem. The customer would be called back and notified about the timing of the repair. The line technician also must receive instructions from a supervisor, who gets the information on workload and locations from the dispatcher. A work analysis identified that there were too many steps involving too many different jobs in this process. Therefore, the utility implemented a new customer information system and combined the dispatching function with customer service. The redesign permitted the customer service representatives to access workload information and schedule the line technicians as part of the initial consumer phone calls, except in unusual situations. The redesign of jobs required redefining the jobs, tasks, duties, and responsibilities of several jobs. To implement the new jobs required training the customer service representatives in dispatching and moving dispatchers into the customer service department and training them in all facets of customer service. The result was a more responsive workflow, more efficient cheduling of line technicians, and broadening of the jobs of the customer service representatives. This example illustrates that analyzing work activities and processes may require looking at what capabilities individuals need as well as what they do. That certainly would be true as office support jobs, such as the secretarial job, are examined. Increasingly, it is being recognized that jobs can be analyzed on the basisof both tasks and competencies. Task-Based Job Analysis Analyzing jobs based upon what is done on the job focuses on the tasks, duties, and responsibilities performed in a job. A task is a distinct, identifiable work activity composed of motions, whereas a duty is a larger work segment composed of several tasks that are performed by an individual. Because both tasks and duties describe activities, it is not always easy or necessary to distinguish between the two. For example, if one of the employment supervisor„ ¢s duties is to interview applicants, one task associated with that duty would be asking questions. Job responsibilities are obligations to perform certain tasks and duties. For jobs that remain task-based, many standard phases of the job analysis process can continue. As indicated in the phases of traditional job analysis that are outlined later in the chapter, extensive effort is made to clarify what specifically is done on a job. Development of job descriptions identifies what is done and lists job functions. Competency Approach to Job Analysis There is a growing interest in focusing on the competencies that individuals need in order to perform jobs, rather than on the tasks, duties, and responsibilities composing a job. This shift emphasizes that it is the capabilities that people have that truly influence organizational performance. As E.E. Lawler suggests, instead of thinking of individuals having jobs that are relatively stable and can be written up into typical job descriptions, it may be more relevant to focus on the competen-216 Section 2 Staffing the Organization Task A distinct, identifiable work activity composed of motions. Duty A larger work segment composed of several tasks that are performed by an individual. Job responsibilities Obligations to perform certain tasks and duties. cies used.4 Competencies are basic characteristics that can be linked to enhanced performance by individuals or teams of individuals. The groupings of competencies, as Figure 7- 1 indicates, may include knowledge, skills, and abilities. VISIBLE AND HIDDEN COMPETENCIES hidden and visible competencies. Knowledge, being more visible, is recognized by many employers in matching individuals to jobs. With skills, although some are evident such as skill in constructing financial spreadsheets, others such as negotiating skills, may be less identifiable. But it is the -hidden  competencies of abilities, which may be more valuable, that can enhance performance. For example, the abilities to conceptualize strategic relationships and to resolve interpersonal conflicts are more difficult to identify and assess. A growing number of organizations are using some facets of competency analysis. A survey of over 200 organizations sponsored by the American Compensation Association (ACA) asked about the major reasons that firms have used the competency approach. The three primary reasons given were (1) communicating valued behaviors throughout the organization; (2) raising the competency levels of the organization; and (3) emphasizing the capabilities of people to enhance organizational competitive advantage.5 Many earlier efforts to use competencies have been job-based, meaning that competencies are identified in the context of specific jobs. In this way the competency approach is a logical extension of traditional job analysis activities. However, some organizations are taking the competency approach to another level by focusing on role-based competencies. This shift has been accentuated by the growing use of work teams, whereby individuals move among tasks and jobs. Some of the roles might be leader, supporter, tactician, technical expert, administrator, or others. Through competency analysis, the competencies needed for individuals playing different roles in work teams can be identified. Then selection criteria, development activities, and other HR efforts must be revised to focus on the different sets of competencies needed for the various roles. COMPETENCY ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY Unlike the traditional approach to analyzing jobs, which identifies the tasks, duties, knowledge, and skills associated with a job, the competency approach considers how the knowledge and skills are used. The competency approach also attempts to identify the hidden factors that are often critical to superior performance. For instance, many supervisors talk Chapter 7 Analyzing and Identifying Jobs 217 Competencies Basic characteristics that can be linked to enhanced performance by individuals or teams. Knowledge Scale: Visible Hidden Abilities Skills Conceptual Model of Competencies about employees„ ¢ attitudes, but they have difficulty identifying what they mean by attitude. The competency approach uses some methodologies to help supervisors identify examples of what they mean by attitude and how those factors affect performance. Several methodologies are available and being used to determine competencies, with behavioral event interviews being commonly found. This process involves the following steps:6 1. A team of senior managers identifies future performance results areas critical to the business and strategic plans of the organization. These concepts may be broader than those used in the past. 2. Panel groups are assembled, composed of individuals knowledgeable about the jobs in the company. This group can include both high- and low-performing employees, supervisors, managers, trainers, and others. 3. A facilitator from HR or an outside consultant interviews the panel members to get specific examples of job behaviors and actual occurrences on the jobs. During the interview the individuals are also asked about their thoughts and feelings during each of the described events. 4. Using the behavioral events, the facilitator develops detailed descriptions of each of the competencies. This descriptive phase provides clarity and specifics so that employees, supervisors, managers, and others in the organization have a clearer understanding of the competencies associated with jobs. 5. The competencies are rated and levels needed to meet them are identified. Then the competencies are specified for each of the jobs. 6. Finally, standards of performance are identified and tied to the jobs. Appropriate selection screening, training, and compensation processes focusing on competencies must be developed and implemented. Examples of the competencies used in organizations vary widely. In one survey of 10 companies, the following were most common. Customer focus Leadership Team orientation Innovation Technical expertise Adaptability Results orientation

Brand Equity And Luxury Brands

