In an age of heightened threats to national security, it should be Essay - 1

In an age of heightened threats to national security, it should be open to the Government to detain suspected terrorists for an indefinite period of time withou - Essay Example However, the blurring of the distinction between the need to legislate for immigration on the one hand and protection from terrorism on the other is further perpetuated by the patchwork of piecemeal immigration legislation in the UK. On the other side of the legal spectrum, the implementation of the Human Rights Act in 1998 (HRA) enshrines the fundamental rights and freedoms of the European Convention on Human Rights into UK law. From an immigration policy perspective, the most important rights relied on in immigration cases have been the Article 5 right, which prohibits detention without trial and the right not to be subjected to degrading treatment under Article 3. Additionally, Article 14 guarantees rights under the ECHR. However, on the other side of the spectrum it has been submitted that the heightened threat to national security necessarily renders it permissible for Governments to detain suspects for an indefinite period of time without charge or trial. Conversely, it has been argued that whilst sufficient measures for national security protection are vital, absolute executive autonomy over detention of suspects without trial or charge clearly raises constitutional issues and human rights issues. Indeed on the one hand, the fundamental freedoms under Article 5 of the ECHR in respect of detention are essential to the function of the UK as a democracy. On the other hand, the reliance on the ECHR rights through the HRA 1998 arguably undermines immigration rules and legislation, which enables the UK immigration system to be exploited vis-à  -vis asylum seekers in international conventions1. However, it is precisely this paradox within the law that enables the changing Governmental policy from circumventing both entrenched immigration and asylum rules and human rights protection on grounds of â€Å"national security†2. This is particularly evidenced by the implementation of the controversial Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 (ACTSA),

Issues Facing Latino Immigrants in Todays Political Climate Essay Example for Free

Issues Facing Latino Immigrants in Todays Political Climate Essay The United States is a country built on immigration, both legal and illegal. One of the most influential groups in terms of immigration in America is the Latin American demographic. Latin Americans influence everything from their local economies, politics, culture and society in general. There are a number of arguments made both for and against continued immigration by Latinos, from the fact that all Americans are descended from immigrants to the fact that they provide needed labor in areas that many American citizens are less inclined to work in. The argument against immigration is that allowing Latin Americans in steals jobs from U.S. citizens, they contribute unduly to crime statistics or that they take advantage of social services reserved for legal Americans without paying the taxes that keep these programs in service. In this paper, I will present a brief history of Latin American immigration and present arguments both for and against continued movement into the United States. The close of the paper will be reserved for my opinion on what the best course of action would be to curtail the problems facing immigration in the United States. â€Å"The first significant wave of Mexican workers coming into the United States began in the early years of the twentieth century, following the curtailment of Japanese immigration in 1907 and the consequent drying up of cheap Asian labor. The need for Mexican labor increased sharply when the Unites States entered World War I. The Mexican government agreed to export Mexican workers as contract laborers to enable American workers to fight overseas. After the war, an intensifying nativist climate led to restrictive quotas on immigration from Europe and to the creation of the U.S. Border Patrol, aimed at cutting back the flow of Mexicans. But economic demand for unskilled migrant workers continued throughout the Roaring Twenties, encouraging Mexican immigrants to cross the border—legally or not.† This early need for labor, stemming both from a lack of available men due to the war effort and a distrust of Asian immigrants, became the catalyst for Mexican workers to begin migrating into the U.S. The ready work, better wages compared to those in their home country and promise of a better life either in the United States or back in their home countries, led many Latinos to cross the border and begin settling and working in America. The early influx of Latino laborers helped combat the loss of American men to the war effort in Europe. World War I and World War II diverted a great many American males to Europe and the Pacific to serve in the military, which left businesses short on labor. Although women started entering the work force at this time, there still was a dearth of labor to fill all the roles that had opened up with the mass exodus of American males into the military. Following the return of the United States military after the war effort subsided, there was less need for immigrant labor and so a great many of the Latino workers returned to their home countries. The desire for legal immigrant labor to fill necessary position started evolving into its current state, whereby businesses supplant legal workers with illegal workers, thus gaining access to the labor that their businesses require while only paying a fraction of the wages that legal citizens would demand. â€Å"One of the tools conservatives have used very successfully over the past 25 years to drive down wages, bust unions, and increase CEO salaries has been to encourage illegal immigrant labor in the US. Their technique is transparently simple. Conservatives well understand supply and demand. If theres more of something, its price goes down. If it becomes scarce, its price goes up. They also understand that this applies just as readily to labor as it does to houses, cars, soybeans, or oil. While the history of much of the progressive movement in the United States has been to control the supply of labor (mostly through pushing for maximum-hour, right-to-strike, and child-labor laws) to thus be able to bargain decent wages for working people, the history of conservative America has, from its earliest days grounded in slavery and indentured workers from Europe, been to increase the supply of labor and drive down its cost.† The Latino people who immigrated here had motives different from those of the businesses bringing them here; to an immigrant, America was a land of endless opportunities, where they could either settle their families and begin a new life or earn enough money to return to their country of origin and live a comfortable life there.  While some immigrants were no doubt coming to America to accomplish criminal goals, the majority were everyday people looking for a better life for themselves and their families. The problems facing illegal immigrants in the United States today are numerous. There are many who seek nothing more than to legalize their status as American citizens, while others would be happy to simply receive work visas that would legalize their status within America and allow them to work without fear of harassment, arrest or deportation. Among the many problems that immigrants face are the following: The type and quality of education available to these new residents—desperate to learn English—and to their children. Economic issues: the lack of secure jobs that pay an often undocumented population, and their resulting poor or crowded housing. Isolation in immigrant and refugee communities: isolation from services that could help them, as well as the emotional isolation caused by the stress. Prejudice and discrimination that new immigrants and refugees report they face, as well as the cultural differences that may deter them from seeking and receiving services. The language barrier is perhaps the most important barrier facing these immigrants. The inability to speak English in America is a warning sign the person may be an illegal immigrant, it is harder to read signs or directions, many services are staffed by English speakers and therefore may be unable to understand what the Spanish speaker wants and it is harder to apply for jobs if the person is unable to decipher what the application is asking of them. For most Americans, this isn’t an issue facing them, but for an illegal immigrant with limited access to educational opportunities or translators, it is a major hurdle that they may be unable to overcome. The inability to speak English is a major hurdle in areas with robust law enforcement and laws that are in place to detain and deport illegal immigrants. In Arizona, laws are on the books that allow police to â€Å"check the immigration status of anyone pulled over. This could be as simple as an officer walking by a group of Latinos speaking in the native tongue and  asking for papers. If they can’t provide documentation, they could be arrested as illegal aliens, creating an atmosphere where people are afraid to be caught using their own language, but are unable to communicate effectively enough in English to get the help they need to master it. The major problem with this is that people oftentimes complain that immigrants don’t want to learn English, but the ones that do are unable to access the tools or services they need to meet this requirement. The inability to read signs is another enormous hurdle facing immigrants; many signs are in English only and may contain important directions or warnings that people who are unable to speak or read in English won’t be able to understand. Road construction warnings, directions to important buildings like hospitals or hazard warnings due to inclement weather will be beyond the ability of these people to either follow or fathom. If an immigrant is injured while working on a remote job site and is unable to speak English, they won’t be able to call emergency services for a paramedic. If this occurs, the only recourse is for another worker to drive the injured party to a nearby hospital. If the person is severely injured, possibly bleeding heavily and neither person in the vehicle can read the English language directions, valuable minutes may be wasted while they drive aimlessly looking for a hospital that would be easily reached by someone with the ability to read the signs directing them to the hospital’s location. Another important hurdle is that non-English speakers have fewer labor protections than English speakers do. An unscrupulous business owner could take advantage of the fact that these people are unlikely to go to the authorities if they are taken advantage of and then under pay, force them to work in unsafe conditions or work hours that an English speaker would know were illegal and would be able to get the help to put a stop to it. A non-English speaker may be afraid to come forward and risk arrest or deportation and will then simply endure the miserable conditions and continue to work for less than fair pay. â€Å"Immigrants are often identified as a â€Å"vulnerable population†Ã¢â‚¬â€that is, a group at increased risk for poor physical, psychological, and social health  outcomes and inadequate health care.(healthaffairs.org) Vulnerability is shaped by many factors, including political and social marginalization and a lack of socioeconomic and societal resources. Addressing the health care needs of immigrant populations is challenging both because of the heterogeneity of this group and because recent federal and state policies have restricted some immigrants’ access to health care. These policies have exacerbated existing differences in access (for example, legal residents versus undocumented and long-term residents versus recent arrivals). The stigma associated with some forms of immigration status (for example, undocumented versus refugee) can also contribute to vulnerability.† This is a different issue than that of reading signs adequately; the inability to properly speak in English puts immigrants in a dangerous situation where they are oftentimes working in unsafe conditions but are unable to obtain health care in case of an injury. A debilitating injury could not only cost the immigrant their job, but put them at risk of further harm when they can’t get the medical care that would be required to properly nurse them back to health. This puts an enormous strain not only on the families of the injured workers, but on the low cost health care alternatives available in the areas that immigrants live in, as they won’t be able to afford proper care at a hospital and are relegated to seeking recourse at a free clinic or some similar institution. When this occurs, these institutions are unable to keep up with the demands placed on them by their normal clientele and are forced to back log cases resulting in even more harm to the health of all the affected individuals. This spiraling problem could conceivably become so dire that entire areas are denied health care access while the back log is cleared out. The next hurdle facing immigrants is the quality of education available to both themselves and their families. Non-English speakers in areas where their native tongue is not used frequently may be unable to gain access to schools or teachers who could either teach the English or provide education at a level befitting their intelligence instead of teaching them more basic information because it is assumed that the inability to speak English denotes a learning disorder instead of simply being a problem caused by coming from a country where English is not the language spoken most  frequently. â€Å"Much of the participation gap can be explained by just a few economic and socio-demographic factors, the authors find. To some extent, the factors that affect disadvantaged immigrant children resemble those of their similarly disadvantaged native counterparts. Affordability, availability, and access to ECE programs are structural barriers for many immigrant families, as they are for disadvantaged families more generally. Language barriers, bureaucratic complexity, and distrust of government programs, especially among undocumented immigrants, are unique challenges that may prevent some immigrant families from taking advantage of ECE programs, even when their children might qualify for subsidies. Cultural preferences for parental care at home can also be a barrier. Housing is another major issue facing immigrants, especially illegal ones. These people are forced to live in the most destitute areas due to the low paying jobs they take and since they have no formal status as American citizens, will often times crowd into homes too small for the number of people living there, creating dangerous situations such as fire hazards or the spread of disease. These houses may also lack basic amenities, which can lead to sickness in the weaker members of a family or to a lack of hygiene which will further impair the immigrant’s ability to secure work or better housing. â€Å"Like all renters, immigrants have faced an economic squeeze over the past decade, as rents have risen while incomes have remained flat. The median income for households headed by foreign-born New Yorkers is $35,500, significantly less than the median income of native born–headed households. Even as the city has seen high levels of new construction, the number of units that are affordable for low- to middle-income families has decreased precipitously. From 2002 to 2005, the city lost more than 205,000 units affordable to the typical household. The median monthly rent for unsubsidized apartments in the city increased by 8 percent, while the citywide median income fell by 6.3 percent. For unsubsidized low-income renters – a group that includes a disproportionate share of immigrants – the typical share of earnings spent on rent rose from 43 percent to more than half of income, in just three years. The foreclosure crisis is exacerbating the problem, and even drop in real estate prices is providing little relief. Rent declines are concentrated in Manhattan luxury housing, the only part of the market with a high vacancy rate. In the outer boroughs, where most New Yorkers and most immigrants live, widespread foreclosures are leading to the eviction of tenants and homeowners alike. The next major issue is that of isolation in immigrant communities. Many immigrants are very aware of the negative public opinion of illegal immigrants and even if they are here legally, may be afraid they will be viewed in the same light as those who did not arrive in the appropriate manner. This isolation can result in depression, drug use or an inability to access medical and social services that they are in dire need of. An immigrant who feels isolated by public pressure may pull his or her children from public schools, further exacerbating the educational crisis facing many of them and creating another generation of immigrants unable or seemingly unwilling to assimilate into American culture. â€Å"Past research on immigration has conceptualized the adaptation of immigrants to their new cultural and social environment as a multifaceted process involving different patterns and strategies. From a broad perspective, adaptation is a process of change and adjustment to new environmental conditions. Although there is no agreement in research on how to define and measure adaptation while moving from one culture to another, it has been suggested that most migrants go through initial â€Å"culture shock†, which has significant consequences for their wellbeing. The extent and outcomes of this â€Å"culture shock† and following adaptation may depend on many factors, from cultural distance to migration motivation and expectations. Adaptation of immigrants can be defined as the process of â€Å"fitting in† to the society of settlement and functioning successfully in a new environment. Two distinct aspects of intercultural adaptation have been identified on the basis of past research. The first is socio-cultural adaptation, which is based on the culture learning approach and reflects the ability to engage in constructive interaction with a different culture. The other is psychological adjustment, which facilitates the individual’s sense of wellbeing, positive appraisal of  situations and general satisfaction with life.† This as noted is with Russians into New Zealand but American immigrants face the same challenges as does any immigrant anywhere. The final major hurdle facing immigrants is that of prejudiced attitudes by the citizens of the host country. As seen in some parts of America today, there are a number of people with negative attitudes towards all immigrants, legal or illegal. When added to the problems already facing immigrants, this last obstacle can prove almost insurmountable. An immigrant may have the best intentions of assimilating into the host countries society, but find the avenues to do this blocked by people in positions of power who do their utmost to prevent them from making headway, either by creating laws to hamper immigrants from arriving or becoming successful, to denying them basic services and amenities that they need in order to become part of the culture or to take care of their families. â€Å"Were highly dependent on people in our own groups. In fact, one could argue that our highly ultra-social, interdependent form of group living may be the most important human adaptation. People tend to be invested in members of their groups, to have ongoing histories of fair exchanges and reciprocal relations, to treat one another reasonably well, to create and follow a set of agreed-upon norms, and thereby build up trust. Outsiders arent going to have that same built-up investment in us or our group. Because of this, we tend to believe that people who are foreign to us are more likely to pose certain kinds of threats: We believe they may be more interested in taking our resources, more likely to cheat us in exchanges, to violate our norms and values, to take more than their fair share, and the like. These perceptions of threats are linked to negative emotions such as anger and moral disgust that contribute to anti-immigrant prejudices. The solutions to these problems are as varied as the problems themselves. In order to help alleviate the problem of illegal immigration, an easier to utilize and more streamlined policy for legal immigration is a must. A good system would involve fast tracking candidates who possess skills needed in America, while providing a system for normal laborers to get in quickly as well. A way to help new immigrants would be to set up camps where they  could learn English and important facets of American culture and law while waiting for their paperwork to process. The system could be set up to require that these new immigrants show a basic competency in English and maneuvering through American society before they are granted full citizenship. There have been a number of programs and ideas put forth to help immigrants, with such as the Dream Act. â€Å"Over three million students graduate from U.S. high schools every year. Most get the opportunity to test their dreams and live their American story. However, a group of approximately 65,000 youth do not get this opportunity; they are smeared with an inherited title, an illegal immigrant. These youth have lived in the United States for most of their lives and want nothing more than to be recognized for what they are, Americans. The DREAM Act is a bipartisan legislation ‒ pioneered by Sen. Orin Hatch [R-UT] and Sen. Richard Durbin [D-IL] ‒ that can solve this hemorrhaging injustice in our society. Under the rigorous provisions of the DREAM Act, qualifying undocumented youth would be eligible for a 6 year long conditional path to citizenship that requires completion of a college degree or two years of military service.† An example of one policy that aims to help immigrants shows how much added pressure is put on immigrants in order to satisfy the political views of prejudiced voters, â€Å"A bipartisan group of U.S. senators on Tuesday unveiled long-awaited landmark legislation to remove the threat of deportation for millions of illegal immigrants, giving them an opportunity to apply for permanent legal status within 10 years and eventually for U.S. citizenship. Under the proposal, undocumented immigrants who came to America before Dec. 31, 2011 and stayed continuously could apply for provisional legal status as soon as six months after the bill is signed by the president. But beyond that, they would have to wait, perhaps for a decade or more without receiving federal benefits, while the government meets a host of tough conditions for securing U.S. borders and enforcing current immigration law. The bills sponsors four Democrats and four Republicans -felt such conditions and enforcement triggers to be necessary in order to help it succeed where similar measures have failed, mostly because of opposition to what opponents see as amnesty for law-breakers.† This policy at first seems like a great start towards helping immigrants, but the hurdles and the  number of caveats attached make it so difficult for these people to attain that a great many of them, especially those of limited education, may simply continue subsisting the way they have instead of doing all the work required knowing that there would still be a long wait until they were recognized as full citizens. In closing, my opinion is that the Dream Act is the basis that elected officials should use to craft future immigration reform. It offers attainable goals, the timeline is short and if the goals are met, the immigrants will have proven that they are as â€Å"American† as those born here. While the Dream Act only helps children of illegal immigrants, similar provisions could be added into such a law to help the adult members of this community become full citizens. Rather than viewing immigrants as an obstacle that we must overcome, we should instead remember that at one time, all Americans were immigrants and that this country was founded on the ideal that it would provide safety and respite to those in need and those who wanted to become a member of this society. An influx of vibrant people from other cultures only opens the doors to new ideas, new business opportunities and potentially new friends. Bibliography Peter Morton Coan, Toward a Better Life: Americas New Immigrants in Their Own WordsFrom Ellis Island to the Present. Prometheus Books 2011. Stephen Yale-Loehr, Green Card Stories. Umbrage Editions 2011. Common Dreams. Stop Allowing the Wealthy to Treat Undocumented Immigrants Like Slaves https://www.commondreams.org/view/2013/03/13-10 Kathryn Derose. Immigrants And Health Care: Sources Of Vulnerability http://content.healthaffairs.org/content/26/5/1258.full Brad Lander. Confronting the Housing Squeeze: Challenges Facing Immigrant Tenants, and What New York Can Dohttp://prattcenter.net/sites/default/files/publications/Confronting%20the%20Housing%20Squeeze.pdf Randal Archibold. Arizona Enacts Stringent Law on Immigration. http://www.nytimes.com/2010/04/24/us/politics/24immig.html?_r=0 Lake Snell Perry Mermin. Challenges Facing New Immigrants and Refugeeshttp://www.policyarchive.org/handle/10207/bitstreams/21623.pdf Harvard Magazine. Uneasy Neighbors: A Brief History of Mexican-U.S. Migration http://harvardmagazine.com/2007/05/uneasy-neighbors-a-brief-html Dream act FAQS. http://dreamact.info/faq/1#1n5252 Karoly, LA. Early care and education for children in immigrant families http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21465856 Sophie Bushwick. What Causes Prejudice against Immigrants, and How Can It Be Tamed? http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=what-causes-prejudice-aga Elise Foley. Dream Act To Be Reintroduced In House As Immigration Push Grows http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/02/07/dream-act_n_2639187.html

