American Involvment in World War I Essay

This investigation assesses American involvement in World War I before military intervention, and how this led to military intervention. In order to assess these causes, one must examine America’s involvement in the war before combat, the events that launched America’s military intervention in the war, American sentiments about the war before military intervention, and Woodrow Wilson’s actions before the war. Two sources used in the essay, America’s Great War: World War One and the American Experience by Robert H.  Ziegler and Woodrow Wilson’s speech to congress on April 2nd, 1917 are evaluated for their origins, values, purposes and limitations. The investigation does not asses the pre-war situations of any countries but the United States, and does not asses American military involvement during the First World War Summary Of Evidence Prior to 1917, America was already deeply involved in the First World War, though they did not have troops fighting in the trenches overseas. First, American involvement in the war was purely as a producer and creditor to the Allied Powers. The war, while catastrophic for the countries involved in its atrophied trench battles, provided America with an astronomical boost to its economy, from 2 billion dollars in exported materials in 1913 to nearly 6 billion dollars in exports in 1916. This economic boom was mainly brought on by Britain’s dependency on American foodstuffs and manufactured goods.. The economic ties between America and Britain tightened with public subscription loans. By 1917, Britain had borrowed 2. 7 billion dollars from American creditors. Historian Paul Koistinen wrote â€Å"Without American supplies, Britain could not continue the war; without American financing of almost 10$ million a day †¦ Britain would exhaust its reserves of gold and securities by March 1917. Its dependence was total. Cutting back procurement . . . would produce disaster in England† Originally, America did nothing but reap the reward of â€Å"neutrality†. When Americas turned their eyes to the stage of war in Europe, they were truly terrified. One Chicago newspaper joked â€Å"A hearty vote of thanks to Columbus for having discovered America†. This sentiment was echoed by many American citizens, who showed pride in President Woodrow Wilson’s decision to declare America a neutral state in the war. Americans thoughts on the war lied in their bloodlines, as a majority of Americans were descendants from either Allied or Central Powers nations. Most Americans, early in the war at least, didn’t understand the war or why it was being fought, and were glad that America wasn’t involved. However, these robust Anti-Involvement sentiments began to fade after May 7 1915, the day of the Lusitania crisis. German U-Boats torpedoed and sunk a passenger liner in British waters, killing nearly 1,200 civilians, including 128 American citizens. The murder of these innocents set off the first widespread pro war feelings in Americans. This outrage was justified, but was also heightened by yellow journalism that demonized Germans as barbarians and deranged killers. President Woodrow Wilson, taking note of this event and the outrage it caused, warned the Germans that any further violation of American rights would result in â€Å"Strict Accountability† for these actions. This, as well as the bloody war dragging on in Europe, brought up the question of military preparedness in the United States. By 1916, pro-preparedness sentiment was widespread, as 135,000 supporters of expanding the military marched on New York City’s 5th Avenue, for 12 hours. In Chicago, 130,000 telephone operators moved in the shape of an American flag, goose-stepping down State Street. In the election of 1916, Woodrow Wilson ran against Charles E. Hughes, who was backed by Theodore Roosevelt, former president and staunch Allied Powers supporter, as well as an advocate for military preparedness. Woodrow Wilson won the election by only about 600,000 popular votes. However, these sentiments were met with an equally strong anti-militarism force, saying that in a chaotic world, America must be a beacon and resist entrance into war, and resist building an enormous military. Strong anti-militaristic sentiments began to fade when British intelligence officers intercepted a telegram sent from Foreign Secretary of the German Empire Arthur Zimmermann to the German ambassador of Mexico, Heinrich von Eckardt. This infamous proposal, known as the Zimmermann note, proposed that Mexico wage war against the United States. Throughout America’s neutrality in World War 1, President Wilson had acted as a mediator, but with tension building to a terminal level and with the Zimmermann note, Wilson was forced to ask congress to bolster America’s military forces on April 2nd 1917. Later in the same year, America sent its first military forces oversees Evaluation Of Sources Robert H Zieger: America’s Great War: World War One and the American Experience Origins- (2000) Zieger is a respected labor historian Purpose- Provides an in-depth look at American involvement in the war. Value- The economic statistics and quotations from various primary and secondary sources allow the reader to evaluate the validity of the claims Zieger makes. Limitations- does not provide any new opinions or claims Woodrow Wilson, April 2nd 1917 to congress to persuade congress to bring the United States Origin- German hostile actions towards the United States Purpose- Persuade congress to declare war on Germany and the Central Powers Value- clearly outlined Wilson’s reason’s for entering war Limitations- doesn’t explain the underlying causes of military intervention or pressure from big business to declare war for entry  Analysis America’s involvement in World War One began with producing vital weapons and foodstuffs for the Allied Powers, as well as economically supporting the Allied nation’s governments. Throughout the war, the German Empire repeatedly acted belligerently towards the neutral United States, sinking passenger lines, killing Amer ican civilians. Tension with Germany also rose after the proposal to Mexico asking the Mexican army to wage war on the United States. These belligerent German acts, however, would not have held as much effect as they did if American political opinions had not been shifted by the German actions, the economic pressure of close ties to the Allied nations, or social pressure brought along by shifting political attitudes. These all contributed to tensions growing regarding American military involvement I World War One President Woodrow Wilson was a stalwart proponent of American neutrality in the First World War for the almost all of the war, but the American political climate at the time forced his hand.. He was able to win this election because most voters at the time had pro-neutrality sentiments. However, Wilson took into account his slim margin of victory, and the Republican’s yearning for a prepared military. These yearnings were brought on mainly by the Lusitania sinking. A major proponent for intervention, the previously mentioned Theodore Roosevelt, denounced these acts of the German Empire as acts of piracy. Roosevelt’s popularity made these statements extremely well heard. This shift in public opinion helped force President Wilson’s hand. America’s involvement in World War One before it entry in combat was extremely vital, producing millions of dollars’ worth of material for Britain and France, as well as financing the war through small loans. This dependency was built by J. P Morgan, who traded nearly 3 billion dollars’ worth of goods with the allied powers. By 1917, America had invested 2. 7 billion dollars in Britain alone. Historian Paul Koistinen’s quote regarding British dependency on American trade shows how deeply entrenched America was with the war’s affairs pre involvement. These statistics show that the allied powers were completely dependent on American economic support American corporations had an immense amount of wealth in the war, and if they Allied powers lost the war, all of their investments would be worth nothing, because the countries that had been responsible for repaying these debts would no longer exist. The war was taking a detrimental toll on the populations of the warring nations, and the war was almost completely atrophied. It was only a matter of time before one side lost, and it was essential to American business that it was the Allied Powers. Had the allied powers lost to the central powers, American financers would have lost 2. 7 billion dollars as a whole, 2. 7 billion dollars that were needed to give to American business, 2. 7 billion dollars that banks needed to stay in business. Throughout pre-involvement America, as early as the dawn of the war, so called â€Å"hyphenated Americans†, had opinions on what side of the war to support, dependent on their country of origin. German-Americans, the largest ethnic group at the time , supported what they thought of as their motherland, Germany, therefore supported the Central Powers. The second largest ethnic group, Irish-Americans, saw Great Britain as an oppressor, therefore were also supporters of the central powers. However, most Americans at the time were still pro-neutrality. A Chicago newspaper, expressing thanks to Columbus, wrote an article on the blessing of the Atlantic Ocean. This was a popular sentiment at the time, and many Americans were proud of Wilson’s decision to be neutral. After the sinking of American ocean liner Lusitania the support of neutrality began to fade. Before the Lusitania disaster, however, 92 ships had been sunken by aggressive German action. None of these attacks had gained as much publicity, partially due to the fact that the previous sinking’s hadn’t been as destructive. But this was also due to the fact that the Lusitania sinking was grabbed onto by yellow journalists. â€Å"The blood of these murdered victims cries for vengeance. If that cry is unheard, the people of the United States will always bear upon them the stigma of the greatest humiliation ever put upon a nation. Writes a reporter from the Toronto Telegram. President Wilson demanded that German U-Boats stop sinking civilian liners, and if they continued to do so, they would be met with military retaliation. This didn’t stop Germans from sinking boats, and Wilson’s failure to take action against them infuriated Americans. Observing the protests in American cities at the time, one can judge that huge masses of people were strongly in favo r of interventionism. Conclusion The process of the American military joining the Allied Powers seemed inevitable from the start of the war, but still took hostile action and over reaction to spark military involvement. America’s pre-war economic ties to Europe and America’s reliance on trade with these nations during the war made America’s involvement with these nations too deep to let them lose the war, therefore forcing combat. Woodrow Wilson’s strong stance on neutrality couldn’t stand up to the enormous pressure he faced from the people of the United States.