Brand Equity And Luxury Brands Most of successful businesses hinge upon their great business strategies. The business strategy generally composes of four components: the product-market investment decision, the customer value proposition, the organizations assets and competencies, and functional strategies and programs (Aaker and McLoughlin, 2007). In terms of organizations assets and competencies, brand appears to be one of the most valuable intangible asset of the company (Keller and Lehmann, 2006). Therefore, concept and importance of brand has been widely discussed amongst both researchers and practitioners (Pitta and Katsanis, 1995). Brand is different from product (Capon, Mac Hulbert, and Capon, 2009) and more than service. A classic definition of brand by Kotler (1991, pp.442) brand is a name, term, sign, symbol or design or combination of them which is intended to identify the goods of one seller or group of sellers and to differentiate them from those of competitors. This definition has been discussed as being failed to capture the essence of what brand involves and achieves (Aaker and McLoughlin, 2007). Fifield (2008) thoroughly redefines brand as a set of consistent meanings which exist in addition to the product or service offering. In other words, brand is a set of belief and feeling exist in customer minds [derive from what they have been promised]. The promises of brand are conveyed through the value proposition the brand delivers through ranges of marketing mix (Fifield, 2008; Moutinho and Southern, 2010). Moutinho and Southern (2010) restate definition of brand as an entity, which offers customers add ed value based on factors over and above its functional performance. These added values differentiate offer and provide basis for customer preference and loyalty. Marketers use the marketing mix to position the brand and to create brand value around a coherent set of each marketing mix [base on relevant stimuli]. Brand draws a number of benefits to the business in terms of both recruit and retains customers. Aaker (cited in Fifield, 2008) highlights the benefit of the brands in terms of financial benefits namely price premium. This financial benefit leads to perceived higher quality and perceived higher value which provide point of differentiation in consumer mind. It therefore would increase consumer usage which results in increase in return on investment for company at last (Fifield 2008). In addition to that, brand creates customer value by managing two types of risk for them including performance risk; by providing promise of sameness and predictability, and psychological risk ; by providing image and social acceptability (Keller 2003 cited in Moutinho and Southern, 2010). Branding is suggested to be expensive to the business. It is also difficult to identify its cost or investment (Fifield, 2008). However, the additional return from brand appears to be more worthwhile. Fifield (2008) suggests the commodity products without branding would end up with price war. This would not only produce small return to a single company, but also small value to the whole value-chain. Brand Equity Since brand appears to be a strategic intangible asset that could allow succeed to the company but costly to do so, the reflection of real value that the brand name hold is essential for further business direction. The reflection of value of the brand name is known as measuring brand equity. There are a number of researchers has investigated concept of brand equity since early 1990s (Pitta and Katsanis, 1995). In a general scope, according to Keller (1993), brand equity is defined in terms of marketing effects uniquely attribute to the brand. This means the certain outcome of marketing a product or service would not happen if that product or service does not hold that name (Keller, 1993). In other word, brand equity is the value that brand name gives to a product or service (Pitta and Katsanis, 1995). Brand with high brand equity provides their owners with competitive and financial benefits (Aaker and MacLoughlin, 2007). In terms of behavioral viewpoint, brand equity is essential to make point of differentiation which lead to competitive advantages based on non-price competition (Aaker, 1991). Brand equity creates a number of values to the firm and customer. It affect merger and acquisition decision, stock market response, determinant of brand extension, increase probability of brand choice/willingness to pay premium price/ marketing communication effectiveness/ brand licensing, and decrease vulnerability to competitive marketing action/ elastic response to price increase (Yoo, Donthu, and Lee, 2000) Brand equity has also been defined and motivated to be studied in two perspectives: financial and consumer perspective. In a financially base perspective, the motivation of studying brand equity is to determine the value of a brand for the purpose of accounting, investment, or divestment (Keller, 1993). Therefore, it has been defined as the incremental cash flow of products or service over the cash flow that comes from the sale of unbranded product or service (Simon and Sullivan, 1993). This incremental cash flow incorporates the value that is evaluated by consumers of branded products and the cost that are saved by brand equity with competitive advantages (Simon and Sullivan, 1993). On the other hand, in the consumer-oriented perspective, the motivation to study brand equity comes from the need to improve marketing productivity (Keller, 1993). In regards to brand equitys definition in this perspective, there are two researchers, Aaker in 1991 and Keller in 1993, conceptualizing brand equity concept that is widely accepted by researchers and practitioners. Unfortunately we are unable to provide accessible alternative text for this. If you require assistance to access this image, please contact [emailprotected] or the author Figure 2.1: Aakers dimension of Brand Equity (Source: Aaker, 1992) Aaker combines behavioral and perceptual approach to assess brand equity (Hsu, 2011). Aaker defines brand equity as a set of brand assets and liabilities linked to a brand, its name and symbol that add to or subtract from the value provided by a product or service to a firm and/or to that firms customers (Aaker and McLoughlin, 2007). In Aakers model, brand equity derives from five sources: brand awareness, brand associations, perceived quality, brand loyalty, and other propriety brand asset (Figure2.1). Figure 2.2: Kellers dimension of Brand Equity (Source: Keller, 1993) Meanwhile, Keller focuses on consumer perception (Hsu, 2011). Keller (1993) refers the memory principle namely associative network memory model in defining brand equity. He suggested that an individual dimension of brand is a node in a memory that connects together with links that has various types and degrees of association. Therefore, it would leads to different knowledge of brand which means different level of brand equity (Janiszewski and van Osselelaer, 2000). Keller stated, Brand equity is the differential effect of brand knowledge on consumer response to the marketing of the brand. Keller suggested that brand equity comes from brand knowledge; whereby brand knowledge arises from two sources: brand awareness (derived from brand recall and brand recognition) and brand image (derived from brand association which influenced by type, favourability, strength, and uniqueness) (Figure 2.2). According to both researchers, their concepts share some common major components namely brand awareness and brand association. In fact, dimension of brand equity in Kellers model seems to have deeper investigation in the source of brand association dimension in perceptual perspective. The perceptual components of brand equity might be important sources of competitive advantage for suppliers that rely strongly on intangible value. Since luxury brands are more about aspiration and perception to the brand, Kellers brand equity dimension could fits to the scope of the topic and worth to investigate in detail. Therefore, the following will discuss dimension of brand equity according to Kellers brand equity model which composing of brand awareness and brand image. Brand Awareness Brand awareness refers to the strength of brands presence in the consumers memory (Aaker and McLoughlin, 2007). It is reflecting by the ability to identify the brand under different conditions by consumers (Keller, 1993). Brand awareness is important to the business because it yields to more tendency for the brand to be liked and frequently purchased (Aaker and McLoughlin, 2007). This is because brand awareness influences the information and strength of brand association in the brand image (Keller, 1993). There are two main measures of brand awareness according to Aaker and McLoughlin (2007). The first measure is prompted awareness. This refers to the consumers ability to recognize the brand from a list of brand name. In fact, prompted awareness is known as brand recognition in Kellers model. The second measure is unprompted awareness. It is the consumers ability to recall the brand name when asked to identify brand in a category (Aaker and McLoughlin, 2007). Brand recall is a synonym of unprompted awareness when looking at Kellers model. Practically, brand recall is more desirable in marketing perspective than brand recognition (Pitta and Katsanis, 1995). This is because it implies that the brand has achieved a dominant awareness level and becomes a member of the consideration set for that category in consumers mind (Aaker and McLoughlin, 2007). This means brand recall allows consumers to create choice themselves because they can generate picture of the brand in their minds without aiding. Therefore, brand recall could provide higher degree in likability and purchase than brand recognition. Brand awareness is generally created through ranges of marketing tools, particularly marketing communication (Aaker and McLoughlin, 2007). This is because communication