Hewlett Packard Spying Scandal Essay

Corporate misconduct, (or people’s misconduct so to speak) is an issue that has been dominating headline news in the American business world in recent years. Theodore Roosevelt, one time U.S. president was probably right when he said, â€Å"To educate a person in mind but not in morals is to educate a menace to society† (Platt, 1989). The American society has continued to suffer from corporate scandals, despite the fact that people are now better educated because behind each scandal and crisis is a possible lack of morals in the â€Å"educated people† running those corporations (Low et al, 2006). It should be noted that unethical behavior is not a new phenomenon in US business nor it is an issue of the US alone. Research Questions and Objectives The year 2002 witnessed the collapse of giants like Enron, Tyco, Arthur Anderson, WorldCom and less known cases like Morgan Stanley, Dupont and Prudential Financial amongst others all involved in one form of scandal or the other.   Such widespread corporate misbehaviors have left many people (including this writer) to wonder where things are going wrong. Should blame be placed on perceived weaknesses of legislation and accounting standards? Or is it that education is not producing the type of business graduates needed to prevent such scandals? (Low et al).  Ã‚   Do the misdeeds simply involve a few â€Å"bad apples†: a smattering of corporations that make the rest of American business look bad? Or is the problem much broader than that? Further, if it is a widespread issue, what needs to be done? (Clement R. May 2006). Such are the kind of questions this study is out to seek answers to in light of the Hewlett Packard Spying scandal of 2006. Conceptual Framework This section explains what the literature on business ethics suggests for achieving ethical behavior in an organization. It is hoped that this will lay a foundation for the analysis of the recent corporate misdeed of Hewlett Packard. Business Ethics: Business ethics, Black J. (2002) is the branch of ethics that studies what standards businesses should observe in their dealings over and above compliance with the letter of the law. This covers questions such as fair dealing with their labour force, customers, suppliers, and competitors, and the impact of their activities on public health, the environment, and animal welfare. If a good reputation helps to gain and retain business, ethical conduct need not necessarily conflict with profit, but there are bound to be cases where it does. Particularly difficult questions of business ethics arise in multinational firms, where practices such as gifts to officials, which are essential to doing business at all in some countries, are regarded as criminal in others. Previous research works on business ethics have pointed out some measures that can be taken within an organization to help foster a culture of ethical behavior. Many of these studies highlight the role that top management commitment plays in developing an ethical organizational culture. Weaver, Trevino and Cochran (1999) found that the commitment of top management is essential for ethical decision making to be integrated into a firm’s culture; in other words, management’s decisions and actions in promoting the program are more effective than making sure that the program addresses a long list of ethical issues. Trevino and Brown (2004) found that top executives must manage ethical conduct proactively by means of explicit ethical leadership and conscious management of the organization’s culture. To this end, they suggest that top managers should study the cultures of their organizations to see what ethical messages are being sent. The researchers also assert that executives should communicate the importance of ethics, reward ethical behavior, and model that behavior themselves. Holmes et al (2002) found that employees are more likely to engage in ethical behavior if top management is firm in its expectations of ethical behavior of all employees, including themselves (p. 97) while Harrington (1997) concluded that, to achieve ethical behavior, top management needs to gain social consensus through changes in organization culture and by encouraging employees to live up to their responsibilities. What constitutes â€Å"unethical† behavior? It is important to determine the types of corporate behavior to consider unethical, and to decide on the time period over which the data on that behavior should be gathered. Some types of behavior may seem unethical to certain individuals but not to others (Clement R, 2006).   He however identifies three conditions that seem to signal unethical behavior: – A plea of guilty by a firm to charges of misconduct; – by courts or government agencies against a firm as solid evidence of corporate misconduct, even if the firm is still appealing the ruling. – agreement by a firm to settle charges, often by paying a fine or agreeing to other restrictions on company behavior even if the firm is not required to admit guilt. The Hewlett Packard (HP) spying scandal Origins In a Newsweek report by Kaplan D, (2006), the confrontation at Hewlett-Packard started innocently enough in January 2006 when online technology site CNET published an article about the long-term strategy at HP and other information that could only come from a director quoting an anonymous HP source. HP’s chairwoman, Patricia Dunn, fed up with the ongoing leaks told another director she wanted know whom it was. According to an internal HP e-mail, Dun then took the extra ordinary step of authorizing a team of independent electronic-security experts to spy on the January 2006 communications of other 10 directors – not the records of calls (or emails) from HP itself, but the records of phone calls made from personal accounts. That meant calls from directors’ home and their private cell phones were intercepted. Dunn acted without informing the rest of the board and this caused a boardroom fury at the world’s largest technology company. In a related story by Sakuma P. (2007), the HP boardroom-spying scheme erupted into a national scandal , September 2006, after the company disclosed that detectives it hired obtained the private phone records of directors, employees and 9 journalists in an effort to ferret out the source of media leaks. The scandal also introduced the world to â€Å"pretexting,† a shady tactic in which detectives used other people’s Social Security numbers to fool telephone companies into divulging detailed call logs. In an interview with Newsweek, Dunn said she didn’t know that the investigation would reach such heights. Consequences In two separate press releases, HP announced a number of moves that was an outcome of 2 days of teleconferences among the board. – Patricia Dunn was to step down as chairwoman. – CEO Mark Hurd will replace her. – George Keyworth, the longest serving director and one who leaked information to a CNET reporter that led to HP’s investigation was to resign immediately. – Richard Hackborn, who served on the board since 1992 would become â€Å"lead independent director†. – A criminal investigation against Patricia Dunn, Kevin Hunsaker, HP’s former ethics chief who allegedly directed the probe, and 3 private investigators was started on 4 counts: use of false or fraudulent pretenses to obtain confidential information from a public utility; unauthorized access to computer data; identity theft; and conspiracy to commit each of those crimes. Each charge carried a fine of up to 10,000 dollars and 3 years in prison. How and Why HP successfully overcame this scandal Testifying before a congressional in September 2006, Dunn said she was repeatedly reassured by HP’s lawyers about the legality of its detectives’ subterfuge. In a Business Week report, November 2006, a state judge Cunningham in California dropped the above charges against ex-Hewlett-Packard Chair Patricia Dunn after she pleaded guilty. The court however did not accept the pleas of the other three defendants and offered to dismiss the charges against them if they met two conditions – by Sept. 12   2006, they must serve 96 hours of community service and complete any court-filed restitution requests made by victims. In a related story by CNN’s Katy Byron, (September, 2006), the court dismissed Dunn’s charge because of her cancer battle, according to the attorney general’s office. The dismissal came â€Å"not because she’s innocent but because she is sick,† attorney general’s spokesman Barankin told CNN. Dunn had breast cancer in 2000 and melanoma in 2002 and was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in 2004 and is still battling it. She also underwent extensive surgery last year after doctors discovered a malignant tumor in her liver. In a CNBC news report (september 2006) Hewlett Packard agreed to pay $14.5 million to settle the lawsuit brought by California Attorney General Bill Lockyer, whose office accused the company of unfair business practices in its attempts to unmask the source of boardroom leaks. HP also implemented changes to its corporate governance policies to ensure that future internal investigations are conducted legally. There was no finding of liability against HP. The settlement includes an injunction and agreement that the California Attorney General will not pursue civil claims against HP or against its current and former directors, officers and employees. The vast majority of the settlement — $13.5 million — will fund state and local investigations into privacy rights and intellectual property violations, Lockyer said in a statement. The personal efforts of new HP chairman and CEO, Mark Hurd also contributed greatly to HP’s successfull exit from the scandal. He says â€Å"We are pleased to settle this matter with the Attorney General and are committed to ensuring that HP regains its standing as a global leader in corporate ethics and responsibility†. The company shareholders rejected a proposal that would have given investors the right to nominate directors to HP’s board. About 39 percent of HP shares entitled to vote at the company’s annual shareholder meeting favored the measure, which was supported by funds including Calpers, the largest U.S. pension fund, and the California State Teachers’ Retirement System, the No. 3 fund. The above factors culminated in a slight stock price increase of HP in September 2006 despite the fact that September 2006 was a rocky month for the company. Its stock actually rose a bit that month, ending at $36.69. It has since climbed to nearly $40 as HP continues to perform strongly in the PC and printer markets. HP today has regained its leading position as the worlds number one technology company. The Role of Business Ethics in this Success The conceptual framework of this study laid some guidelines on how to identify when a company behavior should be considered ethical or not. In the context of the widely publicized Hewlett Packard spying scandal discussed above, there is no plea of guilt by the firm nor by Patricia Dunn and the other defendents to charges of misconduct, we haven’t seen a ruling against either the Carlifornia court that handled the case nor the Securities and Exchange Commissions against HP for unethical behavior. However, HP agreed to settle charges of $14.5 million to close the case and save the goodwill of the Silicon Valley icon. The payment, by ethical standards could be considered a fine, which is an evidence of unethical behavior, by a firm. HP’s intention, perhaps, as we have seen was to save the company’s image and probably in compliance with a court injunction or lawyer’s advice. Taking a look at HP’s Standards of Business Conduct, (SBC) , we find that it embodies the fundamental principles that govern   ethical and legal obligations to HP. They pertain not only to conduct within the company but also to conduct involving HP’s customers, channel partners, suppliers and competitors. (www.hp.com). As a business, remaining profitable and viable is a must for Hewlett Packard though this is not the only concern for the company. HP seeks uncompromising integrity through what each individual can contribute — to its customers, co-workers, company and communities. HP’s business success is dependent on trusting relationships. Its reputation is founded on the personal integrity of the company’s personnel and its dedication to the principles of: (www.hp.com) – Honesty in communicating within the company and with its business partners, suppliers and customers, while at the same time protecting the company’s confidential information and trade secrets. – Excellence in its products and services, by striving to provide high-quality products and services to its customers – Responsibility for its words and actions – Compassion in its relationships with employees and the communities affected by company business – Citizenship in observance of all the laws of any country in which the company does business, respect for environmental concerns and service to the community by improving and enriching community life. – Fairness to our fellow employees, stakeholders, business partners, customers and suppliers through adherence to all applicable laws, regulations and policies, and a high standard of behavior. – Respect for fellow employees, stakeholders, business partners, customers and suppliers while showing willingness to solicit their opinions and value their feedback. Conclusion From the above, we can say that Dunn’s investigation into the leak was simply in compliance with the first principle (Honesty) of the company’s code of ethics. Her intentions were clear from the outset – to probe into an alleged boardroom leak while at the same time respecting the principles of respect and fairness (last two principles) in the investigation. That in itself shouldn’t have been a scandal. It is the methods of the investigation – pretexting that raised controversy and finally erupted into a scandal. Patricia Dunn was able to prove before congress and the courts that such an act was carried out without her knowledge, though she acknowledged that an investigation was going on, which in itself complied with company ethics.

