Definition Of Research And Its Many Types Finance Essay - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 9 Words: 2712 Downloads: 3 Date added: 2017/06/26 Category Finance Essay Type Analytical essay Did you like this example? The term research is loosely used in everyday life. While watching the television, listening to radio or reading the newspaper we come across this term every now then, it is very difficult to avoid this term. The basic definition of the term Research is given in Oxford Encyclopedic English Dictionary as (oxfordreference.com) The systematic investigation into the study of materials, sources etc. in order to establish facts reach new conclusions Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "Definition Of Research And Its Many Types Finance Essay" essay for you Create order An endeavor to discover new or collate old facts etc. by the scientific study of a subject or by a course of critical investigation. Also Research can be defined as something that people undertake in order to find out things in a systematic way, thereby increasing their knowledge. Systematic way to find out things are vital phrases in this definition. The phrase systematic here suggests that the research is based on logical relationships not beliefs. And the phrase to find out things suggests that there are multiplicity of possible purposes for the research which may include describing, explaining, understanding, criticizing analyzing. (Ghauri Gronhaug, 2005) From the above definitions, it is evident that research has following characteristics: Data collection interpretation process is systematic controlled. Research has a clear purpose. The research process involves rigorously tested results methods results are open to public scrutiny criticism. (Walliman, 2005) Unless a person is clear about what he wants to research, it is difficult to plan how he is going to research. With reference to this there is one quote in Alices Adventures in Wonderland. Its a part of Alices conversation with the Cheshire cat where Alice is asking the Cat, Would you tell me, which way I ought to walk from here? That depends a good deal on where you want to get to said the cat. I dont much care where replied Alice. Then it doesnt matter which way you walk said the cat. (Carroll, 1989) Thus, formulating illuminating the research topic is the preliminary step of the research project. Once the topic is clear, it becomes easy to choose the most appropriate research strategy data collection analysis technique. This process may be time consuming but if enough importance is not given to this stage the entire project faces the risk of failure. (Saunders Lewis, 1997) Types of Research: Once the research topic is formulated, next step is to decide the type of research required to be conducted. There are different types of research which are distinguished on the basis of theoretical background methodologies adopted to conduct them. Following are some of the commonly used research types (Walliman, 2005): Historical Comparative Descriptive Correlation Experimental Evaluation etc. Now let us briefly understand these concepts. Historical Historical research is defined as the systematic objective location, evaluation synthesis of evidence in order to establish facts draw conclusions about past events. (Borg, 1963) Historical research enables solutions to contemporary problems to be sought in past. More stress is given on what had happened in the past to find out reasons why how that happened. It also helps to figure out present future trends. Such kind of research stresses the relative importance the effects of the interactions that are found within all cultures. (Walliman, 2005) Comparative Comparative research is normally undertaken in co-ordination with historical research. In such type of research peoples experience from different societies or different situations is compared. These researches can take place on the macro or the micro level. This kind of study comparison of differences helps to divulge the origins development of social phenomena. Descriptive Under descriptive research observation is used as a tool for collecting data. It tries to understand the situation in order to build up standards i.e. what can happen if certain situation takes place. Observation, as stated above can be done in many ways like, interviewing people, distributing the questionnaire, audio or video recording etc. These observations are recorded then analyzed in order to reach conclusions. Such type of research is affected by two major factors: the level of complexity involved the scope of the survey. This research has a drawback, as it depends upon the observation of human behavior there responses. For such type of research one has to be very careful while selecting the sample population framing the questions to be asked. Correlation The dictionary meaning of the term Correlation is a connection between two or more things, often one in which one of them causes or influences the other. (dictionary.cambridge. org) Such kind of research is related to numbers unlike previous types of research. Its more of a quantitative form to analyze such data various statistic techniques are used. This quantitative research can be further classified into; Relational Studies Prediction Studies. Relational Studies is an investigation of probable connection between different phenomena to find out if there is any correlation if yes, then to what extent. Where Prediction Studies is used when correlation between different phenomena is known it can be used to predict future events or behavior. The major advantage offered by such research is that it allows measuring the characteristics of variables their relationship simultaneously. But it lacks to reveal the cause effect relationship among the variables. Experimental An experiment can be defined as making change in the value of one variable, known as independent variable observing the effects of those changes on the value of another variable known as dependent variable. (Cohen Manion, 1994) For example, experiments performed in laboratories. Before carrying out any experimental research it is necessary to predict the likely effects causes. This gives an idea of what kinds of variables are required how they should be measured controlled during the experiment. Thus it can be seen that the most important characteristics of experimental research is to find out cause effect relationship between a set of variables. Experimental Research can be further classified into Pre-experimental Research, True Experimental Research, Quasi Experimental Research and Correlation ex post facto Research. Evaluation Evaluation research is a descriptive kind of research exclusively designed to handle complex social issues. (Guba Lincoln, 1989) The main purpose behind any evaluation research is to understand the particular programmes or the working of the programme from different viewpoints like awareness about the subject, cost effectiveness, benefits, attainment of the objectives the quality produced. Most of the times, outcome of such evaluation is helpful in improving the existing situations or developing the new ones. But sometimes it just helps to understand the programme. (Robson, 1993) Methods of collecting data: After finalizing the type of research to be undertaken; next step is to formulate the techniques for collection of data. At first, the nature of data required should be confirmed then, techniques for analyzing that data should be figured. The decision of adopting particular data collection analysis technique is derived from the nature of output required, the characteristics of research problem the available information sources. Thus it becomes necessary to decide whether to conduct qualitative analysis or quantitative analysis. Based on the above discussion, relationship between type of research, data collection techniques data analysis techniques can be presented diagrammatically as follows. Fig. 1 Matrix Diagram: Link between Perspectives (Adapted from Walliman, 2005) The Matrix Diagram makes clear that not only research type data required are related but also data collection data analysis techniques are related to each other. The above figure points out two widely used data collection data analysis techniques; Qualitative Quantitative techniques which are used frequently in business management research. Quantitative technique generally makes use of questionnaire to collect data or makes use of graphs or statistics for collecting analyzing numerical data. Whereas Qualitative technique is used for collecting data through interviews categorizing collected data for generating non-numerical results. It can be interpret by making use of videos or pictures. (Saunders, 2009) Mixed Method is a technique which combines both qualitative as well as quantitative techniques. It involves the use of qualitative quantitative approaches mixing both the approaches making the analysis more strong. (Creswell Plano, 2007) Advantages of Qualitative Research Methods: Produces more in-depth ample information. It makes use of subjective type of data More emphasis is given on detailed description It helps to understand the situation more critically Qualitative approach is not only helpful in understanding the complex situations but also helpful in creating or evolving theories. It gives flexibility to researcher to check out participants responses. Limitations of Qualitative Research Methods: It has limited scope as small groups are used for interviews. If essential questions are omitted it will have adverse effect on the research analysis will lose its affectivity. Data is gathered on large amount, it becomes difficult to manage if not properly organized. Advantages of Quantitative Research Methods: Data is collected in numerical standardized form. Quantitative analysis always involves numerical analysis of data. Analysis is conducted using statistical formulas diagrams. Relationship between variables is expressed formally. Outcome of the research can be compared with previously held outcomes of the research. Limitations of Quantitative Research Methods: Often, assumptions are needed to be done. These assumptions have to be done on reasonable grounds otherwise there is possibility of losing the effectiveness of research. Quantitative analysis generally helps to understand the particular relationship between the variables but does not give reasoning behind it. Choices available for research methods: As explained by Tashakkori Teddlie in the book Research Methods for Business Students, one can make use of single data collection corresponding data analysis technique known as Mono Method or make use of multiple data collection analysis techniques known as Multiple Methods. Fig. 1 Research Choices (Saunders, 2009) The above chart explains various research choices available. The two basic choices under research choices are Mono Methods Multiple Methods. Under Mono method one can combine either single quantitative data collection technique such as questionnaire with quantitative data analysis techniques or make use of qualitative data collection technique like detailed interviews qualitative data analysis techniques. Whereas under Multiple Methods, one can combine qualitative as well as quantitative data collection techniques like making use of questionnaire structured interviews both analyzing using statistical techniques. It is known as Multi-method Quantitative Study. Another option available is Multi-method Qualitative Study where data can be collected using qualitative techniques like structured interviews data can be analyzed using non-numerical qualitative techniques. Mixed Methods can be used to define, when qualitative quantitative data collection analysis techniques are used together for research. Mixed Methods is further classified into two groups; Mixed Method Research Mixed Model Research. Mixed Method Research makes use of qualitative quantitative data collection analysis techniques either parallel or sequentially i.e. at the same time or one after the other but never combines them. It means that, though quantitative qualitative views are used together, quantitative data is analyzed using quantitative techniques qualitative data is analyzed using qualitative techniques. On the other hand Mixed Model Research combines quantitative qualitative data collection analysis techniques. This means one can take quantitative data qualities it or quantities the qualitative data. Tashakkori Teddlie further argued that Multiple Methods are preferable for research as they give more opportunities for analysis. They also stated that adopting Multiple Methods gives a major advantage of using different techniques for different purposes of study. Approach adopted: For my study purpose I have adopted Mixed Method Research, where Ill be using qualitative as well quantitative techniques together. My study is dived into two parts where in first part I have to build a Geography Model in second part identify the costs that are directly or indirectly affected by rising oil prices. For building the model, required information will be collected by interviewing the concerned people i.e. use of qualitative technique. And for the second part, costs will be allocated using Oil Vulnerability Audit Tool i.e. quantitative technique. It is Relational Correlation Research type where I will be investigating probable connection between resource costs their vulnerability to oil prices to find out if there is any correlation if yes, then to what extent. Let us understand Oil Vulnerability Audit Tool concisely. It is a tool designed by Dr. Simon Snowden his colleagues from the University of Liverpool to evaluate vulnerability of business processes to mounting oil prices. The audit is made up of several sub stages as mentioned below: In first step business is overviewed carefully in order to understand the main entities of the business. Entities could be anything like a particular product or service line, market segment, specific customer etc. In my report entity is Geography Module taught at Liverpool Hope University. Once the entity is identified next step is to gather more information on individual activities that take place under that entity processes involved in order to carry on those activities. Also resources required to conduct these process are listed down. This is represented using flow charts. Once the framework for audit is set, associated data is acknowledged collated. Cost data required here is of operational nature. The most important thing to do after gathering the costing data is to prepare Oil Vulnerability Audit Resource Dictionary which contains all the resources in scope. Once the resource dictionary is ready, specify the percentage of cost will be allocated to each activity. Also need to normalize the costs based on reasonable grounds. Next step is to review each resource set the flags. This is done by adding five more columns; energy, liquid fuels, petrochemicals, man-made materials and components made from man-made materials. This will help to indicate oil vulnerability of resources. These particular flags were chosen by the developer of this tool because they help to indentify where the resource is exactly situated in the oil supply chain. The further down the supply chain, the smaller the impact of oil price increases in the short-term but the flags acts as early warning indicator for rising prices in the medium term. Now the resources in the resource dictionary are allocated to appropriate business processes. The flags set will now help to decide whether particular resource should be included in oil vulnerability calculation or not. Now information from each business process can roll up through the business hierarchy to summarise the costs and the OVR information, at each level. Using this tool, oil vulnerability of Geography module taught in Liverpool Hope University University of Liverpool will be calculated compared against each other. Then further discussions will be made as which one is more vulnerable to rising oil prices. Possible Questions asked to gather the information: Based on above discussion the data will be collected from both the organizations. In order to get details required for building the Oil Vulnerability Audit Framework further calculations data will be collected by interviewing the concerned people in both institutions. Following are some of the possible questions that will be asked to the concerned person during their interview. Information required to build the geography Model What is the title of the module? What is the module about? This module is offered under which course? This module comes under which department? What are the contents of the module? Whats the structure of the module? (Lectures/assignments/exam/lab work/field trips/seminars/guest lecturers) Who is the module leader? How many faculty members are there? How many students have enrolled for this module? How are the lectures designed? What are the prerequisites for conducting lectures? Who is involved in designing the structure of the lectures? Whats the procedure of conducting the exam? Information required for defining Resources, Costs Allocation What are the resources used for conducting the module? What is the cost of these resources? Are the required resources easily available? Resources are availed from local, regional or national suppliers? How much cost is incurred for conducting the exam? How much electricity is used per lecture, per exam?

