Geopolitics in Asia Essay

The study of the relationship among politics and geography, demography, and economics especially with respect to the foreign policy of a nation. The study of geographic influences on power relationships in international politics. Geopolitical theorists have sought to demonstrate the importance in the determination of foreign policies of considerations such as the acquisition of natural boundaries, access to important sea routes, and the control of strategically important land areas. The term was first employed in the early 20th century by the Swedish political scientist Rudolph Kjellen (1864 – 1922). Geopolitical factors have become less significant in the foreign policies of states because of improvements in communications and transportation. Geopolitics in Asia: Russia, India and Pakistan-China Cooperation With Russian President Vladimir Putin planning to visit Pakistan, some of my Indian friendsjournalists believe that the proposed trip is a kind of punishment for India because of Delhi’s ‘proAmerican’ foreign policy. I think that such a simplistic explanation underestimates the complexity of the situation in the southern part of central Eurasia, which will experience new changes after foreign troops withdraw from Afghanistan. And then a new geopolitical equation will emerge, where Pakistan and its geopolitical alliance with China will surely be the central element due to historical reasons and geographical circumstances. In 1950, Pakistan was one of the first countries to recognize the People’s Republic of China, while in the 1960s to early 1970s it remained Beijing’s most steadfast ally during a period of a relative international isolation of the latter. China appreciates this support by providing Pakistan with both military, and technical and economic assistance, including the transfer of nuclear technology. Some experts believe that strengthening multilateral connections between India and the U. S. will make strategic alliance relations between Islamabad and Beijing even closer, even more so, because the Pakistani elite considers the partnership with China to be a security guarantee. Military-technical cooperation (MTC) of Islamabad and Beijing is carried out in three main areas: Rockets: Pakistani armed forces have short range and medium range missiles that experts regard as a ‘modification of Chinese allistic missiles’; Combat aircraft: the Pakistani Air Force has aircraft of Chinese design – JF-17 Thunder and K-8 Karakorum, as well as the co-produced interceptor aircraft. In addition, the Pakistani Air Force uses the early warning radar system made in China (U. S. experts believe that the delay in the transfer of the remains of the stealth helicopter that took part in the elimination of Osama bin Laden on May 2, 2011, was associated with its preliminary study by t he Chinese military); Nuclear program: it is believed that China could have transferred to Pakistan the technologies that are critical to the production of nuclear weapons. In addition to MTC, Pakistan and China are actively developing economic relations; their development acceleration was caused by a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement of 2008. By some estimates, the bilateral trade is approaching $15 billion. With China’s help, long-term infrastructure projects are being implemented in Pakistan, covering road construction, minerals development (including copper and gold), the classical energy manufacturing as well as several projects in the nuclear / non-classical energy field. An important object of the joint activity was the construction of the deepwater port of Gwadar in Baluchistan Province (the port complex operation was started in December 2008. ). This port, located at 180 nautical miles from the entrance to the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 40% of the world’s supply of oil by water is accomplished, is of strategic importance to Beijing as well. First, it provides diversification and hydrocarbons-supply protection and, secondly, it is possible to access the Arabian Sea through Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region (XUAR), which is important for the overall economic security of China. Formally, Pakistan has two main strategic allies – China and the United States. However, in the light of the events in 2011 the country’s ruling circles have lost confidence in America and increasingly rely on China, referred to, at an informal level, as the ‘all-weather ally’. (An important factor in the growth of Islamabad’s distrust to Washington was the US-Indian ‘nuclear deal’ that has in fact excluded India, according to Pakistani officials, from the nuclear non-proliferation regime. ) The decision by China to build two nuclear reactors in Pakistan, in addition to the existing ones, was a vivid demonstration of mutual trust. However, there are still some problems in the ‘all-weather allies’ relationship. China’s elite is concerned with the high level of political extremism in Pakistan. Beijing is worried about the growing militancy of the Uighurs operating from the tribal area of Pakistan. According to experts, a significant number of Uighurs who attended madrassas in Pakistan in the 1980s have been subsequently mobilized to units operating on the territory of Afghanistan – first against the Soviet troops and later against the combined forces of the U. S. and its allies in their fight against the Taliban. A certain faction of the Uighurs – ‘Mujahideen’ – apparently returned to China. Another cause of concern in Beijing is the frequent attacks of political radicals against Chinese nationals working in Pakistan on contract (more than 10,000 people). The situation is particularly difficult in the province of Baluchistan, in the western part of the country. Therefore, Beijing, preoccupied as it is with the safety of its citizens as well as the country’s prestige in the Muslim world, does not put a special emphasis on combating terrorism in Pakistan, in fact, entrusting a major role in this campaign to the United States. In its turn, Washington takes into account China’s growing concern over proactive forces of political Islam in Pakistan, seeing the coincidence of the United States’ and China’s long-term strategic interests in combating radicalism. China seeks to maintain a strategic policy toward Pakistan that blends the two contradictory principles: 1) restriction of the geopolitical influence of the U. S. and India in South Asia, and 2) protection of the Celestial Empire against political extremism emanating from the Pakistani territory. This task is solved both by the balanced development of relations with Islamabad and Delhi, and through the promotion of good neighbourly relations between the two ‘historic rivals’. This, among other things, is due to the relatively ‘impartial’ policy of the Middle Kingdom, in particular regarding the ‘Kashmir problem’. Such a compromise position of Beijing is apparently connected with the fears of a possible impact of the ‘demonstration effect’ of fermentation in the ‘big’, i. e. historical, Kashmir on tentative ethnic and religious turmoil in Xinjiang and Tibet. PT-2 A point of view has long been firmly established among Indian political analysts that the only function of relations between China and Pakistan is that of ‘containment’ of India in South Asia. It is difficult to deny the logic of such geopolitical constructions, but this position underestimates the importance of trends that cause a significant external impact on the internal political situation in China during the last decade. The permanent destabilising impact of events in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region (XUAR) on the overall development of China is a recognized fact. Moreover, political circles in Beijing do not rule out the possibility that supporters of the ‘independent Uighur state’ operating from the KhyberPakhtunkhwa or North-West Frontier Province (NWFP) territory of Pakistan are supported by the USA and some Muslim states. Therefore, Beijing endeavours to use various options to neutralise the forces of political Islam in Xinjiang, including those at the state level (Xinjiang is a home to over eight million Uighurs, the most radical of them are seeking to establish an independent state – ‘East Turkistan’). In this direction the China’s policy towards Pakistan has adopted new important points. On the one hand, Beijing was satisfied with a full support of action to eliminate disturbances in Urumqi in July 2009 by the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari, the leader of a ‘core’ Muslim state that has formally dissociated itself from the ‘International Islamic Resistance Movement’ in Xinjiang. On the other hand, China has doubts about the Pakistan authorities’ ability to exercise effective control over all its territory. Beijing is not fully convinced in the effectiveness of such controls and some of Islamabad’s steps taken against extremists, in particular the stringent restrictive measures against the Uighur settlements and their religious schools in Pakistan that have become ‘nurseries’ for the future separatists. The doubts took the form of a direct agreement on multilateral cooperation between the PRC Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region and the North-West Frontier Province of Pakistan. The goal of the agreement is establishing direct contacts with the NWFP leaders in order to suppress the activities of Islamists carried out from the territory of the province. The agreement, however, has a significant socio-economic content. Its ‘supporting structure’ seems to be the broadening (with China’s help) of the Karakorum Highway, which is strategic for both countries and (through the Khunjerab pass located at an altitude of 4,693 metres above the sea level) connects Xinjiang and NWFP. The Pakistani authorities seek to persuade China about the appropriateness of using the Karakorum Highway as a main international communication link for the delivery of imports to China from Pakistan’s ports, particularly from Gwadar in the Arabian Sea that has been modernised with the Beijing’s help. The agreement also provides for cooperation in the field of interregional trade, science and technology, culture, education, health, agriculture, sports and tourism. It can be noted: filling the NWFP agreement with specific content, China will seek to engage as much of economically active population as possible in the bilateral interregional ties cycle, and thus bind their potentially destructive to China activities in Xinjiang. Interregional relations are only a part of the Beijing’s general course for stabilising the situation in Pakistan. The PRC leadership is aware that Pakistan’s problems are of structural and systemic origin, and that they are generated by the state’s government course that is constantly and on an extended basis reproducing the contradictions that threaten the unity and territorial integrity of the country. Beijing wants to diversify its geopolitical strategy towards Pakistan and the South Asia as a whole. First, Beijing seems to be confident that because of its involvement in military activities in Afghanistan, the U. S. positions in Pakistan have been subtly but irreversibly weakening. The new ‘equation’ of geopolitical power in Central Asia is indicative of China emerging as a dominant economic â€Å"actor† in the area. Beijing carries out the tactics of gently pushing the U. S. out of Pakistan through the time tested and proven practice of foreign economic relations expansion. In addition, Pakistan is counting on China’s substantial financial assistance, as well as cooperation in the ‘classical’ energy field, primarily the construction of hydropower stations along the lines of tested Chinese projects (based on the experience of the ‘Three Gorges’ project on Yangtze River) in the mountains. Second, true to its strategic principle of ‘economy defines geopolitics,’ China actively participates in the modernisation of transport infrastructure in Pakistan. In fact, the implementation of projects in this area is subject to reaching a two-in one objective: to ensure safe transportation of energy carriers on the Persian Gulf – South China Sea route and limit the U. S. influence in the regions of the Middle East, South and Central Asia that are a ‘sensitive’ spot for China. The above-mentioned project – the Gwadar port in the north-western part of the Arabian Sea – is an ideal place for observing the movement of vehicles and naval vessels coming from the Persian Gulf towards the East, and – if necessary – can be used to protect the vehicles delivering energy resources to the Far East. In particular, the active participation of experts from China in modernising bases and stations of Pakistan Navy submarines, which can also be used by Chinese submarines, speaks in favour of this assumption. Third, according to media reports, China intends to seek permission to open a military base in Pakistan. Military experts believe that there are at least three strategic objectives pursued: providing a ‘soft’ military-political pressure on India; limiting U. S. influence in Pakistan and Afghanistan; direct supervising over the activities of the ‘Uighur separatists’ in the NWFP of Pakistan. Fourth, according to Indian press, China has become a major supplier of military equipment to Pakistan. Currently, the Pakistani army is allegedly armed with Chinese military equipment to the tune of 70 percent. Moreover, citing some military sources in Delhi, the Indian press says: If the prospect of receiving the Russian fifth generation fighter by the Indian Air Force is materialised, Pakistan will turn for help to China also carrying research in this area of military construction. And finally, for Pakistan, China remains an indispensable ally and partner in the improvement of nuclear weapons and their delivery systems since 1976. And there is no evidence of terminating that assistance in the foreseeable future.

