Based on typical hotel organization chart consolidate the Department Assignment

Based on typical hotel organization chart consolidate the Department Heads reports outlining how the hotel will fully meet all the needs of the attendees - Assignment Example The Four Seasons Hotel authorities must ensure security as well as high quality services to the visitors. High quality service delivered to the attendees would help to enhance brand value of the hotel in long run. In the contemporary era, all prominent business organizations operating within the hospitality industry try to improve service quality and customer satisfaction within business. It is found that superior services provided by a hotel helps to increase its aggregate profitability as well as base of loyal customers. Buyers’ loyalty towards a company and satisfaction derived share a directly proportional relationship (Halil and Tanova 33-41). This report would mention that Four Seasons Hotel has an aim to generate 100% occupancy rate from 29th November to 4th December. This is because, in that period of time, foreign delegates from across the globe would visit the hotel for attending the G20 Summit held in Seattle. Thus, in order to achieve the target, the hotel must introduce ways to enhance quality of its service, thereby augmenting customers’ loyalty or satisfaction. In addition to major services, the hotel also offers special business services to visitors. The above list shows various types of commercial services provided by the company, which renders business tours of corporate officials comfortable and convenient. The manager must ensure that all these services are uninterruptedly delivered to the hotel attendees. The accommodations of the hotel are placed on first ten floors. The company owns 147 guest rooms and 13 luxury suites (â€Å"Four Seasons Hotel†). The housekeeping officials of the hotel must ensure that facilities available in each room of the hotel can be well-used by attendees. In general, rooms of the hotel are decorated in ways that complement local cultures around the world. The workers of the housekeeping

Same Sex Marriage in India and the United States Essay

Same Sex Marriage in India and the United States - Essay Example The essay "Same Sex Marriage in India and the United States" compares the issues of the same sex marriage in India and the US. This paper analyses the childless married women’s experience and resistance practices. This paper is of particular importance as it brings to light the importance that is given to motherhood in India.According to the Bible, God sent Adam and Eve, of two different sexes, to the earth for procreation. According to Hindu mythology also the first human beings that were sent down were Manu and Shatarupa, again of two different sexes. The purpose in both cases was procreation because this can happen only with the union between the opposite sexes. Same sex marriages are condemned the world over by every religion as it goes against the law of nature. While spiritualism directs to look at every individual as a soul and not to look at the external form and shape, hence beyond gender, but same sex marriages create social distortions and challenge the very institu tion of marriage. In India same sex marriages are a taboo and motherhood is essential to attain fulfillment. Nevertheless, close-knit Indian families are traveling beyond and embracing the new way of sharing the love. In the US, same sex families claim to provide the same environment to the children and the children grow up in a better environment than natural families and hence through adoption, they can fulfill the desire to have children. Same sex marriages in the US is gaining acceptance while in India it is still a stigma and a taboo.

The Vision Of Dominos Pizza Commerce Essay

The Vision Of Dominos Pizza Commerce Essay Dominos Pizza is the well known company that delivers pizza and operates through a network of company-owned and franchise-owned stores in the United States and international markets including Malaysia, India, Canada, and Australia. Dominos Pizza was started out small by brothers Tom and James Monaghan at Michigan, United States with just one store called DomiNicks in 1960. After the few years, James Monaghan trades his half of the business to Tom Monaghan and Tom changed the company name to Dominos Pizza in 1965. Dominos Pizza today is the second-largest pizza chain in the United States and has more than 10,000 owned and franchised stores in the United States and more than 65 international markets. The Dominos menu features a variety of Italian-American entrees and slide dishes such as pizza, pasta, bread bowls, salads, chicken wing, and breadsticks. Having so many retail shop and variety type of food means keeping the stock and logistic is not easy task. Dominos Pizza sure have some unique way on keep it supply chain running smooth and tidy. Vision The vision of Dominos Pizza is, illustrates a company of exceptional people on a mission to be the best pizza delivery company in the world.(Dominos Pizza, 2008) Mission The mission of Dominos Pizza is, committed to an inclusive culture which values the contributions of their customers, team members, suppliers, and neighbors. 2.0 Strength of Dominos Pizza Effective inventory management Dominos Pizza took a major advantage in supply chain efficiency in 2002 when it centralized inventory management operations at its headquarters. The centralized operation allowed the company to standardize sourcing, planning, inventory management and replenishment on each distribution center across the national network. Dominos pizza is using software from Prescient Applied Intelligence; a provider of supply chain and advanced commerce solutions to help them achieve the centralized inventory management operations. In this operation, the entire distribution operation uses only 9 planners with the help of the Prescient Applied Intelligence software. The Prescient distribution planning suite works as modules for inventory and demand planning optimized order management and advanced time-phase replenishment. However, the centralized operation needs support from a new method because Dominos have a lot of retail stores around the world, the size of the distribution centers are quite small c ompare to other company. And still not only receive all ingredients and supplies, but they also prepare the dough, so it can be shipped fresh to the stores. Domino introduces matched receipts to demand module to help solve this problem. The idea is made by the Prescient Applied Intelligence software. The system monitor inventory on each distribution center and determines which product have higher demand. The data is gathering through the company PeopleSoft enterprise resource planning system and then combine with Prescient Applied Intelligence software. When the stock in the distribution center is not enough to meet the need of the retail store, the raw material will be ordered more. If the supply is adequate, the stock will not be order and the next order will be consider what was placed on the prior order and go through the same process. Though this way, the freshness of the stock also can be preserve and increase the food quality. Besides that, Dominos want its truck with smaller quantities of multiple items and let the staggered ordering system to balance inbound receipts just the way Dominos need them. Dominos also can build bigger warehouse or distribution center to keep more stocks so it can reduce to cost from ordering and reduce labor cost on daily routine in the distribution center. Automation Benefits Dominos also have a system that automates much of the standard ordering and replenishment planning, instead of spending three-quarters of the week manually putting orders together. This helps the Dominos planners to focus more time and attention on making better strategic decisions. For instance, planner review previous data indentify exception and learn the accuracy from the prior week. Planners can skip unnecessary job and make direct adjustments with this. Then the order is transmitted to Dominos ERP system and on the next day after receiving the order confirmation, planner can simply repeat the process for freight orders. Dominos growing ranks of retail stores are being replenished with a 24-hour service guarantee, even during the heaviest promotion periods, while the network of compact distribution center operates at lean levels few companies can match. This system had gain Domino a lot of advantage on preserving better stocks level and maintaining it. Delivery Tactic In the highly competitive pizza business, Dominos have to create various strategies to make sure itself comparable with other pizza company. With their long time experience on pizza business, they know that time take for the food arrive to customer door is crucial. Dominos Pizza introduced a 30 minutes delivery guarantees and free delivery idea. Dominos is the only pizza company that guarantees customers order will arrive within 30 minutes with free delivery. If the order cannot make it within 30 minutes, then Dominos Pizza will give you a free Regular Pizza Voucher. When delivering pizza, Dominos use a special heat wave bags to keep the pizzas hot during transit. These deals have significantly attracted customer to consume at dominos pizza. Dominos GPS (Great Pizza Service) Tracker Domino also creates a unique service that call Domino GPS Tracker. This GPS tracker had provides a step-by-step update on the status of customer order when customer is online order the pizza. Customer can login with username and password or customers phone number to track the online order. The GPS tracker will shows seven steps throughout the food preparation and delivery process for give customers convenient. The seven steps of tracker are including Order placed, Preparing, Baking, Boxing, Packing, Ready for delivery and the last one is delivering. This GPS tracker can gain competitive advantage because this system makes the more customers friendly and convenient to customer. 4.0 Conclusion Dominos Pizza is a great pizza company to be study. It had proved itself as a world leading pizza company as it has a lot of advantage against other pizza company. The competitive advantages are including Effective inventory management, Automation Benefits, Delivery Tactic and Dominos GPS (Great Pizza Service) Tracker. Dominos pizza has done a great job on satisfying customer needs and maintaining it pizza quality. However, through this assignment, we have learnt how Dominos Pizza gain competitive advantages compare to another pizza seller. This also will give us increase a lot of knowledge about the business logistics operations that we might face in the future.

Invisible Man - Invisible to White Society :: Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The reason I chose," THE INVISIBLE MAN, "is because the black man in this story symbolizes the black the black man in society which is set up to fail. He is used, humiliated, and discriminated against through the whole book. He feels that he is invisible to society because society does not view him as a real person. Reading this book was very difficult, because the book was written in first person singular. I had to think hard on my opinion of Ellison's underlining message in this book. To do this I had to ask the question, what drives a man to believe that he is invisible to a society of people?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The book starts out with a Negro boy shy and timid comes to a southern town to be awarded a scholarship. Together with some more Negro boys he is rushed to front of the ballroom were they witness a blond women dancing in the nude. This fiascle is frightening to the boys, because during this period in history a black man could have gotten hung for looking at white lady, not to mention a naked white lady. After this event the boys are blindfolded and made to beat each other to a bloody pulp. Afterwards the boy is made to give a speech of gratitude to the drunken white people while swallowing and nearly choking on his on blood. After this shocking opening the book kind of mellows out some. Next he goes off to college but while in school makes a mistake and takes a white donor through a Negro gin mill. Which from this event he gets expelled. Thinking he has a letter of recommendation, but it is really a document warning potential employers not to h ire him written by Dr.Bledsoe the same man who through him out of the college he adored so much. He travels to New York City. Once in New York his attitude changes it seems that all his misfortunes have taken an effect on him and his attitude changes. He joins a Communist group in which the reader can see the bitterness in his heart. Yet in the book Ellison talks about the party so bad it is a wonder they caught the I of his character at all. He later leaves the group. Yet, still it amazed me that a man could feel so out of place or even unwanted enough to join the communist party. Invisible Man - Invisible to White Society :: Ralph Ellison, Invisible Man   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The reason I chose," THE INVISIBLE MAN, "is because the black man in this story symbolizes the black the black man in society which is set up to fail. He is used, humiliated, and discriminated against through the whole book. He feels that he is invisible to society because society does not view him as a real person. Reading this book was very difficult, because the book was written in first person singular. I had to think hard on my opinion of Ellison's underlining message in this book. To do this I had to ask the question, what drives a man to believe that he is invisible to a society of people?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The book starts out with a Negro boy shy and timid comes to a southern town to be awarded a scholarship. Together with some more Negro boys he is rushed to front of the ballroom were they witness a blond women dancing in the nude. This fiascle is frightening to the boys, because during this period in history a black man could have gotten hung for looking at white lady, not to mention a naked white lady. After this event the boys are blindfolded and made to beat each other to a bloody pulp. Afterwards the boy is made to give a speech of gratitude to the drunken white people while swallowing and nearly choking on his on blood. After this shocking opening the book kind of mellows out some. Next he goes off to college but while in school makes a mistake and takes a white donor through a Negro gin mill. Which from this event he gets expelled. Thinking he has a letter of recommendation, but it is really a document warning potential employers not to h ire him written by Dr.Bledsoe the same man who through him out of the college he adored so much. He travels to New York City. Once in New York his attitude changes it seems that all his misfortunes have taken an effect on him and his attitude changes. He joins a Communist group in which the reader can see the bitterness in his heart. Yet in the book Ellison talks about the party so bad it is a wonder they caught the I of his character at all. He later leaves the group. Yet, still it amazed me that a man could feel so out of place or even unwanted enough to join the communist party.