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennesse Williams - 535 Words

The talented playwright and writer Thomas â€Å"Tennessee† Lanier Williams III was born to an unhappy family on March 26, 1911 in Columbus, Mississippi. He was the second child of Edwina and Cornelius Coffin Williams. His father was a traveling shoe salesman who would spend most of his time away from home. C.C. Williams’ behavior at home was violent due to his fierce, physical temper and hard-drinking practices. He disdained both Tennessee and Edwina. Williams’ mother, who was locked in an unhappy marriage, focused the majority of her overbearing attention on him due to his frail health. Williams and his two siblings, Rose Isabel and Walter Dalkin, would spend their early childhood with their maternal grandparents in Clarksdale, Mississippi. The family moved numerous times due to Edwina’s constant search for the ideal home environment as well as C.C.’s heavy drinking habits and turbulent behavior. Both historians and critics observe that Williams f ound his writing’s inspiration through his dysfunctional family. Williams became found of writing at an early age. He described his childhood as a happy one until his family moved from Mississippi to Missouri. â€Å"The carefree nature of his boyhood was stripped [away] in his new urban home†; therefore, Williams sought solace by turning inward and writing his thoughts. At sixteen years of age, he earned five dollars by winning third place in a writing competition. 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Gender Roles Seen in Toys Free Essays

