A Walk in the Woods

Bill Bryson’s 1998 literary work takes its readers’ imagination, as the title suggests, to â€Å"A Walk in the Woods.†The author returning back to the United States after living for 20 years outside the country decided to the reconnect with his home landscape and hikes the Appalachian Trail. In Bill Bryson’s account of the Appalachian Trail, both historical and environmental information is received by the readers. More specifically the environmental crisis and its causes are dealt in this Bryson’s book. For some, environmental issues are quite uninteresting and dull.However, readers of this book are still compelled to continuously read it because of its humor and thought-provoking exploration of the wild. Moreover, Bill Bryson’s style and themes informs and teaches several environmental issues and concerns to its readers while entertaining them. Though, by scanning the history and events in other areas, it can be said that Bill Bryson’ s accounted environmental problems in his book does not occur solely in the Appalachian Trail, rather it is a world-wide problem.Bill Bryson accounts that the Appalachian Trail is 2200 miles, and I think he is telling the truth. Based on what I have learned (or know) about, the Appalachian Trail is a 2,147-mile-long footpath from Georgia to Maine, which follows the ridgetops of the fourteen states through which it passes.Although other people had put forth similar ideas, Benton MacKaye’s article â€Å"An Appalachian Trail: A Project in Regional Planning,† is usually looked upon as having presented the impetus for the Appalachian Trail.A regional planner, MacKaye saw in the post-World War I era an America that was becoming hastily urbanized, machine-driven and far detached from the positive reinvigorating aspects of the natural world. In addition to endowing with obvious recreational opportunities, the trail he imagined or visualized would be a linking line between a se ries of everlasting self-sustaining camps in wherein cooperation would replace antagonism, trust replaces suspicion, and emulation replaces competition.Encouraged and supported by relatives, friends, and like-minded acquaintances, MacKaye set about disseminating the idea of an Appalachian Trail to anyone who would listen, as well as officials of the National Park and National Forest Services.Particularly interested to the trail concept were members and officers of previously existing trail organizations such as the Green Mountain Club of Vermont, the New England Trail Conference, and the Appalachian Mountain Club. Not overlooking the advertising power of the press, MacKaye also solicited the help of newspaper reporters and columnists throughout the Northeast.The idea struck a chord form in October 1923, just two years after publication of his article, the first few miles of trail to be built particularly as a part of the Appalachian Trail were opened to the public in the area of Har riman and Bear Mountain State Parks in New York by the then recently formed New York-New Jersey Trail Conference.Acting upon a request by MacKaye and others, the Federal Societies on Planning and Parks met in Washington, D.C, in March 1925, for the intention of furthering action on the Appalachian Trail.There, an organization establishing the Appalachian Trail Conference (now known as Appalachian Trail Conservancy, committed to the protection and management of the trail) was adopted, and William A. Welch, of New York’s Palisades Interstate Park Commission, was named its chairman. Throughout the meeting, it was determined that the Appalachian Trail would run approximately 1,700 miles (which is 500 miles less than Bill Bryson’s measurement or the length of Appalachian Trail today) from Mount Washington in New Hampshire to Cohutta Mountain in northwestern Georgia.A northern extension was to stretch to Mount Katahdin in Maine while a southern addition would reach all of th e way to Birmingham Alabama. Among various branch routes that were also proposed, one was to follow the Long Trail in Vermont, another would extend into the Catskills, and another was to run along the Tennessee River to Kentucky.

