Thursday, December 26, 2019

African Americans And The Civil War - 1309 Words

In the summer of 1619, the first Africans were brought to Jamestown, Virginia not to live as free settlers but as subordinate slaves. They worked strenuously for Whites, who considered themselves superior to Africans, without much benefit. Racism is not just the belief that one race is superior to others, but the act of negatively identifying individuals based on the color of their skin. Attributing race to individual character has proven to have negative implications that are difficult to mend. There have been different approaches to rectify the effects of racism dating back even before the Civil War. One of the fruition of these attempts is Affirmative Action, which was initially enforced â€Å"to ensure equality in hiring† among minorities. Later, Affirmative Action was amended to include education under its protection. Throughout its duration, however, it has alleviated the racial tension unsubstantially. Affirmative Action’s attempt to halt the racial disparities i n higher education that has burdened the African Americans constitutes an inconsequential solution: It forges the same environment suffering the struggle it has been trying to eradicate. Racism in America has incessantly tried to prevent minorities from advancing in higher education. Prior to the Emancipation Proclamation, laws precluded African slaves from reading and writing. If caught in violation, their White enslavers severely punished the slaves, including the inhumane, coercive wearing of iron muzzle. WithShow MoreRelatedAfrican Americans And The Civil War1076 Words   |  5 Pages Throughout history African Americans have had is bad in the United States. First they went through slavery which lasted about two hundred year and was ended around the Civil War which was in the 1860s-1870s. Next after they went through slavery they went through the law of Jim Crow that started after the Civil War which stated, â€Å"Separate but Equal†, and that was not the case because African Americans were still treated as second class citizens. After about ninety years around the 1960s Dr. MartinRead MoreAfrican Americans and the Civil War774 Words   |  4 PagesEssay African Americans and the Civil War Slavery affected many of the political reasons that contributed to causing the Civil War in 1961. Most in the Northern states including President Lincoln were more concerned with preserving the Union rather than fighting for the freedom of all. On the other hand the South fought to preserve what they believed to be absolute state rights. However the overall goals of the war were altered significantly by the willingness of African Americans during war. ThisRead MoreAfrican Americans And The Civil War1449 Words   |  6 PagesWhen the Civil War began, they wanted to take part in fighting to free all slaves. At the end of the civil war passed the civil rights act that gave citizenship to people that are born in the united states, years later African American men were given the right to vote. This might give equal rights but African Americans are still being discriminated. Almost century later, African Americans are still being discriminated. They got jobs and their kids go to school, but more notice that it wasn t rightRead MoreThe Civil War On African Americans Essay1421 Words   |  6 PagesThe years preceding the Civil War were monstrous for African Americans located in the South of the country. Northerners and Southerners would argue that their visions of how society is structured is the right way and should be expanded throughout the nation. Southerners claimed that slavery is okay, and it’s a positive labor system. On the contrary, Northerners claim that laborers should be paid by wage, men should have equal opportunities, and slaves should gain freedom. The four most significantRead MoreAfrican American And The Civil War876 Words   |  4 PagesIn 1865, when the civil war ended in America and slavery was abolished, the African American population in the South faced many challenges related to their new found freedom. Following the pos t-Civil War Reconstruction period, white supremacy resurfaced in the South (AE Television, 2015). Beginning in the early 1900s through 1970 there was a mass exodus of African American s from South to North America. Although some African American s were known to have moved from the South as early as 1850Read MoreThe Civil War Of African Americans1010 Words   |  5 Pagescentury. For an African American, the word â€Å"life† evolved from a word that meant absolutely nothing, to a word that stood for an individual’s highest commodity. After the civil war, emancipation for slaves transformed from a dream to a reality. Although the civil war finally ended in 1865 after four years of fighting, certain citizens and groups across the nation still remained in a state if disagreement with the freedom granted to African Americans. The years after the civil war revolutionizedRead MoreAfrican Americans And The Civil War1540 Words   |  7 Pageshistorical backdrop of the Uni ted States, African Americans have dependable been victimized. When Africans first came to America, they had no choice but to be slaves. The progressed toward becoming slaves to the rich, covetous, lethargic Americans. African Americans had given no compensation and regularly whipped and beaten. They battled for their opportunity, yet when the Civil War came African Americans had this logic that if they were to join the Civil War they could liberate all slaves. HoweverRead MoreAfrican Americans And The Civil War859 Words   |  4 Pagesslavery, predominately in the American South, African-Americans were finally set free from bondage. The fourteenth and fifteenth amendments quickly followed, granting citizenship to â€Å"all persons born or naturalized in the United States† and granting African American men the right to vote, respectively. Naturally, Americans denoted these momentous legislative feats, collectively packaged as the Reconstruction Amendments, as a means of c elebration for African-Americans. However, in order to rectifyRead MoreAfrican Americans in the Civil War1971 Words   |  8 PagesAnderson HIST 3060 February 25, 13 African Americans and the Civil War The role African Americans played in the outcome, and the road to the outcome of the Civil War was immense. The fact that the south had slaves and the north did not played an enormous role in the issues. The north wanted to abolish slavery, and the south did not and after the war started this became one of the main reasons for the Civil War. Since most African Americans could not read or write, this made them an easyRead MoreAfrican Americans And The Civil War971 Words   |  4 PagesAfter the civil war African Americans hoped that the world they lived in would be an equal one; little did they know they had more struggles to conquer. Three major amendments were passed to provide African Americans with equality; the 13th amendment officially and finally put an end to slavery and any future involuntary servitude, the 14th amendment states that colored men and women were given citizenship, and the 15th amendment gave black men the right to vote. Although these amendments were passed

Wednesday, December 18, 2019

Economy - 2144 Words

Introduction The legislation process of Anti-Monopoly Law has been indeed a long journey. The new AML is a tremendous leap forward for China, bringing China into the modern world of antitrust and competition law. The law, which aims to prevent dominance of any one company, was first proposed in 1994. But its pace was slow until 6 years later because of pressure from big state-owned companies and multinationals that had just started doing business in China. It wasnt until 2001, when China joined the World Trade Organization, did the process accelerate. In August 2007, the law was finally passed by the National Peoples Congress. Although the measure compromised with state-owned enterprises, which dominate industry, people tend to believe†¦show more content†¦In addition, market dominance will be presumed to exist in the following cases (although this presumption can be rebutted by evidence to the contrary): * if the operator has a market share of at least 50 per cent; * if the joint market share of two operators accounts for at least two-thirds of the relevant market; or * if the joint market share of three operators accounts for at least three-quarters of the relevant market. * The monopolistic practice * The definition monopolistic competition is firms which in effect hold a monopoly over their products, in that the firm is able to influence the market price of its product by altering the rate of production. Monopolistic competitive firms produce products that are not perfect substitutes or are at least perceived to be different to all other brands products. Unlike in perfect competition, the monopolistic competitive firm does not produce at the lowest possible average total cost. Instead, the firm produces at an inefficient output level, reaping more in additional revenue than it incurs in additional cost versus the efficient output level. There are several kinds of monopolistic practice as follow * Dumping can refer to any kind of predatory pricing. However, the word is now generally used only in the context of international trade law, where dumping is defined as the act of a manufacturer in one country exporting a product to another country at aShow MoreRelatedU.s. Economy s Economy1330 Words   |  6 PagesU.S. ECONOMY U.S. ECONOMY CRISIS Sheryle Leonard Colorado Christian University 2 U.S. ECONOMY Abstract The state of the U.S. economy has an impact on every American. There has been economic depression in this country since the collapse of the housing market in 2007, that has seen widespread unemployment and home foreclosure combined with conservative consumer spending. Research conducted through financial new websites, government reports and survey provided information on where the economy standsRead MoreCanada s Economy And The Economy1026 Words   |  5 PagesCanada’s economy is currently growing and statistics show the economy is expected to continue to grow in the following years. In addition, consumer spending has increased and the housing market conditions have improved. The demand for oil and energy is at an all-time high and the demand is expected to increase through 2017. However, expanded a business into a new market also comes with high risks and potential losses. Major corporations such as Target have tried to enter the Canadian market, butRead MoreThe Asian Economy1443 Words   |  6 PagesThe Asian economy is consisting with exceed the 4.2 billion people in 46 different states. Six other states are partly to Asia, but are considered to belong to another region economically and politically. Asia is the fastest growing economy in the region and the continents largest economy by Gross Domestic Product and purchasing power parity in the world. China is the largest economy in Asia and the second largest economy in the world. Besides, Asia is the site of some of the world’s longest economicRead MoreEconomy of Pakistan1686 Words   |  7 Pagesfactors that are disturbing Pakistan’s Economy: †¢ Poverty †¢ Illiteracy †¢ Corruption Political Instability †¢ Over Population, Unemployment Inflation †¢ International Interference †¢ Terrorism/Extremism †¢ And The Recent Floods ECONOMY HISTORY OF PAKISTAN First five decades When it gained independence in 1947 from UK. Pakistans average economic growth rate since independence has been higher than the average growth rate of the world economy during the period. Average annualRead MoreEconomy of Singapore 1077 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction In this essay we look in-depth on how government strategies and economic policy play a crucial role in the success of High Performance Asian Economies (HPAEs) during 1960 to 1990 (World Bank 1993).There are eight countries within HPAEs: South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Japan. Its economic development has significantly rise that it was name ‘East Asia Miracle’ (World Bank, 1993). Out of the eight country, Singapore, Hong Kong, Taiwan and SouthRead MoreTransition Of An Economy From A Command Economy2200 Words   |  9 Pagestransition of an economy from a command economy to a market oriented/capitalistic economy is a dynamic and difficult process that involves several stages of transformation. Transitioning countries experience different transition stages based on their political and socio-economic background. If we discuss about these economies, we understand that the term â€Å"economies in transition† refers not only to countries that may be emerging from a socialist-type command economy towards a market-based economy but alsoRead MoreEconomy of China625 Words   |  3 Pagesgrade. Nowadays, China become the second-largest economy at the global stage because of the fastest and perpetuated development in standard of living has made in a state with exceeding twenty percent (20%) of the globe’s population. However, China’s economic trans formation is said has no historical law in the angle of steps and scale (Xiaodong, 2012, p. 103). What we want to focus now is the influence of China over Southeast Asia from the aspect of economy and what the foreign policies that involved betweenRead MoreThe Economy Of A Country2852 Words   |  12 Pageshave heard of the economy of a country being either weak or strong. We see trending news on social media about the economy of a given country as either strengthening or weakening. The US is known to be the country with the biggest economy while small economies are associated with most African countries and developing world. What is economy all about and what contributes to its strengthening or weakening? How much does the political system of a country contribute to the economy of that country? HowRead MoreChina Economy7357 Words   |  30 Pagesan average annual rate of nearly 10%. From 1980 to 2011, real GDP grew 19-fold in real terms, real per capita GDP increased 14-fold, and an estimated 500 million people were raised out of extreme poverty. China is now the worldâ€℠¢s second-largest economy and some analysts predict it could become the largest within a few years. Yet, on a per capita basis, China remains a relatively poor country. China’s economic rise has led to a substantial increase in U.S.-China economic ties. According to U.SRead MoreMoldova’s Economy2138 Words   |  9 Pagesof countries in central Europe that is in the process of transitioning economy from a planned to a market economy. Over the years, Moldova has adopted free market policies that are believed to lead the country on a path of economic growth and freedom. Transition economists agree to a number of things involved in the transition process, that countries in this category must embark on, to ensure full transition to a market economy. This process calls forth a drastic restructuring of institutions. As

Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Clinical Reflection free essay sample

This week in clinical I had my first real labor and delivery experience. My patient, RW, was admitted for pre-Eclampsia and headache. She was my first patient to be married and older than me, so my experience was a little different. One of the most striking complications of her pregnancy was her obesity. She had a BMI of 49. 89, which complicated her FHR monitoring, mobility, and labor progression. RW had also had back surgery which was complicated by osteomyelitis, so she would not be able to receive an epidural if the need for a Cesarean delivery arose. If she needed anesthesia, she would have to have general anesthesia. Other complications of pregnancy included her HSV infection from May 2010, her rubella nonimmunity, her history of abuse, and her lack of steady income. Despite all of these problems, the patient’s morale was incredible. She was positive about her pregnancy throughout the entire day even though she experienced a lot of pain. We will write a custom essay sample on Clinical Reflection or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Earlier that morning, she was having problems with cervical dilation. She had dilated to two centimeters, but she had stalled out. The doctors had decided to insert laminaria into the patient’s cervix. The laminaria sticks acted like sponges, and as they absorbed fluid, they dilated the cervix. This dilated her to three centimeters, but even with the pitocin infusion, she didn’t dilate anymore. The next intervention involved a Foley catheter. The resident inserted the catheter into her uterus and filled up the balloon with 4 cc of water. The nurse, Lindsey, was in charge of slowly pulling the inflated catheter out. By the time Lindsey was able to pull out the catheter, the patient would be dilated to 5 centimeters. As Lindsey pointed out, these methods were very â€Å"primitive,† but they certainly got the job done. I really enjoyed working with Lindsey. She was very knowledgeable and always tried to include me in whatever intervention she was performing. I was especially impressed by her relationship with the patient. I would have thought that she and the patient had known each other for years when I first saw them interact. In reality, she had only known the patient for about 48 hours. She really put the patient at ease and opened lines for communication. I hope that I can do the same in my nursing career. Overall, I enjoyed my day in labor and delivery. I learned how to prioritize problem lists for each patient and I got to see a great example of patient-nurse relationships.

Monday, December 2, 2019

The vocabulary terms for Lesson 8 Cell Cycle to help me study. Example For Students

The vocabulary terms for Lesson 8 Cell Cycle to help me study. Term Definition chromatin one of a pair of duplicated chromosome Daughter cell Either of the two (or 4) cells formed when a cell undergoes cell division by mitosis (or meiosis). Mitosis A series of stages in the cell cycle of a somatic (body) cell in which the parent cell divides into 2 new daughter cells that are identical to the parent cell. Cell division The process by which a cell, called a parent cell, divides to form either 2 or 4 daughter cells. Somatic cells Any cell of a sexually reproducing organism that is not a germ cell. Also called a BODY cell. reproduction The process by which organisms sexually or asexually generate new individuals of the same kind gene Hereditary Unit Parent cell A cell that is the source of other cells, as a cell that divides to produce two or more daughter cells. Meiosis A series of stages in the cell cycle of a germ (sex) cell in which the parent cell divides into 4 new daughter cells that are NOT identical to the parent cell. Double Helix shape of DNA, looks like a twisted ladder Interphase The first stage in the cell cycle in which the cell grows and the DNA replicates (makes a copy of itself). Cell Cycle The series of events involving the growth, replication, and division of a cell. Germ cells The reproductive cell of any sexually reproducing organism Also called a SEX cell. centromere where chromatins are joined in a duplicated chromosome

Wednesday, November 27, 2019

Neoliberalism vs. Ordoliberalism essays

Neoliberalism vs. Ordoliberalism essays My notion of democracy is that under it the weakest should have the same opportunity as the strongest.- Mahatma Gandhi. In this paper, I will show the differences between two types of liberal thought, Neoliberalism and Ordoliberalism, that have attempted to achieve Gandhis notion. Merriam-Webster defines Neo-liberalism as a liberal who de-emphasizes traditional liberal doctrines in order to seek progress by more pragmatic methods. Liberalism can refer to any social, economic, or even religious idea, whereas neo refers to a new form of an idea. The first type of liberalism gained recognition in Europe in 1776 by Adam Smith when he published his classic novel, The Wealth of Nations. Smith, along with others, advocated for the abolition of government intervention in economic matters. These included no restrictions on manufacturing, no barriers to commerce, no tariffs, but instead free trade and open competition. These economic ideas were considered liberal since no controls and individualism was encouraged. This however, only led to capitalists making huge profits. Until the Great Depression in 1929, economic liberalism prevailed in the United States. Using the Great Depression as his stepping-stone, John Maynard Keynes challenged liberalism as the best policy for capitalism. He stated that for capitalism to grow, full employment must be achieved. The only way to attain that is for governments and central banks to intervene. The belief that government should intercede became widely accepted as Presidents Roosevelts New Deal improved the quality of life for many. In the past 25 years, economic liberalism has been revived by the corporate elite. This neo-liberalism is a set of new economic policies that have become widespread with the globalization of the capitalist economy. In January of 1997, Elizabeth Martinez and Arnoldo Garcia of the National Network for Immigrant...

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Slippery Slope Fallacy - Definition and Examples

Slippery Slope Fallacy s In informal logic, slippery slope is a  fallacy in which a course of action is objected to on the grounds that once taken it will lead to additional actions until some undesirable consequence results. Also known as the slippery slope argument and the  domino fallacy. The slippery slope is a fallacy, says Jacob E. Van Fleet, precisely because we can never know if a whole series of events and/or a certain result is determined to follow one event or action in particular. Usually, but not always, the slippery slope argument is used as a fear tactic (Informal Logical Fallacies, 2011). Examples and Observations To judge from the news stories, the entire nation is coming to resemble San Francisco after a heavy rainfall. In the press, the phrase slippery slope is more than seven times as common as it was twenty years ago. Its a convenient way of warning of the dire effects of some course of action without actually having to criticize the action itself, which is what makes it a favorite ploy of hypocrites: Not that theres anything wrong with A, mind you, but A will lead to B and then C, and before you know it well be up to our armpits in Z.(Geoff Nunberg, commentary on Fresh Air, National Public Radio, July 1, 2003)The slippery slope fallacy is committed only when we accept without further justification or argument that once the first step is taken, the others are going to follow, or that whatever would justify the first step would, in fact, justify the rest. Note, also, that what some see as the undesirable consequence lurking at the bottom of the slope others may regard as very desirable ind eed.(Howard Kahane and Nancy Cavender, Logic and Contemporary Rhetoric, 8th ed., Wadsworth, 1998) The Slippery Slope of Voluntary EuthanasiaIf voluntary euthanasia were to be legalized it would prove impossible to avoid the legislation, or, at least, toleration, of non-voluntary euthanasia. Even if the former can be justified, the latter clearly cannot. Hence, it is better that the first step (legalizing voluntary euthanasia) not be taken so as to prevent a slide into non-volunteer euthanasia.(John Keown, quoted by Robert Young in Medically Assisted Death. Cambridge University Press, 2007)The Slippery Slope of Public MuralsI hope the art mural at 34th and Habersham will not be allowed. You open the gate for one, you open it for all and youll have it all over the city. A person wanting to paint on buildings is nothing more than upscale graffiti. More than likely it will go too far.(anonymous, Vox Populi. Savannah Morning News, September 22, 2011)All Politics Takes Place on a Slippery SlopeLogicians call the slippery slope a classic logical fallacy. There’s no reason to reje ct doing one thing, they say, just because it might open the door for some undesirable extremes; permitting â€Å"A† does not suspend our ability to say but not B or certainly not Z down the line. Indeed, given the endless parade of imagined horribles one could conjure up for any policy decision, the slippery slope can easily become an argument for doing nothing at all. Yet act we do; as George Will once noted, All politics takes place on a slippery slope.That’s never been more true, it seems, than now. Allowing gay marriage puts us on the slippery slope to polygamy and bestiality, opponents say; gun registration would start us sliding into the unconstitutional morass of universal arms confiscation. An NSA whistle-blower, William Binney, said last week that the agency’s surveillance activities put us on a slippery slope toward a totalitarian state . . .. And this week we’re hearing a similar argument that President Obama’s decision to arm Syrian re bels, however meagerly, has all but doomed us to an Iraq-style debacle . . .. These critics may be right to urge caution, but in their panicked vehemence, they’ve abandoned nuance and succumbed to summoning up worst-case scenarios. UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh points out that metaphors like the slippery slope often start by enriching our vision and end by clouding it. Decriminalizing marijuana doesn’t have to turn the U.S. into a stoner nation, nor does sending M-16s to Syrian rebels inevitably mean boots on the ground in Damascus. But that’s not to say we shouldn’t watch our footing.(James Graff, The Week. The Week, June 28, 2013) The Slippery Slope of Immigration ReformIn a well-meaning effort to curb the employment of illegal aliens, and with the hearty good wishes of editorialists who ordinarily pride themselves on guarding against the intrusion of government into the private lives of individual Americans, Congress is about to take this generations longest step toward totalitarianism.There is no slippery slope toward loss of liberties, insists Senator Alan Simpson of Wyoming, author of the latest immigration bill, only a long staircase where each step downward must be first tolerated by the American people and their leaders.The first step downward on the Simpson staircase to Big-Brotherdom is the requirement that within three years the federal government comes up with a secure system to determine employment eligibility in the United States.Despite denials, that means a national identity card. Nobody who is pushing this bill admits thaton the contrary, all sorts of safeguards and rhetorical warnings about no t having to carry an identity card on ones person at all times are festooned on the bill. Much is made of the use of passports, Social Security cards and drivers licenses as preferred forms of identification, but anyone who takes the trouble to read this legislation can see that the disclaimers are intended to help the medicine go down. . . .Once the down staircase is set in place, the temptation to take each next step will be irresistible.(William Safire, The Computer Tattoo. The New York Times, Sep. 9, 1982)