Gender Roles and Toys By Shawna Robb English 101 Professor Solomon One room has pretty pink wallpaper with a princess border; the other is blue with monster trucks on one-wall and sports pictures on another. It is not hard to tell which room is female and which room is male. Male and female are used in this instance to define genders. We will write a custom essay sample on Gender Roles Seen in Toys or any similar topic only for you Order Now Gender, unlike sex, is a universal guideline upon which individuals are placed. Gender refers to the socially constructed roles, behavior, and activities that a particular society considers appropriate for men and women. When the pressure of gender stereotypes is open to debate some say there are prenatal influences that are gender based. What is obvious is that gender plays a significant role when it comes to the toys people select for their children and the way that toy companies market them. â€Å"Toys-R-Us† is a United States based toy company who has been taken to task for marketing designs that reflect or promote gender specific toys. It is wrong that toy stores, like â€Å"Toy’s-R-Us†, clearly divides the toys by gender in stores and in toy advertisements because it teaches children how they are supposed to be in order to be accepted by society, promotes aggressive behavior for males and a passive attitude for females. Stereotypical boy toys are things like action figures and toy cars. These are both active and aggressive, which is â€Å"masculine† representing how men are supposed to be in society. Girl’s toys are often dolls, dress up, and toys that mimic household duties. That is stereotypical because its saying girls are passive, not active. It is setting standards that girls belong in the home for their future while boys get doctor kits or chemistry sets that give them higher goals. Introducing children to these gender role ideas this early is shaping them for the rest of their lives. The world’s leading fast food franchise has an interest in the gender of its young customers. At McDonalds a very popular child’s meal is the happy meal. When a Happy Meal is ordered the worker always asks if the child is a boy or a girl. This lets the worker know what type of toy to put in with the meal. The McDonalds worker could ask if the customer wants a hot wheels or a mini Barbie but instead they learn the gender of the customer and stereotypically provide the toy. Toy stores separate their store by toys for girls and toys for boys. The girl isle has stereotypical girl colors like pink, purple, and yellow. All of these colors are light when the boy’s section has colors like red, blue’s, black, brown and green. All of the boy’s colors are darker and less â€Å"pretty†. Just from that quick look down the isle one can notice which is for girls versus boys. The dark colors are less southing and action oriented. The girl colors, are lighter making them much more calm and subdued. This same pattern can be seen in advertisements on television. Female directed commercials are light colors, with softer music usually having lyrics that explain the toy and giving passive examples for what can be done with the toy. Boy’s commercials however have the message that they are going to go out and do something active with the toy. The music for masculine toys is generally uplifting and motivating, which makes a boy excited to play with the toy. Commercials cannot be avoided and they reach almost all boys and girls on a day-to-day basis. One interesting area in looking at the influences of toys and gender is the advertising of toys relative to levels of aggression. The television airwaves are filled with toy advertising. Is there a relationship between this advertising and levels of violence, does this relationship show a gender bias? For example a parent might wonder if the purchase of â€Å"boy oriented† toys for their child might increase the child’s risk for becoming violent. The parent might also wonder if merely watching the advertisements themselves increase children’s risk for becoming violent. In 2001 Kilinger, Hamilton and Cantrell offered the observation that the use of commercials to sell children’s toy products could have a socialization impact on children similar to that of television programming. Bandura’s Social Learning Theory says, â€Å"human behavior is transmitted, whether deliberately or inadvertently, largely through exposure to social models†(Bandura 1). When a child thinks that a behavior will be punished versus rewarded but instead is not even acknowledged they will perceive it as a reward. Children usually continue rewarded behavior to receive more praise. Television is seen as a â€Å"super tutor† to Bandura, the child will model what they see on television, not knowing if it is good or bad. For those children whose parents are not good role models, the television becomes the behavioral role model. If violence and aggression is viewed on the television, it is more likely that children will engage in violent and aggressive behavior. While television can model appropriate behavior, there is a well-documented tendency for violence and aggression. Advertisements are difficult to avoid since they are interwoven in shows and they tend to emphasize violent and aggressive behavior (Kilinger 13). In the study by Kilinger, Hamilton and Cantrell they observed â€Å"children’s perceptions of aggressive content, stereotypic sex-role behavior, and appropriateness of television toy commercials†(Kilinger, 11). The results of the study support the notion that there is a gender bias in terms of aggressive content and consequently aggression potential. The results did show that toys and the advertisements for them aimed toward boys were more aggressive than that of the toys that are gender neutral or aimed toward girls. The commercials shown were clearly sex role stereotyped. This is consistent with other research that has supported the idea that boys are more socialized toward aggression. Boys may be more desensitized to aggression as a result of gender stereotyped toy commercials as well as their toy selections in the past. Again, this is a reason for concern since commercials are unavoidable while watching television. While the promotion of aggression is certainly an adequate reason to exercise great care when it comes to toy and gender, it is not the only reason. Parents do support gender bias toys from the time the child is born. More often than not, a boy will receive toys that are focused towards boys and girls will receive stereotypical girl toys. The children do not go out and buy this themselves; their parents will pick out their toys until the child is already taught what they should like. Parent’s will find out they are having a boy or a girl then base everything around that detail, like the room color example, children and baby clothes are also gender biased as well as their toys. When the girl is playing with girl toys she will be rewarded for the â€Å"right† interests, as would a boy playing with a boy toy. They will then continue this behavior to get their parent’s approval. If a father see’s their son playing with a Barbie doll or asking to be a princess, their father might redirect them saying those are girl things urging them to play with a male biased toy. One thing Social Learning Theory has assumed is that reinforcement and punishment is the means by which parents socialize children. The study named â€Å"Parental Socialization of Young Children’s Play†, done by Eisenberg, Wolchik, Hernandez and Pasternack, observed the parent’s involvement with enforcing gender stereotypes. This study found that parents do reward their children for same-sex toy play. It is not only the toy companies that enforce gender roles in toys; the people raising the child are also responsible for teaching stereotypical thinking. The idea that cross-sexed interests are wrong does come from society and children start learning this from the time they are born. (Eisenberg, Wolchik, Hernandez and Pasternack 1506). A thirteen-year-old Swedish boy, Hannes Psajd, spoke out about the gender focused toys in â€Å"Toys-R-Us†. Hannes said that the 2008 â€Å"Toys-R-Us† Christmas Catalog showed boys playing with different toys than girls do. The boy said that he and his sister always play with the same toys and there is nothing wrong with that. Psajd said that it sends the wrong message to girls, since they are playing with only passive toys. Hannes stated â€Å"boys want to be princesses sometimes†(Landes 1), demonstrating that this store does not only discriminate against girls. When the claim was looked into by a regulatory committee they stated that, â€Å"Toys-R-Us discriminates based on gender and counteracts positive social behavior, lifestyles, and attitudes†(1). This shows that children do recognize this problem if it is brought to their attention. The problem of toys defining gender roles does not completely rest  rest with â€Å"Toys-R-Us† but is a societal problem. Society has created the gender roles we now have and these roles are often strict. While it will take time to make fundamental changes in gender bias a starting point could be the creation of more gender-neutral toys. These toys would have to find their way into homes and that could be a function of the advertising that is currently part of the problem. Parents need to be educated to nurture more flexible gender roles and allow children to explore their interests, even if this interest violates stereotypical norms. Boys and girls should have equal opportunity to play with a doll or a monster truck. Children are taught gender roles from the time they are born, toys are one way that this is taught to them. In a toy store like â€Å"Toys-R-Us†, it is clear to see which isle is for boys and which one is for girls. The colors and stereotypical gender bias toys show the clear division in the store between feminine versus masculine toys. Television advertisements depict females as being passive while they promote aggressive behavior for males, this can lead to boys acting violently in the future. Parents sometimes scold children who play with cross-sex toys, which will teach the child not to repeat this behavior. Gender roles teach a child what they are supposed to be, feminine or masculine, and toys to play a part in enforcing these gender stereotypes. Works Cited Bandura, Albert. â€Å"Psychological Modeling: Conflicting Theories†. Chicago: Aldine Atherton, 1971. Print. Eisenberg, Nancy, Walchik, Sharlene A. Hernandez, Robert, Pasternack, Jeannette F. â€Å"Parental Socialization of Young Children’s Play: A Short-Term Longitudinal Study. † Child Development 56. 6 (1985): 1506-13. ERIC. EBSCO. Web. 5 Apr. 2011. Klinger, Lori J. , James A. Hamilton, Cantrell, Peggy J. â€Å"Children’s Perceptions of Aggressive and Gender-Specific Content in Toy Commercials. † Social Behavior and Per sonality 29. 1 (2001): 11-20. PsycINFO. EBSCO. Web. 5 Apr. 2011. Landes, David. â€Å"Toys‘R’Us Scolded for Gender Discrimination. † The Local: Sweden’s News in English. 6 October 2009. Print. How to cite Gender Roles Seen in Toys, Papers