Chinese Pottery Essay -- essays research papers

Chinese pottery The earliest Chinese pottery of which we have any records is the Neolithic ware from the river plains and loess highlands of north and north-west China. It was made between 5000 and 2000 B.C. and contains bowls, jars, pots and beakers of low-fires earthenware. This pots were not turned on a wheel but were buildt up by what is known as the Coil Method. That is, a long sausage of clay was wound carefully up into a coil shape and this coil was smoothed and patted by hand into the shape of a pot.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During the T’ang Dynasty China became the greatest and most widespread empire in the world . T’ang pottery is powerful and lively with sweeping sinuous curves while its decoration is often made up of flamboyant shapes and contrasting colours.   &...

The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Cinema

Recreation is as much necessary for healthy growth as work. Life will be dull and unpleasant if there is no occasional amusement to cheer it up. Therefore, from the earliest limes recreation in different forms has been introduced in healthy and civilized society. Dance, drama, singing, puppet show and various other forms of entertainment have found favour with the people. Today life of man has grown complex, full of worries, cares and anxieties. The mechanized Way of life has bred monotony, therefore his modes of entertainment have also undergone revolutionary change. The latest and the most popular form of recreation is Cinema.Its phenomenal popularity and development is due to its mass appeal and that it is well within the financial limitation of common man. The people belonging to different walks of life patronize it and find it equal to their varied Interests. The power or the motion pictures as an instrument of culture and education is immeasurable. We know that a motion picture based on a classical novel will induce thousands of people to read Or reread the book; the introduction of a classical composition into the picture stimulates the demand for recording of that composition. Lessons of history, geography and everyday science life imparted through it. Associated essay: Pestle Analysis – Odeon CinemaThe man of today is better informed than his ancestors due to cinema. Thus they give food for thought and imagination to the common people by showing on the screen grand objects ; sublime beauties and epoch-making events. The great personalities of former times come to life and their message is communicated to the people The lives of saints and seers set high ideals before the people. They enlarge our vision and broaden our minds. FILMS DEPICT Historical, mythological and social themes bearing on Indian lives, whether of the past or the present make a special appeal to the people.The Cinema has been found to be the most effective method of exposing social evils such as dowry system, etc. Civic sense and public morality is engendered through them. The political awareness, fight for the rights and the general awakening of the masses is largely contributed by Cinema. As a means of propaganda, publicity and advertisement its services are invaluable and it must be preserved and fostered at all costs. Cinema has also thrown down the barriers of time and space. It has made man truly cosmopolitan in outlook. A grand sight in cold Norway is reproduced vividly to people in hot Africa.A political or social revolution in one part of the country is shown the world over. Moreover, it can be used as a medium for the enlighten ­ment of other nations about our own culture, customs, manners and policies. It has often been said that one of the potent causes of international misunderstanding, hot and cold wars, is that people of different countries do not have the means to understand and appreciate each other adequately. In this respect cinema can serve the goodwill mission of presenting the correct image of the country and the people abroad.Thus, Cinema can be used for establishing mutual international understanding and paving the way for permanent world peace. However, it cannot be neglected that they are the major single factor which earn substantial and much needed foreign exchange. Commercially also Cinema has opened up a lucrative pro fession. Besides encouraging young men and women to enter the field of acting, in has provided employment to millions of people as technicians, designers, photographers, dressmakers and various allied agencies. The artists right from the storywriter to a poster designer have found a ready market for their talent. Poets and even literary men who had been looked down upon for ages have found with Cinema a fresh lease of life and livelihood. Apart from its various advantages, Cinema is not free from its evil effects. Film artistry is, unfortunately, compelled to compro ­mise with people’s popular taste and appeal to their lower instincts. Too many films dealing with sex problems and with the ways of the criminals are now shown, f These are apt to affect public morality. The substandard catering of music I and recreation is likely to injure public taste and out look and is not ultimately good for the art.The Cinema has far reaching effect upon the youth of the country. The ftlms make them prematurely sex conscious and they start reacting the scenes of romantic pictures in their regular life. A sense of dissatisfaction with life is engendered among them. Vandal ­ism and increasing acts of rowdyism in the student community are attributed to their indiscriminately frequenting the cinema halls. Again the youth imitating all sorts of fashions from the films lead to the development of expensive tastes and manners. They grow divorced from grim and dismal realities of life and start living in the fairyland pictures on the screen.In this respect the role of Government is significantly felt. Further in India Cinema has to attain the artistic and technical perfection, Government aid by way of subsidy, helping manufacture of raw film and other equipment in the country; admission tax reduction, encouragement to talented artists and techni ­cians mu st be forthcoming. We must not forget that with wide range of depiction and with universality of its appeal, Cinema has tremen ­dous possibilities in our country. With our abundant and natural wealth and inexhaustible fund of rich literature, our Cinema, though young and unstable, its growth is inevitable.