Practice IA IB History

This investigation evaluates whether or not the dropping of the two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was necessary to make Japan surrender unconditionally. To assess the extent to which the deployment of nuclear weapons affected the Japanese decision to surrender unconditionally and if Japan was already prepared to do this prior to the use of the atomic bombs. The details and motivations of the United States to drop the bombs are explored as well as Japan’s peace negotiations with the United States and their progress prior to the U. S. choosing to use the bombs. Actions of the United States and Japan not related to the end of World War 2 are not assessed in this investigation. The two sources selected for evaluation, Code-Name Downfall: The Secret Plan to Invade Japan-And Why Truman Dropped the Bomb by Thomas B. Allen and Norman Polmar and Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire by Richard B. Frank are evaluated for their origins, purposes, limitations, and values. B. Summary of Evidence On the 15th of June 1944 535 ships landed 128,000 U. S. Army personal on the island of Saipan. From Saipan B-29 bombers were in range of Tokyo. Imperative that they not allow this to happen the Japanese Vice Admiral attacked the U. S. Navy with about nine-tenths of Japan’s fighting fleet in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Once the battle concluded the U. S. had lost 130 planes and 76 aircrew. Japan lost 450 planes, three carriers’, and 445 aircrew. The Japanese Navy’s carrier force was effectively destroyed. The U. S. took control of the island a short time later. More than 29,000 Japanese soldiers died defending the island. (Hoyt 297-312) On the 23rd of October 1944 the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the largest naval battle in world history began. With the goal of cutting Japan off from South East Asia and its oil supplies the U. S. Navy fought against the last remains of the Imperial Navy. By the battle’s end on October 26th Japan had lost 10,500 seamen, a fleet carrier, 3 light carriers, 3 battleships, 10 cruisers, 11 destroyers, and 500 planes. Japan’s once mighty Navy was no more. After this the Japanese were not able to carry out another significant Naval action for the remainder of the war. (Pape 123-168) Shortly afterwards the allies launched their invasion of the Philippines. On the 17th of April 1945 Mindanao, the last major island of the Philippines, was taken by the allies. In total 336,000 Japanese soldiers died defending The Philippines. (Hoyt 421-427) Within a few months of the fall of The Philippines Japan lost control of Burma and Borneo to the Allies. In total the Japanese military lost more than 41,000 soldiers defending the islands. After this the Japanese were effectively cut off from all of their major oil supplies. (Hoyt 437-449) With Japan’s foreign empire nearly decimated by the U. S. and its allies the U. S. turned to the Japanese Home Islands themselves. The Battle for the island of Iwo Jima ended on March 26th with total Japanese defeat. Of the approximately 21,000 Japanese defenders only 216 survived. On June 21st the Allies defeated Japan in the Battle of Okinawa (Feifer 145-163). 75,545 Japanese people lost their lives defending the island. This was to be the last major battle of World War Two. (Hoyt 478-487) While in Europe the USAAF had only used precision bombing to limit civilian casualties the Air Force abandoned this policy while bombing Japan. The first raid using low-flying B-29 bombers carrying incendiary bombs to drop on Tokyo was on the night of February 24-25 1945 when 174 B-29s destroyed around 1 square mile of the city. Changing their tactics, on the night of March 9-10, 1945, a wave of 300 American bombers struck Tokyo. In the ensuing firestorm more than 100,000 Japanese civilians were killed and roughly a million were injured. Dropping nearly 1,700 tons of bombs more than 16 square miles were completely burned and more than a quarter of million structures were destroyed. Before the dropping of the Atomic bombs more than 50% of Tokyo was completely destroyed. (Hoyt, 560-598) Nihei, a young Japanese school girl at the time, recalled that, â€Å"†Those images in my mind†¦ an never be erased†¦ I can see myself there, the flames all around me. And I'm running for my life. Hell could be no hotter. † By July about a quarter of all the houses in Japan had been destroyed, leaving more than 15 million Japanese civilians homeless. Its transportation system was near collapse with almost all the strategic railways destroyed. American forces had sowed aquatic mines in the shipping lanes f rom the air effectively stopping all Japanese naval movement. Food had become so scarce that most Japanese were subsisting on a sub-starvation diet. On Monday, August 6th, 1945 by executive order of President Harry S. Truman the U. S. dropped the nuclear weapon â€Å"Little Boy† on the city of Hiroshima. Truman said that, â€Å"The world will note that the first atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima, a military base. That was because we wished in this first attack to avoid, insofar as possible, the killing of civilians. † 90,000 to 166,000 civilians were killed by the blast. Only 3 days later on August 9th the â€Å"Fat Man† nuclear weapon was detonated over Nagasaki. 60,000 to 80,000 civilians were killed. Gosling, Fehner 28) Yoshitaka Kawamoto, just thirteen years old at the time, was in a classroom less than a kilometer away from the hypocenter, â€Å"One of my classmates, I think his name is Fujimoto, he muttered something and pointed outside the window, saying, â€Å"A B-29 is coming. † He pointed outside with his finger. So I began to get up from my chair and asked him, â€Å"Where is it? † Looking in the direction that he was pointing towards, I got up on my feet, but I was not yet in an upright position when it happened. All I can remember was a pale lightening flash for two or three seconds. Then, I collapsed. I don’t know much time passed before I came to. It was awful, awful. The smoke was coming in from somewhere above the debris. Sandy dust was flying around. I was trapped under the debris and I was in terrible pain and that’s probably why I came to. I couldn’t move, not even an inch. Then, I heard about ten of my surviving classmates singing our school song. I remember that. I could hear sobs. Someone was calling his mother. But those who were still alive were singing the school song for as long as they could. I think I joined the chorus. We thought that someone would come and help us out. That’s why we were singing a school song so loud. But nobody came to help, and we stopped singing one by one. In the end, I was singing alone. † On August 9th the USSR entered the war invading Manchuria. With a force of nearly 1,700,000 soldiers the Soviets quickly claimed total victory driving the Japanese out and killing 20,000 to 80,000 Japanese soldiers and capturing about 650,000. (Glantz 54-72) On August 15th in a radio address to the nation Emperor Hirohito announced the surrender of Japan. (Pape 87) The largest war in the history of mankind was over. C. Evaluation of Sources Code-Name Downfall: The Secret Plan to Invade Japan-And Why Truman Dropped the Bomb by Thomas B. Allen and Norman Polmar was published by Simon & Schuster in 1995. Allen is an American writer who went to college in Bridgeport, Conn. He worked for The New York Daily and then became part of the National Geographic Book Division. Most of his work deals with military history. His book is an excellent source of information because it is based upon hundr eds of sources, was written well after the events described so that more evidence is available, and is written by a fairly objective military historian who has less bias because he was not attached to the war. Downfall: The End of the Imperial Japanese Empire by Richard B. Frank was published by Penguin in 2001. Frank is an expert on World War 2 history. He specializes on the Pacific part of WWII. He fought in the 101st Airborne Division during the Vietnam. This could possibly make him more bias towards U. S. military actions but his book uses hundreds of reputable sources so that his opinion is less biased. His book is a very definitive and exhaustive account of Japanese defeat. It’s an excellent and useful source. D. Analysis â€Å"The fact is that as far as the Japanese militarists were concerned, the atomic bomb was just another weapon. The two atomic bombs at Hiroshima and Nagasaki were icing on the cake, and did not do as much damage as the fire bombings of Japanese cities. The B-29 firebombing campaign had brought the destruction of 3,100,000 homes, leaving 15 million people homeless, and killing about a million of them. It was the ruthless firebombing, and Hirohito's realiz ation that if necessary the Allies would completely destroy Japan and kill every Japanese to achieve â€Å"unconditional surrender† that persuaded him to the decision to end the war. The atomic bomb is indeed a fearsome weapon, but it was not the cause of Japan's surrender, even though the myth persists even to this day. † Said by Edwin P. Hoyt in 1986. According to the UK embassy in Washington the Americans regarded the Japanese as â€Å"a nameless mass of vermin†. A 1944 opinion poll that asked what should be done with Japan found that 13% of the U. S. public was in favor of the extermination of all Japanese people: men, women, and children. Hixson 239) The dropping of the two bombs had little to do with defeating the defeated Japan. Even before World War 2 had ended the cold war began. Stalin and the Soviets had taken control of nearly all of Eastern Europe and made it clear that they weren’t going to leave. (Glantz 152-167) The Soviet Union had emerged World War 2 as a superpower and as the only legitimate challenger to American hegemony. Militaristic and organized with massive amounts of natural resources the Soviets under Stalin had proven that they were willing to expend unimaginable amounts of human life to win. Glantz 172-184) With this massive looming on the horizon the terrified United States had to demonstrate its military supremacy. Japan presented a unique opportunity for the U. S. to demonstrate its new destructive power to the Soviets and the Japanese people paid the price. The Japanese were already defeated and seeking peace. (Butow 111-121) â€Å"It is my opinion that the use of the barbarous weapon at Hiroshima and Nagasaki was of no material assistance in our war against Japan. The Japanese were already defeated and ready to surrender†¦. My own feeling is that in being the first to use it, we had adopted an ethical standard common to barbarians of the Dark Ages. I was not taught to make war in that fashion, and wars cannot be won by destroying women and children. † Chairman of the wartime Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral William D. Leahy. Shortly after the conclusion of the war General Douglas MacArthur confirmed what many Military analysts and historians theorized by saying, â€Å"My staff was unanimous in believing that Japan was on the point of collapse and surrender. In 1963 President Eisenhower said, â€Å"The Japanese were ready to surrender and it wasn't necessary to hit them with that awful thing †¦ I hated to see our country be the first to use such a weapon. † E. Conclusion While the dropping of the two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki certainly contributed to the Japanese becoming even more desperately willing to unconditionally surrender the atomic bombs, despite their unimaginable destructive power, were just another weapon the Japanese had to endure. More than a million Japanese people had been killed by bombing raids. In reality the entrance of the Soviet Union into the war and their invasion of Japanese controlled Manchuria more likely contributed to Japan being more willing to unconditionally surrender. Japan had controlled Manchuria far longer than any pacific island the U. S. fought on and had more than 1,200,000 men there. Their total defeat in a very short amount of time made Japan realize that they no longer were able to defend themselves. In conclusion to use the words of General Curtis LeMay, â€Å"The atomic bomb had nothing to do with the end of the war. † â€Å"We are the inheritors to the mantle of Genghis Khan,† wrote New York Times editorial writer Hanson Baldwin, â€Å"and of all those in history who have justified the use of utter ruthlessness in war. † The dropping of the two atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was in no way militarily justified. The use of the atomic bombs was an act of brutality the likes of which this world has never seen and for the continued survival of the human race I hope never has to see again.

