Creating a Process-Driven Organization at AgCredit Essay

AgCredit, The MidWest Agriculture Credit and Loan Company is a midsize financial institution which concentrates on agribusiness. Over the past few years there is a significant growth in business and plays its own role by competing with other larger banks. â€Å"Even though AgCredit had an extensive customer knowledge, the process and customers were taxed to the hilt due to the lack of better technological system†, said Jim Finney, CEO of AgCredit. (McKeen & Smith, 2012). He proposed to get some better technology to overcome the present in a meeting. Then everyone over there started pointing the drawbacks of IT. Steve Stewart, COO of company moans that IT’s is mess and whenever he assign any task then they simply escape from the situation by saying a reason. Paul Manley, the senior vice president of e-business, agreed. He added that IT sysyem is completely broken and he wouldn’t ask them to solve our business problems. The others chimed in with all of their views as project delays, customer complaints, bad information and IT staff, who did not have a clear knowledge on business. So Kate Longair, who works in Enterprise Integration Program (EIP) for AgCredit assigned responsibility of making out the integration of the system in a best way. (McKeen & Smith, 2012). After three months of rigorous work for Kate and her team, she came up with a twenty foot long diagram of total system in the company and the processes. she explained to Finney that all people recognized what exactly they planned to do in addition to exactly how it will add benefit to the business, however no one understood exactly how their particular small business method would fit with all people else’s to deliver enterprise benefit. Next we all realized had been that we did not comprehend our organization procedures in addition to that they worked with each other. (McKeen & Smith, 2012). Presently there happened a lot of money associated with hardships within the current framework. It’s prepared within basement and also the 4 unique organization dividers associated with AgCredit posse’s impartial IT strategies and also the programs that are not really unsuited along with additional business strategies. Sometimes the actual promises concerning freelancing had been wrong. The organization is within lacking IT  supervisors along with great specialized understanding in a number of specific areas. You can also find accusations concerning task obstacle, terrible information as well as customer critique as well as supervisory recruiting. To be able to solve these types of problems, The organization offers hired a specialist as well as she forecasted an answer known as Support focused structures (SOA). The organization happens to be analyzing in the event that SOA would be the best strategy within solving their own problems. (McKeen & Smith, 2012). Key Concer ns The actual company’s professionals are extremely hectic along with daily procedures as well as brand new endeavors. IT proficiency offers ended up with time and also the framework had been in no way aimed along with organizational goals. Even though some backend tinkering offers created organization broad info obtainable in some instances, the present techniques are not suitable as well as conversation in between all of them is actually bad. IT doesn’t possess trustworthiness inside the outlines associated with company. This can be a understand disadvantage and you will be tackled within the reorganization of IT. Company procedures are not recognized because of IT personnel and frequently the company by itself does not have a comprehensive gasp on the procedures. The actual interconnections from the procedures tend to be not clear in order to each attributes from the business additionally. The actual sections don’t realize their own part inside the business plus they should work out how they ought to assistance the actual business. Aiming their own person objectives along with proper reps will have to be achieved. You will find four company sections inside AgCredit. The actual company’s proper reps tend to be constant development, area associated with client associations, capability to save money period using the clients, capability to cross-sell providers, and supply a regular encounter towards the client. The CIO placement was made in order to line up IT and also the company and also to guide the actual IT change. The new CIO offers operate an effective marketing campaign along with e-business as well as involves the positioning along with clean eye, however deficiencies in official specialized encounter. He is comfortable in making use of companies as well as consuming several factors associated with look at. Absolutely no IT governance or even structures happens to be in position. Instead the  divisional framework offers been around as well as business vision is actually short. IT choices are created to satisfy short-term requirements as well as endeavors. IT perform can be considered the assistance support for that company. A few of the IT staffing problems tend to be: reduced well-being, higher work ambiguity, unqualified personnel filling up jobs, specialized abilities without a few places, absolutely no older IT supervisor jobs, and several bare work functions. A part of retooling the actual IT structures should be in order to straighten out these types of staffing requirements. A good application-centric mindset guidelines the organization. It’s resulted in four individual directories, one for each department, as well as large information untidiness as well as redundancy. A good SOA strategy may be advised depending on organizational requirements, in order to change IT. Individuals requirements consist of adding systems as well as systems without having alternative. Vendor options must be simplified as well as a good authorization procedure set up supported along with delivery metrics as well as procedures The following actions is going to be bringing together the client information as well as conditioning its basis. Just one group of client info may be the expectancy which will even assist construct believe in as well as trustworthiness towards IT, inside the business. Managing IT as a Business In the past, IT been among the minimum recognized expenses as well as probably the most mismanaged regions of numerous company. Failure in order to meld IT businesses, techniques, as well as technologies and also to straight link these types of towards the corporation’s proper company drivers to create outcomes is among the major explanations why big, complicated mergers or even acquisitions frequently fail to provide on the guaranteed synergies. In the event that technologies would be to satisfy its guarantee and supply obtain the benefit to some company, two main modifications should happen: The actual IT business should be handled as well as brought in a expert method, such as any kind of big company device, along with consideration in order to focal points, individuals as well as overall performance. The connection in between IT customers through the company and also the IT business should alter. IT customers should realize that the corporation’s capability to supply IT is not limitless. Such as  other things, IT is sure through guidelines associated with provide, need, as well as price. Only if customers from it through the company tend to be pressured in order to â€Å"pay† for this, possibly clearly via some kind of transfer prices or even more frequently implicitly via tradeoffs within additional business spending budget collection products, may learn to make use of very carefully as well as actively. (Lutchen, 2004) The following image represents the role of IT unit in business. The mid section represents the practical execution of IT as a business. (Lutchen, 2004). The reason behind IT organizations Figure1: Lutchen, M. (2004). Managing IT As a Business : A Survival Guide for CEOs. Hoboken, N.J.:J.Wiley and CIOs fail is due to lack of deliver value to the business. It is their inability to concentrate sufficient amount on the middle section of the above figure 1. IT and business are really an essential point to enhance the worthiness associated with company because of IT opportunities. To achieve the actual objectives and missions of the business you will find six crucial features Organization need to look at the IT like a technical device to convert them into business. What this means is obtaining acquainted with the company they are dealing. Customer significance as well as client satisfaction should be thought about like a earlier point making income towards the organization. IT repetitions as well as people should have the knowledge as well as understanding of one another benefits, so the scenario won’t guide right into chaos. Organization should have particular as well as clear objectives that leads to attain a typical objective. These two organizations ought to realize the organization revenue as well as reduction methods. (Nelson and Alok, 2013) Organization culture ought to be taken care of inside a comprehensive as well as lively method. These people work collaboratively and cope with the organization income instead of their very own sections. Along with today’s competing world, businesses tend to be coping with  numerous issues. So that you can match up these kinds of problems, organizations consist of constantly acquired assistance of the IT to have success together with generating revenue. Many organizations today count on IT to know the enterprise value. It could possibly in essence form of just how enterprise can be completed in addition to empower the technique plan. Enterprise must fully grasp that it is not optional, nevertheless crucial to the actual accomplishment from the enterprise. In addition to the many procedures, typically firms will have the knowledge about their drawbacks among all of them and it and this also insufficient equilibrium causes an important effect on organization’s power to receive the majority of out of it is resources. Doing work collaboratively, organization and IT could make work extra handy, collection arranged with coordinative-based conduct happen. The IT in the commercial is needed created for technical pattern, investigation, facts investigation