Pablo Picasso Analysis Essay Example For Students

Pablo Picasso Analysis Essay Picasso, Pablo Ruiz y (1881-1973), Spanish painter and sculptor, is consideredone of the greatest artist of the 20th century. He was a inventor of forms,innovator of styles and techniques, a master of various media, and one of themost prolific artists in history. He created more than 20,000 works. Trainingand Early Work Picasso was Born in Mlaga on October 25, 1881, he was the sonof Jos Ruiz Blasco, an art teacher, and Mara Picasso y Lopez. Until 1898 healways used his fathers name, Ruiz, and his mothers maiden name, Picasso, tosign his pictures. After about 1901 he dropped Ruiz and used his mothersmaiden name to sign his pictures. At the age of 10 he made his first paintings,and at 15 he performed brilliantly on the entrance examinations to BarcelonasSchool of Fine Arts. His large academic canvas Science and Charity (1897,Picasso Museum, Barcelona), depicting a doctor, a nun, and a child at a sickwomans bedside, won a gold medal. Blue Period Between 1900 and 1902, Picassomade three trips to Paris, finally settling there in 1904. He found the citysbohemian street life fascinating, and his pictures of people in dance halls andcafs show how he learned the postimpressionism of the French painter PaulGauguin and the symbolist painters called the Nabis. The themes of the Frenchpainters Edgar Degas and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, as well as the style of thelatter, exerted the strongest influence. Picassos Blue Room (1901, PhillipsCollection, Washington, D.C.) reflects the work of both these painters and, atthe same time, shows his evolution toward the Blue Period, so called becausevarious shades of blue dominated his work for the next few years. Expressinghuman misery, the paintings portray blind figures, beggars, alcoholics, andprostitutes, their somewhat elongated bodies reminiscent of works by the Spanishartist El Greco. Rose Period Shortly after settling in Paris in a shabbybuilding known as the Bateau-Lavoir (laundry barge, which it resembled),Picasso met Fernande Olivier, the first of many companions to influence thetheme, style, and mood of his work. With this happy relationship, Picassochanged his palette to pinks and reds; the years 1904 and 1905 are thus calledthe Rose Period. Many of his subjects were drawn from the circus, which hevisited several times a week; one such painting is Family of Saltimbanques(1905, National Gallery, Washington, D.C. ). In the figure of the harlequin,Picasso represented his alter ego, a practice he repeated in later works aswell. Dating from his first decade in Paris are friendships with the poet MaxJacob, the writer Guillaume Apollinaire, the art dealers Ambroise Vollard andDaniel Henry Kahnweiler, and the American expatriate writers Gertrude Stein andher brother Leo, who were his first important patrons; Picasso did portraits ofthem all. Protocubism In the summer of 1906, during Picassos stay in Gsol,Spain, his work entered a new phase, marked by the influence of Greek, Iberian,and African art. His celebrated portrait of Gertrude Stein (1905-1906,Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City) reveals a masklike treatment of herface. The key work of this early period, however, is Les demoiselles dAvignon(1907, Museum of Modern Art, New York City), so radical in styleits picturesurface resembling fractured glassthat it was not even understood bycontemporary avant-garde painters and critics. Destroyed were spatial depth andthe ideal form of the female nude, which Picasso restructured into harsh,angular planes. CubismAnalytic and Synthetic Inspired by the volumetrictreatment of form by the French postimpressionist artist Paul Czanne, Picassoand the French artist Georges Braque painted landscapes in 1908 in a style laterdescribed by a critic as being made of little cubes, thus leading to theterm cubism. .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97 , .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97 .postImageUrl , .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97 , .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97:hover , .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97:visited , .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97:active { border:0!important; } .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97:active , .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97 .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u4ac3a7c621f50c2a256dc17e76c5ce97:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare and Antigone by Sophocles Essay Some of their paintings are so similar that it is difficult to tellthem apart. Working together between 1908 and 1911, they were concerned withbreaking down and analyzing form, and together they developed the first phase ofcubism, known as analytic cubism. Monochromatic color schemes were favored intheir depictions of radically fragmented motifs, whose several sides were shownsimultaneously. Picassos favorite subjects were musical instruments, still-lifeobjects, and his friends; one famous portrait is Daniel Henry Kahnweiler (1910,Art Institute of Chicago). In 1912, pasting paper and a piece of oilcloth to thecanvas and combining these with painted areas, Picasso created his firstcollage, Still Life with Chair Caning (Muse Picasso, Paris). This techniquemarked a transition to synthetic cubism. This second phase of cubism is moredecorative, and color plays a major role, although shapes remain fragmented andflat. Picasso was to practice synthetic cubism throughout his career, but by nomeans exclusively. Two works of 1915 demonstrate his simultaneous work indifferent styles: Harlequin (Museum of Modern Art) is a synthetic cubistpainting, whereas a drawing of his dealer, Vollard, now in the MetropolitanMuseum, is executed in his Ingresque style, so called because of itsdraftsmanship, emulating that of the 19th-century French neoclassical artistJean-August-Dominique Ingres. Cubist Sculpture Picasso created cubist sculpturesas well as paintings. The bronze bust Fernande Olivier (also called Head of aWoman, 1909, Museum of Modern Art) shows his consummate skill in handlingthree-dimensional form. He also made constructionssuch as Mandolin andClarinet (1914, Muse Picasso)from odds and ends of wood, metal, paper, andnonartistic materials, in which he explored the spatial hypotheses of cubistpainting. His Glass of Absinthe (1914, Museum of Modern Art), combining a silversugar strainer with a painted bronze sculpture, anticipates his much laterfound object creations, such as Baboon and Young (1951, Museum of ModernArt), as well as pop art objects of the 1960s. Realist and Surrealist WorksDuring World War I (1914-1918), Picasso went to Rome, working as a designer withSergey Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes. He met and married the dancer OlgaKoklova. In a realist style, Picasso made several portraits of her around 1917,of their son (for example, Paulo as Harlequin; 1924, Muse Picasso), and ofnumerous friends. In the early 1920s he did tranquil, neoclassical pictures ofheavy, sculpturesque figures, an example being Three Women at the Spring (1921,Museum of Modern Art), and works inspired by mythology, such as The Pipes of Pan(1923, Muse Picasso). At the same time, Picasso also created strange picturesof small-headed bathers and violent convulsive portraits of women which areoften taken to indicate the tension he experienced in his marriage. Although hestated he was not a surrealist, many of his pictures have a surreal anddisturbing quality, as in Sleeping Woman in Armchair (1927, Private Collection,Brussel) and Seated Bather (1930, Museum of Modern Art). Paintings of the Early1930s Several cubist paintings of the early 1930s, stressing harmonious,curvilinear lines and expressing an underlying eroticism, reflect Picassospleasure with his newest love, Marie Thrse Walter, who gave birth to theirdaughter Maa in 1935. Marie Thrse, frequently portrayed sleeping, also wasthe model for the famous Girl Before a Mirror (1932, Museum of Modern Art). In1935 Picasso made the etching Minotauromachy, a major work combining hisminotaur and bullfight themes; in it the disemboweled horse, as well as thebull, prefigure the imagery of Guernica, a mural often called the most importantsingle work of the 20th century. Throughout Picassos lifetime, his work wasexhibited on countless occasions, in many different places. Most unusual,however, was the 1971 exhibition at the Louvre, in Paris, honoring him on his90th birthday; until then, living artists had not been shown there. .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1 , .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1 .postImageUrl , .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1 .centered-text-area { min-height: 80px; position: relative; } .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1 , .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1:hover , .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1:visited , .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1:active { border:0!important; } .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1 .clearfix:after { content: ""; display: table; clear: both; } .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1 { display: block; transition: background-color 250ms; webkit-transition: background-color 250ms; width: 100%; opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #95A5A6; } .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1:active , .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1:hover { opacity: 1; transition: opacity 250ms; webkit-transition: opacity 250ms; background-color: #2C3E50; } .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1 .centered-text-area { width: 100%; position: relative ; } .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1 .ctaText { border-bottom: 0 solid #fff; color: #2980B9; font-size: 16px; font-weight: bold; margin: 0; padding: 0; text-decoration: underline; } .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1 .postTitle { color: #FFFFFF; font-size: 16px; font-weight: 600; margin: 0; padding: 0; width: 100%; } .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1 .ctaButton { background-color: #7F8C8D!important; color: #2980B9; border: none; border-radius: 3px; box-shadow: none; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 26px; moz-border-radius: 3px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none; text-shadow: none; width: 80px; min-height: 80px; background: url(https://artscolumbia.org/wp-content/plugins/intelly-related-posts/assets/images/simple-arrow.png)no-repeat; position: absolute; right: 0; top: 0; } .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1:hover .ctaButton { background-color: #34495E!important; } .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1 .centered-text { display: table; height: 80px; padding-left : 18px; top: 0; } .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1 .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1-content { display: table-cell; margin: 0; padding: 0; padding-right: 108px; position: relative; vertical-align: middle; width: 100%; } .u2edcb46a9de17df2bb68782d3a8c97c1:after { content: ""; display: block; clear: both; } READ: Police Brutality Essay In 1980 amajor retrospective showing of his work was held at the Museum of Modern Art inNew York City. Picasso died in his villa Notre-Dame-de-Vie near Mougins on April8, 1973.Arts and Painting