College Teachers Role in Society

Alexander the Great once said, â€Å"I am indebted to my father for living, but to my teacher for living well. † Each profession occupies a specific niche in society. Doctors heal, engineers design and bankers handle our money. Teaching, however, stands out as a very necessary entity. At a preliminary stage, teachers instill the beyond and outside the ordinary range of human experience or understanding faculties of communication, decision making and awareness of social responsibilities. Later in life, no matter which field we choose to pursue, we again turn to teachers for training.A strong information base and well developed capabilities of comprehension and analysis are critical for progress. These crucial responsibilities of inculcating knowledge, kindling inspiration and encouraging creative thought are all vested in the teacher. Keeping in mind the increasing trend of both parents working long hours, the teacher is also expected to build a strong moral character and provi de emotional support. Thus, the teacher has to build a rapport with the student and be simultaneously approachable and authoritative. His/her role encompasses that of an instructor, friend, role model and confidant.College teaching is a profession built on top of another profession. Individuals come to the professoriate with specific, professional knowledge and skills, including content expertise, and research techniques. These skills constitute what may be called the base profession of college faculty. But college professors are immediately called upon to perform at professional levels in four possible roles: teaching, scholarly or creative activities (including research), service to the institution and community, and administration. We live in a rapidly changing society. In fact, love for change and progress is inherent in human nature.It is this reason why man, since the dawn of human civilization, has been trying to make adjustment to physical and social world around him. In thi s age of been even more rapid and dramatic, affecting our life styles, our ways of thinking, feeling and acting. The youth, like any other section of people simply cannot remain unaffected. The sacred duty of college teachers is to educate and guide the youth of society to cope with this rapidly changing and challenging society.The College teachers who are considered to be highly intellectual section of the society have even a bigger role to play  in this regard. Objectives:- The objectives of this Research Report are as follows : (I) To highlight the importance of educating and guiding the youth in the fast changing social scenario. (II) (III) To identify the needs, problems and challenges faced by the youth in the changing society and the areas in which they need guidance of the teachers. (IV) To highlight the role of teachers in general and the college teachers in particular in educating and guiding the youth in the changing society. Why the youth need to be educated / guided.I t goes without saying that the youth is the responsible citizens of tomorrow. Again youth is also the period which is characterized by certain unique features which are usually not found in the other stages of human stability and uniformity that marked his preceding stages i. e. childhood and boyhood. Furthermore, youth or adolescence being a period of rapid growth, development and change, is most likely to be accompanied number of difficulties and problems. The needs and problems of the youth are very peculiar and hence, these need to be understood and addressed very carefully.Without proper education and counseling it will be next to impossible on the part of the youth to make proper adjustment in the changing society. In the absence of such guidance, the youths are likely to face the danger of being misled and will be unable to translate their dreams and aspirations into reality. ROLE OF A TEACHER IN BUILDING CHARACTER OF A STUDENT: it is not everything that experience can teach us we cannot learn etiquette and manners from experience because children are like clay in a potter's hand just as a potter's gives a desired shape to the clay in his hands, so do children become what their teachers make them.Therefore there is no denying in the fact that the role of a teacher in a student's life is very crucial right from the time when child joins a day care center to the stage when he/she establishes a professional career. The important connections such as trust, courage, support, self esteem when develops between a student and a teacher often supports the building blocks of their relationship. A teacher plays many roles in the life of a student firstly as a caretaker for student.like parents, teacher shower their care, love, respect on them like a gardener watering his/her plants and even instruct them for their betterment, secondly as a friend by helping them in every right step of life, thirdly as a knowledge bank as proper education is the need of today if we want our country to progress this is because every child must be given the best level of education possible. Teachers create a safer and pleasant environment and their attitude is as positive as mother's have for their children. but as we know there are all type of teachers some are better than others.There are some teachers who just came in to the class and starts teaching. They did not get involved with the students. And students rarely like them so teacher should show their concern about what the students are feeling. Because there are many students who feel shy in interacting with their teachers apart from this students can interact frankly with their teachers by clearing his/her doubts. Therefore, i believe that the way students act depends on the teacher's attitude. that’s why i will always recommend teachers to invite the students to participate in the class.Motivating Students to Attend Class: While student success is important at every educational level, it gains sig nificance during the college years because this phase often represents the last formal education many students receive before competing for work. During the college years, students develop their abilities and match them with specific needs in the labor market. For this reason, education during these years is of particular importance. However, as in other levels of their educational careers, students sometimes fail to attain adequate learning outcomes.Motivation is considered to be the necessary cornerstone on which the other steps follow and build. Although motivation is identified as a fundamental aspect of learning for college students, many teachers at the college level are not trained as extensively in teaching methods and communication as are their counterparts in elementary and secondary school. College teachers must manage several tasks simultaneously. To serve on a variety of committees and to stay on top of administrative duties may compete with the desire to improve classr oom impact.Often the emphasis for college faculty is on research rather than on presentation skills. Faculty members gained social and educational status through scholarly productivity, and even though they might have wanted to gain satisfaction from teaching. They were unprepared for the demands. Major goal of college students was to receive practical training related to specific jobs, whereas their teachers had the goal of encouraging students' broad intellectual development. When college students are not motivated in a particular class, a common outcome is a lost desire to attend class, followed by frequent absences and plummeting grades.Class attendance at colleges was positively correlated with academic achievement. College teachers could enact strict attendance policies and penalize students who failed to attend; college teachers' classroom performance can influence students to attend the class. The teacher's focus is on his students. His task is to convey a fixed body of know ledge to his students and to worry about the best way to do so. He normally follows a textbook and a â€Å"syllabus†. A very important part of his job is to assign homework and to give tests to find out how much his students are learning.He pays attention to what the students think of him and his performance. He sympathizes with his students' worry about their grades. Educating the youth: Collegiate education has undoubtedly a significant role in shaping and moulding the future of the youth, and college teachers, being highly intellectual, are entrusted with the burdensome responsibility of guiding the student youth in the proper direction. In fact, college teachers as social engineers have a multifarious role to play in this respect.The role of college teachers in educating the youth can be discussed under the following headings: I) Understanding the mindset of the youth: The first and foremost task of the teachers in general and the college teachers in particular is that th ey must be capable of reading the mindset of the college youth who are confronted with a innumerous of emotional and psychological problems at this stage. Personal growth imposed by emotional disturbances of varying severity. Furthermore, problems of the youth are unique in that many of the difficulties are related to development issues of general cultural development and population in transition.These developmental issues lead to vague symptoms of anxiety and depression, rather than to clearly define emotional disturbances one would expect in a general adult population. College teachers can play a crucial role in addressing these problems. In order to address these problems of the youth college teachers need to be very sympathetic and cordial towards them. Teachers as counselor: College teachers can effectively play the role of a counselor in educating the young generation.They can not only guide and advise the youth, but also help them  to get over their stress and anxieties whi ch are caused by the fast changing socio-political-cultural environment around them. Giving new direction to the lives of the young people is the prime responsibility of college teachers. When Neil Armstrong set his foot on the moon in 1969, it was just one step for a man but a giant leap for the mankind. Behind this leap were the long hours of day to day scientific research by the scientist, and behind all the scientists was the ordinary day-to-day classroom teaching which is a self evident truth, so it is the good day-to-day classroom teacher on who depends the spectacular leap for the mankind.The main architect of the future of humanity is no one but the honorable teachers. They not only have to teach their subject to the pupils but even more important, the human values, positive attitude, emotional and psychological resilience, the courage of conviction to call a spade a spade on the face of it, and fully equip their students to be able to face the future challenges in their liv es squarely and bravely. A student looks at the teacher as a role model, which he or she likes to emulate if that teacher is able to have a lasting positive impression on his/her students.Teachers must remember, a child sees them as the source of all Inspiration and Truth in life. Whatever teachers do shape the future and affects the life of all heir students. And what our children are going to become tomorrow directly affects the well being of the Society, Country and the World at large. Teachers are directly involved in building the next generation. Much of what students learn from their greatest teachers is not detailed on a syllabus. Teachers who help us grow as people are responsible for imparting some of life’s most important lessons.During their initial school years, students encounter, perhaps for the first time, other children of the same age and begin to form some of their first friendships. Teachers show students how to become independent and form their own relatio nships; they carefully guide them and intervene when necessary. College is as much a place of social learning as academic learning, and this is true, not only in our early years of education, but all the way through college.Though a teacher’s influence on the social sphere of class lessens as students mature, those early lessons still have an effect on how they will interact with others in the future. Teachers are founts of experience. They have already been where their students are going, undergone what they will go through and are in a position to pass along lessons, not only regarding subject matter, but lessons on life. II) Inculcating a sense of social responsibility: Youth is also the period when the society expects something from the young generation.Youth are an asset of the nation, they have great social responsibility. Being a product of the society they must be sensitized to the needs and problems facing the society or the region they live in. It is needless to sta te that a team of dynamic and energetic youth can change the very fabric of a given society. In view of this, college teachers should be capable of sensitizing the young generation to the burning problems of the society and should also prepare them to shoulder social responsibilities in right earnest.The youths should be trained in such a way that they will use their skills and talents in the services of his community, his country and the whole world. III) Making the youth politically conscious: The youth of today being the future could assume the future leadership of the country they must be trained to be conscious of their own rights and duties, and they must be made to feel respectful to the democratic process of their roles in building up the economic prosperity of their country.IV) Cultivating qualities of good citizenship: Though the concept of education for good citizenship has been an old one, it has its role in fast changing world; the necessity of educating the youth for g ood citizenship has assumed greater significance. Youth is the most opportune time to inculcate a sense of good citizenship.The youth should be taught to cultivate the qualities of a good citizen which include, among others, ability to be aware of the importance of meeting human needs and to be concerned with the extension of the essentials of life to individuals, Practice the kinds of relationships that are consistent with a democratic society, Recognizes and endeavours to help in the solution of the social problems of the time, Possesses and uses knowledge, skill and abilities to facilitate the process living, Ability to work with others in a company, Ability to understand, accept and tolerate cultural differences.Ability to be sensitive towards and to defend human rights and rights of women, etc. One of the most important legacies of college education has been to provide students with the critical capacities, the knowledge and the values to become active citizens striving to real ize a vibrant democratic society. Teachers are an important indicator of the well-being of our democratic society. They remind us of the values that must be passed on to young people in order for them to think critically; to participate in decisions that affect their lives; and to transform inequities that close down democratic social relationships.Teachers built Education system on a strong foundation of relationships, human experience, and connectedness. Effective leaders will be expected to put words to the formless longings and deeply felt needs of others. Teachers create communities out of words. Students must be active participants in shaping their future. Student engagement involves the active participation of all students in sustainable environmental practices, a strong student voice in decision making, and involvement in the school and community in meaningful ways.Environmental education stimulates student engagement by focusing on the importance of relationships between ac tion and reflection, local and global issues, and people’s desires and needs. Student engagement has a positive effect on student achievement and motivation. Students who practice leadership in their colleges will become effective citizens in their communities. The community also has a vital role to play in providing environmental education opportunities and linkages for the educational institutions.Community groups can share their expertise and engage students in experiential learning and activities related to environmental education and careers. V) Imparting value education: The period during which the youth prosecute college education is very crucial in so far as the perception of values is concerned, there is great contradiction in what parents, teachers and leaders preach and what they themselves practice.In such confusing situation everybody suffers from a dilemma unique to youth’s time, economic dependency, subordinate role in the society, adult’s attempt s to understand them in the light of their own experience, ambitions and aspirations, distorted perceptions of and aspirations of the youth create a social situation where the youth comes to occupy a marginal place and is pushed to a stage of anxiety.Moreover, the weakening of social and moral values in the younger generation is creating many serious social and ethical conflicts and there is already a desire among some thinkers to balance the knowledge and skills which science and technology bring with the values and insights associated with ethics and religion at its best. Teachers in general and college teachers in particular must be able to inculcate in the youth a clear sense of values – moral, social and spiritual.In this context, the following aspects may be the responsibility of college teachers to take care of; a) To balance knowledge with essential social skills. b) To balance science and technology with ethics and religion. c) To help form character besides training in skills. d) To cultivate true citizenship spirit. e) To work for the fulfillment of national unity. f) To attempt eliminate religious fanaticism, superstition and fatalism. g) To attempt to transcend linguistic regional barriers.VII) Motivating the youth to dream : Adolescence or youth is also the time for dreams and aspirations to achieve better of individuals as well as of societies is propelled by the power of dreams want to become, of what kind of world we would like to live in, of how to find peace and happiness . Education is goal oriented and is motivated by the values we cherish, the ideals we seek, the priorities we choose to live by. In cultural surroundings around them, as a successful guide and counselor a teacher is capable of giving new direction to the lives of the young people of society.We need a vision, a dream. The vision should be the oneness, the essential and organic solidarity of the human family. The dream, that we each in our own way make our personal con tribution towards building unity and peace among us. The college teachers are expected to lead the societies not only by motivating the preparing them to meet the challenges of the changing societies but by empowering them to image preferred futures, better worlds for their generations and for those to come. Teacher is the role model of the society.Teacher inspires and encourages us to strive for greatness, live to our fullest potential and see the best in ourselves. A teacher is someone we admire and someone we aspire to be like. We learn through them, through their commitment to excellence and through their ability to make us realize our own personal growth. We look to them for advice and guidance. (viii) To instill self confidence: Mere making the youth dream high will be of no use unless they are taught to develop the will power.In this fast changing society, newer and newer challenges are coming before them which they must be able to face and get over with their strong will pow er. They must be encouraged to proceed with self confidence towards achieving their goal. Teachers can surely play a crucial role in developing such confidence and positive atmosphere. Conclusion : To conclude it may be said that the importance of the role of the teacher in general as an agent of social change, promoting understanding and tolerance has never been more obvious than today.Teachers have crucial play in preparing the young people not only to face the future with confidence but to build it with purpose and responsibility. This role is likely to become more crucial in the days to come. The need for change from narrow nationalism to universal ism, from ethnic and cultural prejudice to tolerance, understanding and pluralism from autocracy to democracy in its various manifestations, and from a technologically divided world, teachers in general and the college teachers in particular who participate in the molding of the characters and minds of the new generation.