Evaluation of instructional materials Essay

Introduction As a teacher, it is your responsibility not just to teach but to guarantee that the students are learning and you must create an active and motivating learning experience for the students. The Worldwide web gives choices of wide variety of instructional resources that you could use as your teaching tool. In choosing instructional materials, the teacher must consider not just its availability or the ease of use but more on its learning outcomes. An instructional resource should meet the purpose and the objectives of the lessons and flexible to the students’ differences such as ability, interests and learning style. The objectives, the students, learning environment and the availability of the resources are some factors to consider in choosing an instructional material (Morton, 2003). Design â€Å"The content is accurate, logical and well organized, objectives are clearly defined, and the content helps to achieve the necessary objectives. † The resource should be well planned and concrete to maximize the available learning materials and to save time. The objectives should be attainable with regards to the students ‘grade level making sure that after the instructional process, learning outcomes are anticipated. It should foster critical thinking, problem-solving and decision-making (Alto). â€Å"Examples are meaningful and helpful, questions are presented clearly. † Ease of communication is important so that the students would easily grasp the information or ideas relayed by the teacher. â€Å"Important points are emphasized, the amount of information presented is comfortable and the instructional material is free of gender, race, religion or ethnicity bias. Media elements fairly represent composition of career fields in terms of gender and race. † It is also important to consider the cultural backgrounds of each student. Each student has the right for equality in learning therefore the teacher should make some adjustments to the students with different customs from the rest of the class. † Information is clear and current, facts come from reliable source which are clearly define. † Instructional technologies should be incorporated in the learning experience to enhance student understanding. Digital libraries, computational tools, virtual environments, modeling and visualization and connectivity are among the up-to-date learning process that students should be familiar of. â€Å"Content moves learners beyond the basics and encourage high level of thinking, students are engaged in applying what they learn. Lay-out is consistent. † The projects should have relevant application that the student will look forward to make after the learning process. â€Å"The Content is culturally diverse; product accommodates unique learning styles and various ability levels. Assessment methods are challenging, appropriate and suitable to learning goals. † The instructional materials should be appropriate to student differences such as interest, ability and learning style. â€Å"Teachers can easily assess students’ progress by evaluating the outcomes provided within the product, reading level is appropriate for target audience and the product is suitable for the age and grade level. † The evidence of learning should be evaluated as to determine the extent to which the goal and objectives are achieved. The development process, the reliability of implementation, the students learning as well as the teacher development should be attained. Procedures Students must make the most of his or her senses such as touch, sight, auditory, and smell in doing activities that will develop not just the intrapersonal learning but the interpersonal development as well. Interaction among students will make the learning process easier and more enjoyable and the teacher must have the means of motivating the students in order for them to finish the activity, instruction or the discussion. Clarity Readings and visual aids should be able to attract the attention and interest of the students. The teacher should have user-friendly visual aid that will further enhance the students’ imagination and thinking. Computer softwares have options for making the presentation more attractive such as colorful backgrounds, animations and sound effects that will be helpful for the students learning process. Efficiency Instructions should focus on the topic to avoid confusions to the students and maximize the time allotted for the learning process. Too much information could lead to â€Å"information overload† that the student will tend to disengage from the learning process. Instructional Material Evaluation. I chose to use the preschool program of the HighReach for they guaranteed that the programs are aligned with the states and federal standards. Moreover, they clearly stated and specified their objectives as to what learning skills they intend to develop upon the students.They also have programs that will develop not just the intrapersonal development but also the interpersonal learning. Works cited: Alto, P. Designing Learning Space Project- Designing a Preschool Highschool [Electronic Version]. Morton, D. J. B. (2003). Selecting and Using Instructional resources to Enhance Instruction [Electronic Version].

Environment Threat and Opportunity Profile

ENVIRONMENT THREAT AND OPPORTUNITY PROFILE (ETOP) : ENVIRONMENT THREAT AND OPPORTUNITY PROFILE (ETOP) A VIEW FROM:-Anish CONTENT : CONTENT Definition of environment Overview of environment scanning Techniques of environment scanning DEFINITION : DEFINITION Environment means the surroundings, external objects, influences or circumstances under which someone or some thing exits. ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING : ENVIRONMENTAL SCANNING Environmental scanning is a process of gathering, analyzing, and dispensing information for tactical or strategic purposes.TECHNIQUES OF ENVIRONMENT SCANNING : TECHNIQUES OF ENVIRONMENT SCANNING SWOT ETOP ETOP : ETOP It is a process of dividing the environment into different sectors and then analyzing the impact of each sector on the organization. ETOP FOR BICYCLE COMPANY : ETOP FOR BICYCLE COMPANY CONCLUSION : CONCLUSION ETOP provides a clear picture to the strategists about which sectors & different factors in each sector, have a favorable impact on the orga nization.Organisational Capability Analysis †¢Internal Environment -strength & weakness in different functional areas Organization capability -Capacity & ability to use distinctive competencies to excel in a particular field -Abilty to use its ‘S’& ‘W’to exploit ‘O’& face ‘T’in its external environment Organization resources – Physical & Human cost, availability -strength / weakness Organization behaviour Identity & character of an organizationleadership, Mgt.Philosophy, values, culture, Qly of work environment, Organization climate, organization politics etc. ResourceBehaviour Distinctive competence -Any advantage a company has over its competitor -it can do something which they cannot or can do better -opportunity for an organization to capitalize -low cost, Superior Quality, R&D skills METHODS & TECHNIQUES USED FOR ORGANIZATIONAL APPRAISAL Comprehensive, long term Financial Analysis -R atio Analysis, EVA, ABCKey factor rating -Rating of different factors through different questions Value chain analysis VRIO framework BCG, GE Matrix , PIMS, McKinsey 7S Balanced Scorecard Competitive Advantage Profile Strategic Advantage profile Internal Factor Analysis Summary Organizational Capability Profile (OCP) -Weakness(-5), Normal(0), Strength(5) Financial Capability Profile Sources of funds (b) Usage of funds (c) Management of funds Marketing Capability Profile (a) Product related (b) Price related (c) Promotion related (d) Integrative & Systematic

The Wenchuan Earthquake in Sichuan Research Paper

The Wenchuan Earthquake in Sichuan - Research Paper Example Telecommunication towers fell and a number of landslides followed the incident with hundreds of students and children trapped in their schools. â€Å"Two chemical factories in Shifang were destroyed, spilling 80 tons of toxic liquid ammonia, officials told Chinese state media.† (Hooker and Yardley, 2008, para. 4). Nature showed up its worst against mankind and the country incurred huge losses of life and economy as a result of the act of nature. What remains to be explored is whether nature has been unfriendly towards humanity or there is some personal involvement of humans in bringing about such harshness in the attitude of nature towards it. Nature itself issues warning signs to man before the arrival of disasters. It is man who has been more often than not ignorant. The ignorance shown by man often leads to disastrous consequences. This paper aims at evaluating this statement in relation to a case study of the earthquake of Sinchuan. (Smith, 2008) has described how nature tends to warn mankind of upcoming calamities in his paper titled â€Å"Rumor and the Sichuan Earthquake†. As the name of his report implies, Smith has explained how nature causes animals to exhibit warning signs to humans when they expect an earthquake, yet many of us fail to realize the gravity of the matter and ignore the statements of those who realize the matter considering them rumors. Nature tends to protect its inhabitants through natural processes and animals’ apparent curiosity is one of the wonders of nature meant to help out the humans. Days before the earthquake broke out in Sichuan, animals were noticed to behave in an awkwardly fashion. Animals belonging to various species were seen running away from the city. Referring to the history of cases when mankind has benefited from the predictions of animals, Smith explained how animals helped people evacuate the area when they sensed the earthquake in Liaoning, which broke out on the 4th of February in 1974.