Momentum trading and Business Cycle Risk: Evidence from BRIC Countries

1. Introduction. BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China) countries are growing at an alarming rate. This growth can be attributed to a number of factors including globalisation, financial liberalisation which has led to an increase in cross-border capital flows, technological developments and the internet. These countries are forecast to witness tremendous growth in the years ahead. The alarming growth of BRIC countries has attracted investors in search of suitable environments for portfolio diversification to consider BRIC countries as potential destinations for diversifying their portfolios. This paper presents a proposal to study the link between business cycles and momentum trading in the BRIC stock markets. The paper aims at understanding how business cycle risk affects momentum profits in BRIC countries. The study also seeks to provide an understanding of how momentum profits are affected by firm specific characteristics such as firm size and book-to-market ratios in BRIC countries. 2. Objectives of the study The objective of the study is to determine the impact of business cycle risk on momentum profits and thus momentum trading in BRIC countries. Research Questions The study aims at answering the following questions: Are there momentum profits in the stock markets of BRIC countries If so, what is the impact of Business Cycle risk on these profits What are the regulatory implications of momentum profits in BRIC countries Significance of the Study The study is significant to market regulators in that it will enable them design regulatory requirements aimed at reducing inefficiencies in BRIC stock markets thereby increasing their ability to attract capital. The study will also help foreign investors to gain more confidence in BRIC countries. Finally, the study will serve as a reference point for future researchers interested in conducting research on momentum profits. 5. Literature Review. A momentum trading strategy is a trading strategy that is designed based on past performance. The trading strategy is based on the assumption that â€Å"history will repeat itself†. A momentum trading strategy is therefore a strategy, which assumes that the return performance will persist in the medium term (Signos and Chelley, 1994). Momentum profits were first observed by Jegadeesh and Titman (1993). Accordingly, the study observed that stocks that performed well in a previous period also performed well in the current period, while those that performed poorly in the previous period also performed poorly in the current period. This means that a trading strategy that went long on previous winners while shorting previous losers would result in positive abnormal returns. In particular Jagadeesh and Titman (1993) observed the realisation of positive abnormal returns of 1 percent with the momentum strategy. In addition, a number of other studies have observed significant positive abnormal returns with the momentum trading strategy (e.g., Moskowitz and Grinblatt, 1999; Jegadeesh and Titman, 2001; Liu et al. (1999), Hong and Tonks, 2003; Gregory et al., 2001; Griffin et al., 2003; Gregory et al. 2001; Rouwenhorst 1998). The implication of the existence of such a Band Wagon (money making strategy) is that markets were not efficient. According to the weak- and semi-strong form efficient market hypotheses, all information available to the general public is already reflected in stock prices. This means that investors cannot realise superior risk adjusted returns by adopting a particular trading strategy such as the one proposed by momentum trading (Ross et al., 1999; Bodie et al., 2007). Attempts to attribute this finding to inefficient markets have been opposed by Fama and French (1993, 1995, 1996) who argued that observing momentum profits cannot be attributed to inefficient capital markets. Rather the single factor capital asset pricing model (CAPM) has been criticised for not being able to properly explain the variability of the cross-section of stock returns. This model suggests that stock market returns depend on a single factor (i.e., the return on the market portfolio). However, Fama and French (1993, 1995, 1996) contest this view and argue instead that stock returns could be explained by additional factors such as the book-to-market ratio and firm size. A three factor model is therefore proposed which takes into account the impact of size and book-to-market ratio and is found to perform better than the single factor CAPM (Fama and French, 1993, 1995, 1996). In addition, the three factor model was extended to a four-factor model to include a momentum factor w hich measures the difference between the return on portfolios of stocks that performed well in the previous period and the return on portfolios of stocks that performed poorly. Including a momentum factor in the three-factor model thus making it a four-factor model enabled the model to be able to explain the momentum profits observed in Jagadeesh and Titman (1993) and the other studies identified in the Literature. In summary, Fama and French argue that anomalies such as those observed in momentum trading cannot be attributed to inefficiencies in capital markets. Rather they should be attributed to inadequacies in the models that are used in explaining the cross-section of stock returns. Other explanations have been offered for the observation of momentum profits. According to behavioural finance theorist, momentum profits are a result of slow movement of information. Behavioural finance theorists are against market efficiency theorists who argue that information is rapidly reflected in stock prices. Among behavioural theorists, Hong and Stein (1999) argue that momentum profits can be attributed to slow diffusion of information across interested investors. This means that some investors receive information about stock prices earlier than others and as such appropriate action faster than others. By so doing, investors who have quick access to information are capable of making superior abnormal returns while those who do not have quick access to information tend not to make superior risk-adjusted returns by using such information as a basis of trading. Barberis et al. (1998) argues that momentum profits can be attributed to overreaction or underreaction of stock prices to news. The explanation from behavioural theorists conflict with those of Fama and French because behavioural theorists also suggest that there is nothing like an efficient market. Given the conflict between behavioural theorists and proponents of market efficiency, alternative explanations have been provided by recent studies. These studies argue that momentum profits are influenced by business cycle variables (e.g., Antoniou et al., 2007; Liew and Vassalou, 1999). Contrary to this view Griffen et al. (2002) in a study examining the link between business cycle variables and momentum profits across many countries argue that momentum profits are not a function of business cycle variables. While many studies have investigated the relationship between business cycle variables, most of these studies focus on developed markets with very little attention paid to emerging markets such as those of BRIC countries. Given the increasing role that BRIC countries play in the global economy, it is important to understand whether there are momentum profits in these countries as well as the role that business cycle risk has on momentum profits. This study is therefore a positive step toward contributing to the literature on momentum profits and business cycle risk by extending previous studies to stock markets in BRIC countries. 5. Research Methods This study will employ an econometric model to study the relationship between momentum profits and three sets of variables: (i) business cycle variables; (ii) firm specific variables (iii); and behavioural finance variables. The relationship between momentum profits and these variables can be represented using the following econometric model: (1) Where is a measure of the momentum profit of country i at in year t; is a vector of firm specific variables; is a vector of the past cumulative raw returns; and are the sensitivities of the momentum profits to changes in firm-specific variables and past cumulative returns respectively. The magnitude of the effect of these variables will be determined by testing the significance of the parameters at the 5% level of significance. In order to study business cycle variables, a model was developed by Chordia and Shivakumar (2002) and later extended by Antoniou et al. (2007). The model is an econometric model which establishes the relationship between momentum profits and business cycle variables. The model can be stated as follows: Where is the return (inclusive of dividends) of firm i in month t, BC is a vector of j (j=1-6) macroeconomic variables representing business cycle variables (DY, Rf, TERM, DEF, FX, and GDP), and is the error term of stock i in month t. DY is the dividend yield; Rf is the risk-free interest rate; DEF is the premium for default risk premium which is estimated as the difference between the yield on long-term corporate bonds and the yield on long-term government bonds; The term spread (TERM) is the difference between the yield on long-term government securities minus the yield on short-term government securities; FX is the foreign exchange rate; and GDP is the change in GDP (Antoniou et al., 2007). As earlier mentioned, stock returns depend on two factors: market factors and firm-specific factors. There is a trade-off relationship between the manner in which each group of factors affect stock returns. That is the higher the impact of firm-specific factors, the lower will be the impact of market factors and vice versa (Antoniou et al., 2007). To estimate equation (1) equations 3 has to be estimated and its parameters used as inputs to equation (2). After estimating equation (2) its parameters can then be used as inputs to equation (1). In this study, both time-series and cross-sectional regressions are used. Cross-sectional regressions are preferred over time series regressions because they help to avoid data-snooping biases which tend to occur in time-series regressions. In the time-series regressions, individual stocks are used which help to reduce the degree of loss of information that tends to occur when portfolios are used. Using first-pass time series regression, which allows the parameters to also fluctuate with firm-specific variables. The firm-specific factors include firm size and book-to-market ratio. The first-pass time-series regression can be stated as follows; is the return on firm i at time t, BC is a the vector of business cycle risk variables identified earlier, FF (Fama and French factors) are the firm-specific variables. Once equation (3) has been estimated, the parameters will be used as inputs to the second pass regression equation (4) below: Where is the output of equation (3). It is the unexplained variation from equation (3). These include the intercept coefficient and the residual term (+) of the regression equation (3); is a vector of firm characteristics, which include firm size and book-to-market ratio for security i at time t. represent the three sets of past cumulative raw returns (for m=1-3) over the second through third (RET 2-3), fourth through sixth (RET 4-6) and seventh through twelfth (RET 7-12) months prior to the current month t. (Antoniou et al. 2007). 6. Data Stock price data for stocks in the BRIC countries will be retrieved from the Thomson Financial Datastream Database. Data on dividend yields will also be retrieved from this database. The database also reports data on exchange rates. GDP, interest rate and exchange rate data will be retrieved from the IMF International Financial Statistics (IFS) database. Stock price data will be used to calculate the monthly return for each stock over the 60 monthly holding periods from January 2007 to December 2011. The returns will be used as inputs to the first-pass regression. References Griffin, John M., Martin, J. Spencer and Ji, Susan, â€Å"Momentum Investing and Business Cycle Risk: Evidence from Pole to Pole† (March 18, 2002). AFA 2003 Washington, DC Meetings; EFA 2002 Berlin Meetings Presented Paper. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=291225 or DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.291225 Antoniou A., Lam H. Y.T., Paudyal K. (2007). Profitability of momentum strategies in international markets: The role of business cycle variables and behavioural biases. Journal of Banking & Finance volume 31, issue 3, pp. 955-972. Liew, Jimmy K.yung Soo and Vassalou, Maria, (1999). â€Å"Can Book-to-Market, Size, and Momentum Be Risk Factors That Predict Economic Growth?† Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=159293 or DOI: 10.2139/ssrn.159293 Rouwenhorst, K.G. (1998). International momentum strategies, Journal of Finance 53, pp. 267–284. Wu, X. (2002). A conditional multifactor analysis of return momentum, Journal of Banking and Finance 26 (2002), pp. 1675–1696 Jegadeesh N., Titman S. (1998). Returns to buying winners and selling losers: Implications for market efficiency, Journal of Finance 48, pp. 65–91. Barberis N., Shleifer A., Vishny R.W.(1998). A model of investor sentiment, Journal of Financial Economics 49, pp. 307–343. Fama E.F., French K.R. (1996). Multifactor explanations of asset pricing anomalies, Journal of Finance 51 (1996), pp. 55–84. Hong H., Stein J.C. (1999). A Unified Theory of Undereaction, Momentum Trading, and Overreaction in Asset Markets. Journal of Finance. Vol. 6, pp 2143-2184 Chelley-Steeley, Patricia and Siganos, Antonios, (2004). â€Å"Momentum Profits in Alternative Stock Market Structures†. Available at SSRN: http://ssrn.com/abstract=624583

Critically Examine the Geopolitics of Humanitarian Aid Within the 21st Century.