Information Use

The design of Information flow and security Is a major concern In any enterprise. Without consistent and proper flow then statistical or decisional errors may occur. Therefore, the design of the information stream is a chief concern of the Information technologist. It is also important to safeguard the data from inappropriate viewing. To that end, it is important to map out the pattern. This example uses a doctor- patient visit in a medical clinic of the twenty-first century.The first bit of the whole comes at the front desk confirming the patient identity and insurance Information. This must be with human Interaction and scanning equipment. Staff verify the ID cards and scan Insurance cards Into the record. There is a lot of personal information just in this step alone. This information proceeds to the triage nurse who takes the vital signs. Then the data and the patient proceed to the provider for the actual visit. Currently, there are already three people who can compromise the in formation and its security.Incorrect data entry and wrong patient are the most common information errors. The remediation for these Is double-checking the information at the point of entry or using more automated means such as vital signs sensors connected to the data system. The security is physical in nature. The identification must be assured in the first place, and the insurance records accurate and safeguarded. Remember, the patient's complaints or diagnosis shall be utterly confidential. If the insurance data is incorrect or not collected, billing will be incorrect and delayed.This is inconvenient and costly. If the vitals are not correct, it wastes time retaking them. The data must be present and accurate prior to seeing the clinician. The doctor has the responsibility to enter complete Information Into the patient's medical record accurately. This will include deliverables to the pharmacy, laboratory, radiology, the insurer, and others. Each of these risks a potential for in put error increasing time usage and the ultimate cost. The provider enters diagnosis codes in as an alphanumeric decimal fashion.One incorrect character will cause the insurance company not to pay for the visit, the medicine or the procedure. Storage of the data Is for billing, statistics and historical record. The database Is not onsite for the smaller clinics, necessitating network link to a server. The flow of the Information Is simplistic. It moves from the clinic information, to the server storage with five or six data entry points in the clinic. The data input is the most important aspect. Would it be reasonable for the patient to pay for prescriptions when an input error caused insurance not to cover it?Of course, this is wrong, but it happens all the time. What would happen If entry of the procedure code were for an uninsured technique? If his happened repetitively, the patients would stop using the practice. The security mentioned above is a physical issue during the patien t visit. However, patient privacy and data security is the penultimate concern in the medical profession. This applies to the billing and insurance data and the diagnosis. Consider this: a hacker changes the mentioned coding. Alternatively, the hacker changes the amount due to the practice.Finally, the hacker determines the patient Is chronically taking narcotics; this makes the patient a target for theft. These are all examples of crimes In recent the tools used. The medical profession has a unique security framework. Most medical offices have an independent system for the medical and billing data; as opposed to their communications system (if they even have one). The notion of not having internet in the office is foreign to most, but it does improve the security of records. Therefore, the transmission phase of the figures to the server is the weak link in the chain.Virtual Private Networks (VPN, Tunneling) ensure secure transmission if partnered with encryption. The information ar rives securely at the data farm where physical and virtual protection is by the best possible applications and structures. It is accessible only by the firm who stored it and via VPN. Stored data security is easy when there is not an internet connection. However, data transfer is over a VPN, which utilizes the internet, subjects the data to interception. It also means the server is susceptible to intrusion. Therefore, the server farm maintains high security for the files.A fence and gate with security checkpoints and guards round the building. Additionally, the server room has cipher-key locks and security doors. Remember, physical security is as important and virtual security. Therefore, the servers have exceptional mallard protection. There are both physical and virtual firewalls and monitoring software. These form a fortress of protection for the medical data. The final piece of fortification is a honey pot. This attracts the hackers and makes them believe they have found the rea l servers. This is a good defensive strategy for the medical data.The data flows from the patient through the clinic staff and into the server under heavy guard. Specified personnel retrieve data for billing, auditing and statistical analysis. The entered data is double-checked and passes down the chain of care in the clinic and eventually transmitted to and stored in the server farm. Trained professionals, computer structure and applications keep the data from misuse during this process. Though this scheme is bulky and expensive, it effectively ensures data accuracy and integrity from source to archive.

Urinary incontinence Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Urinary incontinence - Article Example The people involved in the study were observed and given questionnaires to fill. The data collected was then analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences. Z-tests were conducted for every demographic factor and the results are then discussed comprehensively citing various studies that have been conducted before. Analysis shows that age and BMI increase chances of urinary infection and consequently urinary incontinence. Women of lower educational levels record more cases of urinary incontinence due to lack of general information about the condition. Women with higher parity levels also record more cases of urinary infections and subsequently urinary incontinence. This observational study aimed at describing the determinants and factors more likely to be responsible for urinary incontinence. Women who had urinary incontinence and women without urinary incontinence were compared with regards to their demographic features and risk of development of urinary problems. The group1 women were asked two more questions whether or not they had sought medical help and how long the problem had existed. Urinary Incontinence is a disorder that can be basically explained as inability to control or loss of bladder control. According to Danford et al, there exists risk factors that cause increased chances of urinary incontinence, especially among women of child bearing age (Danford, 2006). These risk factors can either cause short term or temporary urinary incontinence or they can cause long term or permanent urinary incontinence. This article is about some of these risk factors that may lead to urinary incontinence. The risk factors covered in this article are age, education levels, parity and BMI. According to Rogers, age is a significant risk factor especially for women who have given birth through vaginal method. Stress incontinence is more common in these women as it may result in destroyed pelvic muscles (Rogers, 2008). Body weight is also a

Classical Islamic Modernism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

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The application paper Term Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

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Commission as Naval Officer Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Commission as Naval Officer - Personal Statement Example This is based on my wide experience in the Aviation Maintenance community (Samuel 12). Through working as a Safe for Flight in Maintenance control and adequate skills I gained during my tenure as an administrator in Aviation Maintenance, I posses managerial experience, proficiency and strong leadership ability that characterize a successful Naval officer. Having worked as Administrative Leading Chief Petty Officer, my effective leadership style will not only be limited to serving my seniors with diligent but also I will portray professionalism in guiding junior sailors. After my remarkable duties as an Airman Recruit in the United States Navy, I am determined to work extra hard and end my 30 years career as a Naval officer. I am well equipped to undertake the tasks of LDO/CWO. Make me part of the Naval Community! You will experience my dedication and open mindedness. I am the â€Å"Technical Expert† who will not rest until I attain my goal of enhancing Navys

Formulation of Strategy and Its Effects on Organizational Structure Essay

Formulation of Strategy and Its Effects on Organizational Structure - Essay Example If the strategy is effective, it would result in an efficient organizational structure and the organization would be able to achieve its goals successfully. Therefore, the following discussion takes into account the fact that the formulation of strategy takes precedence over the determination of structure of the organization. FORMULATION OF STRATEGY Formulation of strategy is highly important for the success of an organization. If an organization puts the right effort in the process of formulation of strategy, it would be able to design an effective strategy and thus the organization would reap long term benefits on the basis of that strategy. According to Lamb (1984), strategic management is a continuous process that controls and evaluates the business undertaken by the organization, evaluates the potential of its competitors of the organization, and it specifies goals and strategies for the organization in order to enable it to face the threats posed by the competitors, and then re -evaluates the efficiency and effectiveness of the strategy on a periodic basis. Strategic management also assumes the responsibility of determining whether the strategy requires any modification due the change in the external environment of the entity. The initial stage of strategy formulation is the determination of a mission statement for the organization. ... zation conducts an internal and external analysis of the entity in order to assess the threats posed to the organization by its environment and the opportunities that the organization possesses. One of such analyses is known as SWOT analysis which considers the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the organization. SWOT analysis is used to assess the effectiveness of an already implemented strategy as well (Armstrong et al 2009). This analysis is highly important for the strategic core of an organization as it provides critical information regarding the environment in which the organization operates. By having such information, the management would be able to design such competitive strategy that would help the organization survive in the industry amidst the competition posed by its competitors. Internal analysis of an organization includes the evaluation of the resources possessed by the organization and the internal processes of an organization. The management evalua tes the resources possessed by the organization as compared to other organizations in the industry. If the organization possesses a resource that is available to that and that organization only, it can be given the status of the competitive advantage of the organization. Competitive advantage of an organization is a resource or a quality acquired by an organization that helps it survive in the industry notwithstanding the size and potential of its competitors. If the competitive advantage of an organization is identified, the strategic core of the organization can design the strategy in such a manner that it capitalizes over the potential of the organization’s competitive advantage. Competitive advantage of an organization may be the distinct quality of its products, a technology

Create a business plan Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

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Cross-Cultural Communications Essay Example for Free