In the second half of the 20th century, the growth of interest in Essay

In the second half of the 20th century, the growth of interest in human rights has been accompanied by a revival in natural law. Consider why this should be so - Essay Example Indeed, the cinema is the best medium to illustrate how human rights are wantonly violated all over the world. Such films force everyone to fling their cloaks of apathy and go down from their ivory towers and make a stand or a reaction to such abuses. Practically all rights proclaimed in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights were violated i.e. "the rights to life, liberty, and security of person; to freedom from arbitrary arrest; to a fair trial; to be presumed innocent until proved guilty; to freedom of movement and residence; to asylum, nationality, and ownership of property" and so on.1 The Last King of Scotland, meanwhile, illustrates how a demented ruler, so intoxicated in his powers, can heap so much suffering and destruction to everyone who crosses his path. Idi Amin of Uganda in the 1970's ruled as a dictator and "forced most of the Asians who lived in Uganda to leave the country and had many of his opponents massacred".2 One scene showed his Scottish doctor-adviser hanged on a tenterhook with the hook piercing his chest. 2 The Killing Fields is Cambodia's version of Europe's holocaust. Like the Schindler's List, there's gore galore and human rights abuses to the max. It's so poignant and compelling that critic Rex Reed was made to comment i.e. "no film in my memory has more harrowingly telegraphed the ravages of war than The Killing Fields".3 The most affecting scenes are the scenes of torture ; the one where emaciated Cambodians had to eat live lizards in order to survive and the one where fathers and mothers were mercilessly slaughtered by their brainwashed children. The Killing Fields saga is faithful to history as attested by Amnesty International USA and by the Genocide Studies Program of Yale University. Says the latter "The Cambodian genocide of 1975-1979, in which approximately 1.7 million people lost their lives (21% of the population) was one of the worst human tragedies of the last century".4 It further continued, "the Khmer Rouge regime of Pol Pot combined extremist ideology with ethnic animosity and a diabolical disregard for human life to produce repression, misery, and murder in a massive scale". One Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich was transported to the screen from the novel by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn. The Russian Nobel Prize winner in Literature novelist, was himself incarcerated in the same gulag that he wrote about and thus his tale was almost biographical. The gulag or a "network of forced labor camps in the former Soviet Union"5 was a symbol of Russian brutality and godlessness during that communist regime. The character Ivan represented the suffering of those who had to do "hard, manual work for 12

The effect of demographics and personality on investment choice among Essay

The effect of demographics and personality on investment choice among UK investors - Essay Example Many studies have been undertaken across the world by scholars as well as academicians in the field of behavioral finance to explore what all psychological and demographic factors affect personal investment decisions and choice among alternatives. The study entitled "Risk Taking and Problem Context in the Domain of Losses: An Expected Utility Analysis" by John C. Hershey and Schoemaker in 1980 observes that women investors are more risk averse than men as regards gamble is concerned (Hershey 1980). Another popular study on the gender practices of investing; the researchers remark that both men and women are equally successful in investment decisions and there found no significance difference in investment decisions between male and female groups (Hudgen 1985). In an empirical study among men and women investors in auctions and lotteries undertaken by W. V Harlow and Keith Brown document that men prefer to take more risk than women as regards lottery and auction investments are concer ned (Harlow 1990). In another significant study on investment behaviour among individual investors considering their income level William Riley and K Victor Chow attempt to remark that "relative risk aversion decreases as one rises above the poverty level and decreases significantly for the very wealthy. It also decreases with age-but only up to a point. After age 65 (retirement), risk aversion increases with age" (Riley 1992). However, the authors speculate that "education, income and wealth are all highly correlated, so the relationship may be a function of wealth rather than education" (Riley 1992). In a research paper entitled "Gender Differences in Risk Behavior in Financial-Decision-Making: An Experimental Analysis", it is found that regardless of familiarity and framing, costs or ambiguity, women prefer investments with lower risk than moderate and high risk investments avenues (Powell 1997) . The main contention of the study of N. Jianakoplos and Bernasek in 1998 is that wom en are likely to exhibit more risk aversion characteristics than men when it comes to investment in defined contribution pension assets (Jianakoplos 1998). In the paper "Gender Differences in Risk Taking: A Meta-analysis", the authors conclude that women would like to take less risk than men (Brynes 1999). Schooley Diane K and Debra Drecnik Worden in their study in 2003 document that educated investors, especially those having education higher than secondary level tend to part their hard earned money in risky portfolios (Schooley 2003). The paper also finds that age and proportion of equity holding are positively correlated. In an interesting and popular study entitled "Risk Aversion and Personality Type" by G. Filbeck, Hatfield P. and Horvath P. in 2005, the authors conclude that the relation between personality type and individual ex ante EUT risk tolerance is non-linear in form (Filbeck 2005). Reviewing the aforementioned studies and papers, the present study attempts to explore the effect of demographic and personality traits on individual investment decision

Rules of Engagement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Rules of Engagement - Essay Example According to the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia, ‘In military or police operations, rules of engagement (ROE) determine when, where and how force shall be used.’ The rules of engagement are designed so as to ensure that uncontrolled violence is prevented, civilian casualties are minimized and the conflict does not escalate. However, restrictive rules of engagement undermine the ability of the military or police to resolve a conflict, as, according to many critics of the war, was the case in the US invasion of Vietnam (1959). The US president at the time, Lyndon Johnson, in order to contain the conflict set down strict rules of engagement that hindered the forces from striking or utilizing force in certain areas. This was done in order to thwart the perceived threat of Soviet or Chinese intervention and to gain support at home. President Johnson wanted the conflict to be restricted to South Vietnam, although aerial bombings in North Vietnam were allowed at certain point in the war. He believed the war was a counter-insurgency battle and the rules of engagement thus were justified. The Secretary of Defense, Robert Mcnamara, authored the rules of engagement. He saw the Vietnamese invasion as a ground war and thus saw little use of the US air force. Thus, the rules of engagement he designed restricted the aerial fighting the most. Mcnamara too saw the entire conflict as a counter-insurgency battle and thus tailored the rules of engagement to be such that most military strategies and moves were to be self-defensive. It was not until the Gulf of Tonkin incident in the August of 1964 that U.S. air strikes were allowed to be more aggressive. It is no surprise that the rules of engagement set down by the civilian suits in the government were not very popular with the military strategists. General William Westmoreland was a key architect of the military strategy. In order to avoid further disaster, he forbade any unit smaller then 750 men from

Psychology essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Psychology - Essay Example Nine months after the implementation of these changes, a recent employee performance appraisal revealed that employee performance and motivation levels had decreased. This article will utilize the theory of psychological contract and the attribution theory to evaluate why the employees are experiencing the above mentioned changes. These will be followed by recommendations that the firm could apply in order to improve on this situation. A psychological contract could be defined as a set of promises and beliefs held by an individual employee about the terms of the exchange between the employee and his or her organization, or the agent of the organization (Wellin, 28). The psychological contract can be a complex concept since it is an unwritten rule that cannot be directly expressed in a tangible way. Nevertheless, there have been arguments to the effect that a breakdown of the psychological contract can result in poor performance of individual workers or of the organization as a whole (Anderson, 102). This can be caused by a reduction in levels of organization commitment, lack of motivation, absence and attendance problems and high levels of staff turnover, some of which the financial company is already experiencing. Being a psychological rather than a legal contract, a psychological contract refers to beliefs about the deal as opposed to what is contained in writing within the formal employment contract about the deal (Conway & Briner, 23). Breach is probably the most important idea in psychological contract theory since it is the main way of understanding how the psychological contact affects the feelings, attitudes and behaviours of employees. A breach of the psychological contract occurs when one party perceives that the other has failed to fulfil promised obligations. In this case, the financial organization’s freeze on pay-rises and overtime payments combined with the freeze in almost all training could

Public Law assignment Scholarship Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Public Law assignment - Scholarship Essay Example % PIECE YOU HAVE EVALUATED: Mark TITLE Gordon Brown's Commons statement on reform of the constitution. AUTHOR Gordon Brown REFERENCE (citation) Carroll, a, Constitutional and Administrative Law (4b ed),London Pearson, Longman.2007 APPLICATION OF THE COCOA MODEL Coverage: The speech addresses the issue of the powers exercised by the Prime Minister and the Executive in the name of the monarchy without the people and their elected representatives being consulted. Objectivity: The piece represents one point of view that Prime minister and executive retain more powers and constitutional change is needed. Currency: The speech was made in 2007 after the Prime Minister Gordon Brown took office in 27 June 2007. Organization: The speech took place in the House of Commons. Authorship: The Author is the Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party. POSITION OF THE AUTHOR The position of the Author as a Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party explains why he claims for new British constitutional settlement that entrusts more power to Parliament and the British people. CLAIMS made by the author and EVIDENCE provided (adjust numbering and space for this section as needed according to your chosen piece) Claim 1: The executive retain more power over the parliament Evidence: The government has the power to request the dissolution of Parliament and the power to restrict Parliamentary oversight of the intelligence services Comment: These powers exercised by the executive are great evidence on its over-mighty authority. Gordon Brown proposed that the House of Commons would have to approve a resolution for any dissolution of Parliament requested by the Prime Minister. Claim 2: The executive controls over the judiciary... 2. a brief summary of how the COCOA model works in relation to the piece (COVERAGE, OBJECTIVITY, CURRENCY, ORGANISATION and AUTHORSHIP) - see InfoSkills section 3 for more information on the COCOA model. (15 marks) This task contributes 5 per cent of your overall assessment for Legal Technique and Reasoning and there is therefore no individual pass-mark for this element (the overall passmark for LTR is 40 per cent). Coverage: The speech addresses the issue of the powers exercised by the Prime Minister and the Executive in the name of the monarchy without the people and their elected representatives being consulted. The position of the Author as a Prime Minister and Leader of the Labour Party explains why he claims for new British constitutional settlement that entrusts more power to Parliament and the British people. These powers exercised by the executive are great evidence on its over-mighty authority. Gordon Brown proposed that the House of Commons would have to approve a resolution for any dissolution of Parliament requested by the Prime Minister. Comment: Regarding this Gordon Brown proposed to start the debate and consult on empowering citizens and communities. Moreover to reinforce the neutrality of the civil service, the core principles governing it should be legislated by Parliament. That's why Brown assures that The Church of England is, and should remain, the established church in England.