Ict in Teacher Education

ICT in Teacher Education Dr. R. Sivakumar Assistant Professor Department of Education Annamalai University Annamalai Nagar – 608002. Abstract Information and Communication Technologies has a great potential to contribute positively towards knowledge dissemination, effective learning and the development of more efficient education service. In teacher education, student-teachers acquire appropriate knowledge, skills and competences on how to integrate technology in education. The knowledge and competences are how to use ICT in teaching and learning has gained enormous importance in today’s teacher education programs.The integration of information and communication technologies can help revitalize teachers and students. This can help to improve and develop the quality of education by providing curricular support in difficult subject areas. Use of ICT in learning settings can act to support various aspects of knowledge construction and as more and more students employ ICTs in their learning processes. ICT enabled education will ultimately lead to the democratization of education. Introduction Teacher is considered to be the architect of the nation. One can realize how important education is which makes one a teacher.Teacher education is looked after by a systematic operation of various agencies involved in it. Various education commissions and a number of expert committee have discussed the aims of teacher education in India. One of the main reasons is the inadequate academic, professional and pedagogic preparation and insufficient level of knowledge and the skills of the faculty. Besides this, traditional versus modern methods of teaching, outdated knowledge and information and lack of skills, teachers attitude, aptitude and authenticity of their sources of knowledge are some of the other core issues.Owing to knowledge explosion and tremendously fast changing ICT, the teachers sometimes find it rather difficult to cope with the new intellectual chall enges being thrown up by the changed global and local context. Therefore, they need to acquire new knowledge, and reliable and authentic information. In present scenario, teachers need to help their students in: how to learn, how to grow in future, how to develop study skills, how to conduct fundamental research, how to examine, evaluate and assess information This is necessary if the teachers really want to survive in the ICT world of education.A teacher plays a significant role not only in class teaching learning situation but in social engineering too. Society gives a respectable place to teachers who are really perspective empowered. This empowerment is not at in terms of physical perspective. It is in academic, intellectual, social, and national perspectives. ICT in Education Information and Communication Technologies has a great potential to contribute positively towards knowledge dissemination, effective learning and the development of more efficient education service. Inform ation and Communication Technologies are becoming increasingly pervasive in reaching schools.It is essential that teachers and teacher-educators have a thorough working knowledge of these media and their influence on the performance and engagement of their students. ICT includes, but is not limited to, personal computers, laptops, printers, LCD projectors, palm devices, iPods, fax machines, cell phones, Internet, Intranet and Web-Based Education that offers accessibility, flexibility and innovativeness in teaching and learning. Teachers have ability to use digital technology, communication tools, and networks appropriately to solve information problems in order to function in an information and knowledge society.This encompasses three areas of ICT literacy, namely cognitive, technical, and social. ICT integrated teacher education is more important to Indian education system that is committed to maintain global partnership as well as leadership in knowledge-based society. ICT in educ ation are not only new tools bringing evolution and changes. They raise new fundamental paradigms, new fundamental concepts, which change profoundly our societies, which change knowledge and access to knowledge. The digital natives will bring this new context, whatever the schools do or not. This is a new challenge for schools and for teachers.Digital natives are not only new pupils, a kind of new step in the humankind; they are the main actors of the new digital society, the new citizens of the knowledge society. Learning and teaching in the digital society. It should be no surprise that teachers who, like other professionals, are expected to be lifelong learners, must also meet the challenges of digital and mobile technologies. It is not simply a matter of mastering new technology; since the entire traditional paradigm has been up-ended, they must re-examine their profession and redefine their role of the teachers in the learning process.Understanding and mastering technology is t he starting point of a process of creating a new school. ICT in Teacher Education Information and Communication Technology (ICT) have the potential of educational challenges. In teacher education, student-teachers acquire appropriate knowledge, skills and competences on how to integrate technology in education. The knowledge and competences are how to use ICT in teaching and learning has gained enormous importance in today’s teacher education programs.This is because student-teachers’ adoption of ICT use in the classroom has strong positive correlation with the pedagogical training rather than technical skills a particular ICT-related teacher education program or course must seek to promote the following aspects of knowledge so as to help students-teachers know how to use technology in the teaching and learning processes: * Knowledge of problems or situations that can be solved by technology. * Knowledge of the kind of technology that can solve this kind of problem. * Knowledge of how the technology can solve a specified problem.This kind of knowledge is known as Technological Pedagogical Content Knowledge (TPCK). It is important that student-teachers are trained on how to use ICT in delivering of education to make learning more meaningful for using Education Technologies to support instruction. Student-teachers should be introduced to TPCK concept and should work in an environment that promotes this understanding for effective integration of technology in their future teaching. ICT courses in teacher education must also strive to develop a sound understanding of the learning theories and ways how ICT can be used to enhance teaching and learning.It is expected that ICT courses in teacher education should make student-teachers appreciate that the choice of any particular technology should be grounded not only on specific learning theory but also on pedagogical needs and the context. This ICT course must promote among student-teachers the knowledge and competences related to the application of ICT to promote teaching and learning process. Using ICT in education includes: * the use of ICT as object of study: which refers to learning about ICT which enables student-teachers to use ICT in their daily life. the use of ICT as aspect of a discipline or profession: meaning that ICT is used for development of ICT skills for professional or vocational purposes. * ICT as medium for teaching and learning which focuses on the use of ICT for the enhancement of the teaching and learning process. To effectively use the new information and communication technologies (ICTs) to improve learning, the following essential conditions must be met: * Students and teachers must have sufficient access to digital technologies and the Internet in their classrooms, schools, and teacher education institutions. High quality, meaningful, and culturally responsive digital content must be available for teachers and learners. * Teachers must have the knowledge and skills to use the new digital tools and resources to help all students achieve high academic standards. Teacher education institutions are faced with the challenge of preparing a new generation of teachers to effectively use the new learning tools in their teaching practices. For many teacher education programmes, this daunting task requires the acquisition of new resources, expertise and careful planning.In approaching this task it is helpful to understand: * the impact of technology on global society and the implications for education, * the extensive knowledge that has been generated about how people learn and what this means for creating more effective and engaging student- centred learning environments, * the stages of teacher development and the levels of adoption of ICTs by teachers, * the critical importance of context, culture, leadership and vision, lifelong learning, and the change process in planning for the integration of technology into teacher education, * the IC T competencies required of teachers related to content, pedagogy, technical issues, social issues, collaboration, and networking, * the importance of developing standards to guide implementation of ICTs in teacher education, * the essential conditions for successful integration of ICTs into teacher education, * important strategies to consider in planning for the infusion of ICTs in teacher education and managing the change process. Integrating ICT into teachingThe integration of information and communication technologies can help revitalize teachers and students. This can help to improve and develop the quality of education by providing curricular support in difficult subject areas. To achieve these objectives, teachers need to be involved in collaborative projects and development of intervention change strategies, which would include teaching partnerships with ICT as a tool. ICT enhancing teaching and learning process Introduce ICT into their classrooms: teachers should believe in the effectiveness of technology, teachers should believe that the use of technology will not cause any disturbances, and finally teachers should believe that they have control over technology.The use of ICT will not only enhance learning environments but also prepare next generation for future lives and careers. The integration of ICT into teaching and learning processes contributes to increase the interaction and reception of information. Such possibilities suggest changes in the communication models and the teaching and learning methods used by teachers, giving way to new scenario which favours both individual and collaborative learning. Students using ICTs for learning purposes become immersed in the process of learning and as more and more students use computers as information sources and cognitive tools. The influence of the technology on supporting how students learn will continue to increase.In the past, the conventional process of teaching has revolved around teachers plann ing and leading students through a series of instructional sequences to achieve a desired learning outcome. Learning approaches using contemporary ICTs provide many opportunities for constructivist learning through their provision and support for resource-based, student centred settings and by enabling learning to be related to context and to practice. Use of ICT in learning settings can act to support various aspects of knowledge construction and as more and more students employ ICTs in their learning processes, the more pronounced the impact of this will become. Teachers generate meaningful and engaging learning experiences for their students, strategically using ICT to enhance learning. ICT enhancing the quality of educationICT increases the flexibility of delivery of education so that learners can access knowledge anytime and from anywhere. It can influence the way students are taught and how they learn as now the processes are learner driven and not by teachers. This in turn wo uld better prepare the learners for lifelong learning as well as to improve the quality of learning. In concert with geographical flexibility, technology-facilitated educational programs also remove many of the temporal constraints that face learners with special needs. Students are starting to appreciate the capability to undertake education anywhere, anytime and anyplace. One of the most vital contributions of ICT in the field of education is- Easy Access to Learning.With the help of ICT, students can now browse through e-books, sample examination papers, previous year papers etc. and can also have an easy access to resource persons, mentors, experts, researchers, professionals, and peers-all over the world. This flexibility has heightened the availability of just-in-time learning and provided learning opportunities for many more learners who previously were constrained by other commitments. Wider availability of best practices and best course material in education, which can be s hared by means of ICT, can foster better teaching. ICT also allows the academic institutions to reach disadvantaged groups and new international educational markets.As well as learning at any time, teachers are also finding the capabilities of teaching at any time to be opportunistic and able to be used to advantage. Mobile technologies and seamless communications technologies support 24Ãâ€"7 teaching and learning. Choosing how much time will be used within the 24Ãâ€"7 envelope and what periods of time are challenges that will face the educators of the future. Thus, ICT enabled education will ultimately lead to the democratization of education. Especially in developing countries like India, effective use of ICT for the purpose of education has the potential to bridge the digital divide. Uses of ICT in language arts How ICT improves the teaching/learning of language or how to improve language teaching through intelligent and informed use of technology * Searching and using Internet resources for language materials and lessons * Searching literature-based, creative writing, problem-solving Internet projects with the option of using interpersonal exchanges, virtual gatherings, peer feedback or mentoring to support student learning. * Constructing technology-enhanced lessons or lesson plans within a language art curriculum Uses of ICT in science * How ICT improves the teaching/learning of science or how to improve science teaching through intelligent and informed use of technology * Searching and using Internet resources for science materials and lessons * Science education on the Internet Use of computers software and calculators for science teaching * Use of computer to simulate scientific phenomena and use of graphic calculators to collect and analyse data * Constructing technology-enhanced lessons or lesson plans within a science curriculum Uses of ICT in mathematics * How ICT improves the teaching/learning of mathematics or how to improve mathematics teachi ng through intelligent and informed use of technology * Searching and using Internet resources for mathematics materials and lessons * Use of computer software and calculators for mathematics teaching * Use of computers and graphic calculators to collect and analyse data and to build and test mathematical models of the real-world * Constructing technology-enhanced lessons or lesson plans within a mathematics curriculum Uses of ICT in social studies How ICT improves the teaching/learning of social studies or how to improve social studies teaching through intelligent and informed use of technology * Searching and using Internet resources for social studies materials and lessons * Searching problem-solving, enquiry and creative thinking materials with the option of using interpersonal exchanges, virtual gatherings, peer feedback or mentoring to support student learning * Constructing technology-enhanced lessons or lesson plans within a social studies art curriculum Conclusion The teach er education system empowered by ICT driven infrastructure can have a great opportunity to come up to the centre stage and ensure academic excellence, quality instruction and leadership in a knowledge-based society. ICT has revolutionized the entire concept of education. It is really a challenging task to strengthen ICT in teacher education because a large majority of the teacher education institutions are unequipped or under-equipped in the terms of digitized and high-tech infrastructure. References Ahmed, S. and Singh, M. (2010).Multimedia in Teacher Education Empowering Accessible, Flexible and innovative learning,  Shikshak – Shikha Shodh Patrika  Vol. (04) No (1) pp. 32-33. Flecknoe, M. (2002). â€Å"How can ICT help us to improve education†? Innovations in Education & Teaching International, Vol. 39, No. 4, Pp; 271-280 Mishra, P. , & Koehler, M. (2006). Technological pedagogical content knowledge: A framework for teacher knowledge. Teachers College Record, 10 8(6), 1017-1054. Montgomerie, C. , & Irvine, V. (2001). Computer skill requirements for new and existing teachers: Implications for policy and practice. Journal of Teaching & Learning, 1(1), 43-55. Moore, M. amp; Kearsley, G. (1996). Distance Education: A Systems View. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth. Paliwal A. K. (2006). Faculty development in teacher education perceptions and changing context, sovinier 7th National conference MATE pp 10-11. Takwal, R. (2003) Problems and Issues faced by Indian Education system UGC Golden Jubilee Lecture series. pp. 5. Venna S. K (2010) Teacher Education some qualitative consideration,  Shikshak – Shikha Shodh Patrika  vol (04) NO (1) pp. 10. Yusuf, M. O. (2005). Information and communication education: Analyzing the Nigerian national policy for information technology. International Education Journal Vol. 6 No. (3), Pp; 316-321.

Internet Convenience Essay

The Internet has shaped and has an excellent impact on politics. It has helped politicians to be more known all over the world. They are able to get information across now faster than ever and more effectively. The Internet offers a quick response and plays a role in the way politics are factor in to people’s lives. Many do not watch and feel strongly on their views about politics and have negative perceptions on this subject matter. I feel the Internet has caused an excessive amount of controversy about politics and people are involved now more than earlier decades. Politicians can get their views across on media websites or through emails. The Internet is known to get views across more profoundly and faster for people to communicate. They are able to reach a wider audience because this is where the people can be reached. Most people spend most of their day online at some point. The Internet is useful to get the views heard straight from the person this helps people get their voice heard. We learn the facts on the issues most people are online with this new generation no one really reads the paper or watches the news anymore because; they can receive updates to their cell phone at an instant. What people put on the Internet about the campaign determines the success of the politician. Bloggers can be rude; But the Internet helps the politician see people stand points and viewpoints on the issues. The internet is easily accessible from smart phones to computers it also helps Americans to be informed on the issues in the world. You can take your cell phone almost anywhere so from a political point the Internet helps because, how fast information is accessed it makes things more convenient. Politicians find this convenient and helpful for their campaign. The Internet has shaped and has an excellent impact on politics. It has helped politicians to be more known all over the world. They are able to get information across now faster than ever and more effectively. The Internet offers a quick response and plays a role in the way politics are factor in to people’s lives. Many do not watch and feel strongly on their views about politics and have negative perceptions on this subject matter. I feel the Internet has caused an excessive amount of controversy about politics and people are involved now more than earlier decades. Politicians can get their views across on media websites or through emails. The Internet is known to get views across more profoundly and faster for people to communicate. They are able to reach a wider audience because this is where the people can be reached. Most people spend most of their day online at some point. The Internet is useful to get the views heard straight from the person this helps people get their voice heard. We learn the facts on the issues most people are online with this new generation no one really reads the paper or watches the news anymore because; they can receive updates to their cell phone at an instant. What people put on the Internet about the campaign determines the success of the politician. Bloggers can be rude; But the Internet helps the politician see people stand points and viewpoints on the issues. The internet is easily accessible from smart phones to computers it also helps Americans to be informed on the issues in the world. You can take your cell phone almost anywhere so from a political point the Internet helps because, how fast information is accessed it makes things more convenient. Politicians find this convenient and helpful for their campaign.