Critically examine the geopolitics of humanitarian aid within the 21st century. How have responses to famine changed over time and what are the key challenges to famine prevention today? Geopolitics have played a huge role in humanitarian aid in the current century. Because humanitarian aid is largely sponsored by western countries it poses a huge problem in the form of a â€Å"parochial form of theorizing†1 that supports the interests of the richest countries of the world. For the purpose of this essay I will begin by examining the problems that have arisen in the most recent years of humanitarian aid assistance.This arises from conditional aid, whereby donor countries or organizations impose conditions in order for recipient countries to receive this aid. Followed by this is the secularization and polarization of the aid industry where organizations are constantly in competition for finite resources. Lastly the 21st century has seen foreign militaries carry out humanitarian aid missions which jeopardizes the neutrality and impartiality which is so essential in carrying out aid to anyone who is in need. Secondly this essay will look at how humanitarian aid has changed over time.For the purpose of this short essay I will look at the 1998 famine in North Korea whereby humanitarian aid was given, only under political concessions. Disguised as aid, the humanitarian assistance given to North Korea was used as a political tool that undermines the fundamental ideas of humanitarian aid. The basic theorizations of humanitarianism put a deep emphasis on adherence to principles of impartiality and neutrality and assistance based solely on need. Adherence to these principles has been the biggest problems of humanitarian aid over its history, but never more so than in the 21st century.Aid in recent years has been based on conditionality which essentially means that in order for nations to receive aid, these nations have to adopt conditions that that the donor nation imposes. This means that aid is not offered on the basis of those who need it, but is based on policy that supports the donors giving aid. Therefore critics see these policies, although framed as humanitarian in principle, as very far removed from humanitarian. In essence it is foreign policy that is advantageous to the donor. Some such policies that come from conditionality are trade liberalization, that can ruin domestic economies and increase unemployment, and capital account liberalization that would open less developed economies to investments from multi-national corporations. Such investments have little impact on the majority of people in these countries and generally only benefit the corporations themselves and a small group of elites in the recipient countries. This supply of aid, especially in the events of crisis is in complete contrast to the fundamental principles of humanitarian aid. One of the most problematic concerns of aid in the last ten years has been the politi cization and secularization of the aid industry. Over the last twenty five years humanitarian aid has become heavily institutionalized. This has led to more effective logistics and delivery systems. However it has also created institutions that are perhaps not so concerned with providing aid to those in need, but acting in the interests of governments or big businesses that are the donors of the resources. Humanitarian organizations such as NGO’s and now foreign military forces are often in competition with local organizations which has led to valuable resources being wasted because of constant competition for aid . 5Because of this, NGO’s neutrality (one of the most fundamental principles of humanitarian aid) is severely compromised because the boundaries between relief and development, war and peace and political objectives are not easily defined.Thus, NGO’s in these most recent years have struggled to adhere to the basic humanitarian principles of providing t o those most in need because their ideals are compromised by the secularization and politicization of aid organizations. 6 Perhaps one of the most fundamental problems of humanitarian aid in the 21st century is the fact that it is often no longer carried out by NGO’s, but is in fact coordinated by foreign military forces. In cases such as Iraq and Afghanistan the United States military assumed a huge role for the distribution of disaster and humanitarian assistance alongside their military objectives.If foreign militaries are carrying out humanitarian aid alongside military objectives, then there is no way that aid can be supplied to whoever is in need in ways that are impartial, neutral and independent. This new system whereby foreign militaries are responsible for supplying aid has created huge security problems for not only the military, but for the people who are receiving aid. Opposing factions to foreign military time and time again in Afghanistan and Iraq have targeted civilians receiving aid to further their own agenda. These are the problems that exist in the humanitarian aid industry today, but these problems have developed over a course of many years and responses to famine and humanitarian disasters have evolved over time. Thirty years ago disaster relief and humanitarian aid were not considered to be of huge significance on a geopolitical scale. During the 70’s and 80’s although humanitarian crisis existed, the geopolitics was more focused on the cold war and respecting the sovereignty of nation states.Although crisis in Africa, East Pakistan and Guatemala (to name a few) were made aware to the international community , they were sidelined by the real political concerns defined by the cold war. Throughout the 1970’s, 1980’s and even the 1990’s international opinion and more importantly international law, respected the fact that governments, even of highly prone man-made and natural disasters had the respon sibility, will, interest and ability to protect their own citizens.Any humanitarian aid that was given in these years was seen as assistance to these governments to look after their own citizens. Essentially 25 years ago, the concept of ‘humanitarian intervention’ without the concurrence of the affected state would not have been considered and certainly would not have been sanctioned by the United Nations or the International Community. 8 Since the 1980’s humanitarian aid and responses to famine have changed not only in thought, but institutionally.In the mid 1980’s there were approximately 280 governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental aid organizations. Today that number is over 1000. As well as this huge expansion of organizations there has been a dramatic increase in aid expenditure. In the last two decades humanitarian assistance has tripled from approximately two billion to six billion dollars. 9 Because of this huge increase in the funding of aid the competition between organizations can sometimes have disastrous consequences because the organizations are competing for finite resources.This is increased by for profit organizations that are competing for lucrative humanitarian and development contracts. Many donors of aid motives are not for the needs of the people that are in need of these resources but are aligned with domestic considerations or international interests that are a world apart from the specific needs of those people affected by disaster or emergency. 10 The famine of North Korea in 1998 is a perfect example of conditional humanitarian aid, and how it is driven not by humanitarian principle, but a clever tool for geopolitical gains.The North Korean famine shows how humanitarian aid today has changed to become an important political tool in contrast to two decades ago whereby any humanitarian crisis was sidelined because of the geopolitical context of the cold war. 9 In times of famine it is important t o emphasize that the likelihood of a starving nation to accept emergency aid under any condition means that conditional aid can be seen as a political tool to establish a diplomatic, political or even military presence under the disguise of humanitarian aid. 11 This was such the case in the North Korean famine.From 1995-1998 North Korea was hit by a series of national disasters that resulted in a large scale famine. Rough estimates say that by 1998 North Korea lacked about two million tones of grain needed to feed its people. According to the world food program the rate of moderate to severe malnutrition of children in North Korea was about sixty per cent by mid 1998. 12 By mid 1998 the United States and South Korea realized that it could use the famine in North Korea as a political tool to penetrate the isolated North and offer aid on terms that benefited themselves.The United States and South Korea offered food aid on terms that North Korea had to enter into reunification and peac e talks and not break out of the 1994 agreed framework designed to end the North’s nuclear program. If the North refused to adhere to these conditions, no food aid would be given. Another condition was that the shipments of aid would be covered with stickers and logos from the United States and South Korea. Although this may seem insignificant it was a huge propaganda tool for the donor powers.It could serve as an undermining of the North Korean regime that had told its people for decades that the South and the United States were undermining their nation. 13 The slow response to give aid put the US and South Korea in a strategically advantageous situation to further its political goals. If North Korea didn’t accept United States conditions the famine would continue and the possibility of an internal break down of the state increased. If the North accepted the terms on which the donors offered, the aid functioned as an important political tool.It meant North Korea had t o give concessions and that the people of North Korea could see the failure of its regime and the kindness of the western powers that they had been told for so long were there enemies. Thus, humanitarian aid was not offered to support those people starving, but was rather used as a political tool to further the donor states own political agendas under the guise of humanitarian aid. In actual fact, the aid was so far removed from what humanitarian aid in its purest sense really was. 4 So much was this aid seen as a political tool that in 1998 the South Korean government banned non governmental groups from fundraising to support those starving in the North. 15 This is undeniable proof that political aims were the underlying focus of the ‘conditional aid’ rather than aid to help the starving North Korean population that was stricken by famine. The key challenges to famine prevention today are huge and include a combination of factors that are not easily unchanged.First of all, humanitarian aid is now such a lucrative industry that competition for contracts means that organizations are in constant competition for finite resources, the resources that are needed in times when famine strikes. Secondly, as long as foreign militaries carry out some humanitarian aid then the adherence to neutrality and impartiality that is so fundamental to the aid process is essentially undermined. Military goals will always be aligned alongside objectives that are not necessarily aligned with those of starving people.And finally, as long as conditional aid is used as a political tool, then humanitarian aid faces huge challenges. In a time when people need aid, if governments are focused on geopolitical goals and furthering their own agendas rather than helping those in times of famine then humanitarian aid is essentially a guise and is merely a political tool for donor governments to use to further their own agendas. 1 Robinson, J. (2003) ‘Postcolonising geography: tactics and pitfalls' Singapore Journal of Tropical Geography p273 2 When does aid conditionally work?Gabriella R Montinola. Studies in comparative international development, vol 45, 2010, pp 358-362 3 ibid (same ref as above) 4 International Human Crisis: two decades before and two decades beyond. Randolf C Kent. International Affairs Volume 80, issie 5, 2004 p 851-870 5 Aaltola, M. – Responding to emergencies and fostering development: the dilemmas of humanitarian aid Third world planning review. – Liverpool University Press. – 0142-7849   Vol. 22(1), 2000, p. 111-112 6 International Human Crisis: two decades before and two decades beyond. Randolf C Kent.International Affairs Volume 80, issie 5, 2004 pp 851-870 7International Human Crisis: two decades before and two decades beyond. Randolf C Kent. International Affairs Volume 80, issie 5, 2004 851-870 8 Reshaping humanitarian assistance in the twenty first century. Tim O’Dempsey and Barry Munslow. Pro gress in Development Studies 2009 9:1 pp 1-2 9 Randolf C Kent. Pp 851-870 10 Aaltola, M. – Responding to emergencies and fostering development: the dilemmas of humanitarian aid Third world planning review. – Liverpool University Press. – 0142-7849   Vol. 22(1), 2000, p. 111-112 11. G.M Guess. The Politics of United States Foreign Aid, London: Croom Helm, 1987, p3 12 Lischer, Sarah Kenyon. Dangerous Sanctuaries:  Refugee Camps, Civil War, And the Dilemmas of Humanitarian Aid. Cornwell University Press. 2006. Pp 3-9 13 Emergency Food Aid as a Means of Political Persuasion in the North Korean Famine Mika Aaltola Third World Quarterly  , Vol. 20, No. 2 (Apr. , 1999), p 374 14 Emergency Food Aid as a Means of Political Persuasion in the North Korean Famine Mika Aaltola Third World Quarterly  , Vol. 20, No. 2 (Apr. , 1999), pp 372- 386 15 Korean Herald, 13 May, 1997

njsp profiling essays

njsp profiling essays NEW JERSEY STATE POLICE RACIAL PROFILING Racial profiling is a law enforcement strategy that encourages police officers to stop and question African Americans simply because of their race. Although not raised as a major issue in the courtroom during the trial of the four police officers who shot Amadou Diallo (who were acquitted in February), racial profiling is often employed by police, officially and unofficially, and was likely a factor in the police shooting of Diallo. Racial profiling took off during the highly publicized explosion of crack cocaine in inner-city neighborhoods in the 1980s, which bolstered the perception of drugs as a black problem even though statistics showed most cocaine users were white. Drug enforcement agencies began using racial profiling to "sweep" neighborhoods and in arresting disproportionate numbers of African Americans for drug related offenses. A profile of potential drug users and sellers was developed to assist policemen in picking out and questioning likely offenders. These profiles continue to be used by law enforcement in combating crime. Recent high profile cases and studies of racial profiling in New Jersey and Maryland prompted Congress to introduce the Traffic Stops Statistics Study Act of 1999, directing Attorney General Janet Reno to conduct a nationwide study of the race of drivers who are stopped by law enforcement. Congress is expected to vote on the bill later this year. The current debate on racial profiling has been tied to allegations of police brutality and institutional racism. In response to one shooting of an unarmed black man by a police officer, video cameras were installed in police cruisers in Montgomery and Prince George's counties in Maryland. A four-year investigation of alleged police brutality in Montgomery County by the Department of Justice resulted in demands that officers must ask drivers their age, sex and race, and then compile that data for r...