and also arranged starting. While IT provides strengths towards messing around with reality, company, without appropriate collaboration involving them, and that is not possible inside the reality. (Tapscott, Don.,1996) The bond between IT and as well business is generally documented being excellent, amiable and as well productive not until both equally try to understand methods and also goal business practice that may impact several variables as an customer satisfaction and pleasure, quality about solution as well as cost. IT must deliver innovative advancements that can be used because of the business, which will aid these to generate and in addition develop fresh constructions, strengthening most of these to regulate their particular workouts in ways that are not possible to doable. These enhancements in future may lead as an additional strength. The IT need to offer new alternatives by means of greater technical know-how to help come up with the latest advancement also to help to improve business practice basically, enterprise actually have to offer IT to help socialize in all of the their very own exercises that it can take a look at with regards to just what company is generally planning on by with it. The relationship among enterprise and also it will guide either of those to further improve the business ability not just within their technical areas but additionally within non-technical, for example difficult task producing,  advertising, buyer interactions or anything else. It should typically make possible substantially richer operations with regards to quality. (Thakur, G.C.,1996) IT running a business taken out a lot of problems previously. They are considered as some sort of two pieces doing the job collaboratively to generate the idea to be a superior company. This are invariably good for understand what exactly company needs and in addition it must develop with regard to earnings as well as accomplishments rather than people working in taken care of parts. Designed for receiving beneficial teamwork, every single person in the specific team must create numerous features. It may help decide much better company features as well as help agencies to complete diverse ambitions as well as improving features. Different database need to be maintained at the moment as well as upcoming features relating to company. (Shank, John K. & Govindarajan, Vijay.,1993) Project Implementation: Process functioning class should primarily perform comprehensive research in relation to the progressions, the sustaining techniques, present projects carried out from the business plus the technological innovation they are applying at present. The organization ought to subsequently make a floor program that is certainly linked to the targets with the business through using clear technological innovation benefits. Later the job class really should concentrate on involving IT crucial program that is certainly in addition to the actual association’s detailed crucial program. The main element targets should be primarily acknowledged so that these people go progress as well as make a spirited border. Then work class really should carry out an enterprise field research this can easily classify the business enterprise progressions which have been captious for the enterprise as well as generate a technique which could effectively earnings the majority by using it. (Schwalbe, 2013) Service Oriented Architecture According to â€Å"Hao He†, â€Å"SOA is an architectural style whose goal is to achieve loose coupling among interacting software agents. A service is a unit of work done by a service provider to achieve desired end results for a  service consumer. Both provider and consumer are roles played by software agents on behalf of their owners.† (He, 2003) The primary problems associated with SOA execution tend to be issues within creating effective decision structures, creating a SOA roadmap, controlling as well as governing services, determining providers as well as insufficient support financing as well as insufficient constant governance procedures. To deal with these types of problems, businesses need a thorough SOA governance construction that may be used within an iterative method. (Hojaji, F., & Shirazi, M., 2012) According to â€Å"Hojaji & Shirazi†, there are five key points for developing a SOA governance frame work. There are five activities to follow. They are:  Problem Identification: we stipulate the actual specific domain, as well as justify the worthiness of the answer. In line with the issue range, we determine the primary needs, problems as well as implicationss associated with SOA adoption as well as suggest some SOA governance components.. Define the Objectives of a new Solution: All of us evaluate a few of the current SOA governance construction by way of the literature review to locate their own pros and cons. This particular evaluation specifies the style technique for creating a brand new SOA governance construction. Design and Development: We stipulate a new frame work as well as existing the universal conceptual design along with a procedure design in order to state the actual special functions as well as primary aspects of the actual suggested construction. Demonstration: With regard to demo from the created construction, all of us utilize the brand new construction within an IT division. Additionally, we create an in depth execution procedure close to the construction to show it’s utility. Evaluation: We examine the framework by looking at its capabilities and evaluating the fitness of SOA governance elements. Also, it is analyzed with a qualitative model.†(Hojaji, F., & Shirazi, M., 2012) Because of  increasingly more businesses proceed towards applying support focused structures, Table 1: Hojaji, F., & Shirazi, M. (2012). A DESIGN SCIENCE APPROACH TO DEVELOP A NEW COMPREHENSIVE SOA GOVERNANCE FRAMEWORK. International Journal Of Managing Information Technology, 4(3), 33-53. doi:10.5121/ijmit.2012.4304 they have to use choose decision providers as well as system managers with regard to success and recognizing the actual advantages of SOA. Within changeover in order to SOA, businesses encounter a number of problems for example issues within creating a highly effective choice framework, controlling as well as regulating providers as well as insufficient constant governance procedures. Consequently, to deal with these types of problems as well as accomplish SOA advantages, businesses need deployment of the properly comprehensive SOA governance design that may be used within an iterative as well as incremental method. The above table represents the SOA challenges and related to SOA governance elements. (Hojaji, F., & Shirazi, M., 2012) The activities of service oriented modeling is represented in the below table. This shows the activities that are typically conducted by each of the roles of provider and consumer. Note that the provider’s activities are a superset of the consumer s activities. (Arsanjani, 2004) Table 1: Arsanjani, A. (2004). Service-oriented modeling and architecture . Retrieved from IBM: http://www.immagic.com/eLibrary/ARCHIVES/GENERAL/IBM/I041109A.pdf IT Governance  IT governance primary goal is defined as â€Å"to assure that the investments in IT generate business value, and to mitigate the risks that are associated with IT†. This can be done by implementing an organizational structure with well-defined roles for the responsibility of information, business processes, applications and infrastructure. (BriseBois, 2012) IT governance ought to be seen as how IT generates benefit that will satisfies into your entire Business Governance Strategy in the enterprise, rather than make sure being a self-control without attention. Within getting that technique, just about all stakeholders can be necessary to participate in your choice making course of action. This generates the discussed acceptance involving  accountability intended for essential devices in addition to makes sure that IT connected selections are created in addition to motivated because of the company and not vice versa. There are nine principles of IT governance which plays an active role in a company. (Ross, 2004) Actively Design Governance: A lot of enterprises include made disparate IT governance parts. These kinds of uncoordinated system â€Å"silos† result from governance simply by default—introducing parts one by one to handle a selected need. Patching up problems since they crop up is often a preventive method that boundaries options pertaining to strategic impact from IT. Rather, management really should make an effort to design IT governance across the enterprise’s ambitions and functionality aims. Make an effort to planning governance will involve senior management getting the steer and allocating resources, interest, and service for the practice. For a few enterprises, this is initially IT governance is actually clearly created. Generally you’ll find fully developed company governance as a beginner. Know When to Redesign: Rethinking the full governance structure calls for individuals understand new tasks and relationships. Learning normally takes time. So, governance renovate must be sporadic. The suggestion can be made that a modification within governance is needed when that has a modify within desirable actions. Involve senior managers: companies with increased successful IT governance have additional senior administration effort. CIOs have to be successfully associated with IT governance for achievement. Other senior professionals must participate in the actual committees, the actual approval operations, and functionality reviews. For several enterprises, this particular effort is a pure extendable connected with senior management’s typical routines. It’s very ideal for the actual CIO and his or her personnel to communicate with IT governance using one document which has a visual like the Governance Measures and Matrix. Matrix comes with a path for dealing with every single senior manager’s part and concerns they have. Make choices: Effective governance, including excellent methodology, deals  with possibilities. It isn’t practical for IT governance in order to meet every single goal, although governance can easily and may highlight contradictory aims regarding controversy. While tradeoffs