Arbitration Case-Decision and Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Arbitration Case-Decision and Analysis - Essay Example The company contended that Rose Ross failure to wear one of her steel gloves while continuing to operate the saw constituted gross safety violation punishable by discharge. According to Article 1 – Management Rights of the Contract Provisions, management has the right to discharge for just cause. The Company also has the right to determine work processes and procedures and enact plant rules and regulations which are not in conflict with the legal rights of its employees. The arbitrator therefore accepts the company’s position that Ross committed a gross safety violation punishable by discharge as this has been communicated to employees under Work Rules, wherein disregard of safety rules that endanger the safety of the employee or other employees is considered serious enough to warrant major disciplinary action, including discharge. Ross’ admission that she was not wearing the left-hand glove while operating the saw, as well as her admission that she was aware of the requirement, since she had already been previously warned about it on two previous occasions, support the company’s position. The Company also contended that its decision to terminate Ross was supported by prior arbitral decision. It has also cited the arbitral opinion of Arbitrator Porter in Bethlehem Steel Co., who reasoned that employees may not exercise individual discretion regarding the need to comply with safety rules. The prior decision does set a precedent for Ross’ case, although Arbitrator Porter’s opinion does not have any bearing on it. The prior case also involved saw operation and consists of the same type of violation. Employees should be able to realize the importance of the Work Rules, especially for their own benefit. Although the prior decision sets a precedent for Ross’ case, and supports the Company’s position, not much weight is put into it per se. What matters more is

Why Ask Why the Pyramids Were Built By Marcel Graeffe Essay

Why Ask Why the Pyramids Were Built By Marcel Graeffe - Essay Example However, this seems to be untrue because of three possible claims: the Egyptians’ superior knowledge of geometry (qtd. in Lemesurier), everything could simply be coincidences (qtd. in De Jager), or Piazzi Smyth was biased in correlating British measurements with those of the pyramid (qtd. in Mendelssohn). Another theory surrounding the pyramids is that â€Å"pyramids are sources of tremendous energy† (Graeffe). Antoine Bovies theorized this when he thought garbage in the pyramid did not smell like usual garbage. Karel Drbal also added that dull razors sharpen when placed in the pyramid. Nevertheless, results were contradictory when the same situations were repeated in experiments (qtd. in Stiebing). Another famous theory about the origin of the pyramids is that, according to Erich von Daniken, â€Å"since dump trucks did not exist in Egyptian times, aliens must have aided in their construction† (Graeffe). However, Mark Lehner concluded that â€Å"with common sen se and practice, the building of the pyramid with low technology was even easy† (qtd. in Hadingham). . ... This implies that Egyptians should carry out religious procedures everyday â€Å"with perfection† for the eternal nature of life and the cosmos seems to depend on this discipline (Graeffe). Secondly, the building of the pyramids came with the invention of technology necessary for their construction. This marks an era of the building of huge edifices to act as funerary complexes, replicas of the royal palace, and places for religious rituals and festivals. Full cooperation among the farmers behind the construction was also expected since the building fostered a sense of pride and community among the workers as well as for the fulfillment of religious duty (qtd. in Mendelssohn). Lastly, the pyramids were built perhaps simply because â€Å"the form is spectacular [and that it] contrasts beautifully with the intense horizontality of the Ghiza† (Graeffe). This is the author’s point of view as an architect. Summary: â€Å"Treasures from the Royal Tombs of Ur† by Richard L. Zettler British archaeologist Leonard Woolley discovered something interesting the late 1920s: 1,850 intact burials in Ur in Mesopotamia, or present day Basrah in Southern Iraq (â€Å"The Royal Tombs†). The excavated burial ground had an area of 70 by 55 meters. Each tomb measured around 10 by 5 meters. Woolley determined that 660 of the burials belonged to the Early Dynastic Royal Cemetery. The earlier burials were â€Å"not uncommonly cut and undisturbed† while later burials were â€Å"commonly overlaid† (Zettler). Materials used in the construction of the tombs. The sides were made from earth hidden by reed matting. The floor was also covered by reed matting. A door,

Cash Flows in Business Organisations Coursework

Cash Flows in Business Organisations - Coursework Example The concept of Net Profit and Net Cash Flow are not the same which often becomes a cause of concern for business owners. The difference in net income and cash flow arises because of the way income statements are prepared. Under the ‘accrual’ method of accounting, net income is calculated subtracting incurred expenses from earned revenues. Further, net revenues include credit sales (not involving immediate cash flows) and expenses include various provisions, deferred payments, depreciation, etc. that does not involve actual movement of cash during current period. In the statement of cash flow, all such accrual concepts are adjusted to net profit and only then operating cash flow is correctly arrived. For instance, consider the financial statements of UAL (shown in Appendix) where the company has incurred net loss of $723 million for the year ending 2012 but from the consolidated statement of cash flows we find that its Net Cash from Operations for the same fiscal was $935 million. This is because the company has charged higher ‘Depreciation & Amortisation’ for capital expenditure that does not involve actual outflow of cash. Thus, the books of account of company may show high/low net profits despite of having much less/high cash on hand. As per the requirements of IAS 7, operating activities involved in a business has to be reported using indirect or direct method. In the former method, profit/loss has to be adjusted after considering the effects of non-cash transactions like deprecation, accruals or deferrals of future or past operating activities. The later method classifies different operating items into gross cash payments and gross cash receipts. Information required for calculating these items are derived from books of account (adjusted sales, cost of sales, etc.). The basic layout of each method is depicted below, The ‘Net Cash from Operations’ in US Airways in 2011 was $472 million

Congressional Representation Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Congressional Representation - Research Paper Example Moreover, ideology, policy preferences and the nature of information received etc can also affect the Congressmen while they vote. In short, â€Å"congressional voting on specific bills is correlated with the economic self-interest of the representative's constituents and a measure of the representative's ideology† as indicated by his broader voting record†(Bender, 1991, p.1) This paper briefly analyses various reasons why congressmen vote the way they do, and how their constituencies at times play a large role in that. The role of Hannah Pitkin’s theory; substantive vs. descriptive representation in controlling the voting behaviour of the Congressmen is also analysed in this paper. Factors which influence Congressmen while they vote Fellow Congressmen can influence a Congressman very much while he takes decisions upon certain topic. Fellow congressmen can act as the source of lots of information which may influence the Congressman while he takes decision about a particular topic. In most of the cases, Congressmen may engage in mutual discussion both in and out of the office and that also formally and informally. All these discussions will bring lot of new information which may affect the decision making process of the Congressmen. ... Thus fellow congressmen have wider influence on the decision making abilities of a particular congressman. The influence of Constituent is another major factor which controls the voting of the Congressmen. â€Å"The constituency imposes some meaningful constraints on Congressmen’s voting behaviour†(Kingdon, 1989, p.68). Moreover, â€Å"a basic principle of representative democracy is that elected officials must pay homage to their districts if they wish to secure reelection† (Crespin, n. d. p.2).It is difficult for congressmen to sacrifice the interests of the people in their constituencies since they need the support of the people for their re-election. In other words, a congressman who has planned to seek re-election should vote in accordance with the interests of the people in their constituencies. Only on issues that the constituency doesn't feel strongly, the Congressman may think of taking an independent decision. Ultimately, the congressmen have the moral responsibility or liability to explain his stands to the people in his constituencies since the people are the ones who elected him. Party leadership and the committee members can also influence the decision making or the voting of the congressmen. â€Å"The degree of party cohesions affects the voting behaviour of the congressmen†(Froman, 1963, p.57). Each party may have a well defined stand on all policy matters. In most of the cases, the congressmen vote in favour of his party’s stands. However, in many cases, congressmen take stands which are different from that of his party. For example, many democrats opposed Obama’s healthcare reform bill along with the republicans. If the president is popular in the constituency, the congressman will extend greater support to the policies of the

How Saddam Hussein terrorized his own people Essay

How Saddam Hussein terrorized his own people - Essay Example w its hypothesis on the fact that terrorism is not necessary restricted to organized violence between states or regions, but also organized violence that can be committed by a regime to its own population. The first way that Saddam Hussein used against his people was the Anfal campaign. Anfal is an Arab word that means spoils. It was a campaign carried out in the late 1980’s by the Saddam Hussein’s regime against the larger Kurdish population living in the north of Iraq. The campaign was carried out to ascertain the Iraqi control over the area. However, the real agenda behind this type of campaign was to keep the Kurdish population on check. This campaign involved killing of men after being rounded up by the Iraqi troops and their villages raced down, while children and women were taken to camps with deplorable conditions (Ferguson 120). Chemical weapons were also used against the Kurds during the Anfal campaign. The Iraqi used chemical generated weapons to smoke the Kurds out of there homes and villages. These operations were carried out in the morning of March 16, 1988 and continued all night long. The Iraqi’s would deploy bombs filled with a mixture of mustard gas and nerve agent gas. The mixture proved deadly since it had an immediate impact to its victims. The long-term consequences of these weapons included cancer, birth defects and permanent blindness. Short-term effects included vomiting, convulsions, immediate blindness and blisters. Saddam Hussein’s cousin known as Ali Hassan al-Majid directly oversaw this operation against the Kurds after which he earned the famous name of â€Å"Chemical Ali† (Ferguson 130). The second way that Saddam Hussein used to terrorize was through reprisal on Dujail. This occurred in the early 1980’s, when Saddam Hussein was on a visit to a town known as Dujail situated a few miles north of the city of Baghdad. In Dujail, a group of militants known as Dawa shot at his motorcade. In retaliation on what was considered