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Strategic Human Resource Planning Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Strategic Human Resource Planning - Essay Example The researcher states that the organisations in today’s competitive era have realized the importance of human and capital management because both are considered critical for the achievement of long term and short term goals. The HR managers are now focusing on employing right people, at the right position and at the right time with the right set of skills, knowledge and abilities. Shift from personnel management to human resource has called for innovation and change and thus, keeping this in view, organisations are inclined towards strategic human resource planning as the ultimate solution of the challenges being faced by them in this competitive era. Strategic human resource planning is a process in which organisations ensure that the right people are employed with the right skill set. It is ensured that the desired set of behaviour have been developed in them through employee training or development. Organisations probe into these factors to get to know whether their employe e developmental programs are such that can easily lead to the achievement of organisational goals and objectives or they need to employ such people that can lead to successful completion of tasks. Human resource planning refers to identifying and analysing the availability of human resources for the purpose of ensuring whether an organisation can achieve its intended goals and objectives. It is a complex process and requires specialized skills in the field of planning because it relies heavily on identifying the right set of people with the right skill set. ... It allows managers to evaluate whether they have the right set of people with the right skill set to pursue their organisational strategy. Secondly, it envisioned managers regarding firms’ resources both financial and human capital because these are two of the most important resources that help in the execution of the strategies once they have been devised by the concerned executives. Strategic Human Resource Plan Managers at Jim Cleaning aim at linking their strategic planning process with human resource planning because they are aware of the fact that employees are valuable assets of any organisation and thus, it is required that there should be a proper strategic HR plan devised that depicts a guideline for the employees as to how to move towards achieving their organisational goals and objectives. According to (Snell &Bohlander, 48), following are the steps involved in developing a Strategic HR plan and keeping in view steps the managers at Jim Cleaning proposed for the HR strategic plan. Step 1: Analysing mission, vision and core values The first step involved in developing strategic HR plan is to develop mission and vision statement. Mission statement shows the purpose of existence of the organisation whereas the vision statement shows that what an organisation aspires to become in near future. These statements help organisations to develop their strategic goals and objectives whereas the core values of an organisation provide managers with principles and beliefs that aid them in decision making process. Step 2: Environmental Scanning The second step involved in developing strategic HR plan is environmental screening. Managers at Jim Cleaning are very much concerned regarding

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

ROI social commerce Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

ROI social commerce - Essay Example In the modern business environment, social media provides a great opportunity for commerce because of the large audiences that this media draws. But business organizations grapple with how to determine the returns from investing in social media given that it does not give direct returns like the other known forms of investment. Indeed, the benefits accrued from investing in social media could be determined and this paper seeks to elaborate on how to make this achievement. The Big Five – Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Pinterest - as referred to as by Marsden and Chaney (2012) provide sales opportunities in the emerging social economy. Social commerce has increasingly been adopted by organizations to reach out to wider market coverage more effectively. Griffin (2009) refers to such a strategy as social commerce which the scholar defines as harnessing the wisdom of many from the Internet to assist shoppers in finding and buying products and services. The driving force b ehind this is the social media, which can no longer be considered as a fad but a part of today’s consumers’ daily lives. ... The commerce aspect appreciates the need for human intervention for a sale to take place (Clapperton, 2012). Increasingly adopted by organizations’ sales arms, social commerce provides a critical online sales strategy for firms as customers seek for fast product search tools. How to Use Social Media in Social Commerce Having the social media as the business tool and the great audience that comes with it would not be adequate in entirety. There has to be effective strategies in which organizations engage this audience through social media so as to convert the normal activities on the media into opportunities for sale. This is an aspect that organizations need to be well versed in as in the near future, social media would be so enshrined in regular business communication and would only be beneficial to those with effective conversion strategies. The first way in which social media would be used in social commerce involves sharing. According to Marsden and Chaney (2012), organiza tions now create sharable content allowing customers to easily share links on their products or important website pages by placing buttons that would enable the ‘like’ function for Facebook, ‘share by email’ or ‘Tweet’. Social sharing gives the ability for users to share content posted on the organization’s website to their social profiles. Additionally, it allows for inclusion of comments on the item that has been shared. Therefore, social sharing provides an effective way of driving traffic back to the organization’s site. Secondly, social media could be used as an effective tool to collect feedback through the ratings and reviews on products. While social sharing by word of mouth

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Review Questions Essay Example for Free

Review Questions Essay Answer the following questions: 1) What is the difference between a task dependency and a task constraint? When it comes to the differences between a task dependency and task constraint, it depends on the time. A task dependency joins two tasks by saying that one task begins relative to a different task. A constraint just puts the correlation directly to a time rather than base it off the time another task is done. 2) Give a real-world situation when you might used the following task constraints: a) Start No Earlier Than – An example could be with government related projects. Many of these projects take years to complete and have to require a specific amount of the year’s budget to be used for the project. You could put a constraint on a project so that the government won’t go over budget and just start tasks the next year. b) Start No Later Than – A project’s resources can be requisitioned ahead of time, and then can be paid for and picked up later from the company who are selling the resources. These people might require the money by a certain date. This can assure that setting a start no later then constraint pays the resources before the hold on the materials is lifted. c) Finish No Later Than – This can happen if there is a set date for a project to finish it would be wise to set up milestone tasks with finish no later than constraints as to increase the importance of keeping on time. A Christmas party would be a good example, because you it has no room to finish late. d) Finish No Earlier Than – This can happen if a company wants to roll over a project to have it be part of a second year’s budget, and putting this constraint on it can do that. e) Must Finish On – This can happen if there is a set date for something like gathering materials that cannot be changed. This would be a good example of when to add this constraint to that task. f) Must Start On – This can happen when wanting to set up a project that involved a rigorous time constraints like when planning a wedding where it is important to make sure that the beginning stages must have enough time to make sure that everything wasn’t taken taken. g) As Late As Possible – There can be a situation where an employee is paid hourly, but that person works better under pressure so it would be beneficial to start his tasks as late as possible. With this constraint, you can get the most work done for the least amount of money. 3) What is the importance of a baseline? The project baseline is an original overview of the project in terms of schedule, cost, and scope. The main importance of the project baseline is that it can be used to see how much, throughout the project, we are deviating from the original schedule, cost, and scope. 4) What is an interim plan? An interim plan is known as a set of current project data that a user saves after the project begins. A user can then compare the interim plan against the baseline to assess the progress of the project. Turn in this sheet with your MS Project file to the Week 6 iLab Dropbox.