increases, governance gets to be more complex. Top-performing corporations deal with goal fights with a few clear business ideas. As resulting IT ideas reveal these business ideas. Clarify the exception-handling process: Exclusions are usually precisely how establishments study. Within IT language, exceptions challenges this standing quo, particularly the IT architecture and structure. Few requests for pertaining to exceptions are usually frivolous, nevertheless nearly all come from an accurate want to satisfy small business requirements. If the exemption recommended with a business model has value, a change towards the IT architecture might help the entire venture. Provide the right incentives: Incentives should be provided right. a common difficulty we all found throughout the study of IT governance seemed to be a misalignment of motivation along with reward systems with the behaviors the particular IT governance measures had been created to motivate. Assign ownership and accountability for IT: IT governance should have an head and accountabilities. Eventually, board is liable for all governance, however the board will probably expect as well as use outsourcing for an individual (probably CEO and CIO) or collection being to accountable for IT governance design, implementation, and performance—similar towards funding committee or CFO being responsible for economic resource governance. In deciding the best person or group, the board, or CEO while the responsible one. Design governance at multiple organizational levels: In large multi-business device enterprises it is vital to take IT governance into account from numerous levels. The particular starting point can be enterprise-wide IT governance motivated through few enterprise-wide techniques and goals. Companies having independent IT capabilities with partitions, sections, as well as geographies need a independent nevertheless linked section of the IT  governance. Provide transparency and education: It really is virtually unattainable to obtain excessive transparency or education regarding it governance. transparency and education often get together—the a lot more education, the greater visibility, and vice versa. A lot more visibility with the governance processes, the greater self-confidence in the governance. Analysis As by the research these are the following skills and developments that have to be maintained at AgCredit. Acknowledgement associated with company possession is going to be essential towards the organizational framework. Getting the company sign up as well as sign up for the actual discussion about this and associated tasks is going to be a key component. The guiding panel is going to be have to be the main authorization procedure for just about all tasks is required to make certain a good business look at is actually used. The actual multidivisional panel will have to make sure just about all tasks match inside a SOA construction. The actual CIO ought to be active in the boardroom as well as get access to senior administration, such as the CIO. The actual CIO ought to employ older administration that may express departmental as well as company items as well as assist manual IT workers. Accounts supervisors for every LOB which stay in the commercial however are accountable to senior IT administration ought to be set up. The whole IT personnel will have to end up being reassessed to guarantee the correct individuals are within the correct work functions. The actual IT perform will have to end up being introduced position using the business eyesight. one choice is actually to try and market in house with regard to empty IT jobs as well as insource the actual functions which can’t be stuffed. Insourcing may have the actual unique benefit of instruction IT staff whilst getting the task carried out too. Freelancing IT features which are not really primary expertise may also be used in the event that preferred. The guiding panel which signifies numerous LOBs will have to end up being created as well as providing choice producing abilities. The procedure must start through analyzing what sort of task scarves towards the general  eyesight from the organization. Following the actual panel people ought to describe the way the task results their own department and may supply to satisfy departmental requirements if at all possible. It also may need to ensure this suits inside the SOA and it is not really copied through additional software program nodes or even present procedures. If it’s a good improvement or even add-on to a different task, conversation using the consumer to determine possible advantages must start. Ensuring it may be modularized as well as standardised for that company is going to be essential for that organization structures. Furthermore ensuring just about all task kinds are thought as well as financed via a taxes on just about all LOBs may be asked to assist SOA. Manley will have to present these key talents associated with SOA as well as ensure to concentrate on exactly how it will assist the actual company’s vision and objectives. The changeover may easily simplify the business as well as accelerate item execution. Current services is going to be obtainable or even altered with regard to user friendliness. It facilitates internet providers which line up along with constant development possibilities, broadened client associations, as well as capability to cross-sell between your sections. It may instantly provide services for growing sections when it comes to feasible monetary increases as well as extending improvement bucks. Existing providers can be bought as well as put in place rapidly inside the SOA. This particular raises the abilities as well as guarantees all of us remain swept up using the bigger companies. Essentially this could level the actual actively playing area supplying useful assets as well as techniques. Once the client info is actually centralized, that is necessary for SOA, the actual cost savings through decreasing data source requirements is going to be recognized. Having typical procedures may line up the company in general as well as make sure worth through elevated conversation as well as reduced doubt. This type of technologies base might permit the method all of us function to alter, for instance a home based job or even on the highway operating via a VPN. The actual abilities required to assistance the actual SOA in the IT viewpoint tend to be administration resources, information administration  resources, Information shipping choices, improvement series, along with a customer support mindset towards the actual sections. Role clarification is going to be essential within establishing these types of abilities. Administration resources consist of visioning as well as company position procedures, financing techniques, dimension metrics as well as concentrate, as well as checking techniques. Info rmation administration resources consist of selection actions, arrange procedure such as strategies as well as taxonomy, procedure quests to make use of the informaton, and up keep methods which assistance company features. Improvement series should comply with SOA requirements as well as recommendations, utilizing compliant equipment as well as software program to create techniques which break down the actual performance, as well as problem a long with regulating requirements, such as program skills within making reviews with regard to review reasons. The client support mindset is going to be required to handle awareness as well as maintain near scarves using the company. Prior to governance structures tend to be official the actual business as well as divisional vision as well as goals ought to be layed out. By using it operating together with the company a few leading concepts should be drawn up upward. This might include establishing accounts supervisors inside the LOB as well as developing the multidiscipline guiding panel along with substantial choice energy. This particular guiding panel ought to function carefully using the CIO and also have higher level authorization as well as business sponsorship. The actual governance program ought to concentrate on leading the actual change procedure as well as maintaining crucial problems within concentrate, for example sox as well as regulating conformity. Stakeholder participation within the guiding panel can help the company also IT structures turn out to be companions as well as to work together. It will make sure just about all sounds tend to be noticed as well as regarded as within the decision maki ng procedure. They ought to describe plan choices which assistance the actual organization’s vision in early stages. References Arsanjani, A. (2004). Service-oriented modeling and architecture . Retrieved from IBM: http://www.immagic.com/eLibrary/ARCHIVES/GENERAL/IBM/I041109A.pdf BriseBois, r. (2012). What is IT Governance? Retrieved from intosaiitaudit.org: http://www.intosaiitaudit.org/intoit_articles/25_p30top35.pdf Hojaji,F., & Shirazi, M. (2012). A Design Science Approach To Develop A New Comprehensive SOA, Governance Framework. International Journal of Managing Information Technology, 4(3), 33-53. doi:10.5121/ijmit.2012.4304 Lutchen, M. (2004). Managing IT As a Business : A Survival Guide for CEOs.(5). Hoboken, N.J.:J.Wiley Mckeen, J. D., & Smith, H. A. (2013). Creating a process driven organization at AgCredit. In Kursh, S., Lant, T., Majeske, K., Oliver, J., & Plant, R. (Eds.), IST 7100 IT policy and strategy Wilmington University (pp. 474-477). United States: Pearson Learning Solutions Nelson & Alok, (2013) Digitally Included: Business-Community Partnerships To Promote the Use of Information and Communication Technologies. (2003) Ross, P. W. (2004, 07 05). Harvard Business School Working Knowledge. Retrieved from Ten Principles for IT Knowledge: http ://hbswk.hbs.edu/archive/4241.html Schwalbe, K. (2013). Information Technology Project Management. Cengage Learning. Shank, John K. & Govindarajan, Vijay. (1993). Strategic Cost Management: The New Tool for Competitive Advantage. New York: The Free Press. Tapscott, Don. (1996). Digital Economy: Promise and peril in the Age of Networked Intelligence. New York: McGraw-Hill Thakur, G.C. (1996). What is Reservoir Management? Journal of Petroleum Technology, June, pp. 520-525.