Alcohol Dependency: Problem Drinking

Alcohol Dependency & Problem Drinking John Greenwald Edinboro University Introduction It is difficult to locate someone in the United States who feels that alcohol dependency and problem drinking is not a national problem. (Anton, R. 2010) Alcohol dependency and problem drinking has been at the forefront of policy debates at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels regarding healthcare expenses and outcomes, legal matters, and social implications for generations. Most times it is addressed in conjunction with drug abuse. (Anton, R. 010) A general population survey conducted earlier last decade estimated that the prevalence of problem drinking at 4. 65% and alcohol dependence at 3. 81% respectively in the United States. (Huebner & Wolfgang-Kantor, 2011) There are numerous ways to treat alcohol related disorders. Here are three of those interventions auricular acupuncture, 12 step based recovery programs, and moderation management program. Auricular Acupuncture Auricular acupuncture is a hol istic approach that originated in the United States during the 80’s.This form of acupuncture is widely used to treat alcohol dependency in the United States and United Kingdom as an alternative holistic approach. (Alster, M. 2010) The treatment uses five auricular acupuncture points referred to as NADA protocol, the acupuncture points are located in the ear. This intervention is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine. (Alster, M. 2010) The acupuncture points used during this treatment are similar from client to client. (Alster, M. 010) The treatment modality is used in conjunction with traditional alcohol detoxification protocols, as to protect the client from physiological harm from detoxing from alcohol. One study the reported short term benefits of this intervention included feelings of relaxation, contentment, and enjoyment mixed with more long term benefits like analgesia, increases in sleep quality, and a reduction in alcohol consumption, anxiety, and cravings. (Alster, M. 2010) In addition to the positive short term benefits there were some negative side effects that were reported such as feelings of light eadedness, burning sensations, and feelings of heat at needle sites. (Alster, M. 2010) Furthermore, there were some initial reports of anxiety even before treatment started which was found to be largely attributed to a client’s fear of needles, doubt of effectiveness, and fear of something foreign. (Alster, M. 2010) Many of these negative side effects dissipated as time passed. (Alster, M. 2010) The aforementioned study of this modality paints an overall positive view of this approach however another study drew correlations that were not as positive.The later study did find similar short term results which included a reduction in alcohol consumption and an improvement in overall psychological well-being. (Ashton, Nodiyal, Green, Moore, & Heather, 2009) However, the long term results failed to indicate significant indications of the overa ll effectiveness of auricular acupuncture in long term reduction in consumption, anxiety, and cravings. (Ashton et al. , 2009) 12-Step Based Recovery Programs Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) was founded in 1935, by Bill Wilson and Dr.Bob Smith, as self-help 12-step abstinence based approach to spiritual and character development. (Huebner & Wolfgang-Kantor, 2011) To this day, the AA fellowship is free to join for anyone who is alcoholic and wants to be a member which makes it an appealing option for many resource strapped clients and social workers. Later in the 1950’s the (AA) model was introduced into a professional setting by a non-profit organization called Hazelden Foundation, which is still used widely by many treatment facilities today. (Huebner & Wolfgang-Kantor, 2011)The Hazelden model calls for an individualized intervention plan, which includes family involvement, in the context of a 28 day inpatient setting combined with participation in AA while in treatment and post t reatment as a part of an aftercare plan. Typically in this model clients also undergo cognitive-behavioral therapy and/or motivational enhancement therapy which focuses on negative consequences resulting from alcohol use and identification of triggers which can be people, places, things, and events. (Huebner & Wolfgang-Kantor, 2011) In one study researchers found hat clients who suffered from alcoholism only, whom did not have a dual diagnosis or a co-occurring diagnosis, who utilized this intervention, had more abstinent days than those treated by other methods. These individuals showed significant positive outcomes which included a higher percentage of abstinent days and a decreased number of drinks consumed on drinking days. (Huebner & Wolfgang-Kantor, 2011) Additionally those who used medications to help manage side effects such as cravings and anxiety reported even better outcomes. (Huebner & Wolfgang-Kantor, 2011)Another study suggests that there is a lack of effectiveness and perhaps even harm inflicted by the 12 step model. (Miller, J. 2008) This study implies, â€Å"that despite decades of dominance of approaches based on 12 step principles, there have been no rigorously controlled research designs comparing 12 step treatment outcomes to no-treatment controls, and a recent review found no gains in outcome for 12 step interventions over alternative interventions. † (Miller, J. 2008) The counter research suggests that interventions which are based off of the Hazelden model â€Å"appear at best ineffective and perhaps even harmful. (Miller, J. 2008) Additionally it is noteworthy that there seems to be a lack of evidence based research that supports positive outcomes greater than negative outcomes. (Miller, J. 2008) The ethics and values of many helping professions are to empower clients to overcome their own issues and to achieve the right to self-determination. With that being said the 12 step model instills moral guilt, deviance, and labeling w hile infusing its members with feelings of powerlessness and dependence on the fellowship of AA thus using external rather than internal forces to effect change. Miller, J. 2008) The disease concept of alcoholism is a central tenant to the 12 step model; it â€Å"pathologizes† individual clients by removing focus from social and mental processes that may attributing to the alcoholic behaviors. (Miller, J. 2008) The intervention appears to â€Å"reinforce counter therapeutic cognitions and behaviors. † (Miller, J. 2008) Furthermore it has been noted that the 12 step culture itself can be hostile and scrutinizing towards non-adherents. (Miller, J. 2008) Moderation Management In the 1960’s professionals in the addiction field started to ask the uestion, can alcoholics learn to control their drinking or must they abstain completely from alcohol? Moderation Management (MM) is a mutual help fellowship designed for problem drinkers, not alcohol dependent people, who wi sh to pursue a goal of moderate drinking. (Lembke & Humphreys, 2012) MM’s is based on the problem drinkers individual ability to adhere to MM guidelines, which first includes a 30 day period of abstinence which is then followed by limits on daily alcohol intake. (Lembke & Humphreys, 2012) The primary goal being moderate drinking, not abstinence, which can be obtained by following a 9 step approach. Lembke & Humphreys, 2012) One study found that alcohol dependent clients found more positive outcomes with the 12-step recovery model. Data showed that people who reported to be only problem drinkers, without alcohol dependence, were able to recover from a diagnosed problem by a rate of 30-60% depending on whether they received treatment or just attended MM. (Lembke & Humphreys, 2012) There were reports of people who identified as problem drinkers, but were really alcohol dependent, who eventually left MM because they realized they could not drink in moderation and needed an abstin ence based intervention. Lembke & Humphreys, 2012) MM widens the range of attractive options available to people with alcohol disorders. Some clinicians feel that MM is a good place to start because it can be appealing to alcohol dependent people who are adamantly opposed to abstaining entirely. (Lembke & Humphreys, 2012) These same people eventually realize, because of MM’s 9 step program, that they are not able to drink in moderation and after defeat in this avenue may become more willing to try an abstinent only intervention such as AA thus serving as a starting point for anyone with an alcohol disorder. Lembke & Humphreys, 2012) Interventions such as MM reinforces many helping professions code of ethics in the sense that it puts the client in the control of finding what works best for them and aids them in achieving self-efficacy. (Miller, J. 2008) Conclusion To pick one intervention that I feel is the best pick for evidence based practice in Social Work would be difficul t. This is something that each clinician will have to decide on a client by client basis. Starting where the client is will help the Social Worker determine which intervention is best.I found that there is a lack of scientific research which gave any kind of correlations to any one of these interventions. Much of the research suggests that a combination of interventions along with starting where the client is what produces the best results and that no exact intervention was a smoking gun. If I had to pick one intervention that I feel is most useful in terms of helping a client who presented with alcohol dependency or who described themselves as problem drinkers, the intervention I would chose would be Moderation Management, if ethically appropriate.MM allows the client to choose his or her direction with where they are at in their alcohol dependency or problem drinking. Thus, allowing them to decide for themselves if they want to simply moderate their consumption or abstain entirely . References Zemore, S. , & Kaskutas, L. (2008). 12-step involvement and peer helping in day hospital and residential programs. Substance Use & Misuse, 48, 1882-1903. Huebner, R. , & Wolfgang Kantor, L. (2011). Advances in alcoholism treatment. Alcohol Research & Health, 33(4), 295-299. Lembke, A. & Humphreys, K. (2012). Moderation management: A mutual-help organization for problem drinkers who are not alcohol dependent. Journal of Groups in Addiction & Recovery, 7, 130-141. Alster, M. (2010). Auricular acupuncture at calvary alcohol & other drug services: The first year. Journal of the Australian Traditional-Medicine Society, 16(2), 73-75. Ashton, H. , Nodiyal, A. , Green, D. , Moore, B. , & Heather, N. (2009). Acupuncture or counseling: outcomes and predictors of treatment choice in a non-statutory addiction service.Journal of Substance Use, 14(3-4), 151-160. Anton, R. (2010). Substance abuse is a disease of the human brain: Focus on alcohol. Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics, Win ter 2010, 735-744. Miller, J. (2008). 12-step treatment for alcohol and substance abuse revisited: Best available evidence suggests lack of effectiveness or harm. Int J Ment Health Addiction, 6, 568-576. AA Intergroup. (n. d. ). Online intergroup Alcoholics Anonymous publications. In online Intergroup: Alcoholics Anonymous. http://www. aa-intergroup. org/.

