Everyday by David Levithan Essay Example

Everyday by David Levithan Essay Human nature is used in Everyday by David Levithan by helping to explore and helps to create and determine the outcomes of particular events. Human nature plays a major part in the story as without it you’d personally become unaware as to why they’ve reacted or had an opinion the way they have. The way it’s been used in the content of the story helps to determine and distinguish the difference and how you can individually separate each character to make them more of an individual having the access to their individual thoughts. Every day doesn’t only explore a different way of life, it also opens the eyes to individuals to realise when you truly love someone you put their ever need before your own. Everyday is a set in everyday society, set around and within the lives of a large majority of teenage lives. The main character is more distinguished from the rest of the lives around him, instead of being able to live like and everyday teenager he is gifted with the ability to inhabit a life, not just any life. A teenagers around the same age as he/she. The main character is without a name, the only existence he experiences is an identity he’s borrowed for a day. â€Å"Every day I am someone else. I am myself- I know I am myself- but I am also someone else.† Page 1 Each morning for â€Å"A† appears the same as any other day, waking up in an unfamiliar location, with an unfamiliar appearance. Instantly his/she’s reaction is to access the memories and use his ability to determine his identity for a day. We will write a custom essay sample on Everyday by David Levithan specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Everyday by David Levithan specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Everyday by David Levithan specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer â€Å"Immediately I have to figure out who I am. It’s not just the body-opening my eyes and discovering whether the skin on my arm is light or dark, whether my hair is long or short, whether I’m fat or thin, boy or girl, scared or smooth.† page 1 Technically speaking â€Å"A† doesn’t exist, he doesn’t have a gender, an appearance except the identity borrowed for the day. He continues the life of the individual he is, attending

Big essays

Big essays The screwball is pitched. It flies from the pitchers hand like a miniature comet whose balance has been thrown off. Curving, twisting, the balls course and target change without warning. No one knows where the ball will strike. Such is the case with the screwball style of comedic motion pictures. This also happens to be the case with one screwball comedy, Big. Fast-paced, funny and a tad screwy, Big is a comedy dealing the differences in age groups and what it means when one is forced to grow up too early. Much as It Happened One Night dealt with the mannerisms and oddities of the American class system, Big deals with the mannerisms and oddities of Americas youths and grown ups. Each generation is portrayed in a unique way. The youths of the film are seen as freer and more interested in fun and games than their older counterparts. Whereas the children seem more open and adaptable to change, one adult in particular is entirely unable to accept even the slightest difference in his usual routine. He is unable to accept Joshs rise up the corporate ladder and subsequent popularity. Even the way they appear physically points to the idea that adults are cold and uncaring. Susan, Joshs soon-to-be girlfriend, is at first seen as a very stiff, emotionless woman who smokes and wears her hair pulled tight back. Although some adults are stuck being as they are, unable to change, two characters are lucky enough to be able to grasp on to a part of their inner-youths. MacMillon and Susan both undergo a transformation upon Joshs arrival. In the case of MacMillon, his transformation was already underway when he met Josh. However, the old mans introduction to the boy-trapped-in-a-mans-body only pushed him further along to finding his inner-youth. The scene in the toy store proves this. In what has become a famous scene in motion pictures, Josh and MacMillon showoff their musical prowes...

Analysing children's drawings in relation to current theories on Essay

Analysing children's drawings in relation to current theories on cognitive development - Essay Example Children move from uncontrolled to controlled scribbles. The second stage known as pre- schematic stage occurs from two to four years. Children tend to use their favorite colour to colour every imaginable thing. They are able to draw people with large heads and smaller stick bodies. The other stages include the schematic stage where children create stories for their drawings and the preteen stage which involves the â€Å"I can draw† syndrome. (Wallace 2002) Consistent with this five stage theory, Victor Lowenfeld 1947 also categorized children’s visual art development into five categories, namely, Scribbler, Preschematic, Schematic, Drawing Realism and Pseudo-Naturalism. In light of the fact that only the drawings of a three year old child are analyzed, just the first two stages of Lowenfeld’s art development, specifically, Scribble and Pre-schematic, will be discussed. Lowenfeld posited four sub stages to the Scribble stage. These include disordered-uncontrolled markings, longitudinal-controlled repetitions of motions, circular motions and naming. Lowenfeld maintains that the appearance of circular images with lines mark the beginning of the Preschematic stage. Throughout this stage the schema or visual idea is created. The drawings demonstrate what is â€Å"perceives as most important about the subject.† (Wallace 2002) Unlike Jean Piaget’s stages of development which has a chronological age guideline, Lowenfeld’s stages proceeds along the characteristics of the children’s art. In his description of the scribbler, Lowenfeld suggests that no discernible shape such as an identifiable object or animal is observable. He also proposes that the Scribbler does not represent any specific space in their drawings. The lines drawn appear to be arbitrarily made. However, in his letter to his GP, child A demonstrates an understanding of space in that the scribbles vary in length representing