media provides brand visibility and keep the brand in consumers sights that allows consumer to repeatedly encrypt the brand name. Brand Image and Brand Association Brand image is a picture of the offering in consumers mind that includes symbolic meaning when consumer associate with the specific attribute of product or service (Cretu and Brodie, 2007). It is a set of perception about a brand, which consumers form in order to reflect their association to the brand (Keller, 1993). Keller (1993) defines Brand Image as a perception about a brand as reflected by the brand associations held in a consumer memory. Brand image play an important role in the business, especially where it is difficult to differentiate products or services based on tangible quality features (Cretu and Brodie, 2007). Brand image derives from various dimensions of brand association including type, favorability, strength, and uniqueness. Brand association is anything in consumers memory (Aaker, 1991). It can be any aspects of brand that consumer relates with the brand (Aaker and McLoughlin, 2007). The aspects of brand come from the product itself as well as other entities that built around the brand. Brand association is important as it provides opportunity for consumer to develop positive relationship with the brand when consumers have ability to connect to the brand in certain circumstance (Aaker, 1991). Types of Brand Association To understand more on the process that consumers create brand association, Keller (1993) has categorize the aspects/attributes of brand into two types and identify the perceived benefits gain from each type of brand aspects/attributes. It therefore leads to certain attitude about brand in consumers minds and influence brand image. Attributes can be categorized into two types according to Keller (1993): product-related attribute (intrinsic (Fill, 2009)) and non-product-related attributes (extrinsic (Fill, 2009)). The attributes that is product-relating arises from the physical composition of product itself and usually form the perceived functional benefits after consumers use certain product (Keller, 1993). This type of attribute also can build up the perceived experiential benefits when the product attributes satisfy consumers experiential needs such as sensory pleasure, cognition stimulation, and variety. (See example in Appendix A) Meanwhile, the non-product-related attributes arise from price, packaging, type of person who use product (user imagery), and when the product is used (usage imagery). Non-product-related attributes usually profile certain personality to the brand (known as Brand personality) and generates symbolic benefits relating to the needs of social approval and personal expression to consumer (Keller, 1993). (See example in Appendix A) When consumers evaluate all brand attribute and its benefits, they would profile a specific attitude towards brand; known as Brand attitude (Keller, 1993). Brand attitude is important because it influences motivation and evaluation on consumers choices of brand (Keller, 1993). The attitude would leads to specific perception towards brand; Brand Image. Favorability, Strength, and Uniqueness of Brand Association According to Keller (1993), apart from type of brand association explained above, image of the brand is also influenced by three dimensions of brand association namely favorability, strength, and uniqueness. Firstly, favorability of brand associations arises when consumers feel satisfied to the attributes (product-related and non-product-related attributes) and benefits (functional, experiential, and symbolic benefits) provided by brand. Therefore, they would create positive attitude towards brand. This would eventually leads to positive brand image. Secondly, strength of brand associations depends on how consumers memories receive and maintain information about brand. It could be both quantity and quality wises of processing information that influence the strength. The strength of brand association could ease consumers in recalling the brand. Thus, consumers can portrait the picture of brand in their mind. Lastly, uniqueness of brand association derives from all type of attribute (product-related and non-product-related attributes) and their benefit (functional, experiential, and symbolic benefits) that differ from that of competitors. This would too promote distinct picture of brand in consumers mind. Therefore, it could draw the competitive point of difference which would create unique selling proposition and strengthening brand position. To sum up, different types of brand attribute create different perceived benefits; then lead to brand attitudes that forms brand image. These three dimensions of brand association assist in creation of positive/negative brand image. This is because consumers have positive/negative attitude toward brand, be able to recall the brand easily, and see the brand different from the other brands in the category. Several researchers have proved Kellers dimensions of brand equity. Danes et al (2011) reports that recent branding research measuring brand image via free association method has found that brand equity increase as the number of associations increase (Chen, 2001 cited in Danes et al, 2011). This is correspondent with traditional construct and scales brand equity measurement, which indicates that functional and non-functional brand associations influence brand perception, and can create differential advantage to the brand. Luxury Brand The word luxury generally connects with extravagance, prestige, elitism (Moore and Birtwistle, 2005) and higher price (Beverland, 2004). It is something nonessential, but provides pleasure and comfort, or some other things that is expensive and associates with an exclusive sumptuous lifestyle (American Heritage, 1993). There are the attempts from a number of researchers giving the definition and dimension of luxury brand (Figure 2.3). However, the definition of luxury brand has not been completely defined. Jackson and Haid (2002 cited in Moore and Birtwistle, 2005) purpose that luxury brand consists of high status that grants opportunity for brand owner to charge premium price. These brands possess a desirability that extends beyond their function and which provide the user with a perceived status through ownership. Their appeal and desirability is a result of their constructed scarcity in availability (usually as a result of enforced restrictions on distribution) and because of thei r associations with particular consumer segments. (Jackson and Haid, 2002). In fact, luxury brands are regards, as image in mind of the consumers that comprise association about a high level of price, quality, aesthetics, rarity, extraordinariness, and a high degree of non-functional associations (Heine, 2011). Luxury framework.jpg Figure2.3: Key Model Identifying Luxury Brand Dimensions (Source: Fionda and Moore, 2009) Phau and Prendergast (2000, pp. 123-4 cited in Beverland, 2004) suggested that generally luxury brands have four fundamental characteristics: perceived exclusivity, well-recognized brand identity, high levels of brand awareness and strong sales, and customer patronage/loyalty. In order to do branding, Beverland (2004) provides a model of a luxury branding which identifies and unites six components that marketers should take into consideration when designing marketing activities. The six components are brand heritage (history and culture), product quality/credibility/excellence (product integrity), personality and consumer group support (endorsements), and brand image investments (marketing). These dimensions of luxury branding provide luxury positioning and association through brand marketing decisions (Moore and Birtwistle, 2005). Okonkwo (2009) said luxury branding is about an identity, a philosophy, and a culture. Figure2.4: The Components of a Luxury Branding (Source: Beverland, 2004) About Parameter for Luxury Branding Product integrity: This component is dawn with respect to sub-components including product quality, attention to detail, credibility, and product/production integrity (Beverland, 2004) Value-Driven Emergence: The reason that luxury brands could be sold in high price is their supplementary perceived value adding to their products (Beverland, 2004). Culture/ History: Most luxury brands are linked to their history by a number of means which can be grouped as stories (Beverland, 2004). Each brand might use several important stories to define its image, such as stories of people, products, event, and association that retain the link to the past and develop present culture (Beverland, 2004). Heritage or long history of brand adds authenticity, and is considered one of the hallmarks of a luxury brand (Fionda and Moore, 2009). This is important for brand promotion campaign (Beverland, 2004) as luxury brand identity usually associate with the story that the brand owns (Kapferer and Bastien, 2008) Marketing/ Endorsements: Marketing campaign and endorsement could create awareness and positioning of the