The Lost Symbol Chapter 37-39

CHAPTER 37 Mal'akh had seen some eerie spaces in his life, but few rivaled the unearthly world of Pod 3. Wet Pod. The massive room looked as if a mad scientist had taken over a Walmart and packed every aisle and shelf with specimen jars of all shapes and sizes. Lit like a photographic darkroom, the space was bathed in a reddish haze of â€Å"safelight† that emanated from beneath the shelves, filtering upward and illuminating the ethanol-filled containers. The clinical smell of preservative chemicals was nauseating. â€Å"This pod houses over twenty thousand species,† the chubby girl was saying. â€Å"Fish, rodents, mammals, reptiles.† â€Å"All dead, I hope?† Mal'akh asked, making a show of sounding nervous. The girl laughed. â€Å"Yes, yes. All very much dead. I'll admit, I didn't dare come in for at least six months after I started work.† Mal'akh could understand why. Everywhere he looked there were specimen jars of dead life- forms–salamanders, jellyfish, rats, bugs, birds, and other things he could not begin to identify. As if this collection were not unsettling enough on its own, the hazy red safelights that protected these photosensitive specimens from long-term light exposure gave the visitor the feeling he was standing inside a giant aquarium, where lifeless creatures were somehow congregating to watch from the shadows. â€Å"That's a coelacanth,† the girl said, pointing to a big Plexiglas container that held the ugliest fish Mal'akh had ever seen. â€Å"They were thought to be extinct with the dinosaurs, but this was caught off Africa a few years back and donated to the Smithsonian.† Lucky you, Mal'akh thought, barely listening. He was busy scanning the walls for security cameras. He saw only one–trained on the entry door–not surprising, considering that entrance was probably the only way in. â€Å"And here is what you wanted to see . . .† she said, leading him to the giant tank he had seen from the window. â€Å"Our longest specimen.† She swept her arm out over the vile creature like a game-show host displaying a new car. â€Å"Architeuthis.† The squid tank looked like a series of glass phone booths had been laid on their sides and fused end to end. Within the long, clear Plexiglas coffin hovered a sickeningly pale and amorphous shape. Mal'akh gazed down at the bulbous, saclike head and its basketball-size eyes. â€Å"Almost makes your coelacanth look handsome,† he said. â€Å"Wait till you see her lit.† Trish flipped back the long lid of the tank. Ethanol fumes wafted out as she reached down into the tank and flipped a switch just above the liquid line. A string of fluorescent lights flickered to life along the entire base of the tank. Architeuthis was now shining in all her glory–a colossal head attached to a slithery mass of decaying tentacles and razor-sharp suckers. She began talking about how Architeuthis could beat a sperm whale in a fight. Mal'akh heard only empty prattling. The time had come. Trish Dunne always felt a bit uneasy in Pod 3, but the chill that had just run through her felt different. Visceral. Primal. She tried to ignore it, but it grew quickly now, clawing deeply at her. Although Trish could not seem to place the source of her anxiety, her gut was clearly telling her it was time to leave. â€Å"Anyhow, that's the squid,† she said, reaching into the tank and turning off the display light. â€Å"We should probably get back to Katherine's–â€Å" A broad palm clamped hard over her mouth, yanking her head back. Instantly, a powerful arm was wrapped around her torso, pinning her against a rock-hard chest. For a split second, Trish went numb with shock. Then came the terror. The man groped across her chest, grabbing her key card and yanking down hard. The cord burned the back of her neck before snapping. The key card fell on the floor at their feet. She fought, trying to twist away, but she was no match for the man's size and strength. She tried to scream, but his hand remained tightly across her mouth. He leaned down and placed his mouth next to her ear, whispering, â€Å"When I take my hand off your mouth, you will not scream, is that clear?† She nodded vigorously, her lungs burning for air. I can't breathe! The man removed his hand from her mouth, and Trish gasped, inhaling deeply. â€Å"Let me go!† she demanded, breathless. â€Å"What the hell are you doing?† â€Å"Tell me your PIN number,† the man said. Trish felt totally at a loss. Katherine! Help! Who is this man?! â€Å"Security can see you!† she said, knowing full well they were out of range of the cameras. And nobody is watching anyway. â€Å"Your PIN number,† the man repeated. â€Å"The one that matches your key card.† An icy fear churned in her gut, and Trish spun violently, wriggling an arm free and twisting around, clawing at the man's eyes. Her fingers hit flesh and raked down one cheek. Four dark gashes opened on his flesh where she scratched him. Then she realized the dark stripes on his flesh were not blood. The man was wearing makeup, which she had just scratched off, revealing dark tattoos hidden underneath. Who is this monster?! With seemingly superhuman strength, the man spun her around and hoisted her up, pushing her out over the open squid tank, her face now over the ethanol. The fumes burned her nostrils. â€Å"What is your PIN number?† he repeated. Her eyes burned, and she could see the pale flesh of the squid submerged beneath her face. â€Å"Tell me,† he said, pushing her face closer to the surface. â€Å"What is it?† Her throat was burning now. â€Å"Zero-eight-zero-four!† she blurted, barely able to breathe. â€Å"Let me go! Zero-eight-zero-four!† â€Å"If you're lying,† he said, pushing down farther, her hair in the ethanol now. â€Å"I'm not lying!† she said, coughing. â€Å"August 4! It's my birthday!† â€Å"Thank you, Trish.† His powerful hands clasped her head tighter, and a crushing force rammed her downward, plunging her face into the tank. Searing pain burned her eyes. The man pressed down harder, driving her whole head under the ethanol. Trish felt her face pressing into the fleshy head of the squid. Summoning all of her strength, she bucked violently, arching backward, trying to pull her head out of the tank. But the powerful hands did not budge. I have to breathe! She remained submerged, straining not to open her eyes or mouth. Her lungs burned as she fought the powerful urge to breathe in. No! Don't! But Trish's inhalation reflex finally took over. Her mouth flew open, and her lungs expanded violently, attempting to suck in the oxygen that her body craved. In a searing rush, a wave of ethanol poured into her mouth. As the chemicals gushed down her throat into her lungs, Trish felt a pain like nothing she had ever imagined possible. Mercifully, it lasted only a few seconds before her world went black. Mal'akh stood beside the tank, catching his breath and surveying the damage. The lifeless woman lay slumped over the rim of the tank, her face still submerged in ethanol. Seeing her there, Mal'akh flashed on the only other woman he had ever killed. Isabel Solomon. Long ago. Another life. Mal'akh gazed down now at the woman's flaccid corpse. He grabbed her ample hips and lifted with his legs, hoisting her up, pushing forward, until she began to slide over the rim of the squid tank. Trish Dunne slithered headfirst down into the ethanol. The rest of her body followed, sloshing down. Gradually, the ripples subsided, leaving the woman hovering limp over the huge sea creature. As her clothing got heavier, she began to sink, slipping into the darkness. Bit by bit, Trish Dunne's body settled on top of the great beast. Mal'akh wiped his hands and replaced the Plexiglas lid, sealing the tank. Wet Pod has a new specimen. He retrieved Trish's key card from the floor and slipped it in his pocket: 0804. When Mal'akh had first seen Trish in the lobby, he'd seen a liability. Then he'd realized her key card and password were his insurance. If Katherine's data-storage room was as secure as Peter had implied, then Mal'akh was anticipating some challenges persuading Katherine to unlock it for him. I now have my own set of keys. He was pleased to know he would no longer have to waste time bending Katherine to his will. As Mal'akh stood up straight, he saw his own reflection in the window and could tell his makeup was badly mangled. It didn't matter anymore. By the time Katherine put it all together, it would be too late. CHAPTER 38 â€Å"This room is Masonic?† Sato demanded, turning from the skull and staring at Langdon in the darkness. Langdon nodded calmly. â€Å"It's called a Chamber of Reflection. These rooms are designed as cold, austere places in which a Mason can reflect on his own mortality. By meditating on the inevitability of death, a Mason gains a valuable perspective on the fleeting nature of life.† Sato looked around the eerie space, apparently not convinced. â€Å"This is some kind of meditation room?† â€Å"Essentially, yes. These chambers always incorporate the same symbols–skull and crossed bones, scythe, hourglass, sulfur, salt, blank paper, a candle, et cetera. The symbols of death inspire Masons to ponder how better to lead their lives while on this earth.† â€Å"It looks like a death shrine,† Anderson said. That's kind of the point. â€Å"Most of my symbology students have the same reaction at first.† Langdon often assigned them Symbols of Freemasonry by Beresniak, which contained beautiful photos of Chambers of Reflection. â€Å"And your students,† Sato demanded, â€Å"don't find it unnerving that Masons meditate with skulls and scythes?† â€Å"No more unnerving than Christians praying at the feet of a man nailed to a cross, or Hindus chanting in front of a four-armed elephant named Ganesh. Misunderstanding a culture's symbols is a common root of prejudice.† Sato turned away, apparently in no mood for a lecture. She moved toward the table of artifacts. Anderson tried to light her way with the flashlight, but the beam was beginning to dim. He tapped the heel of the light and coaxed it to burn a little brighter. As the threesome moved deeper into the narrow space, the pungent tang of sulfur filled Langdon's nostrils. The subbasement was damp, and the humidity in the air was activating the sulfur in the bowl. Sato arrived at the table and stared down at the skull and accompanying objects. Anderson joined her, doing his best to light the desk with the weakening beam of his flashlight. Sato examined everything on the table and then placed her hands on her hips, sighing. â€Å"What is all this junk?† The artifacts in this room, Langdon knew, were carefully selected and arranged. â€Å"Symbols of transformation,† he told her, feeling confined as he inched forward and joined them at the table. â€Å"The skull, or caput mortuum, represents man's final transformation through decay; it's a reminder that we all shed our mortal flesh one day. The sulfur and salt are alchemical catalysts that facilitate transformation. The hourglass represents the transformational power of time.† He motioned to the unlit candle. â€Å"And this candle represents the formative primordial fire and the awakening of man from his ignorant slumber–transformation through illumination.† â€Å"And . . . that?† Sato asked, pointing into the corner. Anderson swung his dimming flashlight beam to the giant scythe that leaned against the back wall. â€Å"Not a death symbol, as most assume,† Langdon said. â€Å"The scythe is actually a symbol of the transformative nourishment of nature–the reaping of nature's gifts.† Sato and Anderson fell silent, apparently trying to process their bizarre surroundings. Langdon wanted nothing more than to get out of the place. â€Å"I realize this room may seem unusual,† he told them, â€Å"but there's nothing to see here; it's really quite normal. A lot of Masonic lodges have chambers exactly like this one.† â€Å"But this is not a Masonic lodge!†Anderson declared. â€Å"It's the U.S. Capitol, and I'd like to know what the hell this room is doing in my building.† â€Å"Sometimes Masons set aside rooms like this in their offices or private homes as meditation spaces. It is not uncommon.† Langdon knew a heart surgeon in Boston who had converted a closet in his office into a Masonic Chamber of Reflection so he could ponder mortality before going into surgery. Sato looked troubled. â€Å"You're saying Peter Solomon comes down here to reflect on death?† â€Å"I really don't know,† Langdon said sincerely. â€Å"Maybe he created it as a sanctuary for his Masonic brothers who work in the building, giving them a spiritual sanctuary away from the chaos of the material world . . . a place for a powerful lawmaker to reflect before making decisions that affect his fellow man.† â€Å"Lovely sentiment,† Sato said, her tone sarcastic, â€Å"but I have a feeling Americans might have a problem with their leaders praying in closets with scythes and skulls.† Well, they shouldn't, Langdon thought, imagining how different a world it might be if more leaders took time to ponder the finality of death before racing off to war. Sato pursed her lips and carefully surveyed all four corners of the candle lit chamber. â€Å"There must be something in here besides human bones and bowls of chemicals, Professor. Someone transported you all the way from your home in Cambridge to be in this precise room.† Langdon clutched his daybag to his side, still unable to imagine how the package he carried might relate to this chamber. â€Å"Ma'am, I'm sorry, but I don't see anything out of the ordinary here.† Langdon hoped that now at last they could get to the business of trying to find Peter. Anderson's light flickered again, and Sato spun on him, her temper starting to show. â€Å"For Christ's sake, is it too much to ask?† She plunged her hand into her pocket and yanked out a cigarette lighter. Striking her thumb on the flint, she held out the flame and lit the desk's lone candle. The wick sputtered and then caught, spreading a ghostly luminescence throughout the constricted space. Long shadows raked the stone walls. As the flame grew brighter, an unexpected sight materialized before them. â€Å"Look!† Anderson said, pointing. In the candlelight, they could now see a faded patch of graffiti–seven capital letters scrawled across the rear wall. VITRIOL â€Å"An odd choice of word,† Sato said as the candlelight cast a frightening skull-shaped silhouette across the letters. â€Å"Actually, it's an acronym,† Langdon said. â€Å"It's written on the rear wall of most chambers like this as a shorthand for the Masonic meditative mantra: Visita interiora terrae, rectificando invenies occultum lapidem.† Sato eyed him, looking almost impressed. â€Å"Meaning?† â€Å"Visit the interior of the earth, and by rectifying, you will find the hidden stone.† Sato's gaze sharpened. â€Å"Does the hidden stone have any connection to a hidden pyramid?† Langdon shrugged, not wanting to encourage the comparison. â€Å"Those who enjoy fantasizing about hidden pyramids in Washington would tell you that occultum lapidem refers to the stone pyramid, yes. Others will tell you it's a reference to the Philosopher's Stone–a substance alchemists believed could bring them everlasting life or turn lead into gold. Others claim it's a reference to the Holy of Holies, a hidden stone chamber at the core of the Great Temple. Some say it's a Christian reference to the hidden teachings of Saint Peter–the Rock. Every esoteric tradition interprets `the stone' in its own way, but invariably the occultum lapidem is a source of power and enlightenment.† Anderson cleared his throat. â€Å"Is it possible Solomon lied to this guy? Maybe he told him there was something down here . . . and there really isn't.† Langdon was having similar thoughts. Without warning, the candle flame flickered, as if caught by a draft. It dimmed for a moment and then recovered, burning brightly again. â€Å"That's odd,† Anderson said. â€Å"I hope no one closed the door upstairs.† He strode out of the chamber into the darkness of the hallway. â€Å"Hello?† Langdon barely noticed him leave. His gaze had been drawn suddenly to the rear wall. What just happened? â€Å"Did you see that?† Sato asked, also staring with alarm at the wall. Langdon nodded, his pulse quickening. What did I just see? A moment earlier, the rear wall seemed to have shimmered, as if a ripple of energy had passed through it. Anderson now strode back into the room. â€Å"No one's out there.† As he entered, the wall shimmered again. â€Å"Holy shit!† he exclaimed, jumping back. All three stood mute for a long moment, staring in unison at the back wall. Langdon felt another chill run through him as he realized what they were seeing. He reached out tentatively, until his fingertips touched the rear surface of the chamber. â€Å"It's not a wall,† he said. Anderson and Sato stepped closer, peering intently. â€Å"It's a canvas,† Langdon said. â€Å"But it billowed,† Sato said quickly. Yes, in a very strange way. Langdon examined the surface more closely. The sheen on the canvas had refracted the candlelight in a startling manner because the canvas had just billowed away from the room . . . fluttering backward through the plane of the rear wall. Langdon extended his outstretched fingers very gently, pressing the canvas backward. Startled, he yanked his hand back. There's an opening! â€Å"Pull it aside,† Sato ordered. Langdon's heart pounded wildly now. He reached up and clutched the edge of the canvas banner, slowly pulling the fabric to one side. He stared in disbelief at what lay hidden behind it. My God. Sato and Anderson stood in stunned silence as they looked through the opening in the rear wall. Finally, Sato spoke. â€Å"It appears we've just found our pyramid.† CHAPTER 39 Robert Langdon stared at the opening in the rear wall of the chamber. Hidden behind the canvas banner, a perfectly square hole had been hollowed out of the wall. The opening, about three feet across, appeared to have been created by removing a series of bricks. For a moment, in the darkness, Langdon thought the hole was a window to a room beyond. Now he saw it was not. The opening extended only a few feet into the wall before terminating. Like a rough-hewn cubbyhole, the recessed niche reminded Langdon of a museum alcove designed to hold a statuette. Fittingly, this niche displayed one small object. About nine inches tall, it was a piece of carved, solid granite. The surface was elegant and smooth with four polished sides that shone in the candlelight. Langdon could not fathom what it was doing here. A stone pyramid? â€Å"From your look of surprise,† Sato said, sounding self-satisfied, â€Å"I take it this object is not typical within a Chamber of Reflection?† Langdon shook his head. â€Å"Then perhaps you would like to reassess your previous claims regarding the legend of a Masonic Pyramid hidden in Washington?† Her tone now was almost smug. â€Å"Director,† Langdon replied instantly, â€Å"this little pyramid is not the Masonic Pyramid.† â€Å"So it is merely coincidence that we found a pyramid hidden at the heart of the U.S. Capitol in a secret chamber belonging to a Masonic leader?† Langdon rubbed his eyes and tried to think clearly. â€Å"Ma'am, this pyramid doesn't resemble the myth in any way. The Masonic Pyramid is described as enormous, with a tip forged of solid gold.† Moreover, Langdon knew, this little pyramid–with its flat top–was not even a true pyramid. Without its tip, this was another symbol entirely. Known as an Unfinished Pyramid, it was a symbolic reminder that man's ascent to his full human potential was always a work in progress. Though few realized it, this symbol was the most widely published symbol on earth. Over twenty billion in print. Adorning every one-dollar bill in circulation, the Unfinished Pyramid waited patiently for its shining capstone, which hovered above it as a reminder of America's yet- unfulfilled destiny and the work yet to be done, both as a country and as individuals. â€Å"Lift it down,† Sato said to Anderson, motioning to the pyramid. â€Å"I want a closer look.† She began making room on the desk by shoving the skull and crossed bones to one side with no reverence whatsoever. Langdon was starting to feel like they were common grave robbers, desecrating a personal shrine. Anderson maneuvered past Langdon, reached into the niche, and clamped his large palms on either side of the pyramid. Then, barely able to lift at this awkward angle, he slid the pyramid toward him and lowered it with a hard thud onto the wooden desk. He stepped back to give Sato room. The director repositioned the candle close to the pyramid and studied its polished surface. Slowly, she ran her tiny fingers over it, examining every inch of the flat top, and then the sides. She wrapped her hands around to feel the back, then frowned in apparent disappointment. â€Å"Professor, earlier you said the Masonic Pyramid was constructed to protect secret information.† â€Å"That's the legend, yes.† â€Å"So, hypothetically speaking, if Peter's captor believed this was the Masonic Pyramid, he would believe it contained powerful information.† Langdon nodded, exasperated. â€Å"Yes, although even if he found this information, he probably would not be able to read it. According to legend, the contents of the pyramid are encoded, making them indecipherable . . . except to the most worthy.† â€Å"I beg your pardon?† Despite Langdon's growing impatience, he replied with an even tone. â€Å"Mythological treasures are always protected by tests of worthiness. As you may recall, in the legend of the Sword in the Stone, the stone refuses to give up the sword except to Arthur, who was spiritually prepared to wield the sword's awesome power. The Masonic Pyramid is based on the same idea. In this case, the information is the treasure, and it is said to be written in an encoded language–a mystical tongue of lost words–legible only to the worthy.† A faint smile crossed Sato's lips. â€Å"That may explain why you were summoned here tonight.† â€Å"I'm sorry?† Calmly, Sato rotated the pyramid in place, turning it a full 180 degrees. The pyramid's fourth side now shone in the candlelight. Robert Langdon stared at it with surprise. â€Å"It appears,† Sato said, â€Å"that someone believes you're worthy.†