Friday, November 15, 2019

Corporate Sponsored Education: The Limits Of Social Responsibility Essa

Corporate Sponsored Education: The Limits Of Social Responsibility ABSTRACT: The business sector increasingly subsidizes financially challenged institutions. Representative examples would include health care, major sports arenas, and penal facilities. Among the recent beneficiaries of corporate largesse are schools. Such assistance blurs social roles and raises serious moral concerns, especially those of moral agency. Education, more so than other social institutions, determines the kind of citizen and moral character a person can become. Put differently, education operates on virtue development that may override the fiscal logic of profit-maximization practiced by corporations. In this paper I argue that whatever benefit received by struggling schools is short-lived by comparison to the long range influence achieved by a corporation via advertisements that affect the psychological preferences of children. I contend that this makes the exchange unfair insofar as it violates the autonomy of the student. Education should provide a free and open atmosp here in which critical points of view are discussed. If corporations are permitted untrammeled access to schools, social views may become one-dimensional. Economic salvation would effectively trade on the moral failure of schools. The familiar debate over corporate social responsibility draws against the classical view of Milton Friedman that the sole responsibility of corporations is to its stockholders. This narrow view eschews corporate social responsibility for the maximization of profits whereby society would be the indirect beneficiary of market capitalism. In contrast, the broader view held by Richard DeGeorge, Tom Donaldson, and Norman Bowie argue that corporations have... ...Press, 1996) p. 12. (3) David Brewster. Weekly Washington, p. 6, 1997. (4) Alex Molnar, p. 66. (5) D. Stead. New York Times, January 5, 1997, p. 33. (6) John Kenneth Galbraith. "The Dependence Effect," in Beauchamp and Bowie, p. 500. (7) Robert Arrington. "Advertising and Behavior Control." In Business Ethics, (Ed.) Thomas I. White. (New York: Macmillan Publishing Co., 1993) p. 578. (8) See Henry Frankfurt. "Freedom of the Will and the Concept of a Person." Journal of Philosophy, LXVIII (1971), 5-20. (9) Richard L. Lippke. "Advertising and the Social Conditions of Autonomy." In Thomas I. White, p. 586. (10) See Lynn Sharp Paine. "Children as Consumers: An Ethical Evaluation of Children's Television Advertising." In Thomas I. White, p. 619. (11) Ibid., p. 622. (12) Ibid., p. 623. (13) P. Applebome. New York Times, March 16, 1997, p. E5.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

A Natural-Resource-Based View of the Firm

There has been an active debate among management scholars concerning the relative importance of internal firm capabilities (e.g., Galbraith & Kazanjian, 1986; Peters & Waterman, 1982; Prahalad & Hamel, 1990) versus environmental factors (e.g., Hannan & Freeman, 1977; Pfeffer & Salancik, 1978: Porter, 1980, 1990) to sustained competitive advantage. Evidence suggests, however, that both internal and external factors are crucial to competitive success (Fiegenbaum, Hart, & Schendel, In press; Hansen & Wernerfelt, 1989).In fact, many recent contributions attempt an integration of the internal and external perspectives under the banner of the â€Å"resource-based† view of the firm (e.g., Barney, 1991; Wernerfelt, 1984). Resource-based theory takes the perspective that valuable, costly-to-copy firm resources and capabilities provide the key sources of sustainable competitive advantage.Without question, the resource-based view has generated a productive dialogue among previously isola ted perspectives (Conner, 1991). However, this theory (like its more limited internal and external predecessors) still contains one serious omission: It systematically ignores the constraints imposed by the biophysical (natural) environment (e.g., Brown, Kane, & Roodman, 1994: Meadows, Meadows, & Randers, 1992).Historically, management theory has used a narrow and parochial concept of environment that emphasizes political, economic, social, and technological aspects to the virtual exclusion of the natural environment (Shrivastava, 1994; Shrivastava. & Hart, 1992: Stead & Stead, 1992).Given the growing magnitude of ecological problems, however, this omission has rendered existing theory inadequate as a basis for identifying important emerging sources of competitive advantage. The goal of this article is, therefore, to insert the natural environment into the resource-based view–to develop a natural-resource-based view of the firm.Accordingly, the first section of the paper revi ews resource-based theory, highlighting the relationships among firm resources, capabilities, and sources of competitive advantage. Next, I discuss the driving forces behind the natural-resource-based view–the growing scale and scope of human activity and its potential for irreversible environmental damage on a global scale.The natural-resource-based view is then developed with the connection between the environmental challenge and firm resources operationalized through three interconnected strategic capabilities: pollution prevention, product-stewardship, and sustainable development. Propositions are then developed connecting these strategies to key resource requirements and sustained competitive advantage. The article closes with suggestions for a future research agenda.THE RESOURCE-BASED VIEWResearchers in the field of strategic management have long understood that competitive advantage depends upon the match between distinctive internal (organizational) capabilities and c hanging external (environmental) circumstances (Andrews, 1971; Chandler, 1962: Hofer & Schendel, 1978; Penrose, 1959).However, it has only been during the past decade that a bona: fide theory, known as the resource-based view of the firm, has emerged, articulating the relationships among firm resources, capabilities, and competitive advantage. Figure 1 provides a graphical summary of these relationships and some of the key authors associated with the core ideas.The concept of competitive advantage has been treated extensively in the management literature. Porter (1980, 1985) thoroughly developed the concepts of cost leadership and differentiation relative to competitors as two important sources of competitive advantage: a low-cost position enables n firm to use aggressive pricing and high sales volume, whereas a differentiated product creates brand loyalty and positive reputation, facilitating premium pricing.Decisions concerning timing (e.g., moving early versus late) and commitmen t level(e.g., entering on a large scale versus more incrementally) also are crucial in securing competitive advantage (Ghemawat, 1986: Lieberman & Montgomery, 1988).If a firm makes an early move or a large-scale move, it is sometimes possible to preempt competitors by setting new standards or gaining preferred access to critical raw materials, locations, production capacity, or customers.Preemptive commitments thus enable firms to gain a strong focus and dominate a particular niche, either through lower costs, differentiated products, or both(Ghemawat, 1986; Porter, 1980). Finally, Hamel and Prahalad(1989, 1994) have emphasized the importance of â€Å"competing for the future† as a neglected dimension of competitive advantage.According to this view, the firm must be concerned not only with profitability in the present and growth in the medium term, but also with its future position and source of competitive advantage. This view requires explicit strategizing about how the fir m will compete when its current strategy configuration is either copied or made obsolete.The connection between firms' capabilities and competitive advantage also has been well established in literature. Andrews (1971) and, later, Hofer and Schendel (1978) and Snow and Hrebiniak (1980) noted the centrality of â€Å"distinctive competencies† to competitive success.More recently, Prahalad and Hamel (1990) and Ulrich and Lake (1991) reemphasized the strategic importance of identifying, managing, and leveraging â€Å"core competencies† rather than focusing only on products and markets in business planning.The resource-based view takes this thinking one step further: It posits that competitive advantage can be sustained only if the capabilities creating the advantage are supported by resources that are not easily duplicated by competitors. In other words, firms' resources must raise â€Å"barriers to imitation† (Rumelt, 1984).Thus, resources are the basic units of an alysis and include physical and financial assets as well as employees' skills and organizational (social) processes. A firm's capabilities result from bundles of resources being brought to bear on particular value-added tasks (e.g., design for manufacturing, just-in-time production).Although the terminology has varied(Peteraf, 1993), there appears to be general agreement in the management literature about the resource characteristics that contribute to a firm's sustained competitive advantage.At the most basic level, such resources must be valuable (i.e., rent producing) and nonsubstitutable (Barney, 1991: Dierickx & Cool, 1989). In other words, for a resource to have enduring value, it must contribute to a firm capability that has competitive significance and is not easily accomplished through alternative means. Next, strategically important resources must be rare and/or specific to a given firm (Barney, 1991; Reed & DeFillippi, 1990).That is, they must not be widely distributed wi thin an industry and/or must be closely identified with a given organization, making them difficult to transfer or trade (e.g., a brand image or an exclusive supply arrangement). Although physical and financial resources may produce a temporary advantage for a firm, they often can be readily acquired on factor markets by competitors or new entrants. Conversely, a unique path through history may enable a firm to obtain unusual and valuable resources that cannot be easily acquired by competitors (Barney, 1991).Finally, and perhaps most important, such resources must be difficult to replicate because they are either tacit (causally ambiguous) or socially complex (Teece, 1987; Winter, 1987).Tacit resources are skill based and people intensive. Such resources are â€Å"invisible† assets based upon learning-by-doing that are accumulated through experience and refined by practice (Itami, 1987; Polanyi, 1962). Socially complex resources depend upon large numbers of people or teams en gaged in coordinated action such that few individuals, if any, have sufficient breadth of knowledge to grasp the overall phenomenon (Barney, 1991; Reed & DeFillippi, 1990).The strategic significance of firms' resources and capabilities has been heightened by recent observations that companies that are better able to understand, nurture, and leverage core competencies outperform those that are preoccupied with more conventional approaches to strategic business planning (Prahalad & Hamel, 1990).However, a firm's commitment to the existing competency base also may make it difficult to acquire new resources or capabilities. Put another way, the resource-based view may lead to an organization that is like the proverbial â€Å"child with a hammer†- everything starts looking like a nail. Technological discontinuities or shifts in external circumstances may render existing competencies obsolete or. at a minimum, invite the rapid development of new resources (Tushman & Anderson, 1986) .Under such circumstances, core competencies might become â€Å"core rigidities† (Leonard-Barton, 1992). In this article, I argue that one of the most important drivers of new resource and capability development for firms will be the constraints and challenges posed by the natural (biophysical) environment.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Raw- Power

It could be from being born into families with royalty or wealth, or having the ability to influence or control the behavior of a person. Power is a fundamental theme throughout the novel â€Å"Raw† as It Is outlined in the novel by quoting â€Å"Concentration camps† and â€Å"Gun-toting guards†. Through this, It Is evident that Brett equates power with these Images but by the end of the novel, he learns that power is not merely vested Institutions but may come from within.The theme of power is first introduced In the story when the author uses symbolism. From the quote â€Å"the red and blue lights of a police car†, we witness the tension between the individual and the powerful authorities. The theme of power Is also highlighted In the novel when the police do not call young offenders Like Brett by their own name. â€Å"This one†, â€Å"Pigs†, â€Å"No hoppers†, â€Å"The prisoner† are Indeed language used by both authorities a nd offenders, Indicates much about attitude and deserve close attention.The police are spoken In derogative terms and the police also do the same. Names do matter but in the novel, we see that the individuals are reduced to types. By not using names, the individual is more demoralized and a more powerful stance may be achieved. Although it seems like all power comes from the authority, Tyson and the others also offer another source of power. This can be seen when Brett quotes â€Å"l don't think this is working†. Through this, it is evident that Tyson provides illegitimate power in that they are powerful through sheer force and aggression.Their presence seems to suggest to Brett that reform institutions so not work. Monk also tries to offer a more realistic image of the institution. â€Å"Even in here he couldn't escape†, demonstrates that the drug dealing continues. While there may be flaws in the system, individuals such as Sam are genuine in their efforts to provide a second chance for offenders who have previously been in trouble with society. Monk also offers a real setting which does fail for some individuals such as Tyson. This makes Beret's possible bright future all the more a victory.

