Royal Caribbean Cruise Line LTD Essay - 987 Words

Introduction: In 1968, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line was founded with one ship. Over the next twenty-five years RCCL has expanded its fleet to 29 ships, with 2 more ships being built. RCCL has made its way in the cruise industry as one of the top three cruise lines. Over the past 5-7 years RCCL has experienced some problems with the external environment. These and other factors have placed RCCL in a situation of future organizational uncertainty. The time of this case is 2004. Current Mission, Goals, Strategy: RCCL markets 3-17 day cruise vacations to over 160 destinations. Their current #1 goal is to provide the highest level of service and the best vacation experience on land and sea. RCCL is currently engaged in a†¦show more content†¦Research and Development: RCCL has continued to grow and succeed in a tough market place. Through the Capital Expansion Program RCCL will be driving revenue growth through the purchase of new and larger ships. These will be the largest ships in service. The increase in its fleet size will also provide a larger revenue base to absorb marketing, selling, and administrative expenses. Information Systems: RCCL has kept up with the changes, and advancements in technology. They have the convenience of website booking, which includes all the boarding papers. This is a huge advantage to its potential passengers. RCCL has implemented software that enables them to manage their operations more efficiently. RCCL knows that the majority of their bookings come from travel agencies, so they created â€Å"CruiseMatch 2000†. This gives travel agents direct access into to RCCL’s reservation system. In summary the company is not in the ideal financial situation, but RCCL has continued to do well and maintain their leadership in the cruise industry. This has been done through their keen management decisions, their risky, but beneficial research development moves and their continuous technological growth. External Analysis: RCCL appears to be competing in a MODERATE environment as indicated by the EFEM score of 2.45. Economic: The impactShow MoreRelatedRoyal Caribbean Cruise Lines Essay935 Words   |  4 PagesInside Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines Page 1 Royal Caribbean is a $4 billion company that began in 1969 in Norway. It’s the second largest cruise line on the market behind Carnival that makes up 27% of the world’s cruise market. Edwin Stephan and Arne Wilhemsen merged their ideas together to present cruises to the Caribbean for wealthy people living in Florida. Three Norwegian shipping companies established Royal Caribbean Cruise Line: Anders WilhemsenRead MoreEssay on Royal Caribbean6294 Words   |  26 PagesSummary Royal Caribbean is the second largest cruise line company in the world and it is in position to take advantage of a recovering industry that is once again attracting high numbers of people looking to spend money. Royal Caribbean has strong brand awareness in North America where a majority of cruises originate, but it also has a strong international reputation through the other brands it operates as well as its own increasing presence in the European and Asian market. Royal Caribbean was hitRead MoreRoyal Caribbean Cruise Line Marketing Analysis1541 Words   |  7 PagesRunning Head: ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINE 1 Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Marketing Analysis Queshaylon Pea Texas Woman’s University ROYAL CARIBBEAN CRUISE LINE 2 Royal Caribbean Cruise Line Marketing Analysis Company Overview In 1968, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line was founded and ever since then, they have been changing the way the world cruises. They haveRead MoreCase Assignment Royal Caribbean Essay2485 Words   |  10 Pagesï » ¿a.  Ã‚  Ã‚   Describe Royal Caribbean’s business.   How important are international operations for the company? 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Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. operates not only Royal Caribbean Cruises but also Celebrity Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, PullmanturRead MoreThe Leisure-Cruise Industry Porter Paper1329 Words   |  6 PagesThe Leisure-Cruise Industry February 17, 2011 Business Management Introduction One of the rapid producing leisure industry divisions, the cruise industry faces several challenges. Whereas supply continues to rise at double-digit levels, demand battles to keep speed. Known the demands on communications and the jeopardy of an eroding on-shore practice, less port are in a location to provide accommodation the cruise lines as supply grows. At the similar time, the community sectors inspectionRead MoreCruise Industry7658 Words   |  31 PagesMBA 623 | North American Cruise Industry | Table of Contents Executive Summary 2 Cruise Industry Overview 2 Market Overview and Structure 2 Industry and Customer Segments 5 Target Market Analysis 7 Carnival Cruise Lines 7 Target Market Analysis 7 Positioning Strategy 7 Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines 8 Target Market Analysis 8 Positioning Strategy 9 Norwegian Cruise Lines 9 Target Market Analysis 10 Positioning Strategy 10 Disney Cruise Lines 11 Target Market AnalysisRead MoreTablets Are Not Only Being Accessed For Personal?1817 Words   |  8 Pagesthrough business skype calls or emails, rather than formally. Cruise Ships and Their use of Tablets Tablets enable businesses to entertain their customers and allows their employees to access information quickly. 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Cruise tourism, in todays society, has increasingly become a more popular niche market with in the travel industry for over the past 4 decades world-wide (Wild, G.P. (International) Ltd, 2004, p.15). Although it is a relatively old concept for tourists to travel around the world to different destinations, destinations such as the Caribbean, Asia and the Mediterranean is a relatively new trend including the luxury and innovative experience that is currently