Causes of Water Pollution Essay

Nowadays, water pollution is a big problem in Vietnam and many researchers have been studying it. Accordingly, there are two main reasons of water pollution in Vietnam. The weakness in industrial wastewater management is the main cause of water pollution in Vietnam. Many industrial facilities use freshwater to carry away waste from their plants into canals, rivers, and lakes. Most of the enterprises don’t have any wastewater treatment system and many industrial zones don’t have a central wastewater treatment plant. Industrial wastewater is directly discharged into canals, lakes, ponds, and rivers, causing serious pollution of surface water. Besides this, the growing number of factories along the river and their untreated waste disposal is causing a lot of diseases and intestinal sicknesses among people living in the vicinity of the river. The water pollution is clearly visible, and residents can see a tarred black color and smell a pungent odor from the river. Another cause of water pollution in Vietnam is the lack of awareness among citizens. Every day people generate a lot of trash, and they throw it directly into canals, rivers, and ponds. They collect water from these sources to do their laundry, wash dishes, and bathe, and then they throw the dirty water that contained detergent and shampoo directly into them. Moreover, villages in Vietnam involve in paper production, livestock slaughtering, weaving and dyeing also produce a huge volume of wastewater and solid waste, all of which is discharged into the environment in a careless manner. As a result, it causes particularly serious levels of water pollution and poison many forms of aquatic life such as fish, shrimp, crabs, and plant life, slowing their development, and even resulting in their death.