Friday, November 8, 2019

Separation of Powers in New Zealand

Separation of Powers in New Zealand Free Online Research Papers The three branches; the executive, the legislature and the judiciary of government, should be separate, unique and equal. There should be a clear separation between the people and functions of the legislature, executive and judiciary. As Montesquieu said â€Å"that each function should be exercised individually by three institutions; When the legislative and executive powers are united in the same person or in the same body of magistrates, there can be no liberty, because apprehensions may arise, lest the same monarch or senate should enact tyrannical laws to execute them in tyrannical manner. Again there is no liberty if the judiciary power be not separated from legislative and executive.† However this does not mean that the bodies should have no power over each other, what is required is a â€Å"check and balance† system between them. If the branches were completely separate it would be unworkable, particularly as the Parliament is Supreme. There should be sufficient interplay between the branches, for example, the executive proposes legislation, Parliament debates and passes the law, and the judiciary upholds the Acts of Parliament. In the United States there is a formal separation of powers, with a deliberate system of checks and balances. Even in a constitution built on principle of the separation of powers, the separation cannot be absolute. There is separation of personnel between the Executive and the Legislature. The legislature controls the levying of taxes and allocation of the funds and can therefore cut off funds to executive policies and project of which Congress do not approve. The Supreme Court of United States has the power to declare legislation unconstitutional. Both the Supreme Court and the President are subject to removal by impeachment in the legislature, Hubbard, Thomas and Varnham, (2010). In New Zealand there is no formal separation of powers. Legislature/Executive There is no separation between the executive and legislature nor do many of the checks and balances exist. Hubbard et al. (2010).There is no separation of personnel between the Executive and the Legislature. The Governor-General is formal head of the executive branch and required to assent legislation before it becomes law. The MMP electoral system and the strong select committee system to ensure that the Executive does not dominate the legislature There is evidence of mixing function between the Executive and the Legislature. The legislature’s ability to delegate its law making powers to executive branch, â€Å"Parent Statutes† is the specific example of delegation of powers, McDowell and Webb, (2002). Legislature/Judiciary There is no common membership between the two branches of government. In all circumstances Judiciary is considered to be subordinate to Parliamentary control and Parliament can exercise its supreme law making power to check judicial decision. Parliamentary supremacy is clear as it may enact any law that it pleases and courts must apply the law and cannot question it. There is no power by which Judiciary can exercise any control over legislature. But courts can only exercise law making powers by interpreting legislation, developing legal principles through the common law and precedent and pronouncement of fundamental rights, McDowell and Webb, (2002). Executive/judiciary In limited circumstances, there may be an overlap in membership between them, e.g. High Court Judges may be called upon to exercise an executive function as Royal Commissioner for a commission of enquiry. On the other hand Judges are appointed by the members of the executive ( the Chief Justice is nominated by Prime Minister and Cabinet). Executive functions are capable of being limited by judiciary by way of administrative law and judicial review, McDowell and Webb, (2002). Conclusion As from all above it is clear that the New Zealand government system lack full application of theory separation of powers due to Westminster system. How ever it is not possible to adopt full separation of power but it is necessary and important to have close and coordinated interaction and must have check and balance system among the three parts of government to work effectively. References Hubbard, J., Thomas, C. Varnham, S. (2010). Principles of law for New Zealand business students (4th ed.). North Shore, New Zealand: Pearson. McDowell, M. Webb, D. (2002). The New Zealand legal system, structures, Processes legal theory (3rd ed.). Wellington, New Zealand: LexisNexis Butterworths. Montesquieu, C.L. (1748) Esprit des Lois, Book XI Ch. VI. Research Papers on Separation of Powers in New ZealandAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaQuebec and CanadaPETSTEL analysis of IndiaOpen Architechture a white paperCapital PunishmentComparison: Letter from Birmingham and CritoThe Effects of Illegal ImmigrationThe Project Managment Office SystemNever Been Kicked Out of a Place This NiceIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in Capital

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

To colon or to semicolon - Emphasis

To colon or to semicolon To colon or to semicolon The colon is a common cause of bellyache. The semicolon can leave people dazed and confused. But rather than cutting them completely from your punctuation diet, refer to the following guidelines and youll soon find just the right dosage for all your writing needs. The colon The colon is very useful for introducing things, for example: * bullet points * lists within your text, eg I learned three things from this article: how to use colons, how to use semicolons, and that the writer liked extended metaphors. * long, indented quotes. It can also act like an arrow, pointing the reader on from a statement to the reason for, or outcome of, that statement. For example: she was elated to know what those two little dots were for: she started using them with confidence and glee. The system here always implies a link between the two sections, and can be generally summed up as: * cause: effect, or * fact: explanation. In UK English, always use lower case after a colon. (American style guides usually recommend the opposite.) The only exception is if you are introducing bullet points that are each full sentences. The semicolon Think of the semicolon as the super comma: they act in a similar way, but indicate a longer pause. They can also be used to show a link between parallel ideas. Use them to separate long phrases in a list when at least one of the phrases contains a comma, eg My favourite mediums for writing semicolons are: crayons; 2B pencils; fountain pens, in blue or black; and, obviously, huge magic markers. Semicolons are also good for linking two related clauses. In this way, the semicolon replaces the word and or but eg I prefer the explanation about colons; Denise prefers the semicolon section. So dont be afraid: used fairly sparingly, these two punctuation marks can bring much more clarity and variety to your documents. Bon appà ©tit!

Sunday, November 3, 2019

Equality and Rights Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Equality and Rights - Assignment Example This leads us to respond to the second question regarding which one between rights and equality comes first. From the foregoing description of equality, human rights can be said to enshrine the very tenets of equality. In other words, recognition of equality comes first before declaration of human rights laws to embrace and protect the recognized equality (Vandenhole 52). From a global angle, racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and many related intolerance that have confronted many nations can thus be said to have been due to lack of provision and recognition of the existing equal opportunity for growth (Vandenhole 78). However, the preservation of rights is important since by protecting human rights, human equality and other factors that relate to human relationships and coexistence are also protected constitutionally (Vandenhole 83). Based on the earlier argument, for this reason, when asked as to whether the UN declaration was aimed at protecting human rights or equality? One would be quick to concede the argument presented by Vandenhole (123) that the declaration’s objective was to protect the human right. This is because by protecting the human rights, the declaration would protect within its protective claws the equality of every individual under its umbrella. The declaration was thus intended to embrace the nation’s civil rights and subsequently see to it that disparate unequal treatment of individuals especially in criminal justice systems across the globe ceases to be (Vandenhole 176). However, regressing to the lifestyle led by the founding fathers of the declaration, an opposite of the declaration comes into a picture. The founders were far from achieving a complete equality neither did they give equal opportunity to people different from their own (Vandenhole

Friday, November 1, 2019

Bulla Ice Cream Situation Analysis Research Paper

Bulla Ice Cream Situation Analysis - Research Paper Example The first commercial ice-cream was produced in Australia in 1907 (Unilever, 2010). Streets ice-cream marked the beginning of the ice-cream industry in Australia in 1920 (Unilever, 2011). This was subsequently taken over by Unilever and is now one of the biggest and best known manufacturers with brands such as Magnum, Paddle Pop and Blue Ribbon. This was the first ice-cream available on sticks and today Magnum sells about 1 billion units per year. 2. Market Statistics Positive change in both value and volume in the Ice-cream sales (Appendix A) in Australia suggests that economic downturn ash not impacted the sales of this luxury food item. Sale has increased by about 9% in value 2 years from 2007 and about 5% in volume. However, there have been significant increases in the sales of tubs (23.2% by volume) while the sales of multipacks and desserts have declined. Again, while Nestle and Unilever have seen declining sales, Bulla’s sales in two years has increased almost one hundre d percent. All other brands such as Weis and Sara Lee have seen sales decline over this period. Amongst the popular brands those of Nestle – Peters Original and Peters Light & Creamy have steadily declined. Brands such as Bulla Real Dairy, Bulla Ribbon and Bulla Creamy Classic have almost doubled in two years. Bulla Ribbon has registered the highest growth (more than 100%). 3. Business Environment Political Australia has very low risk of political stability and the country ranks third in the world for political stability (NSW, 2011). This makes it a safe investment location. Australia is a constitutional democracy based on federal division of powers. Economical Australia offers an environment that encourages freedom of speech and freedom from internal control (MIEPA, n.d.). Business investment and foreign entrepreneurship is encouraged in all sectors. Despite economic downturn ice-cream continues to be an affordable indulgence for the Australians leading to a sustained growth of 3% in 2010 (Euromonitor International, 2010). The ice-cream industry shows an increase at an annualized rate of 2.3% to $485 million in the five years through 2010-11 (Ibisworld, 2011). Socio-cultural – health and wellness products are in high demand and shape the performance of indulgence and impulsive purchase such as increase-creams (Euromonitor International, 2010). This is the reason that despite constrained consumer spending sales remained robust. Impulse ice-cream is identified as a quintessential activity in Australia and a key aspect of Australian life. However, as the consumers have become health-conscious innovative product lines and adapting to changing consumer trends has become important. Technological Australia has the latest technology in ice-cream production and research is an on-going process in Australia. Competition Unilever continues to dominate the entire Asia-Pacific market in ice-creams having 8.6% of the total market share (Appendix B). Nestle and Bulla Dairy are the other two main contenders in this sector 4. Bulla Ice Cream analysis Bulla Dairy is an Australian-owned family business that constantly introduces new products based on technological innovation. Started in 1910, the organization sells its products all over Australia and also exports throughout Asia and the Pacific region. It has diverse range of products categorized into Retail, Foodservice, Route and Export. Yoghurt, ice-creams, cheese and cream are its specialties.