Pericles Funeral Speech and Jefferson Declaration of Independence Essay

September 11, 2001, two planes crash into the World Trade Center, people diving out windows to their deaths, a plane crashes into the Pentagon, hijackers overtaken by passengers and crash the plane into a field in Pennsylvania. December 2003, mass graves uncovered in Iraq, compliments of Saddam Husayn. May, 2004, a web page shows terrorists cutting off the head of Nick Berg. August 2004, over 350 children are executed by terrorists in a school in Russia. Democracy is being threatened by enigmatic zealots all over the world. The United States have fought for Democracy as far back as the Revolutionary War, and both World Wars. Once again our military is being asked to make the ultimate sacrifice in the attack on democracy against these zealots. Fighting for democracy has been the cause of wars since the days of Pericles. Pericles states that â€Å"Our constitution does not seek to copy the laws of our neighbors; we are an example to others, not imitators of them†. During his time there was usually one ruler that had the power over life and death, the mass of people did not matter. In Athens this was far from the case. Athens created its own government, one that was for the people, and benefited the people. Pericles said with conviction, â€Å"As far as public life is concerned, we live as free men†. The people of Athens had a government that supported them; they were all equal in the eyes of the government. The city of Athens stood by itself; it needed no others to help it. She left her gates open to all and did not concern herself with excluding foreigners. Her military stood alone. Athens never advanced into another territory with Allies; she did it alone. He also marvels in the fact that Athens does not live for the fear of war. He states that they live free, but are always ready if in danger. He even goes so far to say that his enemies are happy with a victory over a small part of the army. Pericles praises Athens for her form of government – democracy – because it is only in a democracy that citizens are encouraged to contribute and participate in self-rule. Democracy brings equality, merit brings public success, social and economic mobility is encouraged, and the law protects all: â€Å"We alone consider the man who refuses to take part in city affairs useless,† Pericles announces. And he gets in a  dig at Sparta by proudly proclaiming that â€Å"rather than look upon discussion as a stumbling-block in the way of action, we think it is an indispensable preliminary to any wise action at all.† Pericles encourages his audience â€Å"to realize the greatness of Athens† and enjoy everything the city has to offer: â€Å"Further, we provide many ways to refresh the mind from the burdens of business. We hold contests and offer sacrifices all the year round, and the elegance of our private establishments forms a daily source of pleasure and helps to drive away sorrow. The magnitude of our city draws the produce of the world into our harbor, so that to the Athenian the fruits of other countries are as familiar a luxury as those of his own.† What Pericles talks about in his speech is almost dimmed in importance by how he delivers the message. It is Pericles’ rhetoric that makes this speech famous and the model for so many others in the course of history. Throughout his speech, Pericles holds up glory as the incentive for men to rush to battle for their freedom: Athens is a glorious city because of the sacrifices of previous generations of men, and this generation, too, must shoulder its burden. And while fighting for your country can help bring about a victory, it also has the benefit of bringing you personal glory, something Pericles believes can be gained in no other way than by dying for your country: â€Å"Realize for yourself the power of Athens, and feed your eyes upon her day after day, till you become her devoted lover. Then, when all her greatness breaks upon you, reflect that it was by courage, sense of duty and a keen feeling of honor in action that men were enabled to win all this, and that no personal failure in an enterprise could make them consent to deprive their country of their valor, but they laid it at her feet as the most glorious contribution they could offer. By this mutual offering of their lives made by them all, they each of them individually received that renown which never grows old. For a sepulcher they have won not so much that tomb in which their bones are here deposited, but that noblest of shrines wherein their glory is laid up to be eternally remembered upon every occasion on which deed or story shall fall for its commemoration. For heroes have the whole earth for their tomb.† Pericles’ speech is certainly persuasive. Its passion is based in reality. It is a powerful to see a nation mourn its war dead. In the end Pericles  accomplishes his goal to inspire a city in mass mourning for its lost warriors. Woodrow Wilson was faced with a call to arms when in 1917 he proclaimed American entrance into World War I a crusade to make the world â€Å"safe for democracy.† Pericles, in his funeral oration, talks of valor as being very honorable. He comments that â€Å"Choosing to die resisting, rather than to live submitting† is a bold and courageous act and it deserves praise and glory. He says the soldiers â€Å"fled only from dishonor, but met danger face to face†. Abraham Lincoln was faced with a similar task. The Gettysburg Address was delivered on November 19, 1863, at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, during dedication of the Gettysburg National Cemetery. Lincoln’s speech is more humble than Pericles, but just as passionate. He is careful in not mentioning either side of the war; he only speaks of the nation as a whole. â€Å"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether the nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field as the final resting-place for those who here gave their lives that this nation might live.† Lincoln pays tribute to not only the Union army, but the Confederate as well, by saying â€Å"The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract.† There are obvious parallels between Pericles’ and Lincoln’s speeches. They both set out to accomplish the same thing just in different ways. Another famous writer and scholar with a similar view of Athenian society, Sophocles, chose to voice his opinion through playwright. Specifically in his two great tragedies Oedipus the King and Antigone. Pericles and Sophocles, although coming from different ends of the spectrum (the aforementioned oratory or rhetoric and the latter fictional), both consider the individual and the state in their works and come to similar conclusions with some exceptions. Pericles expresses his views in his â€Å"Funeral Oration†,  where he boasts of the great qualities of Athens, its citizens and soldiers. Sophocles injects his thoughts and ideas into his two masterpieces, Oedipus the King and Antigone. In the following paper, I will compare the men’s ideas and views on the subject of the individual and the state. In particular, their thoughts on the importance of military excellence, honor, courage, and views on women. Both men considered loyalty in battle and involvement in public matters very important. According to Pericles, military achievements and honor make up for anything wrong one does as a citizen (for example, refusing to take part in city affairs). The Greeks obviously looked upon excellence in the military very highly. of all our neighbors, we alone consider the man who refuses to take part in city affairs as useless†¦.For there is justice in the claim that steadfastness in his nation’s battles provides a cloak to cover a man’s other imperfections; the good action blots out the bad, and his merit as a citizen more than outweighs his faults as an individual (Pericles 58-59, 60). Sophocles expresses similar views on the matter in his play Antigo ne, Creon talks of loyalty to the state as having utter importance: As I see it, whoever assumes the task, the awesome task of setting the city’s course, and refuses to adopt the soundest policies but fearing someone, keeps his lips locked tight, he’s utterly worthless†¦.But whoever proves his loyalty to the state – I’ll prize that man in death as well as life (Antigone 48-49). Creon backs up his words with actions. He goes on to talk of Eteocles and Polynices, the two sons of Oedipus: Eteocles will be given a proper burial, since he went down fighting for Thebes, being loyal to his city; Polynices, on the other hand, committed treason and went against everything Creon stands for and believes in, therefore â€Å"he must be left unburied, his corpse carrion for the birds and dogs to tear, an obscenity for the citizens to behold! These are my principles. Never at my hands will the traitor be honored above the patriot† (Antigone 49). As examined, patriotism was held very highly by the Greeks, as seen in Pericles’s oration and Sophocles’s plays we again come across an intersection in both statesmen’s ideas, this time on the subject of courage. Pericles, in his funeral oration, talks of valor as being very honorable. He comments that â€Å"Choosing to die resisting, rather than to live submitting† (Pericles 60) is a bold and co urageous act and it deserves praise and glory. He says the soldiers â€Å"fled only from  dishonor, but met danger face to face† (Pericles 60). Do these characteristics bring anyone we know to mind? The answer is yes, and two people come to mind: Antigone and Oedipus. Sophocles’s heroin (Antigone) is the ultimate example of the subject Pericles discusses. True, Antigone was not a soldier, but she went against her uncle’s beliefs and commands, and did what was right according to the gods. In burying her brother and then announcing her actions to the world, she â€Å"fled only from dishonor, but met danger face to face.† Antigone questioned Creon and proudly stated she was the offender, and did not regret her actions. Oedipus, instead of giving in to fate, battled it for as long as he could until fate finally beat him. Although it seems that Sophocles writings parallel Pericles views on women’s inferiority, certain excerpts provide a basis that Sophocles’ views contradict those presented in the Funeral Oration. Pericles states, â€Å"if I must say anything on the subject of female excellence†¦.Great will be your glory in not falling short of your natural character; and greatest will be hers who is least talked of among the men whether for good or for bad† (Pericles 61-62). In an excerpt from Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, it is seen that Oedipus gives great weight to Jocasta’s opinion. Oedipus compares stories with Jocasta on the death of the king. He listens to Jocasta’s side of the story, not putting her in a subordinate position or looking at her as inferior (Oedipus the King 23). In Summation, Pericles and Sophocles (although coming from different ends of the spectrum) both consider the individual and the state in their works and come to similar conclusions with some exceptions on the different aspects of the relationship. They both praise loyalty, involvement in state affairs, and honorable death. To note, in my research I found more expression of Sophocles’s views which correlate with Pericles’s in Antigone and not so much in Oedipus the King. All three of three of the pieces were written in times when the definition of freedom, independence, democracy were still new and not well defined in their respective societies. But still in each piece the message is similar and very clear. That message is that it is necessary and good for people to sacrifice themselves for their beliefs and the good of their society.