Cross-Cultural Communications Essay Setting standards and guidelines, such as the Florida Department of Education’s Subject Area Competencies for ESOL K-12, makes for a goal-oriented curriculum or educational program. Competencies, in all aspects, are the unique sets of â€Å"knowledge, skills, or attitudes† (CePH, 2006) that people from different fields of learning or work should accomplish or possess in order for them to meet the standards or expectations of education or work. For this reason, setting competencies in all fields of learning or work is extremely important because it provides directions or guidelines to people for them to accomplish success. In the field of education alone, setting competencies not only motivates students to acquire adequate knowledge, skills, or attitudes to achieve learning goals and objectives, but also helps in improving the quality of education by qualifying learning content and how educators should plan and carry out the teaching process, which are all based on what the students need to learn. Thus, setting learning competencies, just as creating learning goals and objectives, serve as precursors to other aspects of learning, including the selection of teaching strategies or approaches, instructional design, lesson planning, execution, the creation of assessment or evaluation tests, and so on. (Spector, 2007; Richards Rodgers, 2001) Consequently, it paves way to the development or progress of learning and education because it primarily makes the educational process precise or scrupulous and pertinent, and directs learning to the right path. Due to the perceived significance of learning competencies, the remainder of this discussion will explore how setting competencies affects the process of education specifically. This objective will be achieved by analyzing one of the Florida Department of Education’s Subject Area Competencies for ESOL K-12 and how it directly relates to education and the teaching and learning process. The Florida Department of Education’s Subject Area Competencies for ESOL K-12 The Subject Area Competencies for ESOL K-12 set by the Florida Department of Education contains the knowledge, skills, or attitudes that students in K-12 should exhibit or possess, which are specific to different subject areas under the English to Speakers of Other Languages learning programs in various schools in Florida. Since the basic learning necessities of ESOL students are distinct as compared to the learning program for a regular classroom setting, the competencies are constrained to the learning of English across various disciplines. From the 11 skills or competencies identified by the Florida Department of Education for ESOL K-12, only one will be considered for exploration and analysis. For this discussion, the underlying concepts and issues of the third competency will be used to explore learning and education in ESOL K-12. The third competency requires the student to display â€Å"Knowledge of sociolinguistic, cultural, ethnic, and sociopolitical issues. † Under this competency, there are nine sub-competencies that specify issues concerning sociolinguistic diversity, government policies, political and social trends, culture, cultural adjustment and adaptation, student involvement, and multicultural sensitivity. (Florida Department of Education, 2006) By and large, this third competency is concerned with the knowledge, skills, and values or attitudes that English Language Learners (ELLs) should acquire or exhibit in terms of the relevance of learning English in the present social, cultural, and political landscape of society. Exploring the Subject Area Competencies ESOL entails many difficulties and challenges especially since the learning goals and objectives vary from the regular classroom setting. Challenges and difficulties arise from the complex aims of ESOL. The program is not merely focused on teaching the English language to non-English speakers but also on how the learning process is relevant or correlated with other disciplines such as Science, History, Mathematics, and so on, and how it matches current social and political situations and addresses various cultural as well. The complex structure of the ESOL program is best illustrated by the Fourth Touchstone that makes up the foundations of All Language Teaching or ALL curriculum. The Fourth Touchstone reflects how communication, which is the medium and goal of language learning are intertwined with four other principles. The four principles include socio-cultural aspect of language learning, learning how-to-learn, language and cultural awareness, and general knowledge. (Vale Scarino, 2000) (Vale Scarino, 2000, p. 33) The integration of the other four principles establish the idea that language learning programs, including ESOL, are not simply concerned with language acquisition. Since these kinds of programs are adapted into a standard classroom setup such as K-12, the forerunners of language teaching and learning thought it best for these kinds of programs to be relevant and practical. At this point, language teaching and learning have evolved into the use or purpose of learning the English language. Thus, the goals and competencies prescribed for language learning programs, such as ESOL, include the acquisition of adequate knowledge, skills, and attitudes of ELLs that will enable them to communicate through the English language properly with the awareness of how it fits well with social landscapes, cultures, and politics. (Vale Scarino, 2000) These concepts and ideas match with the third competency included in the Florida Department of Education Subject Area Competencies for ESOL K-12. Sociolinguistic diversity refers to the different ways by which language is used and interpreted, based on social factors including culture, race or ethnicity, beliefs or ideologies, norms and mores, sex or gender, religion, contextual and connotative meaning, and so on. (Corson, 2001) This means that the practical use and interpretation of language shift due to the influences of various societal factors. For instance, the phrase â€Å"grab a bite† is a colloquial speech known to mean, â€Å"to eat,† for native speakers of English. However, for non-native speakers of English who are learning the language, the phrase maybe most likely interpreted literally losing the actual meaning of the colloquial phrase. In religion, ELLs may also find it hard to understand the meaning of English terms. One example would be the use of the word â€Å"Anaphora. † In language and literature, the term â€Å"anaphora† refers to a figure of speech. However, in Catholicism, â€Å"anaphora† is a prayer read during mass that conveys celebration. In addition, there are many varieties of English, American and British being two of the most widely used, thus the use and interpretation of English differ between these varieties, making language learning complex. (Pope, 2002) This only means that culture is very much tied with language structure. In terms of culture, ELLs should be aware of how cultural diversity affects the use and interpretation of the English language because their knowledge will depend on how they will communicate or interact with other people from various cultures later on. It will become easier for ELLs to understand other people from other cultures, and relate to cultural television shows, films, music, customs, and so on, if they learn how culture diversifies language. The confusion that arises due to differences on how the English language is used and interpreted, especially between native and non-native speakers of the language, requires that ELLs understand the concept of sociolinguistic diversity and how it influences the learning process – how the language is used and interpreted in different settings. When ELLs become aware of sociolinguistic diversity, they will be able to use and distinguish the English language comprehensively such that their knowledge and understanding of the language expands from the literal context to the connotative, colloquial, and even metaphorical contexts or meanings. Consequently, ELLs gain the skills and self-confidence to use the English language properly in real life situations. For these reasons, learning content and instruction in terms of sociolinguistic diversity cover how the language is used in diverse settings. Apart from sociolinguistic diversity and aspects of culture, government policies and political trends on educational programs for ELL affect the learning process. Although English language learning was not recognized until the 1970s in the United States (The Education Alliance, 2006), the educational policies being implemented by the federal and state governments today support English as a Second Language (ESL) programs. This is in line with the growing population of U. S. residents with no or limited knowledge of the English language. Some of these people are also enrolled in several public schools in the country. By conducting surveys, the U. S. government learned that the students’ lack of ability in applying the English language was significantly affecting their academic performances. (EPE Research Center, 2004) Thus, educational policies in the country instigate the development of learning programs developed with the ultimate purpose of improving English proficiency and academic performance among students. Perhaps the most significant policy is the No Child Left Behind Act implemented in 2001 that includes guidelines on language learning. This policy mandates that all school evaluate the English language competencies of students, and students who will not meet set standards will undergo fast track educational programs that will help them learn adequately and cope with their peers. (EPE Research Center, 2004) By and large, the entire point of the issue is that government policies concerning language education affects the success and achievement of ELLs. A government that supports bilingual education helps ELLs to obtain access to quality education and emerge successful from their undertakings. Changes in political and social trends influence the learning content of ESOL programs simply because the practical use of the English language by ELLs in the real world requires that they are also aware of current social and political issues. Their awareness of social and political trends allow them to not only use the English language but to use the language to relate with other people, especially since societal and political issues are two of the most common topics of conversation. At present time, for instance, most people use the Internet for socialization through social networking sites such as Facebook. To familiarize ELLs with social networking, learning content should include English terms used in cyberspace or in Facebook for that matter, so that they would be able to participate in the online community. In terms of student factors, the cultural backgrounds of ELLs may significantly influence their ability to adjust, learn, and participate in the ESOL program. There are various stages in cultural adjustment wherein one initially experiences feelings of enthusiasm and elation. When an individual begins to realize the great differences between the old and new culture and has trouble of coping or adjusting to unfamiliar cultures, he experiences hostility and loneliness. Through time, an individual learns to adjust until he finally adapts to and accepts the new culture. At times, people undergo re-entry when they climb down to their old ways or culture. (Hernandez-Gantes Blank, 2008) For ELLs, it is extremely important to understand these four stages of cultural adjustment in the beginning of the ESOL program in order for them to become aware of what they will come to experience as time passes. In doing so, ELLs know the challenges and difficulties that lie ahead and thus, are prepared to handle and overcome them. Consequently, language learning becomes less stressful or complex. However, cultural adjustment, as well as student participation and learning involvement of ELLs, are influenced by their beliefs, ideologies, values, attitudes, etc. as dictated by their culture. For example, ELLs who belong to cultures that value family ties and tradition may experience difficulties in adjusting to a new culture and thus, affect how their participate in class and adapt to the learning process. This is especially the case for ELLs who go to other countries to learn the English language. The distance between them and their families may become a source of distraction due to loneliness and depression that ELLs might feel, disabling them to focus on their studies, learning, and adapting to a new culture. For ELLs, understanding the roles of culture in cultural adjustment, student participation, and learning, enables them to assess or evaluate what part of their culture interferes with their learning of English. In doing so, they will be able to realize the importance of setting aside cultural differences and prioritize their personal learning goals and objectives. The last sub-competency requires ELLs to determine strategies and methods to increase their multicultural sensitivity. Multicultural sensitivity refers to an individual’s responsiveness to cultural differences, allowing him to understand that change and diversity are unalterable. This also allows him to understand his own culture in relation to other cultures as a means to reconcile differences. (Dana, 2005) By and large, multicultural sensitivity influences the achievement of other competencies already mentioned. When an individual learns to understand, accept, and respect other cultures, it will allow him to appreciate his own culture, adapt to a new culture that speeds up cultural adjustment, and ultimately, embrace his learning tasks and responsibilities increasing his student participation, learning, and chances for success. Furthermore, it is also important that in discussing issues in multicultural sensitivity in an ESOL class, the topics of universal ethics and human rights should be discussed to enrich the learning process by means of making it globally relevant and practical. Conclusion Ultimately, the competency and sub-competencies previously discussed covers the social, cultural, and political aspects of ESOL due to their roles in making English language learning relevant, efficient, practical, and purposeful. These competency and sub-competencies do not dwell too much on the technical aspects of learning the English language but on its practical uses as a means to express and communicate with other people, and understand current global or local issues and situations that are affecting the state of the people. Although these competency and sub-competencies were intended for the accomplishment of ELLs, these are also important pieces of information that the teachers and educational institutions should be aware of. These competencies not only ensure that ELLs will be able to achieve learning goals and objectives of ESOL but also ascertain that the teaching process designed, including the learning content, instructional design, teaching strategies and approaches, and so on, are in line with the competencies in order to directly help students in accomplishing them. References Corson, D. (2001). Language Diversity and Education. Hoboken, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. CePH. (2006). Competencies and Learning Objectives. Retrieved from Council on Education for Public Health, 1 Aug 2009. http://www. ceph. org/files/public/Competencies. pdf Dana, R. H. (2005). Multicultural Assessment: Principles, Applications, and Examples. New York, NY: Routledge. The Education Alliance. (2006). Linking Language Policy to Practice for English Language Learners. Retrieved from The Educational Alliance, 02 Aug 2009. http://www. alliance. brown. edu/tdl/policy/index. shtml EPE Research Center. (2004). English-Language Learners. Retrieved from Editorial Projects in Education, 02 Aug 2009. http://www. edweek. org/rc/issues/english-language-learners/ Florida Department of Education. (2006). Test Preparation Guide for English Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) K-12. Retrieved from State Florida Department of State, 02 Aug 2009. http://www. collier. k12. fl. us/hr/certification/studyguides/ESOL%20K-12. pdf Hernandez-Gantes, V. M. and Blank, W. (2008). Teaching English Language Learners in Career and Technical Education Programs. New York, NY: Taylor Francis. Pope, R. (2002). The English Studies Book: An Introduction to Language, Literature and Culture, 2nd Ed. New York, NY: Routledge. Richards, J. C. and Rodgers, T. S. (2001). Approaches and Methods in Language Teaching, 2nd Ed. Cambridge University Press. Spector, J. M. (2007). Handbook of Research on Educational Communications and Technology, 3rd Ed. New York, NY: Taylor Francis. Vale, D. and Scarino, A. (2000). Pocket ALL: A User’s Guide to the Teaching of Languages and ESL. VIC, Australia: Curriculum Corporation.