Phrases to Use to Confirm Information

Phrases to Use to Confirm Information There are certain times in our lives that we need to make sure we understand everything. That’s when clarifying information becomes important. If we want to double-check, we can ask for clarification. If we want to make sure that someone has understood, you can request confirmation that someone has received the message. This type of clarification is especially useful in business meetings, but also in everyday events like taking directions over the telephone or checking an address and telephone number. Use these phrases to clarify and check information.   Phrases and Structures Used to Clarify and Check that You Understand Question Tags Question tags are used when you are sure you have understood but would like to double check. Use the opposite form of the helping verb of the original sentence at the end of the sentence to check. S Tense (positive or negative) Objects , Opposite Auxiliary Verb S You’re going to attend the meeting next week, aren’t you?They don’t sell computers, do they?Tom hasn’t arrived yet, has he? Phrases Used to Rephrase to Double Check Use these phrases to indicate that you would like to rephrase what someone has said in order to make sure you have understood something correctly. Can I rephrase what you said/have/said?So, you mean/think/believe that ...Let me see if I’ve understood you correctly. You ... Can I rephrase what you mean? You feel it’s important to enter the market now.Let me see if I’ve understood you correctly. You would like to hire a marketing consultant. Phrases Used to Ask for Clarification Could you repeat that?I’m afraid I don’t understand.Could you say that again? Could you repeat that? I think I may have misunderstood you.I’m afraid I don’t understand how you plan to implement this plan. Phrases Used to Make Sure Others have Understood You It’s common to ask for clarifying questions after you presented information that might be new to those listening. Use these phrases to make sure everyone has understood. Are we all on the same page?Have I made everything clear?Are there any (more, further) questions? Are we all on the same page? I’d be happy to clarify anything that’s not clear.Are there any further questions? Let’s take a look at a few examples to help clarify. Phrases Use these phrases to repeat information to make sure everyone has understood. Let me repeat that.Let’s go through that again.If you don’t mind, I’d like to go over this again. Let me repeat that. We’d like to find new partners for our business.Let’s go through that again. First, I take a left at Stevens St. and then a right at 15th Ave. Is that correct? Example Situations Example 1 - At a Meeting Frank: ... to end this conversation, let me repeat that we don’t expect everything to happen at once. Are we all on the same page?Marcia: Can I rephrase just a bit to make sure I’ve understood? Frank: Certainly.Marcia: As I understood, we’re going to open up three new branches over the next few months. Frank: Yes, that’s correct.Marcia: However, we don’t have to make all the final decisions right now, do we? Frank: We only need to decide who should be responsible for making those decisions when the time comes.Marcia: Yes, Let’s go through how we’re going to decide that again. Frank: OK. I’d like you to choose a local supervisor you feel would be up to the task.Marcia: I’m supposed to let him or her choose the location, aren’t I? Frank: Yes, that way we’ll have the best local knowledge.Marcia: OK. I think I’m up to speed. Let’s meet again in a few weeks. Frank: How about Wednesday in two weeks?Marcia: OK. See you then. Example 2 - Getting Directions Neighbor 1: Hi Holly, could you help me out?Neighbor 2: Sure, what can I do? Neighbor 1: I need directions to the new supermarket.Neighbor 2: Sure, that’s easy. Take a left on 5th Ave., turn right on Johnson and continue straight ahead for two miles. It’s on the left. Neighbor 1: Just a moment. Could you say that again? I’d like to get this down.Neighbor 2: No problem, take a left on 5th Ave., turn right on Johnson and continue straight ahead for two miles. It’s on the left.Neighbor 1: I take the second right on Johnson, don’t I?Neighbor 2: No, take the first right. Got it? Neighbor 1: Uh, yes, let me just repeat. Take a left on 5th Ave., turn right on Johnson and continue straight ahead for two miles.Neighbor 2: Yes, that’s it. Neighbor 1: Great. Thanks for your help.Neighbor 2: No problem.

A Passage to India

While the plight of the colonized is tragic, filled with degrading images of subjugated civilizations and noble people reduced to mere laborers, it is the colonizer, the British of India, and their rapid change from newly arrived colonist to rigid and unforgiving ruler that draws my interest. The characters constantly comment on these changes that occur to the British once they adjust to the imperialist lifestyle. In the second chapter of the novel Hamidullah, a Muslim character, remarks to his friends, â€Å"Yes, they have no choice here, that is my point. They come out intending to be gentlemen and are told it will not do. . . . I give any Englishman two years. . . . And I give any Englishwoman six months† (Forster 7). Miss Quested constantly worries about becoming this caricature of her former self and also recognizes the changes in her husband-to-be, Ronny, as he fits into the British ruling class lifestyle. Fielding looks at the uncaring people his compatriots have become and marvels as he befriends an Indian Muslim. Is it possible that colonialism has an effect on the colonizer as well as the colonized? Forster clearly demonstrates that colonialism is not only a tragedy for the colonized, but effects a change on the colonizer as well. But how and why does this change occur? Aime Cesaire proposed that it is simply the savage nature of colonization that changes man into their most primal state (20). This does not work because there is no blatant savagery as in Heart of Darkness. Forster doesn’t seem to be parading the cruelty of the colonizer. Thomas Gladwin and Ahmad Saidin suggest that the change is simply the myth of the white man as the British citizens assert their crowns of supposed natural, higher intelligence and worth (47). This does seem to be a good argument because of the superiority that the British colonists take upon themselves in the novel, sequestering themselves in the British club that no mere Indian can be a part of. However, it doesn’t account for the more inquisitive and benevolent natures of Adela and Mr. Fielding and their acts and opinions toward the Indian people. In his essay â€Å"Shooting and Elephant,† George Orwell states that: When the white man turns tyrant it is his own freedom that he destroys. He becomes a sort of hollow, posing dummy, the conventionalized figure of a sahib. For it is the condition of his rule that he shall spend his life in trying to impress the ‘natives,’ and so in every crisis he has got to do what the ‘natives’ expect of him. He wears a mask and his face grows to fit. (152) Orwell suggests that the change is merely the taking on of a role and that the colonizer is an actor required to play the part of the British ruler. It is expected by the native people, and also by their fellow colonists. This expectation is shown through the comment of Hamidallah and his insistence of the inevitable change. It is expected. It is the acceptance of this role is the change that affects the characters in A Passage to India, and if this is the accepted norm, then it goes to reason that those who do not accept it will find themselves outcasts of the society they reject. This is what I intend to show by comparing the plights of Forster’s characters Ronny, Adela, and Fielding, as I explore their differing approaches to this role and the effects that come of either accepting or rejecting it . The first groups of colonizers are those who accept the act of leadership whole-heartedly. They separate themselves from the population, declaring their own superiority over the masses as they build their walled compounds content to be out of sight and sound of any Indians, with the exception of their servants (of course) (Kurinan 44). They seek to make Britain in India, rather than accepting and glorifying the resident cultures. They remain strangers to it, practically living in a separate country they provided for themselves, yet ruling one that they remained aloof from (Eldridge 170). This is the Englishman or woman who feels that without British rule everything will fall to ruin and chaos, anarchy being the ruling class in their stead (Kurinan 33). This is also the class that Albert Memmi, author of The Colonizer and the Colonized (and a former colonized citizen himself), calls the â€Å"colonizer who accepts† (45). It is the colonizer who accepts his or her given role as ruler and god over the colonized people. Memmi supports Orwell’s idea of the role they play by stating that â€Å"the colonizer must assume the opaque rigidity and imperviousness of stone. In short, he must dehumanize himself as well (xxvii). † Those who accept the role of the British administrator lose a part of themselves in the process, becoming an actor instead of a man, doing what is expected, not what is right. Forster picks up on this idea as well. Ronny Healsop is the character that exemplifies the ruling class of the nineteenth century British colonizers. He fulfills the characteristics of the administrative class. He adopts the aloof and chilly manner that was characteristic, caring only about his superiority over the Indians and his evenings at the club with his own kind (Kurinan 43). He shows his callousness and robotic adherence to his role as magistrate in India in an argument with his mother. ‘We’re out here to do justice and keep the peace. Theme’s my sentiments. India isn’t a drawing room. ‘ ‘You’re sentiments are those of a god,’ she said quietly, but it was his manner rather than his sentiments that annoyed her. Trying to recover his temper, he said, ‘India likes gods. ‘And Englishmen like posing as gods. ‘ ‘There’s no point in all this. Here we are, and we’re going to stop, and the country’s got to put up with us, gods or no gods. . . .I am out here to work, mind, to hold this wretched country by force. I’m not a mission ary or a Labor Member or a vague sentimental sympathetic literary man. I’m just a servant of the Government. . . .We’re not pleasant in India, and we don’t intend to be pleasant. We’ve something more important to do’ (51-52). Ronny dehumanizes himself with his constant ravings about having more important things to do in India than being pleasant to the â€Å"natives. He puts himself up as a god, only there for justice and to hold the country together by force. He sheds any ideas of sentiment and in doing so shows how such ideas are looked upon with derision by the ruling class of the colony. Adela, Ronny’s intended fiancee, recognizes this loss of humanity in him from his arguments. She thinks about his manner and it upsets her that â€Å"he did rub it in that he was not in India to behave pleasantly, and derived positive satisfaction there from! . . . The traces of young-man humanitarianism sloughed† (52). What she doesn’t realize is that Ronny is merely accepting his role as Orwell’s â€Å"conventionalized figure of a sahib† and Memmi’s typical colonizer: harsh and cold with no time or inclination toward sentiment. Adela Quested is troubled by this conventionalized role. She comes to India to see its wonders and to connect with its people. Her first moments of seeing Ronny are telling because they show her reluctance to take upon herself the role of the British administrative archetype. She marvels at how he has changed and how unsympathetic he is to those he rules over. This idea is something that haunts her as she continually struggles with the role she must take on if she marries Ronny and remains in India. She has a hard time reconciling the notion of the India she sees with that she must be apart of. â€Å"In front, like a shutter, fell a vision of her married life. She and Ronny would look into the club like this every evening, then drive home to dress; they would see the Lesleys and the Callenders and the Turtons and the Burtons, and invite them and be invited by them while the true India slid by unnoticed† (48). Adela does not wish to be a part of the society that Ronny is so fond of. She even goes so far as to ask an Indian about how she can avoid becoming as the other women, something that no other British woman would do. As she rejects her role as actress in the British imperial play, Adela becomes Memmi’s â€Å"colonizer who refuses† (19), becoming contemptible in the sight of the English society of India. Those who did not accept this role were viewed as the enemy in the imperial point of view. Memmi points out that those who enter the colonies must accept or go home. There is no middle ground. Those who show signs of humanitarian romanticism are viewed as the worst of all dangers and are on the side of the enemy (20). Adela’s thoughts are always viewed as naive and idealistic, but everyone has faith that she will fit in in time. The British laugh at her notions of wanting to see the real India that they try to shut out every day, but they figure that she will fall in line in the end. But what happens if she doesn’t? Adela’s refusal to pursue charges against Aziz when she realizes her folly in accusing him of attempted molestation leaves her ostracized. She rejects the role of imperialist colonizer and must live with the consequences. Those who were once her greatest supporters, fawning over her illness and pretending to be so caring and concerned, now become her most vehement enemies. Memmi observed that those colonizers who felt their ideas were betrayed became vicious (21). As Adela found out after her acquitting remarks on Aziza’s behalf, her friends turned against her, her superiors denounced her, and even Ronny left her. Adela realizes that if she doesn’t choose to wear the mask of imperialism that â€Å"one belongs nowhere and becomes a public nuisance without realizing it. . .I speak of India. I am not astray in † (291). One key element of her statement is that she is only a nuisance in India. Memmi asserts that those who are good cannot stay in the colony (21). The best of people must leave because they cannot accept the consequences of their remaining as a colonist. This idea also shows that these chan ges in character are only exhibited in India. The English in England share differing opinions and ideas. They are not caught in the play as the colonists are and so it shows that a definite change exists between leaving England and acclimatizing to India. Therefore, Adela, although cast out from the imperial administrative class of , may remain unchanged and return to . The last character is that of Fielding. Fielding takes on the role of the colonizer who refuses, but he takes a different path than Adela. Instead of leaving he turns to the colonized for support. Fielding always connects with the Indians. He has no qualms about speaking to them or visiting them in their homes, even visiting Aziz when he falls ill. He doesn’t frequent â€Å"the club,† because he doesn’t share all of the same opinions that the ruling English colonizers do. Fielding also realizes the truth that the real India lays not in the British imperial scope, but in the Indians themselves. When Adela is expressing her desires to see the real India, Ronny asks Fielding how one sees the â€Å"real India. † Fielding’s answer is â€Å"Try seeing Indians† (25). This question results in many of the people at the club talking about how they see too many Indians and too often. This comment about seeing the real India through its people, however, shows a definite sympathy with a conquered people, more than any of the other British people were willing to show at any point. Fielding takes his rejection of the imperialist nature so far as to support and defend the natives against his own people. When Aziz is accused of assault on Adela, Fielding is the first to come to his aid, forsaking his own people. He even defiles the sanctity of the club, choosing it to be his battle ground and denouncing his own people and the play that they have chosen to act in. He makes a very bold statement to the amazement of his fellow British subjects. He declares, â€Å"I believe Dr. Aziz to be innocent. . . . If he is guilty I resign from my service, and leave India. I resign from the club now† (210). He completely rejects his people in their chosen sanctuary, defiling their temple of Britishness and becoming their number one enemy. He is immediately denounced as he rejects this role of imperial aristocrat for benevolent humanitarian. He refuses the mask and doesn’t just walk away from it, as Adela must eventually do, but he stomps on it. He in no way forsakes his British heritage, but he realizes that friendship is possible with the Indians, and he is willing to fight for his cause. He becomes the moral hero to the Indians, a quality that Memmi says is important to his acceptance into their confidence. But, Memmi also states that Fielding cannot completely join them because above all he is still British and therefore holds the same ideas and prejudices that he grew up with (45). That is unavoidable because, after all, Fielding is still a British citizen, something that can’t be erased. In the end Fielding does turn back to his own people, marrying an English girl, but I think it is significant that he returns to England to find this girl, who is connected with Miss Quested and Mrs. Moore, the two idealistic characters in the novel. Fielding becomes more of a part of the imperial ociety with his marriage ties, but he remains free of the change that occurs in the colonies by making his match away from India. He stays free of the role of imperial actor and continues on with his notions of friendship and peace with the Indian people. I assert that Forster presented Fielding as an example of how to resist the imperial Indian machine and yet still maintain his British culture. Fie lding is the most sympathetic, not wavering on his regard for the people, only realizing the differences that may lie between their personalities and cultures. When he becomes the â€Å"colonizer that refuses,† Fielding shows that resistance of the changes that come upon the colonizer is possible and that the role of imperial actor may be refused. Imperialism was a British institution for a long time. It brought British people in contact with many cultures and peoples. It also helped them to affect a great amount of change on indigenous ways of life. The images and accounts of the brutality and callousness of the Imperial administrators are legendary and will always be the most examined part of its long stretch until its fall in the twentieth century. These effects on the native cultures are important, as are the accounts of their plights, however now we can see that Imperialism and colonization didn’t only affect the colonized, but that it had an effect on the colonizer as well. Aime Cesaire stated that â€Å"colonial activity, colonial enterprise, colonial conquest, which is based on contempt for the nature and justified by that contempt, inevitable tends to change him who undertakes it† (20). Living the life of imperialism has its stamp. It can’t help but have it. As George Orwell insinuated, it is a play, and the imperial citizens and administrators were actors, trying to play their parts as demi-gods with great confidence and authority (Kuinan 55). When any person did not live up to the art of performance, they either returned to England or joined in the plight of the native, being ostracized from their â€Å"people. † Forster presents a picture of this Imperial England. A Passage to India provides a perfect stage in which to watch the action play out among those who accept their role and those who rebel, whether knowingly or not. His portrayal of the characters Ronny, Adela, and Fielding show the three different types of colonizers that Memmi observed in his own life as a suppressed â€Å"native. † Each character portrays a different situation and mind set, demonstrating the different alternatives in the colonial/imperial life. Through these characters we truly see the effects that imperialism had on not only the colonized, but also the colonizer, showing that no one is immune .