brand (Beverland, 2004). Understand Luxury Branding In building luxury brand, Kapferer and Bastien (2008) suggest that brand identity is more likely to be a major focus for luxury than brand positioning. This is because luxury brands consumption is functioning as a stamp for consumers superiority (Okonkwo, 2009). Consumers differentiate themselves through possession of luxury brand in order to shows their distinction; to be admired, recognized, appreciated, and respected (Okonkwo, 2009). Therefore, consumers use luxury brands in expression of a taste, a creative identity, and an intrinsic passion of a creator. Luxury makes the statement, this is what I am, not that depends which is what positioning implies (Kapferer and Bastien, 2008). Brand identity is the unique set of brand associations implying a promise to customers and includes a core and extended (Appendix B) that the brand managers aspire to create or maintain (Ghodeswar, 2008; Srivastava, 2011). Brand identity appears to be similar to brand image in the sense that both are dealing with brand association, but in different perspective. Brand image comes from consumer perception toward the brand, while brand identity is the things that brand manager would like brand to be perceived. In other word, brand identity originates from the companys need to differentiate itself in consumers minds with unique features (Srivastava, 2011). Therefore, brand owners are more likely to create and ensure that brand identity and brand image of their product are identical through communication process (Srivastava, 2011). . Brand image: How the brand is now perceived? Brand identity: How brand managers want the brand to be perceived? Brand position: The part of the brand identity and value proposition to be actively communicated to a target audience. To sum up, in accordance to managing brand equity for luxury brand, creating brand association through brand communication with regards to luxury brand components is highly essential to strengthen luxury brand equity. Additionally, balancing brand image and brand identity is also completely necessary. Luxury Brand 2.0- Role of New Media in Luxury Brand Communication In an account to the research on antecedents of brand equity from Yoo, Donhu, and Lee (2000), brand equity could be created, maintained and expanded by strengthening dimensions of brand equity through marketing activities. One of crucial marketing activities that grow brand equity is marketing communication such as public relations (Aaker 1991) or promotional event (Keller 1993). Percy and Elliot, R. (2009) suggest that brand equity is a result of positive brand attitude that could influenced by effective marketing communication strategy. Main purpose of marketing communication in strengthening brand equity is to portray brand identity and create brand image (Winer, 2008). About Marketing Communication According to Fill (2009), since 1990s, the influence of relationship marketing concept and interactive approach embrace additional perspective to marketing communication. The purpose of marketing communication is not only creating awareness and persuasion, but also to develop understanding and preference, reminds, and reassure customers about the brand (Fill, 2009). Marketing Communication becomes a long-term strategic approach with integrative and interactive orientation instead of merely short-term one-way communication aiming at promoting product (Fill, 2009; Pickton and Broderick, 2005). With recent integrated one-to-one/ one-to-many two-way dialogue approach, marketing communications has been defined as a management process that organization seek to engage with audiences; by understanding their way of receiving message, then communicate message which audiences value, and aim at audience responses. The response from audiences includes attitudinal, emotional and behavioral respons es (Fill, 2009). In short, marketing communication process concerns on three aspects: engagement, audience, and response. Marketing communication mix consists of three elements: tools, media, and messages. Tools are methods/ disciplines to convey message through the mean (media) that could reach target audiences (Fill, 2009). There are five principles of marketing communication tools: advertising, sales promotion, public relations, direct marketing and personal selling (Fill, 2009). These five tools could be more effective with the support from word-of-mouth recommendation from consumers (Fill, 2009). In regards to media, traditionally, media in marketing communication includes broadcast (television and radio), print (newspapers and magazines), outdoor (billboards, street furniture, transit), In-store (point-of-purchase and packaging), and other (cinema, exhibitions, product placement, ambient, and guerrilla) The selection of marketing communication mix includes the degree of control required over the delivery of the message; the à ¯Ã‚ ¬Ã‚ nancial resources available to pay a third party to transmit messages; the level of credibility that each tool bestows on the organisation; the size and geographic dispersion of the target audiences; the communication tasks each tool is best at satisfying. The key turning point of marketing communication was when the internet and digital technologies formed the new concept and channel of media. Since mid 1990s, the internet and digital technologies have enabled new interactive forms of communication, where the receiver has greater responsibility for their part in the communication process (Fill, 2009). In terms of new media usage with interaction to brand, consumers no longer merely seek for entertainment and information, but for discovering, participating, sharing, and expressing themselves (Moore, 2007 cited in Fill, 2009). Therefore, the measurement of success for the brand owner on new media is to measure consumers expectation on brand and their interaction (dwell time, dwell quality, and dwell insight (Appendix C)) rather than measuring the reach and frequency of message. Consumers currently consume a mixture of traditional and new media (Fill, 2009). New media definition and characteristics In terms of marketing communication, new media includes websites and other digital communication and information channels in which active consumer engage in behaviors that can be consumed by others both in real time and in long forwards regardless of their spatial location (Hennig-Thurau et al, 2010). Characteristic of new media appears to build around the interactivity and digital (Winer, 2008). Recent research has conceptualizes new media characteristics as being digital, proactive, visible, real-time and memory, ubiquitous, and network (Hennig-Thurau et al, 2010). Each characteristic can be explained as following. Digital means there are no marginal cost for producing additional copies of digital product and easily distribute. Pro-active stands for the contribution of consumers in all part of the value chains e.g. review, co-creation, and develop the open source, etc. Visible indicates that consumers activities on new media can be seen and tracked by others. Real-time involves no time limit; meaning that consumers can access to new media at anytime, while Memory is crucial for personalization of future interaction. Ubiquitous means consumers can reach and be reached by other whenever wherever through mobile device. Networks represent that new media allows consumers to be part of network sharing, creating, communicating, and building relationship with other through social networks. Shankar and Hillinger (2007 cited in Winer, 2008) have classified new media into three groups: intrusive where advertising plays role in interrupting consumers, non-intrusive where the consumers select the communication to receive, and user-generated where the consumers create communications. To name media in each group, firstly, intrusive new media includes internet advertising (i.e. buttons, banners, skyscrapers, rectangles, interstitials, pop-ups), advergames, and M-commerce. Secondly, non-intrusive ones include social networking site, podcasting, Buzz/viral marketing, and some types of internet advertising i.e. streaming audio/ video, destination site, sponsored search/ paid links. Lastly, user-generated type includes blogs, video sites, rating/ recommendations. Affect of New media on Branding New media change the structure of marketing communication with Interactivity that enables new way of engaging, communicating, and delivering benefit to target audiences that traditional media unable to (Winer, 2008). It also increases number of media with internet and digital technology-base. Generally, brand building via marketing communication involves two main constructions: identity that managers wish to portray, and image that constructed by audiences perception. Web2.0 and user-generated-content have added a new dimension to managerial-driven perspective of brands in two ways. Firstly, consumers seem to assume greater role in defining what brand means to them and share with their familiar