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

STRATEGIES USED BY THE POLICE TO DEAL WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN Research Paper

STRATEGIES USED BY THE POLICE TO DEAL WITH ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION IN BETHLEHEM, FREE STATE - Research Paper Example 72). The sample size is chosen as 20 police personnel from the Namibian Police and the Ethiopian Police departments. The sample size is chosen such because this is adequately representative of the entire population (Moore and McCabe, 2005, p. 136). A purposive sampling process is used for choosing the sample size which is a non-probability sampling process. This sampling process focuses on identifying the sample group which has the characteristics most relevant to the research (Creswell, 1994, p. 52). The collected data for the semi structured interviews are analysed to suitably interpret them. The collected data are interpreted through the use of reasoning as well as comparative techniques of data analysis. Also, comprehending the responses and synthesising the responses with the research objectives is done for proper data analysis. The ethical considerations made in the research are in accordance to the policy of research ethics as defined by UNISA. The principles of human dignity, social justice, equality and morality are adequately considered in the report (Brynard and Hanekom, 1997, p. 69). The dignity and privacy of the participants as well as the groups on which the research is carried out are accordingly maintained. The methods of research and the data analysis techniques have been selected for the research after mapping the research objectives with the scopes and boundaries of the research (Jarrat, 1996). The research process is chosen to be qualitative with the use of semi structured interviews of a sample size selected by purposive sampling. This is deemed to be the most feasible and appropriate way for conducting this research in the social domain (Tabachnick and Fidell, 2007, p. 81). According to Amadou (2009), male initiation is common in South Africa (Amadou, 2009, p. 18). The initiation process is a tradition for passage to