Organizational Behavior Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 2

Organizational Behavior - Essay Example According to Huczyski and Buchanan (2009), a central part of the concept of the organization and administration is the development of administration perceptions and what skill should be termed as administration theory. The application of the theory brings complete alteration in the management practices. Management theories are a well-defined set of general guidelines that direct the managers to effectively manage an organization. Management theories are helpful for employees for carrying out effective collaboration with business objectives and the sources required for achieving the goal. Organisational behavior is based on understanding the management principles. Knowledge of the history helps in understanding the attributes of administration and management behavior along with the affirmation of the major areas of organizational function (Huczynski A & Buchanan, D 2009). Management theories are analytic and can be implemented in accordance with the diverse administrative contexts. Ap proaches to Management & Organisation The above chart describes the main approaches to organizational behavior (Mullins 2005). Organisational studies, organization behavior, and management practices are analytical concepts and they depict the precise use of ability on how humans as individuals and as groups act within the organization. The initial writers presented the management theories on the basis of understanding the various purposes of management and its functions within an organization.  Ã‚  ... 1. Classical Approach The initial writers presented the management theories on the basis of understanding the various purposes of management and its functions within an organisation. They built the management concept categorising it as work planning, the profound requirements of the organisation, challenge of management, and the acceptance of rational and analytic behaviour. 2. Human Relationship In Behaviour Management The human aspect of the classical writers was a framework for the organisation, however during the 1920s, the years of the Great Depression; the greater incorporation began with the human relations and the organisational behaviour (Mullins, 2005). 3. The System Approach In the recent days, interest has been focused on the evaluation of organisations as systems with an amount of shared sub-systems. The classical access emphasised the complex requirements of the organisation and its people. According to this theory, the managers should be able to understand the aspirati ons of their employees or subordinates in order to create an effective working relationship with them. It also determines the various factors by which an employee can be motivated towards working well in the firm. This would help in achieving organisational goals with more effectiveness and commitment. The theory draws attention towards the hygiene factors of motivation of employees within an organisation and the aspects that should be considered by managers in the course of management. An interrelationship can be drawn here with the understanding of organisational behaviour and the human relation theory of management which emphasises the behavioural element which is shared mutually with both the subjects. The concept of the management theory

Management Information Systems Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Management Information Systems - Term Paper Example Today, management information system is used in various levels of management, and it should be supportive to both the short term and long term goals of the organization. The researcher tates that management information systems of companies are built to serve several purposes. It enhances communication among employees as they are able to access the information they need to carry out their daily tasks. An management information system delivers complex information throughout the organization by ensuring that information flow is easy. A MIS will also ascertain that there is an objective system that will be used record and generate information whenever it is required. It also reduces the labor expenses that would have been incurred if the information was handled manually and all these in return helps in achieving the organizational goal of efficiency. A management information system will provide decision makers facts, which they will use to make a decision and this enhances job performanc e in the organization due to availability of information. At the top management level, an MIS will provide management with information necessary to make strategic decisions. However, at the lower levels, the management information system will provide a means for monitoring activities in an organization and a distribution channel for information from management to the employees. In conclusion, the researcher states that business owners need to keep up with the changing trends in MIS and this will foster customer satisfaction.... A MIS will also ascertain that there is an objective system that will be used record and generate information whenever it is required (Nowduri, 2011). It also reduces the labor expenses that would have been incurred if the information was handled manually and all these in return helps in achieving the organizational goal of efficiency. A MIS will provide decision makers facts, which they will use to make a decision and this enhances job performance in the organization due to availability of information (Kroenke, 2010). At the top management level, an MIS will provide management with information necessary to make strategic decisions.at the lower levels, the MIS will provide a means for monitoring activities in an organization and a distribution channel for information from management to the employees. Management information systems will help organizations to make proper decisions, and they will carry out a series of steps when aiding in decision making. The first step is intelligence gathering, where the system will define the problem, gather related data and identify the constraints. The second stage is the design phase where alternatives to the solution of the problem are identified. The last phase is making the choice between the alternatives and this marks the end of the decision making process from where the decision made can be communicated to everyone in the organization. Despite the importance of using management information systems, they also have potential risks associated with them. Management will use the decisions made by the MIS in coming up with decisions and decisions made from ineffective or inaccurate MIS may undermine the efficiency of an organization, and this is because it cause operational risks, which

Written Communication for Business Purposes Research Paper

Written Communication for Business Purposes - Research Paper Example It is necessary that accountability and responsibility chains of people working in the organization are fixed. The manager should communicate everything to his sub ordinates and people in the organization in a written way. Written messages can also be saved in the repository for future references. Business communication is a permanent mode of communication and is easier to follow through than oral communication mans. Good written communication is pivotal to the success of an organization. It helps in building its corporate image and good will. Written business communication comprises of various forms. These are letters, memoranda’s, emails, sales letters, agendas and business reports. Business letters should have an appealing and an appropriate lay out. The writer should be clear on the content of the letter and it must be divided into paragraphs. The subject of the letter should be written and should be enclosed within envelope. The letter must be saved for future reference a nd should be written carefully as it directly affects the good will of the organization. There are various types of business letters for instance sales letters, information letters and problem letters.

Holistic and Comparing Is the Methods of Assessments Essay Example for Free

Holistic and Comparing Is the Methods of Assessments Essay Write a statement explaining how you plan assessment with learners including planning for holistic assessments and comparing assessment methods and adapting methods to meet individual needs As assessment or evaluation is a method of judging the performance of an individual learner, therefore a written record of targets should be written out so that a learner knows what is expected of them and by when it should be achieved. The assessment method should allow the opportunity for reflection as each area of development is completed. It is a valuable source of information which can be used to help learners take control of their learning. When I first go out to visit a learner within the care sector I first establish if they know what their course entails any previous learning they already have. A discussion on their job role is also import at this time. I then get the learner to participate in a learning styles diagnostic in order to establish how they learn best, so that when it comes to providing help and support within their qualification, I can ensure that I provide the information in a manner which best suits their learning needs. I would also get them to take a maths and English diagnostic if they need to do the key skills or functional skills part of the framework. By doing this I can again find out areas which need further development and areas which they are competent in. The information I have gathered here I would place onto their annex A ILP, stating how I would best support them with their learning, i.e.:- booklets or discussions on problem topics. My next step would then be to carry out a skill scan with them to find out which parts of the Diploma framework they participate in and how confident they are in carrying them out. By doing this we can ascertain what areas of the NVQ would be suited to a particular learner. This information would again be added to the learners Annex A ILP By placing all of this information onto the Annex A ILP I can then look at the best way of going about assessing for each criteria taking into account learners individual needs using the best assessment methods for each of the learners i.e.:- *Test *Observation *Past experiences *Knowledge evidence *Question and answers *Witness Testimony It is import to clarify with the learner a safe and valid process of assessment which both assessor and learner are happy with and ensures that it is a suitable method for providing the required evidence needed to hit the required target. By ensuring that a holistic approach to assessment takes place in the planning and collecting of evidence, we can ensure that a wider scope of the frame work can be covered. For example if I go into a care home to observe a personal care activity I may also find that other areas are also covered such as communication moving and handling etc. The assessment method is about assessing whether or not the learner is competent within their field of work, assessing them against the framework set out within the NVQ framework. This can be achieved through using arrange of assessment methods *Test *Observation *Past experiences *Knowledge evidence *Question and answers *Witness Testimony With the range and flexibility of assessment methods available to a learner it has the advantage of allowing assessments to be individualised to the needs of individual learners. It also allows assessment to be carried out in a way that is highly individualised to the needs of the candidate, assessor and the area of work being assessed.