A Natural Solution

Natural solution For many people cancer is a fearful word. Because cancer causes pain and harmful consequences, humans do not want cancer to be part of their lives. Like cancer, marijuana is another word that humans are worried about. In most cases, cannabis is abused and causes problems for people abusing cannabis. The attitudes towards these two words are similar, but they are not. Adult stem cells are natural solutions. They exist naturally in our body and they provide a natural repair mechanism to many organizations in our body. They belong to the adult microenvironment and embryonic stem cells belong to the early embryonic microenvironment, not adult, and they often cause tumor and immune system reactions. Most importantly, adult stem cells have been successfully used for the treatment of humans for many years. So far, embryonic stem cells have not been successfully used for human therapy. On the other hand, new therapies using adult stem cells have been developed. Embryos for c ardiac repair and adult stem cells are an active area of ​​research. Many cells including adult bone marrow derived cells including embryonic stem (ES) cells, cardiac stem cells naturally present in the heart, myoblast cells (muscle stem cells), tissue mesenchymal cells (bone marrow derived cells, these cells) Stem cell muscle, bone, tendon, ligament and adipose tissue, endothelial progenitor cells (producing endothelial cells, endovascular layer) and umbilical cord blood cells serve as a potential source for regenerating damaged cardiac tissue Have been studied. All of these have been investigated in mouse and rat models, and some are being tested with larger animal models such as pigs. Fortunately, bed wetting problems have natural solutions and medical solutions. With years of research and experience, today's medical professionals can provide a complete solution to overcome bedwetting. Natural treatments are more relevant to efforts to create and repair bad toilet h abits, but drugs reduce the amount of urine produced from the body at the time of taking. Bedwetting is directly related to moisture consumption. The more people consuming moisture, the more likely he will wet the bed. This is a problem that directly affects health. In order to suppress the wetting of the bed people prefer to consume a small amount of water as their body reached dehydratable condition. Problems such as dry throat, yellow urine, urine smell started to occur, patient health began to decline further. The doctor always advises people to drink water before going to bed. A Natural Solution Natural solution For many people cancer is a fearful word. Because cancer causes pain and harmful consequences, humans do not want cancer to be part of their lives. Like cancer, marijuana is another word that humans are worried about. In most cases, cannabis is abused and causes problems for people abusing cannabis. The attitudes towards these two words are similar, but they are not. Adult stem cells are natural solutions. They exist naturally in our body and they provide a natural repair mechanism to many organizations in our body. They belong to the adult microenvironment and embryonic stem cells belong to the early embryonic microenvironment, not adult, and they often cause tumor and immune system reactions. Most importantly, adult stem cells have been successfully used for the treatment of humans for many years. So far, embryonic stem cells have not been successfully used for human therapy. On the other hand, new therapies using adult stem cells have been developed. Embryos for c ardiac repair and adult stem cells are an active area of ​​research. Many cells including adult bone marrow derived cells including embryonic stem (ES) cells, cardiac stem cells naturally present in the heart, myoblast cells (muscle stem cells), tissue mesenchymal cells (bone marrow derived cells, these cells) Stem cell muscle, bone, tendon, ligament and adipose tissue, endothelial progenitor cells (producing endothelial cells, endovascular layer) and umbilical cord blood cells serve as a potential source for regenerating damaged cardiac tissue Have been studied. All of these have been investigated in mouse and rat models, and some are being tested with larger animal models such as pigs. Fortunately, bed wetting problems have natural solutions and medical solutions. With years of research and experience, today's medical professionals can provide a complete solution to overcome bedwetting. Natural treatments are more relevant to efforts to create and repair bad toilet h abits, but drugs reduce the amount of urine produced from the body at the time of taking. Bedwetting is directly related to moisture consumption. The more people consuming moisture, the more likely he will wet the bed. This is a problem that directly affects health. In order to suppress the wetting of the bed people prefer to consume a small amount of water as their body reached dehydratable condition. Problems such as dry throat, yellow urine, urine smell started to occur, patient health began to decline further. The doctor always advises people to drink water before going to bed.

Retention assignment Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Retention assignment - Coursework Example taurant management has successfully employed a retention strategy leading to a sustained employees low turnover, improved productivity and consequently the company has grown tremendously in the food and beverage industry. The company focuses on three primary one of which includes training and hiring the right people to each job specification. With this strategy, the company management occasionally undertakes recruitment policy reviews in order to enhance retention as per Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) strategy (http://www.eeoc.gov/federal/retention.cfm). In 2008, the company trained its employees on enhancing productivity through focusing on the mission statement and actual service delivery. Consequently, the company reversed declining share growth to 11 consecutive record reports back from 42% share losses to a remarkable 12.4% share growth. The success was achieved when employees were retained and trained to reverse the errors in shares instead of possible layoffs (Taylor 23). Secondly, the company regularly conducts employee climate surveys using the 36o degree evaluation strategy. Under this approach, the management conducts performance evaluation with total focus on all spheres of employee including interpersonal relationship in the workplace. The strategy helps the managers to assess workforce attitude and job satisfaction and make changes before employees quit. Through this Strategy, Starbuck has improved its production and raise its employees by 66% from 2003 to 2013 (Liebowitz 17). Certainly, this is a tremendous recipe for the companys growth since high employees means higher productivity and subsequently increase in profits. Through employing the right people and training them, Starbuck has achieved companys growth. In addition, conducting employees evaluation and surveys on job performance has led to the retention of employees and increase in the

Global Demographics and the Death Penalty Essay

Global Demographics and the Death Penalty - Essay Example However, global patterns can be examined which can help uncover the underlying indicators that are common to countries that have the death penalty. The fair institution of the death penalty can be evaluated in the United States. Research can show the motivations, targets, and eventual victims of capital punishment in the world and in the United States. Two thirds of the world's countries have abolished the death penalty either in law or in practice and membership in the European Union requires its abolishment. There are still 69 countries that maintain and practice capital punishment. China, Iran, Saudi Arabia and the USA were responsible for 94% of the known executions that took place in 2005. China had the greatest numbers of executions and though accurate data is difficult to obtain, at least 1,170 people were confirmed executed in 2005. Other estimates for China range as high as 8.000 ("Facts and Figures"). Though China had the greatest number, on a per capita basis Saudi Arabia had the largest percentage of its population executed. A Saudi was almost five times as likely to be executed than a Chinese and eighteen times as likely as an American. Saudi Arabia's unusually high rate is due to the wide range of crimes that are punishable by death. Renouncing of Islam, witchcraft, sexual offenses, drug dealing, and corruption can all carry a death sentence. China uses the death penalty for criminal activities that range from murder to economic crimes. It should be noted that both China and Saudi Arabia are highly guarded societies. Their legal system is extremely secretive and people charged are afforded almost no legal rights as we perceive them in the United States. There may be no right to an appeal and execution may take place on the same day as sentencing. The denial of rights and the broad range of crimes account for the high rates of executions in both China and Saudi Arabia. While methods of execution have evolved in some countries, others such as Afghanistan and Iran still use the barbaric means of stoning. In nearby Saudi Arabia, beheading is the method of choice. China still uses the firing squad but is slowly moving towards lethal injection. Hanging, which the United States has only recently moved away from, is still found in Japan and Egypt. Electrocution is used only in the United States though most executions are carried out through the more humane method of lethal injection ("Facts and Figures"). Support for the death penalty usually comes from extreme religious positions or totalitarian regimes. The high rate in China is perpetuated by the tyranny of ideology and reflects the mass executions of political foes that have occasionally cropped up around the globe. Castro executed an estimated 1,000 members of the opposition in his first 3 months of power. Still, the mainstay of support for capital punishment is religion. In Iran and Saudi Arabia, the ruling theocracy condemns prisoners for crimes against Islam. In the United States the support comes from biblical justification. In the Scandinavian countries, which are less religious, capital punishment is banned and has little support. Though the Catholic Church officially denounces capital punishment, American Catholics favor the death penalty in greater numbers than the general population (Davis and Smith). Davis and Smith also report

Global investment house ksc Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5500 words