What are the main constraints for the effective enforcement of the Essay - 1

What are the main constraints for the effective enforcement of the Antimonopoly Law in China - Essay Example The Antimonopoly law began operating in early August 2008, making China a vital competition law jurisdiction, for international and domestic businesses, or companies with running activities in China’s territory. Its three broad rules are based on prohibiting abuse of dominant market positions and restrictive agreements, mergers rules preventing mergers or joint ventures that restrict competition as well as control M&A activities, and rules forbidding abuse of administrative powers that end up in competition restriction (Rose, 2012). The application of the law is viewed differently among the people of China. Some think it applies to all businesses or organizations in dealings of providing goods and services, while others think the complexity of the law has something to enhance leniency in state owned enterprises. However, even after its initiation, several factors have dominated to restrict full enforcement of the law. They include limited transparency, concentration, influence from government involvement, outdated economic planning, unreliable market infrastructure, unnecessary enforcement of law, insider control, and general resistance. So far, the Anti Monopoly Law (AML) is being enforced by three bodies; MOFCOM, NDRC and SAIC, to ensure fair competition, safeguard social public and consumer interest, boost economic efficiency, and restrain monopolistic behavior. The enforcement agencies continue to experience challenges and problems in the law enforcement practice, limiting effective application and acceptance of the AML by the people. Over the years, the enforcement agencies have been handling many cases to do with monopolistic agreements, merger control, and price and non price related cases for the companies and businesses operating and showing interest to practice within China. The NDRC and SAIC have faced accusations

IT Infrastructure Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

IT Infrastructure - Coursework Example Typical service examples include storage, application access, printer services, file sharing and direct access to the raw computing power associated with the server. Often, this type of infrastructure will have one or additional client computers establishing connections to a central server via an internet connection. So widespread are the things that a client/server infrastructure can do. Typical examples include the following. First, it allows for use of servers to administer an entire network set-up including setting of access rights plus resource allocation. Consequently, an organization will need a lower number of support staff to administer centralized security accounts compared to other situations where access rights are to be configured on individual computers. Second, it provides an avenue for more efficient backup services ahead of possible data loss. In that case, an organization reduces worries in an event of data loss impairing the business operations. Finally, a client/server infrastructure can improve an organization’s change processes considering that a mere server upgrade can suffice in upgrading all client machines. Even though, it is possible to use the client/server infrastructure in programs resident on an individual computer, the concepts turn more useful in the network arena. In such a situation, the client initiates a connection that targets the server via an internet-based Wide Area or Local Area Networks (WLAN or LAN). After the server has met the client-submitted request, the connection gets terminated. Clients use browsers to seek for resources or services from the server. A distributed infrastructure (DI) refers to a set of heterogeneous networked computers that coordinate and communicate their actions through passing of messages. The operation of a distributed infrastructure is such that the distribution remains transparent in the user’s