Monday, October 28, 2019

Social construction of environmental issues

Social construction of environmental issues Introduction The environment refers to the central part that links the ecological, political, social, economic and technological aspects. It is a component that integrates these spheres into a whole. This integration is necessary as none of these spheres can work without the others; they mutually depend on each other for the common good of the whole. Despite this, the environment is exposed to major destruction factors stemming from its utility and exploitation mostly by the same humans who depend on it (Reid and Paul 2005). Extensive and long-term destruction exposes the environment to continued degradation which then becomes irreversible at some point due to permanent destruction. Environmental issues refer to the consequences that arise as a result of reduced resilience to destruction by the environment (Reid and Paul 2005, pp.28-36). These issues are diverse and include factors such as, resource use conflicts, environmental degradation, global warming, pollution, species extinction among others. Our focus on environmental issues however targets the impacts of the social sphere on the environment. The social aspect considers the consequences arising from human to human interaction that indirectly impact on the environment as well as human nature interactions that contribute to a change in the functioning of the environment. As Bass (2000) asserts, humans obtain a good percentage of their livelihoods from the environment. These quantities are however variable. Poverty is a social condition that plays a vital role in molding the state of the environment. It has become an environmental issue due to the nature and impact of activities associated with it. It is expressed as a state where individuals who earn below a certain benchmark are said to be poverty stricken. This benchmark is what is known as the poverty line. Currently, the poverty line puts individuals who earn less than a dollar a day as poor. Poverty is driven by forces such as explosive population growth rates, corruption, high living standards and high inflation rates (Bass 2000). From an environmental perspective, poverty is both a cause and effect of environmental degradation. Poor people are mostly indigenous people, that is, they interact directly with the environment for their survival. They are therefore vulnerable in the sense that when they are deprived of a certain resource useful to them, their livelihoods are impacted on negatively to a large extent. Population explosions exist mostly in poverty stricken environments (Mink 1999). High birth rates are a common scenario in low income places. This is because health risks are high as people are unable to afford basic health requirements and maintain high levels of sanitation. Due to this, individuals opt to increase the population of their children whereby the death of one can be substituted by the survival of the others. High populations further result in environmental stress as the resources available in the environment are fixed while population levels continue to increase exponentially. From Erhlichs (2002) perspective environmental stress is felt where the carrying capacity is strained due to inadequate resources such as water that are available as demand for them grows at an alarming rate. This stress is also felt where increased numbers of people look for settlement areas and therefore encroach on pristine and fragile ecosystems like the forests and arid and semi arid lands. T his then tampers with ecological balance in these zones. Encroaching into arid and semi arid areas results in exposing these areas to desert like conditions due to land degradation. The degraded environment accelerates the process of impoverishment. Deforestation-Poverty And Environment Nexus Deforestation is one activity carried out to pave way for settlement of increasing populations. It is an activity where trees are cut down without being backed by afforestation. This leads to the extinction of valuable species of both fauna and flora. Deforestation causes environmental degradation where commercial logging is embedded in the policies of a nation for purposes of earning revenue to boost the Gross Domestic Product (Tomich 2001, p.18). Commercial timber benefits driven by government policies as incentives for deforestation in the Himalayas are one example that expounds on this issue. Countries attempting to improve the living standards of their citizens through this contribute to environmental deterioration of their local environments. In Africa especially Central and East Africa, deforestation is common and reduces the pristine tropical forests into shells as indigenous and endemic tree species are exploited for timber, fuel wood, herbal medicine and production of wooden artifacts (Grainger 2000). Deforestation also takes place for agricultural expansion. Shifting cultivation promotes the slash and burn approach where trees and shrubs are cut down to provide room for cultivation of crops with high market demands. Grainger (2000) observe that this technique results in excessive soil deterioration as it reduces land cover thus exposing the soil to high rates of soil erosion. The conversion of forests for cattle ranching and mechanized agriculture has also contributed to an environmental crisis. This is common in the Less Developed Countries where agriculture is the main foreign revenue earner as products are exported. In the attempt to meet the needs of its people, these countries practice the aforementioned activities. The production of agricultural commodities such as coffee, tea, among others is driven by market forces of demand and supply. The need to create grazing land for cattle ranching is also driven by the demand of dairy and meat products. These fields are overgrazed exposing fertile soils to soil erosion mechanisms (Balu 1996). Impact Of Education Education which is the acquisition of knowledge is important in the restoration, maintenance and conservation of the environment. This education may be acquired formally through modern acquisition methods such as being taught in class by trainers or informally through indigenous knowledge acquisition techniques. High poverty levels hinder the acquisition of this knowledge due to lack of resources such as reading materials and facilities like classrooms to spearhead the acquisition process. When this knowledge is not acquired, the environment is left at risk. It is exploited ignorantly and individuals usually end up with less environmental resources for use. Education is important to help communities reduce their overdependence on the immediate environment (Orr 2004). Deforestation is not entirely a cause of natural resource depletion. When carried out sustainably, deforestation can provide essential needs to people. However, knowledge of sustainable application is mostly obtained from education. Clean energy such as biogas can be adopted to provide substantial quantities of gas. The simple mechanism can be practically trained to community members. In order for relevant education to take place, resources such s human resources, delivery services, financial services and facilities have to be available for use. Human resources involve trainers who have the ability to create a learning environment for people so as to pass on information. Teachers or trainers are competent and understand the needs of local people hence train people on viable exploitation and conservation practices to prevent exploitation that leads to poverty (Wiseman 1999). On the other hand, financial resources are necessary for provision of education whereby funding for reading materials, tuition fees among others is essential. Lack of funds usually denies an individual the ability to acquire appropriate education hence poverty sets in. The facilitation of education is vital where delivery of services is provided (Orr 2004). In some Least Developed Countries, delivery of education services to remote areas is inevitable whereby people have to travel for long distances just to reach schools or in the case where the teacher has to a certain location and lacks transport. This therefore leads to denial of education. Another aspect hat promotes lack of acquisition of education is gender bias. Women are denied a chance to education. The boy child is seen as the epitome of the society hence given priority in accessing education {Wiseman 1999}. It has also become a cultural taboo to educate the girl child hence all these aspects contribute to increase in poverty levels. Lack of education increases poverty in such a way that one is denied access to jobs due to lack of basic skills and knowledge that enable one to gain access to jobs. This leads to crude methods that individuals will adopt to satisfy their livelihoods. Such crude methods include overexploitation of agricultural land, forests and other natural resources at large. Food Insecurity, Poverty And The Environment Food security exists when all people at all times have physical and economic access to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life (Food and Agriculture Organization). Food insecurity stages vary from food secure situations to total famine. Famine and hunger are deeply-rooted in food insecurity. This insecurity may be chronic whereby there is a high degree of vulnerability to famine and hunger or transitional which may be short term in nature. Food security situations eliminate this kind of vulnerability. Chronic food insecurity is characterized by undernourishment and is known to exist mostly in poor countries (Clay 2004). Inadequate human resource development inhibits peoples capacity to grow and/ or purchase the needed food. Human resource development for agriculture is usually facilitated by agricultural extension agents who provide professional agricultural information that enables maximum agricultural produce. Lack of these agents brings about food insecurity in the sense that maximum benefits are not acquired by farmers. Balu (1996), details that farmers acquire sustainable and professional advice through technical transfer, advisory work, human resource development and empowerment. Technical transfer involves a process whereby technical assistance is provided by governments towards technical issues that affect farmers such as funding, of equipment; advisory work is usually provided by private organizations and governments to give advice on issues pertaining to what crop to plant on what type of soil, methods of harvesting, planting and how to use certain equipment. Human resource development is mostly necessitated by university students and trainers who are competent in the agricultural field to farmers who cannot afford access to extension services. The empowerment of farmers integrates the participatory approach which ensures that farmers acquire practical skills relevant to increase their production capacities. With presence of extension services, food insecurity problems can be effectively minimized. The extension services are affected by poverty in the sense that; there are few extension agents. The ratio of extension agents to farmers is 1:1000; lack of adequate delivery services to deliver extension services to farmers. These are evidences of poverty in that lack of funding to support the provision of adequate extension agents and lack of funds to cater for transportation services. Poverty also causes lack of funds for training and extension materials and tools. This leads to food insecurity since maximum agricultural produces are not at tained (Clay 2004). Due to poor exploitation mechanisms, environmental degradation has been characterized by degraded natural resources. Soils for example have been degraded as a result of poor agricultural practices such as cultivating on hill slopes ad close to river banks; forests have been deforested to meet the daily needs of the people; fisheries have been exposed to siltation situations due to soil erosion, this has reduced immensely the survival of fishes. All these have been capitalized by poverty as individuals aim at satisfying heir immediate needs without caring about the impact of their activities on the overall state of the environment. As envisioned by Balu (1996), the food insecurity scenario has been compounded by population growth. Land fragmentation is evident in areas where inheritance is widely practiced. The male siblings of households are entitled to a portion of the family land. With the current populations approximating 3billion people, the agricultural land faces fragmentation problems which contribute to the reduction of available food resources as agricultural land is subdivided into small portions thus only small scale farming is practiced. There is also a general increase in consumer demand for food products. India and China are the leading countries of this demand (Mink 1999). The United States of America has only 1million farmers who are less than 1% of the countrys population. This increased demand outshines the supply curve resulting in less available food resources to cater for the general population. Furthermore, there is a high demand for non food products such as cotton for the production of clothes for people in the world over. This high demand for such resources has resulted in farmers opting to produce them as they boost there levels of income (Kenneth and Piet 2007). They convert their field to produce these instead of food products as food crops do not garner up as much profits as non food crops like cotton which are influenced by fashion and preferences. In addition, the world oil price has shot up to over one hundred dollars a barrel (Duchin 1998). With the inception of biofuels to counter oil scarcity, most countries have introduced the growth of jutropha, a famous crop known to produce substantial amounts of ‘green fuel. Countries such as Tanzania have therefore introduced this crop which has substituted the cultivation of food crops making them vulnerable to food insecurity as there is not enough food to feed its citizens. Industrialization is one invention introduced to provide resources to the ever increasing populations. As an incentive by governments to industry owners, the decentralization of industries is encouraged to reverse rural urban migration patterns. These industries are meant to provide jobs for the rural folks thus reducing their migration to urban areas in search for jobs. This is however at the expense of rural farmers who have to sacrifice sections of their lands to secure space for the development of these industries (Duchin 1998). The sizes of these agricultural lands shrink and the remaining fields are exposed to adverse effects such as those related to affluence from the industries further affecting the quality and quantity of the products. Residential areas are also developed to provide residence to the settlers. With high populations, the agricultural lands cannot escape the encroachment of people to these lands. People have to set aside portions of their lands for the establishment of housing units. Wood products that is, timber is required in the building of the residential units. This timber is majorly obtained from forests hence increasing the rate of deforestation that further heightens the degradation of the environment (Duchin 1998). During seasons of food shortage, poor households often embark on extreme measures in the present, including depriving the family of needed calories, in order to maintain productive resources for the future, such as a plough, oxen or seed stock. This proof suggests that poor African households may, in fact, have very low rates of time preference (Clay 2004). Urbanization Bass (2000) describes urbanization as the process by which villages grow into towns and urban centers and towns grow into cities and mega cities. An urban area is a settlement in which most of the inhabitants i.e. over 65% are engaged in non agricultural occupations. For example, commerce, manufacturing, administration, trading amongst others Urban areas are defined by population size, population function, population density which is the number of people per square kilometer, and legal administration. The United Nations recommended population size to declare a location as an urban area is twenty thousand people. The reasons for rural urban migration which contributes to urban growth are diverse and include; seeking employment due to high underemployment levels in rural areas; searching for settlement as rural areas are widely affected by land fragmentation; searching for recreational and social services (Reid and Paul 2005). Despite the movement of people from rural areas in search of employment opening, they are not assured of being employed in the end. High and rising unemployment rates contribute to poverty as people are unable to obtain financial resources important for the provision of basic needs. Individuals are forced to relocate to slum dwellings which are uninhabitable. Basic sanitation lacks in such locations with poor disposal of waste taking a centre stage. Common in the slum areas, are ‘flying toilets which are used due to lack of clean toilets (Elliot 1997). Satellite garbage sites are a common scenario in the urban areas where proper disposal mechanisms are not a prime consideration. Poor urban dwellers are unable to pay up for garbage collection in cases where this activity is privatized. The amount paid to such institutions is unaffordable for the poor hence satellite garbage sites are their only option. Mushrooming satellite garbage sites compromise the aesthetic value of the urb an environment (Mink 1999). Available amenities are overstrained due to large numbers of people living towns, cities and urban areas. Water resources for example are on high demand while their supply is largely influenced by watershed management and climatic conditions. The quality and quantity of water available in urban areas is compromised by industrial establishment, residential use and commercial utility. Water is mostly polluted when these establishments do not meet environmental standards as far piping and sewerage system is concerned. Clean water may mix up with sewage where the system is poorly done further resulting in water borne diseases. Towns located close to large water bodies contribute to water pollution due to the formation of algae blooms. Congestion of humans and traffic is another cause of environmental deterioration. This is common in busy urban areas. Unworthy road vehicles pollute the environment with lead and smoke. The congestion of people also increases their vulnerability to air related diseases like tuberculosis (Mink 1999). Embezzlement of resources accruing from corruption is another cause of poverty. Lack of transparency in government and private sector institutions located in urban areas promotes poor maintenance of services. The fire brigade is an important department especially in cities. Sources of livelihoods like businesses go up in smoke accidentally for example through electrical mishaps and cannot be salvaged due to poor service delivery from the necessary department. People are reduced to poverty which indirectly affects the natural environment. The smoke from the burning buildings also causes air pollution. Impact Of Rich Nations On The Environment Extreme inequalities exist in human societies. According to the United Nations Human Development Report 2009, 20% of people in industrialized countries account for 80% of total private consumption expenditures. The poor on the other hand account for a miserable 1.3%. In addition, 1 billion people suffer from hunger and approximately 2-3 billion experience deficiencies in vitamins and minerals. 1 Billion Survive on less than a dollar a day and 2 billion on less than 2 dollars a day. On the contrary, a few hundred millionaires own as much wealth as the worlds 2 billion people. Decision making on world related issues is usually skewed to favor few narrow interests of richer nations (Duchin 1998). This can be evidenced from the just ended Copenhagen Summit in Denmark. Richer nations who have contributed largely to global climatic changes are unable to commit themselves on a timescale to address the climate change issue. Poor nations are left with no options but to agree with the recommended solutions despite contributing minimally to these changes and yet experiencing immensely to the adverse impacts of climate change (Ehrlich 2002). Clay 2004 observes that Third world debt ahs made it difficult to prioritize on sustainable development. The Breton Woods institutions that is, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund through the introduction and adoption of Structural Adjustment Programs have destructed immensely environments of countries that have adopted such strategies and streamlined them in policies, rules and regulations. This has set drawbacks on health, education and provision of other necessary services due to a requirement to prioritize on debt repayment. Loans are lent to third world nations at high interest rates and are to be settled at specific timescales. Structural Adjustment Programs encourage deforestation of indigenous forests and encourage plantation forests (Tomich 2001). Free market economies are introduced by Structural Adjustment Programs where forces of demand and supply determine the selling price of commodities. This is dangerous in economies with high demands and low supply levels of goods and services as more and more people are driven into poverty due to high and fast rising living standards. Basic commodities are difficult to acquire as they are expensive. Food and farm products flow from areas of hunger and need to areas of with monetary stabilities and high demand, from rural areas to urban zones and from third world countries to first world countries. Third world countries that export unprocessed food products such as coffee beans export them at low prices to richer nations. These products are processed and imported at high prices to third world nations. This creates a vicious poverty cycles. In West Africa, cocoa is harvested and exported to the western world for the production of cocoa. The harvesters are paid meager wages and spend most of their valuable time in the fields. When coca is imported back, it is sold at very high prices resulting in strikes and riots (Clay 2004). Less Developed countries are used as dumping grounds for goods, industries and toxic wastes. Second hand goods such as clothes are imported at cheaper prices to these nations. Infant industries that produce new clothes shut down as they face the challenge of accessing local markets which are already invaded by foreign commodities whose prices are cheaper (Bass 2000). Industries that pollute the environment and do not meet environmental standards are relocated in third world countries whose measures are not stringent. They are also able to survive due to poor governance. Mining industries such as those located in South Africa result in worsening the aesthetic value of the environment as derelict holes are left open and become breeding grounds for mosquitoes when rain water accumulates (Elliot 1997). Toxic wastes from the west find their way into environments of poor nations. The waste impacts negatively on the environment of the recipient nation. Nuclear energy results in the production of toxic radioactive waste which destroys the life forms located close to where it is dumped. The destination for such wastes is large water bodies. Since water in these bodies is mobile the waste finds its way to shores mostly of developing countries due to the proximity of the dumping grounds to the country geographical boundaries. Corn is a major animal food grown in the United States. The amount of corn produced can feed humans in poverty stricken countries for close to 90 days. This shows that the amount produced is a lot. However, instead of it being supplied to humans it is fed to animals. Rich nations have contributed to the continuity of poverty in developing countries. This is by instituting and entertaining the dependency syndrome (Duchin 1998). Recipients of foreign aid and donor funding have created a perception that it is their right to receive this aid. They are therefore reluctant to adopt self independence practices as they believe that their lives can only be sustained through foreign aid. Poverty then becomes chronic as people are more vulnerable. Infrastructure And Technology Infrastructure entails promoting information and communication in vast areas of the country. This communication is better built by increasing access to various parts that are hot spots for the provision of certain goods and services. Infrastructure plays a fundamental role in minimizing poverty. Lack of it on the other hand accelerates poverty conditions (Botros 1997). Agriculture is one aspect that incorporates infrastructure and technology. Since agricultural products are naturally susceptible to perishing, it is essential that they get to markets early enough before they are stale. For this to be achieved, access roads to agricultural zones should be of good quality. This is not the case however in regions affected by poverty. The poor state of access roads results in losses incurred by farmers as the roads do not favor quick transfer of commodities to markets. Technology is vital for example in finding the most suitable means of transport for agricultural commodities to markets. Using vehicles are all weather road resistant ensures that commodities reach the market without vehicles getting suck on the way. Fish products require freezing equipment attached to automobiles so as to get to market locations when fresh. If these are not incorporated in the initial stages irreversible losses will be incurred. For this to be effectively adopted, financial resources are required to purchase the necessary equipment and machinery. Poverty cripples this as it is mainly characterized by lack of resources. When this happens resources are underexploited and sometimes poorly exploited resulting in environmental compromises (Kenneth and Piet 2007, p. 48-53). Appropriate technology involves the adoption of technology efficient for the exploitation of the natural resources. Technology is important but not all technology is applicable (Botros 1997, p.78). The use of organic fertilisers is for example necessary for the sake of the environment. The use of different sizes of fishing nets could also necessitate the discriminative fishing which ensures that young fishes are not fished out. Biogas production and the use of solar energy protect both the environment and individuals from adverse effects as a result of utilizing poor energy resources. This is propagated by knowledge of the appropriate technology and basic application skills. Industries require the utilization of sufficient electricity for the production and processing. In order for the industry to be sustainable, the production of electricity can include recycling hot water for driving electric turbines. Industrial symbiosis is necessary to ensure maximum production at lower costs (Elliot 1997). This is where by-products of one industry are used as raw materials for another. This ensures that resources are well maintained and used sparingly to avoid overexploitation. The development of relevant infrastructure and technology comes at an extra expense. Poor countries are left out as they are unable to raise the funds needed propelled by their state of Gross Domestic Products whose percentage is diverted to this goal. Health And Environment Health diseases can be attributed to poverty related activities. In door and outdoor pollution occurs when firewood and biomass energy such as cow dung is used as fuel. This is because carbon dioxide and monoxide gases that affect the respiratory organs of human beings. These gases are also of suffocating nature and cause deaths of close to 1% of its users (Reid and Paul 2005). Poor people are at high risks of death as they are unable to access basic health care needs. Preventable and immunisable diseases are a major cause of death among poverty stricken people. Burial sites are a common sight in poverty locations and to the pollution of underground water due to sipping of human burial waste in to underground aquifers. Cemeteries also impact on the aesthetic value of the environment. Conclusion Environmental issues are complex and require appropriate and applicable solutions. Poverty is a major environmental issue which despite being socially constructed affects the rest of the environmental spheres. Poor populations are widely found in Developing and Less Developing countries. Women are a component of the poverty development nexus and should be actively involved in the decision making process to help reverse the state of poverty in their designated locations. Capacity development and empowerment are powerful tools that can be employed to contribute to community development and sustenance. This should therefore be promoted in all aspects of development. References Balu, B and Carlos, B, 1996, The Position of Fertilizer in Supporting Food Security and Caring for the Environment, Washington DC, International Food Policy Research Institute Bass, S 2000, City Poverty and the Environment, Fiji, University of New England, Botros, S, 1997, Green Technology and Blueprint for the Environment, Washington DC, Taylor and Francis Clay, J, 2004, Global Agriculture and Environment, USA, Sage Publications Duchin, F, 1998, Measuring Variations in Technology, Living Conditions and the Environment, USA, Island Press. Ehrlich, P, 2002, Food Security, Population and Environment, London, Darton Elliot, D, 1997, Energy, Humanity and Environment: a sustainable future, New York, Routledge Grainger, A, 2000, Assessing Tropical Deforestation, United Kingdom, Earth scan Publications Kenneth, M and Piet, B 2007, Poverty Decline and Environment, Washington DC, World Bank Mink, S, 1999, Scarcity, Population and the Environment, New York, World Bank Orr, D, 2004, Earth in Mind: culture, environment and human view, USA, Island Press Reid, H and Paul, S, 2005, Reducing Poverty and Sustaining the Environment, London, Earth scan Publications Tomich, TP, 2001, Increase in Deforestation and the Environment: assessing trade offs, Nairobi, World Agro forestry Centre Wiseman, S, 1999, Education and Environment, Oxford, Manchester University Press