Article Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 4

Article Example In the two projects #1 and #2 the problem is well stated clearly. Project #2 addresses the scarcity of water as a result of pollution while project#1 addressing scarcity of energy in the region (Holtz 119). The information in both projects addresses the problem directly. The project #2 is clearer than project #1 because it touches on the immediate beneficiaries. While given the opportunity to add I would give extra information on the objectives that are to be met. It is the objectives that determine the activities and the budget. The list of activities that will be involved in order to accomplish the tasks would also be included in order to determine the time frame appropriately. The readers were for the beneficiaries in the two projects because they were the targeted groups. The targeted groups directly affected by the problem suffer the most. It is the pain they undergo that appeals to the reader and the reader funds the project (Baugh; Hamper 92). Once the problem of the target group is reduced the project shall have accomplished its objectives and the activities in place successfully. In relation to the context, the information in the two proposals was contextual because they addre ssed the immediate problems. Project #2 captured the whole conditions and therefore was more contextual than project#1. The context in which the project is carried out will determine the success or failure therefore the information should be intact. At this stage of the proposal I inferred that the proposal must meet the standard that is set in order to win the funding. The format depends on the guideline given by the funding agencies. Secondly the problem being addressed must be stated clearly and the target group stated in order to draft the objectives that the project intend to tackles at the end (Pearce 67). The activities in the project are systematic and procedural. They are

Explaining a Concept Research Paper Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 3

Explaining a Concept Research Paper - Essay Example †). THESIS STATEMENT With due consideration to this aspect, the essay intends to explain the concept of viral marketing. The objective of the essay is to inform the marketers regarding the significance of viral marketing in the present era. Furthermore, the essay also discusses certain real life experiences of viral marketing. EXPLANATION OF VIRAL MARKETING The word ‘viral’ is used in order to define such a marketing practice where the messages regarding a particular brand are spread through the word-of-mouth method from one computer system to the other. An important component of viral marketing is that people spread the marketing messages, developed by the marketers. An effective viral marketing is characterized by controversy, community involvement and exclusive celebrity engagement. In viral marketing, a message needs to be unique and must feature a vital concept which encourages the audiences to share the message with their friends. Viral marketing at times is also deemed as a marketing program that acts as a virus, capable to replicate itself and spread from one person to the other. In viral marketing, the messages can reach the target audience in quite a less amount of time and at a low cost (National Media Museum, â€Å"What is Viral Marketing?†). ... In this way, viral marketing establishes a word-of-mouth thrill. The messages in viral marketing can arrive in different formats such as in the form of videos, pictures and applications or games among others. These digital formats can easily be shared by people who are connected through social networks (National Media Museum, â€Å"What is Viral Marketing?†). The effectiveness of viral marketing depends on the number of audiences who are viewing and spreading the brand messages developed by the marketers. People play a vital role in the notion of viral marketing, because they actually perform on behalf of the brand. Thus, in order to become successful, marketers need to understand the motivational aspects of people for spreading viral messages. On the basis of a study conducted by Milward Brown, it is observed that there is a strong relationship between inducing the enjoyment of brand messages and ensuring the possibility of forwarding them to the people. However, enjoyment al one is not sufficient to inspire individuals to share the messages. The massages must have certain additional scopes such as being pleasant, humorous or funny among others which are most likely to be spread by the viewing individuals (Hollis, â€Å"Millward Brown’s Pov†). SIGNIFICANCE OF VIRAL MARKETING FOR MODERN MARKETERS Viral marketing has created a strong sense of excitement for modern marketers and often it appears as an important marketing strategy. It is possible for marketers to be benefitted from the perceptions of viral marketing, due to an increased level of usage of social networking. According to a study of Miller and Lammas, in the year 2009, about 142.1 million Americans, 46.6 million Japanese and 31 million Brazilian people accessed the social networks. Popular

Regional Corruption Report (Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, and Essay

Regional Corruption Report (Kazakhstan, Russian Federation, and Ukraine) - Essay Example /noferrous metals, oil, machines, grain, wool, mean, chemicals, coal GNI per capita: US $6, 740 Ratings Corruption Perceptions Index 20102 Rank 105, Score 2.9 Index of Economic Freedom 20113 Rank 78, Score 62.1 Global Competitiveness Index 20104 Rank 72, Score 4.13 Freedom House 20105 Political Rights Score: 6; Civil Liberties Score: 5; Status: Not Free. Human Development Index 20106 Rank 66 World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index 20107 Rank 59. Map of Kazakhstan taken from http://www.bjchinesetranslation.com/maps_of_the_world/map_of_kazakhstan.htm (Retrieved 2 May 2011). Flag of Kazakhstan Taken From: http://www.mapsofworld.com/flags/kazakhstan-flag.html (Retrieved 2 May 2011). Country Profile: Russian Federation8 Geography Capital: Moscow Location: North Asia, on the borders with Artic Ocean and Europe and the North Pacific Ocean. Size: 17 Million sq. km Government Federation, Presidential head of state President: Dmitriy Medvedev (Elected 2 March 2008 with 70. 28% vote). Prime Min ister: Vladimir Putin (Appointed since 8 May 2008). People Population: 140.3 million as at 2010. Main Language: Russian Main religions: Christianity, Islam Live Expectancy: Men, 62 years; women, 74 years. Death Rate: 16.04/1,000 population Birth Rate: 11.05/1000 population Economy Monetary currency: 1 rouble = 100 kopecks Major exports: oil, gas, wood, metals, chemicals, weapons and military equipment. GNE per capita: US$9,370 Ratings Corruption Perceptions Index 20109 Rank 154, Score 2.1 Index of Economic Freedom Rank 143, Score 50.5 Global Competitiveness Index 201010 Rank 63, Score 4.24 Freedom House 201011 Political Rights Score: 6; Civil Liberties Score: 5; Status: Not Free. Human Development Index 201012 Rank, 65. World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index 201013 Rank 123 Map of Russia... Therefore, as low as Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine scored on the 2010 Corruption Perceptions Index, this was an improvement over previous years. The problem for the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) dates back to the fall of the Berlin Wall. It was at this time that these countries have been transitioning from socialist and centrally oriented states to â€Å"multiparty democracies and market-based economic system†. Many of these countries did not have and continue to struggle with maintaining legal and political frameworks necessary for supporting open market economies. Thus, these transitioning states became breeding groups for corruption. The World Bank reports that the decline in corruption corresponds with the strengthening of legal and political regimes in the CIS. All indications are that corruption appears to continue to be problematic in Kazakhstan, the Russian Federation and Ukraine. As of 2011, reports reveal trends that require purposeful action. Nichol informs that as states in transition, the increasing influx of foreign funds relative to foreign investment in oil and gas, together with lower wages among government officials and weak legal and political institutions are favourable to corruption. In fact, the increases in gas and oil exports in Kazakhstan have only increased the corruption trends. TORO, the contact for Transparency International in Ukraine wrote to the President of the European Council expressing concern on behalf of Transparency International for the â€Å"high level of corruption in Ukraine†.