Negative Effects Of Technology On The Brain Essay

Negative Effects of Technology On The Brain Over the years, technology has increased in usage within many ways and has caused successful changes in a person’s lively routine. However, technology has evolved since the very beginning which concern has grown over the negative effects of its excessive use. Nicholas Carr’s article â€Å"Is Google Making Us Stupid† addresses the tendency of technology to create a sort of mental laziness where people look for instant answers rather than thinking for themselves. Daphne Bavelier, C. Shawn Green, and Matthew W.G. Dye have written in â€Å"Children, Wired: For Better and for Worse† on the transient and persistent effects of technology on children, particularly in terms of media exposure of television, movies, and video games. Additionally, Matt Richtel, writer for The New York Times, states in â€Å"Attached to Technology and Paying a Price† that the tendency of the brain to respond to immediate stimuli has a negative impact on the average user, ranging from disinterest to daily tasks to the risky behavior of texting and driving. Ultimately, these three articles agree that regardless of potential conveniences of heavy technology use, the tradeoff is something to be strongly considered. All three authors note the potential benefits of technology in terms of convenience and quality of life. However, when the big picture is considered and a mental laziness is acquired in consumers, distractions from important tasks including texting and driving, andShow MoreRelatedThe Effects Of Technology On Teen s Brain Development1708 Words   |  7 Pagesforms of electronics. 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In other words, our brain becomes more indolent and worthless due to the easy accessible of information and lazinessRead MoreThe Impact Of Technology On The Modern World1547 Words   |  7 PagesImpact Of Technology In the Modern World Throughout the life, some influences have shaped people the way they live their lives today. Impact of a virtual connection, and go beyond the brain’s ability, is rising in an eyesight bling, which is a cause of socialization— brain’s ability to multitask and their consequences itself. The usage of the internet is creating conflict upon individuals that they have become modern in today’s world. In the essay â€Å"The Limit Of Friendship† by Maria Konnikova, whoRead MoreTechnological Er The Internet s Effect On The Human Brains Neural Pathways1566 Words   |  7 Pages Technological Era: The Internet’s Effect on the Human Brains Neural Pathways The twenty-first century has been an era of such grand advancements in technology. 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According to our textbook and what we learned in lecture, infancy and the toddler years are when our brain has the highest plasticity and when our sensitive period for brain development is (Berk). During this sensitiveRead MoreIs Entertainment Technology Beneficial?902 Words   |  4 PagesIs entertainment technology beneficial to infants from birth to the age of two? Entertainment technology is the discipline of using manufactured or created components to enhance or make possible in any sort of entertainment experience(dictionary.com). Entertainment technology is used for many different reasons as well as necessities such as work, school, communication, and social media. The rapid emergence of entertainment technology has changed the way the world works and interacts with each otherRead More`` Is Google Making Us Stupid?1505 Words   |  7 Pagesbrain’s development and cognition. One trend is evident: there is a universal acknowledgment that technology is indeed changing the way we think. Among the members contributing to this conversation, two strikingly different outlooks on how these changes will affect the future exist. Either we should be terrified, or worrying is premature. Articles written by experts specializing in psychology and the brain, such as Pinker’s â€Å"Mind Over Mass Media,† as well as How Has the Internet Reshaped Human CognitionRead MoreTechnology And Its Detrimental Effect On Children1123 Words   |  5 PagesLuke Stafford En 102 Essay 4 6/22/2015 Technology is a large part of everyday life in the 21st century, and the effects of its power over our culture are clearly visible in multiple ways. For example, social media is the most popular form of communication and using the internet and computers seems second nature to us, especially in the form of entertainment. Many children today have never known a time when they didn’t have access to the internet, a television, or a cell phone. Everything is accessible

BP Solar Free Essays

BP has responded through its thin film photovoltaic cells designed to reduce manufacturing costs towards a level at which solar energy will become economically competitive compared with other energy sources. As BP’s Energy Commission chairman stated: â€Å"Our goal is to eliminate the ‘Catch 22’ faced by producers of renewable technologies†¦without the promise of volume sales, there is little incentive for a company to make the investments that could bring down costs and make these products commercially viable on a large scale† (Chambers, 1998, p. ). We will write a custom essay sample on BP Solar or any similar topic only for you Order Now BP Solar has invested some $200 million in solar power between 1996 and 2002, which has helped it build an 18 percent market share. It has launched a large advertising campaign in the US where it puts renewable energy at the fore of its offering. However, this was heavily criticised by Fortune Magazine (2002) bearing in mind its renewable energy business was worth just $1 billion compared to BP’s total value of ? 115% billion (Murphy, 2002). Like Shell Renewables, BP Solar does not state how it will innovate to achieve its goals. However, unlike Shell Renewables strategy of joint ventures and acquisitions, BP Solar implements its strategy simply through large investments into its own manufacturing processes. According to Porter (1985): â€Å"The essence of formulating competitive strategy is relating a company to its environment† (p. 3) in relation to the industry or industries in which it competes. This leads companies to choose one of three generic strategies – low cost, differentiation or focus – which will help them to form competitive, profitable positions within the industry. To understand the low-cost strategies that both SBUs adopted, a formal PEST and five forces analysis of the SBUs (see Appendices III and IV), the key drivers for change and critical success factors (CSFs) for the industry (Appendix V) are outlined. The major trends in the global and alternative energy industries are briefly explained. How to cite BP Solar, Essay examples

An Embarrassing Moment Essay Example For Students

An Embarrassing Moment Essay My story goes all the way back to the ninth grade. I was happy, excited, and nervous. Ill always remember this day as an embarrassing yet funny memory. It was a regular Friday night at my church sometime in February. Before the service, I clearly remember watching the guys playing basketball. I was only looking at one person, Christopher Singh. All my other friends were playing spin the bottle, upstairs in the bedroom, but I chose to stay behind and watch the guys play basketball. After praise time, we had arts and crafts night. Our Pastor, announced that we would be making Valentine’s Day cards for the people we love. Once he said this, I thought, Maybe today was the day that I would reveal my crush on Christopher Singh! I thought long and hard, about what I was going to write in the love note. After thinking, I went to Christopher’s brother, Brandon. I asked him what Christopher’s favorite color was. Brandon said it was light blue. My heart fluttered, and my stomach did a somersault, since light blue was my favorite color too. Feeling extra confident, I grabbed a light blue pen and pink paper. I wrote down these words, â€Å"Dear Christopher, Happy Valentine’s Day! I love you. You make me smile! Love, Lisa. † After I wrote those words, I took all the pretty markers that I could find, and started decorating the card with hearts and other decorations. Then our Pastor announced that he was going to collect the cards. At that moment I didnt really know why he was collecting the cards, but I gave it to him anyways. Once he collected all of the cards, he brought out the stapler and started putting all the cards up. Once I realized what he was doing, my heart beat rapidly, and I freaked out! That card was only for Christopher to see. If Pastor Peter put it up, then everyone would be able to see it, and they would make fun of me. I quickly started brainstorming ideas on how I could get the card out of Pastor Peter’s hands. I then ran up to Pastor Peter and tried stalling, but he said he was too busy, and told me to talk to him later. I carefully watched Pastor Peter, as he read all the cards and then put them up. After millions of cards he finally lifted my card from the pile and started reading it. While he was reading, I noticed that he snickered and shook his head. I was confused why he snickered, because it was a serious and romantic note. After he put up all the cards, he announced that we could start reading everyones cards. I desperately searched for mine, and found that he put mine right above the dry erase board; the most noticeable place in the room. People started gathering around the card, and Christopher approach the card. The older boys started making fun of Christopher. He then turned around, looked me straight in the eyes, and said, â€Å"Lisa, why would you do that? That is so embarrassing. I dont even like you! † He then stormed out of the room. I just stood there. All my friends came up to me, and tried to comfort me. I remember I started bawling. I ripped the card down, and ran to the bathroom. After I calmed down, I went back into the gym, and waited for Christopher to apologize. From opposite sides of the court we made eye contact, and he gave me the angriest look ever. I then got mad. I marched up to him, threw the note at him, and said, Happy? I took the note down, meanie! † As I look back to that day, I realized that I had a lot of guts writing that card. I also had a lot of courage when I threw the note at him. Even though it was 1 year ago, Christopher and I still get made fun of because of that note. That card was my first heartbreak, but it was funny and embarrassing. I think that day was full of different emotions, but by far it is one of my cherished memories. Today, Christopher and I are good friends. We look back and laugh at that card, because in a way, it made our friendship stronger.