Mineral Resource Rent Tax Policy

Religious Freedom Research Paper Example

Religious Freedom Research Paper Example Religious Freedom Paper Religious Freedom Paper Essay Topic: Religion Most people living in the United States assume that their first amendment rights, more specifically freedom of religion, are inherent; and they are. Religion has a long history; the first recorded religion was in Mesopotamia around 5000 BCE (Britannica). With more and more countries becoming modernized and recognizing peoples individual rights, however, how many still deny freedom of religion? Is separating church and state an indispensable element in protecting a citizens freedom of religion, or could some laws attaining to religion be beneficial in protecting religious freedom? This essays function is to answer the above questions and give a further understanding to religious freedom around the world. One of the main reasons why pilgrims decided to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to a new world in 1620 was to escape the religious persecution in England (Mayflower: A Story of Courage, Community, and War by Nathaniel Philbrick). A lot may argue that this is why religious freedom (and for the most part today, tolerance) is so evident in our country. On the opposite side of the spectrum, however, look at Saudi Arabia. The country formed, in part, due to a holy war, has a monarchial government, and adopted the Islamic holy text, The Koran, as its constitution (BBC). It also prohibits any religion except for a conservative version of Sunni Islam (US Department of State). It wouldnt be accurate, however, to assume that every countrys current-day religious tolerance depends on its foundation. Take Cuba for example: the country was founded by the Spanish, who formed it into a Catholic nation. When Fidel Castro took over power, he made Cuba a totally atheistic nation (NCRonline). The point Im making here is that although some countries with religious tolerance are founded on such beliefs, some are not and gravitate towards a different belief than what was originally intended. The ancient Persians, more specifically Cyrus the Great, founded the first religious freedom law in the 6th century BC. However, you have to understand that freedom of religion, religious tolerance, and freedom of worship are all different and have all varied to some degree in the past. Most countries today allow the freedom of religion, and extremely tolerant countries like the United States or Canada allow the freedom to assemble and worship. On the other hand, you have countries like Sudan. Sudan allows limited tolerance of other religions, but has declared Islam as its national religion and requires all laws be inspired by it. Even to a more extreme, you have China, more specifically the Peoples Republic of China, which allows very limited freedom of religion and expressively disallows the gathering in groups to worship (however, one must understand that because Chinas two main religions, Confucianism and Daoism, dont have gods, its difficult for Westerners to understand this religious intolerance) (US Department of State). Like I stated before, and as many Americans know, the first amendment to the Constitution declares separation of church and state; it expressively declares that no law shall infringe upon or discriminate against any religion. One must ask himself, then, why is every piece of currency in the US engraved with the phrase In God We Trust, or why does the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States include the phrase Under God? These two cases, although controversial, bring up an interesting point. Because this essay is an evaluation essay as apposed to a persuasive work, I will not discuss or imply my positions on these phrases; rather, we must realize that the basis for these phrases foster a more interesting idea: is total separation of church and state in the best interest of the common citizen? In a 100% atheistic government, there would be no law favoring a religion, but at the same time, there would be none protecting the establishment or worship of another (a law protecting this would actually be reversed discrimination, therefore discrimination in itself). In the United States, its illegal to discriminate against an individual because of their religious preferences. Every government has some form of religious law, whether it is favoring a certain religion (like Islam in Saudi Arabia), attempting to separate itself from religion while protecting an individuals rights (like Canada), or acclaiming itself as atheistic (Cuba under Castro). While there has always been religious intolerance in the world, the most recent extreme form is modern day terrorism. For this paper, lets examine the most recent and notable terrorist attacks: 9/11. On the morning of September 11, 2001, Islamic suicide terrorists boarded four commercial jet airlines, flew two of them into the World Trade Centers, one into the Pentagon in Washington, and attempted to fly one in the direction of Washington D. C. Osama Bin Laden, the mastermind behind the deadly attacks, declared a holy war against the United States. In summary, the radical Sunni Islamic sect Al-Qaeda opposes the United States position on separation of church and state and declares that You are the worst civilization witnessed by the history of mankind: You are the nation who, rather than ruling by the Shariah of Allah in its Constitution and Laws, choose to invent your own laws as you will and desire. You separate religion from your policies, contradicting the pure nature which affirms Absolute Authority to the Lord and your Creator, (The Guardian) as stated in Bin Ladens Letter to America. There will always be religious differences in this world, and it cannot be expected that all countries will be as tolerant as the United States is when it comes to a plethora of religions. Is it the United States job to help spread a belief of religious tolerance in this world? How should we go about doing it if so? If not, do we only take a defensive stance toward another terrorist attack like 9/11? Our only option is to sit back and see how the War Against Terror plays out and how other extremist groups respond. Im just glad I live in a country where I get to believe what I want, think what I want, wear what I want, and be myself. In conclusion, there are many different religions in this world, and every country takes its own approach in tolerance. In the United States, we have laws pertaining to the separation of church and state along with laws restricting discrimination due to religion. Terrorism is more prominent than ever, and 9/11 enacted a War Against Terror that still rages on today. Maybe one day, the world will see eye-to-eye on religious tolerance, but until then, lets be glad that we live in a country where we get to worship whatever we want.

Concept maps Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Concept maps - Essay Example A main characteristic of the concept map is that it employs hierarchy in representing the various concepts. The top of the map contains the general and most inclusive concepts and the less general and specific concepts are at the bottom of the map. Also the concept map is best constructed with reference to a particular question known as the focus question (Novak & Canas, 2011). Therefore the hierarchical structure of the map depends not only on the knowledge domain but also the context in which it is applied. Therefore it is very effective in capturing knowledge and to plan for an expert system. The cross-links feature of the concept map is another vital feature which links the various concepts in the map. It helps to understand the relationship between the knowledge that is represented in the map (Novak & Canas, 2011). In capturing of knowledge it is vital to have continuity and link the various concepts. Also in an expert system it is required to be able to trace the root of various concepts and how various concepts interact or related to each other. This is made possible by the concept. Therefore, a concept map is a very effective design technique but also extreme care must be taken in constructing the concept map. Novak, J.D. & Canas, A.J. (2008). The Theory Underlying Concept Maps and How to Construct and Use Them. [Online]. Available at: http://cmap.ihmc.us/publications/researchpapers/theorycmaps/theoryunderlyingconceptmaps.htm. Accessed on 8th Feb,

Crohn's Disease Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Crohn's Disease - Research Paper Example Conversely, Crohn's disease may appear at any part of the digestive tract—from the mouth down to the anus, but most commonly at the lower part of the small intestine (ileum), involving perhaps all layers of the intestine, with normal healthy bowel between sections of diseased bowel. (National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse 1) Although the exact root of Crohn's disease is still a mystery, the condition is associated with a problem in the reaction of the body's immune system called an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system is unable to distinguish between normal and foreign bodies. (Longstreth) According to Dr. Schoenfeld and Dr. Wu, the cells and proteins composing the immune system, normally defend the body against foreign invaders, such as harmful bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. by being launched, causing inflammation—an important defense mechanism of the system, within the tissues where activation occurs, and triggered only in the presence of harmfu l invaders; furthermore, continued and abnormal activation of the immune system in the absence of the said foreign bodies results to chronic inflammation and ulceration. Whether this abnormality in the immune system response is a cause or a consequence of Crohn's disease is yet to be determined by scientists, but research shows that a number of factors—genetic inheritance, the immune system itself, and the environment, have to with the aforementioned inflammation in the digestive tract. (NDDIC 2) NDDIC (2) has affirmed that it was found out that people with Crohn's disease have high levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF), a protein produced by the immune system. Additionally, a gene called NOD2 has been recently identified as an important determining factor of the body’s response to some bacteria, and mutations of which increases a person’s susceptibility to the disease; other genes essential in the understanding of the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease—such as autophagy related 16-like 1 gene (ATG 16L1) and IRGM, both having a role to play in macrophage defects, are continually being studied. (Schoenfeld & Wu) Incidentally, there have been studies showing higher levels of E. coli bacteria in the intestines of those suffering from Crohn’s disease—probably resulting from a genetically determined defect with intestinal mucosal macrophages in eliminating E. coli, as well as speculations that infection by certain bacteria—such as strains of mycobacterium, causes the disease, but still no substantial evidence supporting it, added Dr. Schoenfeld and Dr. Wu. Crohn’s disease may occur at any age, but more often at ages between 15 and 35; other risk factors include: (1) family history of the disease, (2) Jewish ancestry, and (3) smoking. (Longstreth) Nevertheless, the exact relationship between the factors, possible causes and the disease, have not been proven and remains unknown, to date. According to Dr. Paul Klene rman, the symptoms of Crohn’s disease vary depending on its severity and location—many only have mild symptoms like periods of mild fever, at times, accompanied with blood in the stool and abdominal pain; loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, general malaise, and boils, may also appear.