stakeholders as much as with the organization who own the brand (Figure2.5). Secondly, apart from reducing brand managers role in influencing and controlling the way brands are perceived, Winer (2008) points out that the coordination of message across a number of new media is also burdensome w ith new media as the market is fragmented. Figure2.5: Modified Mass Communications Model (Source: Hoffman and Novak, 1996) New Media in Luxury Brand communication Marketing Communication for Luxury brand Luxury is not just a product, a service, an object, a concept, or lifestyle. It is an identity, a philosophy, and a culture (Okonkwo, 2009). The communication of luxury brand appears to be not only on the intrinsic, but also rely strongly on the extrinsic attributes (Fill, 2009). Luxury brand communication strategies usually associates brand name to consumers aspirational needs and social and psychological motivation (Fill, 2009). Kapferer and Bastien (2008) claim that, for luxury, the role of advertising is not for selling, but aiming at recreating the dream. For example, one executive of BMW stated, My job is to make sure that the 18-year-olds in this [USA] country decide that, as soon as they have the money, they will be buying a BMW. I have to see to it that when they go to bed at night they are dreaming of BMW. Method of developing luxury brand includes the combination of advertising, public relations, direct marketing, event (e.g. fashion shows), word-of-mouth, celebrity endorsement, craftsmanship, and a touch of mythology (Fill, 2009; Pickton and Broderick, 2005; Fionda and Moore, 2009). The purpose of powerful marketing communications is to build brand image (Pickton and Broderick, 2005). Each communication tools convey distinct function in building luxury brand and strengthen elements of brand equity. For instance, advertising provides support in establishing the brand image, which consequently assists in creating identity and attraction, and generates awareness (Fionda and Moore, 2009). Direct communication with the customer on a personal level is an area of growing importance as managers ensure that a relationship with the customer was developed (Pickton and Broderick, 2005). The investment in PR made the brand interesting and attainable and raised awareness (Pickton and Broderick, 20 05). A fashion shows increase fashion element of the brand and help maintaining fashionable positioning (Pickton and Broderick, 2005). Communicating Luxury Brand 2.0- driver and barrier Similar to other industries, new media change structure of communication, which create multiple challenge and opportunity for luxury brand. The major driver that pushes luxury brands to present and conduct business online is that consumer is there. In a meantime, communication of luxury brand through new media concerns the issue of incompatibility of media and industry characteristic, lack of industry reference, and lack of control in message delivery and interpretation. Although luxury industry appears to be associating with innovation, avant-gardism, and creativity, which should compatible with channel of modern business like digital technology, characteristics of new media seems to against luxury core value (Okonkwo, 2009). New media in communication, especially Internet, are suggested to be available to the mass consumer base (Okonkwo, 2009). This is becau

Web-based Communication :: essays papers

Currently society is in its 20th century, and quickly emerging into the 21st century technology has and will be reaching great heights. The education field is one of the most considerably effected domains in the advancement of the technology â€Å"revolution†. According to Stoner (1997), technology in the future is looking towards increased online/distance learning, virtual field trips, and audio files of music. As the technological world evolves so should the local community. Many of the latest educational technology will require two-way communication in the virtual community. Author of Virtually in the Middle defines the virtual community as a â€Å"Web-based communication forum. It is an interactive electronic space on the Internet in which diverse individuals can raise questions, share ideas, plan activities, congregate, and learn. This kind of dialogue and communication that would occur in this kind of virtual community is referred to as â€Å"asynchronous† or â€Å"delayed† conferencing, which is a time-free discussion of topic strands. †(Beghettio, 2001, p.22). First, method in which parents can increase communication to teacher is by logging on to the net. Parents can log on to school web sites, view lessons, objectives, goals, homework assignments, and student’s attendance. Currently, most counties nation wide provides a break down of state, county, and local web site for schools. For example, Maryland has a web site for all of its’ counties, that further break down to elementary, secondary, and high school. Listed on these sites are things like the school mission, contact information for facilities, special programs, individual classroom homework, and agenda for the week. Secondly, communication via web-based allow user-friendly e-mail exchange between all parents and educators. Many families in America have a functioning computer with access to the Internet. Those families who do not own a home computer have access to e-mail at work. On the flip side teachers who have Internet-connection at school make sending e-m ail one of the most popular usages. The graph in Educational Media and Technology Yearbook displays e-mail as the highest-ranking form of utilizing computers (Educational Media and Technology, 2004). Parents can be alerted via e-mail when their child needs further studying, absent form class, or to praise their child’s improvements. Third, linking parents to resources to assist in their child’s assignments can also be done via web-base.

Hinduism And Buddhism :: Religion Religious Essays

Hinduism and Buddhism Introduction-   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Hinduism and Buddhism are two of the five major religions in our world today. They are widely practiced, and have survived for centuries. Both have similarities and differences, as do all forms of religion. Hopefully, in this paper I will show you the basic structure of each religion. I would also like to show how they compare and contrast. Hinduism: Foundation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  No one is completely sure of where Hinduism was started and by whom. Their oldest written documents, the Vedas, were written down in 1000 B.C. but they had existed orally long before. The Vedas are where Hinduism originated. Today, Hinduism is the world's third largest religion. Many changes have come upon Hinduism since they practiced it first. Hinduism includes many different sects, or denominations, and beliefs that have arisen. Though, there are many things in common with all of the Hindu sects. Their basic beliefs are what ties them together. Basic Beliefs-   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The religion of Hinduism teaches us that each living body, including animals, is filled with an eternal soul. Hindus say that the individual soul was a part of the creator spirit, Brahma. It is each soul's job and wish eventually to return to Brahma. It is not possible though because by a soul's sins, and impurities from the world, they are no longer pure and holy to return. Instead, a soul must become pure before returning to Brahma, who is absolutely pure.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The process of becoming pure is so hard that no soul can become pure in only one lifetime. The soul is forced to live life after life until it is pure enough to return to Brahma. The cycles of rebirths are called samsara, or the Wheel of Life, by the Hindus. When a soul is finally cleansed enough to break free of samsara it is called moksha. The soul returns to Brahma for an eternity of contentment and ecstasy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There is no one incorporating creed in Hinduism. A follower may choose any god as their personal god, or may worship several of them. Though to be a Hindu there are certain things that a follower must believe in and live by. Their main beliefs are:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  1. A belief in karma, the result of one's good and bad deeds in a lifetime.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  2. A belief in dharma, Hindu traditions.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  3. A belief in the three main gods: Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  4. A belief in reincarnation after death.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  5. Honor for the sacred Vedas.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  6. A belief that, if lived a religious life, the Wheel of Life can end and achieve moksha.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  7. An honor for an ascetic religious life, to be an orthodox Hindu.