The Effects Of Brand Perception: Consumer Buying Behaviour

The Effects Of Brand Perception: Consumer Buying Behaviour In this topic, I will talk about the The effects of brand perception on the consumers buying behaviour in the Indian Laptop Market. As India is a developing country, and there is a growth in the industries and people need new products and services. Here one of such industries is the Computer Hardware industry. Companies have been seeing unprecedented growth. Companies like Hewlett Packard, Apple, Dell, Sony viao, Lenovo and Acer have been giving tremendous importance to Indian markets launching products in the western markets and India. At the same time the personal disposable income of Individual has been on a rise which is leading to the Laptops increasing sale in India. Here the customers are satisfied about the product even when there is a cut throat competition. Today, every company is trying to get a share of the great Indian market space and a share of the consumers mind space and it has been only difficult for companies to achieve such a feat. In order to achieve the same, companies have to realize the importance of brand perception towards their products in order to get information regarding problems faced by them while using the laptop such that they can rectify the same in their future products. It is at this kind of scenario that this proposal, The effects of brand perception on the consumers buying behaviour in the Indian Laptop Market comes to the spotlight. This proposal is an attempt to study the level of consumers buying behaviour towards laptops; reasons for choosing a Laptop market is because India is one of the most populated country in the world, there are people living with different culture, languages and from different geographical locations. So consumers look into the brands level of quality, reliability and efficiency in a laptop. 1.4 Statement of problem: As India is a developing country, there is a lot of growth in the IT Industry and their is a competition in the market. There are a lot of players in the market the leading PC manufacture in the world and one of the leading manufactures in India, Likewise Dell falls in the second and Lenovo in the third position and the market stands with maintaining the leads with 17.2 %, 14.4 % and 6.8 %. There are other competitors like Toshiba, Acer, Sony, Apple etc.. (Ogg Erica 2007) Which are there in the market and looking for market share in a country like India for its growing PC users here, I will be finding out the perception of the consumer buying and the after affects of buying a branded laptop. Since the consumers want better performance and rich experience from their PCs and better design programs which will ensure that PC users have a added level of information to make a better choice. 1.5 Research Questions: In this proposal, The effects of brand perception on the consumers buying behaviour in the Indian Laptop Market will be discussed. Therefore the question to this key research is how consumers in India look into the preference of brand while buying a Laptop and how the Consumer buying behaviour affects the purchase of brands? 1.5.1 Aims Objectives: As discussed, the brands can affect the behaviour of the consumers in the way they buy the product according to the standard of life and hierarchical need of the consumer. The Aim of this proposal is to find out the perception of the brand and how it affects of buying behaviour and decision in the Indian Market. To identify the demanded and owned laptop brands in the Indian market To identify the factors affecting the consumers perception and the buying behaviour in purchasing the laptop. Finding out the perception of the laptop users to their brand to the others by comparing the market. To find out the relation between the brand perception and the consumer buying behaviour in India. 1.5.2 Research Hypothesis: H1: Indian consumers prefer the top three brands over the other brands or assembled laptop. I will be conducting a hypothesis based on the result of the feedback I get from the consumers buying behavior questionnaire I have depicted these results in term of Pai chart or Bar Chart. 2. Literature Review: According to the Indian Brand Equity Foundation (2009) Indian economy has been witnessing a phenomenal growth since the last decade, the country is still holding its ground in the midst of the current global financial crisis. Even in the world economy is beginning to recover from the one of the worst economic downturns in decades. According to Ministry of finance (2009) The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 7.5 per cent, 9.4 per cent and 9.6 percent in first three years, with an average growth rate of 8.8 per cent, The drivers of growth continue to be services and manufacturing which are estimated to grow at 10.7 per cent and 9.4 per cent respectively in 2008-09. While the sector-wise growth of GDP in agriculture, forestry and fishing was at 2.6 per cent in 2008-09, industry witnessed growth to 7.5 per cent of the GDP in 2008-09. It tells us about the GDP growth of the country, thus the average personal in India has a disposable income, where he is looking for the better style of leaving in the country. Here technology also comes into the role of a human being, and since the growth of the country the industrial sector has seen a lot of change and the IT hub. They are in need of better laptops as an industry to carry a brand which is more known in the global market. According to Aspalter C, On 2000 India showed itself to be the worlds second demographic billionaire. If current situation or trends continue, India may overtake china in 2045 to become the most populous country in the world Even though they have mentioned poor state of the Indian Economy has said the people who are poor will remain the same and the rich one become richer and richer. Even in such a situation the Indian market is not dropped in its sales of laptop, this show the stability of the country. Even in a global issue the laptops have been started as a green Laptop. According to John Brandon (2007) In most cases, a laptop also complies with European regulations on lead-free computing, such as the RoHS (Restrictions of Hazardous Substances) and WEEE (Waste Electronic and Electrical Equipment), which is a mandated disposal code in Europe. Lead is used primarily in soldering parts together on a computer, but RoHS and WEEE encourage companies to use other means for building a PC. In this there are four brands which have come up with Green Laptops like Apple, HP, Sony and Gateway. The gradual trend towards liberalization of the Indian economy during the past decade has served as a major factor in its progressive shift towards a global economy and the entry of foreign brands from Europe and US into this market. In fact the 1990s decade and beyond have been characterized by major structural changes in the Indian consumer markets evolution, including those of increased competition, product availability in terms of both quality and quantity, as well as increased levels of awareness and propensity to consume. A large and rapidly growing urban middle and upper class consumer market made up of 300 million, which approximates one-third of its present population, constitutes the market for branded consumer goods, with the latter estimated to be growing at 8 percent per annum (Indian Market Demographics Report, 2002). A recent increase in the number of middle class families with higher household income has led to a rise in disposable income (Business India Intelligence, 2005). The rapidly expanding middle class consumers of India, with their increasing purchasing power, constitute the primary market for branded foreign goods (Bharadwaj et al., 2005). The increase in consumer spending is evidenced by the current growth of the Indian retail industry, in addition to the expected growth to a $500 billion industry by the year 2010 (Field Anne, 2005). Since the economy of the country started growing the lot more MNCs started coming to the Indian market, which lead to the growth of many brands in Indian market. Likewise even the basic necessary thing of the human also changed thats when Brand came into the market. A brand is a name, term, symbol or a design or a combination of them which is intent to identify the goods or services of one seller or group or sellers and to differentiate them from those of competitors (Kotler, 1991, p. 442). Branding is the process of finding and fixing the means of identification. It is nothing but naming the product. According to Motameni. R and Shahrokhi. M (1998:275) Brand names and trademarks usually tells, you about the products bearing the marks whether it will be of offering quality. Branding also enables a producer to obtain the same benefits of offering products to the consumers an unique or superior quality and provide an opportunity to transfer this identifiable relationship to other products or service. Building a brand driven culture is a life time commitment in the minds of the customers. It takes a lot of time and planning to produce a intangible output where there is a higher customer satisfaction , price sensitivity, with the higher no of repeated business (Bhimrao M. Ghodeswar 2008:4) According to Chernatony and McDonald, (1998). A successful brand is identified as a product, service, person or place, it is augmented in a way that the user or buyer of perceives relevant, unique added values these are some of the needs which mostly matches closely According to Vittamsetty (2009:6), A brand can convey the consumers through six levels as shown below: Attributes Benefits Values Culture Personality User Brand Conveying the Consumer Attributes: Brand Attribute is a bundle of features that highlight the physical and personality aspects of the brand. Benefits: Creating distinctive and durable perceptions in the minds of consumers. Values: the brand tells about values which says same thing about the product values. Culture: the brand represents a different culture. Personality: a brand project a personality which can be person, animal or object. User: the brand suggests its own target audience to use the product. Brand promise is the benefits both functional and emotional benefits are arrived from the essence of that customers can expect to receive from experiencing a brands products and services, which reflects the heart, soul, and spirit of the brand of the product (Knapp, 2000). As the market for brand increased the human basic needs changed for e.g. from the Desktop to the Laptop. Thats when the market for laptop increased. Before only the executive used to carry the laptops now a common man uses a laptop, (Image 1). According to Raja Simhan T.E. (2006) the laptop, also known as a notebook PC, Laptop is no longer a luxury item as against the `wow effect it was a few years ago. Much like other products, it is being displayed on the shelves of big supermarkets and retail shops, moving from the exclusive confines of exotic showrooms. Before, when the word `laptop was uttered, one could think of visualizing only executives carrying it. Today all segments, including students and households, are buying these `notebooks/laptops. These products are for the people who on the laptop have become an indispensable tool. What with overcrowded roads and traffic snarls, the average travelling time in metros such as Mumbai and Bangalore has only gone up, here and now days t he laptop is a cool tool that helps professionals to keep working and thus save time. The Growth of India is so much there are companies who are ready to manufactures laptops for rupees 500 that is $ 10 which is the target price but when it comes to the manufacturing of large quaintly the price may reduce even more. According to Sakshat Many bloggers and foreign newspapers are understandably skeptical. Atanu Dey, a blogger, wrote that if the Indian government was successful in pulling off this technological miracle, it would imply that either other global computer manufacturers and industries are either incompetent, or else they are a part of a scam, producing stuff at low prices and selling them at a huge margin. According to the Industrial News (2008) India As laptops become is become more affordable and to the consumer preference as compared, laptop sales in India has hit a 114 per year-on-year growth rate in 2008 with 1.8 million nos. This growth rate will exceeds to the desktop PCs, which is predicted to soon be overtaken by laptop units in a very less time. According to Indias Manufacturers Association for Information Technology (MAIT), laptops have 25 percent of the total PC market in 2007-2008; will be shooting up from less than 3 percent in 2004. The current ratio of laptops to desktops in the country is 20:80; where to the competition of the market and it is predicted to reach 50:50 in the next few years. Laptops have become competitive in the price there is a war against desktops due to the appreciation of Indian currency rupee, which made imports cheaper than we had taught. Also propelling the soaring the demand of laptops are increasing in the market for their sleek designs, enhanced security functions and various built-in accessories. The laptop enterprise particularly favours faster processors, increased portability and connectivity, according to industry analysts. 