Prison: Impact And Effects

Prison: Impact And Effects Jump to:  Theories of New Punitiveness | The Effect of Prison on the Family | The Effect of Prison on the Community  |  Conclusion Currently, the impact and effects of imprisonment, which is a means of social control, are increasingly becoming various and noticeable. This essay will first focus on the concept and the different models of social control. Then social functions, official aims of imprisonment and an example of a prison population crisis will be respectively examined in relation to sociological theories, new punitiveness and political economy, which are three main influences on imprisonment. Finally, the negative impact of imprisonment on both families and communities will be shown. Imprisonment as a concept of social control has a long history. In nineteenth century, social control paid more attention to both connecting sociology to political philosophy and settling the controversial discussions of macro-sociology (Janowitz, 1975, cited in Cohen and Scull, 1983). Social control, at that time, solved a great number of complicated issues, but the purely coercive controls were not widely used (Cohen and Scull, 1983). During the twentieth century, the social control, even sociology was to be a point of view and method for investigating the processes by which individuals are inducted to and induced to co-operate in some sort of permanent corporate existence we call society (Park and Burgess, 1924, cited in Cohen and Scull, 1983, p5). Indeed, the alteration of the process that inducted the individual into society had great benefits on social control. Additionally, at present, the concept of social control is basically defined as: any structure, process, relationship, or act that contributes to the social order (Liska, A.E, 1992, p3). Currently, there are three regulatory models of social control. The first model is custodial institution, which is established on the theories of social order and punishment and the police and prisons are the representative organizations of this model. In addition, community care, such as welfare agencies and halfway house, are also important methods of social control. In particularly, the custodial institution and community care create formal methods because of the rules, law and rehabilitation, they base on. The third model, which is informal, is called self and mutual help, such as social pressure and peer group. Less formal face to face controls are considered in this model (David and Stasz, 1990). Overall, social control uses the ways of punishment, prevention and rehabilitation in order to solve deviant, threatening and disorder behaviours. In particular, imprisonment is one of the highly used means of social control in form of punishment. There are three factors that strongly influence the development of imprisonment. Firstly, some theories of punishment as control have emerged. In Gramscis theory, the most important things for capitalist society in the revolutionary struggle are the superstructure of ideology, law and politics. Hegemony, which means that one class is convinced to accept other classes moral, political and cultural values, is his central idea. Additionally, Althusser improved the work of Gramsi. He introduced a penal system in the Repressive State Apparatus (RSA), which includes the police, the courts and the prison. However, he claimed that the functions of RSA are not only to coerce, but there are also ideological functions, such as to reproduce personal values. Distinguished from RSA, Althusser established Ideological State Apparatuses (ISA). He put some overlooked parts of the state in this mechanis m, such as educational system, the media and political parties (Cavadino and Dignan, 2007). What is more, Foucalt, who created the phrase carceral archipelago to show western liberal democracies closely in touch with forms of oppression, argued in Discipline and Punish (1977) that: the emergence of the prison does not make a more humanitarian form of punishment, instead it represents an attempt to punish more efficiently and extensively to create a disciplined society (cited in Carrabine et al, 2009, p362). Furthermore, the English historian E.P.Thompson indicated that law, as well as penalty, can be found at every bloody level. However, if the law is unjust, the classs hegemony will benefit nothing from that. (Cavadino and Dignan, 2007). Those sociological theories, particularly Foucaults great confinement that: institution of various kinds came to be adopted as the solution to a wide range of social problems (Cavadino and Dignan, 2007, p194), shows that imprisonment has its social functions. Mathiesen, a Norwegian penologist, suggests that there are five social functions which demonstrate that imprisonment is still the dominant way of punishment. He calls the first function the expurgatory function. Many of people in prisons are homeless, abused and suffering from mental illness as Cavadino and Dignan (2007) researched and therefore regarded as unproductive and disruptive. They are routinely being put into prisons so as to prevent society from various damages. The second function is called the power-draining function. Apart from preventing prisoners from being involved in the normal society, the prisoners are also: denied the opportunity to exercise responsibility (Cavadino and Dignan, 2007, p195). Minimal practical contributions is the function that is considered when the prisons were designed. Thirdly, prisoners easily isolate themselves from society, because of the shame of having been imprisoned. This is called, by Mathiesen, symbolic function. It shows the effect that those prisoners are a smaller risk to society after being released. The fourth function, related to the third one, is called the diverting function. Mathiesen (cited in Cavadino and Dignan, 2007, p195) claims in his book that: socially dangerous acts are increasingly being committed by individuals and classes with power in society. However, the fact is that the heavy-handed of prisons are highly used to the lower working class offenders. Hereby social attention is diverted from more serious social harm committed by the groups in power. For instance, acts of pollution and eco-systems destruction. Finally, Mathiesen identifies the fifth social function as the action function. Because it is the most serious means of social cont rol, prisons play a vital role in reducing the publics fear of crime. However, Cavadino and Dignan (2007, p196) argue