Black Nationalism Essay

Critically discuss the contributions of both Booker T. Washington and W. E. B DuBois to the idea of Black nationalism in the United States. What were the major obstacles they faced in their articulation of the black Nationalist ideology? Booker T. Washington â€Å"was an American political leader, educator and author† who proved to be one of the most dominate figures in African American history in the United States (Booker, par. 1). William Edward Burghardt Du Bois â€Å"was a noted scholar, editor, and African American activist†¦[who] sought to eliminate discrimination and racism† (.. During the late 19th and early 20th century Booker T. Washington and W. E. B. DuBois were two great men who significantly influenced the idea of Black Nationalism in the United States. Though they both wanted to see an America where the Negro was treated with proper respect and equality, their views on how to obtain these noble goals contrasted one another. The ideology of DuBois and Washington were so completely different that people became subjected to following the doctrine of one or the other. With the knowledge that only one could be the â€Å"spokesman† for the race the two began a bitter battle to control the Black Nationalism ideology. Amid the competition against one another, both men still had to face other obstacles such as racism in order to further the goals of blacks of the period. Even though the two men had differing opinions on the ideology of Black Nationalism, both would greatly contribute to the idea of Black Nationalism. However, their differing positions on Black Nationalism portrayed a divide amongst African Americans of the time. To understand why Washington and DuBois had such differing opinions it is necessary to look back into the environments that both men came from. Born into slavery in 1856, Washington was the son of a white man and his slave mother Jane. While growing up in Virginia, Washington worked in both a coal mine and as a salt packer. In 1872 Washington left his work to go the Hampton Institute. The major educational doctrine of the school was that former slaves should receive a practical education that centered on skills instead of a liberal arts education. At the institute Washington worked to pay his way through school. After leaving the school, Washington worked for several years before he received an appointment to establish the Tuskegee Institute in 1881. At Tuskegee, Washington used many aspects of the education he received from the Hampton Institute. One of the central ideas that he brought from the institute was the belief that blacks should learn a trade or skill. (Hine 369) William Edward Burghardt DuBois’ background shaped his paralleling views to those of Washington. In contrast to Washington, who was born on a plantation, DuBois was born in a small North Eastern town where he was subject to little overt racism and acquired a much higher education. He was once quoted as saying, â€Å"I was born free. Washington was born a slave. He felt the lash of an overseer across his back. I was born in Massachusetts, he on a slave plantation in the South. My great-grandfather fought with the Colonial Army in New England in the American Revolution. I had a happy childhood and acceptance in the community. Washington’s childhood was hard. I had many more advantages: Fisk University, Harvard, and graduate years in Europe. Washington had little formal schooling (Hine 400). † This quote exemplifies his opposing foundation compared to that of Washington. DuBois’ background made him more comfortable with confrontation with whites, while Washington’s created a deep subconscious feeling of fear and submission. While DuBois enjoyed the benefits that the upper class life had to offer, Washington was faced with scorn, dehumanization, neglect, and prejudice, all of which he had to overcome. It is apparent for the quote that DuBois sympathizes and understands the demeaning nature in which Washington was treated which is the ultimate result of Washington’s pessimistic attitude toward society. Everyone has a different life experience. What one experiences early in their life shapes the way they think and how they view society later in their life. Typically an early life of tranquility, less hardships, and opportunity to succeed lends itself to one having a more optimistic view of society where as an early life of great hardships and little to no opportunity results in an individual having a more judgmental and disparaging view of society. This was the case with Booker T. Washington. Growing up as a slave, Washington was presented with many emotional and physical hardships which were the causes of his critical view of society. However, Washington manipulated the lessons that his early life experience had taught him to shape his view on society. He utilized these teachings to provide insight on how he wanted to bring about change within society in order to initiate progress and advancement. Booker T. Washington was particularly interested in the advancement of Blacks in a predominantly white society. Growing up as a slave he had little opportunity to achieve anything, however, because he was a slave he learned to value old-fashioned hard work which transposed over to him greatly valuing agricultural education as a major aspect of Tuskegee. With hard work being one of his fundamental values, he was convinced â€Å"that the surest way for black people to advance [in society] was by learning skill and demonstrating a willingness to do manual labor (Hine 369). † In a speech at the Cotton States Exposition in Atlanta in 1895, Washington stated that â€Å"no race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in as in writing a poem. It is at the bottom of life we must begin, and not at the top (Hine 370). † This statement asserted that Washington believed people, mainly black people, could gain the respect and acceptance of white Americans through acquiring skills and becoming prosperous small farmers, artisans, and shopkeepers. If Blacks were to continuously demonstrate this humility then it will eventually result in the eradication of the race problem of the time. Booker T. Washington’s belief in living a simplistic life in order to progress not only stemmed from the idea of hard work but also carried on to other beliefs such as the importance of liberal arts education and especially the foundation of industrial growth. He was very committed to promoting industrial education. He stresses that many positive things will branch from such a foundation including the growth in black people’s social life, the growth in black people’s educational life, and the growth in black people’s religious life (Hine 371). This statement shows that Washington felt that men and women who acquired these skills would be recognized as productive contributors to the southern economy thereby, once again, deteriorating the color boundary that was separating society at the time. The purpose of Booker T. Washington’s ideas for trying to assimilate Blacks in this manner was simply to avoid protesting and upheaval that could result in people getting harmed. His goal was to assimilate the black people into white America in a civilized manner, however, in order to achieve it he believed that black people should merely understand there place in society. One positive aspect of Washington’s beliefs was that it promoted steady labor. Washington believed in educating blacks in particular skills in order to maintain steady jobs and make a living. It was important that blacks were able to hold a job in order to function healthily as families, provide for themselves, and help develop their economic independence. At the time, there was increased competition between poor whites and blacks. In order for a black worker to get a job, they must not only deal with learning a particular trade but also overcoming racism. Being educated in common manual labor provided the basis for blacks to work up from. Although blacks were commonly restricted to the lower paying jobs, having a formal training in a skill made their value as a laborer rise. This labor also provided another positive aspect in that it transferred money from the white economy to the black economy. By being able to work for whites, blacks were able to use their income as they pleased. No longer did they have the restrictions placed upon them in slavery. Washington advocated a diverse labor field for blacks. Rather than only advocating farmers, he believed that blacks could be educated in other manual labor such as masonry, mining, and smith work. Another positive aspect of Washington’s beliefs is that it was the beginning in raising blacks out of their lower class position. For the first time blacks were not simply working on farms or plantations, they were acquiring skills. These skills provided the foundation for blacks to work up to gaining an education, earning money, and providing for the future of the next generations. This not only benefits oneself, but also the black community. The ideas of Washington did not inspire conflict or fear in whites because whites viewed that Washington was promoting keeping blacks in menial jobs rather than the higher paying work or typically white jobs such as doctors, lawyers, or politicians. The ideas of Washington enabled educational institutions such as the Tuskegee Institute and other black colleges and universities to exist that encouraged agricultural, mechanical, or technical skills. Since these institutions encouraged blacks to only strive for technical careers rather than offering a liberal arts education it did not inspire fear in whites. Whites were willing to allow black schools to exist that