3. Methods of analysis: 3.1 Research Methodology: The research undertaken is determined by the approach used by the researcher (Aaker, 2000). According to Carl (2004) marketing research is the function where it links the consumers and the marketers with an exchange of information .By conducting a market research we will be able to revile the problems and the opportunities in that market, this helps us in understanding the performance of the industry. This research involves collecting data of the market research problems, designing the methods of the data collection process, analysing and finding the report of the data collected in the research for their implication. 3.1.1Type of Study: The Research will be of inductive in nature. Since I will be collecting data from questionnaire, I would be conducting a primary research. It is a survey method. The objective is to study the brand perception on the consumer buying behaviour with reference to laptop market in India. A structured questionnaire is designed to collect the primary data. Based on the data collected table are drawn and inferences are made. 3.4 Type of Data: Data will be obtained and collected from a structured questionnaire and other published sources. 3.4.1 Sources of Data: The Dissertation will be compiled using facts, figures, information and analysis by the researcher. The information of Laptop industry will be collected and taken from two sources. The two sources will be: Primary source Secondary source. 3.4.2 Tools of Data Collection: Tools used for collection of data can be classified into two major categories: Primary data: The structured questionnaires will be made and distributed to all the users of the laptops. By using Internet-mediated questionnaires will be sent through the mail across India, and will also be sending questionnaires by post, e-mail, or directly talking to the users of the Laptop. Secondary data: Data will be obtained and collected from the various sources via: through books, database websites, online articles, journals and publications on the internet. And all the report that will be collected for the laptop companies will also be considered as the secondary data. 3.5 Sampling Design: This questionnaire will be sent to the number of laptop users leaving in different parts of the country India, for finding out the consumers perception of different laptop brands. In the same time will also do a face to face interview with the Indian community who are residing in Bangor University, the information which is collected from different views of the people which are reliable and convenient to present on behalf of the whole India. 1) Sampling unit: The sampling unit is limited to the users of laptop computers within the country India and students of Indian who are studying in Bangor University. 2) Sampling size: Number of respondents will be taken into consideration it could vary depending upon the data i get from the secondary resources the primary research sample size would be in the region of 200 to 400. 3) Sampling technique: The Sampling technique which I will be using might be convenience technique. 3.6 Ethical considerations: Respondents were either vague or incomplete at times which makes the interpretation little difficult. The research will be considered in a right way. Conclusion: Brand perception is difficult to be comprehended in the Indian laptop market, sine the market of the consumers keeps changing rapidly. So the products or the services keep changing according to the market to attract the consumers behavior towards their product service. So this research can give an edge to the brand affects their buying behavior and the perception of the experienced consumers. It also tells you about the buying behavior of the consumers responsible for the increase and decrease of the brand sales. Timescale/plan: Appendix 1 The Questioner: Appendix 2 Reference: Aaker, D.A., Joachimsthaler, E. (2000), Brand Leadership Aspalter, Christian (forthcoming), The Welfare State System in India, In C. Aspalter (ed.), The Welfare State in Emerging-Market Economies: With Case Studies from Latin America, Central Europe,and Asia, Casa Verde Publishing: Taipei. (Online) Available at http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewPDF.jsp?contentType=ArticleFilename=html/Output/Published/EmeraldAbstractOnlyArticle/Pdf/0310221102.pdf (Accessed on 1rd Dec 2009) Bhimrao M. Ghodeswar (2008). Building brand identity in competitive markets: a conceptual model. Journal of Product Brand Management. 17 (1) p 4 (Online) Available at http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewPDF.jsp?contentType=ArticleFilename=html/Output/Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Pdf/0960170101.pdf (Accessed on 3rd Dec 2009) Bharadwaj, V.T., Swaroop, G.M. and Vittal, I. (2005), Winning the Indian consumer, McKinsey Quarterly, Special edition, pp. 42-51. Business India Intelligence (2005), Spreading their sales, Business India Intelligence, Vol. 12 No. 6, pp. 1-2. Chernatony, L. and McDonald, M. (1998), Creating Powerful Brands, 2nd ed., Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford. Field, Anne. (2005), Passage to India, available at: http://retailtrafficmag.com/ India Market Demographics Report (2002), National Council of Applied Economic Research, New Delhi.MIP 24,126 where in Neelam Kinra (2006) The effect of country-of-origin on foreign brand names in the Indian market: Marketing Intelligence Planning 24 (1) p. 16 (Online) Available at http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewPDF.jsp?contentType=ArticleFilename=html/Output/Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Pdf/0200240102.pdf (Accessed on 3rd Dec 2009) Indian Economy Overview (2009), Indian Brand Equity Foundation. P 1 (Online) Available at http://www.ibef.org/economy/economyoverview.aspx (Accessed on 2nd Dec 2009) Industry News (2008), Laptop sales growth overtake that of desktops in India. Journal of Trade Media Holdings, (Online) Available at http://www.globalsources.com/gsol/I/Laptop/a/9000000098983.htm (Accessed on 3rd Dec 2009) John Brandon (2007) PC Today: Green Laptops Choose A Notebook That Is Environmentally Friendly Long On Charge. 5(6) pp 22-23 (Online) Available at http://www.pctoday.com/Editorial/article.asp?article=articles/2007/t0506/05t06/05t06.aspguid= (Accessed on 3rd Dec 2009) Knapp, D.E. (2000), The Brand Mindset, McGraw-Hill, New York, NY, pp. 33, 36, 103. Where in Bhimrao M. Ghodeswar (2008) Building brand identity in competitive markets: a conceptual model in Journal of Product Brand Management. 17 (1) p 4 (Online) Available at http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewPDF.jsp?contentType=ArticleFilename=html/Output/Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Pdf/0960170101.pdf (Accessed on 3rd Dec 2009) Kotler, P (1991), Marketing Management, 7th ed, Prentice-Hall, Inc, Englewood Cliffs, NJ, . Lou Pelton (2009). Indian consumers purchase behaviour toward US versus local brands. By International Journal of Retail Distribution Management 37 (6) p. 510 (Online) Available at: http://www.emeraldinsight.com/Insight/viewPDF.jsp?contentType=ArticleFilename=html/Output/Published/EmeraldFullTextArticle/Pdf/0890370603.pdf (Accessed on 3rd Dec 2009) Ministry of finance. (2008-09). Union Budget. Available: http://indiabudget.nic.in/ub2008-09/bh/bh1.pdf. Last accessed 3 March 2010. Motameni. R and Shahrokhi. M (1998), Brand equity valuation: a global perspective. Journal of Product and Brand management. 7 (4) p 275 (Online) Available at http___www.emeraldinsight.com_Insight_ViewContentServlet_contentType=ArticleFilename=_published_emeraldfulltextarticle_pdf_0960070401 (Accessed on 2nd Dec 2009) Raja Simhan T.E. (2006), Business Line. Journal of The Hindu Business Line. (Online) Available at http://www.blonnet.com/ew/2006/01/30/stories/2006013000090100.htm (Accessed on 3rd Dec 2009) Sakshat (2009), Dance with Shadows. (Online) Available at http://www.dancewithshadows.com/tech/the-rs-500-10-computer-has-a-name-sakshat/ (Accessed on 3rd Dec 2009) Vittamsetty. (2009). Brand awareness of airtel. Available: http://www.scribd.com/doc/23427572/Brand-awareness-of-airtel. Last accessed 8 March 2010. Ogg Erica. (2007). Acer aces out Lenovo as worlds third-largest PC maker. Available: http://news.cnet.com/8301-10784_3-9726089-7.html. Last accessed 4 March 2010. Appendix 1: Questionnaire: Dear Sir / Madam, I, Mayukha Devangi M, am a student of Bangor University, Wales, UK doing my MBA in Management. As a part of my curriculum, I am conducting a research to identify the brand perception and consumer buying behaviour in relation to Indian laptop market. It would be appreciated if you gave your precious time and cooperation to complete this questionnaire. General Information 1. Do you own a Laptop? Yes No 5. Factors which affect your decision making process while purchasing your personal laptop. Please Circle the preference as 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 1 = Very important, 2 = Important, 3 = Not sure, 4 = Not important, 5 = Not at all important. Brand perception 1 2 3 4 5 Processing Speed 1 2 3 4 5 Sound 1 2 3 4 5 Quality 1 2 3 4 5 Style Appearance 1 2 3 4 5 Price 1 2 3 4 5 Graphic Option 1 2 3 4 5 Battery Backup 1 2 3 4 5 Weight 1 2 3 4 5 3. Gender Male Female 2. Which company Laptop do you own? HP Acer Lenovo Dell Apple Sony Vaio Other ________ 4. Your age lies between (in years)? 18 ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­Ã‚ ­..24 25..30 31..35 Above 36 6. Are you a permanent resident of India? Yes No 12. What is your annual total income (In Indian Rupees)? Less than 100,000 Between 100,000 300,000 Between 300,000 500,000 Between 500,000 800,000 Above 1,000,000 11. If you were using another brand earlier, why did you shift to the present laptop? Better Brand Better Price Better Quality Not satisfied with laptop Quality / Efficiency Other ____________________ 10. If yes, which brand of computer were you using? HP Acer Lenovo Dell Apple Sony Vaio Other ________ 9. Before buying a laptop, have you owned any other laptop? Yes No 8. How are you motivated to purchase a particular brand of laptop? Highly motivated Not at all motivated Motivated Not sure Not motivated Word of mouth (friends / Family) 1 2 3 4 5 Advertisement 1 2 3 4 5 Store communication (Customer Service) 1 2 3 4 5 Reputation of the brand 1 2 3 4 5 I prefer my own choice, needs 1 2 3 4 5 7. What has attracted you to buy this brand of laptop? Price Offers Service Free Gifts Brand Name Other__________ mayau 13. Which of the laptop is best within the following Price (In Indian Rupess)? HP, Acer, Lenovo, Dell, Apple, Sony Vaio, Toshiba, Other Plz specify___________________________ Below Rs 30,000 ______________, Rs 30,000 40,000________________, Rs 40,000 50,000 ____________, Rs 50,000 80,000 _____________, Above 80,000 _________ 14. If someone asks you to help suggest a new laptop, which one would you suggest? HP Acer Lenovo Dell Apple Sony Vaio Other _______ 15. If you are asked to place the following four Laptop manufacturing companies in the diagram below; where you will place them? HP HP Apple A Lenovo L Dell D Sony Vaio SV Low Price Poor quality Good quality High Price Thank you Appendix 2: Image 1:

Guy Debords The Society of the Spectacle :: Debord Society of the Spectacle Essays

Guy Debord's The Society of the Spectacle    For decades, Guy Debord's The Society of the Spectacle was only available in English in a so-called "pirate" edition published by Black & Red, and its informative, perhaps essential, critique of modern society languished in the sort of obscurity familiar to      political radicals and the avant-garde. Originally published in France in 1967, it rarely receives more than passing mention in some of the fields most heavily influenced by its ideasÑmedia studies, social theory, economics, and political science. A new    translation by Donald Nicholson-Smith issued by Zone Books last year, however, may finally bring about some well-deserved recognition to the recently-deceased Debord. Society of the Spectacle has been called "the Capital of the new generation," and the co    mparison bears investigation. DebordÕs intention was to provide a comprehensive critique of the social and political manifestations of modern forms of production, and the analysis he offered in 1967 is as authoritative now as it was then. Comprised of nin    e chapters broken into a total of 221 theses, Society of the Spectacle tends toward the succinct in its proclamations, favoring polemically poetic ambiguities over the vacuous detail of purely analytical discourse. There is, however, no shortage of justif    ication for its radical claims. Hegel finds his place, Marx finds acclaim and criticism, Lenin and Rosa Luxemburg add their contributions, and DebordÕs own insights are convincingly argued. It becomes evident quite quickly that Debord has done his homewor    kÑSociety of the Spectacle is no art manifesto in need of historical or theoretical basis. DebordÕs provocations are supported where others would have failed. The first chapter, "Separation Perfected," contains the fundamental assertions on which much of    DebordÕs influence rests, and the very first thesis, that    the whole of life of those societies in which modern conditions of production prevail presents itself as an immense accumulation of spectacles.   All that was once directly lived has become mere representation. establishes DebordÕs judgment; the rest attempt to explain it, and to elaborate on the need for a practical and revolutionary resistance.    By far DebordÕs most famous work, Society of the Spectacle lies somewhere between a provocative manifesto and a scholarly analysis of modern politics. It remains among those books which fall under the rubric of "oft quoted, rarely read"Ñexcept that few ca