Hamlet Essays (1566 words) - Characters In Hamlet, Prince Hamlet

Hamlet Hamlet one of Shakespeare's greatest plays, where the young prince of Denmark must uncover the truth about his fathers death. Hamlet a play that tells the story of a young prince who's father recently died. Hamlets uncle Claudius marries his mother the queen and takes the throne. As the play is told Hamlet finds out his father was murdered by the recently crowned king. The theme that remains constant throughout the play is appearance versus reality. Things within the play appear to be true and honest but in reality are infested with evil. Many of the characters within the play hide behind a mask of falseness. Four of the main characters that hid behind this mask are Polonius, Rosencrantz (Guildenstern), the king Cluadius. From behind this mask they give the impression of a person who is sincere and genuine, in reality they are plagued with lies and evil. There appearance will make it very difficult for Hamlet to uncover the truth, the characters hide behind. Polonius the kings royal assistant has a preoccupation with appearance. He always wants to keep up the appearance of loving and caring person. Polonius appears like a man who loves and cares about his son, Laertes. Polonius speaks to his son with advice that sounds sincere but in reality it is rehearsed, hollow and without feeling. Polonius gives his advice only to appear to be the loving caring father. The reality is he only speaks to appear sincere as a politician, to look good rather then actually be good: "And borrowing dulls the edge of husbandry. This above all: to thine own self be true, And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou canst not then be false to any man. Farewell; my blessing season this in thee!" Act 1 Polonius gives his son Laertes his blessing to go away, he sends a spy to follow him and keep an eye on him. This shows his lack of trust for anyone, he gives the appearance of a confident father who trusts his son to go off on his own. In reality he lies about his trust for his son by sending a spy to watch him. His advice he gives his son is rehearsed and only said to give the appearance of a loving father. Polonius further adds to the theme appearance verses reality by ordering Ophelia to stop seeing Hamlet. He lies to her telling her that Hamlet does not love her, he only lusts for her, in truth he does love her: Ay, springes to catch woodcocks. I do know, When the blood burns , how prodigal the soul Through the play Polonius hids behind his mask appearing to be honest loving parent. In reality Polonius lies, manipulates people and eavesdrops on peoples conversation. Polonius helps contribute to the theme appearance verses reality by showing how his appearance is not his true nature, behind the mask there lies someone totally different. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are two of Hamlets childhood friends who when asked by the king, try to find out what is troubling the young prince. Both help to contribute to the theme by showing there appearance of being Hamlets friends. The pair go to Hamlet pretending to be his friends when in truth they are only there because the king asked them to find the truth. There is some irony within the twins, they are asked by the king to find out the truth by hiding within a lie, by pretending to be his friend: A dream is but a shadow Act II. Hamlet knows there purpose for their visit is to dig into his soul to find the real reason for his actions as of late. As the play continues the twins are asked again by the king to go to Hamlet and try again to find the real reason for Hamlets behavior. Hamlet insults them at every chance knowing they are lying to him about there purpose of the visit: Tis as easy as lying; govern these ventages with you finger and thumb, give it breath with your mouth...Act III As the melodrama continues Hamlet goes with the twins to reclaim money that another state owes Denmark. Hamlet is sent by the king to retrieve the assets. In actuality Hamlet is sent off to wither because the king, Claudius knows that Hamlet knows too much and must be killed. The twins show there appearance of being Hamlets friends but in truth they have a hidden reason for visiting with Hamlet. Both show

20 Common Law Internship On-Campus Interview Questions

20 Common Law Internship On-Campus Interview Questions The on-campus interview (OCI): It has an ominous ring to it, maybe because of horror stories told by other law school students, maybe because of the pressure to do well. Almost all law schools offer some type of on-campus interview at the start of the students second year. Although your entire future may not hang on the success of your OCI, you definitely want to do well enough to proceed to the next step: the callback interview. If you manage that, your future will indeed be brighter.   You can do this, and you can do it well. In fact, you can ace it with the right preparation and if you know what to expect going in. The OCI Despite its name, the OCI may or may not actually take place on campus, but in a hotel conference room or another public facility. Its not with law school personnel, but rather with representatives of some of the foremost law firms in the area- even some outside the area. Theyre looking for the perfect students to staff their summer associate programs. And yes, that will look awesome on your resume even if your interview doesnt ultimately result in a summer  position, which is, of course, your ultimate goal.   Your meetings arent random. You must apply to your targeted firms first, and the firm will most likely receive a lot of bids. The firm then chooses who it wants to interview from among these bids. If youre chosen and if you do well, youll be invited back for that callback interview, which will most likely result in a summer job offer.   What Happens in the Law School Interview? Preparation means knowing what interview questions you can probably expect. Not every interview goes the same way, of course, so you may or may not be asked all the following questions. In a worst-case scenario, you wont be asked any of them. But you should at least have answers prepared for these so youre not caught off guard, and you can use them for ideas to branch out into other possible questions so you can prepare for those, too.   Why did you go to law school?Are you enjoying law school? What do you like/dislike about it?What classes do you enjoy/dislike?Do you feel youre getting a good legal education?If you could go back and decide whether to go to law school again, would you do it?Do you feel your GPA and/or class rank is representative of your legal abilities?Why do you think youd make a good lawyer?What is your biggest weakness?Do you like working on your own or on a team?How do you handle criticism?What is your proudest achievement?Where do you see yourself in 10 years?Do you consider yourself competitive?What have you learned from work experiences/student activities?Have you ever withdrawn from a class?What do you know about this firm?Why do you want to work at this firm?What areas of law interest you most?What types of books do you like to read?Do you have any questions? The last one can be tricky, but you are certainly entitled to ask a few questions of your own, so prepare for that possibility as well.