Market Segmentation Notes

Definition of ‘Market Segmentation' A marketing term  referring to  the aggregating of prospective buyers into groups (segments) that have common needs and will respond similarly to a marketing action. Market segmentation enables companies to target different categories of consumers who perceive the full value of certain products and services differently from one another. Generally three criteria  can be used to identify  different market segments: 1) Homogeneity (common needs within segment) 2) Distinction (unique from other groups) 3) Reaction (similar response to market) Investopedia explains ‘Market Segmentation'For example, an athletic footwear company might have market segments for basketball players and long-distance runners. As distinct groups, basketball players and long-distance runners will respond to very different advertisements. Market segmentation is a marketing strategy that involves dividing a broad target market into subsets of consumers who have common needs and applications for the relevant goods and services. Depending on the specific characteristics of the product, these subsets may be divided by criteria such as age and gender, or other distinctions, like location or income.Marketing campaigns can then be designed and implemented to target these specific customer segments. Why Segment? One of the main reasons for using market segmentation is to help companies to better understand the needs of a specific customer base. Mass marketing assumes that all customers are the same and will respond to the same advertising. By looking at ways in which potential customer groups are different from each other, the marketing message can be better targeted to the needs and wants of those people.Often, dividing consumers by clearly defined criteria will help the company identify other applications for their products that may not have been obvious before. These revelations often help the company target a larger audience in that same dem ographic classification, improving market share among a specific base. Segmenting the market can also serve to identify smaller groups of people who make up their own, previously unknown subsets, further improving the overall efficiency of the company's marketing efforts.Segmentation Strategies According to experts, in order to be a good market segment, a group should meet five criteria: 1. It should be possible to identify and measure it, 2. it should be big enough to be worth the effort, 3. it should be easy to reach it, 4. it should not change quickly, 5. and it should be responsive. Market segmentation strategies that meet these criteria can cover wide range of consumer characteristics. Subsets may be defined by basic demographics like age, race, or gender, for example.Other qualities, like educational background or income can also be used, as can location. Some of the potentially most powerful variables by which to segment a market are behavioral ones, including social class, l ifestyle, and interests. In most scenarios, there will be at least a few established customers who fall into more than one category, but marketing strategists normally allow for this phenomenon. In fact, the overlap in criteria among consumers often leads to additional segmentation and requires adjusted marketing strategies.A marketing plan that targets people who fall into several groups — like women over 30 who earn a high income, for example — may be more successful than one that focuses on just one limited characteristic. Other Benefits Along with playing a role in the development of new marketing approaches, market segmentation can also help a company identify ways to enhance customer loyalty with existing clients. As part of the process of identifying specific groups within the larger client base, the company will often run surveys which encourage customers to suggest ways of improving the company's products or services.This may lead to changes in packaging or ot her similar cosmetic changes that do not necessarily impact the core product, but sometimes making a few simple changes in the appearance sends a clear message to consumers that recognizing their needs is as important to the company as making sales. This demonstration of good might go a long way to strengthen the ties between the consumer and the producer. Market segmentation is not only beneficial to the manufacturer or retailer, but can also have benefits to a consumer as well.People in a particular market segment may get special deals on products as the company focuses on that group, or find that those products are available more widely. When a company responds to consumer feedback, it can mean that those people get changes in composition or packaging that better meet the user's needs. Disadvantages of Market Segmentation One of the biggest disadvantages of this marketing technique is the expense. A great deal of research often needs to be done to correctly identify those subsets that are most important for a company, and this takes time and money.Once the key subsets are identified, different marketing messages usually need to be developed for each. In addition, changing the appearance of a product based on which segment it is being sold to adds to the production costs. If the market isn't segmented effectively, then all this money will be wasted. When the market segments that are identified are too narrow, it may be difficult for a company to be profitable. Niche marketing can work for some industries, but if the tastes of that subset change or a stronger competitor enters the field, a company that has focused too much on the one segment can lose its customer base quickly.Targeting smaller segments also means that potential consumers outside of those groups may be ignored and their business lost. The Concept of Market Segmentation Market segmentation is the division of a market into different groups of customers with distinctly similar needs and product/s ervice requirements. Or to put it another way, market segmentation is the division of a mass market into identifiable and distinct groups or segments, each of which have common characteristics and needs and display similar responses to marketing actions.Market segmentation was first defined as ‘a condition of growth when core markets have already been developed on a generalised basis to the point where additional promotional expenditures are yielding diminishing returns’ (Smith, 1956). There is now widespread agreement that they form an important foundation for successful marketing strategies and activities (Wind, 1978; Hooley and Saunders, 1993). The purpose of market segmentation is to leverage scarce resources; in other words, to ensure that the elements of the marketing mix, price, distribution, products and promotion, are designed to meet particular needs of different customer groups.Since companies have finite resources it is not possible to produce all possible p roducts for all the people, all of the time. The best that can be aimed for is to provide selected offerings for selected groups of people, most of the time. This process allows organizations to focus on specific customers’ needs, in the most efficient and effective way. As Beane and Ennis (1987) eloquently commented, ‘a company with limited resources needs to pick only the best opportunities to pursue’. The market segmentation concept is related to product differentiation.If you aim at different market segments, you might adapt different variations of your offering to satisfy those segments, and equally if you adapt different versions of your offering, this may appeal to different market segments. Since there is less competition, your approach is less likely to be copied and so either approach will do. An example in the area of fashion retailing might be if you adapt your clothing range so that your skirts are more colourful, use lighter fabrics, and a very shor t hemline, for instance, this styling is more likely to appeal more to younger women.If alternatively, you decide to target older women, then you might need to change the styling of your skirts to suit them by using darker, heavier fabrics, with a longer hemline. This is exactly what Marks and Spencer (M&S) did to attract a younger female shopper into their M&S stores and compete more directly with Next and Debenhams for share of this market. The company launched a range of female clothing called Per Una, and three years on the fashion range has been a huge success reportedly generating annual sales of nearly ? 230 m—more than 10 per cent of the total womenswear sales at M&S.If you start by adapting new product variants, you are using a product differentiation approach. If you start with the customer’s needs, you are using a market segmentation approach. This is illustrated more clearly in Figure 6. 2 using offering rather than product to indicate that the same concept may apply to a service. A relational marketing perspective would replace the marketing mix—the 4Ps —either with the 7Ps (see Chapter 15) or with a discussion of the need to design, develop, and deliver the customer experience (see Chapter 17).The concept of market segmentation was first proposed as an alternative market development technique in imperfectly competitive markets, that is, in markets where there are relatively few competitors selling an identical product. Where there are lots of competitors selling identical products, market segmentation and product differentiation produce similar results as competitors imitate your strategic approach more quickly and product differentiation approaches meet market segment needs more closely. With an increasing proliferation of tastes in modern society, consumers have increased disposable incomes.As a result, marketers have sought to design product and service offerings around consumer demand (market segmentation) more tha n around their own production needs (product differentiation) and they use market research to inform this process (see Market Insight 6. 1 and Chapter 4). Segmentation criteria for consumer markets Segmenting criteria for goods and services markets Kotler and Armstrong define market segmentation as â€Å"dividing a market into distinct groups of buyers who have distinct needs, characteristics, or behaviour and who might require separate products or marketing mixes† (Armstrong and Kotler, 2005: 54).

History of the US before 1877 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

History of the US before 1877 - Research Paper Example There was also American interest to expand west, which was currently owned by Great Britain as well as blockades against America due to the war with France. Many historians consider the War of 1812 to be the second American Revolution due to the fact that once the war started; America was again fighting for its right to be a sovereign nation. Unlike the American Revolution, the fighting took place by both land and sea. The war ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in 1815. One of the many changes that occurred both during and after the war was the political system of the United States. This change is important due to its step in the progression of United States politics (Grodzinski 2008, 28-51). The development of politics prior to the war of 1812 was a crucial step once the United States achieved its independence from Great Britain. Under George Washington, there was no real party system, however some of the main arguments about the constructs of government existed, which wo uld still radiate through the history of the development of the United States. Since the country had just fought a war from independence from a monarchy, this was the last type of system of government that they wanted. The biggest debate was the idea of states’ rights and power versus the power of the federal government. Each side had a different attitude as far as how the country should be run, how the economy should develop, and how we should deal with foreign nations. This difference in attitude is what leads to the development of the first party systems in the United States, which carry on to current day. The other main problem that George Washington addressed when he left office was his advice to stay away from partisanship. Nevertheless, a two-party system emerged in American politics. Prior to the War of 1812, the two main political parties in the United States were the Federalist Party and the Democratic-Republican Party. The Federalist Party favored a strong centrali zed government, whereas the Democratic-Republican Party was in favor of states’ rights. One of the newest ways in which political information and propaganda was through newspapers, which could now be mass-produced using the printing press. As a result, the people were more involved with events happening in the legislature. This furthered the growth of political coalitions and support. The Democratic-Republican Party was extremely anti-European in that they wanted nothing to do with Great Britain and supported the war. The Federalist combated this with the Jay Treaty, which was a way of trying to forestall war, which inevitably came (Hickory 1989, 72-100). After the United States won the War of 1812, the era known as the â€Å"Era of Good Feelings† came about over the United States. This is one of the only times in United States history in which there was only one main power player in the political system, which was the Democratic-Republican Party. The Federalist Party, which had opposed the war, lost a majority of its support and eventually became non-existent. The lack of partisanship was ushered by President Monroe, who like Washington, was not in favor of partisanship in government. Even though the majority of the period between from 1817 to 1825, attitudes were starting to shift would eventually lead to the debate over whether slavery should exist or not. Unfortunately, this crisis was only averted for a short amount of time with the passing of the Missouri Compromise, which

Johnson and Johnson Sun Care Product Competitor and Consumer Analysis Essay

Johnson and Johnson Sun Care Product Competitor and Consumer Analysis - Essay Example The long term success of the company in the marketplace is predicated upon its ability to react to, anticipate, and even create needs. Johnson & Johnson is a large corporation with 16.929 Billion of operating income. Total assets of the company are about 84.912 Billion and net income is 12.949 Billion (2008). Johnson & Johnson specializes in pharmaceutical products, medical devices, healthcare products, soaps, shampoos, toiletries, etc. Still, sun care, skin care, health and beauty products, OTC and drug products occupy a large market share. The famous brands of Johnson & Johnson are Johnson's Baby, Coach, Gynol, REACH, etc (Johnson & Johnson Annual Report 6). The company was founded in 1886 as a manufacture of ready-to-use surgical dressings. Robert Wood Johnson was the first president of Johnson & Johnson. The uniqueness of this company is diversification. The first consumer goods were manufactured in 1920s, toiletries were added in 1970s, and at the end of the 21st century the company developed a new division for medical and biopharmaceutical products (Johnson & Johnson Home Page). For Johnson & Johnson, the mingling of value construction and communication that occurs in businesses in which the customer enters the system is worth striving toward in manufacturing firms as well (Burke 3). In Johnson & Johnson, strategic marketing is based on strategic thinking which can be seen as a unique vision of the problem. The subject of decision making raises the larger issue of the planning organization's strategic thinking; specifically, the question is about prerogative and responsibility. Although most "professionally managed" organizations now subscribe to "participatory" decision making, there is nowhere any uniform understanding of exactly what that means. According to the company's annual report, "international sales were 10.3%, 9.6% and 11.2%, respectively 10.8% over 2007 with 8.3% of this change due to operational growth"" (Johnson & Johnson Annual Report 35), The opportunities of Sun care products include high potential to growth and profitability, professional management team and unique corporate culture, customized order system and discounts. There is a great opportunities for ssupermarkets in this field, because specialized shops, throughout the world are interes ted in goods produced in the environmentally friendly manner. "The Skin Care franchise sales grew by 10.8% to $3.4 billion in 2008. The sales growth was primarily due to the AVEENO, CLEAN & CLEAR, NEUTROGENA and JOHNSON'S" (Johnson & Johnson Annual Report 35). The company's market share is about 18 %. As for sun care products, the market share is about 11% of the total US market. For sun care products, the opportunities include high potential to development and expansion, professional approach to management and wider product range. Retail service assesses the areas in which the organization can benefit the most from greater emphasis on creativity and innovation. Competitive advantage serves both as a way of identifying what creative and innovative things competitors are doing as well as finding out for each of the areas requiring imagination and innovation who is the best. "Worldwide demand for products using natural ingredients continues to drive growth for the AVEENO brand, which uses a