Global investment house ksc - Assignment Example The income statement on the other hand focuses on the period, usually 12 months within which the accounts were prepared. However, the information about what happened in the past years and the asset and liability position does not provide all the needs of all the users of the financial statements. There is the need for some further information and guidelines that provides hints to users of financial statements and other interested stakeholders. One of the main areas that is of great importance is a prediction of the survivability of the business into the foreseeable future. This is known in general as the â€Å"Going Concern† convention. In the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), there is a standard that ensures that going concern is reported in the financial statement. IAS 1 requires that financial statements a disclose the Going Concern status of the entity in a given period. This provides a standardized basis for a universal approach to reporting going concer n that can aid comparability on a year-by-year basis as well as a company-to-company basis. Research Problem Clearly, Going Concern reporting as stipulated by IAS 1 seeks to ensure that financial statements reflect the survivability of the entity the report is prepared about. ... Aims and Objectives of Study The aim of the research is to undertake a critical review of the concept of Going Concern and how it is attained in Financial Reporting. In order to attain this end, the following objectives will be explored: 1. A critical review literature review of the Accounting concept of Going Concern; 2. An examination of the effectiveness of Going Concern reporting in businesses; 3. A practical evaluation of Going Concern reporting in a Kuwaiti entity 4. An analysis of a financial report of a Kuwaiti entity to ascertain the Going Concern reporting procedures. Going Concern Convention â€Å"The going concern postulate or continuity postulation, holds that business entity will continue its operations long enough to realize its projects, commitments and ongoing activities† (Riahi, 2010 p212). Going concern is therefore a convention which indicates that a business will continue to remain operational and pay its bills and remain liquid into the future. â€Å"Goi ng concern is not only about the net book value of a firm's assets, but also such elements like goodwill and likely future profitability, assuming the existing management remain in control of the entity† (Brower and Brueschke, 2012). This means that going concern is evaluated and analyzed by the examination of the firm's assets as well as other indicators of continuous operations. Thus, it will involve the hard and soft elements of an entity including the assets and other intangibles like going concern which provides clues on how a firm will remain operational even if the company is assured of getting customers to remain liquid. Another angle through which a business' going concern can be evaluated is â€Å"...the amount of

Disorders Involving the Sex Chromosomes Term Paper

Disorders Involving the Sex Chromosomes - Term Paper Example The chromosomes are numbered such that they are given the numerical figures 1†¦..22 and the 23rd is the one that determines the individual sex. In total there are 23 chromosomes in human beings, the 23d being the sex chromosome with x and y as the determinants. In the normal female, the chromosome number 23 will read xx while that of the male will be reading XY (Pinsky, Erickson and Schimke 234). The alteration of the normal reading leads to what is called chromosomal disorders. The chromosomal disorders leads to the addition or deletion of either X or Y-chromosomes. Several disorders have been identified as disorders in the sex chromosomes and demonstrate distinct characteristics as manifested phenotypically (Goldberg 157). It must be noted that there are significant difference between the disorders that arise from the autosomal chromosomes (1†¦22) and those of the sex chromosomes (Passarge 98). The chromosomes that determine sex in man is coded as XY while that of females is XX, the alteration of the arrangements may lead to any of the following conditions. Turner Syndrome It is coded as XO; it is referred to as monosomy X given that the complement Y-chromosomes is missing. The fact that the syndrome results into just one X chromosome without the Y chromosome, such individuals are always females (Milunsky and Milunsky 245). The incidence of the syndrome is quite uncommon and can only be found one in every five thousand people. One of the most significant effects of the condition is sterility (Milunsky and Milunsky 256). Klinefelter Syndrome This is also a rare syndrome as for every 1000 there is only one person with the condition. Unlike Turners syndrome that involves deletion of the Y chromosome, it involves the addition of the X chromosomes (Goldberg 165). The syndrome can appear in two forms XXY or XXXY. Most of the individuals affected by this kind of disorder are males due to the presence of the Y-chromosomes. The presence of the compounded X c hromosomes makes the individuals with the condition to posses female like qualities. The individuals are sterile and in the cases of the XXXY type retardation may results (Goldberg 184). Jacobs Syndrome In the Jacobs syndrome the individuals have the sex chromosomes coded as XYY, there is an additional Y chromosome and the individuals are always males or abnormally manifest male characteristics (Passarge 112). These individuals are supper human beings as they are very tall and in many cases may suffer from acne. Research also indicates that most of these people are criminals as they show abnormally high-level aggression and most of the inmates are of these conditions. The frequency of this syndrome is 1 in every 2000 (Passarge 119). Triple-X Most of the individuals in this category are females as the syndrome involves the addition of the X chromosome and the various codes are as follows XXX, XXXX, and XXXXX (Pinsky, Erickson and Schimke 253). Due to the extra X chromosomes, the casu alties assume abnormal female characteristics and the associated problems such as those of infertility as well as retarded mental acuity. The occurrence of this syndrome is in the frequency of 1 in every 700 individuals (Pinsky, Erickson and Schimke 257). With the realization of the fact that sex chromosomes have defects that can lead to the changes in the phenotypic characteristics of individuals has sparked a series of researches in the field of genetics. One of the current research researches that is currently on going is the identification of the component of that is essential

Research philosophies and principles Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Research philosophies and principles - Essay Example The postmodern moment (1990-1995) 6. The postexperimental inquiry moment (1995-2000) 7. The methodologically contested present (2000-2010) 8. The future moment (2010-). In each of the eight moments, different things are included in the definition of qualitative research (Jessor, Colby and Shweder, 1996, p. 129). However, it is customary to offer a generic definition of the qualitative research here: Qualitative research is a kind of research that is â€Å"based on a relativistic, constructivist ontology that posits that there is no objective reality. Rather, there are multiple realities constructed by human beings who experience a phenomenon of interest† (Krauss, 2005, p. 760). Researchers commonly adopt the qualitative methodology when they want to alter things for the better or want to bring a change. Therefore, advocacy and empathy are two of the most essential elements of the researcher’s lifestyle (Stake, 2010, p. 14). This paper evaluates and compares the research philosophies and principles of four research papers related to tourism. All of the research papers are based on qualitative research but have different research paradigms. 1. Visiting death and life: dark tourism and slave castles by Rasul A. Mowatt and Charles H. Chancellor Mowatt and Chancellor (2011) selected Ghana for their research since this country has most number of West African Slave Castles i.e. 36 out of the total 52 that have remained. Mowatt and Chancellor (2011) used interviews, photo elicitation and analysis of the tourists’ narratives in their methodology. The study involved 14 African descents eight of whom were females and six were males. All of them were from the US. The researchers agreed upon the non-generalizability of the research results. â€Å"As such the results from this study are not generalizable. A second sample could have yielded a confirmation or divergence in responses and behaviors with this sample† (Mowatt and Chancellor, 2011, p. 14 28). Research carried out by Mowatt and Chancellor (2011) is an exploratory research wherein the researchers don’t come with preconceived notions about the tourists’ motivations. This research was a mix of the modernist, critical representation and blurred genres moments of research. In course of their research, Mowatt and Chancellor (2011) found that although there is a lot of disparity in the ethnic identities of the aboriginal Africans and the African Americans that have been away from their indigenous place for centuries, yet they still relate to one another and shed away all their time-bound differences when they make a visit to the Ghanaian Slave Castles. The researchers found a special bond between the tourists and the Castles, which had remained unaffected despite their distance from their native land or change in their social identities that has occurred over the time. The factor of symbolic interactionism reflects in the tourists’ discomfort with the W hite people in the post-visit stage. It suggests that the tourists consider the slavery a racial matter in which the Black race has always been oppressed by the White. The fact that the researchers made use of photographs as a means to achieve the research objectives in addition to conducting the in-depth interviews with them and studying their ethnography makes this research relate to the blurred genres moment of research. Also, the researchers’ personal or intellectual biographies don’t show up in the research which further promotes the blurred genre

The role of consideration in contract Outline Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

The role of consideration in contract - Outline Example Many European countries have adopted the position that any agreement that is both serious and lawful is a contract, but under English law, an agreement, even if serious and lawful, can only be enforced if consideration is present (Mothersole & Ridley 1999:360). Consideration thus, separates enforceable contracts from unenforceable ones, constituting the first of the three-pronged tests in contract enforceability (Stone 2011:87). The difference between these systems is thought to be historical-based, with the English assumpsit, or legal action for breach of promise or contract, traced back to commercial needs whilst continental law originated from the canon law and the principle of good faith (Chandler & Brown 2007:46). Another significance of consideration is that it provides intent of the parties to be legally bound by their agreement. Thus, even a token amount can be deemed consideration although it may be inadequate or insufficient. The Court has held, for example, that  £1 per annum was consideration in Thomas v Thomas [1842] 2 QB 851 and generally declared that parties may enter a contract for any amount of consideration, even valueless ones, in Chapell & Co Ltd v Nestle Co Ltd [1960] AC 87 (Chandler & Brown

The ways neurons function helps Essay Example for Free

The ways neurons function helps Essay Typically, this type of stimulus-response reflexive action involves a collection of neurons initiating and provoking responses across synaptic junctions into other neurons. Synaptic inter-neuronal communication has illuminated behavioural knowledge as malfunction at the synapse is thought to underlie psychological disorders such as mood disturbance (Toates, 2007). Electrical signals arriving at the synaptic cleft trigger the release of stored neurotransmitters which operate as chemical messengers advancing neuronal impulses towards the target neuron. Target neuron receptors are specific to particular neurotransmitters thereby prohibiting erroneous stimulation of any neighbouring neurons. Once occupied, the neurotransmitter effectuates either an excitatory or inhibitory response in the post-synaptic neuron thus achieving a chemical bridge to conduct electrical impulses translated from stimuli. The biological perspective assumes that neuronal activity forms the biological infrastructure for psychological experiences such as emotions and moods thus alterations to the neural system, particularly synaptic activity has the ability to alter behaviour and mood. Through manipulation of the specific properties of neurotransmitter release, availability and deactivation, medical therapies have been advanced. For example, diminished serotonin has been implicated in attention and mood disorders and delaying the re-absorption or re-uptake into the releasing neuron favours alleviation of depressive symptoms. The anti-depressive agent Prozac, capitalises on this process by selectively targeting seretonergic synapses to block serotonin reuptake, which results in increased bio-availability of serotonin and improved mood (Toates, 2007). The full range of human behaviour is more comprehensive than simple reflexive actions or low mood but the relevance of understanding neuronal function at a singular level becomes clear when the billions of individual neurons that make up the brain and combine to create the neural systems responsible for particular roles are considered. For example, invasive investigations in animal models have allowed researchers to isolate the receptive fields of specific neurons in the visual system permitting hemispheric and brain lobe functionality mapping. Comprehension in functional responsibility of brain lobes has translated into evidence supporting biological links with psychological experiences such as memory. Penfield and Rasmussen discovered that surgical patients disclosed vivid historical memories during electrical stimulation of the temporal lobe (as cited in Toates, 2007) and electrical stimulation can now be administered through permanent implants in specific areas of the brain for relief of chronic pain. Alteration of the neural sequence is achieved by either reducing activity in pain related neurons or increasing electrical activity in neurons associated with positive emotions (Toates, 2007). Further supporting evidence for biological influence over behaviour is found in incidents of extensive brain damage resulting in significant alterations to temperament with famous examples such as Phineas Gage enlightening aspects of behavioural science. Surviving an industrial accident that involved prefrontal lobe damage, Gage exhibited little deterioration to intellectual and linguistic abilities but marked transformations in personality, previously considered out of character. Thus, whilst the brain and nervous system exhibit remarkable properties of functional continuation despite insult, focal damage, in this case to the region responsible for inhibition of emotional expression can produce pronounced effects on behaviour lending support to a biological explanation for some aspects of behaviour. Evidence from diseased and damaged brains provides support for biological perspectives ascribing behaviour through physiology but some aspects of human behaviour do not portray a clear uni-directionality of effect. Whilst the efficacy and mode of action of pharmaceutical agents such as Prozac implicate neuro-chemical involvement in depression, patient response is distinctively individual and Anisman and Zacharko demonstrated that external factors such as stress could contribute to the development of depression in individuals with little biological pre-disposition (as cited in Toates, 2007, p. 278). Even the mitigation of pain has been shown by Wall to be contingent on anticipation of relief in patients administered inert substances rather than Morphine (as cited in Toates, 2007, p. 261). It would appear that individual beliefs and attitudes can be as important to outcomes as bio-chemical engineering. Research at a biological level augments understanding of human behaviour and has importantly led to treatments and remedies for some conditions through modification to neural function. However, an exclusively reductionist approach appears insufficient in the face of evidence highlighting the reciprocal effect of social, environmental and experiential factors.