Dishonesty in the law of crime Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Dishonesty in the law of crime - Essay Example This research aims to evaluate and present dishonesty in the law of crime. a defendant can be deemed to have acted dishonestly if he knows that his doing is dishonest from the perspective of ordinary people. The use of this criterion, whereby honesty is determined by the standards of honest and reasonable people, can be criticised since it can lead to inconsistency given that various juries can reach different decisions on similar cases. Williams states that given the low levels of self-discipline that is prevailing in the society, he advises that the query of dishonesty should not be left to the jury. Therefore, the ghosh test has its basis on the assumption that there is a single standard of honesty that is universal and members of the society that are thinking right are the ones who hold it. This standard is seen to be so high that it can place a line between what is honest and what is unlawful (dishonest). The satisfactory and workable test about dishonesty should specify when co nduct is to be viewed as dishonest. Conduct should be viewed as dishonest if the one finding facts decides that reasonable and ordinary people would view the conduct as dishonest. This test is a fully objective assessment of dishonesty that is criminal and it contradicts the ghosh test to some extent, but it retains a little reference to the ordinary standards of the community. An individual is guilty of theft if he appropriates another person’s property dishonestly and intends to keep it away from him or her permanently. (Clarkson 87). It is not material whether this appropriation takes place for the gain of the thief. This act does not give the definition of dishonesty; instead, it only gives some specific situations where an individual is considered as not dishonest (Williams and Waller 157). The Ghosh Test of Dishonesty This is the current test for dishonesty, it is a test brought forward by the court of appeal, and is a two-stage objective/substantive test (Molan 17). Th is test is somewhat good because the decision as to whether the accused is guilty or not is left for the jury. The ghosh test has a number of criticisms because in this world there is no single standard of honesty held by the reasonable people of the society. Justices Toohey and Gaudron also criticised Ghosh as having practical problems. They also felt that, not all offences involving dishonesty were similar (Haplin 97). Subsequently, there is a need for the judge conducting the trial to stipulate the clear explicit meaning of dishonest to the jury. This is a peculiar test for dishonest

The Impact of Using oil Base Mud in Oil Drilling Rigs Dissertation

The Impact of Using oil Base Mud in Oil Drilling Rigs - Dissertation Example This dissertation will discuss the impact of using oil based mud in oil rigs for National Drilling Company in United Arab Emirates. In order to determine the impact of using oil based mud in drilling operations, the main components of oil rigs must be examined. This dissertation will examine the five main systems of an oil rig and the purpose they serve in the drilling process. In order to understand the impact and importance of drilling fluids in the drilling process, this research will examine them in detail. Drilling fluid, also called drilling mud, was first introduced simply as a way to drill cuttings out of the wellbore. The life cycle assessment in this research will examine disposal methods of drilling mud as well. The disposal of oil based mud currently presents some difficult problems with a consequent increase in operating costs. Currently, for example, National Drilling Company's disposal of oil based mud involves containing the mud and transporting it to the mud plant for disposal which is an expensive process. Improper disposal methods may result in damage to the environment, followed by a lengthy and costly recovery period. This dissertation will examine the full impact of using oil based in the drilling process and provide National Drilling Company with alternatives that are more environmentally friendly and cost effective.  In order to understand all of the functions of drilling mud, it is essential to understand the drilling process and know the main systems and the components of an oil rig.  ... Harvard Medical School (2002) did a life cycle assessment on the oil recovery process and identified the negative health and environmental impacts at every stage in the process. Several countries around the world are considered large oil producers, such as United Arab Emirates. This dissertation will discuss the impact of using oil based mud in oil rigs for National Drilling Company in United Arab Emirates. In order to determine the impact of using oil based mud in drilling operations, the main components of oil rigs must be examined. This dissertation will examine the five main systems of an oil rig and the purpose they serve in the drilling process. In order to understand the impact and importance of drilling fluids in the drilling process, this research will examine them in detail. Drilling fluid, also called drilling mud, was first introduced simply as a way to drill cuttings out of the wellbore (Charles, 1984). Today, as deeper and more hazardous wells are drilled to meet the de mand for oil, drilling mud has become a much more important part of the drilling process. Drilling mud is now considered the primary well control and drilling operations are not conducted without them (Id.). This research will examine the functions of drilling mud that are essential to the drilling process. These functions are: 1) transporting formation cuttings to the surface, 2) preventing formation fluids from entering the wellbore, 3) protecting the walls of the wellbore from collapsing, 4) cooling and lubricating drilling equipment (i.e. drill bit, drill string), 5) equalizing formation pressure (hydrostatic pressure) and preventing it from reaching the surface, 6)

Renaissance Artemisa Gentileschi Essay Example for Free

Renaissance Artemisa Gentileschi Essay My idol of the Renaissance period is the famous woman artist named Artemisia Gentileschi. She was born in Rome on July 8, 1593. Her father was a well-know Roman artist named Orazio Gentileschi and my mother was named Prudentia Monotone. She died when Artemisia was twelve. Most women artists in this post-Renaissance era were limited to portrait paintings and poses. She was the first woman to paint major historical and religious scenarios, such as her painting, Judith Beheading Holofernes, c. 1620. At an early age she experienced loss. Two of her brothers died during childhood and her mother died while giving birth. Showing some artistic skill, Artemisia received some early training from her father. After art academies rejected her, her father hired his friend, Agostino Tassi, to teach her. In 1612, she was sexually assaulted by him. The trial was seven long months. Artemisia was tortured with thumb screws in order to make her tell the truth of her claims. He was ultimately convicted, but Artemisa had a tarnished reputation after. She had been publicly humiliated and was severely criticized then and in her life forward. Artemisia’s first painting was named, Susanna and the Elder, c 1610. She was seventeen when she painted it. Michelangelo had a major influence on her style. The painting depicts the biblical story of Susanna, a young wife who was sexually harassed by the elder of her community. She shows her as vulnerable and frightened, while the men are conspiring behind her. This painting was completed before the rape, but it might be a depiction of the harassment from Tassi. The trauma of the rape impacted how she painted; she often painted graphic depictions of people dealing with pain. In 1612, she came to Florence, Italy where her father arranged for her to marry a Florentine artist name Pietro Antonia di Vincenzo Stiattesi. They became official members of the Academie del Disegno (Academy of Design) in 1616, which was a prestigious honor for me, a woman. Her first child, Giovanni Battista was born in September of 1613. Her second son, Cristofano, was born in November of 1615. Her husband is starting to prefer gambling over working. They are in much debt. In August of 1617, she gave birth to a daughter named Prudentia; sometimes called Palmira. She continued to live with Pietro even though it was loveless. He left me 10 years later. She had a second daughter in October of 1618, but she died in June of 1619. It was a difficult time and unbeknownst to Artemisia, they are even in more serious debt than I had originally thought. In 1621, she returned to her hometown in Rome as ordered by Cosmo II de Midici. She was supposed to return in order recover from an illness and her family problems. She also spent time in Venice from 1627 to 1630. She never returned to Florence. She went to Genoa for a short time with her father and painted, Jael and Sisera. Some of her patrons while back in Rome were cardinals Francesco and Antoni Barberion, both wealthy and influential prelates. By 1630, she moves to the city of Naples. Charles I of England and the Duke of Modena also purchased her paintings. Naples was the wealthiest city in southern Europe at this time. She also worked in England for a while beginning in 1638 where her father had a position at the court of Charles I. She returned after her father death in 1639. As noted above, her most famous painting, Judith Beheading Holfernes, illustrated an event from the Old Testament Book of Judith. Holofernes, the Assyrian general, was preparing to destroy the land of Judah. Judith then goes to a maidservant, Abra, to the Holorenes’ camp. She poses as a deserter from the Hebrews. Judith seduces him with her beauty, gives him alcohol, and then severs his head! After her death, her grave marker was lost during church renovations and the inscription on her headstone, rather than mentioning her artwork, remembered her sexual scandal instead. In time, Artemisia was often forgotten about in the Art world and her paintings were often wrongly attributed to her father or other artists. Centuries later, renewed interest in Artemisia uncovered her story, properly attributed her work and finally restored her reputation as one of the world’s most important female artists and a major artist of the Italian Baroque period. Gentileschi often chose historic and biblical subjects that featured a female protagonist: Susanna, Bathsheba, Esther, Judith. Her style was heavily influenced by dramatic realism and marked contrasting light and dark of Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio (1573 – 1610). The first book devoted to her, Artemisia Gentileschi The Image of The Female Hero in Italian Baroque Art. by Mary D. Garrard, was issued in 1989; her first exhibition was held in Florence in 1991. A TV documentary, a play, and more recently, a film have advanced her visibility as an important artist. As noted above, Artemisai Gentileschi, was inspired to paint by her father and by famous artist Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio. Today she is regarded as one of the most progressive and expressionist painters of her generation. After moving back to Rome French artist, Pierre Dunostier le Neveu, made a drawing of her hand holding a paintbrush. She along with her father were one of many artists invited by King Charles I of England to decorate the ceilings of the Queen’s house in Greenwhich. I am inspired by her because she chose to stand up and compete against the men of that time. Woman of that era had such difficulties trying to gain recognition for their work. She is one of the first women who eventually overcame adversity. Her technical skill showed human emotion from a â€Å"woman’s† perspective which some say is a breakthrough in art. In the words of Mary D. Garrard, she has suffered a scholarly neglect that is almost unthinkable for an artist of her caliber. [pic] Susanna and The Elders c 1610 [pic] Judith Slaying Holfernes Cited Work http://www.artbible.info/art/biography/artemisia-gentileschi http://www.artemisia-gentileschi.com/index.shtml http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Artemisia_Gentileschi http://www.themasterpiececards.com/famous-paintings-reviewed/bid/31786/Female-Artists-Artemisia-Gentileschi