Freud psychosexual stages of development Research Proposal

Freud psychosexual stages of development - Research Proposal Example The mouth, anus and genital regions are the three major zones that Freud identified. The theory looks at the effects of sexual pleasure drive on a person’s psyche. A person cannot proceed to the next stage if the current stage’s developmental conflicts have not been resolved. This paper seeks to analyze the progression of a child through the five stages that result into a healthy or unhealthy person. The oral stage is the first Freud stage begins when the child is born up to when it is about one and a half years. The oral cavity or rather the mouth is the main focus of libido energy. The child accepts anything that comes close to its mouth and has great pleasure in sucking (Phillip, 2002: p224). The child also expects to be held, cared for and mothered. If a child doesn’t receive these services from the mother or the services were denied before the stage was over, the child is likely to get frustrated and will grow up to be pessimist, envious, sarcastic and suspicious. If the child on the other hand got an excess of these needs, it will grow to be optimistic, gullible and will always admire the individual in him. Weaning brings the stage to an end (Theo, 2000: p1). This is the second stage that takes place between one and a half years to three years. The erogenous zone at this stage is the anus and the child’s focus is on the retention and elimination of faeces. The parent’s child takes quite sometime in training the child on toilet issues trying to ensure that the child learns to control its anal stimulations. A child that doesn’t receive enough training in the field is more likely to be obsessed on perfection, cleanliness, meticulous, etc. On the other hand, a child who receives excess training is more likely to be messy, careless, reckless, disorganized, defiant, etc (Phillip, 2002: p224). The third stage occurs between the third and the sixth year. The erogenous zone at

THE PHYSICS OF SPORTS BIOMECHANICS AND ITS SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION IN Essay

THE PHYSICS OF SPORTS BIOMECHANICS AND ITS SCIENTIFIC FOUNDATION IN THE PHYSICAL EDUCATION CURRICULLUM - Essay Example On the other hand, the Oxford Dictionary (2005) defines curriculum as the "subjects included in a course of study.† This purports the idea that every discipline needs a defined means of in depth study and, therefore, physical education curriculum is essential as a right approach to sports program. A methodical, scientific study approach will help in removing the anomalies like injuries and other mishaps. The right education leads to establishing good health and the right sport programs for students will be instrumental for future generations as the core for improved health and fitness. Mechanics is a branch of physics that relates to the description of motion and how forces create motion, as well as other physical laws, which are essential for movements. Within mechanics are two sub-fields of studies: statics, which is the study of systems that are in a state of constant motion either at rest or at motion; and dynamics, which is the study of systems in motion in which acceleration is present, which may involve kinematics. In addition, correlation between physics and sport biomechanics is a concept of work through mechanical energy for the creation of a motion. Physics, through physical education, takes part in the educational system as a planned, sequential K-12 curriculum that provides cognitive content and learning experiences in a variety of activity areas. These include basic movement skills; physical fitness; rhythm and dance; games; team, dual, and individual sports; tumbling and gymnastics. Besides a variety of planned physical activities, each student need s to be trained with optimum physical, mental, emotional, and social development and should promote activities and sports that all students not only enjoy but can also pursue throughout their lives (Stilwell, 2005). Biomechanics takes part in kinesiology for a precise description and a qualitative analysis of human movement, as well as the study of the cases of human movement, which is relevant

To create a binding agreement the acceptance must occur, and that Research Paper

To create a binding agreement the acceptance must occur, and that 'acceptance' must be final and absolutely unconditional - Research Paper Example A contract legally binds the signees of the contract to the terms spelt out in the contract. A breach of the terms spelt out in the contract makes an individual who is party to the contract to be liable to prosecution by law. Acceptance is an element of contracts that should be featured in a contract for it to be legally binding. This paper aims at highlighting acceptance under Australian contractual law and how it impacts on businesses and the judicial system in the country. Contractual acceptance is characterized by a party in the contract agreeing to the terms and conditions of the offer that is proposed by the other party. A contract is not formalized until the party being proposed to, accepts the offer at hand. The contract can then be termed as legally binding after the offer has been accepted. A contract can also not be formalized until all the negotiations regarding the terms and conditions of the contract have been finalized. Acceptance can be defined as an unqualified assen t to all terms of the offer for example, when a buyer makes an offer to the seller of which the seller accepts the offer from the buyer (SINGH & KAUR, 2011:120). Acceptance in contract formation includes the arrival at a consensus between the parties involved on the terms and conditions defining the contract. For acceptance to be realized, an offer by one of the parties involved in the contract should be proposed. This creates the opportunity to for the other member analyse the offer and present their judgment by accepting the offer or agreeing in an unqualified way. This means that offeree assents the offer but on condition that some of his terms are also accepted by the offeror (SINGH & KAUR, 2011:185). An offer must be distinguished from an invitation to deal because it involves testing for intent from the party making the statement. It depends on whether the response would result to an agreement or simply translate to further negotiations. An example of this scenario is a court case between the Great Britain Pharmaceutical Society v Boots in which the English court of appeal provided emphasis on the commercial influence and classification of the conduct as an offer (SINGH & KAUR, 2011:190). A contract is formed when an offer by one individual is accepted by the other party involved in the negotiations. An offer can be made to one person, a class of persons or to the whole world as long as the specifics of the terms and conditions of the offer are clearly defined for all parties involved. An offer is part and parcel of acceptance because it determines the realisation of acceptance depending on the terms of the offer. Thus, an offer is a definite promise to be bound to, provided the terms of the offer are accepted. This means that acceptance is realised when the precise terms of the offer have been accepted. If the precise terms of an offer are not accepted, then it means that the offer is still under negotiations, and it cannot be said that the acceptance s tage has been reached and finalised. Negotiations indicate that the basic elements of which acceptance is part of, have not been met, and therefore negotiations are ongoing. An offer can be withdrawn before it is accepted, but it requires the offer or to inform the other party about the withdrawal of the offer. This makes it possible to avoid a binding contract because the

Benefits of American Aid to AIDS Patients in Third World Countries in Essay

Benefits of American Aid to AIDS Patients in Third World Countries in Africa - Essay Example This essay focuses on the health aid that the African developing countries benefit from, especially with respect to HIV/Aids. HIV/Aids is a pandemic due to the high number of people affected by the disease globally. The number of people who lose their lives due to HIV/Aids related complications is also high. This is the reason why the disease needs to be controlled. Although the disease has affected the whole world since its discovery in 1981, it is serious in third world countries mostly in Africa. Most of the developed nations are giving aid to African nations to fight the HIV/Aids scourge. The United States of America has been on the forefront in helping the African countries fight the disease. This paper aims to discuss the benefits of American aid for AIDS patients in third world countries that are mostly in Africa. In 2001, Bill Clinton confirmed the commitment that he had towards the availability of HIV/AIDS drugs. These negotiations, led to the reduction in prices of drugs fo r Africa and other poor regions. Importing policies from the United States were analyzed to ensure that most African countries could introduce the drugs needed. In conclusion, the researcher states that HIV/AIDS is one of the issues that make Africa as a continent lag behind in development. However, with the help that developing countries receive from the United States and other global organizations, the situation is better since there is hope for improvement in addressing HIV/Aids in the developing countries in Africa.