Two theories of motivation

Two theories of motivation Motivation is an intangible human asset which acts as a driver that pushes humans to be willing to perform certain actions. In just about everything we do there is something that moves us to perform the action which involves some motivation allowing us to perform tasks or actions which produces some type of personal benefit as a result. The general theory would be that, the greater the personal gain in performing the task for the individual, the more motivated they are to try at the task to achieve the best outcome. Motivation is usually stimulated by a want where there is a gain to be had as a result of performing a certain task. As Todes, McKinney, Ferguson, Jr. (1977) p.223 states, A person is a wanting being he always wants, and he wants more. Therefore if there is nothing that an individual wants, there would be no need for them to perform a certain task as there is nothing they can gain from it. Over time there have been many motivational theories developed to try and explore what motivation is and how different levels of motivation can be achieved with different inputs. Two of the most widely recognised motivational theories come from Abraham Maslow (hierarchy of needs) and Fredrick Herzberg (two factor theory). Managers in businesses would use these theories in an attempt to motivate staff to provide them with job satisfaction and in return receive better task performance. Through extensive research Maslow and Herzberg developed their own theories which are now used in businesses all around the world. Both differ in how they are applied but in the modern world they are seen as being totally true by many although they should be perceived as being an interesting problematic set of observations about what motivates people (Finchman Rhodes, 2005) p.199. This is due to the lack of evidence to say that they are completely true despite applying to the overall majority. Each is very similar in the way that there are certain requirements that must be fulfilled before high levels of motivation can be obtained. Abraham Maslow sets out a hierarchy of importance where human needs are arranged in a series of levels (Todes et al. 1977). Like Herzbergs two factor theory, the needs in Maslows hierarchy can be split into two levels. The first set being the basic needs, contain physiological and safety needs. The second set can be seen as the motivators consisting of social, esteem and self actualizing needs. In comparison to Herzberg, basic needs would be the equivalent of hygiene needs consisting of: salary, colleagues, supervision, policies and environment. Herzbergs second set (motivators) includes: recognition, promotion, achievement, responsibility and intrinsic job aspects, all of which are individually quite self-explanatory and fairly interlinked (Finchman Rhodes, 2005). As the structure of Maslows hierarchy suggests, the higher motivators are harder to achieve than the previous and there is an order to which they must be acquired. If the previous motivator has not been reasonably satisfi ed then there will be no desire to try and obtain the next. The physiological needs are reflected in the human need to eat, breathe, rest, drink and engage in active endeavors (Todes et al. 1977) p.244. These needs can be seen as essentials for survival making it logical to be place at the bottom of the hierarchy and as the lowest motivator (Todes et al. 1977). Safety needs come in the form of feeling secure in the job that you have which means that there is a requirement of: shelter, a strong feeling of job security and as Todes et al. (1977) states, a need for protection against physical dangers along with the need to earn a fair salary that can satisfy a given standard of living which is an element in Herzbergs list of hygiene factors. A manager would be able to fulfill the basic needs by giving suitable amount of time for breaks in which the physiological needs can be easily met. Safety would derive from supervision and policies of the company where they act as a guide, helping the employees progress giving them a feeling of being well supported. The environment that they work in would also help with employees feeling safe as long as there is the avoidance of physical dangers. Also there is the conflict of whether or not salary is a motivator. Managers may think that employees would work harder for a raise whereas others believe it is ineffective. Although necessary, hence it being placed in the hygiene factors and incorporated in the safety needs, it is not a motivator. The reason for this may be that although one receives more money for what they do, they will not necessarily work harder having acquired the raise. This therefore links salary to the motivator, promotion which would be the reason for why there is a sudden increase in an individuals income. The motivators, beginning with social needs, (Maslows third need which could be seen as being at the base of the motivational hierarchy) cannot be achieved unless the basic needs prior to it are in place and adequately satisfied. Social needs can be seen as the desire for interaction, acceptance and a sense of belonging with associates and personal acquaintances (Todes et al. 1977. With Herzberg, it can be argued that the social motivator is split between both the categorical factors contradicting Maslows perception of it. As the hygiene factors of colleagues and to an extent, supervision, fulfill the social need for interaction, the motivator recognition would lead to meeting the need for acceptance and belonging. Herzbergs motivator of recognition combined with promotion, responsibility and perhaps achievement would also be linked with Maslows fourth need, esteem. This, a more personal, perhaps egotistical need, is much harder for a manager to incorporate into the working environme nt due to the managerial trend of reducing most jobs to their lowest level of job content (Todes et al. 1977). Being noticed for good performance through praise and recognition, which could lead to the achievement of a promotion where responsibility is increased, can all be contributors towards fulfilling esteem but never effectively satisfying it entirely. Even if it does, it will only be temporarily and perhaps not enough for the peak need of self-actualisation to start being met. It therefore acts as a constant motivator to work harder or continue working to meet the higher needs (Finchman Rhodes 1977). Self-actualization is where an individual grows towards a firm understanding of their abilities and utilises these skills at an optimum level (McGregor. 1964). This final need however, is rarely met, hence it being at the top of the hierarchy as the idea of: as you progress up the hierarchy, the peak of each need that must be passed is higher than the need before it. Not only is this an important factor, there is also the requirement that the previous needs, although less dominant in focus, must remain active and acceptably satisfied before the next factor can be of any interest to the individual (Krech, Crutchfield Ballachey cited in Todes et al. 1977). Due to this and the general fact that self-esteem is satisfied in small quantities and not regularly, it does not make acquiring self-actualization an easy task due to the previously described theory rule. Although Herzbergs theory operates similarly, there is not as strict an order to follow as to whether a specific factor must be met before another one can become of any interest other than working on the basis that all hygiene factors must be adequately satisfied before any motivators can begin to be of any relevance to the individual. In this aspect the model is more lenient and due to not having a strict order of how they must be met, any factor within their respective categories can be acquired in any order making it easy and ready to be tested. Not only this but each factor is very much interlinked and compliments one another in the way that when one is achieved, other factors can be acquired in quick succession. Managers could then incorporate this into the way that tasks are delegated so that when an employee completes one task they obtain a certain amount of need satisfaction. On the next task performed, more needs could be fulfilled and unknowingly, employees would be progressing through the fulfillment of either Maslow or Herzbergs needs where they attain either more self-actualisation or job satisf action. What needs to be kept in mind is that although the two are very similar, Maslows hierarchy can be applied almost any situation with the aim of exploring psychological progression. Whereas Herzbergs theory outlines more of what factors must be in place before job satisfaction can be achieved relating more specifically to motivation and its impact within the work place (Finchman Rhodes. 2005). The intrinsic job aspects would be the closest motivator related to personal accomplishment as this need involves the employees feeling that through working they are benefitting and developing as an individual. This therefore means that a manager would need to try and identify which of the two theories they think would be most effective and achievable in developing employee motivation. Do they want their employees to acquire job satisfaction through Herzbergs motivators or to be self actualizing being more willing to work understanding themselves and what they are capable of. A combination of th e two could be possible in Maslows basic needs and Herzbergs hygiene factors but the acquisition of both does not necessarily mean that motivation or job satisfaction would be obtained, it just means that job dissatisfaction would be likely to develop without it (Finchman Rhodes 2005). Another point to remember is that not all individuals are the same in what they want hence the models not being universally accurate. A situation where either model would not be fully applicable is where one is happy with their current position and the tasks that they perform. As a result of the fulfillment of an unwanted need such as promotion, that particular employee may underperform as they have lost the job satisfaction they had prior to the acquisition of that motivational need. Whereas another who may have wanted such a need would be discouraged due to them not receiving the promotion and as a result de-motivated the employee. As mentioned, everyone is different in their levels of satisfaction and motivational priorities, some of which would be unknown to the individual. Even if known they may not know what to do to obtain them. From this a manager would have to find a way of being able to match the needs of people with appropriate incentives (Todes et al. 1977) p.165. Of course for a manager to fulfill all these needs they would have to be able to relate to the motivational needs of the employees beneath them and incorporate them into their strategy so that employees would be able to achieve them through the tasks they perform. As these motivational needs are met, employees may be more motivated to work and unknowingly develop other motivational needs that are fulfilled through the managers task setup. A very important factor for a manager to remember according to Finchman Rhodes (2005) p.266, is that the principle of behaviour that is rewarded tends to be repeated and that which is punished, avoided. From this, it can be seen that managers have a strong ability and in fluence on their employees behaviour. Therefore both motivational theories are not total opposites of each other but are in fact very similar. Both focus on the motivators as being contributors to psychological growth and development (Finchman Rhodes, 2005). Each has certain requirements which must be met before someone can progress onto achieving motivational needs, such as in Maslows case the basic needs and the hygiene needs in Herzbergs both are seen as being needed to be in place before there can be any progression onto the next set of motivators. This also expresses how both are similarly split into two groups. A big difference would be how Maslows theory can apply to any situation but Herzbergs is more applicable in the workplace and set out in a way that made it easy to prove correct, whereas it was more difficult with the former despite being taught as true (Finchman Rhodes, 2005). Managers could effectively incorporate the motivational techniques into developmental strategies by designing a work environment w here employees would be able to develop personally as they work, in turn they could unknowingly acquire motivation (Todes et al. 1977). This way employees would be more willing to perform their tasks and develop needs encouraging them to work harder, becoming more motivated to meet these new needs. But perhaps the most obvious and important similarity is that although they are taught as being true, a manager would need to keep in mind that they are not. Even though they apply to the majority, different people have different needs and levels of satisfaction therefore either model cannot be totally relied on for a manager to try motivate employees (McGregor. 1964). Reference List: Finchman. R Rhodes. P, Principles Of Organisational Behaviour, 2005 P.199, P.233 McGregor. D, The Professional Manager, 1964 P.11, P.75 Todes. J.L, Mckinney. J, Ferguson Jr. W, Management Motivation, 1977 P. 165, P. 223-227, P.244