that the imprisonment functions that Mathiesen suggests are not that efficient: there is also a heavy price to be paid, not only in terms of resources and human suffering, but also in managing the increasing tensions that are associated with the steady enduring penal crisis. Theories of New Punitiveness Secondly, in recent decades, new punitiveness, which means a general rise in the severity of punishment, has become a notable penal trend around the world. Essentially, the aim of new punitiveness is to make offenders suffer. At present, the imprisonment rate, which is a measure of harshness of punishment, has increased in nearly three fourths of countries all over the world. Undoubtedly, the United States has led this new trend, because the prison population and imprisonment rates in this country are the highest in the world and where numbers of prisoners have quintupled since the early 1970s (Cavadino and Dignan, 2007, P84). Meanwhile, this punitiveness is connected with populist punitiveness whose policies and slogans, for instance, zero tolerance, three strikes and prison works are a far-reaching influence on policy-making, particularly penal policies. Definitely, it represents this penal trend: new punitiveness. (Garland, 2007) New punitiveness is connected with the official aims of using imprisonment that results in increasing use of prisons. Deterrence and retribution to offenders were the primary aims of imprisonment in the nineteenth century. However, during this period, the prisoners were still possible to return back to society and those ideas were treated as official policy. Additionally, although in the 1970s, the rehabilitation ideal collapsed, rehabilitation was reintroduced and became an important aim in penal practices in the late 1990s, especially in the UK Criminal Justice System. The current aims of rehabilitation are not only reforming prisoners characters, but more importantly to prevent them from reoffending (HCHAC, 2004). At present, the UK Prison Service states as its official aims: to reduce the risk of reoffending, hold prisoners securely and provide safety (Cavadino and Dignan, 2007). However, practically, all of the three aims are lamentable. Considering the first aim, Shepherd and W hitings (2006) figures indicate that imprisonment is unsuccessful in preventing reoffending: two-thirds of all prisoners are reconvicted within two years of being released, and for young men aged 18-20, the figure is 74.8% (cited in Cavadino and Dignan, 2007, p193). Reoffending is worse than a decade ago, when according to the Home Office just 70% of offenders under 21 were reconvicted for a crime (Home Office, 1999). Secondly, to hold prisoners securely, does not only mean to prevent their safety, but also to keep them from escaping. Although, currently, the Prison Service and governments are paying more attention to lessen the rates of absconding, the escapes from prisons have become periodic (Cavadino and Dignan, 2007). Therefore, it is hard for the Prison Service to achieve the third aim that is to provide safety. Prisoners escapes will increase anxiety and fear within general public. Cavadino and Dignan (2007, p193) claim that: there is   a very long way to go before it can claim to be providing safe, well-ordered establishments in which prisoners are treated humanly, decently and lawfully. Thirdly, the political economy, particularly the welfare system, plays a vital role in causing different imprisonment rates among various countries and it can revealingly explain the reason of the rise of new punishment. There are three key categories. Firstly, at present, Neo-liberalism, which means free-market capitalism, exists in the US, Britain and Australia. The welfare state, under this ethos that individualism is more important than communitarianism, is minimalist. Cavadino and Dignan (2007, P86) argues that: the economic system creates much material inequality, which results in the social exclusion of many people and communities. Secondly, the welfare benefits in conservative corporatist countries whose collectivism is more important, such as Germany, are more generous than Neo-liberal countries. The citizens in those countries get better protection against unusual market forces and products. However, it is still not equality and it is shown in Cavadino and Dignans (2007, P8 6) book: their welfare states enshrine and perpetuate traditional class, status and economic division between different groups of citizens who are entitled to different levels of welfare benefits. Thirdly, the more equal and generous welfare states are social democratic countries, such as Sweden. Although they share conservative corporatisms communitarian approach, their systems are the most egalitarian ones among those three kinds of countries. Walnsleys (2005) research on imprisonment rates which shows that the rates in all neo-liberal countries are the highest, while the lowest rates are in social democratic countries, definitely confirms this theory. Undoubtedly, the United States is a typical example which shows the rise of the new punitiveness as a neo-liberal country. The quote: overcrowded conditions in our prisons have become a national crisis (cited in Matthews and Francis, 1996, p22) informs that this crisis has extended to almost all federals states and locals communities. Maguire and Pastore (1994) suggested that during 1968 to 1978, the prisoners in federal state prisons increased by over 1000000, from 187914 to 294396. Although many concerns have been took to the crisis, between 1980 to 1990, the number of state and federal inmates had more than doubled to over 7000000, and in 1994 this population surpassed the one million mark (Office of Criminal Justice Service, 1995, p72). There are three factors that contribute to the dramatic increase in prisoner population. Firstly, the increase of inmate population reflects the high rates of crimes (Lynch, 1995). However, in return, the crime rates are not equal to the increment in prison population. According to FBI data the crime rates did not increase sharply in the last few decades. Blumstein (1995, cited in Matthews and Francis, 1996, p30) concluded that: it is very unlikely that the growth in prison population was a consequence of a growing crime rate. Secondly, the US has a long-drawn campaign to get tough with crime. Whatever the elected official is, the politics, from mandatory minimum prison sentences, to restrictions on parole release, to three strikes and you are out law, are