Reflection on Nursing Communication Scenario

Reflection on Nursing Communication Scenario INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION SKILLS Communication is a vital part of the nurses role. Theorists such as Peplau (1952), Rogers (1970) and King (1971) all emphasise therapeutic communication as a primary part of nursing and a major focus of nursing practice. Long (1992) further suggests that communication contains many components including presence, listening, perception, caring, disclosure, acceptance, empathy, authenticity and respect. Stuart and Sundeen (1991, p.127) warn that while communication can facilitate the development of a therapeutic relationship it can also create barriers between clients and colleagues. Within Healthcare, communication may be described as a transitional process that is dynamic and constantly changing (Hargie, Saunders and Dickenson, 1994, p.329). It primarily involves communication between the nurse and the patient. If the interaction is to be meaningful, information should be exchanged; this involves the nurse adopting a planned, holistic approach which eventually forms the basis of a therapeutic relationship. Fielding and Llewelyn (1987) contend that poor communication is the primary cause of complaints by patients. This is supported by Young (1995) who reports that one third of complaints to the Health Service Commissioner were related to communication with nursing staff. Studies by Boore (1979) and Devine and Cook (1983) demonstrate that good communication actually assisted the rate of patient recovery thus reducing hospital admission times. This suggests that good communication skills are cost effective. In this assignment, I have reflected on situations that have taken place during my clinical work experience. These situations have helped to develop and utilise my interpersonal skills, helping to maintain therapeutic relationships with patients. In this instance, I have used Gibbs (1988) reflective cycle as the framework for my reflection. Gibbs (1988) reflective cycle consists of six stages in nursing practice and learning from the experiences. Description of the situation that arose. Conclusion of what else would I could have done. Action plan is there so I can prepare if the situation rises again. Analysis of the feeling Evaluation of the experience Analysis to make sense of the experience My Reflective Cycle Baird and Winter (2005) illustrate the importance of reflective practice. They state that reflecting will help to generate knowledge and professional practice, increase ones ability to adapt to new situations, develop self esteem and greater job satisfaction. However, Siviter (2004) explains that reflection is about gaining self confidence, identifying ways to improve, learning from ones own mistakes and behaviour, looking at other peoples perspectives, being self aware and making future improvements by learning from the past. I have come to realise that it is important for me to improve and build therapeutic relationships with my patients by helping to establish a rapport through trust and mutual understanding, creating the special link between patient and nurse as described by Harkreader and Hogan (2004). Peplau (1952), cited in Harkreader and Hogan (2004), notes that good contact in therapeutic relationships builds trust as well as raising the patients self esteem, often leading t o the patients personal growth. Ruesh (1961), cited in Arnold and Boggs (2007), states that the purpose of therapeutic communication is to improve the patients ability to function. Therefore, in order to establish a therapeutic nurse/patient interaction, a nurse must possess certain qualities e.g. caring, sincerity, empathy and trustworthiness (Kathol, 2003) (P.33). These qualities can be expressed by promoting effective communication and relationships by the implementation of interpersonal skills. Johnson (2008) defines interpersonal skills as the ability to communicate effectively. Chitty and Black (2007, p 218) mention that communication is the exchange of information, thoughts and ideas via simultaneous verbal and non verbal communication. They explain that while verbal communication relies on the spoken word, non-verbal communication is just as important, consisting of gestures, postures, facial expressions, plus the tone and level of volume of ones voice. Thus, my reflection i n this assignment is based on the development of therapeutic relationships between the nurse and patient using interpersonal skills. My reflection is about a particular patient, to whom, in order to maintain patient information confidentiality (NMC, 2004), I will refer to as Mr R. It concerns an event which took place when I was working on a surgical ward. Whilst there were male and female wards, female and male surgical patients were encouraged mingle. On this particular day, I noticed that one of the male patients was sitting alone on his bed. This was Mr R., a 64 year old gentleman who had been diagnosed with inoperable cancer of the pancreas, with a life expectancy of 18-24 months. He was unable to control his pain, and whilst some relief could be provided by chemotherapy, Mr R. had a good understanding of his condition and knew that there was no cure available. He was unable to walk by himself and always needed assistance even to stand up or sit down. Because of his mobility problems I offered to get him his cup of tea and I then sat with him as he was lonely. I would now like to discuss the feelings and thoughts I experienced at the time. Before I gave Mr R. his cup of tea, I approached him in a friendly manner and introduced myself; I tried to establish a good rapport with him because I wanted him to feel comfortable with me even though I was not a family member or relative. When I first asked Mr R. if I could get him a cup of tea, he looked at me and replied I have asked the girl for a cup of tea, I dont know where she is. I answered Well, I will see where she is and if I cant find her, I will gladly get one for you Mr R. In doing this, I demonstrated emphatic listening. According to Wold (2004, p 13), emphatic listening is about the willingness to understand the other person, not just judging by appearance. Then I touched MrR.s shoulders, kept talking and raised my tone a little because I was unsure of his reaction. At the same time, I used body language to communicate the action of drinking. I paused and repeated my actions, but this time I used some simple words which I though Mr R. would understand. Mr R. looked at me and nodded his head. As I was giving him his cup of tea, I maintained eye contact as I didnt want him to feel shy or embarrassed. Fortunately, using body language helped me to communicate with this gentleman. At the time I was worried that he would be unable to understand me since English is not my first language but I was able to communicate effectively with him by verbal and non-verbal means, using appropriate gestures and facial expressions. Body language and facial expressions are referred to as a non-verbal communication (Funnell et al. 2005 p.443). I kept thinking that I needed to improve my English in order for him to better understand and interpret my actions. I thought of the language barrier that could break verbal communication. Castledine (2002, p.923) mentions that the language barrier arises when individuals come from different social backgrounds or use slang or colloquial phrases in conversation. Luckily, when dealing with Mr R. the particular gestures and facial expressions I used helped him to understand that I was offering him assistance. The eye contact I maintained helped show my willingness to help him; it gave him reassurance and encouraged him to place his confidence in me. This is supported by Caris-Verhallen et al (1999) who mention that direct eye contact expresses a sense of interest in the other person and provides another form of communication. In my dealings with Mr R., I tried to communicate in the best and appropriate way possible in order to make him feel comfortable; as a result he placed his trust in me and was more co-operative. Evaluation In evaluating my actions, I feel that I behaved correctly since my actions gave Mr R. both the assistance he needed and provided him with some company. I was able to successfully develop the nurse-patient relationship. Although McCabe (2004, p-44) would describe this as task centred communication one of the key components missing in communication by nurses I feel that the situation involved both good patient and task centred communication. I feel that I treated Mr R. with empathy because he was unable to perform certain tasks himself due to his mobility problems and was now refusing chemotherapy. It was my duty to make sure he was comfortable and felt supported and reassured. My involvement in the nurse-patient relationship was not restricted to task centred communication but included a patient centred approach using basic techniques to provide warmth and empathy toward the patient. I found that I was able to improve my non-verbal communication skills in my dealings with Mr R. When he first mentioned having chemotherapy, he volunteered very little information, thus demonstrating the role of non-verbal communication. Caris-Verhallen et al (1999, p.809) state that the role of non-verbal communication becomes important when communicating with elderly people with incurable cancer (Hollman et al 2005, p.31) There are a number of effective ways to maximise communication with people, for example, by trying to gain the persons attention before speaking this makes one more visible and helps to prevent the person from feeling intimidated or under any kind of pressure; the use of sensitive touch can also make them feel more comfortable. I feel that the interaction with Mr R. had been beneficial to me in that it helped me to learn how to adapt my communication skills both verbally and non-verbally. I used body language to its full effect since the language barrier made verbal communication with Mr.R. difficult. I used simple sentences that Mr R. could easily understand in order to encourage his participation. Wold (2004, p.76) mention that gestures are a specific type of non-verbal communication intended to express ideas; they are useful for people who have limited verbal communication skills. I also used facial expressions to help encourage him to have chemotherapy treatment which might not cure his problem but would give him some relief and make him feel healthier. Facial expressions are the most expressive means of non-verbal communication but are also limited to certain cultural and age barriers (Wold 2004 p.76). My facial expressions were intended to encourage Mr R. to reconsider his decision with regard to chemotherapy treatment. Whilst I could not go into all the details about his treatment, I was able to advise him to complete his treatment in order to alleviate his symptoms. Analysis In order to analyse the situation, I aim to evaluate the important communication skills that enabled me to provide the best level of nursing care for Mr R. My dealings with Mr R. involved interpersonal communication i.e. communication between two people (Funnell et al 2005, p-438).I realised that non-verbal communication did help me considerably in providing Mr R. with appropriate nursing care even though he could only understand a few of the words I was speaking. I did notice that one of the problems that occurred with this style of communication was the language barrier but despite this I continued by using appropriate communication techniques to aid the conversation. Although it was quite difficult at first, the use of non verbal communication skills helped encourage him to speak and also allowed him to understand me. The situation showed me that Mr R. was able to respond when I asked him the question without me having to wait for an answer he was unable to give. Funnell et al (2005, p 438) point out that communication occurs when a person responds to the message received and assigns a meaning to it. Mr R. had indicated his agreement by nodding his head. Delaune and Ladner (2002, P-191) explain that this channel is one of the key components of communication techniques and processes, being used as a medium to send out messages. In addition Mr R. also gave me feedback by showing that he was able to understand the messages being conveyed by my body language, facial expression and eye contact. The channels of communication I used can therefore be classed as both visual and auditory. Delaune and Ladner (2002 p.191) state that feedback occurs when the sender