Alzheimers Disease and Downs Syndrome Essay -- Downs Syndrome Triso

Alzheimer and Down's Syndrome Down?s Syndrome, Trisomy 21, or Mongolism is one of the most common causes of mental retardation. The majority of Down?s Syndrome patients have a moderate retardation although it can range from mild to severe. Trisomy 21 occurs in about 1 in 800 live births. This incidence increases markedly as the age of the mother increases over 35. The prevalence in children born to young mothers is 1 in 1000, while it increases to almost 1 in 40 in children born to mothers over 40. Most individuals with Down?s Syndrome have characteristic features such as upward slanted eyes, broad flattened face, short neck, and a prominent tongue. Muscle coordination is often impaired in these individuals, resulting in uncoordinated posture and balance. Congenital heart disease is found in forty percent of these individuals, along with a near twenty fold increase in the risk of kidney malformation, thyroid abnormalities, diabetes, leukemia. Neurological retardation and impaired immune systems render these indiv iduals more susceptible to infection and disease. In the early l900s, Downs Syndrome patients rarely lived to reach the age of twenty, as they only had a life expectancy of about 10 years. With the advances of modern health care, most individuals, excluding those with irreparable heart damage, live to reach adulthood. Although it is still shorter than normal adults, their life expectancy has increased to about fifty-five. The disorder was initially described as Mongolism by British physician John Langdon Down. Many theories for the etiology of this condition surfaced, including racial regression, endocrine gland dysfunction, and uterine exhaustion. It was not until the 1930s that Adrian Bleyer hypothesized tha... ...e of ALZ-50 reactive neurons and the formation of senile plaques. Journal of the Neurological Sciences, 1992, 109: 593-598. Raghavan, R. Detection of Lewy Bodies in Trisomy 21. Can. J. Neurol. Sci., 1993, 20:48-51. Goodison. Neuronal and Glial Gene Expression in Neocortex of Down?s Syndrome and Alzheimer Disease. Journal of Neurol. and Exp. Neurol., 1993, 52 (3) 192-198. Hyman, B. T. Down Syndrome and Alzheimer disease. Prog. Clin. Biol. Res., 1992, 379: 123-42. Silverman W. Alzheimer neuropathology in mentally retarded. Acta Neuropathol. Berl., 1993, 85(3):260-6. Beyreuther, K. Regulation and expression of the Alzheimer?s Beta amyloid protein in Down?s Syndrome. Ann. N.Y. Acad. Sci., 1993, 695: 91-102. Murata, T. In vivo proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy study on premature aging in Down?s Syndrome. Biol. Psychiatry, 1993, 34(5): 290-7.

Exposed Sin vs. Hidden Sin in the Scarlet Letter Essay -- Nathaniel Ha

Exposed Sin vs. Hidden Sin Since the beginning of time we have shown our imperfections as human beings. As detailed by the Bible in the Book of Genesis, Adam and Eve ate the fruit from the tree of knowledge committing the original sin. This infraction against God resulted in Adam and Eve’s expulsion from the Garden of Eden, and set the foundation for the judgment of mankind. The word sin derives from Old English synn and is defined as something shameful, deplorable, or utterly wrong. In this essay I will be comparing exposed sin to hidden sin as related to The Scarlet Letter, and the effects it has on people. In Nathanial Hawthorne’s The Scarlet Letter, Hester Prynne represents the exposed sin while Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale and Roger Chillingworth represent the hidden sin. Hester Prynne’s sin is exposed on the scaffold in front of the townspeople. For punishment she is made to wear the letter “A”, for adulteress, on her bosom. Hester’s daughter, Pearl, is herself a symbol of the scarlet letter. Pearl is always seen with Hester just as t...

British Castles :: essays research papers

BRITISH CASTLES   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Great Britain’s castles exemplify artistic characteristics and were essential elements in the lives of kings, lords, nobles, and chieftains. The word castle means a building or group of buildings usually intended as a residence of a king, lord, noble, or chieftain. There are many different types of castles, and the features about them are simply amazing. Warfare was also an important issue involving castles. They had to have some means of protection.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The castles reached their fullest development in the medieval period, even though fortified building had been around much earlier. The castles created a feudal system, which gave them their greatest importance. The feudal system was divided into three classes: the knights and nobles, clergy, and peasants. The knights and nobles’ job was to defend society, the clergy was to pray, while the peasants had the duty to till the soil and support other classes (Collier’s Encyclopedia 532). The origin of has been traced back to the late Roman times when men placed themselves under a man stronger and wealthier than themselves (Rowling 31). The knights lived in castles built upon hilltops or in the bend of rivers. There they received vessels, held meeting: and upon occasion, defended themselves from rivals.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many different general styles of castles in Britain. One of the styles is a motte and bailey, which was one of the first types of castles built. The castle was made of a motte, which was a large man-made mound of earth. The top of the mound was surrounded by wooden palisades, which were like logs. Within those logs was a wooden keep. This was used as a lookout tower and a last refuge or keep (Farndon 7). The only way to get into the motte was across a sloping bridge, placed on high pillars. The bailey was next to the motte, and wooden palisades also surrounded it. A ditch of water protected the bailey. The motte and bailey were connected by a flying bridge that could be torn down if the bailey was not needed anymore. Since the motte and bailey were made of wood and earth none of the castles have survived completely today (Remfry 1). Norman’s were few so they must have had to force people to help build it (Farndon 6). By the eleventh century the mot te and bailey form of castle was widely spread (Alistair 3).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Another type of castle is a shell keep.

Art Essay

Why should we make art? What is the purpose? How does it affect our culture , generation and or world? Art is an expression of oneself that is shared between people due to many did efferent personal reasons that contribute to the happiness and satisfaction felt from c aerating, viewing and pondering art. Some of these personal reasons that people have to justify the creation of art is the pleasure it provides, the creativity it gives you, the feeling of freedom, and the lifelong challenge or self growth.Art effects are culture because it helps defines era's through t he way what kind of art was created and how the art was created. Art provides great pleasure for those who create art because of its relaxing an true. It gives you time to yourself and time away from stressful jobs, classes and relations pips that all require a substantial amount of energy from you. It simply gives you time to be alone a ND in solitude from the world.It allows you to think deeper than just the superficia l expression of he art and allows you to solve problems in other areas of your life through the simple relaxing nature of creating and viewing art. Art can give you an excess of creativity to use in other aspects of life. As you c intention to view and ponder art, you keep pushing yourself to see the art in different ways.

Knowledge and Assessment Essay

1. Understand the principles & requirements of assessment 1. 1explain the functions of assessment in learning and development Determining level of knowledge & understanding †¢ Ensuring that learning is taking place †¢ Checking progress †¢ Adhering to course criteria 1. 2define the key concepts and principles of assessment 1. Explain the functions of assessment in learning and development. Assessment is carried out to evaluate that learning has taken place. It measures the learner’s attainment of knowledge and skills in their particular learning area. Assessment encourages learners to ask questions on anything they have not fully understood, as learners know that they will have to prove their knowledge and understanding during assessment to the standards of the awarding body. The anticipated outcome of assessment is that the learner will complete assessment to City and Guild standards within the time frame stated, with no assistance and show through answering questions that they have full understanding of the subject. 2. Define the key concepts and principles of assessment. Assessment has to remain fair, consistent and valid to ensure all learners have an equal and fair chance of receiving a fair assessment. An assessor cannot be swayed 1. 3 explain the responsibilities of the assessor The role of the assessor is to assess the learner’s knowledge and performance in a range of tasks. This includes, ? Ensuring that the learner has demonstrated competence and knowledge in the assessment to the standard of City and Guilds criteria. ? Assessments need to be planned between the assessor and each learner; the learner needs to be fully aware of his/her responsibilities in the collection and presentation of evidence. ? The assessor then needs to observe the learners performance in their workplace or similar environment and can ask questions to confirm a learners understanding. ? Accurate and constructive feedback needs to be given to the†¦ 1. 4 identify the regulations and requirements relevant to assessment in own area of practice 2. Understand different types of assessment methods 2. 1 compare the strengths and limitations of a range of assessment methods with reference to the needs of individual learners 3. Understand how to plan assessment 3. 1 summarise key factors to consider when planning assessment 3. 2 evaluate the benefits of using a holistic approach to assessment 3. 3 explain how to plan a holistic approach to assessment 3. 4 summarise the types of risks that may be involved in assessment in own area of responsibility 3. 5 explain how to minimise risks through the planning process 4. Understand how to involve learners & others in assessment 4. 1 explain the importance of involving the learner and others in the assessment process 4. 2 summarise types of information that should be made available to learners and others involved in the assessment process. 4. 3 explain how peer and self-assessment can be used effectively to promote learner involvement and personal responsibility in the assessment of l earning 4. 4 explain how assessment arrangements can be adapted to meet the needs of individual learners 5. Understand how to make assessment decisions 5. 1 explain how to judge whether evidence is: †¢Sufficient †¢Authentic †¢Current 5. 2 explain how to ensure that assessment decisions are: †¢Made against specific criteria †¢Valid †¢Reliable †¢Fair 6. Understand Quality Assurance of the assessment process. 6. 1 evaluate the importance of quality assurance in the assessment process 6. 2 summarise quality assurance and standardisation procedures in own area of practice 6. 3 summarise the procedures to follow when there are disputes concerning assessment in own area of practice 7. Understand how to manage information relating to assessment 7. 1 explain the importance of following procedures for the management of information relating to assessment 7. 2 explain how feedback & questioning contribute to the assessment process 8. Understand the legal & good practice requirements in relation to assessment 8. 1 explain legal issues, policies and procedures relevant to assessment, including those for confidentiality, health, safety and welfare 8. 2 explain the contribution that technology can make to the assessment process 8. 3 evaluate requirements for equality and diversity and, where appropriate, bilingualism in relation to assessment 8. 4 explain the value of reflective practice and continuing professional development in the assessment process.