encouraged these skills because in turn these skills would offer a cheap labor but effective labor source. Also these institutions were non-threatening to whites because they offered skills and trades versus an education that would allow for black minds to grow and develop. Even though the education that blacks received from these institutions did not compare to those of liberal art universities, it still did offer blacks a chance at some sort of education. Although not encouraging the deeper growth of the black mind, schools like Tuskegee offered its students an education that would allow them to become proficient at a skill and earn an income. Washington believed that by working and hard, increasing their economic holding and becoming masters of many trades that they could eventually end racism and be accepted by whites. He believed that blacks should not let racism deter one from working. Washington once said, â€Å"Nor should we permit our grievances to overshadow our opportunities (Hines 397). † This shows that he believed that blacks must use their opportunities to better themselves rather than focusing on the negative aspects of life. Washington also said, â€Å"In our humble way, we shall stand by you with a devotion that no foreigner can approach, ready to lay down our lives, if need be, in defense of yours, interlacing our industrial, commercial, civil, and religious life with yours in a way that shall make the interests of both races one (Hines 397). † Washington believed that by blacks staying in their positions and working diligently, blacks would eventually be accepted by whites. He believed in blacks about remaining devoted to the white race rather than rising against it. By advocating working within the confines of white society rather than rising in opposition against it, Washington promoted the safety of blacks during this time period. Washington pushed for gradual and deliberate social acceptance of blacks as they began assimilating to white culture. By gradually working towards being accepted, this kept the opposition of whites to a minimum. As long as whites viewed blacks as harmless, blacks were able to continue growing and improving themselves. â€Å"The wisest among my race understand that the agitation of questions of social equality is the extremist folly, and that progress in the enjoyment of all the privileges that will come to us must be the result of severe and constant struggle rather than of artificial forcing,† said Washington (Hines 398). Washington believed that it is impossible to force someone to accept one another; rather one must make people want to accept them. Washington’s goal was not to force blacks into the upper class society, but to gradually encourage their acceptance and possibly an eventual rise in social stature. Despite the many positive and beneficial aspects of Washington’s view of Black Nationalism, there were many drawbacks that hindered the widespread acceptance of his ideology. He believed in maintaining the lower class position of blacks. By saying that all blacks should work in menial labor, he limited the opportunities for black people to strive for anything more. Rather than encouraging and uplifting blacks in believing that they could do anything they wanted to, Washington believed that blacks should remain content in their lower class state. Considering that Washington, a part white and black man, was the spokesperson for the race, he was stating to whites that he was the exception rather than the rule. Whites were able to justify his leadership and politics by attributing his success to his white ancestry. Whites were pleased with Washington’s stance that blacks should stay with basic tasks for a number of reasons. Typically, these jobs were usually lower paying and had terrible working conditions. These jobs were considered lower class labor, and the majority of whites, with the exception of poor whites, were not interested in pursuing these jobs. The lack of competition made it acceptable to the majority of whites. If these jobs were considered â€Å"black jobs† then it was fine for blacks to work in these fields. During this time period, the category of â€Å"black jobs† became redefined to these positions. Whites were moving out of these fields at the same point that blacks were striving to move up in their job status, therefore it was okay for blacks to replace these whites since it did not adversely affect them. Also Washington constantly advocated the point that blacks should work long and hard to â€Å"prove† their worth to whites. He offers a reconsideration of what it means to be black (Owens, par. 2). However, whites were never accepting of blacks. It was almost impossible for blacks to gain acceptance by simply showing their hard work during a time period where they were consistently looked down upon. Washington also believed that blacks must remain passive in their attempts to improve life. While whites used methods such as brute force and intimidation to keep blacks down, Washington believed in turning the other cheek rather than encouraging conflict. At this time period, it would have been almost impossible for blacks to gain any amount of social standing by continuing this passive ideal. As the spokesperson for the black race, Booker T. Washington presented various and influential ideas about Black Nationalism in America. Many of his ideas were beneficial to the black race at the time, such as the advocating of skills and trades, however, other ideas, such as his advocacy for maintaining the social position of blacks and non-confrontation, were not effective in improving Black Nationalism. Washington principles revolved around blacks working as shopkeepers, farmers, and other low-skilled professions. He believed, â€Å"On such a foundation as this will grow habits of thrift, a love of work, economy, ownership of property, bank accounts. Out of it in the future will grow practical education, professional education, and positions of public responsibility. Out of it will grow moral and religious strength. Out of it will grow wealth from which alone can come leisure and the opportunity for the enjoyment of literature and the fine arts (Hine 371). † In stark contrast to this, DuBois believed, â€Å"If my own city of Atlanta had offered it to-day the choice between 500 Negro college graduates – forceful, busy, ambitious men of property and self respect – and 500 black cringing vagrants and criminals, the popular vote in the favor of the criminals would be simply overwhelming. Why? Because they want Negro crime? No, not that they fear Negro crime less, but that they fear Negro ambition and success more. They can deal crime by chain gang and lynch law, or at least they think they can, but the South can conceive neither machinery nor place for the educated, self-reliant, self-assertive black man (Hine 371). † W. E. B. DuBois believed in the opposite of what Washington believed. Instead of believing that the way for blacks to succeed was within industry, DuBois believed it lied not within training but within educating. DuBois believed that the learning that blacks received should go beyond training for work or learning a skill. He believed that it was necessary for blacks to gain an education that would allow them to develop and grow mentally. He mentioned that â€Å"the function of the Negro college, then, is clear, it must maintain standards of popular education, it must seek the social regeneration of the Negro, and it must help in the solution of problems of race contact and cooperation. And finally, beyond all this, it must develop men (Hine 370-71). † By receiving an education, blacks would then become better men and could be able to lead the black race. By having large numbers of educated blacks leading the race, DuBois felt that this was the best way to end racism. In his ideology DuBois felt that there would be a group of blacks that would lead blacks to prosperity, social acceptance and bring about the end of slavery. He characterized this group of people as the â€Å"talented tenth† (Hine 401). In other words, the most educated and best suited 10 percent of the black population would be used to lead the black race as a whole. He affirms to that â€Å"work alone will not do it unless inspired by the right ideals and guided by intelligence. Education must not simply teach work – it must teach Life. The talented Tenth of the Negro race must be made leaders of thought and missionaries of culture among people. No others can do this work, and Negro colleges must train men for it. The Negro race, like all other races, is going to be saved by its exceptional men† (Hine 401). This statement exemplifies DuBois’ strong belief in an elite group of back men how will arise to lead a deprived race into a society that will accept and acknowledge their talents, skills, and wisdom. While advocating for the best of the black race to lead the rest of the black race, DuBois also had different opinions on how to confront racism. Instead of trying to circumvent racism DuBois wanted to attack it, becoming somewhat of a militant leader (Maddox, par.3). He did not promote settling for meager jobs, he wanted to attack discrimination in all forms including disenfranchisement and Jim Crow laws. DuBois was not willing to wait for whites to give blacks their rights. Also DuBois was not tolerant toward blacks who were not willing to fight for their rights. With the ideology that DuBois adopted, there were many positive aspects that he brought to the idea of Black Nationalism. Education is one of the most important aspects that DuBois stressed in his ideology. DuBois believed that blacks could not hope to eclipse their position in life without an education. With