To compare Pedagogy of the oppressed by Paulo Freire with the movie Essay

To compare Pedagogy of the oppressed by Paulo Freire with the movie The Slave Narratives - Essay Example On the other side of the coin, the ones who are oppressed are in search and yearn for their freedom and liberty and this deep seated struggle is a constant quest to regain their lost humanity. Liberation seems to be the light at the end of the tunnel, but how many of the oppressed gain their liberty? This oppressed group is looked down upon as the downtrodden lot who suffers and endures violence and exploitation meted out to them. When this vicious circle becomes too hard to bear, the oppressed who are not in a position to put up a fight become oppressors in return. Such incidents are brought out clearly in the movie ‘The Slave Narratives.’ This essay is going to analyze what takes place in ‘The Slave Narratives’ against the backdrop of Paulo Freire’s ‘Pedagogy of the Oppressed’ that portrays an incessant struggle by the oppressed to gain their freedom and humanity. According to Paulo, ‘The pedagogy of the oppressed is an instrument for their critical discovery that both they and their oppressors are manifestations of dehumanization.† (Paulo Freire,) The heartrending movie titled â€Å"Unchained Memories† was scripted from readings taken from the ‘Slave Narratives† which is an exclusive collection of documents based on the true stories and incidents of those people who lived beneath the yoke of slavery in ancient times. These true life narratives were transcribed by the ‘Federal Writer’s Project’ (WPA’s) writers and were made use of to film a very touching story filled with tragic life experiences of the oppressed slaves under their cruel white masters. ‘Unchained Memories’ belongs to the genre of social history based on race and ethnicity. The movie which is 74 minutes in length was shot in the United States. ‘The Slave Narratives’ which were housed safely in the Library of Congress, was made use of by directors Ed Bell

The US Importation Benefits for World Development Term Paper

The US Importation Benefits for World Development - Term Paper Example Countries trade with each other because of the concept of comparative advantage and specialization.   Using the concept of Adams Smith as the basis of the theory it would not able to remember the foundation of having to import or to buy when it would cost more to make. If a foreign country can supply the United States with a commodity which would be cheaper than it can make, then there is a reason to buy from said foreign while at the same time allowing some of the produce of the US industry to be sold. In other words, the US would produce where it has some advantage. The need to specialize and trade for the same reason should govern the behavior of individuals at it meant to result in greater out and income.   A lawyer who is also a skilled painter can benefit to just hire a painter to paint his house. It is assumed that the lawyer can earn $50 dollars per hour and that the painter earns $20 an hour. Although the lawyer is a good painter, he would do best to just specialize in his work as a lawyer by hiring a painted, as he could be saving $20 per hour. That the world economy is benefited by US importation cannot be denied.   Ã‚  One cannot talk about the economy without going back to things about demand and supply of good and services. The demanders are the households, individuals, and entities and the suppliers are the firms. This interaction could result in economic activities that will the cause the continuous production of needs and wants as sustained by the continuing demand.   From the macroeconomic model, the economy of every country is then measured by GDP growth with the necessary components of consumption, investment, government spending, and net export or the result of exports after deducting imports. Imports by the US may result therefore to trade deficit whether the US could actually be consuming more than it produces or exports. It may there have a negative effect on its GDP. However, in business, one’s loss is another’s gain.

The Abel Corporation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

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Current Event & Ethical Perspective Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

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Economic reports Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

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Critical Research Paper (Mark Twain) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Critical Research Paper (Mark Twain) - Essay Example Her alo tarted hi career a a journalit by writing for the Hannibal Journal. Later Twain worked a a licened Miiippi river-boat pilot (1857-61). Hi famou penname Twain adopted from the call ('Mark twain!' - meaning by the mark of two fathom) ued when ounding river hallow. But thi in't the full tory: he had alo atirized an older writer, Iaiah eller, who called himelf Mark Twain. In 1861 Twain erved briefly a a confederate irregular. The Civil War put an end to the teamboat traffic, and during a period when Twain wa out of work, he lived in a primitive cabin on Jacka Hill and tried hi luck a a gold-miner. "I would have been more or le than human if I had not gone mad like the ret," he confeed. Twain moved to Virginia City, where he edited two year Territorial Enterprie. On February 3, 1863, 'Mark Twain' wa born when he igned a humorou travel account with that peudonym. In 1864 Twain left for California, where worked in an Francico a a reporter. After hearing a tory about a frog, Twain made an entry in hi notebook: "Coleman with hi jumping frog - bet a tranger $50. - tranger had no frog and C. got him one: - In the meantime tranger filled C' frog full of hot and he couldn't jump. The tranger' frog won." From thee line he developed 'Jim miley and hi Jumping Frog' which wa publihed in The aturday Pre of New York on the 18th of November in 1865. It wa reprinted all over the country and became the foundation tone of THE CELEBRATED JUMPING FROG OF CALAVERA COUNTY, AND OTHER KETCHE (1867). Thi work marked the beginning of Twain' literary career. In 1866 Twain viited Hawaii a a correpondent for The acramento Union, publihing letter on hi trip. He then et out world tour, travelling in France and Italy. Hi experience Twain recorded in THE INNOCENT ABROAD (1869). The work, which gained him wide popularity, poked fun at both American and European prejudice and manner. Throughout hi life, Twain frequently returned to travel writing - many of hi finet novel, uch a THE ADVENTURE OF TOM AWYER (1876), dealt with journey and ecape into freedom. The ucce of The Innocent Abroad gave Twain enough financial ecurity to marry Olivia Langdon in 1870, after writing about 189 love letter during hi courthip. William Dean Howell praied the author in The Atlantic Monthly, and Twain thanked him by aying: "When I read that review of your, I felt like the woman who wa o glad her baby had come white." Olivia, Twain' beloved Livy, erved and protected her huband devotedly. They moved to Hartford, where the family remained, with occaional trip abroad, until 1891. Twain continued to lecture in the United tate and England. Between 1876 and 1884 he publihed everal materpiece. Tom awyer wa originally intended for adult. Twain had abandoned the work in 1874, but returned to it in the following ummer and even then wa undecided if he were writing a book for adult or for young reader. Eventually he declared that it wa "profeedly and confeedly a boy' and girl' book". THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER (1881) wa about Edward VI of England and a little pauper who change place. The book wa dedicated "to thoe good-mannered and

Air traffic essay Essay Example for Free

Air traffic essay Essay Today many people state that the authorities have to lighten air traffic by introducing new charges, because airports generate a lot of noise and damage environment. The reason is huge demand for cheap flights, so there are too many people to use airline services. In my opinion, this idea is completely wrong, because of several reasons. To begin with, if there be less people, who can afford themselves to travel by air, then they will choose cars and other ground transport, what will cause a lot more pollution and traffic jams on the roads. Just compare 100 people on one plane and 100 people on 100 cars. It goes without saying that second option is much more damaging for environment. Moreover, such soluton will cause dramatical fall in business activity, because people will not be able to control production performance, visit important meetings and so on. Some people will say that these are just minor set-backs, but in fact, we will face the catalyst of new world economic recession. Finally, I see reducing air traffic as a slow-down of progress. If airlines and airports have less financial resources then they will not be able to maintain their development teams. As a result, world will be one-step further from creating new ways of air travel. Following topic’s logic, we should start living in lairs and eat with the stick. In conclusion I want to say that services that enjoys great demand are essential for people and they became natural part of society’s infrastructure. Today many people state that the authorities have to lighten air traffic by introducing new charges, because airports generate a lot of noise and damage environment. The reason is huge demand for cheap flights, so there are too many people to use airline services. In my opinion, this idea is completely wrong, because of several reasons. To begin with, if there be less people, who can afford themselves to travel by air, then they will choose cars and other ground transport, what will cause a lot more pollution and traffic jams on the roads. Just compare 100 people on one plane and 100 people on 100 cars. It goes without saying that second option is much more damaging for environment. Moreover, such soluton will cause dramatical fall in business activity, because people will not be able to control production performance, visit important meetings and so on. Some people will say that these are just minor set-backs, but in fact, we will face the catalyst of new world economic recession. Finally, I see reducing air traffic as a slow-down of progress. If airlines and airports have less financial resources then they will not be able to maintain their development teams. As a result, world will be one-step further from creating new ways of air travel. Following topic’s logic, we should start living in lairs and eat with the stick. In conclusion I want to say that services that enjoys great demand are essential for people and they became natural part of society’s infrastructure.