Key Issues Influencing Localization Commerce Essay

Key Issues Influencing Localization Commerce Essay The speed at which international business takes place has increased substantially and international managers need to react more quickly to economic, strategic and organizational imperatives than in the past as it is more costly to make mistakes today. The cost of reversing a decision due to the speed of international business makes making such mistakes extremely costly as while firms fix problems, competitors surge ahead. Standardization of MNCs is usually defined as standardization of subsidiaries towards following in line with HQ practices. Successful chains such as Mc Donalds have standardized products and management practices across the world and at the same time allowing for a local adaptation to the practices to suit local needs. Most MNCs commonly localize their marketing, promotion and distribution practices even though they have a global advertising strategy. Integration/responsiveness debate cannot be resolved by declaring one position more important that the other (Bartlet t Goshal). To be truly successful in the globalized world, MNC are required to balance between the two. Multinational companies must decide whether to manage their subsidiaries based on local culture or to make them all in line with the global standardization and decide which route is more effective and efficient for them. MNCs have considerable advantages compared to local based companies as they have previous experience from home countries and managerial knowledge and spread best practices around the world (Martin Beaumont, 1998). Host countries however pose several new factors that managers must consider to counterbalance the effect of standardization (Quintanilla and Ferner, 2003). Changes in the strategic orientation of MNCs as reflected in increased levels of interdependencies between organizational (sub-) units will thus rely on IHRM to help achieve this balance. HR management is considered to be the most sensitive to local context (Gooderham et al. 1999). Pressures to adopt global strategies require higher level of global intergration of key HRM -processes. Many MNCs have moved towards more deeply integrating these HRM practices but face resistance due to local culture, legislation and tradition (Lindohlm et al. 1999). Different approaches to HRM in MNCs are closely related to international strategies of the firm (Downling et a. 1999; Scullion 1999). For example, companies with an ethnocentric approach grant little power to their foreign subsidiaries and key positions are fulfilled with PNC nationals, i.e expatriates. For example, Aeons key staff in Malaysia are fulfilled by Japanese expatriates. On the other hand companies with polycentric approaches allow major decisions to be made by local employees and key positions are held by local staff. This leads to more localized solutions in the HRM. Regiocentric and geocentric approaches are simi lar where key positions and solutions are decided by staff of the same region or location. The key issue is the extent to which MNCs should take their global integration (standardization) versus local responsiveness. International management is complicated due to the dimensions involved and the difficult issues of strategy formulation and implementation. Multinational managers however need to identify the opportunities hidden in the complexities of such international situations. This paper will be divided into two parts, the first examines the key issues that influence the degree of localization. Secondly, the paper examines global strategies towards increasing global standardization of HRM while balancing localization so as not to compromise local responsiveness. In both parts, the paper will go examine the role HRM plays towards achieving standardization and localization. Thirdly, it will examine situations of when best to move towards localization rather than standardization and vice versa. 2.0 Key issues influencing localization Distinct local culture and motivation for local employees may not be similar to that of the home country making it difficult to apply similar incentives and expect the same outcome. Hofstede described national culture as the collective mental programming which distinguishes one nation from another. The issue is how much influence cultural differences would bring to the workplace. Different approaches towards collectivism and individualistic cultures, according to Hofstedes will create a number of negotiation points for managers to consider. Some cultures are individualistic where working as an individual is more appreciates whereas some are collectivist. Human resource management has aspects that are legally and culturally determined by the host country but is still responsible for the strategy and implementation plan (Stone, 2008). It therefore must determine what sort of strategy would work in the host country. For example, in Hong Kong as a measure of reducing staff turnover, HRM offered a $1000 increment towards a dental plan, as a result the companys turnover reduced by 4% (Medland, 2004). While such a proposition may not work across other countries, it indicates that managers need to be aware of the different motivations in different countries and why pay and work conditions should not be standardized in MNCs. Research needs to be done to identify motivations similar to the dental work scheme in Hong Kong. There are three different perspectives for understanding diversity: the cultural perspective, the institutional perspective and the network perspective (Evans et al. 2002). In the cultural perspective, individuals are cultured through a socialization process where they instill values and beliefs with which he uses to interpret the world also known as mental programming (Hofstede 1985). It is therefore inappropriate to take management practices developed in one culture and apply them on another and expect the same results (Hofstede, 1985). Cultural differences need to be taken into account, as some of these practices may not be well received in the new subsidiary. Members of that subsidiary may view these kind of practices as unusual and it may not be well received and lead to unexpected consequences hindering a subsidiarys performance. From the cultural perspective extensive global standardization of HRM-practices, will not be an easy fit between organizational practices and the loca l culture. However, the cultural perspective does not take into account the ability of people from different cultures adapting to foreign practices (Evans et al. 2002). The institutional perspective takes a broader view of the national context where it identifies that the key to understanding business in a foreign country lies in the correlations between financial, education, legal, economic, and political systems (Evans et al. 2002). The extents to which MNCs are able to implement their global standards are closely tied to the nature of these institutions. For example, the relative strength or weakness of these institutions in exerting influence on the ability of an MNC to import its own approaches to HRM. This is often the case when MNCs try to put expatriates in key positions leaving local staff in the more menial positions. Often these institutions will exert influence and move towards forcing MNCs to train or employ staff to fill such positions. The network perspective indicates that MNCs are not only influenced by the social norms and cultures of their home country but also by industry standards (Evans et al. 2002). This influences the amount of standardization able to be implemented by MNCs or forces them to provide such standardization. The cultural and institutional perspective help identify the localization needs within the HRM-function; the network perspective identifies the role of interorganizational networks in defining the nature of industries and organizational practices. Key reasons for a localization approach within HRM include issues such as being responsive to the local authorities and institutions. Keeping up with public opinion by providing benefits to the local populace such as job opportunities and providing a higher level of organizational commitment among locals are also prime reasons for localization of HRM practices (Evans et al 2002). However, there are often problems with this as finding suitable candidates with the necessary skills may prove difficult. For example in China, a major problem is the lack of suitable candidates given a shortage of finding mid-level and top-level leadership. http://www.bizresearchpapers.com/17[1].Plessis.pdf 3.0 Global strategies toward increasing global standardization A major issue that international managers face is forces that require both local responsiveness and global integration of subsidiaries with the overall structure of an MNE. MNEs must find ways to combine their firm-specific capabilities with local knowledge to create the best value proposition to suit the local culture and its needs. Some subsidiaries have created a layer where they have been isolated from the overall structure of an MNE that it is unlikely to cooperate and share knowledge with other units of the MNE. This is particularly the case where subsidiaries have competed with each other for resources from headquarters which promote inter-unit rivalry (Fairclough and Boussebaa, 2010). MNes need to make use of the strengths of its internal network set up across its subsidiaries. Managers have to incentivize compatibility among internal agents and incentivize coordination between its internal agents. The challenge for international managers is to foster a sense of coopetition b etween these subsidiaries and designing control structure to implement to foster this relationship. If designed incorrectly, these structures have the potential to create a conflict of interest in the subsidiary, causing it to focus its resources to its own benefit rather than that of its parent company (Clark and Geppert, 2010). To create value, parties or units cannot act in isolation. They have to recognize their interdependence (LAdo, Boyd Hanlon, 1997). Within a multinational enterprise, inter unit coopetition occurs where cooperation and competition occur simultaneously as subsidiaries are enticed or enforced to collaborate but encounter conflicts arising from competing for the limited resources offered by the parent. Even within the same parent umbrella, subsidiaries rarely share similar interest in all aspects as a result of rivalrous pressures from heightened local responsiveness and national adaptation particularly for MNEs emphasizing on multidomestic strategies. Therefo re, managers need to create a flow of the sharing of knowledge and cooperation so that subsidiaries can leverage on the distinct core competencies of other subsidiaries. Interest in a standardization approach has been increasing due to the globalization. Global integration has become more popular and is becoming a necessity in a number of markets to stay competitive where decentralized strategies were more popular previously (Evans et al. 2002). Using a global strategy approach has several drawbacks; the main weakness is the weakness in the firms ability to respond to the changes in the market (Evans et al. 2002). Creating harmony between global strategy and national response is inevitable (Hammerly, 1992). There has to be balance between standardization versus the localization as fully localizing a subsidiary does not make full use of the core competencies and skills that an MNC should leverage on to separate itself from the local competition. A critical method of doing so is to determine what belongs to the core of the organization and what does not. This will enable firms to integrate global activities appropriately and also adapt local activities efficiently. This core should be replicated throughout the firms subsidiaries worldwide. Global standardization does not mean the synchronizing all areas of a firms business, but may be limited to a certain product, function or value chain segment. Therefore, while adopting a global strategy, MNCs still have the option of changing particular areas within the operations so that they do not disrupt the culture of the organization while still being able to keep their core competencies. Giving power to the subsidiary also helps the MNC keep the standardization of the key sectors of the business while allowing subsidiaries to make decisions that need local adaptation. For example, looking at KFC in China, it can be observed that the power to make changes by the subsidiary has allowed them to take a considerable lead in comparison with its competitors. They allowed an adaptation to the market for its menu to better suit the local tastes, however they maintained the core elements of the b usiness which is the supply chain and the business model. The development of international HRM can be divided into a four-phase organizational life cycle (Adler and Ghadar, XXXX).The central idea is that firms should find the best fit between their environment, strategy and human resource policies. The following summarizes some of the suggested links between the phases of internationalization and HRM. Phase Description Domestic Foreign markets served by exporting unchanged products. No real international HRM International Products developed to fit local needs. Expatriates fill general management and important posts in subsidiaries. Locals occupy roles which need understanding of local conditions. Multinational Worldwide coordination used to achieve economies of scale. Selection focuses on best person for international management roles. Aim is to develop a management corps who shares organizational values to help achieve integration. Management development is the spearhead of International HRM. Global High quality at minimal cost through global integration and local responsiveness This analysis shows the flow of how an MNE develops its understanding of international HRM, the focus of HRM shifts from the management of expatriates to the development of international management. This highlights the role in which HRM plays in developing individuals within the company so they build up a bank of knowledge from exposing these individuals to trips to overseas subsidiaries (Kamoche, 1997). This indicates the role of HRM in developing individuals so that they are able to experience different work cultures and be able to adapt. Having experienced these work cultures of different subsidiaries prepares the expatriates for culture shock and being able to work in different work cultures. This allows them to better facilitate standardization as they would understand the practices that would be best accepted in that particular culture after being exposed to it. 4.0 Levels of standardization vs localization In order to be globally competitive, MNCs must make the decision of when to best make changes to the subsidiaries in terms of the level of standardization and localization. The following points will discuss the issue. Companies must ensure that they focus on the core competencies and replicate these core competencies across its subsidiaries as they are key to separating themselves from their competitors. Without this unique trait, there will be little to differentiate themselves from their competitors and may be detrimental to the success of the company. In this highly competitive market, it allows competitors the opportunity to gain market share. Therefore, when core competencies are being considered, MNCs need to use standardization. This makes full use of the very core strengths that identify a company as a leader within an industry. However, the term core competencies should be used selectively and consider that not everything within a company should not be considered a core comp etencies. Whenever core competencies are not involved and when subsidiaries have a need to adapt to specific local cultures or institutional circumstances in order to be successful in the particular field, then MNCs should consider allowing firms to conduct localization. There are several schools of thought that propose several strategies towards the degree to which MNCs should standardize or localize. Some alternatives are provided to balance between the extremes of fully localizing the company or standardizing it. (1) The adaptation strategy where a basic strategy is is adapted to meet market forces and needs but never to the degree of a localized strategy. This means that the marketing mix is only changed to a certain extent and adjusted to the local situation when needed (Hovell Walters, 1972) (2) Sub global strategy where clustering foreign markets into groups which are more or less similar and standardizing them according to region (Hovell Walters). (3) Worldwide segmentation strategy where customer segments exist worldwide and can be offered a standardized product (Fatt, 1967) An example of this would be Coca Cola and Apples worldwide segment. (4) Combination and mixed strategies where global companies can offer both worldwide strategies and local strategies to benefit from both (Hovell Walters, 1972). Another opinion posed by Quelch Hoff is that firms are able to standardize global strategy up to a certain degree and upon which they adapt marketing strategies to suit local differences (Quelch Hoff, 1986). This is more visible when viewed from a marketing strategies basic components of the 6ps: product, price, place, promotion, power and people (Kotler, 1986). Each marketing component can have its own standardization and at the same time still be tailored to suit local needs. For example, in terms of price, having a standardized product across all subsidiaries but altering price to suit the local markets price points is a common practice within MNCs such as PG. Companies like Unilever, Nestle, Proctor and Gamble follow a mixed approach. They have standardized offerings in terms of their brands, but they blend and adapt their 4Ps to suit the needs of the local culture. Their offerings are generally standardized but t he implementation strategy local (http://nptel.iitm.ac.in/courses/110105029/pdf%20sahany/module%207l-36.pdf). Penrose, E. 1959. The Theory of the Growth of the Firm. New York: Oxford University Press BBC. (2010). BBC Persian. Retrieved 10 3, 2010, from http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/iran/2010/09/100928_l38_iran_majles_ahmadinejad.shtml Unilever. (2010). Introduction to Unilever. Retrieved 2010, from Unilever: http://www.unilever.com/aboutus/introductiontounilever/?WT.GNAV=Introduction_to_Unilever Hofstede, G. (1980) Cultures Consequences: International Differences in Work-related Values. Beverly Hills, CA: Sage.