this belief he encouraged blacks to go to numerous colleges and universities in order to receive an education. Another positive aspect that DuBois came to push with Black Nationalism was the view that white racism should be confronted. Throughout this time period, white racism was overt and abundantly clear for what it was, however, blacks were not in a position to confront this. Du Bois believed in encouraging blacks to stand up for their rights and for the elite â€Å"talented tenth† to show whites that they were not to be viewed as unrefined barbarians. DuBois believed that whites were more than happy to have blacks working for them. With whites perfectly content to allow blacks to work under them in a neo-form of slavery the same social position that blacks were in would continue to exist without change. With the knowledge that racism would not change unless it was directly confronted, DuBois began to believe in this ideology of confrontation. One of the greatest contributions that DuBois presented was his idea of higher education. He believed that it was essential for blacks to gain a deeper theological education, rather than the basic skilled education. DuBois believed it was important to gain this education in order to gain status of the â€Å"talented tenth. † In his ideals, DuBois believed that it was important that blacks did not need to be lead by one spokesperson such as Washington, but instead could be led by intelligent, resourceful, educated black Americans. Although he had an idea of a more talented group of people, these lines were flexible and able to be changed with new faces of black America. He understood the need to have different and multiple representations, rather than one blanketed statement about black Americans that would encourage misrepresentation and stereotypes. While there were many positive aspects of the ideology that DuBois put forth, there were also some problems. Dubois’ idea of a select group of black intellectuals whose purpose would be to â€Å"set out to organize an aggressive effort to secure the rights of black citizens† is a very potent idea, however, it becomes problematic when one places this enormous responsibility in the hands of such a small group of individuals (Hine 401). The fact that he felt that merely ten percent of the black population would be qualified to lead the struggle for black equality, explained earlier, has its importance. Nevertheless, this idea has some absurdness to it. To put the burden of trying to correct the discriminative situation that was accruing at the time on purely ten percent of the black population could be strenuous on that particular group. Therefore, instead of progression within the movement it would possibly cause a regression within the movement and deter any success that could accrue. This ten percent of black intellectual leaders should not focus on wrestling the task of establishing equal civil liberties for blacks on there own. Instead, they should focus on teaching the remaining ninety percent of the black population to lead as well. By accomplishing this task the black race would not have to rely merely on a few group of individual to fight the struggle for their liberation into a society of equality. Alternatively, many black people will have the ability to lead their own struggle in their particular area of the nation. In contrast to Booker T. Washington’s passive attitude to accomplish black equality, W. E. B. DuBois, on the other hand, had a more aggressive attitude. DuBois felt that to achieve the black community’s goal of eliminating racism the black community should attack it head on. Unlike Washington’s idea of simply sitting back and let the White community slowly accept the black people and recognize them for their hard work, DuBois wanted to actively assert the black community into society swiftly and without prejudice. This tactic could pose to be over aggressive which would ultimately retract from what he wants to get accomplished. Some states, mostly northern states, would be able to tolerate this aggressive tactic and possibly even acknowledge the efforts of DuBois. However other states, particularly the southern states would find his aggressive method as offensive thereby diminishing the popularity of DuBois’ goal viewed by the white community. Another problem with Dubois’ idea on how to confront racism was that it did not take into consideration everybody’s economic standpoint. He believed that with the acquisition of a higher theological education rather than simple basic skills education, the black community will be able analyze the society in which they live and make informed decisions on how they would like to live instead of simply accepting their position in which society had prepared for them. However, for many black to acquire that theological education in that time was quite challenging because not every black person or family could afford to pay for that higher education. To remedy these situation free educational institutions could be established, but somewhere down the line the expense to run the school would become overwhelming without financial support from the state. The black institutions would have extreme difficulty obtaining financial support from a predominantly white state who felt that they had already made a place for the black race. Although both Booker T. Washington and W. E. B Dubois made great contributions to the idea of Black Nationalism, their strategies would be questioned and would also be met with much objection. The major obstacle they faced in their articulation of a Black Nationalist ideology was opposition from each other. Their contrasting up-bringing allowed them to have different views and opinions of society. It also helped in forming their attitude of how to go about expressing their Black Nationalistic ideology. Washington experience as a child made him more passive. â€Å"His childhood was one of privation, poverty, slavery and back-breaking work† (Yankowitz par. 1). Growing up as a slave he learned to be more submissive and accepting of things presented to him and therefore he felt that the opportunity for black people to succeed will come slowly with obedience and serenity. DuBois, however, up-bringing made him have a more forward outlook on society and life in general. Unlike most blacks living in the United States, â€Å"Du Bois had grown up with more privileges and advantages†¦He had suffered neither severe economic hardship nor repeated encounters with blatant racism† (â€Å"W.E. B Dubois†, par 4). Because he grew up in a well-to-do setting he learned to have a more assertive personality resulting in his aggressive approach to confront racism. In a statement made at the Atlanta Cotton States and International Exposition in 1895, Booker T. Washington alludes to his opposition of the tactics utilized by W. E. B DuBois by mentioning that â€Å"the wisest among [his] race understand that the agitation of questions of social equality is the extremist folly†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Hine 396). This statement affirms that if one is to be aggressive in their manner to acquire equality in the society in which they live, then it would surly lead to the demise of their efforts. The statement can greatly be associated with DuBois’ methods of articulating Black Nationalism ideology. More opposition to Washington’s conciliatory stance on racial matters stemmed from William Monroe Trotter, an educated Harvard editor of the Boston Guardian, who became the most â€Å"vociferous† critic of Washington (Hine 399). Trotter referred to Washington as â€Å"the Great Traitor, the Benedict Arnold of the Negro Race, and Pope Washington† which hardly bothered Washington. However the nicknames did, along with many argumentative articles that he wrote, cause unsettling skeptics about Washington’s techniques Similarly, Booker T. Washington’s method of articulating Black Nationalism ideology contradicted W. E. B Dubois. In his book entitled The Souls of Black Folk, Dubois remarks that â€Å"Mr. Washington distinctly asks that black people give up, at least for the present three things, – First, political power, Second, insistence on civil rights, Third, higher education of Negro youth, – and concentrate all their energies on industrial education, the accumulation of wealth, and the conciliation of the South† (Hine 396). It revealed that Washington did not want black people to expect too much but should greet menial labor as a step in the struggle for progress. DuBois greatly detested this notion and preferred the assertive strategy which he felt to be the most effective way to ensure progress. Though Booker T. Washington and W. E. B DuBois had conflicting ideas of Black Nationalism ideology, the two presented ideas that lasted and effect the ideas of future black nationalist. Works Cited America’s Story from America’s Libraries. 2006. The Library of Congress. 3 Oct. 2006 . â€Å"Booker T. Washington. † Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. 21 Nov 2006, 07:24 UTC. Wikimedia Foundation, Inc. 21 Nov 2006 . Hine, Darlene Clark, William C. Hine, & Stanley Harrold. The American Odyssey: Volume Two. Upper Saddle River, New Jersey; Prentice-Hall, 3rd edition 2005. Maddox, Alton H. , â€Å"The untold story of the Civil Rights Movement – Part I. † New York Amsterdam News 96. 44 (2005): 12-14. â€Å"W. E. B Dubois. † MSN Encarta, The Online Encyclopedia. 2006. 6 Oct. 2006 . Owen, Williams R. â€Å"Old Negro, New Negro. † Rev. of The Education of Booker T. Washington: American Democracy & the Idea of Race Relations, by Michael Rudolph West. Black Issues Book Review May 2006: 45 Yankowitz, Donna. â€Å"Booker T. Washington. † 2006. 6 Oct. 2006 .