Helen and Hosea Client Profile Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Helen and Hosea Client Profile - Assignment Example Hosea parents were missionaries in Africa, which was where he was born.   Hosea spent the better part of his childhood and teenage years. He studied in different international schools where he developed a love for sports. He graduated from Africa University in 2001 and went on to work for three years with a Sports organization called â€Å"Cheza† which means â€Å"Play† in the African Swahili dialect where he was paid $ 30,000. He later went to Regent University for his Master's degree, which was fully sponsored by the religious organization that employed his parents. He managed to save $ 10,000 by keeping all his expenses to a bare minimum while at college. He started working as an assistant college coach the month after his graduation earning $70,000 for three years then got promoted and started earning $80,000. He plans to continue working with this club for as long as he can. Hosea has written some books on sporting in Africa, which has brought him quite good reve nue returns. He got 475,000 as net income, which he got after the book sales. He plans to write more books before he retires. Helen originally trained to be a social worker. She worked for the inner city program in Ontario for five years after graduating earning $35,000. The pay was not so good but she liked what she was doing and felt fulfilled. It was while working there that she got involved with her current school that was doing a better job in the inner cities. They offered her a job, which paid better; $55,000 and provided free housing within the school’s grounds. It was during a sports tournament when she met Hosea, and later got married. She decided to further her education by pursuing an online Masters degree in education at Regent University, which confirmed her credentials as a teacher. Helen now earns $73,000 and plans to continue working with the school until retirement. She also just opened up old peoples home in a house she inherited from her maternal grandmother, which has been bringing in $150,000 per year. She had taken out a loan of 300,000 to renovate the property and to hire new staff but she believes she will be able to repay the loan in about three to five years. The house is worth $ 2.5 million, as it is located in the more expensive side of town. Her grandmother had come from old money. Helen though believed in living a modest life.  Ã‚  Ã‚  