Busniss law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Busniss law - Essay Example This accusation is not true and causes Cornell to lose its customers to Stanford. The legal definition of defamation involves false accusation against a person, which has a potential of adversely affecting the victim’s reputation or competitive advantage in trade. In order to establish a case on defamation’s basis, the plaintiff must prove a number of essential elements. First, the plaintiff must have been subjected to a â€Å"defamatory statement† (Beatty and Samuelson, p. 78). The statement must have been false and the defendant must have communicated the statement leading to injury on the plaintiff. Defamation can be either slander or libel (Beatty and Samuelson, p. 78). In the case, Stanford made an advertisement whose claim was defamatory. The claim was false and caused Cornell its customers who went to Stanford’s business, thereby causing financial losses, in revenues and profits, to Cornell. This forms a legal ground for defamation as was held in the case of Bose Corporation v Consumers Union of the United States (Jernings, p. 289). Cornell could therefore sue on grounds of defamation that could be either libel or slander, depending on Sanford’s mode of advertisement. If Stanford used a permanent medium such as an audio recording or a print media, then Cornell could sue for injuries on grounds of libel. An unrecorded oral advertisement could however lead to suit on ground of slander. The case involves Dan, a driver to EZ Delivery Company, who leaves his car in a neutral mode and does not set brakes. The car then rolls while Dan makes delivery and crashes into a petrol station, causing flames of fire. The fire spreads to a close building that collapses, causing injury to Flow. The facts of the case identify negligence that defines a breach of a duty of care by a party to another, leading to injury. This is because a driver owes elements, in his environment, a duty of care and Dan’s

Growth Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Growth Analysis - Essay Example Its continued innovation, which is marked by continued research and development activities has enabled it grasp customer needs and services (Ignatiuk, 2009). The move by dell Inc to develop modern technologies like the blue ray disc technology puts it strategically to the demands and preferences of global customers (Ignatiuk, 2009). Since Dell Inc sells a range of products, it has competitive advantage of economies of scale. The use of communication technology strategically puts it at a better position to create a collaborative relationship with its customers and network partners (Sigismund et al., 2009). The use of proactive marketing staff helps keep the company’s long-term objectives active. Since loyal customers are part of primary asset for organizations, Dell Inc has continued to create customer loyalty over years. This comes in terms of catering for customer needs by offering customized systems that cater for their needs. It is also noted that customer service and support is equally enhanced in Dell operations including online services. Diversification of the market is evident in several ways. Dell has been able to open up manufacturing centers in various parts of the world. This can be argued to be a key factor of targeting new and more customers (Sadler & Craig, 2003). It is also argued that its strategic management and objectives and the organizational culture reflects its mission and vision statements. With the mission of Dell being to be the most successful at bringing the finest customer experience in the market it serves, and the vision being to interact with customers in the global community and serving their needs with the changing technologies, it is apparent that dell has worked hard to accomplish

An examination of assessment tools in relation to Watson's theory of Research Paper

An examination of assessment tools in relation to Watson's theory of human caring - Research Paper Example Caring Tools that expand the abilities of nurses to assess and evaluate clients in the various stages of health, illness and stress are particularly an important part of the knowledge that nurses should have and ultimately impact on the quality of healthcare. Besides this, Watson’s theory of human caring enables nurses to integrate mind-body-spirit dimensions of assessment tools hence delivering better services to patients. The advent of evidence-based practice means that the use of assessment tools is influenced by the data available on them in terms of cost, length, ease of use and suited populations. When using such data, it is also important to evaluate its validity to ensure that the correct assessment tools are utilized. This study will investigate all these aspects focusing on three assessment tools; Dysfunctional Attitude Scale, Health Self-Determination Index (HSDI) and the Spiritual Perspective Scale. The impact of these tools on assessment phase and quality care pro vided by nurses will be evaluated followed by their application to homeless individuals. Assessment Tools Dysfunctional Attitude Scale (DAS) This is an assessment tool that was developed to measure the pervasive/silent maladaptive cognitive vulnerability exhibited by depressed individuals (Antony and Barlow, 2010). It is based on the view that such depressed individuals bear negative attitudes with regard to life and this can be analyzed through determining the views of an individual to self, world and future. This is what is usually referred to as the cognitive triad that can be used to tell apart depressed from non-depressed individuals based on their pessimism. The Dysfunctional Attitude Scale is a self-report 7-point likert scale that measures the occurrence of attitudes that portray underlying dysfunctions and how intense such attitudes are (Weissman and Beck, 1978 cited in Graaf et al., 2009). The original Dysfunction Attitude Scale was based on 100 items but was later simplif ied into DAS-A and DAS-B parallel forms that contain 40 items only. The result of this is that the DAS test is an inexpensive, easy to perform and relatively short undertaking. Graaf et al. (2009) performed DAS on populations whose demographic factors significantly correlated with depression including the unemployed individuals, individuals who were occupationally disabled and individuals with low levels of education. The dysfunctional attitudes measured among such populations include attitudinal approval, entitlement and achievement which perfectly interrelate with the mind-body-spirit dimensions as put forward by Watson hence resulting in a better assessment by nurses translating to better treatment. In terms of reliability and validity of the evidence, Graaf et al. (2009) and many other researchers have performed psychometric experimental studies on DAS and generated reliable and valid results. This is demonstrated through correlation analyses and actual distinction between indiv iduals with and without depression hence the DAS is safe for application in clinical practice. DAS is particularly important as a tool for nurses during the assessment stage as it allows the nurse to get a grip of the major underlying factors behind depressed individuals and as a result aid in the proper interventional measures for example through pharmacopsychotherapy that will deal with both biomedical aspects and psychological aspects of illness. Perceived Stress Scale Cohen, Kamarck and Marmelstein (1983, cited in Peters, 2007) designed a measurement of the level to which individuals perceived their life situations as being stressful in terms of unpredictability, overload and inability to control. It uses 14 items in a likert scale with responses ranked as â€Å"never† to â€Å"very often.† Seven of the items in the scale are positive and through the test the level of self-perceived stress can be

Outline in a 1,500 words the characteristics of Social Media and Coursework

Outline in a 1,500 words the characteristics of Social Media and Generation Y and the close relationship between the two with a case example - Coursework Example 89). The paper will reveal the characteristics of social media and the generation Y and will advance to show the close linkage between social media and this generation based on a case example on how social media has facilitated product e-marketing and will go a notch higher to reveal the pros and cons resulting from e-marketing such as increased sales and fraudulent and scamming acts through giving a platform for the scammers and the fraudsters which are mainly the generation Y’s component. Identity distortion is a major issue in social media as people misuse this platform and hide their identities as they try to investigate on other peoples’ ware bouts and will get every detail of the targeted people which is later used to advance their ill motives on such victims. The belief on the existence of the data shadows has made it possible for the monitoring previous transactions made by web user online which are the generated into data necessary for follow ups. An explanation to the definition of social media can be highlighted as situation recently taking over the web presenting a more expansive exposure in respect to degree of connectivity and social networking that facilitates the continuous conveyance of information through the feedback and contribution of web users belonging to any given virtual community. This is a generation that is also known as Millenniums or Echo Boomers which precedes generation X and preceded by generation Z. generation Y is estimated to entail the youths born between the years 1977 and 2000. It is not clear as some state that this generation should the people born between 1978 and 1989. Due to this dissenting explanation is extended to include the age bracket from 1977 to 2000 (Bondarouk & Olivas-Lujan 2013, p. 111). According to Strauss and Howe, the period between 1982 and 2004 formed the bracket of the generation Y in USA. Social media has increased intimacy among the people as people are daily connected via the

Marketing and AMC Theatres Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Marketing and AMC Theatres - Essay Example That aside, one of the most reliable of all surveys for the country is conducted by Gallup and one of their latest surveys on the subject of going to movies have been conducted from December 5 to December 8, 2005. The number of movies now seen by an American has now come down to four movies during a period of twelve months. This does not mean that all Americans see the same number of movies since among the entire population there are 33 percent who claim that they have not seen any movie in a year, and 42 percent say that they have seen more than one but less than four movies in a year while 24 percent claim to have seen more than five movies in a year. (Americans Saw Average of Four Movies in Last Year) This can be seen pictorially in the appendix. The position had started quite early, and it was seen even from the beginning of summer. One of the largest chains of theatres in the country, Regal Entertainment Group, which is based in Colorado and registered on NYSE as RCG as well as Carmike cinemas, which is recorded as CKEC on NASDAQ had shown drops in attendance in the first quarter. The first is the largest chain in the country and the second is the fourth largest chain in the country. Compared to the previous year, 2004, the drop in net income of Carmike was by 76 percent. (Lights dimming on movie attendance) Part of the drop in attendance can be explained by the observation recorded above, but, in general, trends do not move so sharply and in the case of AMC theatres, for the change to have taken place would have a sharp change in habits of persons staying in a relatively restricted area. This is again unlikely to happen so one has to look at some other reasons. The position is clear in that younger Americans are more likely than older individuals to go to the movies and the study by Gallup has shown that Americans between the ages of 18 and 29 had

Natural Selection through Competition and Isolation of Species Essay Example for Free

Natural Selection through Competition and Isolation of Species Essay The struggle for life results in differences in form which Darwin called â€Å"incipient species. † Darwin says that variations, no matter how small or big they are, will necessarily be passed down to offsprings because they will tend to make those individuals survive. He called this process natural selection to relate it to mans ability to select objects in their lives. Herbert Spencer, an English philosopher, had previously described the struggle for life as the â€Å"survival of the fittest,† which Darwin though was also appropriate for the process of evolution that goes on among organisms. Competition is constantly happening between organisms because of the rate of population increase. This leads into a Malthusian struggle that eliminates the nonadaptive individuals from the group (Cuvier et al. , 2003, p. 20). The divergence in the forms of species may result from changes in living conditions. Darwin pointed out that some species may be wiped out because of the immigration of other groups more adapted to the environment where they live in. Man-induced selection practiced by breeders of animals often results in sharp cases of divergence within species, although this is also possible through natural processes (Cuvier et al. , 2003, p. 24). Some experts point out that Darwin anticipated the concept of â€Å"ecological niche† because he suggested that all individuals who survive in the environment were not necessarily higher or better. They just have their own features that made them better adapted to the environment. According to Darwin, natural selection is facilitated by the isolation or seclusion of a population of organisms. Its pace can also quicken if the species is composed of a large population in open areas, since this indicates that there are many variations within the group (Cuvier et al. , 2003, p. 26). Darwin measured and described the divergence in species through a tree diagram with branches that stopped or fell off while extinction happens. New buds also spring from the tree to symbolize new species, leading to Darwin call it the â€Å"tree of life. † Heredity in Darwins Theory of Natural Selection Evolution had already been discussed before Darwins theory was published. Darwin only added substance to the science of evolution by proposing the idea of natural selection as a tool of evolution. Despite the soundness of his theory however, it was still difficult to form a coherent story of the evolution of organisms because there was no acceptable model or standard of heredity to explain natural selection. In fact, Darwin admits that the laws of heredity are still unclear (Endler Endler, 1986, p. 36). Since there was no guiding standard for heredity, Darwin borrowed Lamarck’s idea of acquired characteristics through use and disuse. He believed that when animals regularly use certain parts of their body, those parts become stronger or larger. In contrast, disuse results in certain parts being weaker or decreasing in size. These acquired characteristics are then passed on to newer generations either through domestication or through nature. While use and disuse had some role in evolution, Darwin said that some developments in the characteristics of animals, such as the loss of wings of some insects, might have resulted from natural selection.