Benefit and compensation system of Google Essay Essay Example

Benefit and compensation system of Google Essay Essay Example Benefit and compensation system of Google Essay Paper Benefit and compensation system of Google Essay Paper Google Inc. is an American international organisation that provides internet related merchandises and services. Cloud calculating. advertisement engineerings. and their hunt engine are among the most popular services that they offer. Google late ranked 46th on the 2014 Fortune 500 companies and 1st on Fortune 500’s best topographic points to work for. Google was founded in 1998 by Larry Page and Sergey Brin who met at Stanford University and is based out of Mountain View. California. Google began in a garage 16 old ages ago and now has over 48. 000 employees and is one of the world’s engineering leaders. CNN Money has it ranked as figure 1 on list of most popular employers by concern and technology big leagues. â€Å"College pupils worldwide dream of get downing their callings at Google† ( cnn. com ) . A big portion of the ground that Google ranks so extremely among lists of popular employers is due to their competitory compensation scheme. Google is known non merely for their advanced engineering discoveries but besides their advanced compensation policies. Google Human Resources performed a study to find what type of wage is preferred by its employees such as basal wage or fillips. â€Å"We’ve heard from your feedback on Googlegeist and other studies that wage is more of import to you than any other constituent of wage ( i. e. . fillip and equity ) . To turn to that. we’re traveling a part of your fillip into your base wage. so now it’s income you can number on. every clip you get your paycheck† ( ibtimes. com ) . Pull offing Human Resources and compensation schemes efficaciously is critical to organisations within the modern and fast paced concern universe. Google had created a strategic compensation that gives them a competitory advantage among their rivals by pulling. retaining. and actuating extremely talented employees. Google’s compensation system has all the benefits you would anticipate from a Fortune 500 organisation such as wellness insurance plans and retirement programs. Google sets itself apart from the competition by offering services and discretional benefits that are non standard. These services include fringe benefits such as employees are allowed to convey their pets to work and transit services that pick up and drop off employees at place. Google believes in a merriment informal environment because it leads to more occupied. happy. and productive forces and they have implemented many patterns that reflect this political orientation. Liane Hornsey. the Google VP of operations. believes that the work life balance is of import to their employees and implements policies to guarantee that workers maintain a healthy balance. â€Å"Liane explains that the company is outcome focused. non item focused. In other words. they don’t supervise what clip employees arrive or keep path of ill days† ( centerforworklife. com ) Google offers flexible work hours. portion clip work options. and telecommuting for certain occupations to let employees freedom to hold a societal and home life. Google has set a scheme to supply a workplace that people want to work at and have gave significant attempt to accomplish this end. Their Hour and compensation patterns produce impressive consequences of the organization’s attack which increases employee productiveness. Core compensation is really of import and has a big impact on employee’s attitude and public presentation. Google focuses on honoring exceeding public presentation every bit good as preparation in weak countries for underachievers. Performance direction is performed quarterly and Google puts extended focal point on this country because they are public presentation driven. Performance assessments are of import because Google uses pay-for-performance fillips as a big portion of their compensation scheme. Much like most other organisations there is an addition in entire compensation in conformity to the degrees of duties and leading. Individual inducements. group inducements. and net income sharing plans are used at Google which gives employees a fiscal wages when their net income end is achieved. Payscale. com studies that Google Inc. typically pays their employees 11 % above the market wage line. This is 3 % higher than their direct competition in the market. Paid clip off is one type of discretional benefit that Google offers benefits above the criterion in the market. They offer limitless ill leave due to the fact that they are focused on public presentation and production and trust on public presentation reappraisals to find an employee’s parts. Google besides provides employees with 27 yearss of paid clip off after one twelvemonth of employment. They besides recognize the importance of child birth and offer 18 hebdomads of pregnancy leave for an employee that has a kid. Google besides offers paternity leave to male parents which allow male employees to utilize up to 7 hebdomads of leave to pass with their newborn. During this clip off employees receive their full one-year base wage while they are at place with their kid. Google offers employees wellness insurance plans that cover employee dependants as good. â€Å"Its wellness attention program is remarkably generous and even wages for gender-reassignment surgery including facial feminisation for transgender women† ( forbes. com ) . Google besides has a doctor on site at central offices in Mountain View. CA. This allows for employees to merely walk across the campus to see a physician if they are non experiencing good. This eliminates employees holding to lose work and do a particular trip to a doctor when they are non experiencing good. Some physical therapy services and chiropractic services are offered as good for the convenience of the employee. Google besides offers employer sponsored retirement plans such as 401K and IRA. Google matches employee contributions to their defined part programs at a rate of up to 50 % . This is good above the norm as many organisations merely match up to 6 % of parts. Google’s HR section sends electronic mails to employees to promote them to put aggressive nest eggs ends. â€Å"If you implore an employee to lend $ 8. 000 to his retirement instead than. state. $ 2. 000. he’ll tend to salvage more. even if he can’t afford $ 8. 000† ( rd. com ) . This allows employees to experience secure in their future retirement income as Google helps to guarantee that they will hold a satisfactory retirement benefit program. Protection plans are another signifier of discretional benefit that Google offers in advanced and unprecedented ways. In add-on to standard life insurance that employees are able to have. they besides receive extra life insurance benefits from straight from Google. If an employee passes off Google has created a policy that the asleep employee’s partner will have half of their wage for the following 10 old ages. If the deceased employee had a kid so Google will counterbalance that kid in the sum of $ 1000 per month until the age of 19 or the age of 23 if they are a full clip college pupil. The type of benefit that Google is most known for are services. This type of discretional benefit helps companies create a competitory advantage in the market by giving fringe benefits to employees which helps pull and retain quality employees. They offer transit services in the bay country with Wi-Fi enable trollies that pick up employees to take to work and drop them off at their abode after work is completed. Another service they offer are nap cods for the ability to loosen up and take brief sleeps at work so they are reenergized for work. Google besides provides tuition reimbursement services that encourage employees to go on their instruction at the disbursal of their employer. This will go on to better employee production and go on to increase the value of the worker which benefits the employer and employee. There is besides an on-site fittingness centre that is complete with weights. personal trainers. and yoga teachers so that employees have the clip to exert and alleviate em phasis while at work. The fittingness centre is besides equipped with a full size lap pool and stone mounting wall for alternate exercising methods. There are besides free recreational game suites where employees can play games such as pool. foosball. Ping-Pong and arcade games. This promotes a societal ambiance and strengthens the squad construct while alleviating emphasis and bettering morale every bit good. Google has Segways that are available for employees to utilize at any clip which allows them to go around the campus atmosphere quicker and in a more entertaining manner. They besides have beach volleyball games and roller hockey in the parking batch twice a hebdomad. Hair salons with cosmeticians and Barbers are readily available any clip an employee would wish a haircut at work. One of the most popular services that Google offers is a free cafeteria for all employees. Workers are able to bask quality epicure nutrient for tiffin at their convenience and it does non be them anything. Google is besides offers free oil alterations. auto washes. legal audience among many more services that are available to any employee. These services are a alone compensation scheme that proves core compensation is non ever the most of import benefit to an business. Google has a alone vision and has implemented alone compensation schemes that have been met with overpowering success of pulling and retaining the highest quality employees available in the market. Most employers can larn from the scheme used by Google by doing the work environment as merriment and friendly as possible because that is an environment that produces extremely motivated employees that will desire to execute to the best of their abilities. The bottom line is straight affected by employee turnover and employee production and a compensation scheme such as Google Inc. ’s has proven to impact those countries in a positive manner. Plants Cited â€Å"Average Salary for Google. Inc. Employees. † _Google. Inc. Company Salary Data. Average Employee Salaries_ . N. p. . n. d. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. â€Å"America’s Top Companies For Compensation And Benefits. † _Forbes_ . Forbes Magazine. n. d. Web. 22 Sept. 2014. Emerson. Ramona. â€Å"Google’s Best Benefits: The Top 7 Perks Google Offers Employees. † _The Huffington Post_ . TheHuffingtonPost. com. 30 Jan. 2012. Web. 23 Sept. 2014. â€Å"Google. † _Fortune_ . N. p. . n. d. Web. 26 Sept. 2014. â€Å"Google’s HR Practices Explained. † _Google’s HR Practices Explained_ . N. p. . n. d. Web. 25 Sept. 2014. â€Å"Google – Overview. Company Culture And History. † _About_ . N. p. . n. d. Web. 24 Sept. 2014. â€Å"Google’s 10 % Salary Increase. $ 1000 Cash Bonus Part of Company’s ‘competitive Compensation Plan† _International Business Times_ . N. p. . n. d. Web. 26 Sept. 2014. â€Å"How Google Became the Best Topographic point to Work. † _Readers Digest_ . N. p. . n. d. Web. 25 Sept. 214. â€Å"How Google Motivates Their Employees with Rewards and Perks. † _HubPages_ .N. p. . n. d. Web. 26 Sept. 2014. â€Å"Work Life Balance Elephant Theory. Logic Based Discussion on Work Life. † _Center For Work Life_ . N. p. . n. d. Web. 26 Sept. 2014.

A reaction to rizals life in dapitan essays

A reaction to rizal's life in dapitan essays Jose Rizal, a man with so many accomplishments. Jose Rizal gives all of us inspiration in all the things we do. He is inspires us to be hardworking and diligent, which most of us are not. I am amazed that even though Rizal was in exile, he didnt mind the fact that he was sent to Dapitan to live like a prisoner and yet he still manages to accomplish many things. He has taught the poor Mindanao folk to unite for trading so that they may become independent and free themselves from the Chinese and thus become less exploited, in the sense that he organized a cooperative even in exile. While many people would be in panic, despair or lose hope for any success in their lives because of being exiled Jose Rizal continued to serve his country. This is what made Jose Rizal stand out of the others as a hero to a nation. He was truly a man of action. He always put his countrymen first before him. He truly was a man of action, he did not only looked over the people nor just tell people what to do, he helped them in their everyday work. Rizal was intelligent and yet very humble. Right now I wish that the tree he planted would somehow magically make Rizal appear in this time of ours so that I can praise him for what he did for us. Rizal truly was a person for his countrymen, he truly was a patriot and nationalistic for he never wanted to see his fellow countrymen being oppressed and being exploited. I wish I could go to Dapitan for a glimpse of how our hero lived in Dapitan while being exiled. Last June 19, we celebrated Rizal's 143rd birthday. That's two lifetimes for the average Filipino, quite a long time. But not really so when one thinks about the baluno tree he nurtured and which grows to this day as our living connection to him and when one thinks about the issues he cared about and which continue to challenge us today: health, education, poverty and inequality. It would be such an honor to know more about our hero. ...