Olympus Strategic Management Research Commerce Essay

Olympus Strategic Management Research Commerce Essay Olympus Corporation is a Japan-based manufacturer of reprography and optics products, founded on 12 October 1919 by Takeshi Yamashita with headquarters in Tokyo, Japan and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange. The company is engaged in the manufacture and sale of precision machineries and instruments for the imaging, medical, life sciences, information and communication and other markets. The companys imaging system business, though Olympus Imaging Corp., markets compact and lightweight digital cameras, optical lenses and voice recorders. The medical systems business, though Olympus Medical Systems Corp., offers medical endoscopes, surgical endoscopes, endotherapy products, ultrasound endoscopes and surgical treatment devices. The life science segments products include molecular imaging systems, such as chemistry analyzers, immunoassay systems and blood analyzers, diagnostic systems and biological and industrial microscopes. Olympus also operates several research facilities, such as the Olympus Bio Imaging Laboratory and the RIKEN BSI-Olympus Collaboration Centre, connected to the operations of their segment. The companys information and communication offerings, through ITX Corp., include investment and business incubation, IT services and equipment sales, such as the sale of mobile terminals. The company operates across six continents and more than 50 countries throu gh 219 subsidiaries and 19 affiliated companies. Altogether, Olympus is comprised of four business segments: Imaging Systems, Life Sciences and Industrial Systems, Medical Systems and Information and Communication. Olympus President and Representative Director is Hiroyuki Sasa, who took this office in April, 2012. PESTEL Analysis Political factors. The political environment is considered as one of the most influential factors that affect the operations of a business. Since all political forces are a part of the macro-environment and are associated with the situation of government, this directly influences the possibility of maintaining a business in a particular economy. Better government would always strive to create the most favorable conditions for a business, developing good policies and making business thrive. Governments also choose the way of taxation and can influence export and import abilities of a particular country (e.g. artificial limitation of an amount of particular good that can be imported in the country, changing taxation for local and foreign producers, stimulating export or import, special license conditions etc.). In our particular case, the most important thing of a political environment Olympus operates in is fiscal policies of the governments of the countries Olympuss stores and its distribution chain are situated in. Pursuing their objectives, governments can levy taxes that make conducting a business unprofitable in this political system, or, for example, cancel taxation of some firms at all to improve the situation of a company on the market. Overall political situation in particular countries also affects Olympus business. Since some countries have unstable political situation (e. g. Somali, Iraq, many African countries), Olympus is reluctant to maintain their business there because of unpredictable business conditions and unreliability of partnerships with local retailers. Economic factors. Economic environment of an organization are all economic factors that effect on the working of a business. This point includes distribution of income and wealth in the economy, trade cycles, economic policies and nature of an economy. Scientists distinguish five main components of a firms economic environment. They are: economic conditions, economic system, economic policies, international economic environment and economic legislations. Since Olympuss initial purpose is bringing profits to stockholders, all these factors should be carefully considered while acting in a particular economy in order to bring the highest profits possible. Size of market, demand and supply trends, inflation rate in the economy, national income, per capita income, efficiency of public and private sectors and many other factors influence Olympus performance in a particular economy and directly influence its profitability. Moreover, since an economic system of a country determines rules, goals and incentives that controls economic relations among people in a society, this factor influences Olympus desire or even ability to perform in a particular economy. Separated word should be said about global economic downturn as a result of the global financial crisis of 2008. The worst economic debacle the humankind has faced since the Great Depression left millions of people without jobs and trillions of dollars in market value evaporated. The global consumption and demand felt dramatically, including the demand for reprography and optics products Olympus manufactures. Although Asian countries did not experience such a striking shock as Europe and Northern America did, overseas sales account for approximately 80% of Olympus sales. Interest rates became higher in practically all countries, somehow influenced by the crisis. National income growth in majority of countries slowed down. Hence, the downturn of the global economy is one of the most prominent economic factors which influence Olympus operations. Furthermore, current economic problems in Europe, which accounts for 26% of Olympus sales, also adversely influence the company scrutinized. Social factors. One of the most important social factors, which influence operations of Olympus is ageing of population in its target markets and constantly growing of health consciousness of those individuals. Since Medical Systems Life Sciences are the largest business segments of Olympus Corporation, these trends can positively influence Olympus because of the demand growth expectations and need for improvement of patient quality of life. However, population growth rates in these countries are not that positive and for the last decade we have observed shrinkage of population in developed countries and constant growth of population in developing countries as India, China and many countries of the Muslim world. Therefore, in the nearest future the trend will reverse and exactly those growing countries will became major importers of hi-tech products as Olympus manufactures. Thus, Olympus should be ready to such changes and pay attention to the development of its distribution chain i n all prospective markets. Technological factors. Any changes in technology have a major impact on the business. New technologies change the business prospects and profits, work culture and methods of production that are used in the industry. Technological changes force management to change the course of how the business is maintained in order to boost the productivity and profitability of the production process. Talking about the industry of hi-tech medical, imaging and information communication products Olympus operates in and technological environment there, it can be said that this industry is probably one of the most technologically-advanced industries of contemporary world. Because of the nature pace of the human progress and constantly growing demand for better medical apparatuses and other hi-tech products Olympus produces, technological changes and breakthroughs in this industry happen extremely often. Technology incentives of many companies are striking, constantly increasing the rate of technological change. All these factors determine the technological environment for Olympus, simultaneously affecting its minimum efficient production level, level of financing its research facilities, cost and quality of products manufactured and ultimately strive for innovation, which will determine the share of the company on the market in the nearest future. Environmental factors. Environmental factors are those factors of any companys external environment, which include weather and climate concerns, directly influencing operations of a business. Environmental factors are not of the highest importance for Olympus Corporation and do not shape its or its competitors products or production chain as they do, for example, for agriculture companies. However, constantly growing concern of the environmental sustainability, greenhouse effect and nature protection define certain environmental standards Olympus should comply with. Legal environment. As any business, Olympus operates within a strict framework of law which influences different aspects of the company. Governmental laws regulate the status of the organization, its relationship with customers and suppliers and certain internal procedures and activities, influencing the behavior of Olympus on the market and specific market conditions. Consumer laws, discrimination laws, employment laws, antitrust laws and health and safety laws of different countries affect how Olympus operates on local markets and also determines cost and demand for its products. Porters Diamond Model The Diamond model of Michael Porter was contrived to evaluate and assess competitive advantages of a firm in national and global competition. Let us construct Porters Diamond model for Olympus Corporation. 400px-The_Porter_Diamond Graph 1. The Porter diamond Source: Factor conditions Skilled workforce High intellectual potential and strive towards innovations New innovations and new methods of corporate governance Developed technological base and infrastructure Demand conditions Sophisticated local and overseas market High pressure and demand for innovations Related and supporting industries Local and international competition creates innovations and cost-effectiveness Participation of suppliers in upgrading process High incentives for innovations in whole production chain Firm strategy, structure and rivalry New corporate governance strategy Focus on core business domains New corporate management policies: Back to Basics, One Olympus, and Profitable Growth Four new basic strategies: Rebuilding of business portfolio/Optimal allocation of management resources, Restructuring of governance, Review of cost structures and Restoration of financial health Fierce domestic competition, which stimulates innovations High standards of corporate culture Government Significant efforts paid to the development of infrastructure and attraction of new businesses Educational incentives and creation of skilled labor Encouragement of BPO/KPO (business process outsourcing and knowledge process outsourcing) Chance Changes in global economic trends All factors, which create discontinuities and are outside of a control of a firm Market Analysis and Industry Life Cycle Nowadays the industry of reprography and optics products Olympus operates in is the subject for constant growth and development. The Medical Business, which is the main business segment of Olympus, has experienced steady growth over the years and is expected to grow even further in view of the social environment. At a time of fast aging of population in the developed countries, early detection and diagnosis of treatment have become urgent priorities for patients, physicians and societies overall. Minimally invasive treatment methods as endoscopic surgery are expected to play a key role in satisfying these requirements. The surgical devices field annual sales are expected to grow 14% annually, creating major business opportunities for Olympus because it is the only company in the world, which possesses the technologies for manufacturing of apparatus that meet the full range of needs from early detection of illnesses to minimally invasive treatment. Therefore, we can conclude that Medi cal Business of Olympus operates in the growth stage of the industry life cycle. Regarding the Imaging Business of Olympus, it operates in the industry, which slowly proceeds from the growth into the mature stage of its life cycle. Although hundreds of innovations are still made in this field, the market in developed countries is close to be saturated. However, there is still an enormous market and place for development in developing countries. Furthermore, it should be recognized that Imaging Business is simultaneously a brand and imaging technology driver for Olympus. Thus, it is an inherent part of the companys marketing strategy and will be paid an utmost attention in the nearest future. Life Science Industrial business of Olympus is also in its growth stage. The driving factor for this is that the industries, where reprography and optics products have not been used before, begin to adapt innovations from this field to develop and increase the efficiency and productivity of their business. Hence, sales expansion by entering untapped industries is of the highest interest for Olympus, since this market is undeveloped yet, contains a lot of opportunities, place for innovations and growth. Porters Five Forces Framework Porters five forces framework is a tool for industry and company analysis, aimed to derive those five forces, which determine the intensity of competition and therefore attractiveness of a particular market and overall industry profitability. Three of the aforementioned five forces concern competition threats from external sources. The remaining two are related to the companys internal threats. Graph 2. Porters Five Forces Framework Source: Bargaining power of suppliers. The concentration of suppliers of Olympuss three key business segments is comparatively high. The number of suppliers and availability of substitute inputs differs from the product or inventory supplied. Availability of lenses Olympus uses, for example, for its Medical Business segment is limited because of the complicated process of their production and various patents. Input of suppliers of hi-tech components is extremely important for companies in the industry Olympus operates in and an ability to substitute suppliers of such unique products is low. Hence, suppliers of technologically advanced inventory have a significant influence on the industry scrutinized and are able to drive up prices with little resistance from their buyers. Firms which produce less unique products, however, have dramatically less power. The number of suppliers in this category is big as well as the availability of substitutes. The competition among these suppliers is severe and therefore their ability to artificially deviate prices is low. Bargaining power of consumers. Bargaining power of Olympuss consumers, similarly to bargaining power of its suppliers, differs greatly from one business segment of a company to another. Imaging Business, for example, has a great number of customers. The size of each order, however, is low in comparison with other businesses of the firm. Buyers of this segment possess a credible backward integration threat, since they can choose to buy products of a rival firm as Canon or Nikon. Buyer power is also strong because switching costs are low, is usually well-educated about the product and lots of substitutes are available on the market. In case of Medical and Life Science Industrial businesses of Olympus, consumer bargaining power is different and is believed to be lower. To the great extent this is because of little number of substitutes available on the market and their lower technical characteristics. Threat of backward integration in these businesses is low and majority of buyers purchase products in low volume. Threat of new entrants. Threat of new entrants on the market of hi-tech products Olympus manufactures is low because of several factors. First, in order to enter this market, extremely high capital investments are required. Second, patents and rights of already established firms make it hardly possible for new entrants to produce products, similar to existing ones. Hence, prohibitive for new firms amount of financial and human resources should be put into research and development to introduce technologies and products unavailable yet on the market. Furthermore, in Olympus business lots of attention is paid to consumer loyalty and it may be very hard for new entrants to entice clientele of well-known already established brands. Threat of substitute products. Feasible threat of substitute products Olympus experiences in all its businesses other than the Medical. This can be observed because of consumers propensity to substitute and comparatively low switching costs. Number of substitute products, which can compete with the products of Olympuss Life Science Industrial and Imaging businesses is high. So is the ease of substitution. There is, however, less threat of substitute products from Medical business of Olympus because products in the Medical business have significantly longer lifecycles and development cycles. For example, Evis Exera III a core endoscopy system, which was introduced by Olympus in spring 2012 and has no substitutes on the market, had the development period of seven years. Since Olympus has a competitive edge in research and development, it is unlikely that products able to substitute Olympus Medical businesses apparatuses will emerge on the market in the nearest time. Competitive rivalry within an industry. Competition within Olympuss industry is fierce. All companies which compete for leadership in this industry have powerful competitive strategies and high levels of advertising expense. Each of the companies tries to achieve sustainable competitive advantage through implementing innovations and investments in research and development. Number of competitors is limited; however, their financial and human resources are huge. Costs of leaving market are high. Olympus Current Strategy Corporate Strategies. Basing on the corporate management policies and aiming to address pressing issues of the company, Olympuss management has set forth four basic corporate strategies. First, three business domains have been chosen as those, in which the company should invest first and foremost. These are: the Medical Business, Life Science Industrial Business and Imaging Business. Medical Business should become a growth driver for the company, which will later transform into a medical-field oriented firm. Second, Olympus will revise its cost structures and aims for profitable growth. Third strategy is to improve the companys shaken financial position and performance. Last but not least corporate strategy of Olympus is to restructure the firms governance after the recent unprecedented turbulence of the Olympus scandal period. Business Strategies. Medical Business. Under the current medium-term vision of Olympus management, the Medical Business of the company should become a profit and growth driver for the firm. The strategy of Medical Business is to achieve further expansion of the business by capitalizing on the highly strategically advantageous position of being capable of simultaneously developing devices necessary for new minimally invasive treatments as well as new diagnostic methods closely related to those new treatments (Olympus Corporation, 2012). The company also plans to replace existing devices with new once and create a new market by applying highly innovative technologies unavailable to its competitors. Life Science Industrial Business. Life Science Industrial Business of Olympus are aimed at growth of the corporation. There are two business strategies for this segment. First strategy is product portfolio expansion. Basing on the customer industry categories and technologies and product categories, Olympus will strive to open up new customers and open up new business fields. Moreover, this strategy also involves focus on emerging and developing countries, where the market and consequently demand for Olympus products is growing. Second strategy is implementation of reform of the income and profit structure of the Life Science field, which will involve reduction of cost of goods sold and improvement of operating efficiency. Imaging Business. For today, two strategies have been devised to address the proclaimed objective of restructuring the Imaging Business. The first strategy is to concentrate on mirrorless interchangeable-lens cameras and high-end compact cameras. The second strategy is to restructure the manufacturing process and carry out reform of the cost structure of devises. Functional Strategies. Functional strategies of Olympus include the following: rigorous cost reductions, profitability improvements, increased investment in technology development, restructuration of subsidiaries and production sites worldwide. Olympus Current Business Policies The new management of Olympus, who took their office on April 2012, have set out three major corporate management policies of the company: Back to Basics, One Olympus and Profitable Growth. Back to Basics. Back to Basic policy was devised to deal with the aftermath of recent Olympus scandals, the cause of which was the pursuit of income from investments in non-core business domains of the firm, namely equity. Thus, the Back to Basics policy was developed to bring Olympus back to its initial mission contribution to the development of society through new solutions and products. One Olympus. The idea behind One Olympus policy lies in uniting all Olympuss employees and staff worldwide under a common business strategy and encouraging teamwork and cooperation. Profitable Growth. This policy simply proclaims Olympus intention to grow while earning profits. Olympus Current Performance Performance Indices Results (FY ended March 2012) Net sales  ¥ 848.5 billion Operating income  ¥ 35.5 billion Ordinary income  ¥17.9 billion Net income  ¥49.0 billion EBITDA  ¥80.3 billion Operating margin 4% Ordinary income ratio 2% Net income ratio -6% Net sales ratio 9% Free cash flows  ¥4.8 billion Balance of interest-bearing debt  ¥642.4 billion Equity ratio 4.6% Operating margin 4.2% Return on invested capital (ROIC) 2.7% Table 1. Olympus current performance indices Source: Olympus Corporation. Annual Report 2012 Table 1. Olympus current performance indices Source: Olympus Corporation. Annual Report 2012 Research Question 2. Strategic Recommendations Basing on the analysis above, several strategic recommendations are reasonable for Olympus to overcome its temporary crisis period and achieve financial superiority and growth of stockholders value in long-term period. First, it is pertinent that Medical Business should become the main segment of Olympus production chain. Olympus possesses a competitive advantage over its closest rivals in this sector and holds the largest market share. Its medical devices contain the newest innovations and technologies available on the market and hardly any company can compete in this sector with Olympus. However, for the last several years the company has been deviating from this segment, investing in non-core business segments of the firm. This turned into the debacle for Olympus. Therefore, total reconstruction of the firms operations should be conducted with the aim to bring an emphasis on Medical Business of the firm, which should become profit and growth generator. Life Science Industrial Bus iness, in its turn, will become an accompanying business, specializing in expansion of the product portfolio in the industrial field and hence another source of growth. The task of the Imaging Business, as one of the three core business of the firm, should be development of new technologies and innovations and becoming a brand driver for the company. Research Question 3. Mr. Michael Woodford, a Hero or a Traitor? Recent Olympus scandal has been one of the biggest and longestrunning lost-hiding arrangements in global corporate history since accounting and corporate scandals including Enron, Parmalat, Peregrine Systems, Tyco International, Adelphia and WorldCom. One of the main Olympus insiders, involved in the scandal and who actually was the one who exposed doubtful acquisitions of Olympus dated several years earlier, was British-born top-executive Michael Woodford, former CEO of Olympus. This lead to missing of $6.25 in assets, overall downturn of the company and great concerns regarding corporate governance in Japan. Although some people would aver that Mr. Michael Woodford acted as a traitor, I assert that his actions were extremely ethical and complied with the highest standards of corporate governance and information disclosure. Hereinafter I will provide some cogent arguments to support my point of view. To start with, I would like to mention that ultimate aim of management of any company is growth of value for stockholders. In order to keep an eye on management actions, each publicly traded company has a board of directors, which defines strategy of the company, supervises management and ensures the protection of stockholders interests. Management, as an operational branch of corporate governance, is obliged to deliver truthful information regarding companys performance. From accounting and corporate scandals in the U.S. and Europe which involved Enron, Parmalat, Peregrine Systems, Tyco International and several other big companies we have learned how distortion and hiding of information may make the companies concerned collapse and shook local and international securities markets. In order to avoid such shocks in future, many countries have adopted various standards and laws which regulate corporate governance, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act in the US and UK Corporate Governance Code. Japan, however, has not adopted any similar documents and this is one of the major reasons why Olympus scandal emerged in 2011. According to internationally-accepted standards of corporate standards and information disclosure, the behaviour of the former Olympuss CEO Michael Woodford was the only acceptable in the situation he faced with. Obviously, local peculiarities of Japanese corporate governance should be taken into account, however, from my point of view, Woodford acted in according to international business ethics standards. Olympus is an international publicly-traded company and therefore should comply with internationally-accepted ways of doing business. Furthermore, Olympus is responsible to its stockholders, who are interested in transparency of the business. Hence, Woodfords behaviour was ethical in all senses and was aimed to bring transparency to the company and protect Olympus stakeholders. Since Woodford did what all members of Olympus board could not do, I think that he is a hero for the company and should be brought back. The behaviour of top management of Olympus, however, was not ethical and, as said by Lindsay Whipp and Jonathan Soble, the management by itself was rotten at the core (Yasu, 2011). A twodecade scheme to hide losses from investment was maintained by the companys top executives. The Olympus scandal tells us that despite accounting and corporate scandals of the last decade, the tensions still remain in some countries, which have not adapted strict standards and codes of corporate governance. Japan is not an exception. The conflict between management and stockholders will probably last forever, however compliance with such laws as Sarbanes-Oxley Act, for example, will bring transparency to the activities of publicly traded companies. Management will have less space for financial machinations and distortion of information. This, undoubtedly, will create a more reliable system of corporate governance and management. Hence, adoption of strict laws which contain enhanced standards for all public company boards, management and auditors should be conducted in all countries where this has not been done yet. If I were in the position to make a decision, I would definitely employ Woodford as a new CEO of Olympus because he has demonstrated himself as a responsible top-executive who has extremely high ethical standards. Although corporate culture in Japan is very peculiar, he managed to uncover one of the biggest and longestrunning lost-hiding arrangements in Japanese history. Despite this created great financial troubles for the company, loss of reputation and urgent need of restructuration, I believe that disclosure of this crime was essential for Olympuss further growth and development. Ultimately, to solve the issues of the Olympus scandal several vital steps should be undertaken. First, and this has already been done, new management structure should be introduced. Second, Olympus should be restructured and the foremost attention should be paid to the core businesses of the firm. Third, thorough re-branding of the company should be conducted to renew the reputation of the firm in the eyes of its suppliers and consumers.