An Analysis Of The Global Automotive Industry

An Analysis Of The Global Automotive Industry The car industry is one of the largest and most profitable industries in the world and is epitomized by the innovative ideas of Henry Ford. Since then the industry has evolved in almost every aspect. The industry has experienced its lows and highs, the 2009 economic downturn being the pivotal point in its history. The industry is essentially an oligopolistic market, which means competitive advantage is the vital objective for all firms. Recent trends have witnessed large firms shifting to regions where costs are low and vertical integration is possible. Most of the lead firms are almost completely vertically integrated and this absorbs most of their profit margins. Firms must also consider the key drivers of change such as revised environmental and technological requirements. Due to the region-centric dispersion of production there is always a risk of poor operations management in certain regions. Organizations are now encouraging their major suppliers to set shop in these emerging m arkets. This leads to a high level of dependence on suppliers who are benefiting from the sharp increase in outsourcing. Customers needs and wants have also changed, with safety and technology on top of their list. The rising costs in fuel and the impending threats of global warming have created a new segment for alternative energy vehicles. Analysis of these macro economic factors leads to a conclusion that the car industry is far from its saturation point and there is still potential for growth in many regions. Table of Contents Introduction The automotive industry is an ever-evolving industry that has experienced both, spurts of rapid growth and unforeseen decline in sales (Molnar, 2009). This is largely due to the fact that the automobile industry shares certain similarities with other large industries, such as the electrical and apparel industries where foreign direct investment (FDI), global production and international trade are significant influences (T.J. Sturgeon et al., 2009). This industry is principally an oligopolistic market; therefore competitive advantage is a key strategic objective for all major players in the industry (Williamson et al., 2004). Based on statistical data the current major players in the industry are Toyota (Japan), General Motors (USA), Volkswagen group (Germany) and Ford (USA) (Datamonitor, 2011)(See Figure 1). Apart from the current big four there are several other lead firms from Japan, USA and Germany, whose domination was heightened due to several mergers and acquisitions and equity based alliances. (T.J. Sturgeon et al., 2009). Since the automobile industry is largely homogenous, there are common trends in the market that directly or indirectly affect most organizations (Williamson et al., 2004). Great potential for growth has been identified in markets like India, Brazil and China due to the availability of low cost skilled labor. This encourages an increased flow of FDI into such countries and facilitates trade liberalization through World Trade Organization (WTO) (T.J. Sturgeon et al., 2009). Along with Global integration organizations are also integrating themselves regionally due to dispersion of final assembly plants in various countries (Molnar, 2009). Another changing attribute in the industry is the alteration of the supply chain due to higher technical dependence on the suppliers. In contrast to the tier based supply chain, now suppliers are vertically integrating to handle complex subsystems (Molnar, 2009). This report focuses on the various macro-environmental factors that affect the car industry currently. Factors such as supplier bargaining power, economical integrations, and political and technological aspects are the key drivers, which are affecting the car industry. The report analyses the trends in the industry from the past, and future expectations, focusing mainly on companies such as Ford, GM, Volkswagen, and Toyota, and justifies how the industry can expect growth in the future. Market Trends The automotive industry has experienced structural changes, from mass production techniques in the 1920s to lean production methods in the 1980s (Wayman, 2007). A groundbreaking concept introduced by Toyota called the just in time Strategy (Beasley, 1950) changed the face of car manufacturing. Similarly Ford introduced the standardization method (Fordism) that revolutionized the method of manufacturing in all industries. Over time the industry experienced a transition from standardization to modern concepts such as just in time and lean production. Emphasis then shifted to branding and sales, as competition got fierce, leading to focus on company operations and marketing (Data monitor, 2011). The slowdown at the end of the first decade of the 21st century affected the banking sector and the stock market thus indirectly affecting the automobile industry. In this recession, costs in the industry increased due to an increase in the cost of the raw materials. As shown in the following graph, the sector most affected was premium cars (Luxury cars). As stated by Pwc. on autofacts.com (2011), Much of the recession was rooted in the white-collar financial service professions, which account for a large percentage of the sectors consumers. This caused an unforeseen dip in the production level of premium cars and had a ripple effect on the on the economies of Europe and Asia Pacific. (Autofacts 2011) As illustrated above the fall in production during the recession can further be explained by analyzing the level of contribution by these strategic groups towards the world production of cars (by value). The United States (US) has been a dominant force in contributing towards the worlds production of passenger cars, with 37.80% of the worlds automotive production in the year 2007. However, negative economic conditions meant production decreased drastically from 30.70% in 2008 to 15.70% in 2009. This free-fall in production shows how susceptible demand for new cars and the auto industry are to economic conditions. http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2012/07/26/business/26euauto-graphic/26euauto-graphic-articleInline.jpg The recession in the US not only affected the domestic market but also affected other major economies. Europe, closely interlinked with the American economy, was one of the first to experience the effects. The recessions magnitude was evident with the fall in production in Europe in 2010, decreasing to 29.70% from 35% in 2009. Although Europe has experienced fluctuations in production, on average it has been reasonably stable compared to the US and the rest of the world. In 2012 estimates by the European Automobile Manufacturers Association predict that sales of passenger cars will decrease by 3 million to 12.4 million. Actual sales of passenger cars have been decreasing since 2008. Sergio Marchionne chief executive of both Chrysler and Fiat commented saying, Ive never seen it this bad, (New York Times 2012). Asia pacifics production has grown at a stable rate averaging 27.92%. Although the region was affected by the global recession it limited the fall in production to 6.4%. After 2009 it experienced a boost in growth for the following two years taking levels close to the 2008 high. Through these years of volatility the automotive industry has had to trim the fat by cutting payrolls and closing underperforming facilities. As well as dealing with these difficult economic trends manufacturers have to be conscious about legal factors and social factors like global warming. Most companies have introduced products consider the environment, which has a positive effect on sales and brand image. These costly additions linked with bad economic conditions have in some ways encouraged greenfield ventures and outsourcing the production of parts and labor in low cost areas like Thailand and other parts of Asia. Macro-economic Analysis PESTLE Analysis The macro environment of the car industry is extensive. Companies need to identify the key drivers of change in order to build scenarios to help them achieve their strategic objectives (Johnson, Scholes and Whittington, 2008). Changing macro-economic conditions force companies to alter their strategies in order to sustain and increase their market share. The economic crisis that the industry suffered in 2009 played a major role in shaping the industry into its current state (T.J. Sturgeon and Biesebroeck, 2010). As stated by Sturgeon, Biesebroeck and Gereffi (2008), the automotive industry is neither fully global, consisting of a set of linked, specialized clusters, nor tied to the narrow geography of nation states or specific localities. However, in recent times the industry has become more region-centric, as companies have set up production and assembly closer to point of sale in order to take advantage of economies of scale and lower labor costs that are available in these emerging markets (Humphrey and Memedovic, 2003). Emerging markets in the car industry are attracting lead firms due to rapid sales growth in these regions (Datamonitor, 2011). In China, lead firms are adopting cautious localization and aggressive localization strategies to reduce their variable costs so that they can compete efficiently in the region (T.J. Sturgeon and Biesebroeck, 2010). The rapid growth of the Chinese car market can largely be attributed to its liberal policies towards joint ventures, as highlighted by the joint venture that formed the Shanghai Volkswagen Automobile Co. which dominated the market for 10 years (Molnar, 2009). Another rapidly growing market is Brazil, which is projected to be the worlds sixth largest car manufacturer in 2013. High import taxes ensure that companies are forced to manufacture locally. Another unique aspect of the Brazilian industry is its dependence on the ethanol industry that fuels almost all cars in this region. The government supports this industry as it employs over a million pe ople and also protects the car industry from the flux of oil prices (Matthew Symonds, 2008). One of toughest challenges for the automobile industry in current times is adhering to the latest technological and environmental norms. The emphasis on incorporating cutting edge technology in cars is evident in KPMGs (2012) survey that shows us the recent demand for mobile connectivity and built in technology (See Figure 3). In order to meet the consumer demands for technological improvements companies are turning to new technology suppliers. This is a strategic risk for companies, as the lack of transparency in the supply chain could lead to environmental disasters, such as the catastrophes in Japan and Thailand in 2011 (KPMG, 2012). Improved fuel efficiency and lighter cars are two factors that are desired by consumers and legislators alike, however the required resources like aluminum cannot be used due to stringent environmental laws (KPMG, 2012). China has set a good example by investing US$15 billion in a market determined to utilize technology to reduce the environmental dam age inflicted by fuel emissions (KPMG, 2012). The automobile industry is one of the most heavily regulated industries in the world. Manufacturers need to follow the safety and environmental regulations of the respective regions they are based in. This becomes difficult due to the current trend of outsourcing most of the cars parts. Every company has to adhere to the environmental