Auditing assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Auditing assignment - Essay Example Given the Current Asset of $178 million and Current Liabilities of $277 million the current ratio of the company is less than one highlighting the weakness in the liquidity position (Forest Enterprises Australia Limited, 2009, p.51-52). Industry players like Great Southern and Timbercorp have already collapsed. The fall of entities in the industry is a factor for the issuance of going concern opinion (Kachor, 2010). The investors of the company have sought legal advice in the matter relating to the repayment of loan by FEA. The company did not make significant financial disclosures to its investors for the fiscal year 2009 and 2010. These being crucial information should have been disclosed to the potential investors; failure to do so is a non-compliance of statutory requirement (Kachor, 2010). In order to lower the debt component the management has planned for an asset sale; and is also in the process of discussion with the financiers regarding financing arrangements and restructuring plans. The company also undertook a successful capital raising program last year (FEA Group of Companies,

Sociology and crime Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Sociology and crime - Term Paper Example However at times this storyline may render itself too much in too little time for its juvenile gang members, the zeal to combat boredom lending an animalistic blood pumping through their veins, drawbacks exist in a magnetic negative, in spite of their tendency to be ambiguous. The following pages spend a precious small effort in seeking to explore the surprising while working companionably to endow readers with some kind of realistic sense of the jovial life of certain gang members. Simultaneously the pen teases the imagination by endeavoring to lead a journey through a poet’s land of the unexpected. While acknowledging the potential difficulties of crime the mastering ‘what else’ question continually reminds its readers that much is to be uncovered. The usual must support an eye that strives to have sharper than normal vision, more clearly eagle-positioned. Generalizations fraught by national statistics concerning United States criminology pale mundanely, hanging on a billboard sign in the front while the wolves ravage the land behind them. Compilation of facts and figures are incomplete as well as traditionally inconsistent. Undoubtedly methodology will not ever be able to exist solely within a subjective parameter. Hence, the premise of this essay concerns itself with an enlightening view of personal experience up to a certain point in its struggle to allow room for a widely-rounded eyeglass, favoring a collaboration of perspectives. Despite its enigmatic philosophy, a finite amount of truth reveals itself upon examination among lust and desire to make the country better. This takes the reader past the ‘what else’ creative rouser, offering a beacon of hope in a situation which seems hopeless with in sight no ending. The blackened sheep may not be doomed to some midnight ravaging, in spite of the delinquent’s life of trials and error. The country has a black face. Yet, if delinquents can find sensationalism in a life of ‘red herring,’ the country can joyfully take up the arms of responsibility. The flag is glowing. What Else? A Philosophical Examination of Juvenile Delinquency Juvenile offense is an extremely multi-varied subject. The wealth of information on the topic contains components which are themselves ten times multiplied. But, in spite of the almost confounding numerical material ravaging and devouring this handicap of teens, the relationship between such material and reality leads to one truth simple and nearly innate. As a pre-requisite to the examination of delinquency among adolescents, the study of wolf packs makes itself relevant. Female wolf-packs, more scientifically defined as groups theorize that being part of an unexpected formation proves to be at times more valuable than not. In a study done in the Hwange National Park region of Zimbabwe between the years of July 1992 up through November 1998, an interesting yet unsurprising case was documented. The chosen candid ates for the formation of the establishment was composed of an adult male protecting three yearling pups, one of which harbored an only partially-formed hind-leg. Formidably contesting this group, a unit of four healthy adult males toed the line of battle. The female members of the Canis lupus genus made a pact with the former by a mutually formed consensus among their party. The rather unlikely

Palestinian-Civil Right Movement Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Palestinian-Civil Right Movement - Essay Example This has led to generation of various conflicts between these two states. Most of the conflict result to too many of the civilians suffering and mainly there is large displacement of civilian population. This has led major resistance and boycott of Israel product. These resistances in Palestine state are known as the Intifada. Generally, there is the first, second, and the green intifada. There has been major intifada that come with effects to these two countries (Alimi 80-90). This paper seeks to focus on Palestinian civil right movement, intifada. The first Palestinian intifada took a period of six years. It began in 1987 to 1993. This was after a 20-year occupation of Israel in Arab states. What agitated this form of resistance was due to Israel occupation of their ancestral habitat and a protracted military brutality (Lockman and Beinin 396). The Palestine perceived the occupation of Jews in this state as a lowering of their human dignity. This felt the occupation of their homela nd as a form of apartheid experienced in other parts of the world. The stabbing of Israel citizen by a Palestinian and a fatal accident that killed four occupants of Jabalya refugee camp which led to Palestinian to see it as a form of vengeance also necessitated this uprising. This form of resistance against the Israel started in the region of Gaza and West Bank. It was at this time the effects of intifada became prominent. This uprising was due to various hearsay and rumors perpetuated by the Muslim religious leaders. This form of resistance was well coordinated and had a national appeal. The first intifada was characterized by peaceful violence, civil disobedience and some form of resistance. Other form of strikes, barriers, tax evasion, drawing of criticism and avoidance of Israel commodities characterized this resistance. Due to its national appeal, majority of the civilians bombarded the Israel military with stones, grenades and various form of crude weapons killing and woundin g the Israel soldier and civilians. Some of the Palestinians who were perceived to be collaborating with Israel were also lynched. This form of uprising caught Israel troops napping, as they were not prepared to a war of such magnitude. This uprising kept on being fuelled by rumors from Palestinian leaders (Nassar 180-197). Additionally, there was the second intifada that started in the year 2000. This intifada lasted for a period of five years. The second intifada was similar to the first intifada. It was a continuous struggle by Palestinian against the occupation of their land and various form of brutality experienced at the hands of the Israel soldiers. However, Israel has linked this form of civil disobedience and violence to the act of terrorism. This period was characterized mainly by protest, strikes, and attacks on Israel soldier. Moreover, it was characterized by the emergence of suicide bombers and hence the numbers of casualties were more than the first intifada. Israel r esponse was by use of curfews, infrastructural attack on Palestine and several checkpoints. This uprising culminated into the Oslo pact and some stability was restored (Carey 115-125). In addition, there was the green intifada whereby Palestinian resisted the occupation of their homeland by planting trees especially the olive trees. Olive trees are major contributor to Palestine economy. However, Israel