receives information after the receiver reacts to the message, however Chitty and Black (2007, p.218) define feedback as a response to a message. I n this particular situation, I was the sender who conveyed the message to Mr R. and Mr R. was the receiver who agreed to talk about his chemotherapy treatment and allowed me to assist. Consequently I feel that my dealings with Mr R. involved the 5 key components of communication outlined by Delaune and Ladner (2002, p.191) i.e. senders, message, channel, receiver and feedback. Reflecting on this event allowed me to explore how communication skills play a key role in the nurse and patient relationship in the delivery of patient-focussed care. Whilst I was trying to assist Mr R. when he was attempting to walk, I realised that he needed time to adapt to the changes in his activities of daily living. I was also considering ways of successful and effective communication to ensure a good nursing outcome. I concluded that it was vital to establish a rapport with Mr R. to encourage him to participate in the exchange both verbally and non-verbally. This might then give him the confidence to communicate effectively with the other staff nurses; this might later prevent him from being neglected due to his age or his inability to understand the information given to him about his treatment and the benefits of that treatment. I have set out an action plan of clinical practice for future reference. If there were patients who needed help with feeding or with other procedures, I would ensure that I was well prepared to deal patients who werent able to communicate properly. This is because, as a nurse, it is my role to ensure that patients are provided with the best possible care. To achieve this, I need to be able to communicate effectively with patients in different situations and with patients who have differing needs. I need to communicate effectively as it is important to know what patients need most during there stay on the ward under my supervision. Whilst I have a lot of experience in this field of practice, communication remains a fundamental part of the nursing process which needs to be developed in nurse-patient relationships. Wood (2006, p.13) states that communication is the key to unlock the foundation of relationships. Good communication is essential if one is to get to know a patients individu al health status (Walsh, 2005, p.30). Active learning can also help to identify the existence of barriers to communication when interacting with patients. Active learning means listening without making judgements; I always try to listen to patients opinions or complaints since this gives me the opportunity to see the patients perspective (Arnold, 2007, p.201). On the other hand, it is crucial to avoid the barriers that occur in communication with the patients and be able to detect language barriers. This can be done by questioning patients about their health and by asking them if they need help in their daily activities. I set about overcoming such barriers by asking open-ended questions and interrupting when necessary to seek additional facts (Funnell et al, 2005, p.453). Walsh (2005, p.31) also points out that stereotyping and making assumptions about patients, by making judgements on first impressions and a lack of awareness of communication skills are the main barriers to good communication. I must not judge patients by making assumptions on my first impression but should go out of my way to make the patient feel valued as an individual. I should respect each patients fundamental values, beliefs, culture, and individual means of communication (Heath, 300, p.27). I should be able to know how to establish a rapport with each patient. Cellini (1998, p.49) suggests a number of ways in which this can be achieved, including making oneself visible to the patient, anticipating patients needs, being reliable, listening effectively; all these factors will give me guidelines to improve my communication skills. Another important factor to include in my action plan is the need to take into account any disabilities patients may have such as poor hearing, visual impairment or mental disability. This could help give the patient some control and allow them to make the best use of body language. Once I know that a patient has some form of disability, I will be able to prepare a course of action in advance, deciding on the most appropriate and effective means of communication. Heath (2000, p.28) mentions that communicating with patients who have an impairment requires a particular and certain type of skill and consideration. Nazarko (2004, p.9) suggests that one should not repeat oneself if the patient is unable to understand but rather try to rephrase what one is saying in terms they can understand e.g. try speaking a little more slowly when communicating with disabled people or the hard of hearing. Hearing problems are the most common disability amongst adults due to the ageing process (Schofield. 2002, p.21). In summary, my action plan will show how to establish a good rapport with the patient, by recognising what affects the patients ability to communicate well and how to avoid barriers to effective communication in the future. Conclusion In conclusion, I have outlined the reasons behind my choosing Gibbs (1988) reflective cycle as the framework of my reflection and have discussed the importance of reflection in nursing practice. I feel I have discussed each stage of the cycle, outlining my ability to develop therapeutic relationship by using interpersonal skills in my dealings with one particular patient. I feel that most parts of the reflective cycle (Gibbs 1988) can be applied to the situation on which I have reflected. Without the model of structured reflection I do not feel I would have had the confidence to consider the situation in any depth (Graham cited in Johns 1997 a, p.91-92) and I fear reflection would have been remained at a descriptive level. I have been able to apply the situation to theory; as Boud Keogh Walker (1985, p.19) explain that reflection in the context of learning is a generic term for those intellectual and effective activities whereby individuals engage to explore their experiences in ord er to lead to a better understanding and appreciation. Boyd Fales (1983, p.100) agree with this and state that reflective learning is the process of internally examining and exploring an issue of concern, trigged by an experience that creates and clarifies meaning in terms of self and which results in a changed conceptual perspective. However, I personally believe that the reflective process is merely based on each individuals own personality and beliefs as well as their attitude and approach to the life. Appendix Mr R., a 64 year old gentleman, was an inpatient on a surgical ward. Earlier that day his consultant had directly informed him that he had inoperable cancer of the pancreas with a life expectancy of 18-24 months. Some relief might be offered by chemotherapy, but there was no cure. Mr R. was understandably shocked, but had suspected the diagnosis. At that time he remained in the care of the specialist nurse. Later in the day, as I was passing through the ward, I notice Mr. R. alone on his bed. Prescriptive A prescriptive intervention seeks to direct the behaviour of the client, usually behaviour that is outside the client-practitioner relationship. My first intervention was to open the conversation and demonstrate warmth. I provided information myself and gave Mr R. the choice of staying on his own or engaging with me. By shaking Mr R.s hands I was attempting to provide reassurance and support as well as communicating warmth in order to reduce his anxiety and promote an effective nurse-patient relationship. Practitioner: Hello Mr. R, I am one of the nurses here this  morning with Dr. M. Is there anything I can get you or would you rather be on your own? (Shook hands). Mr. R: NO, I remember you from this morning, come and sit down. Ive asked the girl for a cup of tea, I dont know where shes got to. Practitioner: Well give me a minute and Ill bring you one in. Do you take sugar? Mr. R: I suppose I shouldnt, then why worry. Two please. Practitioner: (Returning with a cup of tea) Here we are, dont blame me if its horrible, I got it from the trolley. (I smiled at Mr.R. and tried to establish eye contact, then sat down in the chair next to him). Mr. R: Thanks, thats just what I need. 2. Informative An informative intervention seeks to impart knowledge, information and meaning to the patient. My intention was to reinforce the nurse-patient relationship by smiling and attempting to establish eye contact as well as using facial expressions to put the patient at ease and establish a good rapport. By making Mr. R a cup of tea it created a pleasant response in a time of crisis. Practitioner: Jane (specialist nurse) was here this morning, what did you think about what she had to say? Mr. R: Oh yes she was very nice, mind you Im an old hand at this, I looked after my wife when she had cancer. Mr. R: She was riddled with cancer, but we kept her at home and looked after her. She could make a cracking cup of tea (Mr.R. smiles) Practitioner: (smiles and nods) When did she pass away? 3. Confronting A confronting intervention seeks to raise the clients consciousness about limiting behaviour or attitudes of which they are relatively unaware. By meeting the patients needs at that time I felt the urge to continue to show a display of warmth and develop the relationship further. Mr. R: It will be two years next month that she died. Practitioner: You must miss her. Mr. R: Theres not a day goes by that I dont talk to her. Goodness knows what she would make of all this, its brought it all back. 4. Cathartic A cathartic intervention seeks to enable the client to discharge/react to a painful emotion primarily grief, fear and/or anger. Mr. R spoke emotively and angrily by using such words as riddled and cancer. He spoke loudly and angrily with congruent non-verbal cues. Practitioner: Has what youve been discussing with Jane reminded you of your wifes death? Mr. R: Yes, (patient covers his face with his hands). Practitioner: What is it about what youve heard that is worrying you, do you think you can tell me? 5. Catalytic A catalytic intervention seeks to elicit self-discovery, self direct living, learning and problem solving in the client. Mr. R had a broad scope in which to discuss any concerns he may have had, but his response only concerned his wife, not him as his wife was the one who suffered from cancer. Mr. R: (Pause) ..Im an old hand at this and I dont want any of that chemo. Practitioner: What is it about the chemotherapy you dont like? Mr. R: My wife had it and we went through hell. Practitioner: You went through hell Mr. R: The doctors made her have the chemo and she still died in agony. 6. Supportive A supportive intervention seeks to affirm worth and value of the clients person, qualities, attitudes and actions. It is done to encourage the client to say more and to explore the issue further. Support is provided by non-verbal means like giving warmth, supportive posture and maintaining eye contact. I wanted to convince Mr. R that I was interested in what he had to say and help him believe that he was worth listening to that his opinions really mattered. Practitioner: Do you think the same thing will happen to you? Mr. R: Yes, thats the one thing Im worried about. Practitioner: em, if Im honest with you chemotherapy treatment is not a subject I know a lot about. (Pause), would you like to see the specialist nurse again? She can go over things with you and explain your options. Mr. R Well if she doesnt mind, Im just not sure the chemo will be worth it. Learning outcomes From this experience, I have learned the importance of:- Practice in accordance with the NMC (2004) code of professional conduct, performance, when caring for adult patients including confidentially, informed consent, accountability, patient advocacy and a safe environment. Demonstrating fair and anti-discriminatory behaviour, acknowledging differences in the beliefs, spiritual and cultural practices of individuals. Understanding the rationale for undertaking and documenting, a comprehensive, systematic and accurate nursing assessment of physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs. Interpreting assessment data to prioritise interventions in evidence based plan of care. Discussing factors that will influence the effective working relationships between health and social care teams. Demonstrating the ability to critically reflect upon practice.