norms and therefore strive to reduce emissions from their products. There is no room for error as any breach of legal regulations jeopardizes the companys business strategy Porters 5 Forces Suppliers Suppliers bargaining power is increased when there are a few producers dominating supply (Mintzberg, H. 2002). Despite the automotive industry manufacturers concentrated firm structure, since the early 1990s bargaining power has shifted from the industries automotive manufacturers to their suppliers. This is because of the creation of global suppliers which have taken on more extensive roles in the areas of design, production and FDI (Sturgeon et al, 2009). These globally dominant suppliers are favored by manufacturers who expect and encourage them to be present near their plants and in emerging areas of growth (Molnar, 2009). New projects are no longer seen as an opportunity to expand globally instead, a supplier must have a global base in place to even make a bid, (Sturgeon et al, 2009). Suppliers such as Bosch and ZF are becoming involved in manufacturing and assembly, assembling important sections of vehicles before passing them on to manufacturers (Molnar, 2009). Increased outsourcing and the bundling of more value chain activities make these firms larger and more powerful (Sturgeon et al, 2009). The larger firms achieve economies of scale and scope, making it cheaper to design and produce many components creating high entry barriers (Molnar, 2009). This is concentrating the industry, which in turn is also increasing suppliers bargaining power. Buyers Buyer power can be high if buyers are concentrated, there are low switching costs, or there is buyer competition threat (Johnson, 2011). From the consumer perspective there are definitely low switching costs as switching from VW to Ford costs nothing but the price of the car. End customers generally have no bargaining power because they are individuals who purchase directly from the manufacturer through franchised distribution systems. Only large car rental or leasing companies can gain discount (Molnar, 2009). Substitute Cars do not have a direct substitute threatening sales in the industry. Substitutes like public transport are available but they do not share the same benefits, mainly price and door-to-door transport, that cars do (Molnar, 2009). Bicycles and motorbikes do however offer this benefit and are often considered substitutes. They are not however perfect substitutes, as they do not meet the same comfort, carriage and experience needs, that are a unique selling point for different varieties of automobile. A growing concern that consumers would switch to these substitutes during the global recession was the price of fuel. Despite spikes in the price of oil which provides 97% of transportation fuel, there has been a large increase in demand for passenger cars (Molnar, 2009). This can be attributed to improvement in mileage per gallon and the convenience of having a personal vehicle. It also distinguishes price from performance and that in the case of a car, a lot of people, seek value more than price. Competitor analysis Rivalry between competitors occurs when competitors are numerous or are roughly equal in size or value (Mintzberg, H. 2002). The battle for market share is usually very costly and industries exhibiting these traits usually have low profit margins. The auto industry however is considered to be an oligopoly, which minimizes the effects of price based competition (Molnar, 2009). Firms try to position themselves as luxury brands (Ferrari) or low cost fuel efficient brands (Toyota) to corner a market segment. However some firms like Mercedes, by introducing the Smart car, target a wider demographic. This however, goes against the product life cycle pattern in which differentiation is supposed to decline as the business becomes more mature (Mintzberg, H. 2002). There is some differentiation between vehicles price, quality and status, a vehicle is perishable and there are no (to very low in the case of finance) switching costs. The aforementioned factors, according to Mintzberg (2002), create a strong temptation to cut prices which intensifies rivalry. A strategy firms use to avoid price based competition is to offer rebates, 0% financing, long term warranties and no money down. These finance options help lure in customers but also pressurize profit margins and break even projections (Molnar, 2009). Marketing innovations can raise brand identification or help differentiate the product (Mintzberg, H. 2002). Threat of new entrants: Heavy investment is required by companies looking to enter the automobile industry. Economies of scale are sort after by the new entrants; however the current players have reached large-scale production levels (Gerry Johnson et al., 2011). Most brands have a rich history, helping them build their branding, as brand equity is a big seller (Molnar, 2009). Ford was established in 1903 and GM began in 1908 and they are world renowned (MarketLine, 2012). Firms need to invest heavily in research and development in order to match their competitors technical and design prowess in area such as energy conservation (Molnar, 2009). New entrants may struggle to build their network with suppliers as the automotive industry has an extremely concentrated firm structure (Sturgeon et al., 2009). The global recession made it easier for the larger firms to acquire and integrate horizontally as well as vertically, opening more retail and franchise distribution locations. The recent global meltdown has led to customers switching brands in order to look for low-priced or high performance cars. For example, the Tata Nano was an instant hit in India upon launch; since it was a low price car. The A6 from Audi also got high appreciation for its performance and quality. The existing players in the market would adapt these features and come up with their own designs, hence increasing competition. Daewoo founded in 1967, could not survive and was dismantled in 1999 by the Korean government. Indian Tata motors entered the passenger vehicle market, in 1998 through aggressive acquisitions of foreign brands but could not penetrate the US or EU markets (Molnar, 2009). One of the most crucial barriers to new entrants is legislation and government policies. Restraints such as patent protection regulate the market and have an impact on new companies, if they do not have any unique ideas (Gerry Johnson et al., 2011). Policies regarding FDI and FII affect companies going global and entering new markets. Regional integration such as NAFTA, EU, makes trade and foreign investments simpler and convenient for such companies. Conclusion The current economic crisis has accelerated deep structural change in the automotive industry, setting the stage for sustainable growth (Deloitte, 2009). There are huge potential gains and room for growth in emerging markets, particularly in Asia, mainly in China and India. Countries with high importing costs will experience a decline in domestic capacity as the lead firms continue to set up their manufacturing centers in these emerging markets. The regional trading blocs (e.g., NAFTA, European Union, ASEAN, and Mercosur) are expected to grow and drive regional production as firms look to shift to lower cost regions. Another lucrative opportunity for the organizations is the increase in demand for new cutting edge technologies in cars. This convergence leads to the creation of new business models that include alliances with companies from other industries that provide new technology (Deloitte, 2009). The rising prices of crude oil indicated a continuous and gradual increase in fuel prices over the next 4 years (Moming Zhou, 2008). This is an opportunity for the lead firms to grow by investing more resources in alternative energy products (Hybrid cars), at a time where consumers are looking to switch to more environment friendly cars (See Figure. 2). This is a perfect time to capture this market when treaties like the Kyoto Protocol (Molnar, 2009) call for a collective effort to battle global warming. In conclusion, it can be determined that the global car industry continues to attract consumers to differentiated products. However, firms must make the right strategic decisions, to reduce the absorption of their profits by their vertically integration strategies. Existing companies must adopt a strategy of sustainable growth to ensure their survival in this industry. Bibliography Book JOHNSON, G., SCHOLES, K., WHITTINGTON, R. (2008). Exploring corporate strategy. Harlow, Financial Times Prentice Hall. JOHNSON, G., SCHOLES, K., JOHNSON, G., WHITTINGTON, R. (2011). Exploring strategy. Harlow, Financial Times Prentice Hall. MINTZBERG, H., QUINN, J. B. (1991). The strategy process: concepts, contexts, cases. Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice Hall. Report Pwc (2011) 2011 Automotive Review. [report] Autofacts ProQuest (2012) Thailand Emerges as Global Hub for Fuel Efficient and Environment Friendly Car Manufacturing. [report] ProQuest. KPMG (2012) Global automotive executive survey. [report] KPMG. p. 4-57 DATAMONITOR (2005) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2006) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2007) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2008) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2009) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2010) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2012) Global Automative Retail. [report] DATAMONITOR (2011) Global Automative Retail. [report] MarketLine (2005) Global Automative Retail. Website People.brunel.ac.uk (1950) Just-in-time. [online] Available at: http://people.brunel.ac.uk/~mastjjb/jeb/or/jit.html [Accessed: 10 Nov 2012]. EWING, J. (2012) Europes Auto Industry Has Reached Day of Reckoning NYTimes.com. [online] Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/26/business/global/europes-auto-industry-has-reached-day-of-reckoning.html?pagewanted=all_r=0 [Accessed: 10 Nov 2012]. deloitte (2009) [online] Available at: http://www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-Global/Local%20Assets/Documents/A%20New%20Era_Online_final.pdf [Accessed: 11 Nov 2012]. Articles Dannenberg, J. and Kleinhans, C. (2007) The Coming Age of Collaboration in the Automotive Industry. p.88-94. Datamonitor (2011) Global Automobiles. [report] Datamonitor p.1-37. Molnar, E. (2009) Strategic Management in the ailing automobile industry. Sturgeon, T. et al. (2009) Globalisation of the automobile industry: main features and trends. International journal of technoligocial learning, innovation and development, 2. Sturgeon, T. and Biesebroeck, J. (2010) Effects of the crisis on automotive industry in developing countries: A global value chain perspective. Sturgeon, T. et al. (2008) Value chains, networks, and clusters: Reframing the global automotive industry.Journal of economic geography, 8 (3). p.297-321 Humphrey, J. and Memedovic, O. (2003) The global automotive industry value chain: what prospects for upgrading by developing countries. Magazine Symonds, M. (2008) A global love affair: A special report on cars in Emrging markets. The Economist, Iss. 8606. Online Newspaper Zhou, M. (2008) Gasoline could hit $7 a gallon in four years: CIBC. The Wall Street Journal, [online] 24th April. Available at: http://articles.marketwatch.com/2008-04-24/news/30787082_1_crude-supplies-natural-gas-oil-supply [Accessed: 11 Nov 2012].