Language in Our Lives :: essays papers

Language in Our Lives Have you ever wondered who taught you to talk the way you do? People learn to talk and express themselves everyday of their lives. Starting from the day you were born you used language or some form of it to communicate with those around you. As a baby you usually show your displeasure with your new surroundings by crying, and if you don’t the doctor will make sure you do. Everyday we express our point of view to others in some form of language. Whether it is through verbal communication, written discourse or through body language, you can tell if a person is upset, angry, or happy. We as human beings don’t realize how much language has to do with our lives. How can you determine if one of your friends is angry with you? Is there a different tone to their voice? Do they have a stern look on their face? Of course they do, your friend feels the need to express their anger to you by these different forms of language. Where do we learn to use these different forms of la nguage? How are our uses of these languages shaped? The three main contributing factors to how we express ourselves through language come from our schooling, our friends, and most of all from our families. Going to school can teach you many things, even more than you can imagine. Who would know that in school you could actually learn a whole new vocabulary? This never seen before vocabulary will only come out in writing and besides that will be hidden deep among the depths of your subconscious. Truly, school can teach you more than just random information. Schooling has a huge affect on language you use in a daily basis. The only place where I was ever taught that the way in which I spoke was wrong. When I look back at the time consuming vocabulary work and the never-ending readings, I now realize how I benefited from them. I may not me the best writer, but I do have a plethora of words to share. Where do you think you learned that you’re not doing good you’re doing well, and who taught you that a coma should be placed here, or that you shouldn’t end a sentence with a preposition, without these helpful teachings I don’t know where we would be at.

In the Game of Life, There are No Continues Essay -- Argumentative Per

In the Game of Life, There are No Continues It was July when Charles Whitman, who was 24, killed both his wife and mother. He then took a â€Å"footlocker full of ammunition, shotguns, rifles, Spam sandwiches and water† to a clock tower at the University of Texas. In the next hour and half, he shot 46 people, killing 16 of them before finally being shot to death by police. Charles Starkweather was 19 when he led Caril Fugate, 14, on a â€Å"weeklong killing spree across Nebraska and Wyoming in which 11 people were shot, stabbed, and strangled to death.† Before this, however, Caril had shot her mother to death with a shotgun for threatening Charles (Lovinger 18,19). Are these the newest acts in a seemingly endless rash of teen violence? Were these teens influenced to kill by Marilyn Manson, violent video games, or R rated movies? The answer is a sound â€Å"No!† These acts occurred before the advent of violent media. According to Lovinger, Whitman killed all those people in the summer of 1966, while the killing spree of Starkweather and Fugate happened during the year of 1958 (18). Violence has always been among the population. Violent video games do not encourage nor induce our kids to commit acts of brutality. People have been killing each other since the dawn of time. Society cannot use violent video games as a scapegoat for its ills. Violent video games do not cause violent behavior in today’s youth, contrary to popular belief. One of the biggest arguments against the selling and creating of violent video games is that kids are not able to distinguish between fantasy and reality, that by picking up a fake gun and shooting at pixels and animation that flies across the screen, the game is teaching kids to k... ...lt;http://proquest.umi.com/>. â€Å"Press Start.† Electronic Gaming Monthly May 2001: 36 Quittner, Joshua. â€Å"Are Video Games Really So Bad?† Time 10 May 1999: 50-59. ProQuest Direct. ProQuest. J.D. Messick Learning Resource Center, Tulsa. 26 March 2001 . Sandberg, Jared. â€Å"The Gamer: An Increasing Number of Teens Spend Their Days Pulverizing Each Other with Computerized Instruments of Destruction.† Wall Street Journal 8 Dec. 1997: R4. ProQuest Direct. ProQuest. J.D. Messick Learning Resource Center, Tulsa. 26 March 2001 . â€Å"The Surgeon General’s Report.† Computer Gaming World May 2001: 30. Van Horn, Royal. â€Å"Violence and Video Games.† Phi Delta Kappan Oct. 1999: 173-174. ProQuest Direct. ProQuest. J.D. Messick Learning Resource Center, Tulsa. 26 March 2001 . In the Game of Life, There are No Continues Essay -- Argumentative Per In the Game of Life, There are No Continues It was July when Charles Whitman, who was 24, killed both his wife and mother. He then took a â€Å"footlocker full of ammunition, shotguns, rifles, Spam sandwiches and water† to a clock tower at the University of Texas. In the next hour and half, he shot 46 people, killing 16 of them before finally being shot to death by police. Charles Starkweather was 19 when he led Caril Fugate, 14, on a â€Å"weeklong killing spree across Nebraska and Wyoming in which 11 people were shot, stabbed, and strangled to death.† Before this, however, Caril had shot her mother to death with a shotgun for threatening Charles (Lovinger 18,19). Are these the newest acts in a seemingly endless rash of teen violence? Were these teens influenced to kill by Marilyn Manson, violent video games, or R rated movies? The answer is a sound â€Å"No!† These acts occurred before the advent of violent media. According to Lovinger, Whitman killed all those people in the summer of 1966, while the killing spree of Starkweather and Fugate happened during the year of 1958 (18). Violence has always been among the population. Violent video games do not encourage nor induce our kids to commit acts of brutality. People have been killing each other since the dawn of time. Society cannot use violent video games as a scapegoat for its ills. Violent video games do not cause violent behavior in today’s youth, contrary to popular belief. One of the biggest arguments against the selling and creating of violent video games is that kids are not able to distinguish between fantasy and reality, that by picking up a fake gun and shooting at pixels and animation that flies across the screen, the game is teaching kids to k... ...lt;http://proquest.umi.com/>. â€Å"Press Start.† Electronic Gaming Monthly May 2001: 36 Quittner, Joshua. â€Å"Are Video Games Really So Bad?† Time 10 May 1999: 50-59. ProQuest Direct. ProQuest. J.D. Messick Learning Resource Center, Tulsa. 26 March 2001 . Sandberg, Jared. â€Å"The Gamer: An Increasing Number of Teens Spend Their Days Pulverizing Each Other with Computerized Instruments of Destruction.† Wall Street Journal 8 Dec. 1997: R4. ProQuest Direct. ProQuest. J.D. Messick Learning Resource Center, Tulsa. 26 March 2001 . â€Å"The Surgeon General’s Report.† Computer Gaming World May 2001: 30. Van Horn, Royal. â€Å"Violence and Video Games.† Phi Delta Kappan Oct. 1999: 173-174. ProQuest Direct. ProQuest. J.D. Messick Learning Resource Center, Tulsa. 26 March 2001 .