Affirmative Action Essay -- Race Racism

Affirmative Action The Webster dictionary defines affirmative action as an â€Å"active effort to improve the employment or educational opportunities of members of minority groups†¦Ã¢â‚¬  This paper will discuss the history of affirmative action and its effects on education and the work force in our society. I will argue why affirmative action is necessary for minorities to gain equal opportunities educationally and economically and how affirmative action is morally required as reparation for past discrimination. I will also discuss why many people believe that affirmative action is a step in the wrong direction and point out several arguments as to why we should get rid of affirmative action and try to validate their claims. Affirmative action requires that supervisors in charge of economic and educational opportunities take into consideration a candidate’s sex, disabilities, and ethnic background when accepting positions, especially if the candidate’s ethnic affiliation has had a history of racial discrimination. These minority groups are entitled to special considerations, typically viewed as payments made by the government to settle past discrimination. The effects of affirmative action have been well seen in economic and educational systems where educators and employers have long been pressured into giving preference to minorities even if they lesser qualifications, to help write off past discrimination. Affirmative action was established on the basis that because of the past discrimination of races, our nation was unable to flourish into what it should have become- a nation which provided equal opportunity regardless of a person’s race. It is in my opinion that had our country n ever oppressed colored people to such a great exten... ...nathan. Long Way to Go: Black and White in America. New York: Atlantic Monthly Press, 1998. Thomas D. Boston, Affirmative Action and Black Entrepreneurship. New York: Routledge, 1999. Geiger, H Jack. "Race and Health Care-An American Dilemma?" New England Journal of Medicine 335(11):815-816 (1996) Gould, Stephen Jay. The Mismeasure of Man. New York: Norton & Co., 1981. Curry, George. The Affirmative Action Debate. Massachusetts: Addison Wesley, 1996. Wise, A.E., Darling-Hammond. Effective teacher selection: From recruitment to retention. R-3462-NIE/CSTP, Washington, DC: RAND Corporation., 1987 Rosenfeld, Michel. Affirmative Action and Justice: A Philosophical and Constitutional Inquiry. New Haven: Yale University Press, 1991. Rothman, Stanley; Lipset, Seymour Martin & Nevitte, Neil, "Racial Diversity Reconsidered," The Public Interest Spring 2003.