Tesco : Retail & Logistics Mgt

The business world nowadays is very different from the past. It is fast changing, challenging and full of opportunities. In order to sustain the business, the companies need to minimize costs, maximize profits and make the business environmentally sustainable. The management of the organization achieve these goals through supply chain management has recently focused (Fawcett, et al. , 2007). Tesco is one of the World’s leading retailer with operations in United Kingdom, Korea, Poland, Czech Republic and Slovakia, Hungary, Malaysia, Japan, China and the United States.She became increasingly significant on the international stage. The supply chain transformation has underpinned to this retail success story. Tesco adopted a common operating model across its worldwide business, admitting it to spread and support key supply chain and replenishment applications when it expanded into new countries. Tesco leveraged a common model across multiple countries and strong willingness to acc ept local market without losing its core identity, this allowed Tesco think globally and act locally (Smith and Sparks 1993 and Gustafsson et al 2006).There were four main improving stages in distribution and supply chain strategies in Tesco that could be demonstrated; Direct to store delivery, centralization, composite distribution and vertical collaboration and ‘lean’ supply chains (Fernie & Sparks, 2009). Direct to store delivery (DSD): This process operated in mid-1970s. The direct delivery by the manufacturers and suppliers to the retail shops whenever they wanted. Shop manages operated in own interest. These made central control and standardization more difficult.A requirement of alternative in approach to supply and distribution occurred as the new corporate business strategy took hold (Fernie & Sparks, 2009). Centralization: This process was applied to move away from DSD in 1980. The introduction of centralization compelled suppliers to meet Tesco’s opera tional demands and gave control over the supply of products to stores within a lead time of maximum of 48 hours. Suppliers were forced to deliver into the distribution centers of the supply network.This allowed faster stock turn, better lead time and reduced inventory cost. Moreover, the organized network of centralized distribution centers was linked by computer to stores and head offices. Buffer stock level and operations stock was reduced. However, this created problems of high logistic cost due to the increased delivery frequency, running of empty or un-full vehicle and increased labor cost on more frequent receiving. Nevertheless, outsourcing was the key component of the revised supply chain network.It allowed making comparison between Tesco’s operated centers and outside contractors, to measure the practices between two parties and drive efficiency (Fernie & Sparks, 2009). Composite Distribution: This integrated strategy of supply was implemented in 1990, in ongoing imp rovement process. It enabled chilled, fresh and frozen products to be distributed by multi-temperature warehouses and vehicles through a common system. Special designed vehicles with individual temperature control compartments were used to delivery any combination of these products.According to Fernie and Sparks (2009, pg. ,151), â€Å"The move to composite led to the further centralization of more product groups , the reduction of stock holding, faster product movement along the channel, better information sharing, the reduction of order lead times and stronger code control for critical products. This composite structure became the backbone of the supply network. † Tesco international business growth and the new methods of working, the composite nature of centers became regional distribution centers (RDC) gradually.Vertical Collaboration and â€Å"Lean† Supply Chains: Jones and Clarke (2002) stated that there were lots of chances for improvement even in the best-run v alue streams. A famous quoted example, Tesco cola can journey (Womack and Jones 2005). The can example demonstrated the improvement process undertaken by Tesco. Firstly, map of the traditional value stream. Secondly, value stream flow was designed. Finally, Tesco turn up from flow principle and began to look at synchronization and aspects of lean manufacturing and upply (Fernie & Sparks, 2009). â€Å"Tesco moved to a lean supply system using the flow system multiple daily orders were send to suppliers allowing for multiple deliveries, reducing stock holding through cross-docking and varying availabilities and quality (Fernie and Sparks 2009, pg. , 155). Tesco initialed to change the supply chain pattern to fit in various countries. The success infrastructure and the processes of supply chain were embedded in new enter countries.For example, Hungary, Ireland, Korea, Poland and Czech Republic, major RDC was built in these countries. The composite model had been effectively implemente d, even with the same logistics service partners (Child, 2002). However, in some occasion, Tesco needed to rethink the supply system and adopting advanced information technology as the springboard to step forward. For example, Oracle Retail Warehouse Management System was deployed in Korea in 2004. Successful implementations transplanted to other countries. Oracle Corporation, 2012) Similarly, Micro Focus was selected to upgrade the supply chain management systems (Continuous Replenishment Application) to create a common model across all countries and support to move into US market in 2007 (Micro Focus, 2011). Summarizing the above, the outcome of an informed supply chain and the development of advanced IT infrastructure enable seamless information sharing on a common platform with internet-based network. It enhanced the effectiveness and efficiency of the supply chain.According to Harrison and Hoek (2008), Information sharing technology enables collaborative partners working togeth er from product design, manufacturing, logistic flow, demand forecasting, replenishment planning and work closely to align their organization strategy in order to achieve competitive advantage. Kotler (1988) claimed that a company going abroad must study and understanding each foreign market carefully, being sensitive to its culture and economics, and apply adjustment in its products and communication to suit local needs.With support of the above authors, Tesco had made a remarkable supply chain operation in international expansion. Question 2: Different aspects concerning Tesco’s International experience are included in the indicated case study from page 30. You are required to select and evaluate three of these experiences. Various dimensions of Tesco’s international experience are illustrated in the case study. The following experiences are selected to be evaluated, they are entry mode experiences, marketing and communications and human capital experience.Entry mode experience: Expansion into foreign markets can be carried out via the four mechanisms; direct investment, acquisition, licensing and joint venture (Foley, 1999). The entry mode that Tesco chose to adopt when entering foreign market was acquisition (Yoruk & Radoservic, 2000). (Fig. 1) Compared to other large retail companies such as Wal-Mart who lean to focus on larger market, Tesco tended to take a more conservative entry strategy. Tesco entered the central European market through store-by-store mode. It allowed testing on the market with comparatively lower startup cost.The human and financial capital was also minimized. On the other hand, the cost of failure or replacing them by larger hypermarket was also lower. After a testing period of these acquisitions, Tesco started to expand through Greenfield investments. It constructed new hypermarkets in outskirt (Beckmann, 1999). This was a very aspiring change for Tesco since this was totally new. This approach allowed to have a exper ience on the expand which is completely apart from current domestic supermarket format and extend the international retail store operations.Marketing and communication: Tesco learned from accumulated experiences in approaching new markets, compared to the failure experience in entering the Ireland and French markets, Tesco made success in entering Czech Republic because of its vigorous initiative to adopt the local market without drooping its core identity which were offered low prices, high quality product and services. With global strategies and adapt customization in each local market, like McDonalds operates, with a global development plan, but adapting locally, has become known as ‘glocalisation’.Tiplady (2003) defined that the way in which ideas and structures that circulate globally and adapted and changed by local realities. Tesco adopted this as the core strategy to enter different foreign markets continuously. In recognizing and understanding the local needs, which included the needs of customers, competitors and the macro environment. Global sourcing and supply chain experience: As mentioned previously, Tesco think globally and act locally. It’s chosen to create a long term relationship with local producer in individual countries.For example, in considering the high level of national identity existing in Czech Republic, Tesco worked with the local food processors and farmers to develop its own label products at a lower cost. In UK, almost cover 40% of own brand products (Yoruk & Radoservic, 2000). In Ireland, Tesco also supported local Irish products and producers. It purchased goods worth ? 900 million annually from Irish companies in 2002. Tesco also worked together with the Irish companies to produce Tesco brand products for both domestic and international market which increased the production volume (Anon, 2000).In 2010, Irish exported more than ? 700 million of goods to worldwide Tesco. This also set up a corporate social re sponsibility image which create as a high corporate reputation and a positive image to the customers too. The remarkable supply chain operation in international expansion was adapted in changing mode to fit different countries. The successful implementation would become the back bone of the supply chain and embedded to other location with adjustment. The initiative in adopting new information technology infrastructure to enable information sharing which improved the supplier’s relationships.Question 3: Select a global retail company of your choice and discuss how globalization impacted on their strategy approach. Globalization is the concept of how global companies seeking to grow its business by extending its markets whilst at the same time seeking cost reduction through economic of scale in areas such as purchasing, production and focused manufacturing and or assembly operations (Christopher, 2005). IKEA is one of the world’s largest furniture retailers. It perceives itself as the leader within the global market of home furniture. In 2010, it has 280 stores in 26 countries worldwide.The core business idea of IKEA is to offer a wide range of well-designed, functional home furnishing products at low prices that most of the people can afford. Its main business strategy is â€Å"one-design-suits-all† that is aligning the design of products so as to enjoy economies of scale, efficiency as well as lower cost. Therefore, IKEA designs the product that suit as many markets as possible. The flat packaging system for packing its furniture to optimize carrier space, lower down the utilization of warehouse space and minimizing the types of pallets used to store is extraordinary.It helps to cut down the costs compared to other competitors. Moreover, IKEA has a wide supplier base all over the world. Most of them located in low-cost nations, for example, China and East Europe. IKEA maintains a good and long-term relationship with its suppliers. It suppo rts its suppliers in the form of leased equipment, credit facilities or even extending guarantees for supplier’s bank loan. With strong alliance and partnership with suppliers, in return, improved relationship with the suppliers, hence IKEA could be certain on the supply, standardization of products at high quality with the optimum low price.Furthermore, IKEA also benefits from the scale of its global business. All of the suppliers need to comply with IKEA’s IWAY requirement. The IWAY is a recognized standard and a quality assurance selling point to both the current and potential new customer. Organizations have attempted to expand into new markets with the target to enjoy the benefits through globalization. A new demand in logistical activities in supply chain is increased (Skjott-Larsen, et al. , 2007). IKEA’s global supply chain involves more than 1380 suppliers, 41 trading service offices, 31 distribution centers (DC) and 11 customer DCs across the world.IKE A provides its suppliers with support in logistics and IT. The transport manager finds the optimal mode of transportation, delivery lead time and cost involved. IKEA preferred to build its DCs closer to seaports in order to use more ocean transport and less of road and rail transport. Products are either delivered directly to the stores or the DCs whichever is closer. For those slow moving items, they are delivered to those centralized DCs which can cover for a large region (Trent & Monczka, 2002) .In addition, standardization helped IKEA to manage pilot projects at a DC and embedded in worldwide DCs if found successful. It enables IKEA to benchmark the performances of various DCs as all worked on identical procedures. The flat packaging is all designed to fit the highest possible products into the containers minimize logistic cost. This meliorates the efficiency and lower the overall landed costs of products (Agndal, 2006). Moreover, IKEA applies the same design, technology, and op erations at all of its facilities thus the processes are standardize across the supply chain.The employees could move from any one location around the world that actually opens the opportunities for staff to widen their career experience and learn other cultures (Kling & Goteman, 2003). Globalization is an ongoing development processes. These are not purely concern on the geographical spread of economic activities across national boundaries. It also includes the functional integration of globally scattered activities. The enterprises convert into a unit that is linked to the world at large instead of a domestic unit (Dicken, 2003). Bibliography Agndal, H. , 2006.The purchasing market entry process – A study of 10 Swedish insudtrial small and medium-sized enterprise. Journal of Purchasing & Supply Management, 12(4), pp. 182-196. Andersen, M. & Skjoett-Larsen, T. , 2009. Corporate social responsibilty in global supply chains. Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, 1 4(2), pp. 75-89. Anon, 2000. An entry strategy for the Irish market, Ireland: The Irish Times. Beckmann, A. , 1999. Dysfunctional Decision-Making -The Battle for Prague's Future. Central Europe Review, 1(21). Bowersox, D. , Closs, D. & Copper, M. , 2003.Supply Chain Logistic Management. New York: McGraw-Hill Education. Brut, S. L. & Sparks, L. , 2003. Power and competition in the UK retail grocery market. British Journal of Management, Volume 14, pp. 237-254. Child, P. N. , 2002. Taking Tesco Global. Mckinsey Quarterly, Volume 3, pp. 135-144. Christopher, M. , 2005. Logister and Supply Chain Management: Creating Value-Adding Networks. 3rd ed. London: Pearson Education Publications. Dicken, P. , 2003. Global Shift: Resharping The Global Economic Map in The 21th Century. 4th ed. London: Sage Publication. Fawcett, S. , Ellram, L. & Ogden, J. 2007. Supply Chain Management : From Vision to Implementation. London: Pearson. Fernie, J. & Sparks, L. , 2009. Logistics & Retail Management: Eme rging issues and new challengers in the retail supply chain. 3rd ed. London: Kogan Page Limited. Foley, F. J. , 1999. The Global Enterpreneur : Taking Your Business International. Chicago: Dearborn Financial Publishing Inc.. Gustafsson, K. , Jonson, G. , Smith, D. & Sparks, L. , 2006. Retailing Logistics abd Fresh Food Packaging. London: Kogan Page. Handfiled, R. B. & Nichols, E. L. , 2004. Key issues in global supply base management.Industrial Marketing Mangement, 33(1), pp. 29-35. Harrison, A. & Hoek, R. V. , 2008. Logistic Managment and Strategy : Competing through the supply chain. 3rd ed. London: Pearson. Hugos, M. , Hunt, T. & Philips, T. , 2007. Scoring Points: How Tesco continues to win customer loyalty. 2nd ed. London: Kogan Page Ltd. Jones, D. T. & Clarke, P. , 2002. Creating a customer driven supply chain. ECR Journal, 2(2), pp. 28-37. Kirkwood, D. A. , 1984. How Tesco manages the distribution function. Retail and Distribution Management, 12(5), pp. 61-65. Kling, K. & Got eman, I. , 2003.IKEA CEO Anders Dahlvig on international growth and IKEA's unique corporate culture and brand identity. Academy of Management Executive, 17(1), pp. 31-37. Kotler, P. , 1988. Marketing Management – Analysis, Planning, Implementation and Control. 6th ed. New Jersey: Prentice-Hall International. Mangan, J. , Lalwani, C. , Butcher, T. & Javadpour, R. , 2012. Global Logistics & Supply Chain Management. 2nd ed. Chichester: John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Mohorovice, D. , 2000. Minding the store Tesco Commercial Director Paul House on customer service, supplier relations, and what milk and home mortages have in common.Budapest Business Journal, p. 9. Monczka, R. M. & Trent, R. J. , 1991. Global sourcing: A development approach. International Journal of Purchasing and Material Management, 27(2), pp. 2-8. Palmer, M. , 2004. International restructure and divestment: The experience of Tesco. Journal of Marketing Management, Volume 20, pp. 1075-1105. Palmer, M. , 2005. Retail mult inational learning: a case study of Tesco. International of Retail & Distribution Management, 33(1), pp. 23-48. Powell, D. , 1991. Counter Revolution: The Tesco Story. London: Grafton Books. Riera, J. , 2000.Tesco sourcing teams to drive down global costs. The Retail Week, 17 March, p. 1. Seonng, M. S. , 2005. Fairness and Relationship Quality Perceived by Local Suppliers. Journal of Global Marketing, Issue 18, pp. 1-2, 5-19. Skjott-Larsen, T. , Schary, B. P. , Mikkola, J. H. & Kotzab, H. , 2007. Managing The Global Supply Chain. 3rd ed. Copenhagen: Copenhagen Business School Press. Smith, D. L. G. & Sparks, L. , 1993. The transformation of physical distribution in retailing: the example of Tesco Plc. The International Review of Retail, Distribution and Consumer Research, 3(1), pp. 35-64. Tiplady, R. 2003. One World or Many: The impact of globalisation on mission. Pasadena: William Carey Library. Trent, R. J. & Monczka, R. M. , 2002. Pursuing competitive advantage through integrated global sourcing. Academy of Management Executive, 16(2), pp. 66-80. Vivek, S. , 2011. Supply Chain as Strategy Asset : The Key to Reaching Busines Goals. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.. Womack, J. P. & Jones, D. T. , 2005. Lean Solutions. London: Simon and Schuster. Yoruk, D. & Radoservic, S. , 2000. International Expansion and Buyer-Driven Commodity Chain: The Case of Tesco. [Art] (University College London).