Post Positivism History And Philosophy Psychology Essay

Post Positivism History And Philosophy Psychology Essay According to Cheek (2008, pp. 762-766) research design refers to the combination of three important and interrelated considerations requiring focused attention when formulating and conducting research; the theoretical foundations guiding research, data collection and analysis methods, as well as ethical concerns. Theoretical frameworks essentially provide a lens through which to examine and conduct research. Inherent to each framework are specific philosophical perspectives which inform and reflect the researchers ontological and epistemological views. The choice of theoretical framework will subsequently impact and guide decisions about research methods, which will then influence ethical considerations. Denzin and Lincoln (1994, as cited in Finlay Ballinger, 2006, pp. 16-17) identify four research paradigms underpinning the theoretical framework of a research project; positivist and post-positivist, constructivist-interpretive, critical, and feminist-post structural. While post-pos itivism is closely associated with the quantitative approach, interpretivism is embedded within the qualitative approach. Quantitative and Qualitative Baumgartner and Hensley (2006, p. 17) describe quantitative research as à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦involving the collection of numerical data in order to describe phenomena, investigate relationships between variables, and explore cause-and-effect relationships of phenomena of interest. Quantitative data can be obtained from an extensive array of sources including experiments, randomised controlled trials, and structured observation. While quantitative data can be analysed using such methods as correlation, factor analysis, and psychometrics. At the most fundamental level, the quantitative research process is guided by application of the scientific method. This involves a set of structured steps through which the researcher moves in a logical and systematic manner to obtain knowledge, answer a question, or solve a problem (Baumgartner Hensley, pp. 9-11). While Haig (2010, p. 1326) identifies four dominant theories within the scientific method including the inductive and hypothetico-deductive me thods, Baumgartner and Hensley (2006, pp. 9-11) identify five basic steps inherent to this process: (1) Identifying the question; (2) Formulating a hypothesis; (3) Developing a research plan; (4) Collecting and analysing data; (5) Interpreting results and forming conclusions. Experimental research is characteristic of quantitative research. Accounting for independent variables, while identifying and classifying all other extraneous variables, the experimental researcher works to manipulate dependent variables with the aim of establishing direct (value-neutral, cause-and-effect) relationships between phenomena (Baumgartner Hensley, 2006, pp. 159-162). Garwood (2006, p. 251) identifies advantages of the quantitative method as including, its ability to measure change over time; the generalizability of research findings; and the variability of statistical analysis which numerical data allows. However qualitative researchers have criticised the quantitative method in its traditional positivist philosophy for its inability to analyse the social constructs influencing relationships and phenomena under investigation (Garwood, p. 251). According to Sumner (2006, p. 249) qualitative research à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦is concerned to explore the subjective meaning through which people interpret the world, the different ways in which reality is constructedà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦in particular contexts. Qualitative data can be obtained through various methods such as interviews, action research, surveys, and observation. While qualitative data can be analysed through a myriad of methods including discourse analysis, hermeneutical analysis, and content analysis. Despite this diversity of approach, Finlay and Ballinger (2006, pp. 6-8) identify five commonalities which all qualitative researchers acknowledge and value (p. 6). These include: the impact of researcher subjectivity on knowledge production; the importance of the researcher-researched relationship; a commitment to hypothesis-generation through exploration and induction as opposed to hypothesis-testing; the influence of social constructs upon subjective experience, beliefs, and int erpretations; as well as the ambiguous, multiple, and fragmented nature of reality which is constantly shifting and open to re-signification (Finlay Ballinger, p. 6). According to Munhall (2007, p. 6), the value of qualitative research lies in its ability to provide insight and meaning into the situated context of individual experience. Acknowledging the contextual and dynamic nature of reality, qualitative research also allows for in-depth analysis of complex phenomena. As outlined by Sumner (2006, p. 249), criticisms of the qualitative approach commonly refer to a supposed lack of rigour and generalizability. These comments, however, appear more to reflect the different philosophical and theoretical aims of the qualitative and quantitative approach. For example, while quantitative researchers attempt to examine phenomena objectively, qualitative researchers employ reflexivity; identifying and explicitly stating their subjective values and bias (Baumgartner Hensley, 2006, p. 206). Further, while quantitative research is structured and rigorous in approach, establishing hypothesis and conducting experiments to test these, qualitative research is emergent; hypothesis are generated as the research process progresses with the development of new and unexpected patterns shifting the research focus (Baumgartner Hensley, pp. 202-203). Of importance, and as explicated by Sumner (2006, p. 249), qualitative research à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦is often based upon interpretivism, constructivism, and inductivism. Thus, while quantitative research is primarily deductive, attempting to control, explain, and predict phenomena external of influence; qualitative research attempts to understand, explore, and describe phenomena from within the social and cultu ral constructions of the lived experience. Post-Positivism History and Philosophy Classical positivism emerged from the works of August Comte (1789-1875). Comte believed that empirical verification (observation and measurement) was the foundation of all scientific development (Polifroni Welch, 1999, p. 8). During the 19th Century classical positivism was reconceptualised through the work of philosophers from the Vienna circle into what became known as logical positivism. As Polifroni and Welch (1999, p. 8) explain, logical positivists aimed to eliminate all metaphysical considerations from within the scientific process. The possibility of theory was rejected, with claims to knowledge justified through observation of phenomena, which logical positivists believed could be examined external to its context (Munhall, 2007, p. 127). By obtaining theory-neutral facts, logical positivists maintained it was possible to obtain objective truth and develop Universal Laws to describe and predict phenomena. The 20th Century philosopher and critical realist Karl Popper (1902-1994) challenged the assumptions of logical positivists, arguing all attempts at objectivity were inherently subjective. For Popper all knowledge is provisional, conjectural, hypothetical (Thornton, 2013 (Spring Edition) para. 19). Thus, as Thornton (2013 (Spring Edition) para. 19) explicates, scientific theories cannot be empirically verified, only momentarily confirmed or empirically falsified. Furthermore, Popper believed metaphysical questions should be returned to scientific enquiry to enable deeper analysis of phenomena (Polifroni Welch, 1999, p. 67). By acknowledging the fundamental relativity and fallibility of knowledge claims and enabling the exploration of ontological concerns, Popper believed science could advance through the constant redevelopment of theories as informed by previous falsifications (what he termed verisimilitude) to gradually arrive at a position closer to the truth (Thornton, 2013 (Spri ng Edition) para. 20-30). Poppers philosophical observations represent the foundations of post-positivism. Interpretivism History and Philosophy Interpretivism has a long, rich, and complex history which is compressed and rather succinctly explained by Scwandt (1994, as cited in Willis, 2007, p. 100) as having foundations in the German intellectual tradition of hermeneutics and the verstehen tradition of sociology, the phenomenology of Alfred Shutz, and critiques of scientism and positivism in the social sciences [including] the writings of ordinary language philosophers critical of logical empiricism. Interpretivsits believe what constitutes reality is socially constructed and that therefore, understanding the context in which research occurs is critical to the interpretation of data gathered (Willis, p. 98). Unlike post-positivist research, interpretivist research does not seek to gain knowledge through explanation but rather through understanding (Willis, p. 98). As Willis (2007, p. 100) states, this fundamental distinction was first made by William Dilthey (1813-1911) who proposed that although explanation (erklaren) and the establishment of Universal laws may be an appropriate aim for the natural sciences; it is incompatible for research in the cultural (human) sciences. Instead, Dilthey believed the human sciences should focus upon gaining meaning through understanding (verstehen). An aim achieved by examination of the lived experience. Diltheys conceptualisation of interpretivism reflect his origins in hermeneutics; a tradition which Baumgartner and Hensley (2006, p. 203) describe as fundamental to qualitative research. Hermeneutics, given foundations by Friedrich Schleiermacher (1768-1834) (Munhall, 2007, p. 111), refers to a theory and method of interpretation; of discovering hidden meaning by understanding the context in which meaningful human action occurs (Baumgartner Hensley, 2006, p. 203). According to Willis (2007, p. 104) philosophical hermeneutics is grounded in interpretivist epistemology; rejecting foundationalism in favour of a subjective, contextual understanding. This grounding was heavily influenced by the work of Martin Heidegger (1889-1976), through whose efforts the entire foundation of philosophy shifted from an epistemological to an ontological focus. Challenged by the work of Edmund Husserl, Heidegger developed a hermeneutical interpretation of phenomenology (Finlay Ballinger, 2006, pp. 186-187) aimed at understanding the experience of being-in-the-world or Dasein (Wheeler, 2013 (Spring Edition)). Enabling analysis and interpretation of experience or phenomena, through which themes and meaning emerge, is the hermeneutic circle. As explained by Willis (2007, p. 106), during this process the researcher constantly shifts between the parts and the whole; continually revising and further developing interpretations by moving from the research topic, to the research context, to the researchers own subjective understanding. Originally developed by Dilthey (Polifroni Welch, 1999, p. 242), the circle was reconceptualised by Heidegger to reflect and inform his ontological investigations, coming to represent the interplay between our self-understanding and our understanding of the world (Ramberg Gjesdal, 2009 (Summer Edition) para. 33). Appropriated by the existentialist Hans-Georg Gadamer in his search for à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦an understanding of understanding (Polifroni Welch, 1999, p. 242) the circle remains in use today; representative of the origins of interpretivism. Post-Positivism and Interpretivism As the preceding sections have alluded, post-positivism is grounded in the ontology of critical realism. Post-positivists therefore maintain that although there exists an external reality independent of human consciousness, obtaining a truly objective view of this reality is not possible. Nonetheless, the post-positivist preserves objectivity as an ideal in the search for truth. Conversely, interpretivism is grounded in the ontology of relativism. Thus, interpretivists believe not only that access to an objective reality is impossible as all knowledge is contextually relative, but that there exists no universal truths (Smith, 2008, p. 275). These foundational beliefs are reflected within the data collection and analysis processes. Creswell (2003, as cited in Baumgartner Hendley, 2007, p. 201) identifies four types of qualitative data collection methods: documents, observation, audio-visual, and interviews. According to Rebar and Macnee (2011, p. 151) at the most foundational level, data collected in qualitative studies should function to enable the researcher to à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦construct a description of the meaning of the variables under study. This is in comparison to quantitative data collection methods which à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦aim to measure the variables of interest clearly, specifically, and accurately(Rebar Macnee, p. 155). Reflecting the aim of statistical analysis of numerical data, quantitative data collection methods may include chemical laboratory tests, systematic observations, physiologic measurement or highly structured questionnaires (Rebar Macnee, p. 155). In relation to data analysis, Rebar and Macnee (2011, p. 69) assert that while organising and assessing data to find meaning remains the same for both the qualitative and quantitative approach, methods to achieve this aim differ considerably. For example, within the qualitative research approach the aim is to describe and explain; to gain insight into a specific experience or phenomena, understood as contextual and relative (Rebar Macnee, p. 69). While in contrast, results obtained from quantitative data analysis (which may also describe and explain) primarily aim to infer and predict; to be generalizable beyond the specific research setting (Rebar Macnee, pp. 66-67). As Baumgartner and Hensley (2006, pp. 323-341) state, central to attaining inference from quantitative data is the presence of objectivity, reliability, and validity during data collection. Conversely, avoiding error and establishing rigor within qualitative data collection and analysis requires the researcher to constantly review data to ensure its trustworthiness, confirmability, transferability, and credibility (Rebar Macnee, 2011, p. 151). Therefore, while the quantitative researcher employs formulae and statistical methods to organise data and extract meaning; the qualitative researcher derives meaning via methods of induction and interpretation. As explained by Julian (2008) the intellectual process (para. 1) of content analysis, within which the qualitative researcher categories and codes data identifying dominant themes which are subsequently explored and described, represents one of these methods. With the aim of comparing and contrasting the post-positivist and interpretivist research paradigms, this essay began by delineating the fundamental distinctions between the quantitative and qualitative research method. Following this, the history and philosophy of both post-positivism and interpretivism were outlined, with significant figures impacting upon each paradigm identified. Finally, methodological differences between the post-positivists and interpretivist research paradigms were compared and contrasted, with differences within data collection and analysis methods of each framework outlined. In summary, while post-positivism emerged from the work of Karl Popper, is associated with the quantitative research method, and adopts a critical realist philosophy; interpretivism emerged from the work of William Dilthey and Martin Heidegger, is associated with the qualitative research method, and adopts a relativist philosophy. Depending on research aims, post-positivism and interpre tivism offer two unique and characteristic frameworks which function to guide and inform the research process.