Social Workers Roles and Benefits of PTSD Treatment

Social Workers Roles and Benefits of PTSD Treatment Ethel Jones Abstract Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating condition that affects a disproportionate percentage of the military population, particularly within those populations of veterans who have served in combat deployments. This mental disorder manifests within patients in various ways, but is often triggered by events or perceived events that are associated with the patients own traumatic event. Comorbidity with other disorders, such as substance abuse disorders, is also common in many patients with post-traumatic stress disorder, often making treatment methods difficult. As a social worker, it is imperative to know the symptoms of PTSD and remain current regarding effective treatments so clients can be given the best available resources for the disorders management. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a debilitating mental illness that many veterans endure after experiencing the stresses and witnessing traumas during combat deployments. This mental condition is not limited to the exposure to combat-related trauma; Fry (2016) noted that this problem develops following exposure to a stressful event or a situation of an exceptionally threatening or catastrophic nature (para. 1). Characteristics of this disorder include increased tension, reliving the traumatic event and avoidance of stimuli related to the traumatic event (Fokkens et al., 2015, p. 569). The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) also addressed other cognitive alterations, such as detachment or disinterest in activities or loved ones and a distorted perception about themselves or others. For combat veterans, Allen, Crawford, and Kudler (2016) found PTSD to be the Department of Veterans Affairs leading diagnosis. It is now estimated that up to 30 percent of veterans who have served in Iraq and/or Afghanistan have post-traumatic stress disorder. The impact and experiences of combat-related post-traumatic stress disorder is rarely limited to the veteran. While most research has focused on the PTSD victim, it is also important to note the devastating effect that the disorder has on the victims immediate family as well. Yambo et al. (2016) found in a study of military spouses a radically changed life after a return or returns from combat deployment. Concurrent treatment for both the PTSD patient and their spouses and children can provide significant benefits by strengthening family resiliency and expediting the management of PTSD symptoms. Researchers are also noting that simultaneously occurring disorders with a PTSD diagnosis can further complicate treatment efforts. In their findings, Allen et al. (2016) found that alcohol abuse co-occurred often with both men and women with PTSD, suggesting that alcohol abuse was often used as a self-medication method of coping with PTSD symptoms (135). Throughout the military population in general, the rate of alcohol abuse is disproportionately large, many soldiers self-reported an increase of alcohol abuse after exposure to intense combat situations (Allen et al., 2017). Popular treatments for post-traumatic stress disorder include both psychotherapeutic and pharmacological approaches. The use of Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) have been found effective for the treatment of PTSD (Allen et al., 2017). In controlled environments and using different methods, patients are confronted with triggering stimuli and taught methods that will enable them to cope with those stimuli outside their clinical settings (Allen et al., 2017). It is imperative for social workers to recognize co-occurring diagnoses when evaluating clients for treatment and additional resources. References Allen, J. P., Crawford, E. F., Kudler, H. (2016). Nature and treatment of comorbid alcohol problems and post-traumatic stress disorder among American military personnel and veterans. Alcohol Research: Current Reviews, 38(1), 133-140. Fokkens, A. S., Groothoff, J. W., van der Klink, J. J. L., Popping, R., Stewart, R. E., van de Ven, L., Brouwer, S., Tuinstra, J. (2015). The mental disability military assessment tool: A reliable tool for determining disability in veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. Journal of Occupational Rehabilitation, 25(3), 569-576. Fry, M. (2016). Post traumatic stress disorder. Practice Nurse, 46(2), 30-34. Wade, N. R. (2016). Integrating cognitive processing therapy and spirituality for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder in the military. Social Work Christianity, 43(3), 59-72. Yambo, T. W., Johnson, M. E., Delaney, K. R., Hamilton, R., Miller, A. M., York, J. A. (2016). Experiences of military spouses of veterans with combat-related posttraumatic stress disorder. Journal of Nursing Scholarship, 48(6), 543-551.