Friday, October 25, 2019

Eating Disorders :: essays research papers

  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  There are many different types of eating disorders in our world today and many suffer from them. Young women, and the reason is unknown, are the main targets (Holt, Rinehart, and Winston, 147). I believe young women are more apt because of the ideal media, newspapers, magazines, etc. That's how they feel they need to live up to, and also they are more emotional and are in that stage of life where things like this matter a lot. There are two very common eating disorders, anorexia and bulimia.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Anorexia nervosa is an eating disorder that is characterized by a person with a body weight less than 85% of what is considered normal weight. Anorexics have a fear of being fat (Sonder, ). Anorexics limit their food intake, which is the same thing as starvation. A person who is anorexic continues to diet even when they are bone thin. They are never satisfied with their appearance. They engage in excessive exercising and long depressions, these are just some of the danger signals that anorexics show. This self-starving behavior can lead to sever emancipation or even death. Anorexics see normal fat (folds of flesh) on the body as fat that needs to be eliminated. They often find sleeping and resting a discomfort because they have lost their normal body fat. Victims of this serious disorder tend to further from family and friends. They want to be isolated. There are many dangers from starving yourself. The body tends to slow down or even stop certain body processes, your blood pressure may fall, breathing rate may drop, and menstruation also stops. They thyroid gland disappears, and this is the gland that regulates your growth. Your nails and hair become brittle, you skin is dry, and you suffer form light headiness, constipation, and swelling of the joints. When fat is reduced, the body temperature begins to fall, and soft hair forms on the body for warmth. Your body chemicals may also be so imbalanced, heart failure may occur. People who suffer from bulimia nervosa also want to be thin, but they do it in a different fashion called binging and purging (Sonder, ). Binging is when a person will eat a bunch of food, exceeding normal calorie intake. Purging is the way they get rid of it. This way you are still able to eat and then still be thin, but this is very dangerous and can often be deadly.

Thursday, October 24, 2019

Debt versus Equity Financing Paper Essay

In the accounting industry, financing remains an important concept, as many organizations are reliant on them for financial stability and longevity. Although there are a plethora of financing options and types to choose from, the focus of the work will revolve around debt and equity financing. These two commonly used forms of financing are important as they are both unique in how they are utilized. The author of this piece will address these two financing options while providing examples of each and addressing which capital structure is most advantageous. Debt Financing Debt financing is the process of borrowing money from a lender such as a bank. These financings option comes in the forms of loans both secure and unsecured. â€Å"Security involves a form of collateral as an assurance the loan will be repaid. If the debtor defaults on the loan, that collateral is  forfeited to satisfy payment of the debt† (Entrepreneur, 2014, p. 1). In most cases a lender will ask for some time of security on a loan and least often times will lend based on name recognition or status. One of the most common sources of debt financing is seen within startup businesses where debt financing is often provided by friends and family instead of commercial lending institutions. â€Å"When borrowing money from relatives or friends, have your attorney draw up legal papers dictating the terms of the loan, as formalized documentation† (Entrepreneur, 2014, p.1). Another form of debt financing that is most common occurs with credit cards through a credit line. Credit cards are used to provide a way to businesses to get several thousands of dollars quickly without going through the hassles of getting approved for a loan and filling out vast amount of paperwork (Entrepreneur, 2014). Though this method is very popular it is important to take note that the interest can collect if not monitored as this debt can add up quickly. Equity Financing Unlike debt financing, equity financing involves raising capital through selling shares within the business. â€Å"Equity financing essentially refers to the sales of an ownership interest to raise funds for business purposes† (Investopedia, 2013, p. 1). This form of financing does not just include selling common equity but it also consists of selling preferred stock, convertible preferred stock, and warrants. When a startup company gains success it will attain equity as it evolves. Since startups attract a vast amount of investors at different stages of the company’s evolution cycle, different forms of equity are used for the business’s financial needs. Convertible stock is comprised out as a loan, which the company is obligated to repay and if company meets the specified benchmark in terms of performance, the unpaid balance of that loan is then converted into an equity stake in the business (Merritt, 2013). Companies can also attain capital by selling shares to investors. â€Å"This allows a company to give up a piece of itself as a way to raise money to finance growth. Small, privately  held companies sell shares to private investors, who then hold equity within the company† (Merritt, 2013, p. 1). This is one of the quickest way for obtain capital to finance growth for a business, especially if it goes public. Conclusion Though both of these methods of financing are beneficial for a business to grow and obtain capital it is important to acknowledge which of these forms are most advantageous. In terms of raising mass amounts of money for growth and business operations, it would be most advantageous to utilize equity financing within the business as this provides are way for the business to attain large sums of money by selling shares. It is important to note that keeping account of the number shares is important as the business needs to ensure it maintains the majority of 51% of more to negate hostile takeover from competitors and other businesses. At times one financing on either forefront can seem to have more advantages then the next it is important the a business tries to utilize both in order to maintain balance and control of the business for optimal success. References Entrepreneur. (2014). Debt Financing. Retrieved from http://www.entrepreneur.com/encyclopedia/debt-financing Investopedia. (2013). Equity Financing. Retrieved from http://www.investopedia.com/terms/e/equityfinancing.asp Merritt, C. (2013). What Are Examples of Equity Financing? Retrieved from http://budgeting.thenest.com/examples-equity-financing-23831.html