History of Maclaurin Series

History of Maclaurin Series MACLAURIN series is the expansion of Taylor series about 0. So we can say that it is a special case of Taylor Series. Where f (0) is the first derivative evaluated at x = 0, f (0) is the second derivative evaluated at x = 0, and so on. Maclaurin series is named after the Scottish mathematician Maclaurin. In mathematics, the Taylor series is a representation of a function as an infinite sum of terms calculated from the values of its derivatives at a single point. The Taylor series was formally introduced by the English mathematician Brook Taylor in 1715. If the series is centered at zero, the series is also called a Maclaurin series, named after the Scottish mathematician Colin Maclaurin who made extensive use of this special case of Taylors series in the 18th century. It is common practice to use a finite number of terms of the series to approximate a function. The Taylor series may be regarded as the limit of the Taylor polynomials. HISTORY Colin Maclaurin Born: Feb 1698 in Kilmodan (12 km N of Tighnabruaich), Cowal, Argyllshire, Scotland Died: 14 June 1746 in Edinburgh, Scotland Colin Maclaurin was born in Kilmodan where his father, John Maclaurin, was the minister of the parish. The village (population 387 in 1904) is on the river Ruel and the church is at Glendaruel. EXPANSION Suppose that f is a real function, all of whose derived functions f (r)(r=1, 2,†¦) exist in some interval containing 0. It is then possible to write down the power series This is the Maclaurin series (or expansion) for f. For many important functions, it can be proved that the Maclaurin series is convergent, either for all x or for a certain range of values of x, and that for these values the sum of the series is f(x). For these values it is said that the Maclaurin series is a valid expansion of f(x). The function f, defined by f(0)=0 and for all x ≠  0, is notorious in this context. It can be shown that all of its derived functions exist and that f (r)(0)=0 for all r. Consequently, its Maclaurin series is convergent and has sum 0, for all x. This shows, perhaps contrary to expectation, that, even when the Maclaurin series for a function f is convergent, its sum is not necessarily f(x). The Maclaurin series of a function f(x) up to order n may be found using series [f(x,0,n)].The nth term of a Maclaurin series of a function f can be computed in mathematics using series coefficient [f(x,0,n)] and is given by the inverse Z transform. Maclaurin series are the type of series expansion in which all the terms are non negative integer powers of the variable. Other more general types of series include the Laurent series. Calculation of Taylor series Several methods exist for the calculation of Taylor series of a large number of functions. One can attempt to use the Taylor series as-is and generalize the form of the coefficients, or one can use manipulations such as substitution, multiplication or division, addition or subtraction of standard Taylor series to construct the Taylor series of a function, by virtue of Taylor series being power series. In some cases, one can also derive the Taylor series by repeatedly applying integration by parts. Particularly convenient is the use of computer algebra systems to calculate Taylor series. Maclaurin series for common functions: for -1

Galileo Essay -- essays research papers

Galileo   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the early seventeenth century, Galileo Galilei began the construction of a device that would transform the scientific world. Galileo did not invent the telescope but his improvements on it made him the most scientifically successful user of this instrument in his time. However, Galileo would not stop at scientific discovery. The father of three successfully marketed the improved instrument to the Senate of Venice and the Grand Duke Cosimo II of Tuscany in hopes of possibly furthering his career. In the telescope’s transitional form, Galileo is able to obtain a salary raise and a permanent position at the University of Padua but he is disappointed with this offer and continues to make improvements on the telescope. He realizes that his ties to Cosimo’s court, he taught the Grand Duke when he was younger, could be used to his advantage. The medium for his objective was The Sidereal Messenger. This treatise gives a direct dedication to Cosimo and his court with the hope that he will gain its favor and â€Å"patronage from the ruler of his native land.† It is also the medium through which he conveys his advocacy of the Copernican system, particularly using his telescopically enhanced observations of the moon’s irregular surface and Jupiter’s moons.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Galileo saw the opportunity to gain a great deal from his telescope from the beginning of its conception. The senate of Venice offered him an increase in salary and a permanent appointment at the University based on Galileo’s first improvement which only magnified objects by ten times . He realized that the telescope could improve his financial situation but he was smart enough to not settle for his first offer. He quickly wrote to the Tuscan court about his discoveries. When Galileo heard that the Grand Duke Cosimo and his three brothers were astonished by his almost supernatural intelligence, he realized that he could use this to his advantage. The brilliant Florentine patrician had ties to Cosimo’s court because he tutored him in math as a child. The courts were also very interested in these dazzling things and wanted them for military purposes . Cosimo’s court did not stray from this generalization and Galileo knew it. It can also be theor ized that this position was much desired and after he attained the posi... ...e fixed stars would have to be at a very large distance from Saturn, the outermost planet of this time, therefore separating the planets from the fixed stars. This supported the Copernican theory. He then goes on to his observations of the moons of Jupiter. In short, he makes almost nightly observations of four heavenly bodies around Jupiter with his telescope and reports that he has found four stars, or Medician planets as he calls them, that travel around Jupiter. This suggests that the Earth is not the only center of motion in the universe and further advocates the Copernican system.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Galileo successfully arranges his observations of the heavenly bodies through a magnifying instrument into an incentive for patronage and a promotion of a revolutionary universal system. He gains the patronage of his former student by dedicating to him his revolutionary work on astronomy while also suggesting that the present universal system is wrong and he can prove it. Although the telescope helped him to observe objects with greater detail than other scientists of his time, it cannot be forgotten that Galileo had a mysterious ability as an observer and scholar.