aimed at putting more offenders in prison and for a lengthier stay (Skolnick, 1994, cited in Matthews and Francis, 1996, p30). Thirdly, in the 1980s, the war on drugs, which aimed to punish drug offences by using criminal law, contributed to the increase of prison populations. Only 10% of the prison populations were occupied by drug offenders, while this figure had doubled in 1989. Blumstein (1995) conducted a study, which pointed out that: 44% of this increase in prison p opulations between 1986 and 1991 could be attributed to the boom in the number of offenders imprisoned for drug offences (cited in Matthews and Francis, 1996, p31). Furthermore, there are some other solutions that the US has implemented. For instance, creating capacity, which means to build more prisons to house all prisoners; and intermediate punishment, which aims to get tough in the community as a punishment. However, Matthews and Francis (1996) argued the barriers as follows: theories of reducing the crowding crisis remain mainly academic exercises with little prospect of substantively affecting the extent of the crisis, ideas on reducing prison crowding are judged too dangerous because their endorsement would expose elected officials to charges of being soft on crime. (p31-32)   The Effect of Prison on the Family Obviously, imprisonment has lots of bad effects on families. Firstly, those families, whose member is in prison, will lose respect in the community. Clear (2009, p128) cites an experience of a participant in his book: neighborhood residents not only look at the specific offender but also the entire family, and if one has offended, all of a sudden they are not the most respected, even from the church. Secondly, parental imprisonment results in financial problems, especially if the man of the family is in prison. Those families lose a productive member, thus they lose income, because the partners imprisonment will probably influence the employment of the woman, and the ability of a male support the family is higher than the females (Clear, 2009). Thirdly, the most significant influence is on children. Actually, the effects of imprisonment on children start at the arrest of their parent. They are shocked, fearful and confused when witnessing their parents being arrested. As Van Nijantte n (1998) points out: the way the father was removed in handcuffs or with a bag over his head, are sensations the child will never forget (p82). Parental imprisonment has a psychological influence on children. A majority of researches have found that children, whose parents are in prison, are more likely to show the depression, hyperactivity, clinging behaviour, sleep problems, truancy and poor school grades. (Murray, 2005). While, other studies revealed that those children have a higher risk of showing bad behaviour or experience imprisonment (Johnston, 1995). Farrington et al (1996, cited in Codd, 2008. p73) also support this idea that: children who are brought up by parents, who are offenders, particularly if they are imprisonment, have been argued to be more likely to go on to offend. However, parental imprisonment still has benefits for some children. Eddy and Reid (2003), suggest that the quality of positive parenting will rise, because their parents may take more time out on t he street and send them to a caregiver or local care organisations, which will results in less significant problems for those children. The Effect of Prison on the Community Similarly, imprisonment has several effects on the communities. First of all, stigma sometimes will transfer from families to communities. Although some residents say that they do not mind and even celebrate it when the prisoners come back to the community, the stigma, especially if more serious crimes are committed in the community, will inevitably influence the whole community. For example, residents may be reluctant to be out on the street at night in their areas or to take part in activities (Clear, 2009). Secondly, the economic situation of the community is seriously affected by the imprisonment, because of the stigma. There is a fact that residents are concerned more about living surroundings. If there are a number of people with criminal records in the community it can lead to lower property values. Meanwhile, the businesses in such places noted that fewer customers enter their premises. Clear (2009) discusses those two ideas: the areas bad reputation means that large corporat ions do not locate their business in these neighbourhood; and housing prices are diminished because, when residents flee, they sell their houses for whatever they can get, often at a reduced price. This reflects the value of the community (p135). Thirdly, prisoners are always full of hope when returning back to their community. However, they soon feel low self-worth and self-esteem, because the communities stigmatise them. Consequently, they will do nothing to contribute to the communities and feel thats just the way I am, which may very likely lead them to reoffend. As a participants responses in Clears research show (2009, p138): if you treat me more like a human being, I will act more like human being, if you treat me more like an animal, Im going to act more like an animal. Last but not least, even if residents show a welcome to prisoners, those people from prisons actually increase the fear of crime in communities. Another participant in the same study says he is worried about his son when he is working, because of having a former prisoner as a next door neighbour. Other residents express the same fears. They are cited in Clears (2009, p142) book: one resident said that if someone with a criminal records moved in next door to her home, she might do a background check. Another said he was going to watch him'. Overall, those accumulated impacts on the community can be fierce. Conclusion In conclusion, imprisonment plays a vital role as a means of social control. Although in some countries, such as the US, the overcrowded prisons have become a pressing problem that needs to be addressed urgently, because of its valuable social functions and coincidence with official aims, imprisonment is widely used around the world. However, the negative effects on families, especially on children who are economically and mentally greatly affected and suffer when their parents are imprisoned; and communities whose economies and social anxiousness are seriously influenced, should not be neglected. It may negate the development of imprisonment