Volkswagen Groups Strategy And Automobile Industry Marketing Essay

Volkswagen Groups Strategy And Automobile Industry Marketing Essay The MQB platform is an automobile platform of the Volkswagen Group. The companys strategic program or plan of the business is known as Strategy 2018 plus it is designed to produce the Volkswagen Group globally innovator in the 2018. By developing a standard, compatible list of parts from which to produce a number of automobiles, VW intends to reduce the overall time, which is normally taken to construct a car by 30%. One of the ways of judging the position of specific industry is evaluating by Porter five forces model. MQB will permit an enormous financial savings because of economic climates of scale as well as that the financial savings will permit the higher utilization of high durability products in automobiles, which makes them less dangerous and well made. Key words: automobile industry, MQB platform, strategy, economy of scale, Porter Introduction: The Volkswagen Group is located in Germany and is particularly among the worlds top automobile suppliers as well as the leading automobile company in the Europe. The Group comprises 10 brand names and every brand features its own character and functionality as a separate entity in the marketplace. The companys strategic program or plan of the business is known as à ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ ·Ã‚ ªtrategy 2018à ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥ plus it is designed to produce the Volkswagen Group globally innovator in the 2018. Volkswagen is currently striving to improve and enhance its product sale to be able to produce over 10 million automobiles annually, as well as to boost the return on product sales prior to tax to a minimum of 8%. To attain these objectives, the MQB system will be having a huge role. (Wiedemann, 2011) MQB Platform: The MQB platform is an automobile platform of the Volkswagen Group. It stands for à ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ ·Ã¢â‚¬ ¢erman Modularer Querbaukastenà ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥ which can be translated into à ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ ·Ã‚ ¢odular Transverse Matrixà ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥, with which Volkswagen Group can design a wide variety of transverse, FWD drive models by using the same set of components. Usually, each automobile platform is designed specifically for a market segment and is shared between cars of similar size. Volkswagen, is now creating shared modular platforms to serve the needs of its different divisions, thus the MQB platform is the most recent and will be used for vast market models with FWD cars. (Wiedemann, 2011) Together with the MQB platform the primary thins regarding improvement is the dimension that needed to be fixed between the firewall and the axles. The wheelbase, track as well as rear overhangs along with width all can be developed as needed in the style. The MQB will handle various models of Volkswagen. For instance, it handles the following designs: Gold, Passats, Jetta, Scirocco, Beetle, and VW CC. In the foreseeable future, most of these versions could theoretically be manufactured about the same assembly line as well as it will eventually be achievable to create MQB designs of various brand names collectively. The primary new automobiles to be created would be in line with the MQB is definitely the successor towards the Golf as well as towards the next generation Audi A3 models. (Wiedemann, 2011) By developing a standard, compatible list of parts from which to produce a number of automobiles, VW intends to reduce the overall time, which is normally taken to construct a car by 30%. Normally, the vehicles by VW normally have 40kg weight, which is lighter in weight as compare to the todays counterparts. One of the most notable attribute from the MQB is the standard placement of all new types of engines, which are helping as well as accommodating the two new series of 4 cylinder based family series. The Groups engine as well as the gear package variations within the MQB system will probably be lowered simply by 90% due to the brand new engines, and also the MQB allows the same mounting placement for all present substitute drive ideas from propane and for hybrid designs. (Wiedemann, 2011) Working with a standard placement for all kinds of engines as well as transmissions is definitely a huge advantage. It could be a diesel-powered engine, electric powered motor; plug in hybrid arrangement or even gas based engines, all may be fit evenly which makes it much more suitable. An unequaled performance can also be purchased with this uniformity in engine and in transmission. The predicted quantity of automobiles in the future with this particular brand new platform is around 3.5 million which includes modest automobiles as well as normal sized sedans, also for the success of this project of VW will spend billions of dollars. Improving the automobile plants towards MQB system will certainly incur a large amount of price but concurrently itll reduce the price of manufacturing by almost 20% and reduce the assemblage times by a remarkably 30%. (Horrell, 2011) One of the ways of judging the position of specific industry is evaluating by Porter five forces model. According to this theory, there exist five major forces in industry that determines the overall profitability of that industry. Grundy (2006) stated that porter five forces model has boosted strateigic management to the new horizon of management world. (Grundy 2006) New Entry Threat Throughout this automobile production business, this is certainly a minimal threat. Issues to look at in this threat contain all hurdles to accessibility in market. For example, advance investment capital, brand equity, regulation and state policies, and capability to deliver the merchandise (Porter, 1996) .As the Volkswagen is one of the leading and famous manufacturers of automobile, so they have no threat of entry of new company. They are already the biggest automobile manufacturers in Europe. Moreover, in case of automobiles, customers usually prefer there trusted brands and companies. Volkswagen is one of the leading automobile manufacturers so they have less threat of any new entry in the market. Moreover, they are continuously focusing on product innovation that is why they have less risk from any new company entering in market. (Porter, 1996) Vendors Bargaining Power The bargaining power of vendors is also a major factor. It means that exactly how strong could be the position of your vendor. Exactly how much the vendor has influence over raising the rates of products? Vendors tend to be stronger if vendors are focused as well as properly organized, a small number of alternatives available in the market to products, their particular goods is usually most reliable or distinctive and you are usually not a major client to Vendor. Whenever vendors possess extra control over products as well as its rates which segment is significantly less appealing. It is better approach to produce win-win relationship with vendors. It is wise decision to acquire multiple-options of supply (Avila, 2001). In the automobile industry, it is generally referred to the supplier of spare parts engine parts, car accessories etc. It also includes the auto-unions. The vendors can charger high prices for the supplies as the VW MQB platform is a new reform in automobile industry so suppliers can charge extra amount. In order to avoid this problem, the company has to look for multiple suppliers for their machinery and raw materials. Strong vendors can increase the rate of their products that eventually increases the cost of industry. In this competitive market, the high vendor bargaining power can cause some serious damages to the Volkswagen. (Avila, 2001) Alternative products If customers can examine to the level of competition or some other similar products and services, and switch quickly there could possibly be a great danger of this particular force. Because of brand new motors, the particular switching cost is actually huge due to the fact a person will not be able to sell the brand new motor vehicle for the similar amount, he paid for it (Grundy A. N., 1997). The beginning of MQB is predicted to take the entire Volkswagen Group one single level nearer to their aim to become the particular worlds number-one motor vehicle producer, overtaking Toyota as well as General Motors. Therefore, Volkswagen group will face fewer chances that their customer will switch to some other cars. Innovation in products is the key element of Volkswagen success. There new MQB platform will help Volkswagen to produce more innovate motor vehicles and they can save up to 25 percent cost. These cost effective innovate motor vehicles will persuade customers to buy the Volkswag en products. (Grundy A. N., 1997). Market Competition Market competition means the level of rivalry between the current competing firms already in the market. Level of competition relies upon on how many competing firms and their functionality. Market competition is higher when: à ¨Ã‚ ·Ã‚ ¯ Generally, there are usually number of limited or similar competing firms and significantly less whenever there is a definite industry leader. à ¨Ã‚ ·Ã‚ ¯ Buyers have less switching costs à ¨Ã‚ ·Ã‚ ¯ Market is developing à ¨Ã‚ ·Ã‚ ¯ Exit obstacles are higher and competitors stay and also remain competitive à ¨Ã‚ ·Ã‚ ¯ Fixed expenses are huge resulting massive manufacturing as well as decrease in prices These types of scenarios create the grounds for advertising and marketing wars, improvements, price wars and eventually rates increase and it is challenging to remain competitive (Mahan McGowan, 1998) All top manufacturer of automobile faces that kind of problem. The automobile industry is growing rapidly in European countries and like all other car manufacturers, Volkswagen has to face tough competition in market from existing competitors. Volkswagen is facing a tough competition from General Motors and Toyota. Though Volkswagen is considered as the leading automobile manufacturer in Europe, it still faces intense competition from its rivals. The MQB will definitely enables the Group to create both high-quantity as well as niche versions at the maximum quality as well as incredibly competitive prices in the long run and also world wide-vehicles which are separately designed for the needs of extremely diversified industry like as America, China, Europe and also growing markets like India. (Mahan McGowan, 1998) Negotiating Power of the customers Customers refer to the particular buyers who ultimately acquire the product or service or even the companies who deliver the particular industrys product or service to your final customers. Negotiating potential of customers refer to the actual ability of customers to cut down the price levels charged by companies in the market or raise the firms expense in the market by asking for improved quality as well as service of goods. Strong customers can get revenue from of a market by reducing the selling prices and raising the costs. They will buy in huge amounts. They have complete details regarding the product or service and the market. They will stress on high quality products and solutions. They pose credible threat of backward integration. In this way, they are regarded as a threat (Thurlby, 1998). Literature Review: In February, 2012, Volkswagen intends to make majority of their technology designs with its all-new MQB System and it is such a sensible decision, which will certainly provide enormous economic advantages to the company. Moreover, it is revealed that Audi as well as Skoda will be manufactured on the same platform; the initial product example of this platform is in fact Audi A3. On the other side, the next generation Skoda is coming in the market by the ends of 2013, which will be entirely based on the VW and MQB platform. Exactly the same platform may also be used by the near future versions of the additional VW Soda, Polo and VW Vento. On the other hand, VW Polo coming from MQB platform, the Skoda of 2014 will be having the same size however will provide an extended wheelbase, therefore enhancing the room interior. Furthermore, the Skoda Fabia, of 2014 will likely to have a gasoline engine alternative along with80 BHP power as well as 1.2 Liter displacements. (Volkswagen group intro ducing, 2012) The MQB system platform, referred to as à ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬Å"ong termà ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥ structures, the working platform is adequately flexible to underpin automobiles like small Polo and for big sized Passat. Most importantly, it is being declared that these types of designs could theoretically be constructed on a single manufacturing range. This will likely allow Volkswagen to generate additional high size along with market automobiles at lowered costs. The working platform may also be lighter in weight than present architectures and permit for standard installing of gasoline as well as diesel-powered engines. (Volkswagen group introducing, 2012) On 2nd February, 2012 it was declared that the brand new platform is placed to appear under each of the brand new Audi and VW versions in the future years, which is more likely to come in some more. Were able to anticipate probably a manufacturing edition of previous years Cross Coupe idea. (Colwell, 2012) Volkswagen declares the platform of MQB simple as à ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬Å"ong termà ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥ structures, made to manufacture products just like Polo, to a family automobile to as large as the Passat. Developed to be lighter in weight than each of the brands present similar systems, the MQB will even provide diesel, petrol, as well as several renewable energy power locomotives. The very first versions to come out on the brand new platform would be the fresh 7th era Golf, as well as the latest Audi A3 with sedan. (Colwell, 2012) Also, on 26th march, 2012, on VW annual income headline, it was exposed that the business produced à ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ã‚ ¢9.3 billion throughout the year of 2011, up greater than 50%, Michal Macht, the panel fellow member responsible for group manufacturing, mentioned: à ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ ·Ã‚ ­he following 2 to 3 years are great for all of us, and during this period we plan to maintain the technological innovation to ourselves. We dont want to reveal our superiority; however in the moderate to long-term were able to promote the technological innovation. We might need to consider the possibilities and examine whether or not they made impression.à ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥ (Colwell, 2012) VW Group reports to create a lot more than 6 million vehicles to the platform throughout VW, Audi, Seat and Skoda brand names by way of 2018. the chief of Volkswageon, who was simply offered a à ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ã‚ ¢14.2 million reward for the companys achievement, recently, stated the investment decision within the MQB framework would start to pay back coming from 2014. Winterkorn predicted the fact that the VW has expended close to à ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ã‚ ¢50 billion dollars over 4 years inside the establishing and employing the MQB system. (Holder, 2012) à ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ ·Ã‚ ­he brand new Golf has to be huge leap and much better than the vehicle it replaces, à ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ ¸Ã¢â‚¬ °e stated. à ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ ·Ã‚ ²e have spent greatly in this particular technological innovation, however were confident the advantages is going to be obvious for the business. Making the MQB system as well as organizing the production facilities to generate it needs spending in 2012 and also 2013, however from then on the repayment should begin to come.à ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥ (Holder, 2012) Additionally, there are many brand names, much more sections, plus more automobiles ever is probably no more apparent than inside the Volkswagen, along with its Ten marquees as well as more than 200 models throughout the world. VW is currently making shared lift-up systems to assist the requirements of its various subsidiaries. The most recent is known as MQB. (Holder, 2012) In future, the platform of MQB will help in almost everything through the small VW up to the giant Passat. Generally virtually any VW Group product which supports its engine sideways right in front from the cabin will probably be MQB, thats about 60 vehicles. Volkswagen intends to go ahead and take platform idea towards the extreme, even though it wont reveal particular minimal and optimum proportions, however to obtain a great idea of the array we could examine it to the present Passat (it isnt constructed using the MQB system platform, however its equally sized alternative will probably be) there is in fact a 15 inches of wheelbase speared, however the actual width varies up to the 8 inches between two, and also the size variation is more than 50 inches wide. Therefore, its very diverse. (CarWale Team, 2012) MQB can nearly be looked at as the best development of certain component sharing, instead of just one particular system. It really is flexible enough to allow for several elementary components to be made from lightweight aluminum through communizing all of the subsystems in the automobile (motors engines, headgear installation factors, as well as MIB, Volswageons flip-up infotainment technique, for instance), generation and growth can be more efficient and therefore revenue could be at the maximum. Moreover, the platform MQB is based on a brand new system that signifies a lot more than the usual framework which can be modified to be used in the wide selection of products. Volkswagen referred to as it à ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥Ãƒ ¦Ã‚ ¸Ã‚ ¢he central source of light as well as safe automobilesà ©Ã‹â€ Ã‚ ¥. It goes with supplying a chassis which can be extended or reduced to suit various automobiles, to just one that gives its electric cabling, motors, as well as air-conditioning devices, and trans forming. (Volkswagen is leading, 2012) In the coming future, the development of MQB is anticipated to create the Volkswagen Group one stage nearer to its objective to become the worlds leading auto producers. As outlined by Macht, the brand new MQB system platform will certainly make use of typical elements throughout Volkswagens various brand names as well as products however it will even standardize the production sequences throughout products along with worldwide production places. Even though identical strategies to standardization along with modularization are already implemented by rivals of Volkswagen, in the past the company has struggled hard to have control on the marketplace. (Mike, 2012) Findings The MQB system enables the VW group to create globally higher quantity as well as market versions at very competing price in the long run. The MQB makes use of synergies within key technology as well as enables higher financial systems of scales with the manufacturing line. This would be the groundbreaking part of the auto growth and manufacturing. By using MQB system, VWs development and progression could be efficient and income can be at the maximum. All automobiles depending on MQB tend to be 40kg lighter in weight compared to their quick predecessors, this leads to increasing the gas mileage coming from all MQB-based versions. (Sathiyanarayanan, 2012) The recent MQB idea is having a main architectural benefit for VWs within the worldwide auto business, letting it to decrease the price and become more competing on costs. With this way it may gain share of the market from (TM) Toyota Motors and (GM) General Motors to turn into the worlds biggest auto producer. Due to the MQB system, versions additionally gain in performance and satisfaction. MQB enables the VW Group to create both higher volume as well as specialized niche products with the best quality and very competing prices in the long run and throughout the world. (Bidsar, 2012) MQB will permit an enormous financial savings because of economic climates of scale as well as that the financial savings will permit the higher utilization of high durability products in automobiles, which makes them less dangerous and well made. The standardization will even lessen the price of production of elements and offers capability of sourcing. The decrease in the price of procuring signifies that Volkswagen can offer functions and products of high quality vehicles in low budget automobiles. The MQB system based automobiles will probably be both competitively priced and also with the price at the same time. Furthermore, it will likewise be packed with functions compared to the different brands coming in the market. (Bidsar, 2012)