Determining Validity of Research Framework

Determining Validity of Research Framework CHAPTER SEVEN FRAMEWORK VALIDATION 7.1  Introduction This chapter focuses on the evaluation and validation of the framework. The research validity and method deployed to maximise the validity will be discussed in the first part of this chapter. Also, the eternal framework validity will then be discussed.   The second part of this chapter will analyse and discuss the results obtained from the evaluation of the framework.  Ã‚   The framework evaluation has been carried out by academics and experts practitioners and has measured the suitability and effectiveness of the framework in the construction sector. 7.2 Validity The validation process started at the first stage of the research,   making sure that the research participants, measuring instruments and context were exclusively accomplishing the research aim.   A number of writers have contended that validity cannot be applied to qualitative research. At the same time, have understood the need for some qualifying check or measure for their research (Golafshani 2003). Clearly there are no direct tests validating qualitative research; however, this does not imply that there are no guidelines (Patton 1990). Through the stages of this research, the effort has been made to guarantee that: (1) the measuring instrument is measuring the concept being referred to and no other concepts; and (2) there is an accurate measurement of the concept (Bailey 1994). The measuring instruments used in the interview method were the interview questions; also the method used in analysing the data collected and building the framework. Therefore, it was important to en sure that all research propositions were clear and effectively measured. Also, the method of analysis required the provision of right inferences. Qualitative research has often been portrayed by flexibility and uncertainty, and tension between creativity and rigour. Therefore at the interview analysis and the stages of framework building,   a critical compromise was carefully considered (Pyett 2003). The analysis of interviews engaged a deductive process whereby the author was his most trenchant critic (Cook and Campbell 1976, p: 229).   This is known as internal validity.   However, in this study, an open viewpoint of validity was used whereby different techniques enhanced the analysis and understanding of the practice of knowledge capture and retrieval and prompted more reliable and valid development of the framework (Golafshani 2003). These methods included: An in-depth revision of the instruments used for data collection and the method of analysis Carrying out a peer review of interviews themes and methods of analysis Carrying out a pilot study; assessing the language of the questions; definitions and terms; clarity of the purpose of questions for interview Construct a descriptive and relational framework for the interview analysis to make sure there is the consistency of analysis criteria and accurate interpretation and inferences. 7.3 External Validity Developing a   framework for the capture and retrieval of WLC knowledge in a construction project is based on a small number of cases, and does not mean this framework can be suitable and effective to other construction organisations practising WLC in the construction sector. However, researchers are also interested in the generalisation of the findings beyond the investigated cases (Schwab 1999). The justification for carrying out an in-depth interview is that people involved in a matured practice have knowledge that would somehow or another not be accessible to the researcher. Therefore, it is the quality of the understanding that is vital, instead of the number of respondents who share it (Wainwright 1997). While researching a few cases may accomplish excellent validity by giving a significant understanding of the practice in those cases; they have been broadly criticised as lacking external validity (De Vaus 2001). The generalising of findings to or across a target population sample is known as external validity (Pedhazur and Schmelkin 1991).   There are no efficient or verifiable methods to carry out external validation based solely on a   single examination of a research relationship (Schwab 1999). However, a definitive way to assess the validity of the proposed framework is to test such principles in reality, yet within research practice, this is rarely conceivable (Pyett 2003). Framework testing by the application method,   it could take quite a while before the reasonable judgment of the framework validity could be reached. Regardless of the possibility that this was to take a short time, there would be a need to access to a huge sample (representing the industry) and the framework implementation in this sector. However, in this particular case, this was viewed difficult.   Nevertheless, a few other methods were able to amplify the framework validity in this study as outlined: Select example case studies organisations (of current and best practices) from the target population in the interview stage. The pilot study provided a solid ground for understanding the current practice of KM; and therefore it was utilised as guiding principles in using the best practice to suit the industry, which boosted the generalising or external framework validity. Looking for the evaluations of the suitability and effectiveness of the framework in the construction sector by experts practitioners and academics. 7.4 Framework evaluation Testing the general framework feasibility by applying it to a large number of organisations representing the construction sector have been difficult in this research.   The framework evaluation by experts was viewed as another alternative for evaluation.   in fact, this method was deemed as appropriate with regards to risk,   finance and value. Assuming that 100 randomly selected organisations are a representative sample and the resources required are accessible in those organisations,   it would take six months for the testing and implementation of the framework (practically it would take years). However what if the framework did not work?   This would mean lost time of 600 months (100 organisation X 6 months) and therefore significant effort.   Therefore, in this case, the evaluation method by experts could be deemed the most appropriate method even though the   generalise by implement method was deemed possible. The reason for the evaluation method accordingly was not to anticipate that the framework was suitable for the organisation of the participated experts;   to obtain the experts evaluation in regards to the frameworks suitability in the industry.   The suitability of the framework was not seen adequate however because the suitable framework did not necessary means it would add value. Therefore, effectiveness was another criterion the evaluation sought to answer. 7.4.1 Participants Justification Based on their experience,   the suitability and the effectiveness of the framework can be judged by experts by using the right tool techniques, required resources and methods. The time and effort required for the framework implementation can also be estimated and matched with the current practice. The participants involved in the framework evaluation is made up of two groups of experts:   academic and practitioners. The practitioners are involved with   WLC practice in the construction project and therefore have a better understanding of the daily work. Also, their participation in a project which requires WLC practice means they can work with other organisation who practice WLC in the construction sector and can understand the verity of work environments. Also, academics are expected to have a deep understanding of different methodological viewpoints, as they know about observation and analysis.   Further,   the academics rely greatly on the construction industry as a major source of information,   so does not imply that they will be isolated. Also, many academics are involved in the practice. Sample A total number of sixteen experts were divided equally between the academics and the practitioner who participated in the framework evaluation. The participants year of experience ranges from eight to thirty-eight years, accounting for the total of three hundred and thirteen years of experience. The eight practitioners were from the three case study organisations who participated in the pilot and main interview of the study. The focus on practitioners was on those in the field with experience in WLC practice because they had an in-depth understanding of the WLC practice. Also,   participating academics were from four universities in the UK, working in the built environment and information and knowledge management departments. Experts Job title Year of experience Practitioners Organisation A Project Manager 35 Quantity Surveyor 20 Building Surveyor 7 Organisation B Quantity Surveyor 6 Project Manager 33 Organisation C Cost   Estimator 15 Project Manager 27 Construction Manager 7 Academics Senior Lecturer 12 Senior Lecturer 30 Lecturer 6 Lecturer 7 Lecturer 25 Lecturer 25 Reader 31 Reader 21 Table 7.1: Characteristics of participating experts in the framework evaluation Because the framework evaluation required a seminar presentation,   this process was thought to be long, and it was expected a low rate of response. Therefore, it was decided to reach the target of participants by sending invites to a member of staff with the three case study organisations.   The total number invitations forwarded was 300 of which 120 were sent to academics; and 180 to the three case study organisations. 7.4.2 Method of Evaluation Emails was used a tool to invite experts and included; An overview of the research project Request to participate in the evaluation of the framework for the purpose of validity Request on the best times which suits each of the case study organisation for a 40mins seminar presentation The framework was presented to each case study organisation using   Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007.   The presentation was interactive in which participants lessened the explanation; while diagram parts were moved in each presentation slides accordingly.   The seminar presentation was arranged into ten slides which took a narrative sequence of logic since it began by clarifying the parts of the framework independently and afterwards presented the strategic framework. Figure 7.1: A screenshot of the PowerPoint presentation The questionnaire was designed and hosted using the online service provider: Survey Monkey and consisted of two parts. Firstly, details about participants including name, organisation, job title, business and size of the organisation. secondly,   the framework evaluation and this was   included in   two sections Score based questions to the rate the suitability and effectiveness of the developed framework Seeking the opinions of the participants about the advantages, limitations and ways of improving the framework. It was decided to present the framework diagrammatically showing the strategic, tactical and operational levels.  Ã‚   The presentation gave a more in-depth description; however diagrams were sent to four research students to assess their readability, and the outcomes affirmed that such diagrams could convey the concept and details of the framework if the reader had extensive experience in construction management. One of the research students who took part in the pilot study was a medical doctor, dissociated from the construction industry, who found the framework unreadable, Although he has a good understanding of the major concept. Respondents were also sent an attachment of the presentations slides via email. 7.5  Results 7.5.1  Suitability of framework Participants were being asked to show their rating for suitability for each of the components of the framework; where 1 implied unsuitable and 5 suitable. The answer from the analysis uncovered that the levels of suitability for all approaches were considered far above the ground. As shown in Table 7.2,   3.74 out of 5 is the lowest mean value for the architecture of the knowledge base. Although it is not indicated in the value that the architecture of knowledge base is a 100% suitable, rather, it shows that it is likely going to be more suitable than unsuitable. The circumstance with regards to knowledge capture, retrieval and structure approach much better as they all have a score of   4 out of 5.   The skewness measure has a negative value which shows   that the mass of distribution concentrates on the side of suitable. Knowledge Capture Knowledge retrieval Knowledge Structure Architecture of Knowledge Base N Valid 16 16 16 16 Missing 0 0 0 0 Mean   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3.9375 4.0625 4.0000 3.7500 Std. Deviation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   .85391 .85391 .89443 1.00000 Skewness   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   -.605 -.863 -.639 -.343 Table 7.2: Suitability of the framework components Figure 7.2 shows that the majority of the participants gave a 4 or 5 rating of the suitability of all the framework components. With regards to the architecture of the knowledge base, the suitability was rated under 3 by two participants (i.e. 2). The normal curve illustrates that the approximation of the average of all components almost falls in the 4 rate of suitability. All the indications provide evidence that those components are suitable for the construction organisations. 