Why Presidents Use So Many Pens to Sign Bills Into Law

Why Presidents Use So Many Pens to Sign Bills Into Law Presidents often use several pens to sign a bill into law, a tradition dates back nearly a century  and continues to this day. President Donald Trump, for example, used several bill-signing pens on his first day in office when he put his signature on his first executive order,  instructing federal agencies to uphold the Affordable Care Act while also  working to minimize the unwarranted economic and regulatory burdens on American citizens and companies. Trump used so many pens and handed them out as souvenirs on Jan. 20, 2017, the day he was sworn into office, that he joked to staff: â€Å"I think we’re going to need some more pens, by the way ... The government is getting stingy, right?† Oddly enough, before Trump,  President Barack Obama  used nearly two dozen pens to sign that same legislation into law in  2010. Thats a lot of pens. Unlike his predecessor, Trump uses gold-plated pens from  A.T. Cross Co.  based in Rhode Island. The companys suggested retail price for the pens is $115 apiece. The practice of using several pens isnt universal, however. Obamas predecessor, President George W. Bush, never used more than one pen to sign a bill into law. Tradition   The first president to use more than one pen to sign a bill into law was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who served in the White House from March 1933 until April 1945. According to Bradley H. Pattersons To Serve the President: Continuity and Innovation in the White House Staff, the president used several pens to sign bills of high public interest during signing ceremonies in the Oval Office. Most presidents now use multiple pens to sign those bills into law. So what did the president do with all those pens? He gave them away, most of the time. Presidents gave the pens as commemorative souvenirs to members of Congress or other dignitaries who had been active in getting the legislation passed.  Each pen was presented in a special box bearing the presidential seal and the name of the president who did the signing,  Patterson writes. Valuable Souvenirs Jim Kratsas of the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum told National Public Radio in 2010 that presidents have been using multiple pens so they can distribute them to lawmakers and others who were instrumental in shepherding the legislation through Congress at least since President Harry Truman was in office. As Time magazine put it: The more pens a President uses, the more thank-you gifts he can offer to those who helped create that piece of history. The pens used by presidents to sign important pieces of legislation are considered valuable and have shown up for sale in some cases. One pen showed up for sale on the Internet for $500. Examples Most modern presidents use more than one pen to sign landmark legislation into law.   President Bill Clinton used four pens to sign the  Line-Item Veto. He gave the pens to former Presidents  Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, and George H.W. Bush, according to an account of the signing by Time magazine.Obama used 22 pens to sign health care reform legislation into law in March of 2010. He used a different pen for each letter or half letter of his name. This is gonna take a little while, Obama said. According to the Christian Science Monitor, it took Obama 1 minute and 35 seconds to sign the bill using those 22 pens.​President Lyndon Johnson used 72 pens when he signed the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Governmet's Indian Policy in 1930s Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Governmet's Indian Policy in 1930s - Essay Example The romantic in Winston Churchill had an unbreakable emotional attachment with India as a part of the British Empire. This is very evident in what Louis Mountbatten had to say of Winston Churchill to Archibald Wavell who was then the Viceroy of India: "And he also disputed the idea of any advance (of autonomy) in India because he has got a very emotional feeling about India; he was there as a young subaltern the Fourth Hussars in 1897 or something of the sort. To him India is Kipling, it is polo, it is soldiering, it is glamour, it is everything. He doesn't want to see that go away and he thinks, in some ways quite rightly, that India is happier under British Rule." The intrinsic factor combined with extrinsic factors such as economic and political influences, requirements and his motives of the times. Thus, in his stand against granting more autonomy to India, we find different shades and hues of the character and personality of Sir Winston Churchill. The 1930s were the 'Wilderness Years' for Winston Churchill. He was out of the Government, and naturally desperate to get back. During the period he had raised a string of issues, or rather, he had raised the alarm over several incidents or happenings that he perceived and propagated as threats but were disproved as false alarms by his detractors. These included what he considered as the threat from Bolshevik Russia; the destabilizing force of the General Strike of 1926, the crippling effect that the loss of India could have both on the empire and India itself; and the abdication crisis of 1936. The consequence was that Churchill began to be considered more of an alarmist, that he lacked knowledge or insight of the practical situation on the ground, that he was a rabble-rouser, more so in the case of his tirades against granting more autonomy to India as envisaged in the 1935 India Act. Judith M Brown echoes the same opinion: British officials who had experienced the 1919 constitutional experiment, the Simon Commission debacle and civil disobedience knew they had to conciliate a widening range of Indian political opinion and to harness it to the process of government. Even Wellington's administration which refused to 'deal' or 'treat' with Gandhi in 1932-3 realized that Ordinance rule and smashing the congress organization was only a temporary solution. At the turn of 1931-2 Wellington had unsuccessfully tried to extract from London greater freedom in appointing his Executive Council, partly to enable him to admit more Indians as a counterpoise to the draconian policies adopted to crush civil disobedience. He argued that he could not use the big stick unless he could demonstrate real movement towards more Indian political responsibility Given such messages from the men on the spot, only the die-hard wing of the Tory Party led by Churchill and Salisbury, backed by the Rathermore Press opposed a reform package. For reasons of ideology and party strategy, they belaboured the National Government's attempts to produce a reform package. (Brown pp.275 - 276) She goes on to add: Churchill was bitterly hostile to Indian aspirations and given to tirades in Cabinet about the maintenance

China Oil Security Issue In the New Map of Global Oil Geography Term Paper

China Oil Security Issue In the New Map of Global Oil Geography - Term Paper Example This essay stresses that the immerging competition among the G8 countries has resulted to high consumption of oil. This is based on the fact that industrialization and motorization has took place thereby increasing vehicle ownership and other power machines that are used by individuals to simplify their work. The demand for oil consumption has been increasing making developed and developing countries to depend on regions such as Middle East, North Africa and Central China among others. This has emanated business transactions and diplomatic ties among the producers and consumers. For example China conducts business transaction with Sudan based on the fact that China needs oil from Sudan. On the other hand Sudan imports other products which they require increasing ties with consuming countries. This paper makes a conclusion that the formation of trading block such as Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has made the producers to have power to deal with the consumers who use their economic power to suppress them. With the increased cases of terrorism, it is essential for US in collaboration with UN to put in place sustainable security measures in oil producing countries. In this way, the oil exploration process will be undertaken in a secured manner. While the developed countries are able to come up with other energy alternatives, third world states are greatly affected by price increment of oil products. Ii is notable that China has interest in the developing countries for example in the African region.

Developing a Conservation Plan for Pinery Park in Ontario, Canada Essay

Developing a Conservation Plan for Pinery Park in Ontario, Canada - Essay Example The management plan of the park should consider the region that surround the park in general. The overall effort of the management will be of future benefit to the parks and the surrounding environment as a whole. Proper management of the park will highly contribute to the increase in the social tact among the local programs. The realization of conservation goals for Pinery Park requires strategic plans for easier management of the whole landscape that includes the areas that are set aside for either production or protection. Reserves alone are not sufficient for life conservation but they are the real basis mostly on which national plans are constructed on. Reserves have two main roles. They should be the real sample or either they should represent the biodiversity of every section. On the other hand they should detach this biodiversity from any of the processes that intimidate its diligence. Existing reserve systems like the PINERY Park contains prejudiced sample of biodiversity, u sually that of remote places and other areas that are unsuitable for viable activities. A more systematic approach to locating and designing reserves has been evolving and this approach will need to be implemented if a large proportion of today's biodiversity is to exist in a future of increasing numbers of people and their demands on natural resources. The extent to which the park will achieve and fulfill its goals is when they meet two main objectives that will lead them to their success the objectives are a long-lasting goal and representativeness these are the two main keys that are needed for full variety of biodiversity. The Pinery park management needs to set 1.2million dollars. The money should be allocated to a control program that will see different species in the park that require different amounts of space to complete their life cycle. A finding of the most reserves in the world clearly indicates that most of the worlds well known reserves contain very rear species. that would not persevere as inhabitants even for a single generation if in any case or to some extent they became secluded like for the oak tree that is found in the park. This tree is not found in most parts of the world the demand of the products is endangering the species making it rear in the forests. Many other reserves, without supplementation by unreserved habitat, would be likely to lose species in the long term through a variety of chance events. Thus, the long-term persistence of some taxa requires sustainable populations across entire landscapes or regions as predicted. Many species exploit chronological dissimilarity by moving between dissimilar habitats, requiring targets to distinguish key habitat combinations where these can be identified. The focal species approach attempts to amalgamate patterns and processes by identifying those species in a landscape that are most demanding of resources and then targeting them for organization. The kinds of resources needed by crucial species may be, for example, big areas, connectivity flanked by environment patches and multifaceted assorted habitats. However the other confronts that the park need to look at is the protection of river Ausable. The area around the river is currently being occupied slowly making the shows to deteriorating since the occupants are using the land for housing. This river is the

Advanced manufacturing technologies Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Advanced manufacturing technologies - Article Example Due to increased advancement in technology in various fields such as electronics, and medicine among others manufacturing engineers have advanced their techniques to cater for increasing demand in these other fields of technology.The complexities in manufacturing of parts required by the technologists in specialties such as medicine has necessitated development of various advanced manufacturing techniques. This paper seeks to outline Layered Manufacturing Technology (LM), Rapid Prototyping (RP) and other techniques used in advanced manufacturing technology in details. It will also establish the correlation between the technology and medicine; that is the use of the technology in manufacture of implants. Lastly the paper will discuss the details of reverse engineering technology as applied in Computer Aided Design (CAD).Advanced manufacturing technology is aspect of advancement in manufacturing technology that enables development of composites and composite materials that are benefici al to manufactures in the market. On the other hand it enhances productivity, efficiency and excellent quality of products manufactured. There are various aspects in the place of advanced manufacturing technology, which include Layered Manufacturing Technology, Computer Numerical Control among others.The Layered manufacturing technology has proved to be very diverse and in application and more so in the field of medicine. This technology though easy to implement since it does not require he contemporary tools needs a very skilled and knowledgeable know-how to implement if the desired results have to be obtained. This technology constitutes of various techniques that include Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM). Layered Manufacturing Technology Layered manufacturing technology (LM) can be defined as production of solid materials in laminated form. This technology of material production can be carried out using various methods but all of them apply the same idea of principle. In the process of manufacture the three-dimension design of the object to be produced should be well described with respect to its dimension. This is then formatted to give the slice; that is the layers in terms of their definite size and numbers so that they can be assembled together to form the solid material wanted. They are several technologies that are applicable in combination of the said layers or slices in this technology to come up with a solid object, thus this technology is perceived as construction of a definite solid shape from individual building units of given size. This technology as described, has some positive aspects to the technologists employing them; that is It makes the tools, moulds or dies usage not necessary. On the other hand the technologist can easily manipulate the quality of the surface finish of the object being manufactured Although the limitation to this technology is that the rate of manufacturing objects is slower than other methods of manufacturing which uses tools, moulds or dies and depends on the method used. This method of manufacturing in perception of the basic principle can be related to the following manufacturing methods. The layers are like bricks used by masons in constructions of objects of different required shapes. Clay threads layered together to form walls that will produce an object of required shape and size in pottery. Use of slices in expressing three-dimensional landscape in cartography. The big difference between layered manufacturing technology and above practices is that the units used in t LM technology are considerably very small to the tune of 10-100 microns. LM technology was developed from Rapid Prototyping (RP) technology, which involves high-speed production of patterns that are hard to produce using

Convergence the use of bothTechnology and Physical Security Research Paper

Convergence the use of bothTechnology and Physical Security - Research Paper Example Unlike in the past, corporate assets are now information-based. This has prompted corporations to integrate both physical and information security measures to prevent unauthorized access to the corporate assets. In addition, the rapid advancements in the technology sector has brought into question the effectiveness of security functions in preventing criminal attacks in organizations. Explored in the research are the implications of adopting security convergence within an organization, analysis of trends affecting security and loss prevention, and evaluation of non-traditional approaches to crime prevention from a multi-disciplinary approach. As mentioned, physical security deters unauthorized individuals from accessing facilities. There are several types of deterrence methods, which function by convincing attackers that imminent attacks on a facility are futile due to the presence of strong defenses. They include physical barriers, security lighting, natural surveillance, intrusion detectors/ electronic surveillance, access control among others. Physical barriers represent the outermost layers of security measures, which include fences, warning signs, and vehicle barriers. Their sole purpose is to delay attacks by acting as psychological deterrents. Security lighting installed at entrance points such as gates and doors deter unauthorized entrants, as guards can clearly see the well-lit areas. Natural surveillance entails altering the design or architecture of a facility’s perimeter to prevent unauthorized entry; for example, the vegetative cover between the fence and the facility’s walls is less dense givi ng guards a clear line of sight. Intrusion detectors/ electronic surveillance comprise of alarm systems, which function by alerting security personnel when unauthorized entrants attempt to trespass a secured area. Without prompt response from security personnel, alarm systems prove futile in preventing unauthorized