Drug Addiction :: Social Issues, Drug and Alcohol Abuse

According to Webster's New Worldâ„ ¢ Medical Dictionary, 3rd Edition, Addiction is a chronic relapsing condition characterized by compulsive drug-seeking and abuse and by long-lasting chemical changes in the brain. Addiction is the same irrespective of whether the drug is alcohol, amphetamines, cocaine, heroin, marijuana, or nicotine. Every addictive substance induces pleasant states or relieves distress. Continue use of addictive substances induces adaptive changes in the brain that lead to tolerance, physical dependence, uncontrollable craving and, all too often, relapse. Dependence is at such a point that stopping is very difficult and causes severe physical and mental damage from withdrawal (WILLIAM C. SHIEL JR., 2008). Over the past two decades, many researchers have identified subgroups of alcohol and drug user based in similarities like drinking style (Kevin M. King, 2009), behavior problems, etiology, outcome, and other clinically significant phenomena; making the most predominant the antisocial, primarily neurotic, mixed neurotic and antisocial, and psychotic (Malow, 1989). But the antisocial features have been the most prominent between all the subtypes; especially on drug user. This literature will review these thru the following questions: 1. How addiction impact family and social relationships? 2. Do alcohol and drug addictions have relationship with crime? 3. What is the economic cost related to alcohol and drug addiction? How addiction impact family and social relationships? Drug and alcohol abuse is a large problem for adults in our world today. It is destructive, not just in terms of its effect on the addict but for the suffering it inflicts on the loved ones and family (Sadava, 1987). Though the addict may have no conscious intention of harming his companions and relatives, his self-destructive actions are a source of anguish for anyone with genuine affection for him/her. One of the most common situations is when the partner tries to hide the addict’s behavior from family member, co-workers, employer or general public. This type of behavior is known as Codependence (Malow, 1989). A codependent partner will make up excuses for the addict’s work absences or a car accident; even will tries to clean up any legal messes resulting from the addict’s behavior; allowing the addict to continue his destructive path without dealing with its consequences. Consequences that can go from continuous fights to elevated levels of dome stic violence. Most the time related to financial hardships, causes by the addict’s need to buy drugs, as well as from his inability to find consistent employment.

Macro factors affecting business strategy Essay

The external environment of a business includes a variety of factors such as competitors, suppliers and regulations that influence major strategic decisions. Scanning and assessing the external environment is a vital part of strategic decision-making in entrepreneurial ventures. This helps small-business managers locate factors that pose opportunities or threats to their businesses. A better understanding of the ramifications of external environmental factors can improve success and survival for small businesses. Strategic Decision-Making In formulating strategic decisions, managers need to consider present and future environmental opportunities and threats. Entrepreneurs develop a basic business idea with a target customer base. Then they proceed to scan the environment for opportunities and threats and analyze the results in the light of company’s resources and strengths. This analysis gives the managers the information to decide on the feasibility of the business idea. Oversight in identifying opportunities or threats can lead to misguided strategic decisions and business failure. Task Environment The task environment of a business includes the components of the environment that the company deals with directly, such as customers, suppliers and competitors. Customers are the central stakeholders in strategic decision-making. Any decision that sidelines the needs of the customers can potentially lead to loss of business. Suppliers provide inputs for the value-creation process of the company. Any lapse in the quality of their products and services can affect the operations of the company and eventually trickle down to the customer. As a result, the management works with suppliers to ensure they provide timely and quality service. Any strategic decision should consider the reaction of competitors. Strategic decisions may strengthen the position of the company in relation to competitors or may leave the company vulnerable to competitor attacks. General Environment The general environment comprises those components of the environment that impact the business indirectly, such as the government, socio-cultural, technological and economic conditions. For example, the company should  comply with taxation, labor market and industry-related regulation. Additionally, technological advances pose new opportunities as well as threats. For example, new online music sharing formats threaten to alter the entire recording industry, and the advent of the Internet made e-commerce a reality. Sources of Innovation The environment holds potential sources of innovation for an entrepreneurial venture. An unexpected success or outside event can indicate a business opportunity. For example, Don Cullen of Transmet Corporation spilled fine aluminum flakes onto the company’s parking lot and later observed that the asphalt did not turn sticky in high temperatures. This discovery led to the idea of producing aluminum chips for roofing. Sales doubled every year since the commercialization of the product.