Unilever Org Structure

?Unilever has undergone various organizational structure changes since its inception. It initially started with a decentralized structure from 1950- 1980. Decentralization gave the company an advantage as they had the flexibility to change according to local consumer demand. They appointed managers who were local to that place so that the company had a good understanding of local market. The local managers were responsible for everything from marketing, sales and distribution.But Decentralization led Unilever to not have any common corporate culture or vision. It also led them to duplication of products, resulting in high costs. Moreover, they had less focus on globalization and couldn’t create global brands. In 1990 the company changed its structure based on business groups. The company became more centralized. They streamlined their operations so that they could get the products onto the market quickly. This structure too failed as they were no coordination between head offi ce, regional and national groups.The decisions were made by regional heads and local managers had no power to change them to suit to local markets. Finding a right balance between centralization and decentralization was their major problem. In 1999, Unilever decided to adopt a â€Å"Path to Growth Strategy†. They realized that they had a broad range of products and never had any focus on ones in which they were one among the top in market. So they switched to a structure based on global product divisions. Unilever was split into two separate global units namely Food and HPC headed by two executive directors.But they still had problems as the company had 2 separate chairmens in different countries which led them to operate as separate entities (Unilever NV and Unilever PLC. ). In 2005 as part of â€Å"one Unilever† Programme they scrapped this management structure by naming Patrick Cescau as single chief executive of Unilever. The company started to operate with matrix structure with multiple lines of authority based on product, regional and functional divisions. The company currently has 4 product divisions namely Foods, Personal Care, Home care and Refreshments headed by 4 different people.They have got 8 leads based on regional splits heading North America, Europe, North Asia, South East Asia and Australasia, South Asia, Latin America, Africa (Central Africa and South Africa) and Russia/North Africa and Middle East. In terms of functional division there is a finance, marketing, R&D and HR departments. This simplified management structure has given all the Unilever top managements greater accountability and better leadership. It has helped them to eliminate duplication, take faster decisions, target on specific products and capture the global and local market. Unilever Org Structure Unilever has undergone various organizational structure changes since its inception. It initially started with a decentralized structure from 1950- 1980. Decentralization gave the company an advantage as they had the flexibility to change according to local consumer demand. They appointed managers who were local to that place so that the company had a good understanding of local market. The local managers were responsible for everything from marketing, sales and distribution.But Decentralization led Unilever to not have any common corporate culture or vision. It also led them to duplication of products, resulting in high costs. Moreover, they had less focus on globalization and couldn’t create global brands. In 1990 the company changed its structure based on business groups. The company became more centralized. They streamlined their operations so that they could get the products onto the market quickly. This structure too failed as they were no coordination between head offic e, regional and national groups.The decisions were made by regional heads and local managers had no power to change them to suit to local markets. Finding a right balance between centralization and decentralization was their major problem. In 1999, Unilever decided to adopt a â€Å"Path to Growth Strategy†. They realized that they had a broad range of products and never had any focus on ones in which they were one among the top in market. So they switched to a structure based on global product divisions. Unilever was split into two separate global units namely Food and HPC headed by two executive directors.But they still had problems as the company had 2 separate chairmens in different countries which led them to operate as separate entities (Unilever NV and Unilever PLC. ). In 2005 as part of â€Å"one Unilever† Programme they scrapped this management structure by naming Patrick Cescau as single chief executive of Unilever. The company started to operate with matrix s tructure with multiple lines of authority based on product, regional and functional divisions. The company currently has 4 product divisions namely Foods, Personal Care, Home care and Refreshments headed by 4 different people.They have got 8 leads based on regional splits heading North America, Europe, North Asia, South East Asia and Australasia, South Asia, Latin America, Africa (Central Africa and South Africa) and Russia/North Africa and Middle East. In terms of functional division there is a finance, marketing, R&D and HR departments. This simplified management structure has given all the Unilever top managements greater accountability and better leadership. It has helped them to eliminate duplication, take faster decisions, target on specific products and capture the global and local market.

Caffeine Community Essay

As we go about our busy lives, going here, there and everywhere like a colony of ants building up supplies for the winter, we never truly take a moment to look at the world around us, stop to smell the roses, to coin a popular phrase. We never seem to take in the sights, sounds, smells and feelings that we often disconnect ourselves from in our obsession to make the world a perfect place. There is hardly a moment that we stop to notice the other people around us that even though we do not know them from Adam, they could enrich our lives without us even knowing it, if we just took the time for a smile and polite hello. These people can remind us that there is a diverse world of goals and aspirations. It is quite amazing where such an event can happen. Going for a daily coffee at a favorite cafe can bring about this epiphany. As one sits in this modern coffee shop that caters to the needs of young and old alike, one can look around and simply see the decorative art work on the walls, the small scratches in the table that sits in front of you. But let’s look at little deeper and see the true character of the environment around us. What brought about the scratch in the table. Is it just normal every day wear and tear caused by the many people coming and going to take in their hurried morning coffee or could it, perhaps, be caused by say a bored teenager waiting for the long walk to school, using their pen to make back and forth marks in the table. As one sits and contemplates this, they can take a look around and recognize the other sights, sounds and smells of the little cafe. As one looks two tables away, an elderly man helps his wife to the seat at their table with a gentle hand and beaming smile. They look into each other’s eyes lovingly as a couple would do in an old time movie. He tells her,† have a seat dear and I’ll get our coffees. I still love you very much. The distinct voice patterns give away the fact that they are from New York, but they are very much home in their little coffee community. As the manager of the store brings over their order, they engage him in conversation about how he likes working at this particular place. In the meantime, a young man with the burly looks of a high school football player sits at the table next to the older couple and the gentleman begins a lively chat about the sport of football. A sudden, intoxicating smell of fresh brewed coffee and warm toasted bagels brings you out of your daydreams of a long and loving life with the man that you love, caused by the very happy couple. You look around to see a small table at the center of the busy room. There sit a mother and young daughter. The mother seated at the edge of her seat at the table, sipping on her steamy latte, and desperately trying to relate to her young teenage daughter in an attempt to keep the close relationship with her that she shared when the girl was little and thought that her mother was the only person in the world. The young daughter, dressed in what appears to be a dingy soccer uniform, absently sips on her orange juice with a distant look in her eyes thinking that she would much rather anywhere else but here with her boring mother. Thinking perhaps of that grassy field where she could be playing soccer with her friends, or maybe she is in chemistry class, glancing out of the corner of her eye at the cute boy across the room that she has a crush on. The mother gets a mixed expression of pain and lonliness on her face as she realizes that as she tries to hold onto her daughter, that the young girl is slowly drifting away. But that is the way of life, we do all we can to keep the bonds with our children even though deep down we realize that one day soon, we will have to send them from the nest to live their own lives. As the mother and daughter leave to spend their day with separate agendas, you hear the grating of metal against stone and look around to find the cause of the noise that makes your skin crawl and teeth hurt. You look up to see that the table by the window has grown from a six seat table for a cozy conversation for a small group, to a table fit for a King’s Court. Several smaller tables have been added to the larger one, reminding you of someone trying to piece together a jigsaw puzzle. The creators of this elaborate set up are the group of regular coffee drinkers that start each day enjoying each other’s company and sharing their lives with each other. They are so diverse in appearance and personality. There is Martha with her perfectly coifed hair, outrageously oversized jewelry and too bright red lipstick, she is outspoken and her laugh sounds eerily like a hyena. She laughs and gathers everyone around her wanting to be the center of attention because maybe she is ignored at home. Sitting next to Martha is Charles. The tall, slender man sits back in his chair with the ease of man who is comfortable with himself and the way his life is. He is wearing a set of earphones with a microphone on them and one wonders why on earth what use he would have for such a contraption. Then the question is answered a few minutes later when he places a hand held amplifier to his neck and welcomes the newcomers to the table with a hardy good morning and a beaming smile, sounding very much like an electronic voice from a computer. He obviously has had some tragedy that has caused him to lose the use of his vocal cords and possibly hearing and the entire set up is a way for him to communicate with others. The use of this machine is an everyday occurrence and is second nature to him now. Like he doesn’t even know it is there. One has to wonder how this all came about. Is this a case of perfect strangers coming to start their lives each day in the same place? Perhaps this group of unique and diverse friends starts out with a simple smile, with an apprehensive good morning, like children on a playground for the first day of school trying to decide if it is okay to play with each other. Is it possible in this modern world where most people are concerned with number one that there are still people out there that are truly content with inviting others into their little world? You catch an additional name here and there, Tom, Grace, John and Mike. The smiles from the friends are genuine and the laughter is contagious. Everyone at this table is completely different in every way, yet very much the same. A diverse group with different backgrounds, goals, dreams, that found a common bond floating in a steamy, rich drink. Perhaps this group of friends started out like the two young men at the table next to mine. It is hard not to eavesdrop on the lighthearted and endearing conversation that these two obviously longtime friends are having. The two men were best friends in school and because of circumstances beyond their control, were separated to live their own lives. After spending four years being completely inseparable, the first young man left the country to protect the freedoms of his friend, while the second young man went on to college to earn a degree to protect the rights of the second young man. Relaxed and happy as if it has not been ten years since they have seen each other, only keeping in touch through emails and the occasional phone call. The young men chatter on about their lives and families as easily as a pair of school girls talking about the upcoming dance and what they are going to wear. They shuffle through a stack of pictures of the lives that they shared together and separately. Pointing and laughing at the precious, shared memories of times past, reliving the past as it was only yesterday. When they first entered the cafe, the small amount of tension was obvious as they barely spoke as they ordered their coffees and bagels and then waited to pay. By the time they sat down across from each other they were talking more freely and growing more comfortable with each other’s company. Watching these two men can make someone almost want to relive the past. Maybe go back and do things differently with a life that is half way gone. Looking at other people’s lives is like looking at a picture through a glass of water. We think we know what the real image is, it may look clear as a bell, but if we slow down for just a moment, remove the obstacle of the water and look closely and listen with earnest, we see that the picture we are envisioning in our minds may not be the reality of the lives we are surrounded by in this world. We tend to be so self-absorbed in our own lives, in our little world that leads us to believe that is revolves around us, which causes us to forget to look at the big picture and realize that we are all here together. There is an abundance of diversity and culture that we can see and listen to and learn from, and if we take the time to open ourselves up to others, to share what we feel and want with them and at the same time accept what they have to teach us about our lives, that we can enhance and enrich our lives in so many ways.