Advanced manufacturing technologies Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Advanced manufacturing technologies - Article Example Due to increased advancement in technology in various fields such as electronics, and medicine among others manufacturing engineers have advanced their techniques to cater for increasing demand in these other fields of technology.The complexities in manufacturing of parts required by the technologists in specialties such as medicine has necessitated development of various advanced manufacturing techniques. This paper seeks to outline Layered Manufacturing Technology (LM), Rapid Prototyping (RP) and other techniques used in advanced manufacturing technology in details. It will also establish the correlation between the technology and medicine; that is the use of the technology in manufacture of implants. Lastly the paper will discuss the details of reverse engineering technology as applied in Computer Aided Design (CAD).Advanced manufacturing technology is aspect of advancement in manufacturing technology that enables development of composites and composite materials that are benefici al to manufactures in the market. On the other hand it enhances productivity, efficiency and excellent quality of products manufactured. There are various aspects in the place of advanced manufacturing technology, which include Layered Manufacturing Technology, Computer Numerical Control among others.The Layered manufacturing technology has proved to be very diverse and in application and more so in the field of medicine. This technology though easy to implement since it does not require he contemporary tools needs a very skilled and knowledgeable know-how to implement if the desired results have to be obtained. This technology constitutes of various techniques that include Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM). Layered Manufacturing Technology Layered manufacturing technology (LM) can be defined as production of solid materials in laminated form. This technology of material production can be carried out using various methods but all of them apply the same idea of principle. In the process of manufacture the three-dimension design of the object to be produced should be well described with respect to its dimension. This is then formatted to give the slice; that is the layers in terms of their definite size and numbers so that they can be assembled together to form the solid material wanted. They are several technologies that are applicable in combination of the said layers or slices in this technology to come up with a solid object, thus this technology is perceived as construction of a definite solid shape from individual building units of given size. This technology as described, has some positive aspects to the technologists employing them; that is It makes the tools, moulds or dies usage not necessary. On the other hand the technologist can easily manipulate the quality of the surface finish of the object being manufactured Although the limitation to this technology is that the rate of manufacturing objects is slower than other methods of manufacturing which uses tools, moulds or dies and depends on the method used. This method of manufacturing in perception of the basic principle can be related to the following manufacturing methods. The layers are like bricks used by masons in constructions of objects of different required shapes. Clay threads layered together to form walls that will produce an object of required shape and size in pottery. Use of slices in expressing three-dimensional landscape in cartography. The big difference between layered manufacturing technology and above practices is that the units used in t LM technology are considerably very small to the tune of 10-100 microns. LM technology was developed from Rapid Prototyping (RP) technology, which involves high-speed production of patterns that are hard to produce using

RBC Centura Bank Research Proposal Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

RBC Centura Bank - Research Proposal Example Culture shares a common viewpoint regarding what constitutes appropriate business and interpersonal relationships and reflects the overall traditions and communications styles acknowledged within the business. At RBC Bank, efficiency and inter-staff respect are at the forefront of culture where expectations for performance begin at the highest levels of the business and trickle down to subordinate staff levels. In this particular organization, the ability to fit in with other employees generally involves being efficient at the job role. Inefficiency leads to an ineffective team and those who do not fit within this cultural norm regarding performance will generally have a difficult time making positive relationship with others. Organizational behavior, closely tied with culture, is the attitudes and actions which take place within the business environment. People in organizations do not work in proverbial vacuums, meaning that they consistently come into contact with others during the course of a regular workday. Organizational behavior are the various interactions between staff members which dictate the overall method by which business is conducted both externally and internally, such as how co-workers interact and how customers/clients are approached. Organizational behavior is the human aspect of how business and the individual interact (Delta Publishing, 2006). At RBC Bank, much like its culture, efficiency and performance are common behavioral characteristics and expectations. Mutual respect is on the forefront of the business’ policies, where all business and associate transactions occur with this premise in mind. All clients and associate workers behave according to high ethical guidelines, s uggesting that the organizational behavior at RBC Bank is one where leadership qualities are valued and developed. Diversity is a common theme at RBC Bank, defined as various differences in

Poststructuralism Paper Essay Example for Free

Poststructuralism Paper Essay What is post-structuralism? How did come about and who started it? How can it be used as a strategy? It cannot be defined without a reference to Ferdinand de Saussere.   He is considered as the â€Å"creator of the modern theory of structuralism (UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2003, p.1).†Ã‚   He was responsible for what was said to have started the entire post-structuralist movement, A Course in General Linguistics.   He did not actually write it; his students, Charles Bally and Albert Sechehaye simply compiled and edited it for publication (UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2003, p.1). Saussere considers language as a â€Å"system of signs that evolves constantly, in which particular words hold no meaning (UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2003, p.2).† Words do not have definition on their own; they need to be involved in a kind of structure wherein together with other words, they begin to make sense.   Moreover, he believes that every idea or object has a sign (UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography, 2003, p.2.), which in turn, has two other parts.   A sign has a signifier, which refers to what a word originally looks or sounds like, while the signified refers to what is represented.   The connection of the two is unpredictable; it is always fluctuating.   This premise is basically the foundation of what is known as post-structuralism.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Post-structuralism actually started in the 1960s in France (James, n.d., p.1).   It is considered both as a critical theory (Henderson and Brown, 1997, p.1), and an interdisciplinary movement (Jones, n.d., p.1) which includes other fields as well like the â€Å"deconstruction of Jacques Derrida, the late criticism of Roland Barthes, and the psychoanalytic revisionism of Jacques Lacan (Henderson and Brown, 1997, p.1)† just to name a few.   Post-structuralism has been discussed alongside postmodernism, but Peters (1999) was quick to differentiate the two: â€Å"Poststructuralism takes as it theoretical object structuralism, whereas postmodernism takes as its theoretical object modernism(p.1). The key word in determining its definition is structure.   Post-structuralism develops a new body of knowledge apart from the pre-established structures.   It claims that the formation of knowledge then may no longer hold now.   There is no such thing as an established truth; what was considered true then, might be dubious now.   Peters (1999) adds, â€Å"Poststructuralism, then, can be interpreted as a specifically philosophical response to the alleged scientific status of structuralism to its status as a mega-paradigm for the social sciences and as a movement which, under the inspiration of Friedrich Nietzsche, Martin Heidegger, and others, sought to decenter the structures, systematicity and scientific status of structuralism, to critique its underlying metaphysics and to extend it a number of different directions, while at the same time preserving central elements of structuralism’s critique of the humanist subject (p.1).† One of the people famous for their contribution in post-structuralism is Frenchman Michel Foucault.   Although he is considered as a philosopher, his work is not confined to a particular body of knowledge.   Throughout his career, his works covered a range of topics, which included â€Å"sexuality, madness, illness and knowledge (UXL Newsmakers, 2005, p.1).†Ã‚   He is also associated with new historicism, which Henderson and Brown (1997) considers as â€Å"history as a species of narrative with gaps or ruptures between epistemes modes of thought and ways of knowing that characterize a given historical moment (p.1).†    He is not interested with history per se; rather, he is more interested in how events become part of history and what made it possible for them to be part of history.   Needham (1995) writes, â€Å"he believes that human nature, instinct, and other intrinsic underpinnings of mankind are not fixed; humans are conditioned through discourse: how we talk, how we formulate knowledge, and who we look to for knowledge. No universal certainties exist; justice, sexuality, insanity, morality all knowledge is a construction of discourse (p.1).†Ã‚   Overall, Foucault forces us to think out of the box.   For him there is no such thing as truth; the structure which developed our notion of truth should be analyzed. Because there is no one stable structure that holds, all that we know is influx all the time and it is better to focus on how these ideas are formed rather than being preoccupied with the ideas themselves.   Because of his post-structuralist ideals, many feminists are turning to him to further their cause.   His ideals help them challenge what was then regarded as true about women in patriarchal discourses.   One of the women who have been regarded for her feminist efforts is Mary McLeod Bethune.   Unlike Foucault, she is not an intellectual.   Smith (1996) calls her â€Å"essentially an activist (p.1),† and rightfully so. Her works is not even limited to women, though she pushes for their opportunities to.   All her life she has fought for the rights of her fellow African-Americans, and released the literary work My Last Will and Testament which is one of the most influential African-American literature out there.   She dared to push the envelope for her race, and defied the odds to help her race â€Å"maintain racial dignity (Smith, 1996, p.105).†Ã‚   S he made sure African-American girls can also be educated like their fair-skinned counterparts.   She opened a school for girls in 1904, which became the Bethune-Cookman College (Smith, 1996, p.106).   At first glance, she may not seem to be a post-structuralist, but she is.   Instead of conforming to the existing structures available to her race that operate in society, she tried to create new possibilities.   That is a move that is post-structuralist, indeed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Post-structuralism as a strategy is simple; all that needs to be done is to challenge the existing premises by trying to get to the root of the very same premises.   In a post-structuralist sense, the normative condition is taken as such, but not considered stable or fixed.   It is like one of the possible scenarios, not the only one.   In essence, post-structuralism defines the possibility of many other structures, any of which are neither true or false.   From the examples established by Michel Foucault and Mary McLeod Bethune, one must not be satisfied with what is out there.   There should always be a need to ask important questions and look for other solutions.   The status quo is no longer; the possibilities are endless. References Henderson, G. E., Brown, C. (1997). Glossary of Literary Theory. University of Toronto English Library. Jones, R. (n.d). Post-structuralism. Retrieved November 16, 2007, from www.philosopher.org.uk/poststr.htm. Needham, A. (1995). Foucaltphobia-philosopher Michel Foucault. Whole Earth Review, n.v.,1. Peters, M. (1999). Post-structuralism and education. Retrieved November 16, 2007, from www.ffst.hr/ENCYCLOPAEDIA/poststructuralism.htm. Smith, E. M. (1996). Mary McLeod Bethune’s â€Å"Last Will and Testament:† A Legacy for Race Vindication. The Journal of Negro History, 81 (1/4), 105-122. UXL Encyclopedia of World Biography (2003). UXL Newsmakers (2005).