7.5.2  Effectiveness of framework Participants were being asked to show their rating for effectiveness for each of the components of the framework; where 1 implied to be ineffective and 5 effective. The mean value of effectiveness for all components as shown is (Table 7.3) are above 3.75 and ranges between 3.87 and 4.18. The skewness measure has a negative value which shows that the mass of the distribution is concentrated on the side of effectiveness. Knowledge Capture Knowledge Retrieval Knowledge Structure Architecture of Knowledge Base N Valid 16 16 15 16 Missing 0 0 1 0 Mean 4.0625 4.18750 3.9333 3.8750 Std. Deviation .85391 .910586 .79881 1.02470 Skewness -.863 -1.019 -.842 -.571 Table 7.3: Effectiveness of the framework components As shown on the histograms shown in Figure 7.3 shows that the majority of experts participants evaluated all components to a score 4 or 5 rates of effectiveness. Knowledge retrieval thus turns out slightly more effective than the other framework components. The normal curve makes it clear the approximation of the average rate of all components which almost lies in the 4 rate of effectiveness. All the indicators together provide evidence that those components will be effective when implemented. 7.5.3  The Entire Framework Suitability Experts participants were asked to indicate their rate of suitability for the entire framework using the same criteria as mentioned above. As shown in Table 7.4, the mean value of suitability (3.93) and the negative value of the skewness measure provide an encouraging indication for the external validity. In Figure 7.5,   the pie chart shows that the majority of experts participants (62%) rate the suitability 4 out of 5; and the vast majority (81.3%) are either giving the framework a rate of 5 or 4. Furthermore, the histogram in Figure 7.4 shows that only one expert gave a rating of suitability under 3 (i.e. 2). Therefore, the indications of suitability are positive and show that this framework is considered suitable. The Entire Framework Suitability N Valid 16 Missing 0 Mean   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3.9375 Std. Deviation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   .77190 Skewness   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   -.881 Table 7.4: The entire framework suitability 7.5.4  Effectiveness of the Entire Framework Expert participants were asked to indicate their rate of effectiveness for the entire framework using the same criteria as mentioned above. The mean value (4) and the skewness measure value (negative) which shows that the framework is evaluated to be effective as shown in Table 7.5. A third of the experts participant shows a full mark of effectiveness, and 40% scored the framework a rate of 4 for effectiveness as shown in Figure 7.7. However, as shown in Figure 7.6, three experts rate it a 3 and one a 2. Nonetheless, the normal curve is pointing to an approximation of effectiveness at the rate of 4. Indications show that the framework is effective. Effectiveness of the Entire Framework N Valid 15 Missing 1 Mean 4.0000 Std. Deviation .92582 Skewness -.623 Table 7.5: Effectiveness of the entire framework. 7.5.5  Experts Opinion about the Framework The expert participants were requested to express their opinion about the framework regarding suitability, effectiveness, advantages and limitations. This could give additional assessment not covered in the closed-ended questions. Twelve of the feedbacks were received and had been listed below: It looks good to me. The problem is getting it work in practice. Great model and l like it, particularly the knowledge forms and the categorisation. This will help save time when searching for knowledge I think the overall seminar presentation was good and it covered a lot of the things we do not consider as worth pointing out in our day to day project delivery implementation. It is very hard to make a judgment on these key issues just on the presentation. However, I am quite inspired by the approach to knowledge capture. Although the presentation is great, however, the information, it provides is insufficient. It seems very general. The framework works well in suitability and effectiveness; and in use of collaboration tools, intranet tools with knowledge management within organisations. It is essential for a large organisation that staff can find and utilise answers as well as gaining access to the subject matter, experts and sharing information on similar projects and programmes. The advantages are that knowledge is shared rather than lost or protected by individuals. The saying that knowledge is power is true of individuals; However in organisations that are able and willing to capture knowledge and share this with the wider team rather than isolating it with individual project members. The framework is suitable and effective in many areas and an insightful and logical structure. There is some duplication, but that would seem to be unavoidable. Leadership support is important, with top-bottom commitment. Co-operation/sharing is not always a natural inclination in individuals. The framework seems to be highly advanced and would require an IT   system to enhance its processes and to encourage people to use it. If all members of the organisation are contributing positively to the framework; and most of them have the ability to capture, retrieve, and then re-use the captured knowledge, then the system will be for sure highly effective. In reality, I think we share the knowledge sometimes, but even when we do so, we do not document or capture them properly. As a result, we lose whatever we have shared as we cannot capture, structure and re-use all the knowledge captured by only relying on our brain capabilities. We as practitioners need such a framework to assist us to have a better understanding of the knowledge so we can use it appropriately. From an overall point of view, I admire you for this excellent presentation, and it was informative and well structured. We have learned a lot from this insightful presentation about knowledge management. There is no doubt that this framework is needed for business success. Although the framework appears to be complicated on its operational side; I am certain that if the   KM operation depends on this model, the result will be relevant and highly efficient. The framework makes sense from a project management perspective. However, knowledge capture and retrieval are complex and resource intensive activities and can be onerous to the project team if proper incentives are not aligned with the leaderships expectation of knowledge sharing. I think if your framework is properly applied, it will be extremely effective. Also, it is highly suitable. Regarding its advantages, I think it is simple to read and understand by any person who has a basic level of knowledge management and its management. The issues mentioned in the comments can be grouped into four categories: Firstly, those which highlight the role of knowledge capture and retrieval. Secondly, those who stress the importance and need for such a framework, due to the awareness of the problem, and thus confirm the motives for this research. Thirdly, indications that the framework may require a huge effort and construction projects already involved in demanding work. This issue has been discussed in the statement of the problem (section 1.4) whereby the problem lies on the capture and not the retrieval side. To minimise the problem, the project review was adopted as the main technique for knowledge capture which already exists in projects, rather than introducing a new approach. Additionally, the daily based reviews were rejected in this research for the same reason. Furthermore, a strategy for motivation has been pinpointed in the framework to ensure the application of knowledge capture. Fourthly and most importantly, a suitable and effective framework will also require careful application and effort. This has been said by several experts, and therefore considered a critical point, because the good theory does not necessary guarantee successful application. Finally, an expert described the framework to be very general. As aIn fact the framework is considering a particular area to investigate, related to knowledge capture and retrieval of project management processes, in the context of the project. Models inside the framework have provided precise details regarding what to do in particular scenarios. Also, knowledge capture and retrieval cannot be tackled in isolation from issues such as. Leadership support and cooperative culture. It is worth mentioning that this expert selected the rating of 2 for all of the 10 rating-based questions which are considered statistically biased. However, it was thought that this academic expert provided his personal details and these matched the tracking information. Therefore it was considered a valid response, and his opinion was appreciated. Other points were also considered related to the advantages of the framework; and impressions about the presentation. 7.5.6 Framework Improvement Another question was put forward in regards to how the framework can be improved. The feedback from the expert participants are listed below: By trial and error. The framework can be improved after application l did not analyse the presentation critically to make rational input in this direction I would rather read the whole PhD thesis and make my suggestions What issues should be addressed? Profitability, time and teamwork? There is no such thing as ideal knowledge framework. Therefore the knowledge framework can also be improved. Evolvement of a framework can be made by lessons learnt from previous projects; receiving constructive criticism and using good management techniques such as benefits and stakeholder management. Furthermore being clear about the benefits of knowledge capture and retrieval, with the onward transmittal/access of results by stakeholders, communication and using the framework communication channels for optimum use. The framework is excellent for understanding the needs and requirements of this age, and that knowledge should be shared for the benefit of all within an organisation; rather than being kept and possibly lost by the few, when the project team is dissolved or re-assigned. Show an example of how it will operate in practice. Working hand in hand with the IT system which enhances its process and records all captured knowledge after structuring it. The answers can be categorised into four major groups: Firstly, improvement is a continuous process, and the most appropriate way to improve the framework is through the application. Secondly, improvement can be achieved by addressing time, profitability and teamwork which have already been addressed in this study. Profitability is a significant factor that can declare the importance of knowledge capture and retrieval of the project and is, therefore, one of the areas to be embarked upon. However, the development of a model to measure economic profit alone is enough to do a research project. Thirdly, the exertion of effort in linking the IT system with knowledge capture and retrieval approaches. The knowledge base is a component of the framework, and there is a need to train people on the use of the knowledge base which links knowledge capture and retrieval approaches. Finally, the use of labels to distinguish between compulsory and optional activities and resources. This has been presented differently in this research as the majority of the activities and resources were thought to be important if knowledge was required to be captured and retrieved successfully. It was decided only to emphasise activities or resources that were suggested but not deemed necessary. 7.6  Summary This chapter has set out to determine the validity of the framework. It has demonstrated that validity relies on of the inherent validity of the methods of data collection, analysis, and the inferences led to the construction of the framework. Critical in-depth revision, piloting, peer reviews and a fixed framework for analysis were the methods used in this research to maximise its validity. For the purpose of generalising (external validity) the framework, a number of factors were considered early on in this project. These included using a randomly selected sample in the survey; choosing a sample of best practice from the target population and comparing the results of best practice with the current practice obtained in the survey to assess the ability of and utilise the solution for the target population. Further steps were taken to test the generalisability of the framework by inviting practitioner and academic experts to evaluate its suitability and effectiveness. The results have indicated that the framework and its components are applicable and effective.   Ã‚  