Thomas Jefferson vs. Alexander Hamilton :: American History

Thomas Jefferson vs. Alexander Hamilton: Who was more important in American history?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were two very important figures in American history but Jefferson was the more influential and profound one of the two rivals. Jefferson was the principal author of the most important document in US history, the Declaration of Independence. He doubled the size of the young nation with the purchase of Louisiana during his presidency. During his lifetime, Jefferson also made many achievements and contributions, based on his strong beliefs, towards the growth and protection of the United States. Of all his accomplishments, the Declaration of Independence was his most defining event for it asserted the USA's independence from Britain and defended revolting against the government.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Of all the Founding Fathers, Jefferson had the strongest belief in liberty of the people for he thought that all people were entitled to liberty and laws that do not protect it are illegitimate. He took his unique view on liberty and the rights of the people and converted much of it onto paper which was eventually made into the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson defended his role in the creation of the defining document of the United States very proudly but this would not be his last great achievement.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of Thomas Jefferson's finest accomplishments while he was president was the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. This acquisition of land doubled the nation's size and helped fulfil the demands for western expansion, also making the US closer to completing their Manifest Destiny. Jefferson then financed the Lewis and Clark expedition which in turn gave Americans first knowledge of this vast land of rich resources. Jefferson's influence in shaping the country did not stop there for he made several other admirable deeds in his lifetime.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jefferson left a permanent legacy in American history through all his books, inventions, philosophies, and political achievments. With his and James Madison's efforts, Virginia became the first state to completely separate church from state and drafted the Virginia statute for religious freedom. Jefferson's vision of a republican society was planted in Virginia through it's political, educational, and legal systems which would eventually be a model to America and Europe. Thomas Jefferson vs. Alexander Hamilton :: American History Thomas Jefferson vs. Alexander Hamilton: Who was more important in American history?   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton were two very important figures in American history but Jefferson was the more influential and profound one of the two rivals. Jefferson was the principal author of the most important document in US history, the Declaration of Independence. He doubled the size of the young nation with the purchase of Louisiana during his presidency. During his lifetime, Jefferson also made many achievements and contributions, based on his strong beliefs, towards the growth and protection of the United States. Of all his accomplishments, the Declaration of Independence was his most defining event for it asserted the USA's independence from Britain and defended revolting against the government.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Of all the Founding Fathers, Jefferson had the strongest belief in liberty of the people for he thought that all people were entitled to liberty and laws that do not protect it are illegitimate. He took his unique view on liberty and the rights of the people and converted much of it onto paper which was eventually made into the Declaration of Independence. Jefferson defended his role in the creation of the defining document of the United States very proudly but this would not be his last great achievement.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of Thomas Jefferson's finest accomplishments while he was president was the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. This acquisition of land doubled the nation's size and helped fulfil the demands for western expansion, also making the US closer to completing their Manifest Destiny. Jefferson then financed the Lewis and Clark expedition which in turn gave Americans first knowledge of this vast land of rich resources. Jefferson's influence in shaping the country did not stop there for he made several other admirable deeds in his lifetime.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Jefferson left a permanent legacy in American history through all his books, inventions, philosophies, and political achievments. With his and James Madison's efforts, Virginia became the first state to completely separate church from state and drafted the Virginia statute for religious freedom. Jefferson's vision of a republican society was planted in Virginia through it's political, educational, and legal systems which would eventually be a model to America and Europe.