Consumerism and the loss of identity in the Middle East (Dubai and Essay

Consumerism and the loss of identity in the Middle East (Dubai and Doha) - Essay Example This paper seeks to identify how consumerism has affected the lives of the people and the paper focuses on exploring the concept of consumerism as it has developed in recent years in the Middle East. Globalization as a phenomenon is also studied to determine how the economic progression of the Middle Eastern countries has encouraged a culture of consumerism. The result is a change in cultural and social perceptions and this change is closely related to the consumerist culture which seems to have transformed traditional identities in the Middle East. The focus of this research is also on the consumerist culture pertaining to women and their compulsive buying behavior. Some of the works I have referred to include Consumption by Robert Bocock which explores the history of consumerism and The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf, a work that addresses the situation of women in terms of beauty and how it has been used as a marketing tool and created an obsession with physical appearance. This essay explores the concept of consumerism and its relationship with social trends and perceptions and highlights the extensive marketing networks that define consumption patterns. The relationship between capitalistic consumption and cultural traditional identities is also explored to study religious, psychological, political and social dimensions in the Middle East. Consumption in its economic term refers to consumers buying and using the things they ‘need’. However as explored in Consumption by Robert Bocock, there has been a shift in the way consumption is defined. Consumption is founded on the basis of a need and a constant sense of incompleteness that is compensated with material things. This is because consumers desire the â€Å"unattainable- that is the satiation of all their desires.† Constant consumption itself should not be seen as a consumption of material things, but a consumption of

To create a binding agreement the acceptance must occur, and that Research Paper

To create a binding agreement the acceptance must occur, and that 'acceptance' must be final and absolutely unconditional - Research Paper Example A contract legally binds the signees of the contract to the terms spelt out in the contract. A breach of the terms spelt out in the contract makes an individual who is party to the contract to be liable to prosecution by law. Acceptance is an element of contracts that should be featured in a contract for it to be legally binding. This paper aims at highlighting acceptance under Australian contractual law and how it impacts on businesses and the judicial system in the country. Contractual acceptance is characterized by a party in the contract agreeing to the terms and conditions of the offer that is proposed by the other party. A contract is not formalized until the party being proposed to, accepts the offer at hand. The contract can then be termed as legally binding after the offer has been accepted. A contract can also not be formalized until all the negotiations regarding the terms and conditions of the contract have been finalized. Acceptance can be defined as an unqualified assen t to all terms of the offer for example, when a buyer makes an offer to the seller of which the seller accepts the offer from the buyer (SINGH & KAUR, 2011:120). Acceptance in contract formation includes the arrival at a consensus between the parties involved on the terms and conditions defining the contract. For acceptance to be realized, an offer by one of the parties involved in the contract should be proposed. This creates the opportunity to for the other member analyse the offer and present their judgment by accepting the offer or agreeing in an unqualified way. This means that offeree assents the offer but on condition that some of his terms are also accepted by the offeror (SINGH & KAUR, 2011:185). An offer must be distinguished from an invitation to deal because it involves testing for intent from the party making the statement. It depends on whether the response would result to an agreement or simply translate to further negotiations. An example of this scenario is a court case between the Great Britain Pharmaceutical Society v Boots in which the English court of appeal provided emphasis on the commercial influence and classification of the conduct as an offer (SINGH & KAUR, 2011:190). A contract is formed when an offer by one individual is accepted by the other party involved in the negotiations. An offer can be made to one person, a class of persons or to the whole world as long as the specifics of the terms and conditions of the offer are clearly defined for all parties involved. An offer is part and parcel of acceptance because it determines the realisation of acceptance depending on the terms of the offer. Thus, an offer is a definite promise to be bound to, provided the terms of the offer are accepted. This means that acceptance is realised when the precise terms of the offer have been accepted. If the precise terms of an offer are not accepted, then it means that the offer is still under negotiations, and it cannot be said that the acceptance s tage has been reached and finalised. Negotiations indicate that the basic elements of which acceptance is part of, have not been met, and therefore negotiations are ongoing. An offer can be withdrawn before it is accepted, but it requires the offer or to inform the other party about the withdrawal of the offer. This makes it possible to avoid a binding contract because the

Consumerism and the loss of identity in the Middle East (Dubai and Essay

Consumerism and the loss of identity in the Middle East (Dubai and Doha) - Essay Example This paper seeks to identify how consumerism has affected the lives of the people and the paper focuses on exploring the concept of consumerism as it has developed in recent years in the Middle East. Globalization as a phenomenon is also studied to determine how the economic progression of the Middle Eastern countries has encouraged a culture of consumerism. The result is a change in cultural and social perceptions and this change is closely related to the consumerist culture which seems to have transformed traditional identities in the Middle East. The focus of this research is also on the consumerist culture pertaining to women and their compulsive buying behavior. Some of the works I have referred to include Consumption by Robert Bocock which explores the history of consumerism and The Beauty Myth by Naomi Wolf, a work that addresses the situation of women in terms of beauty and how it has been used as a marketing tool and created an obsession with physical appearance. This essay explores the concept of consumerism and its relationship with social trends and perceptions and highlights the extensive marketing networks that define consumption patterns. The relationship between capitalistic consumption and cultural traditional identities is also explored to study religious, psychological, political and social dimensions in the Middle East. Consumption in its economic term refers to consumers buying and using the things they ‘need’. However as explored in Consumption by Robert Bocock, there has been a shift in the way consumption is defined. Consumption is founded on the basis of a need and a constant sense of incompleteness that is compensated with material things. This is because consumers desire the â€Å"unattainable- that is the satiation of all their desires.† Constant consumption itself should not be seen as a consumption of material things, but a consumption of

Belonging Essay Example for Free

Belonging Essay Belonging is the finest thing in the world that knows how to belong to oneself. You have to belong to yourself before you belong to society. Belonging is a quite a hard concept, as you can argue that people who don’t want to belong actually belong to a group of people who don’t want to belong. But what is belonging? One idea is that you belong when you feel comfortable with people who have similar objectives, goals, and aims as you. But, as i realised while analysing a film in fact it’s for this unit, if you don’t feel comfortable with the group you believe you belong to, then even if you have the same goals for example cricket. Even though everyone’s goal is to win, should the team not befriend you, make you feel like you are excluded from the team, then you don’t really feel that you belong to the team so it’s basically what belonging is about. My first text is about a song by my island home by Christina Anu and how the singer portrays aspects of belonging through her song lyrics. Firstly she explores the idea that belonging to people or places shapes our identity and then she explores how the barriers which prevent belonging can create a need to belong. The song Island Home shares her perception that belonging to certain people or place creates our ideology of life and where we rightfully belong. We live by the sea and My home is Australia this use of language shows pride and belonging to Australia. This creates and brings belong into place where our perspective of belonging to be one of happiness. Belonging is evident in the song in the boat on the sea again, and I holding that long turtle spear, and I feel close to where it must be. The composer emphasises the point that her home must be by the sea because that’s where she is from and where she feels that she belongs, the pride of her belonging. We create our own identity from the feelings and affections we have with belonging to certain societies and their way of life. Inclusion and isolation demonstrates our personal identity which portrays who we are. Our perspectives and views are changed depending upon what we belong to. My home is Australia; we are a land bound by sea to show that Australia is a part of her which will never be lost is also shown as her the composer is from a native background (aboriginal). She emphasises on how her and land are one, and it is this affection that had shaped her identity. Belonging in the song My Island Home? which I find is people who had experienced belonging to a place or community. But the song conveys the composer as; these glimpses are obviously not enough to make you feel the same way real belonging makes others feel. The composer shows the barriers she has to overcome like modernisation, family and living far away from the place she belongs to and this belonging is felt by her. The composer shows the importance of belonging by using a reflection question to compare her life in the present time and when she belonged. Will this place ever satisfy me this shows how much she wants to belong again, which portrays her strong love for her place of belonging. The composer only reveals through her dreams how she feels towards belonging. Six years I have lived in the desert, every night i dreamt of the sea shows the identity of the composer since Australia is covered in desert lands ad this shows the connection she has with Australia through her. Ahhh already it has taken so long to type this up for you to read , hope you are bored because you have a lot more to read so stay awake and read it ahah. My second text is on Edward scissor hand by Tim Burton, I was actually going to Life of Pie by Ang Lee but it was quite tough to relate to belong so I went with Edward scissor hands plus I got a bit help my English teacher for this movie so it make my life a bit easier. At the beginning of the film we see that Edward lives alone in a gothic castle. He has been isolated in the castle for an indeterminate time. Below the castle is a small town a close knit community and barely visits the castle, not knowing that Edward lives there. Peg feels sorry for him and decides to take him back to live with her in the town. At first Edward is being treated well because he is a great novelty. No one has ever seen someone like him before and he quickly becomes a celebrity. He is embraced by the townspeople; they think he is very useful with his scissors (haircutting, gardening etc. ) one of the town women thinks he is sexy and tries to seduce him. He refuses and runs away. This incident becomes the catalyst for Edwards’s rejection and alienation from the community. Edwards’s personality consists of innocent, naive, limited social skills, very gentle and very experienced at relationships with people, no idea of sex, manners etc. Other than what his creator taught him from books. He is very trusting until he finds himself he victim of a setup. After things become worse, Edward finds he is a victim and cannot remain in the community. Techniques used to convey the context relevant to belonging is that Edwards’s clothes and appearance is a complete contrast to town’s people. When he first arrives Peg him clothes to wear which he puts on over his own costume. This helps him develop a sense of belonging to the family and the community and reduces his difference to the townspeople. However the fact that he doesn’t remove his clothes indicates that he wants to maintain his identity. Later in the film he becomes angry and feelings of rejection and alienation by the town cause him to rip off. Music is used in a number of ways to show Edwards innocence and purity. His character is linked to Kims in the way music and lighting are used, the haunting they’re music, together with soft/bright lighting plus show plus the slow motion of the camera reinforces the innocence and the nature of their love for each other. At the end of the film, when it becomes impossible for Kim and Edward to belong to each other in a proper relationship. He goes back into the castle and she to the town. All though they cannot belong together physically they will always belong together emotionally. This is shown at the end of the film as Edward continues to make snow from the ice and flashback to the narrator at the child’s bedside. Alright you only got a bit more reading for go so sit back and read the rest and tell me how I went. For my third text I have chosen the picture the island by Armin greder. The picture book, The Island portrays belonging as impossible if there is an ignorant and fearful dominant culture. The book portrays to the responder into almost alienation and new comer into a strongly built and well organized society. The alien is portrayed as thin and white-white and unclothed showing that the new comer is an empty canvas to be painted opinions onto. The new comer is also thin and innocent looking showing how the character is reliant on acceptance to survive. Whilst the dominant society is given the appearance of large, over bearing, they are always portrayed as a collective group portraying their dominance. They are in black clothing, they all appear to look the same- again representing there collectiveness, and they are holding pitch forks portraying their feelings towards the new comer unwelcomed. The dominant society belong together they appear to look the same, and have much of the same views, they have collectively created a community that are dependent on each other and there likeness. The society is well established and fearful of anything that will imbalance its structure and that is different from their social, cultural and historical similarities. The new being does not offer any change, it does not do anything to radicalize the community but just its presence of being different offers physiological fear to the dominant society. The book demonstrates the effect of fear, what it does to a community and the object being feared. Through fear of this unknown the community alienated the unknown, trying to forget its existence when this did not work the community they contemplated integrating the being. But the overbearing fear of the effect the being would have on their system led them to cast out the different being. The being that was submitted to the dominant cultures fear was treated as inferior, become the dominant society did not want the unknown to belong they create a barrier around themselves in fear of the unknown and it defining themselves as exclusive. Because the dominant society was afraid of the unknown they showed ignorance and a lack of open thinking which creates difficulties to them from acceptance and understanding of anything other than their own people. Therefore Belonging is a way of life which characterises us humans and creates our individuality. Due to the complex and abstract nature of the concept of belonging, a true sense of belonging can be found in different circumstances for different people. As each individual has their own desires, needs and values, they find their place in the world and a genuine sense of belonging in various avenues. Many individuals find the strongest sense of belonging through relationships, due to the fact that by nature these connections fulfil the human need for social interaction and enrich the lives of the persons involved.