Macro and Micro Environment Trends in the Gaming Industry

Macro and Micro Environment Trends in the Gaming Industry Sony, a highly-technologically driven multinational Japanese corporation, is amongst the leading companies in producing and selling electronics worldwide. Its quality electronic products associated with laptops, mobiles, cameras, video game consoles have enabled them to achieve a significant advantage over its competitors in the aggressively ever-changing technological market. Play Station, Sonys best invention, is one of its prominent electronic devices which have taken Sony to new heights due to its mass consumption and fierce consumer loyalty. As a result, the success of the new Sony Play Station 3 prompted us to focus on how it tends to survive in the market over the next few years. (2011-2013). The current and future environmental scan of Sony Play Station 3 will help us identify several upcoming challenges the cooperation must address in order to maintain their success. Lastly, the geographic area we are focusing on is the impact of Play Station 3 in UAE and how the market for gamers in the Middle East continues to grow. The structure of this report will begin with the designing of the product market structure along with the relevant market where Sony Play Station 3 and its competitors are serving its customers. In addition, we will analyze the external and internal environmental trends that can affect the continuity of the brand. Also, we will focus on other important issues which are likely to arise in the future and shift the focus of segmentation, primary and selective demand, SWOT and competitive analysis. Unquestionably, the 7th generation video game consoles like Play station 3 with a cult following has not only provided Sony with tremendous economic benefits but also an image of being a company that continuous to utilize the improving technology and create such astonishing machines which are being used worldwide. The non-portable and the portable gaming industry are dominated by fierce competitors who adapt successful marketing strategies to divert focus of potential customers from one boundary to another. The relevant market, for non-portable game consoles, in which Sony Play station 3 strives to operate with continuous success along with other recognizable brands offer game console devices with similar features and experiences. We tend to focus on the impact of Sony Play station 3 in the present and the future non-portable gaming console relevant market of United Arab Emirates, next three years (2011-2013), and what strategies it will have to undertake in order to achieve sustaina bility and ensure long-term survival. Baldwin (2010) reports, Tim Stokes, Sales and Marketing Director for PlayStation Division, estimated that gaming in the Middle East is worth up to $1 billion or two per cent of the global market of $45 billion in total international sales. Therefore, it is interesting to see know the Middle East markets contribution to the success of gaming devices and it prompted us to focus on this underrated UAE market that continuous to be a hot prospect in this gaming field. Furthermore, identifying the relevant market for Sony Play Station 3 considers two important factors which are degree of substitutability and managerial perspective will be applied to understand the product market structure. As showcased earlier, our product market structure simplifies the understanding of which product category Play Station 3 and its competitors fall. Even though this market has many other competitors; however, it is being dominated by few due to their fierce mass loyalty. In other words, non-portable game console is a consolidated industry with few dominant market leaders with large market shares and worldwide presence. The first layer which deals with the customer needs mainly is the machines that can support video games. These machines, which are video game supporting devices, are applicable for all types of video games ranging from Arcade to family oriented games. It is then broken down into the second important layer, product class, which is the video gaming console and the personal computer devices where we experience the interactive games. The impact of the improving technology in both personal computers and video game console devices has highly increased the degree of substitutability between the two. This degree of substitutability between PCs and portable/non-portable game consoles in the UAE market is currently very high as both devices are being upgraded to provide similar graphical experiences. In short, the PCs are also doing a very successful job in competing with the 7th generation video game consoles and in taking some of the customers who enjoy playing games suitable with a keyboard and more importantly the mouse. Understanding the degree of substitutability between the game consoles and PC devices is present due to several factors. These factors can range from the perceived benefits, in terms of convenience and price, to the fea tures the superior device has to offer that is compatible with the both games and customers requirements. Moreover, in the third layer, product form, the video game consoles are then separated on the basis of being portable (handheld) and non-portable devices. The degree of substitutability is not likely to be present between the two at current stage in UAE since handheld devices to not provide the same thrilling experience as compared to a game being played on a bigger screen. Also, the portable game console devices with two main devices, PSP and Nintendo 3DS, tend to target a different type of target market which are mainly children. For a hardcore gamer, a big screen experience and competing via social networking is an essential tool which can only be excitingly through the non-portable gaming consoles. However, in the later stage of the report, we will emphasize on the importance of size being now considered as a huge factor in the decision making process and how the movement towards portable video game console devices is on an incline. In short, we will emphasize more on the switchi ng between the boundaries of the relevant market in the implications phase to justify the reasoning of the increased degree of substitutability between the non-portable and portable devices in the coming years. Lastly, Sony Play Station 3 along with its current competitors comes in the last layer, brand specification, under the Sony category that dominates the non-portable game consoles in the relevant market. As mentioned earlier, our report is limited down to the dominance of non-portable gaming devices, and the focus being PS3, and their implications in the coming years. This report will give a detailed analysis of how Sony PS3 can be chosen based on various rational and emotional aspects. Determining the degree of substitutability between the 7th generation gaming consoles that are Sony Play station 3 and X-box 360 is very challenging due to the amazing features they both offer and hence making it difficult for buyers to recognize which one is better. Moreover, this degree of substitutability is supported with the concepts of Primary and more importantly Secondary Demand that aids in the decision making of current and future customers in which console to choose. In addition, the micro a nd macro environmental trends were carefully taken into account to ensure what steps has already been taken to establish a competitive advantage; moreover, the steps Sony Play station 3 will have to consider over the next years in order to stay competitive in its relevant market. In short, our managerial focus is analyzing the successful non-portable devices which belong to these cult brands that are Sony Play Station, Microsoft X-Box and Nintendo. In addition, the managerial focus is highly dependent on the future market of UAE and how Sony Play Station 3 should utilize this market to its maximum potential and understand its current and potential competitors position in the coming years. Furthermore, the relevant market with respect to the non-portable game console devices in which Play Station 3, X-box 360 and Nintendo Wii compete may be saturated with these prominent leaders; however, our research primarily focuses on Play Station 3 and we will try to place its position in the relevant market in the current and next two years. Macro environment Political legal Copyright laws Counterfeit or copied video games and software are prohibited in several countries including the UAE. Different authorities in the UAE are collaborating with one another, foreign governments and with organizations such as Microsoft to capture counterfeit goods of different kinds including video games and software (Oct 19, 2010, Dubai Customs foilsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦). The customs inspectors take specialized courses in combating commercial fraud which enables them to uncover any attempts to threaten the national security of the UAE (Oct 19, 2010, Dubai Customs foilsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦). According to the IPR -Intellectual Property Rights- department at Dubai customs there were three seizures of counterfeited CDs in 2010 compared to five seizures in 2009 (Oct 19, 2010, Dubai Customs foilsà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦). In the years to come these laws are going to be more effective due to advances in technologies and the more experienced customs staff and inspectors. Economical The GDP growth in 2009 was 2.7% compared to 2.6 % in 2010 (Central Intelligence Agency, (2011)). The economy is expected to rebound slowly and the challenges faced include dependence on oil, expatriates and greater inflation, the inflation rate in 2010 was 2.2% (Central Intelligence Agency, (2011)). In the next few years the UAE is planning to increase diversification and improve education and private sector employment for the UAE nationals (Central Intelligence Agency, (2011)). The economic crisis had a negative effect on income which is considered to be a main determinant when buying a game console since the price of the consoles can be high. The economic crisis is expected to be reduced in the next few years, the GDP increased from 2009 to 2010, and following that income may rise and more customers become able to purchase game consoles. Sociocultural Statistics from the ESA -Entertainment Software Association- show that in the United States 25% of game players are less than 18 years old, 49% in the age group 18 49 and 26% 50 and older ((2010). Essential Facts aboutà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦). Also, 64% of the gamers play video games with other persons which is a higher number than in 2008 and 2009 ((2010). Essential Facts aboutà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦). Parents participate with their children in playing video games as 48% play video games with their children ((2010). Essential Facts aboutà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦). The reason for this participation includes fun for the whole family and socializing with the children ((2010). Essential Facts aboutà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦). We can relate these statistics to the demographics in the UAE as 78.7% of the population is in the age group 15 64. The percentage of video gamers differs of course but in the UAE most of the gamers will probably fall in the age group 15 30.Video games and video game consoles in particular are beco ming more users friendly and as in the Nintendo Wii there are games that target the whole family and children. In the future more video games and technologies like the ones that exist in the Nintendo Wii are going to be introduced. These video games will appeal to a wide range of demographics of both genders. Technological Augmented reality Augmented reality is a new technology that is very popular today and a technology that is still being developed (Wen, H., Jan 26, 2010). In video game consoles augmented reality can be seen in the play station eye toy where images from the real world such as the user and display it on a computer screen (Wen, H., Jan 26, 2010). Then the user is able to interact with virtual objects on the screen through software (Wen, H., Jan 26, 2010). The annual sales of augmented reality are expected to rise from approximately 1 million in 2209 to 732 million in 2014 (Wen, H., Jan 26, 2010). The technology still faces several limitations but developers and researchers are improving and developing the technology (Wen, H., Jan 26, 2010). The researchers are trying to integrate real world images with graphics instead of just displaying them on a computer screen ((n.d.), How Augmented Reality Will Work). This technology will create a feeling of the five senses and separate the users from computer gener ated graphics ((n.d.), How Augmented Reality Will Work). Motion sensing game controllers The Nintendo Wii was introduced with a motion sensor called the Wiimote which can track movement and positions (Sung, K., Feb 2011). The technology was simple and proved that well engineered technologies with appealing games can be very profitable (Sung, K., Feb 2011). The Nintendo Wii was cheaper than Xbox and PS3 and it was considered a success (Sung, K., Feb 2011). Following this success Nintendo introduced the Wii Motion Plus which is an attachment to the Wiimote that improves accuracy and response time (Sung, K., Feb 2011). Sony reacted to this success by releasing the Playstation Move which is a motion controller for the PS3. Sonys motion controller was more accurate than Nintendos controller and acquired reputation quickly (Sung, K., Feb 2011). After that the Xbox released its Xbox Kinect system in 2010 which contains state of the art technologies (Sung, K., Feb 2011). The system is a USB accessory for the existing Xbox 360 instead of being a whole new game console (Sung, K., Feb 2011). This shows that video game consoles manufacturers are moving towards technologies and devices based on human computer interface (Sung, K., Feb 2011). The next generation of video game consoles Video game consoles can be categorized in seven generations depending on the technologies introduced with each console. PS3, Xbox 360 and Nintedo Wii are considered to be in the seventh generation (Miller, M., Apr 1, 2005). The next generation is predicted to be more powerful with increased graphical power which will increase the costs of making games for the consoles (Morris, C., 12 Jun 2009). The costs are expected to rise from 20 30 million to 60 million per game (Morris, C., 12 Jun 2009). The higher development costs of video games raise the cost of video game consoles manufacturing (Morris, C., 12 Jun 2009). Onlive is a company that is attempting to stream video games directly to the computer or TV through the users internet connection at home (Morris, C., 12 Jun 2009). The technology is early but promising and can increase the life cycle of the current game consoles (Morris, C., 12 Jun 2009). However, this technology can be present in the next generation consoles. The next gen eration is expected to arrive in 2011 or 2012 as mentioned by Yves Guillemont the CEO of Ubisoft -video game developer- (Yam , M., January 23, 2009). Micro environment Consumer Behavior As mentioned earlier, Sonys target market segment, of the Play Station 3, is gamers, particularly teens or adolescents; Teens and young adults are the main contributors to the high sales revenue being generated by the Sony Corporation through the gaming console. A common purchasing ideology in the UAE, shared by most of its citizens, is having or owning the latest technology or releases of electronic equipment; this might have been an influencing factor in Sonys decision of having significant stock inventory be made available to local retailers, safeguarding against shortages that have frustrated retailers based in launch markets such as Japan and the United States (Nov. 30, 2010, GITEX Showcases Convergence). Such preparations, although in 2006, suggest that the corporation viewed the UAE as a demanding market. Four years following the release of the PS3, sales of the console or its updates continues, with stock being replenished