Adult Behavior during Sports Events: An Overview

Playing sports is crucial and essential to a child's development. A child develops a sense of social awareness and self-confidence whenever he engages in a sport. Of course, this would not be possible if a child's parents will not encourage them in engage in a particular sport.Parents play a significant role in a child's involvement in whatever sport he chooses. A child's sense of sportsmanship is augmented by his parents as well. Parents are always considered to be perfect examples to their children. However, the positive effects of parents on their children are hampered by some instances, which parents themselves exude a plethora of negative behavior during sports events.With this in mind, we are compelled to place the behavior of parents in keen scrutiny. It is alarming that the proliferation of juvenile delinquency can be associated on parents' behavior as well. This is due to the fact that children are developing their cognitive skills at this stage of their lives.There is a gre at possibility that whenever a child develops and imitates the behavior of his parents; there is a possibility that the child's behavior could be worse than his parents by the time he enters adulthood. Another factor that calls for attention is that the improper behavior of some parents is seen not only by the child, but some spectators as well. A child might assume that such behavior is tolerable in public (Ocampo. 2008).Parents are not only the ones to be accounted for misbehavior in sports events. A child's coach, referee, and other people who are involved in a game can affect a child's behavior during these sports events. Whenever a child engages in a particular sport, his sense of competitiveness is heightened as well.However, children sometimes confuse competitiveness with aggressiveness. This is due to the fact that the inappropriate behavior of parents during sports events has an impact on a child's competitiveness. This, of course, gives child a negative sense of competitiv eness. Parents are always at the forefront of each game their child engages in. They are always present during games in order to give their children moral support and boost their self-confidence.Yet sometimes some parents exhibit crass and extreme behavior, which make it seem that they are the ones playing the sport. For instance, spectators claimed that a parent tripped a player from the opposing team during a game, because that player was about to tackle and spear his son. Whenever this happens, parents are deduced into sports fanatics as well.This is a simple example of what sports events can do to behaviors of parents. Parents act in such way due to the speculation that they want their children to excel in that sport where they have failed to do so. Parents may ignore the fact that even though they support their children in such manner, the behavior they exhibit have a consequent effect on the cognitive and social development of their children (Ocampo. 2008).Parental Violence in Sports: Promoting Juvenile Delinquency?The near fatal Junta-Costin youth hockey scrimmage in July of 2000 is considered the linchpin of sports violence in youth sports events (Heinzmann.2002). It ignited the issue of sports rage, which saw a myriad of newspapers all over the world documenting the story; and proliferating numerous editorials that placed parental involvement in a child's sports career under keen scrutiny.At first, it seemed that it was a mere isolated case. Eventually, experts have started debates regarding sports rage in sports events. It has been declared that there is an impending yet subliminal crisis in youth sports. Subliminal because most people don't perceive such as a crucial matter in children's behavior.Subliminal because people might not see its correlation to the increasing rate of juvenile delinquency.In a youth hockey game in Illinois, a father pummeled another player's dad during a heated argument at their son's youth hockey game. What's worse is, tha t father's son pleaded guilty for a misdemeanor charge for beating up an opposing player, which resulted in a paralyzing injury. Obviously, the repercussion of crass and violent behavior of parents are reaping its sour fruits.Children are deliberately affected by the obscene behavior of their parents. Yet parents seem not to be alarmed by such matter. Youth sports officials claimed that the mere yelling of parents at referees and coaches are enough to increase a child's improper sense of aggressiveness. Obviously, parents are sacrificing the virtue of sportsmanship for a twisted sense of competitiveness that they instill in their children (Ocampo.2008).Even though there are no feasible statistics on parental violence and assault, adamant coaches and overaggressive parents are the ones promoting and instilling a twisted sense of aggressiveness and competitiveness among their children (Ocampo.2008). Fred Engh, president of the National Alliance for Youth Sports exclaimed that:There ha s been a tremendous upsurge in violence in the last five years, I've been hearing of more and more violent incidents. We’re beginning to see the trickle-down effect from adults’ misbehavior †¦ where children that are involved are becoming part of the bad behavior. Far too often, we tell kids it’s ok to cheat in order to win, to taunt the players on the other team, to criticize officials. (Engh. 2000).The Illinois misdemeanor battery case has generated a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment. State prosecutors have dropped two counts of felony aggravated battery (James.2000). The boy has yet to be convicted in juvenile facility until he is 21 (James.2000).The juvenile acknowledged that he used the hockey stick to drag opposition player Neal Goss, causing Goss to hit the boards seconds after the buzzer sounded during a junior varsity game. The unidentified youth declared this in his plea agreement. After slamming into the fiber glass boards, Goss was delib erately paralyzed below his waist and injured his arms as well (James.2000).A bevy of head-butting and elbow-throwing melees have been rampant across the country. The Illinois incident is simply an example of the increasing rate of sports rage. Youth sports officials have claimed that coaches and parents are responsible for the ramifications in youth sports. Unfortunately, children are deliberately affected in this massive sports violence proliferation.Bob Still, public relations manager for the National Association of Sports Officials emphasized that: â€Å"Not only has the language gone more in the gutter, but we’ve also seen a rise in the number of incidences reported where physical violence has occurred.† (Still.2000).In 1975, one of the first cases of sports rage, it was reported by Sports Illustrated in the article â€Å"Taking the Fun Out of the Game† that a fight ignited between a mob of adult spectators and a group of coaches that coached championship t eam of sixth graders during a game in Kissimmee, Florida.The sports rage incident resulted with one coach being rushed to the hospital. Someone was yelling that one coach was dead already; causing the mob to depart the scene just before police authorities arrived. The coach was actually unconscious for a couple of hours before being taken to a nearby hospital. In Miami, a player's father pummeled his son's coach for arguing over his son's playing time.These incidents were obscure due to the fact that such incidents weren't able to be published or televised. The public was not aware of news like â€Å"Youth Sports Coaches pummeled by Furious Mob†. A series of rage events not associated with youth sports events were simply dismissed as a weak form of sociological trend (Heinzmann.2002).In order to place the growing cases of youth sports rage in further scrutiny, the Rutgers Youth Sports Research Council launched a computer search engine, which enables people to learn about yout h sports violence incidents through the database of more than 5,000 related articles concerning sports rage in youth sports events (Heinzmann.2002)†¦However, several articles suggest faux pas facts, which limited the public's knowledge concerning youth sports violence. The most crucial fact is that keen investigation has not succeeded in generating substantial data that sports rage in youth sports has increased in alarming rates. In order to comprehend and augment the understanding of the public of youth sports violence without any scientific data at hand, people can be made aware through the myriad of various sociology researches.This would augment our knowledge on how the media could have a discreet influence on general opinion regarding youth sports rage. Youth homicide has experienced a decline from 1993 to 1999. The Justice Policy Institute reported that there was a 68% decline in youth homicide in the United States, which was the lowest rate since 1966 (Heinzmann.2002).Ca mpus-related violent death decreased as well by 72%. However, network homicide coverage increased into a surprising 473% even though there was 33% decline in murders from 1990 to 1998. Evening news was reporting more than 25% of crimes were homicide cases (Heinzmann.2002).Justice Policy Institute pundits have declared that 62% believe that youth-related crimes are increasing upon conducting a survey. Americans saw it grew into epic proportions during random school shootings in 2000 (Heinzmann.2002)Eliminating Sports Violence: Beyond Feasible Statistics?Each sports event whether on the youth or professional level is experiencing a bevy of harassments on a daily basis. That is why security is assured in such events. Police and medical assistance are present in these events due to the fact that there is a possibility of heightened violence. Parents and adults are always at the forefront during these sports rage incidents (NASO, 2008).Annually, NASO has been receiving hundreds of report s, in which sports rage occurs among fans, officials, coaches, and players (NASO, 2008). Before NASO proposed a clamor for a bill proposal on youth sports violence, they defined sports rage as any physical attack upon a person during a sports events such as hitting, wounding, and other forms of harmful contact in an offensive manner, verbal abuse, and obscene harassments, which threatens an individual's safety during a sports event.After a pact has made to settle on the standard definition of â€Å"sports rage†, Investigators have began to observe and analyze the probable evidence that in order to link parents to such youth violence, investigators have to substantiate the faux pas norm that 15% of parents during these youth sporting events go below the belt and resort to deliberate violence.However, it was only 5% in the previous five years, yet conclusive feasible scientific evidence has yet to surface (Heinzmann.2002). However, according to NASO, published studies regarding sports rage incidents have yet to be seen; and that instances made by the media are anecdotal in nature and does not have feasible evidence. With this in mind, substantial facts contradict what is reported to the public (Heinzmann.2002).In a recent study by the NASO, it was stated that the prevalence and proliferation of crass behavior and assaults on youth sports officials occurs not only at youth sports games, but in the professional level as well (Heinzmann.2002).The study was aimed at urging state legislatures to provide apt laws that will penalize individuals who exhibit any form of obscene behavior during sports events (Heinzmann.2002). It primary purpose though was to educate and promote public awareness regarding manic behavior during these sports events (Heinzmann.2002).This generated the notion that scientific findings have yet to augment that sports rage is the primary deterrent during youth sports games. Even youth violence experts have acknowledged the fact that there is heightened rate of violence during youth sports events. Ironically, adults and parents are always the ones who instigate such obscene behavior.However, impartial statistics have yet to surface in order to prove that youth sports violence has increased; and that there is a great possibility that this trend has become more violent as cases begin to increase. Dan Macallair, Vice President of the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice, have urged a movement that will make alternative ways aside from imprisonment.Contrary to the media hype that has heightened the awareness of sports rage, Macallair's agency has shown that statistics of school violence in the United States are lower than anticipated. Furthermore, juvenile delinquency rates have experienced a huge letdown in previous years.Macallair even suggested that the increasing youth violence should be associated with modern day technology such as video games, which promote violence as well. Macallair exclaimed that:We really don ’t know because we don’t have the evidence. My guess is that it’s probably less than we think. †¦ My gut is that it’s being reported more frequently and more widely just because of modern-day media practices and media technology.Too often, the evidence does not support the perception. You see that all the time — that kids today are worse than they were 10 or 20 years ago. And then you go back and see that people were saying that about kids then. People have very short memories. However, we really don't know because we don't have the evidence. My guess is that it's probably less than we think. . .My gut is that it's being reported more frequently and more widely just because of modern-day media practices and media technology. (Macallair. 2001).Some experts have acknowledged the notion that the media has made a deliberate impact on the increasing rate of youth sports rage. Frank Smoll, author of Sports and Your Child, notes that the family is th e primary culprit in irrational aggressive behavior of child during sports games; yet coaches, professional athletes, and the media is also to blame for youth sports violence. Smoll exclaims that:I’m surprised there isn’t more violence in youth sports given the current underlying phenomena that feeds this violence system, particularly in hockey.During the hockey season, the sportscasts †¦ are going to show the fight of the night. That’s sick, flat out, he adds. Is it any wonder kids are going to see that and say, Hey, I’m going to be a better fighter, I’ve got instruction? (Smoll. 2000)National Alliance for Youth Sports president Fred Engh says that a child imitates what he perceives to be â€Å"good†. Good examples imply to their favorite professional athletes like wrestlers or MMA fighters. He complements Smoll's statement by implying that: â€Å"They’re seeing that kind of behavior on television.Look at the World Wrestling Fe deration. Look at the Jerry Springer Show. This is the mentality of a growing number of dysfunctional people that is creeping into youth sports.† (Engh.2000).Obviously, the sports entertainment industry must take initiative in taking the obligation for contributing to societal norms, which affect children and adults like. Talk shows have proliferated public display of violence as well. Ironically, such programs have a strong following by creating manic debates, which eventually turns into melee when things get out of hand.Studio audience is involved as well by castigating guests. Things get out of hand when altercations emerge during the show. Shows which are televised when children can watch such deliberate show of public violence; Take for instance the Jerry Springer Show, which gives people the opportunity to castigate people who did them wrong. It gives people the notion that what cannot be settled in a verbal manner can be settled with deliberate violence.But it is proper to do such in public? This suggests that the media is a purveyor of violence and irrational sense of competitiveness as well. Children can adhere to such when they go out to public affairs such as youth sports events. And by the time they are adults, they would do the same and even exhibit more obscene behavior during youth sports events (Ocampo.2008).ConclusionOrganized youth sports have been receiving media hype over the years. The issue of youth sports rage has been a crucial matter for the media to give it unprecedented attention. Incidents involving parents, coaches, and game officials have contributed to such by instigating fights and crass behavior during youth sports events.Although it is purely anecdotal that such matter is getting out of hand and is on the brink of enormous escalation, sports rage incidents are proliferating, and has been one of the primary purveyors of juvenile delinquency and youth violence. Such matter is beyond statistics, and the obvious is larger th an the scientific studies conducted regarding youth sports rage incidents.With this in mind, youth sports organizers should be at the forefront of every altercation during a youth sports event. They must implement proper measures of security in order to imply peace and order during games. On the other hand, parents should exhibit proper etiquette during youth sports events.Parents should be the ones who must moderate the various societal factors, which contribute to their child's sense of competitiveness. They must be reminded that during these games, they are not fans but parents who should guide their children. Parents should always bear in mind the youth sports games have a deliberate cognitive and social effect on their children's mentalities.They should be perfect examples during these events, and must instill positive and favorable values that a sport will complement their children's well-being (Ocampo.2008).