Biological Techniques :: essays research papers

1. (a) I. Plasmids are important tools in molecular biology. Plasmids are small circular DNA that has the ability to enter and replicate in bacterial cells and can be used as vectors to introduce foreign genes into bacteria for cloning and sequencing. Any gene must be inserted into an appropriate location of a plasmid to be expressed. The importance of a plasmid is in the step of cloning and sequencing when the construction of a recombinant DNA molecule occurs. The target gene fragment is ligated to a plasmid, and becomes recombinant DNA. Then the plasmid can replicate autonomously in an appropriate host organism. II. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) is the amplification of DNA sequence by repeated cycles of strand seperation and replication. This is a direct method of making copies of a desired DNA sequence, unlike the technique using plasmids. PCR is a process quite like DNA replication. It is still the process of two DNA strands unwinding, replicating, and then reannealing, however the strands are separated by heat. Generally temperatures must be increased to 94-96 degrees C for the hydrogen bonds to break and the separation to occur. Once the stands are separated they can be used as templates for complementary strands to be synthesized by DNA primers. After the strands are completely synthesized, the temperatures are brought back down to 50-65 degrees C for the primers to anneal with the template DNA, and a DNA polymerase can build complementary strands using free nucleotides that have been added to the solution. III. Restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis is a technique in which DNA regions are digested using restriction endonucleases, and subjected to radioactive complementary DNA probes to compare the differences in DNA fragment lengths between individuals. The DNA in question is digested using restriction endonuclease(s). The DNA is then run on a gel and appears to be very long. The gel is subject to a chemical that causes the double-stranded DNA to separate into to individual strands. The strands are then transferred to a nylon membrane with using an electric current, where it will bind. The transfer process is called Southern blotting.

Supersize Me :: Film Movie Films Movies Supersize Me

Supersize Me Some of the people interviewed for this film suggest that Americans can always refuse to eat fast food, but is it really that easy? No, because there are many factors involved when an individual or family decides to eat fast food for any particular meal of the day. Several factors in this decision include but are not limited to: Firstly most people pack their day with activities continuously so there is not much time left in the day to cook. Secondly children play a large role in whether a mother will stop at McDonalds.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In a society where the thought of idle hands as the devils workshop, more people are joining more gym clubs, children are participating in more extra-curricular activities like sports, dance, and the like. More people are going back to extend their education, and subsequently forced to attend classes in the evening. Couple this with parents who work at night or families who have teen-age children who are independent and these factors equal families who spend more time in restaurants than they do in their own kitchen. When families get home late in the evening then dinner often become a snack. This is not to say that every family in America follows this routine, but Caucasians in particular are most likely to become victim to this trend. Caucasians in particular encourage their children to participate in anything. Families who have two parents working have an opportunity to maybe enjoy a home cooked meal a couple nights a week.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  McDonald’s marketing plan is a clever ploy direct at the children of this planet. If not for children and their addiction to clowns, and maybe time factors, mothers would have no reason to stop at fast food restaurants. A great deal of McDonald’s have a play land where the parents can come to appease their child and end up sitting for a two or three hours. Many women meet and make it a social activity. This is how the beginning of eating unhealthy begins. As a result of this, people grow and become cozy with the idea of McDonalds.

Love, Sonnets and Songs :: Sonnet essays

Love, Sonnets and Songs.   Mary Wroth's prose romance, The Countess of Mountgomeries Urania, closely compares with her uncle, Sir Philip Sidney, 1593 edition The Countess of Pembroke's Arcadia.   Wroth was undoubtedly following her uncle's lead by trying to emulate Astrophil and Stella.   Astrophil and Stella and Pamphilia to Amphilantus are both about being in love and they both have over one hundred sonnets and songs. After rereading both pieces, I was struck not by their similarities but by their differences.   For example, Stella is assertive and Pamphilia is passive.   Stella is truly bound by her love for Astrophil while Pamphilia cannot break herself free from the love she feels forAmphilantus.   Sidney creates a female beauty that retains her voice and speaks, whereas Wroth allows her woman to remain inactive and vulnerable.   However, Wroth no longer allows the female to be the object.   She gives the female a voice and she is now the speaking subject.   Pamphilia remains inactive and unfulfilled but very patient. A good question for the reader to ask oneself is why would Wroth not establish a strong female speaking subject like the one she was trying to imitate?   Wroth was the first woman writer in England to publish a romance and a sonnet sequence.   She was by no means conservative or cared about what people thought of her, which has been proved by the antics of her personal life.   So why not establish that same woman character/speaking voice in her prose?   I would like now to look at the similarities and differences of Stella and Pamphilia. First, Philip Sidney and his female character Stella.   Stella has a voice and does speak, however, she speaks in the songs and not the sonnets themselves.   We see in the first two lines in each stanza of the Eleventh Song, Stella speaking and Astrophil answering her. Who is it that this dark night Underneath my window plaineth? It is one who from they sight Being (ah) exiled, disdaineth Every other vulgar light. Because she is not granted a sonnet, the standpoint that women are not allowed a voice has some truth to it.   Another standpoint is the way the women are viewed.   Women are viewed by their physical aspects.   For example, in sonnet 7, the speaker states: When Nature make her chief work, Stella's eyes In color black why wrapped she beams so bright?

Language and Gender in Adolescence Essay

In the reading, I agree with Penelope Eckert that adolescents are leaders of linguistic change. According to the World Wide Web, linguistic change is a phenomenon whereby phonetic, morphological, semantic, syntactic, and other features of language vary over time. Adolescents also known as teenagers or youth play a significant role in deteriorating or accelerating the kind of linguistic system in a particular place or community. If to be analyzed, this can be equated to the strong, active and consistent participation of the youth in voicing out their opinions, getting into social issues and trends, and in creating an environment that is suitable and almost ideal to their generation. In my opinion, there are three reasons which support the claim that adolescents are leaders of linguistic change in today’s age. These are peer pressure, media and the Internet. Peer Pressure A primary concern for teens during adolescence is the issue of ‘fitting in’ and ‘belongingness’. Since adolescence is an adjustment period where children suddenly leap to a stage where he or she would start in creating an image of themselves or a self-concept, there is a tendency for them to be lost and confused to who and what they really should be due to the numerous options in front of them. Often said than not, adolescents are more easily swayed rather than adults. It is easier to teach a youngster that is less matured and still in the process of knowing his or herself than an adult who already has a formed principle and beliefs. For example, if there is a new trend, let’s say in fashion or music, an adolescent would normally be swayed to what is ‘in’ and hit’ to most of the people around him or her so that he or she may be accepted in the circle he or she wanted to belong to. This also goes with his or her choice of words and language. Adolescents tend to speak the way people around them speak. They tend to become the persons their environment and peers dictate them to be in order to be socially accepted and relevant. When it comes to choice of words and language, youth can be easily influenced with what vernacular or words to use since in the stage of puberty serves as their training ground and preparation phase of how and who they’ll be in the future. Moreover, due to peer pressure, adolescents are assigned to groups or pacts which can influence another group of adolescents that make the widening of a certain trend expand faster. For example, in the Philippines there is this particular way or style of speaking called the ‘conyo’. In this manner, the person tends to combine his or her vernacular with American English when speaking in public or to certain persons. Most youth embraced this kind of manner since it is what is ‘in’ and famous among adolescents of their generation. Now, if a group speaks that way then heard by another person or group of persons and then that certain persons adopt the manner of speaking, there is a domino effect of the ‘conyo’ style that changes the linguistic system existing in that certain place or community. Media and the Internet Media and Internet are two powerful tools in linguistic change. This can be viewed in two ways: first, media and internet as tools in changing and influencing the minds and behavior of the people, and second, these tools as used by the people to change and influence their environment. Since most media and internet users are composed of the young population, those of which belong to the teen’s age and young adulthood, it can be concluded that the adolescents compromise this population. Now, how do the media and the Internet serve as tools in influencing their users? The media is changing and along the likes of TV programs that are hit to their viewers, people especially teenagers are going along with the change. Since media is a daily part of one’s life, it can easily influence its viewers on how they should be. For example, most teens mimic their favorite artists with their fashion, choice of stuffs and even with their manner of talking and handling things. Aside from the media, the Internet constitutes a great deal in linguistic change. The trends being delivered by Internet services like instant messaging, blogging and social networking influences the culture of its users when it comes to their linguistic style and system. Instant messaging taught us the short-style of sending messages (i. e. â€Å"Who R U? †, BRB, LOL, and the like). Through media and Internet, adolescents are also exposed to different styles of language. They are exposed to the kind of words they see in web pages, newspapers, magazines and different publications, and hear in TV and radios or in podcasts that sooner or later they’ll adopt. On the other hand, these tools are also used by the people to change and influence their environment and co-individuals. Through these, the youth became more empowered when connecting with their co-youth and when sharing their ideals that affect a great deal of people. They became more heard, powerful and capable of changing the linguistic system they live with. They were able to take control of the system through media, internet, and their characteristics as youth and population. To summarize, I believe that adolescents are the leaders of linguistic change. Primarily, the interconnectedness of peer pressure, media and the internet attributed to the power of the youth to be the catalyst of change in their linguistic system due to their own ways and styles of dealing with their environment and in their process of finding and knowing them