The Internet – Pros and Cons

In the age of the technological development nobody who moves with the times can imagine existing without the Internet. However, its popularity makes us bear in mind all its side effects. Many argue that the Internet is a treasury of information while the others find it as a source of misleading information and danger. So, is the Internet a force for good or a force for evil? Firstly, the Internet is an invaluable tool which helps students learn. Without any effort we can gain an access to the study aids.Furthermore, we can save time avoiding queues thanks to a large selection of online stores, which is particularly important for the disabled. Moreover, the Internet gives an opportunity to get in touch with new people from all over the world and keep in touch with the loved ones. However the Internet cannot be always shown in favourable light. First and foremost, the Internet is incredibly addictive – surfers are often not able to bear without checking their mail hundreds of ti mes per day.Moreover, unlimited possibilities of communication with surfers cause losing an active social life in the real world. Lastly, inappropriate information as even pornography await under-age users at every turn. To sum up, there are many advantages and disadvantages of the Internet. Some people say the Internet has ruined our lives but in my opinion it transformed the world for the better. Although the Internet may be dangerous, it is a great invention and a window to the world.

Global Warming Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 4

Global Warming - Essay Example As an example, in Colorado struggles with coyotes attacking humans. What they have not realized is that the natural habitat of the coyote is gone and they have to hunt for food other places. Each time an environment is changed, it causes problems to both humans and animals. Gore says that many people believe that the earth is too big for people to influence it in anyway. The reason that people think this is because they are not directly affected by global warming. What Gore is saying is an "inconvenient truth" because people do not want to think about dying out or about how they will be affected by the misuse of the earth. Gore talks a lot about green house gases and how they are building up to create more problems in the atmosphere. I agree that this is causing problems and we cannot say that nothing is happening. Why are the polar ice caps melting and why are animals dying? As an example, Carleton (2004) reports that the Polar Bear is almost extinct, because they have had to swim long distances to find food; many have drowned as they try to follow the ice. At the end of the film he gives many ideas of what people can do to help the environment. I do believe what he says that it is going to take one person at a time to save the environment because many people do not want to believe this truth. I recycle as much as I can at my house. Our city has a recycling program and they send out information about what can be recycled and what cannot. Some restaurants that I frequent have recycle bins and tell you what and how to recycle. I do not have a car with low carbon emission, but when I purchase a new car I will go for one with low carbon emissions or a hybrid. I have been doing a lot of research on hybrids and I like what I have read about them. If I had children, I would help them learn about the earth and help them take care of it better than our generation has done. I think that people using alternative sources to heat their homes like solar