Free Essays on Rudyard Kipling Bio

Rudyard Kipling Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay, India on December 30, 1865, to John and Alice Kipling. Rudyard’s father was an architectural sculptor who worked at the Jeejebhoy School of Art. Rudyard was related to Stanley Baldwin, the future Tory prime minister of England. Rudyard’s mother was Stanley’s aunt. Rudyard was brought up by Indian native amahs (tutors) and he spoke Hindi and English. However, his childhood in India would be short-lived. In 1871, Rudyard moved to England with his sister and stayed with his parent’s friends who lived in Southsea. He stayed there for three years feeling alone and abandoned. His parents never told him and his sister about the arrangement. While living there he met a girl named Florence Garrad. They were engaged but he broke it off. In 1878 Rudyard moved to the United Services College at Westward Hol in North Devonshire, England. The headmaster there knew Rudyard’s parents. Rudyard was a very apt student and accomplished a lot in the time he spent at the United Services College. He was very gifted and wrote many works in derivative verse and was the editor of the school’s newspaper. After his schooling Rudyard went back to his parents. In 1882 Rudyard returned to India and worked as a journalism apprentice in Lahore, Simla, and Allahabad. He started writing sketches and eventually he began composing stories. Kipling became a very successful author due to his tales of army men and residents of Indian stations. He published Plain Tales from the Hills and Soldiers Three and some cockney poetry. After these accomplishments Rudyard decided to take time to see the world. In 1889, Rudyard left India and traversed across the Far East, Canada, and America in order to get to London. After his treks he became famous and was reviewed by many famous authors and poets including Oscar Wilde, Edmund Gosse, and W.E. Henley. During this time he met a man named Wolcott Balest... Free Essays on Rudyard Kipling Bio Free Essays on Rudyard Kipling Bio Rudyard Kipling Joseph Rudyard Kipling was born in Bombay, India on December 30, 1865, to John and Alice Kipling. Rudyard’s father was an architectural sculptor who worked at the Jeejebhoy School of Art. Rudyard was related to Stanley Baldwin, the future Tory prime minister of England. Rudyard’s mother was Stanley’s aunt. Rudyard was brought up by Indian native amahs (tutors) and he spoke Hindi and English. However, his childhood in India would be short-lived. In 1871, Rudyard moved to England with his sister and stayed with his parent’s friends who lived in Southsea. He stayed there for three years feeling alone and abandoned. His parents never told him and his sister about the arrangement. While living there he met a girl named Florence Garrad. They were engaged but he broke it off. In 1878 Rudyard moved to the United Services College at Westward Hol in North Devonshire, England. The headmaster there knew Rudyard’s parents. Rudyard was a very apt student and accomplished a lot in the time he spent at the United Services College. He was very gifted and wrote many works in derivative verse and was the editor of the school’s newspaper. After his schooling Rudyard went back to his parents. In 1882 Rudyard returned to India and worked as a journalism apprentice in Lahore, Simla, and Allahabad. He started writing sketches and eventually he began composing stories. Kipling became a very successful author due to his tales of army men and residents of Indian stations. He published Plain Tales from the Hills and Soldiers Three and some cockney poetry. After these accomplishments Rudyard decided to take time to see the world. In 1889, Rudyard left India and traversed across the Far East, Canada, and America in order to get to London. After his treks he became famous and was reviewed by many famous authors and poets including Oscar Wilde, Edmund Gosse, and W.E. Henley. During this time he met a man named Wolcott Balest...