Sweden :: Countries

Sweden is a country of many wonders. It has an amazing literary culture. The scenery is literally to die for. Sweden is a land of many hills and natural beauties. It is the home to many wonderful sports. Once you visit Sweden once, some say it is hard to not come back and even harder to leave. It is just an amazing place to visit or live. Sweden has a fascinating history. The Vikings from Sweden traveled in boats and carried out surprise attacks on enemies (Lerner 21). The origin of today?s democracy in Sweden originated from the Vikings (22). By the end of the 1800?s Sweden was in great economic danger. With an unemployment rate of one point six, Sweden?s jobs were in short supply (40). In the elections of 1991, Carl Bidlt became Sweden?s prime Minister. He worked to curd Sweden?s economic problems, and it worked (41). Sweden was back to normal in no time. Sweden?s economy is great. By most standards of living Sweden ranks within the top ten countries (Lerner 54). Industrialization did not take hold until the early 1980?s (54). Sweden has a large array of crops, though only three percent of the country is part of the farming industry (56). Sweden?s industrial sector contains one fourth of it?s population (56). Swedish firma are among the world?s leaders in computer-assisted design and manufacture (56). Sweden has a lot of diverse people among the society. Most of the people in Sweden are in their thirties to forties. Only a few are ninety or above (Lerner 46).

Cards of Fortune :: Free Essays Online

Cards of Fortune I suppose in a way Tonia is right, life isn’t worth living, if both of us aren’t there to see it, together. That’s what twins do after all. They are an intrinsical part of each other's life, ceasing to exist without the second. But, I feel that we’re drifting apart, separated by this something, intangible, unnamable, and yet more potent than all of our past put together. I can remember how as little girls we played together. There were no other children with the troupe, and even when we passed the towns†¦ well, the children were never friendly, preferring to fear and call names. But Tonia, she was always there to play with, to laugh with, to cry with. Playing by the fire, dancing under the moon, we were eccentric children, not given to the usual childhood games, preferring instead to talk quietly, and whisper our secrets, but it was always us, together, until now. One of our favorite games was to confuse Septemius, the poor man; he always did have trouble telling us apart. But then, we were children at the time, and not given over to worrying about the troubles of a grown man. Poor, dear, Septemius, even now I can sense his thoughts, and he’s worried, as I am. He knows that Tonia is growing apart from us, and every so often, I’ll catch him looking at her, realizing the distance that’s growing, between her and me, between all of us, and I see that look of daunting sadness in his eyes. I think he sees mother in her, in us rather. I remember the look he gives her now, and it’s the look he had when my mother†¦ left. People tend to think children do not remember such things, that in their happy naà ¯ve lives they don’t understand, but I knew then, as I do now, that mother broke his heart. And as much as Septemius grieves for Tonia’s departure from the family, and through that grieves still for the loss of the woman he once knew, so do I grieve. And, yet, somehow I feel my sadness deeper, a sharper pain, for it is not the loss of an abstract family member, or even a sister, it is the loss of part of myself.

Narrative as Determination of the Future Anterior :: Narratives Writing Transsexuals Gender Essays

Narrative as Determination of the Future Anterior Narrative, it seems banal to observe, opens a space. This space is not so much a place of play for unlimited possibilities (although in the best of possible worlds it might yet be) as somewhere determined, always, in advance, by the future anterior: what will have happened and how it will already have taken place lure us through stories to their ends, become the end that shines through from the very start. Reading for the ending: in narrative, the end justifies the means; the end is the means. That is why the distinction so frequently drawn between plot and story, fabula and sjuzhet, while handy, turns most provocative precisely when it cannot be made, when the temptation is there for us to make it as readers, when the way to do it seems at hand, but we are stopped ultimately from completing it. Too many Cliffs Notes to The Sound and the Fury have made modernist plot-story scramblings predictable, easy-to-read. But still we watch out for when the story turns out to be such that its arrangement prevents us from decrypting, excavating it. The end (the story) stymies the means (the plot) and vice versa. At the end of â€Å"Leopoldina’s Dream† by Silvina Ocampo, we find out that the story has been told, not by a human narrator as we may have assumed in our anthropomorphic self-satisfaction, but by a little dog who, along with his mistress, Leopoldina, has--Virgin Mary-like--been assumed into Heaven. We are left with the puzzle of where this story, this plot, this narrative enunciation, could have come from. Heaven? A dream of Heaven? The end crosses the means; the story undoes the plot. More, since the first part of the story concerns Leopoldina’s miraculous ability to bring back objects from her dreams, the tale, narrative itself here, resembles one of these objects, brought back, mysteriously, from some other place, dream world or Heaven. Leopoldina’s dream-objects, much to the frustration of the little girls she looks after, are poor things, stones, grass. The narrative, likewise, is a poor object, a mundane miracle, produced by the simple yet frustrati ngly seductive crossing of narrative options. Christopher Priest’s novel of the everyday miraculous, The Glamour, deals with invisibility so as to intertwine plot and story in a way that seems relatively straightforward at the beginning, only to turn into a tangle, a conundrum, at the end, much more so than the flashier (hence, more reassuring) experiments of the nouveau roman or overtly experimental fiction.