Strategic Planning For British Airways Management Essay

Strategic Planning For British Airways Management Essay The purpose of this paper is to evaluate an effective and efficient strategic planning for airline industry providing British Airways strategic plan. British Airways leading UK market as a leader of the airline industries. This paper evaluate the British Airways strategic planning including the strategic model, Enternal and external environmental enalysis,management risk and strategic v operational risk. This paper is done by secondary data collection process which is totally qualitative data base paper. Most of the information I got from British Airways own website (www.britishairways.com) and some are from some Book, Journals and Articles. Mainly for their (British Airways) business strategy planning they are following some strategic models like Porters five forces model, PESTEL analysis, and SWOT analysis etc. By those analysis organization can understand like British airways can understand that what is their external and internal condition and what is the strength for them ,what is opportunity and weakness and based on those factors they are trying to compete with their competitors and getting good market share in the tourism and hospitality industry. Contents 3 1.1 Objectives 5 1.2 Company Overview 6 1.2.1 Company Structure 6 1.2.2 Corporate Level Structure 7 1.2.3 Business Level Structure 7 1.2.4 Functional Level Structure 7 1.3 Current Strategies 8 2.0 Environmental Analysis(External Analysis) 9 2.1 PESTEL Analysis 9 2.2 SWOT analyses 11 3.0 Strategic Planning Model 11 S 11 Internal Strengths 11 Brand Image 11   Partnerships HYPERLINK #__RefHeading__29263_575820157HYPERLINK #__RefHeading__29263_575820157 Alliances 11   Financial size and stability 11   Terminal 5 11 W 11 Internal Weaknesses 11 Poor employee relations history 11   Reliability and trust 11   Innovation HYPERLINK #__RefHeading__29277_575820157HYPERLINK #__RefHeading__29277_575820157 change 11 0 11 External Opportunities 11 Quality System 11   Competitors forced exit 11   Competitors failing on delivering reliability 11   Emergence of new markets 11 T 11 External Threats 11 Open Skies Agreement 11   Environmental awareness 11   Global economic crisis 11   Lower cost competition 11 3.1 Porters Five Forces 12 4.0 Customer Analysis 13 5.0 Competitor Analysis 15 5.1 Strategic Groups 15 6.0 Internal Analysis 17 6.1 Value Chain Analysis (VCA) 17 17 6.2 Key Strategic Issues 20 7.0 Implementation 22 8.0 Managing Risk 24 9.0 Ethics 24 10.0 Strategic V Operational Conflict 25 11.0 Recommendation 26 11.1 Financial 26 11.2 People 26 11.3 Legal 26 11.0 Conclusion 27 1.1 Objectives The main objective of this paper is to develop the internal external environmental analysis and strategic planning with risk management and business ethics. Specific objectives are following, Evaluate the current strategic position of British Airways. Analyse the strategic Planning Models for British Airways. Analyse British Airways internal and external environment. 1.2 Company Overview British Airways is the UKs largest international scheduled airline. At the side of scheduled services, BA is engaged in the operation of international and domestic carriage of freight and mail, and the ancillary services (Datamonitor, 2008). In association with codeshare and franchise partners, BA fly to more than 300 destinations, and carried more than 33 million passengers, earning over  £8.7 billion in revenue in 2007/08 (British Airways, 2008). Employee headcount in March 2008 stood at 42,377 people (Datamonitor, 2008). Since privatisation in 1987, BA has continued to grow as competition in the market has risen worldwide. In recent times, BA has successfully been labelled the worlds first airline to take part in a scheme to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (2002) and to allow passengers to print online boarding passes (2004) (British Airways, 2008). In 2005, the company saw Willie Walsh become Chief Executive of BA (Flight Global, 2008), who to date has driven the company through the completion of Terminal 5 at Heathrow, amongst other new initiatives. Despite reported and imminent industry hits due to the global economic downturn, BAs future looks promising. As BA announces its aim of becoming the worlds most responsible airline in the latest annual report (British Airways, 2008), great importance lies in developing guiding principles and careful strategic direction to allow the achievement of this goal. 1.2.1 Company Structure When implementing strategy, people are crucial to the success (Johnson et al., 2008), therefore the structure within BA will now be analysed to ensure successful implementation. 1.2.2 Corporate Level Structure (Adapted from British Airways, 2008). At a corporate level, BA has a good structure already in place. There is a new Acting Customer Director on an interim basis, Silla Maizey (British Airways, 2008). She has introduced a new customer service team working with Heathrow Customer Services, designed to put customers first. Using the current structure to implement our strategy, it is recommended that a permanent and not acting director to be recruited. In terms of the technological strategy, no amendments to the current structure are necessary as BA already have systems in place to implement new technology. 1.2.3 Business Level Structure At a business level each department will need to ensure all staff implements the strategies that have come top-down from a corporate level and work within the organisations brand values. Each department must also tailor the corporate level objectives specifically to its own targets. This will help to build the brand, improve its customer relationship focus and achieve the stated objectives. 1.2.4 Functional Level Structure Every function must coordinate with each other to ensure objectives are met and an updated operations manual must be developed. Specifically for the relations strategy, detailed targets must be stated for both the marketing and HR functions with constant data capture and analysis to see whether the targets are being met. Sufficient training on the new onboard technology will be necessary on an ongoing basis to ensure that employees are fully familiar with the service. 1.3 Current Strategies The paper will be designed in consideration of BAs current strategies: Upgrade customer experience via the introduction of text and mobile services for business class customers. Modernise aircraft fleet and offer new services. Manage cost base. Increase corporate responsibility through environmental performance and partnerships. 2.0 Environmental Analysis(External Analysis) For success within the airline industry, an awareness of the external environment is essential. This section aims to highlight the position of the industry, in particular looking at competitors and assessing BAs capability to meet current and future challenges. 2.1 PESTEL Analysis (Source: Johnson et al., 2008, p56) Figure 1-Pastel Analysis Factors BA Implication Political 1. Heavy regulation (AEA, 2009). BA: Compliance is essential if BA wants to continue operations 2.Increased security due to past terrorist threats (DFT, 2008). BA: Sufficient security measures should be in place to ensure consumer confidence and competitive advantage is maintained. Economic 1.Global economic crisis:World growth is projected to just over 2  percent in 2009 (IMF, 2008). Pound weakens especially against the Euro. BA: Possible reduction in the amount of business travel as companies are cutting costs and using alternative means of communication such as teleconferencing. BA is vulnerable as a UK operating airline to a poor exchange rate. 2. Oil prices: declined by >50 % since their peak retreating to 2007 levels. Decline in fuel price = strengthening of the dollar (IMF, 2008) BA: Fluctuations in oil prices and exchange rates will directly affect BAs cost base. 3. UK consumer spending saw its sharpest decline for 13 years between July and September 2008 (Channel 4, 2008). BA: More intense competition Social 1.The UK has an aging population (see appendix 3) (National Statistics Online, 2008). BA:Potential opportunities for growth as older generations havemore time to spend on leisure activities such as international travel. 2. Increasing unemployment (Kollewe and Sager, 2008). BA: Increased bargaining power as an employer. Technological 1.A recent survey revealed that 34% of online consumers plan to use price-comparison sites more in 2009 (NMA, 2009). BA: Increased consumer awareness and therefore bargaining power. 2. Online booking services and check-in is becoming increasingly used by the airline industry. BA: BA must ensure that they remain up to date with these technological advances whilst avoiding becoming overly reliant, as this may isolate certain consumer markets (i.e the elderly) who dont feel comfortable using such technology. Environmental/Ethical 1.Noise pollution controls,and energy consumption controls (DFT, 2008). BA:New legislation (e.g. Climate Change Bill) enforcing tighter environmental regulation may increase operational costs each year. 2.Limited land and for growing airports Expansion is difficult at Heathrow as it would result in a loss in the Londons Green belt area. (BBC News 2006) BA:Limited capacity=>utilisation of capacity. 3.Consumers are becoming increasingly green and more aware of the environmental impact of their actions. BA:Failure to adopt an integrated environmental strategy could lead to a detrimental effect on the BAs reputation and income. 4.Cancellations of flights and loss of baggage (Channel 4, 2008). BA: Such ethical issues could have a detrimental effect on reputation if left unresolved. Legal 1.Collusion and price fixing. BA:Restriction on mergers will have an impact on BAs proposed alliance with American Airlines. 2. Recognition of trade unions and industrial action e.g. Cabin Crew strikes. BA:Good employee relations are essential if BA wants to avoid industrial action and interrupted operations. 3.Open Skies Agreement (AEA, 2009) BA:Opportunity for BA and its competitors to freely transport aircraft between the EU and US. 2.2 SWOT analyses Figure 2-SWOT analyses S Internal Strengths Brand Image   Partnerships Alliances   Financial size and stability   Terminal 5 W Internal Weaknesses Poor employee relations history   Reliability and trust   Innovation change 0 External Opportunities Quality System   Competitors forced exit   Competitors failing on delivering reliability   Emergence of new markets T External Threats Open Skies Agreement   Environmental awareness   Global economic crisis   Lower cost competition 3.0 Strategic Planning Model 3.1 Porters Five Forces (Source: Johnson et al., 2008, p60) It is important to analyse the competitive nature of the airline industry in order to assess the position of BA. The Five Forces tool will enable BA to make strategic decisions in order to increase profitability. Force Strength Competitive Rivalry BA caters for both long haul and short haul flights. Within long haul there is little differentiation between BA and their competitors, in terms of price and service offering. The short haul market is more fragmented with many small players. Direct competitive rivalry is fierce, e.g. Virgin has a website opposing the proposed strategic alliance between BA and AA No Way BA/AA (Virgin Atlantic, 2008). Consolidation of competitors has increased competition. HIGH Power of Suppliers Two aircraft manufacturers = High bargaining power. BA restricted by sole supplier of fuel to the airport. Priority of landing slots is given to historic rights of existing users (IATA, 2008). BA employees use collective bargaining through trade unions in order to increase their bargaining power HIGH Power of Buyers Low concentration of buyers to suppliers means they have little bargaining power. Increased internet usage has amplified awareness and interaction of customers (Keynote, 2008c). MEDIUM Threat of New Entrants Significant barriers to entry: such as the competitive environment, high regularity requirements and high capital cost requirements. Barriers to exit are in place which deters new entrants. The failure of recent airlines such as XL and Zoom is likely to deter new entrants (Times Online, 2008). LOW Threat of Substitutes There are few direct substitutes: Short haul flights: the Eurostar or a ferry. Long haul flights: no notable substitutes. LOW 4.0 Customer Analysis Over the past decade there has been increasing complexity in customer needs, as the customer has become more educated and demanding. Particularly, the following changes have occurred: A shift in demographics to older passengers (Keynote, 2008c). Increased global connectivity allowing the usage of internet and search mediums (e.g. comparison and review websites). Increased requirement for convenience (e.g. new destinations, quick check-in). Price has become more of a priority Segments have become more defined within their needs. Evidence that BA is failing to respond to the changing customer landscape includes: The amount of BA customers recommending their services reduced from 61% in 2006/07 to 59% in 2007/08 (British Airways, 2008). BA have been criticised for slow innovation (Doganis, 2006, Pg 165). Poor reliability and baggage handling (AQR) Failed attempts to target the price conscious consumer through low cost airline operation (Eirma, 2008). 