Taiwan essays

Taiwan essays Initially, Taiwan was not an island; the land which is now the island of Taiwan formed an integral part of the Chinese mainland. It was only later that it became an island due to movement of the earth's crust. The study of Taiwan's historical heritage also confirms that close links have always existed between the cultures of Taiwan and continental China. Through constant improvements in technology and international relations, Taiwan will continue to grow and expand throughout the world. This paper will discuss several areas of interest about the country of Taiwan including its geography and climate, people and language, history, government, foreign relations, economy, education, and tourist attractions. Taiwan is located in the Western Pacific about 160 kilometers off the southeastern coast of China, midway between Japan and the Philippines. The island of Taiwan is about 394 km in length and 144 km wide at its broadest point Taiwan has five longitudinal mountain ranges that cover almost the whole area. Its tallest mountain, Mount Jade, peaking at an incredible 3,952 meters. The island also consists of volcanic mountains, foothills, tablelands, coastal plains, and basins. In July, the average temperature on the island is about 82 degrees in July and about 57 degrees in January. Summers are usually hot and humid, and last from May to September. Winters are fairly mild and only last from December to February. The average rainfall is about 98.5 inches per year. (www.tecro.com) In 1544, the island of Taiwan was found by the Portuguese as they were on their way to Japan. They referred to it as llha Formosa, or beautiful island. Between 1662 and 1684 Taiwan went through many rulers, including the Dutch until 1684, when Taiwan was made a province of China, and it was there that they had their first governor. Throughout the next 65 years, Taiwan still was not at rest due to the constant wars and incidents surrounding the land....

Threat of Economic Development in Ireland Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Threat of Economic Development in Ireland - Essay Example omic theory tells us to examine costs and benefits in order to determine whether resources are allocated in a manner that increases or decreases economic growth,† Adding further down in his commentary that, â€Å"Other forms of government spending have a less desirable impact on economic activity. If a program does not facilitate or encourage economic activity, or has only a small positive effect, then the aggregate impact on the economy will be negative because there are limited benefits – if any – to outweigh the costs. And if the program actually undermines work, saving, and investment or encourages misallocation of resources, then the overall adverse impact on economic growth will be particularly pronounced. A good example from recent events is federal flood insurance. Not only does the program require resources to be taxed or borrowed from the productive sector of the economy – with all the associated economic costs, but it also encourages over-buildi ng in flood zones, which leads to the destruction of wealth during natural disasters,† (Mitchell 10/25/2005). As it pertains to Irish environment, it can be determined that first a sense of which in environment is key in understanding the implications, positive or negative, that economic development will have on the said environment. When it comes to the political environment of a nation, economic development is important as it comes to progressive advancement. Any other environment can find itself hampered in one way or another by economic advancement because as was seen with the Industrial Revolution, which had great economic benefits even presently, the environment itself has suffered through greenhouse gases that have left the environment in continuously deteriorating health. According to the brief description provided within the article, Ireland is described as being the second richest nation within the European Union. As such, logical deduction would state that for a country to have reached that

Days of Heaven by Terrence Malick Research Paper

Days of Heaven by Terrence Malick - Research Paper Example Bill, Abby and Linda works at the same farm. The farmer who was the owner of the farm was a wealthy guy. The farmer somehow falls in love with Abby. At the same time it comes to the knowledge of the farmer that he is dying off some unidentified disease. When Bill gets to know about it, he designs a plan and try to convince Abby to marry the farmer. Bill wanted Abby to marry the dying farmer so that when he is dead they both can have his inherited money (French). Bill convinces Abby and after they both get married, Bill stays at the farm being Abby’s brother. The farmer’s foreman suspected the scheme. At the same time, the farmer is also able to resist the disease and stayed healthy. This ruins Bill’s plan. The farmer also gets to know about Bill’s and Abby relationship. On the other hand, Abby starts loving her new husband. The farmer tries to kill Bill but instead Bill kills him and escapes with Abby and Linda. Police eventually finds Bill and kills him. The music in the film is thoughtful and is filled with regret and loss. The musical mode in the film is like that of ‘The Godfather’, but is not very strong and remembered. This shows that Malick wanted to reflect a sad psychological connection of the characters with music. This has helped in determining the mental conditions of the character throughout the film (Schager). ‘Good days of heaven’ was not very well received by critics. The film, however, won an Academy Award for best cinematography. Regardless of the unfavorable critics, it is one of the most acclaimed films.