Evolution of Race in State Development

Evolution of Race in State Development Examine critically the view that the idea of ‘race’ is endemic to the formation of the modern state. The critical examination mandated by the present question requires an introductory note concerning the appropriate definition to be employed regarding the terms formation and racism. Formation is suggested to be a less than ideal expression to describe the processes of modern state development. In this sense the term evolution is preferred as the more accurate and organic experience of modern state development. Racism is a more complicated term due to the variance between its dictionary meanings and etymology on one side, and its popular connotations on the other. The meaning of racism is both closely associated and intermingled with its near cousins culture and ethnicity. It is important to bear in mind as this examination is advanced that racism may be considered as both a scientific term and as a catch –all descriptor for all manner of conduct and attitudes that fosters the discrimination or antipathy of one person or group against another. This review will proceed on three distinct but related lines of examination: (1) how racism should be conceptualised (2) the legal definition of racism as it has developed in the UK, the European Union and in other jurisdiction as a pluralistic societal initiative (3) examples of how racism has contributed to the development path taken by modern nations. Sports examples are tendered as illustrations of how racism in modern culture remains a constant in the face of wide ranging legislative schemes aimed to eradicate it. The concept of racism Racism has been explained by way of both science and social perspectives through history. From a purely biological orientation, debate has raged as to whether there are distinct physiological differences between various peoples sufficient to permit a rational, science based differentiation between them; DNA research and the genome projects confirm this distinction exists to a slight degree in all fundamental human construction.[1] In modern times, where Western societies have attempted to formulate a comprehensive definition of race, an overwhelmingly white / Caucasian identity is invoked as the societal norm, with others who are not a part of the white definition cast in the position as a racial ‘other’.[2] Goldberg and other academic commentators have employed the contrasting analytical devices of racial naturalism, where race is accepted as an outgrowth of science, and racial historianism, the concept that shapes and defines race through legal enactment.[3] The historian view of race implicitly involves a consideration of racism as an evolving concept. Much academic commentary has considered racism in terms of outsiders, even where the population subject to racial treatment was born within the nation. Paul Gilroy had considered a defined ‘new racism’ in the UK in the late 1980s not to be exclusively linked to skin colour or other physiological differences between humans, but a logical extension of ‘†¦discourses of patriotism, nationalism, xenophobia, Englishness, Britishness, militarism and gender differences’[4] – a sweeping rationale that represents the basis for national anti-racism legislation. It is submitted that Gilroy’s observation is much keener than the ability of the law to counter the problem. Racism is rooted in the establishment of separate and conflicting identities within a society, where a people define themselves as the norm, and those different to them are automatically presumed to possess all opposite characteristics.[5] The Enlightment thinking that was powered by the philosophies of Hobbes and Locke, among others, has also been the subject of significant criticism as the root cause of racism in modern state evolution. This approach centres upon the Enlightment era reverence for rationality, where the conclusion that there must be positions of natural superiority and inferiority between races was regarded as a scientific outcome. Emphasis upon enlightened and rational thought placed Europe and the supposed civility its race in contrast with all primitive places. In contrast, other commentators have placed racism on a different historical footing. The leaders of the Enlightment did not articulate racial principles or a presumed white European superiority to a significant degree. [6] Malik places the historical progression of the racial definition as one of class distinctions, with racial divisions bearing a greater relation to economic status than physiology.[7] As nations were elevated in status throughout the nineteenth century, it is suggested that imperialism is an intrinsically racist concept; the subjugation of another people, by relatively peaceful colonialism or starker military conquest, requires a national mindset of superiority.[8] The encoding of race has also been a distinctly evolutionary process. ‘Black’ (or worse) was a simple blunt force description of the racial distinction between the Caribbean immigrants to the UK and Canada during the 1950s and 1960s; in modern times, the code words of immigration and naturalisation carry a subtle but equally powerful message.[9] Racism has evolved to both include and modify popular concepts of culture and ethnicity. Whether one accepts race as a genetic based circumstance, or as a purely social invention, it clearly exists and prospers in Western culture. In modern societies, racism has expanded dynamically as a concept to occupy the same ground as ethnicity, where each has become interchangeable with the other as a means of differentiation. Ethnicity occupies this common ground with racism because it relies upon racial principles in its definition. In each of the five circumstances enumerated as ‘ethnicity’ generated in a society, namely: the existence of an urban visible minority; ethno national groups, such as the Kurds in Turkey; distinct groups that exist in plural societies (e.g. Asian and Caribbean peoples who live within the UK); indigenous minorities, such as North American or Scandinavian native peoples; post-slavery minorities, such as Afro-Brazilians. Each ethnic definition contains a racial thread.[10] For the purposes of the legal definition outlined below, ethnicity and racism are afforded similar treatment. The legal definition of racism is at once subtle and bluntly constructed. Legislated definitions, such as those contained in the UK Race Relations Act[11] or the European Convention of Human Rights[12], are comprehensive in their scope. It is equally important to note that such definitions are often an ‘after the fact’ response to societal change, not a signpost for a nation’s future. The UK legislation enacted in 1976 was built upon the legacy of the Notting Hill riots and the ‘moral panic’ associated with black street crime in urban Britain of the early 1970s.[13] It is impossible for modern states to enact laws that map a future treatment of racism, as ethnic boundaries are in a constants state of flux. Germany’s uneasy relationship with its Muslim minority is generally cast in racial terms that incorporate the religious, cultural and linguistic differences of the migrant labour attracted to the formed West Germany in the late 1970s.[14] Statutes that proclaim as a purpose the eradication of racism are a constant in modern pluralistic Western nations. The Race Relations Act as interpreted by the House of Lords in Mandla[15] determined that British Sikh people were a racial, as opposed to a religious or cultural group within the meaning of the Act; race was defined by the Law Lords as a combination of a long common history, a distinct cultural tradition, and any confluence of the factors of geography, language, literature, religion or the existence of the people within a larger community. The effect of Article 14, ECHR, combined with Protocol 12 of the Community and the UK Human Rights Act reinforces this definition. In this sense, the law dictates race. In 1982 the enshrined constitution of Canada elevated racial and cultural diversity to a fundamental national status.[16]The Australian constitution embraces a similar regime. These nations are highlighted here to illustrate the evolution in racial notions in these states, as both countries had previously engaged in efforts to assimilate its aboriginal peoples into a mainstream white culture.[17] Each country was overtaken by the realisation that pluralism and multiculturalism were desirable societal goals, with pluralism used as its own code for racial / ethnic diversity. Declining birth rates throughout the Western world have created a dichotomy between the economic imperative to boost population and labour forces through immigration, and ethnic / racial attitudes.[18] It is suggested that simply legislating an end to such societal strife will be unsuccessful. Fitzpatrick’s Mythology of Modern Law[19] and the theories of H.L.A. Hart[20] share an important explanatory principle as to why racism exists among peoples. Fitzpatrick’s myth basis to modern law and Hart’s concepts of pre-legal societies that are founded upon shared cultural traditions and observances each exclude those who are different. The relationship between racism and economic standing mentioned briefly above is also important in this context. It is contended that a wholesale economic re-ordering of the world nations would do more to achieve racial harmony than any legislation. The United States, Brazil and South Africa are prime examples of nations where modern racism and socio-economic status are indistinguishable. [21] On one level, sport may seem an odd illustration of racism in the modern state. In the predominately white cultures of the UK, USA, and Canada, the black athlete is a well – established figure, particularly in the professional arenas. It is submitted that the elimination of racism in sport has proved as illusory as with any other segment of society. Owusu detailed the contradictory aspects of race in UK athletics through the contention that black athletes are rewarded if they publicly espouse the view that racism is non-existent in UK sport; those athletes who express contrary opinions as to the fact of racism are characterised as paranoid or ungrateful.[22] UK sprinter Linford Christie and boxer Frank Bruno are presented as the opposite ends of this argument – each man is of Caribbean heritage who achieved success in athletic pursuits. Bruno never achieved the ultimate success in his sport, but maintained a steadfast image as a ‘mainstream’ athlete, while Christie was outspoken throughout his career regarding the UK athletics establishment. . It was Christie who was cast as a disruptor of the normative codes for the UK black athlete.[23] There is little question that racism is endemic in the progression of the development of all Western nations. The period that has followed World War II has been marked by ever-increasing contact between peoples of different national origin, cultures, traditions, and heritage. The black letter of the law is not necessarily a stimulus to changes in racial attitude, as the multi-faceted physiological, ethnic and economic creature cannot be eliminated by legislation alone. Bibliography BBC News ‘Polish Immigration’ (June 16, 2006) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/england/5080924.stm (Accessed April 22, 2007) BBC News ‘Coe’s racial jibe’ (2001) http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/athletics/1171320.stm (Accessed April 22, 2007) BBC News ‘History of UK race laws’ (December 13, 2005) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4510062.stm (Accessed April 22, 2007) Fitzpatrick, Peter (1992), The Mythology of Modern Law (New York: Routledge) Guardian ‘Since when did Seb Coe learn to Jive talk?’ (2001) http://sport.guardian.co.uk/print/0,,5274602-108365,00.html Gilroy, P. (1987) There Ain’t No Black in the Union Jack: The Cultural Politics of Race and Nation (London: Routledge) Goldberg, David Theo (1993) Racist Culture (Oxford: Blackwell) Goldberg, David Theo (2002) The Racial State (Oxford: Blackwell) Hart, H.L.A. (1961) The Concepts of Law (Oxford: Clarendon) Keita, L. (2002) The Problem of Race in the 21st Century The Western Journal of Black Studies 26: 1, 55 Malik, Kenan (1996) The Meaning of Race: Race, History and Culture in Western Society (New York: NYU Press) Miller, Mark J. â€Å"Muslim Immigration to Europe† (University of Delaware) http://www.udel.edu/poscir/mjmiller/MuslimImmigrationtoEurope (Minaret)-1.htm (Accessed April 22, 2007) Owusu, Kwesi (2000) Black British Culture and Society: A Text reader (London: Routledge) Riese, Matt ‘The Biological Meaning of â€Å"Race†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (Spring 2005), University of California at Santa Cruz http://www.cbse.ucsc.edu/pdf_library/MeaningOfRace_Riese101005.pdf (Accessed April 21, 2007) Solomos, John and Martin Bulmer (2004) Researching Race and Racism (New York: Routledge) Routledge Thomas, Cora (2001) Australian Aborigines to White Australians Australian Aboriginal Studies 1, 21 Thompson, Kenneth (1998) Moral Panics London: Routledge Werner F. Menski (2005) Immigration and multiculturalism in Britain: New issues in research and policy http://www.art.man.ac.uk/CASAS/pdfpapers/osakalecture.pdf (Accessed April 22, 2007) Table of Cases Mandla v Dowell Lee [1983] 2 AC 548 Table of Statutes and Conventions European Convention on Human Rights Race Relations Act, 1976 1 Footnotes [1] See for example, Riese, Matt ‘The Biological Meaning of â€Å"Race†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢(Spring 2005), University of California at Santa Cruz, 1, 3 [2] Goldberg, David Theo (1993) Racist Culture [3] Goldberg, (2002) The Racial State, 143 [4] Gilroy, Paul (1987) There Ain’t No Black in the Union Jack: The Cultural Politics of Race and Nation, 41 [5] Fitzpatrick, Peter (1992), The Mythology of Modern Law, 101 [6] Malik, Kenan (1996) The Meaning of Race, 54 [7] ibid [8] C.f. Kipling’s ironic â€Å"White Man’s Burden’ (1899) [9] Keita, L. (2002) The Problem of Race in the 21st Century The Western Journal of Black Studies 26: 1, 55 [10] Werner F. Menski (2005) Immigration and multiculturalism in Britain: New issues in research and policy, 1, 10 [11] Race Relations Act, 1976 (and as amended, 2001) [12] Article 14 [13] See Thompson, Kenneth (1998) Moral Panics London: Routledge 14 Miller, Mark J. â€Å"Muslim Immigration to Europe† University of Delaware http://www.udel.edu/poscir/mjmiller/MuslimImmigrationtoEurope(Minaret)-1.htm (Accessed April 22, 2007) 15 Mandla v Dowell Lee [1983] 2 AC 548 [14] [15] [16] Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, s.7, 15 [17] E.g. Curry, Bill and Karen Haslett, (2007) Residential schools Globe and Mail (Toronto) (April 24, 2007, p A14); Thomas, Cora (2001) Australian Aborigines to White Australians Australian Aboriginal Studies 1, 21 [18] A recent ethnic issue that makes this point in the UK is BBC News ‘Polish Immigration’ (June 16, 2006) http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/low/uk_news/england/5080924.stm [19] (1992) [20](1961) The Concepts of Law [21]Keita, L. (2002) The Problem of Race in the 21st Century The Western Journal of Black Studies 26: 1, 55 [22] Owusu, Kwesi (2000) Black British Culture and Society: A Text reader (London: Routledge), 9 [23] ibid