in major stores such as Carrefour and electronics stores such as Jackys. In 2008, it has been reported that the UAE gaming console market has achieved Dhs17.78m sales from January to Mayà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦with 4.448 million units sold and the PS3 dominating the UAE console market with 59% (Aug. 16, 2008, UAE Gaming Con sole Salesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦). Having achieved such a success back in 2008, and without the existence of present statistics on its current sales rate, it is safe to assume that the UAE consumer market continues to grow in favor of the PS3 and by 2012 the UAE consumer market will still be into buying the PS3. By 2013, though, with the forecasted advent of Sonys new console, the PS4, there might be a decrease in the sales of the PS3. Yet, the release of the new console might not affect the sales in an entirely negative manner; with the introduction of the PS4 to the market, the price of a PS3 would decrease making it more affordable for consumers who were not able to purchase it when sales were at its peak. Also, the introduction of a new console into the market, according to Summers, the previous system still has a lot of value because the new one is still going to be able to play your old games, and because the old one is still going to have new games released for it (Summers, n.d.). Hence, this ensures that UAE sales of the PS3 are to continue, with a little depreciation, despite the introduction of the PS4. However, the UAE consumer market may exhibit a low demand to no demand for the PS3 by 2014, depending on the release of the PS4. If released in late 2012/ early 2013, the new console would have a year to achieve its success and take control of the gaming console market, due to the promised advanced technology it is to offer and the improvement of the real life gaming experience that is being offered by the PS3. Hence, 2014 may be the year where the PS3 takes the bench in the UAE market. Nature of Buying Decision The PS3 targets hardcore gamers, who would want to feel as though they are part of the game. Hence, the specifications offered with the console, such as Hi-Definition gaming graphics which makes the games as realistic as possible, and so on. However, the PS3 does come with a hefty price tag, making it a hard choice for those who would want to purchase it since similar specifications can be found on other consoles that are much cheaper. This is the point of buyer motivation. The PS3, most of the time, releases games that are considered to be exclusive to the consoles, hence maintaining the consoles uniqueness. Furthermore, other incentives are offered with the console, such as a Blu-Ray player, allowing the user to watch movies of outstanding graphical quality and clarity without having to purchase a separate player to indulge themselves in such an experience. Hence, Sony provides its gamers and consumers with a complete package with the PS3. The United Arab Emirates houses some of the most hardcore gamers and currently marked itself as a major gaming market. Hence, since the console offers so much potential along with extras, such as those mentioned above, easily capture a purchasers attention in this country. Also, gamers in this country like to look for the unique gaming experience, and this is exactly what the PS3 offers. Moreover, elsewhere, the hefty price tag would have been a factor influencing the choice. Yet, the UAEs rebound from the recession, along with the technology owning competitive nature of its citizens, helps maintain the current growth in sales of the PS3 as well as the sales for the next two years. Loyalty Segments Having previously released two consoles, the PS1 and PS2, which satisfied their consumers and entertained them beyond measure, Sony is able to secure their loyal fans. The PS3s release into the market was already a guaranteed success due to the reputation earned by its predecessors in the gaming world. All that was needed to attract the attention of the consumers was a change in the console design, making it sleeker and easier on the eyes, and a slight change in the gaming experience previously offered, such as smoother interface, introduction of a complete operating system housing all the consumer needs, and better graphic drivers to make the games resemble reality. Many of the people who purchased a PS3 in the UAE have previously owned, at least, the PS2. Moreover, since the PS2 has been a success in the UAE as well as the region, according to Yasuhide Yokota (Computer Gaming Major Sonyà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦), the country has a large and loyal fan base, in turn assuring the PS3s growth in sales within the next two years. Competition The PS3s current market rivals, in the UAE, are Microsofts Xbox 360 and the Nintendos Wii, even though the latter does not pose as an obstacle since it does not come with half of what the PS3 has to offer to the UAE gamers. Gamers in the UAE seem to have two main interests when it comes to console gaming: Football/ Soccer and racing games. Hence, it is the Xbox 360 that is considered to be a threat to the PS3 since it offers almost all the unique gaming experience specifications, such as high resolution graphics and smooth real life play, as well as the most demanded games, for a cheaper price. In addition, having mentioned the UAEs consumer markets tendency to constantly purchase newer technology and devices, another one of PS3s competitors, although a product of the corporation, is to be the PS4, which is forecasted to be released on Q4 of 2012 or Q1 of 2013 (Naik, 2011) as per the release timeline of the PS3 and its predecessors, even though no official release dates have been mentioned by Sony. Since the PS4 is to be an 8th generation console, it is going to offer advanced technology and better gaming experiences than the PS3 making it a target product for the countrys consumers. Moreover, games are a major influence in the choice of consoles for the consumers in the UAE. Game manufacturers offer their services to all the consoles mentioned above, but these games could differ slightly, as with the case of the PS3 and the Xbox. Since the PS3 and Xbox fight over control, in the graphical aspects, such as real-life gaming experiences, the enabling of high definition game-play and use of surround sound, and other such characteristics that complete the advertised and highly anticipated gaming experience, Sony keeps their consumers through the introduction of exclusive gaming experiences such as the introduction of games that cannot be played other than on the PS3 and such, as well as creating games with titles in Arabic to accommodate and further satisfy the UAEs market. Porters 5 forces Having laid out Porters strategy, in general, for the PS3, relating it to the console and the market of the UAE over a time frame of the next three years is as follows: Threat of Substitutes: As mentioned above, computer games/ PC games pose as substitute to console gaming in general, and it is gaining popularity within the UAE. However, computer games do not offer the same gaming experience that the PS3 has to offer, and are only interesting when played online. This gives the PS3, as well as its console competitors, an advantage; interactive online and offline gaming experiences. Moving on towards the console competitors, the PS3 has been able to establish its place in the market due to offering more as a package, than the Xbox 360 and the Wii, for a price that is within the range of the other consoles, and shares the same life-span, which is an estimate of 10 years. Moreover, with the release of the Wii 2 (2012-2013) which is to have Hi-Def graphics, the price for that console will be higher than the PS3, in turn allowing future consumers and current ones to purchase or remain with the PS3 which offers the same, if not more, level of graphics. Threat of New Entrants: Until the 3rd quarter of 2012, the competition for the PS3 remains the same: Microsofts Xbox 360 and Nintendos Wii. Furthermore, since Microsoft has released that the corporation has no intention of releasing a new console (Dumitrescu, 2009), the PS3 will maintain its current position in the UAE market. By the 4th quarter of 2012 or the 1st quarter of 2013, however, Sony is expected to release the PS4 (n.d., PS4 Release Dateà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦), following the trend set by their previous console releases, which would pose as the PS3s newest competitor, and by the end of 2013 it might relieve the PS3 of its domination of the UAE market. The Intensity of Competitive Rivalry: Within a year (by 2012), the PS3 and the Xbox will definitely have games that exploit their graphical abilities to a great extent. However, since the PS3s entire potential has not been wielded yet (n.d., PS4 Release Dateà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦), the chances are that the UAE market is going to stay with the PS3 since the games released then will/ might require specifications more than what the Xbox 360 has to offer, specifications-wise. In addition, further development of the Playstation Eye will take place, maybe perfecting the flaws of interactive-reality gaming, which takes the Wii out of the equation. Despite the release of the PS4 by the end of 2012 and the beginning of 2013 though, the PS3 will remain to have a stronghold of the market, for then the price of the PS3 is going to decrease and the games offered by PS4 are going to be similar to those available for the PS3, allowing consumers to enjoy the same degree of gaming quality that the PS4 has t o offer. However, through the course of the year, after the PS4 might have had its time to position it-self in the market, newer games, that might exceed the potentials offered by the PS3, will attract the consumers. Bargaining Power of Buyers: This will remain the same over the next three years, for the market is controlled by the three console manufacturers. Until the release of the PS4 and Wii 2, the UAE market is to be the same as it is now. By 2013, when the new consoles are released onto the market, the prices of the PS3 and the Wii will depreciate, in turn forcing the Xbox 360s prices to decrease as well. However, since Nintendos history shows that the introduction of new consoles is synonymous with the halting of production games and gadgets for previous ones, and Sony has done otherwise with the PS3s predecessors (Summers, n.d.), then consumers will consider the PS3 as a safer investment. Bargaining Power of Suppliers: Since the competition is set, and the games sold are similar if not the same for each of the consoles, then the UAE market would remain the same for the next three years, even with the release of new consoles. Stakeholders analysis PS3 Customer Implications PlayStation 4 is expected to have great demand if prices are reasonably high compared to the price of ps3 in an effort to provide as many customers as possible with the opportunity to purchase PlayStation 4. By launching play station 4, consumers will by buying more PS4s than Xbox 360s and Wiis as a result Sony will lead the market for coming years. PS3 Environment Implications These are the plans for the next 3 years regarding the Environment in UAE. Sonys Environmental Plan Road to Zero Green Management 2013 Green Management 2013 Environmental Management Structure Campaigns and advertisements boosting these plans and events will enhance Sonys image in UAE as the brand appears as an environmentally friendly product as a result as the demand for the brand increases demand for ps3 will also rise. These CSR and environment protection activities are costly and will put on a rise to the price of Sony products and therefore the increase in cost will be pushed to the price of ps4 when launched. PS3 Community Implications: Sony is expecting to have a positive impact in the coming 3 years through CSR activities by powering its products and business activities globally. PS3s indulgence in CSR activates is likely to enhance its image in the long run as it will be perceived as a device which not only is entertaining but also environmental friendly. PS3 Distribution Channel Implications Distribution cost will fall in the coming years, consumers will have more pleasant shopping experience more specialized stores and sales people who know exactly what the customers are looking for. Consumers will also start seeing Sony Retailer Network logo in Ads and POS displays. The more enhanced shopping experience will also increase the demand for Sony and therefore result in higher prices in the coming years. Implications over the next three Years Unfortunately, the boundaries of the Product market structure have already been broken due to several technological and socio-cultural factors. The increased substitutability is happening because of the demographics in UAE have evolved and are always looking for the devices that can offer the best gaming experience. The first implication which is likely to increase over the next years is the emphasis on improving gaming portable devices such as Nintendo 3DS which was introduced in UAE in the first quarter of 2011. The owners of Nintendo 3DS understood the new socio-cultural trends ,which is currently enjoying the 3d technology, and created this device for users who want the 3d experience in a smaller screen without the usage of any glasses. Nintendo 3DS being the first ones to provide the gaming experience in 3d had created an enormous amount of buzz in the market; hence, the same idea is now being applied by other companies. Sony Play station 3 owners are yet to utilize this 3d technology; however, in order to compete in this portable gaming industry, Sony will introduce Sony NGP (PSP 2) in early 2012 that will provide an unbelievable gaming experience in small screens. UAE Distributers will vigorously promote NGP towards the launch as the next generation portable entertainment platform and dep loy various measures to further expand the portable gaming market. (Stuart, 2011). Sonys strategy of introducing NGP can provide them with a competitive edge in the portable gaming market; however, only time will tell if they had succeeded. Secondly, the surprising success of portable PC devices like iPad and iPad 2 in the UAE market have created a very unique set of games with a large fan following. The games in the iPad are relatively easier to play and can be very addictive. Moreover, Blackberry that has been a global phenomenon with mass consumption in the Middle East market are introducing its own graphic tablet, with its own official set of games, by the name of Blackberry playbook in the end of 2011 and hence making the portable gaming devices industry more demanding and competitive. (Shuey, 2010). In short, the games in these graphic tablets like iPad and Blackberry which are more motion and movement oriented has solidified their position as a serious competitor in the portable gaming industry for PCs. Thirdly, the improving features of the non-portable personal computers is another major threat which are designed for hard-core gamers who want enormous storage capacity features along with its incredible graphical experience. A perfect example of such computers which provide similar graphical experiences to PS3 and Xbox is Dells Alienware. Alienware might have been launched by Dell in 2008; however, it can support all playstation3 and xbox 360 games making their presence highly competitive in the market. Moreover, it is being upgraded and reintroduced on frequent basis unlike Playstation 3 which takes longer time for its next version to launch. The usage of mouse and keyboards makes the PC industry still a fierce competitor as games will always require fast and accurate hand movements that can only be used on PCs. In addition, PCs are also very economical due to the latest games which can be downloaded on the internet for free as opposed to PS3 games which can be very costly and can take months to arrive. Also, the restrictions of certain popular games with high sexual and violent content are banned by the UAE government; therefore, the PC gamers can enjoy the internet service and can quickly download and play