5.0 Competitor Analysis 5.1 Strategic Groups Figure 3 Strategic Group Analysis (Source: Johnson et al., 2008, p73-77.) Figure 3 illustrates that BAs direct competitors are those who operate similar services and lie within the same strategic group. The competition is likely to be most intense within this group as they are seeking similar strategies. Lufthansa and KLM-Air France are the 2 leading European Airlines Member carriers in terms of passenger numbers, with 15.1% and 14.1% respectively of the total number of passengers carried. BA comes in third with 9.3% of the total (Keynote, 2008c). BA face competition from a small number of serious contenders in the UK, with the main contenders being Virgin Atlantic, and United Airlines in the Star Alliance soon controlling BMI (Euromonitor, 2008). Although they do not lie within the same strategic group as BA the advent of low-cost air travel has changed the face of the airline industry. Airlines such as Ryanair and EasyJet have established themselves among the leading carriers in Europe, whilst the more established long-haul carriers such as BA have struggled to keep up with their counterparts growth rates. Moreover the economic downturn and sharp fall in oil prices has caused a price war between Emirates, BA and Virgin Atlantic on the London-Dubai route. Fares have dropped by 30% across the airlines. Thus competition still remains fierce. Based on the strategic group analysis it could be argued that there is a gap in the market for a low cost airline operating a high breadth of service however it is likely the reason no airlines have adopted this strategy is due to the fact that it would be destined to fail. This assumption could be supported by BAs failed attempt to enter this market in recent years (Telegraph, 2002). 6.0 Internal Analysis It is now essential to analyse the internal environment in order to formulate appropriate strategies. 6.1 Value Chain Analysis (VCA) BA have tried to control the system further by forward and backward mitigation. Through controlling many component supplies in-house, and through BA Holidays Plc, BA increases their reach in the value system to the supplier and channel value chains. Figure 6 Value Chain (Adapted from: Johnson et al., 2008, p110) SUPPORT ACTIVITIES FIRM INFRASTRUCTURE Structured hierarchy allows BA to make use of a multitude of specialist knowledge in order to gain competitive advantage over downsized firms. HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT Invested in the development of customer service training in 2007 attracting the best employees. Speak Up opinion survey encourages employees to provide feedback (British Airways, 2008). TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT BA has added value in this category over smaller companies due to slack resources that can be employed to innovate the service (e.g. individual LCD screens). PROCUREMENT Due to the size and historical business relationships and alliances, BA is able to leverage suppliers and through economies of scale make efficiencies where competitors may fail. PRIMARY ACTIVITIES INBOUND LOGISTICS Stock Control High quality training accredited by City Guilds (British Airways, 2008). Ongoing relationship with suppliers (e.g. Gate Gourmet. OPERATIONS Increased Baggage Security. Quick check-in services and secure online bookings with ability to pre-book additional services. OUTBOUND LOGISTICS Customer Service Large database of airport slots enable passengers to access the majority of destinations from preferred airport. MARKETING SALES Marketing communications to all stakeholders. Brand allowing for large budget to be spent in this field. POST SALE SERVICE Loyalty club card. Update communication on other services Whilst the Value Chain highlights the primary and support activities that add value to BA, there are a number of inefficiencies within these activities that arguably reduce the amount of value provided (see figure 7 and 8). Figure 7 Support Activities Value Loss SUPPORT ACTIVITIES Firm Infrastructure Large bureaucratic infrastructure decreases effective communication and increases inertia. HRM BAs employee opinion surveys attracted a mere 35% response rate in 2007 (British Airways, 2008). Due to high collective bargaining capabilities, BA has contended a number of highly publicised employee relations issues (e.g. Cabin Crew strike over pay, sickness absence, and staffing in 2007 (BBC News, 2007). Technology Development BA has failed to gain recognition for new innovation. Figure 8 Primary Activities Value Loss PRIMARY ACTIVITIES Inbound Logistics High solidarity between supplier employees and BA employees has created a history of negative industrial action. For example, in 2005, BA employees walked out for two days when Gate Gourmet employees were sacked (BBC News, 2005). Operations/Outbound Logistics TV documentary reported on Terminal Five operation difficulties, an emergency landing at LHR, poor baggage handling and flight cancellations (Channel Four, 2008). Marketing Sales A lack of innovation in their marketing communications (e.g. Virgin gaining value over BA). 6.2 Key Strategic Issues Analysis Tool Key Findings Strategic Implications PESTEL Global economic crisis. Higher regulatory requirements. Increasing environmental awareness. Decline in consumer spending. Increased use of the internet by customers. Focus on technological and environmental issues. Porters Five Forces High competitive rivalry and bargaining power of suppliers. Defensive strategies needed to protect market share. Customer Analysis Consumer trends in high convenience and high expectations of service. Ensure changing customer needs are understood and met Strategic Group Analysis Intense competition within strategic group and trend for consolidation. The biggest other threat comes from low cost airlines. Although low cost airlines are the biggest threat to BA, moving into low cost market is not deemed appropriate based on previous failed attempts. Airline Quality Review BA = poor baggage handling, poor on flight entertainment and low customer satisfaction. Service Quality needs to be improved to gain a competitive advantage GE Matrix Highest growth markets; Asia Pacific and Eastern Europe. BA has a strong opportunity for market development in Asia and Eastern Europe. The Value Chain BA adds value; financial size and stability, brand image, industry expertise, and partnerships and alliances. BA loses value to competition; employee relations and performance, marketing delivery, reliability, and slow innovation. BA needs to address the areas where value is being lost to avoid attacking competitor strategies. Resource Based View Strong resources including sole access to hub within largest UK Airport. Strong training competencies. Utilise BA core competences to gain competitive advantage. Financial Analysis Increased profits and lower operating costs. Lower gearing ratios and higher liquidity. Possibility of a loss in 2009 as a result of the economic downturn. Investment resources available. Increased scrutiny on strategic projects for risk assessment. 7.0 Implementation Based on the analysis of strategic options it is proposed that two strategies are implemented simultaneously. These strategies are a people processes focused strategy and technological advancement. Figure 12 details the objectives and performance measures of these two strategies. Figure 12 Strategy Overview Strategy Objectives Performance Measures People processes Aim: Improved stakeholder brand image profitability Utilise databases. Improve service delivery efficiency. Improve internal communication. Implement effective review monitoring. Profit margin increase of 2 3%. Increase repeat purchasing by 25%. Increase customer recommendation from 59% (2007/08) to 70%. Improve employee survey rate from 35% (2007/08) to 80% (Value Chain). Technological advancement Aim: Customer Loyalty Market Share Following succession with test internet implementation, roll out internet on-board internet access. An appropriate pricing strategy involving complimentary service for first class whilst targeting business class as the most profitable market. Continued market research to ensure that this is a valued service and seek opportunities for further development. Install equipment on remaining 244 aircraft. Increase business class market share by 10%. 80% of business class customers purchasing internet usage. Following RD implement 1 new technological service. In order for the chosen strategies to be successful effective implementation is essential to organise and enable success and to manage the changes that will impact BA. 8.0 Managing Risk Risk management helps the organization to identify and address the risks facing their business and trying to increase the probability of successfully achieving their businesses objectives. Types of risk business need to face: Strategic Compliance Financial Operational Three main risk factors affecting all airline are volatility in jet fuel price, foreign exchange and interest rate risks. Interest Rate Risk: BA utilizes swap agreements to manage its interest rate exposure. Foreign Exchange Risk: BA manages its Foreign Exchange exposure. Any surplus of foreign currency is sold at spot or forward for US dollars. 9.0 Ethics An ethics strategy should be concerned with ensuring that all corporate activities are ethical, legal, and within all regulatory guidelines.   An ethics program is more likely to be considered effective if it includes the following components: 1)  Statement of Values The creation and communication of a statement of organizational values is considered to be necessary guidance. 2)  Code of Conduct A code of conduct or an ethics policy that communicates a commitment to ethical behavior throughout the organization, and explains how these values are to be applied in representative situations. 3)  Executive Leadership and a System A plan and systems for the communication, monitoring, and enforcement of the Code of Conduct. Important consideration in this respect, include: Richard Bransons success in forcing British Airways into adopting a Code of Conduct is a warning to companies that do not have a code that they ought to consider adopting one and to those that do that they should make sure it works. Without an effective ethical policy, a company cannot be sure that ethical judgments made by employees are consistent with the strategy of the company and are made at an appropriate level within it. Ethics protects the reputation of the company. British Airways is a classic example, where large amounts of marketing investment in image were undermined by the publics perception of its actions. British Airways experience shows that management may be deluding themselves if they consider that all employees in a company will adopt their values and the strategic importance of ethicality by absorbing knowledge from superiors. 10.0 Strategic V Operational Conflict While strategic and operational planning both offer beneficial aspects, there are some key differences that should be understood. Strategic planning is the formal process of defining the requirements for delivering high payoff results, and for identifying what, and how, to get from current realities to future ones that add value to the organization. It is not rigid nor lockstep, but rather a self-correcting set of defining requirements and relationships for stating what is in terms of results, and moving ever closer to what should be the results and payoffs.   Strategic Planning is long term planning undertaken by senior management (i.e. the executives). It involves making decisions which will work toward reaching an organisations mission and vision statements. Operational planning is day to day planning undertaken by front line managers. They report to middle management and enact the leg work of the strategies developed by middle management to achieve strategic goals. 11.0 Recommendation Although strong and justified strategies have been created within the confines of the report there are a number of issues which BA should take into consideration when implementing the proposed strategies. These are considered briefly below. 11.1 Financial BA should not have much trouble in implementing these strategies. With an increasingly lower gearing ratio and better liquidity they should be able to secure some funding from financial institutions and obtain the rest from retained profits. However, with the current economic conditions, it will still be difficult to obtain funding and BA will not want to increase its gearing too much. 11.2 People The recommended strategy to improve relations will require full support from BAs workforce. As a highly unionised workforce, success in changing the employment relationship will be determined by BAs ability to work efficiently with each recognised union. In regards to implementing change, due to BAs history and size the company may experience organisational inertia or myopia. Again, improvements to customer relations may be hindered by an uncooperative workforce, highlighting the importance of ongoing training and support. Similarly, a technological stance will require BAs employees to develop service knowledge, and it is imperative for the organisation to support them in doing so on a continual basis. 11.3 Legal The use of Wi-Fi on planes is already allowed by the aviation regulators in the UK, Europe and Rest of the World. However, regulatory approval must be achieved before it can be implemented on planes flying to/from USA (Wlanbook, 2008; Row 44, 2008). The use of external legal consultants should be used when implementing both strategies to ensure that legal requirements are met, especially when performing internal and external surveys and the confidentiality of data. 11.0 Conclusion As a result of the external and internal analysis a number of strategic options were proposed. It was concluded that a combined strategy approach to improve service quality was deemed most suitable. Due to the current industry climate we have chosen a strategy to consolidate BAs position as market leader. Due to the scale and scope of BAs operations it was decided that the focus of this report would be on scheduled passenger flights. We would recommend further strategic analysis to implement SBU level strategies. Due to lack of primary research and restricted access to company information there may be limitations in our findings and recommended strategy, however we believe that if the general direction of our suggested strategic intent is followed it will lead to lead to success. Reference Johnson, G.and Scholes, K (2002) Exploring Corporate Strategy.6th Edition.London, UK Prentice Hall. Kathleen B Hass, Richard Vander Horst, Kimi Ziemski (2008).  From Analyst to Leader: Elevating the Role of the Business Analyst Management Concepts, 2008.  ISBN 1567262139. p94: As the discipline of business analysis becomes professionalized HYPERLINK http://www.theiiba.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Learning/Bodyo