Dartmoor Nationa lPark In 2002

Dartmoor lies in South Devon, in South Western England. Devon is next to Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset. The Dartmoor National Park lies not far from the Cornwall border, next to the city of Plymouth and close to Exeter. To the south of Dartmoor lies several honeypot locations such Paignton, Torbay and Torquay. These attract masses of tourist every year. There are many rivers and streams which run through The Dartmoor National Park. Some of the major ones are the River Teign and Bovey, running through the North East of the park; the River Dart, running through the South East of the park; the River Plym, Erme and Yealm, running through the South West of the park; and the River Tavy and Taw running through the North West of the park. Throughout the park there are many A and B class roads. These include the A38 which runs from Exeter to Plymouth, the A30 which runs from Exeter to Launceston, the A386 which runs from Sourton to Plymouth, A382 which runs from Bovey Tracy to Whiddon Down, the B3212 which runs from Moretonhampstead to Yelverton, the B3357 which runs from Tavistock to Dartmeet, the B3193 which runs through Teign Valley, and the B3387 which runs from Bovey Tracey to Widecombe. Sketch Map Of The Dartmoor National Park Land Issues Facing The Dartmoor National Park Unlike many other countries in the world, such as the United States Of America, the government doesn't control the National Parks within the United Kingdom and Wales. Within the park there are many landowners such as public bodies and private individuals. This causes many conflicts within the park. National Parks were setup in the 1950s. Up to 1957, ten National Parks were confirmed. 1989 saw another area, the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, given National Park status. In 1999 the Government declared that two new National Parks in England were to be created; South Downs and the New Forest. National Parks were set up to: * conserve and enhance the natural wildlife, beauty and cultural heritage of the area. * show the outside public how to promote and understand the countryside. * care for the social and economic welfare of the communities within The National Parks. The National Parks are home to 300 000 people. Dartmoor National Park accommodates 32 300. This is spread over the main settlements in the National Park; Ashburton, Buckfastleigh, Moretonhampstead, Princetown, Yelverton, Horrabridge, South Brent, Christow, Chagford. The population of the largest settlement, Ashburton is about 3,500. One of the major issues that have a big concern for everybody within The National Park is tourism. All this is due to: * people having more money to spend on recreation. * additional time for holidays, particularly short breaks such as a bank holiday or weekend. * a better infrastructure. The Dartmoor National Park has to cope with thousands and thousands of visitors per month. The National Park Authority claims that it has 10 million day visits every year. More than 40% of all visitors are from surrounding honeypots such as Torbay and neighbouring cities such as Plymouth. To be precise: * 22% come from Plymouth. * 10.2% come from Torbay. * 18.7% come from Teignbridge. * 8.9% come from South Hams. * 14.4% come from West Devon. * 8.8% come from outside Devon * 8% come from the rest of Devon * 9% come from Exeter. All the information above is the percentage of people coming from that area, both the people who have a permanent house there and people who are staying at that place, on holiday. Coping with so many tourists is a very big problem for The National Park Authorities. When it is extremely busy, there are not enough parking spaces. All visitors expect easy access. The edges of the park are particularly under pressure as major holiday routes pass it to the North and South. Visitors anticipate that there will be tourist shops, litter collections, picnic areas, and toilets. The Dartmoor National Park houses four National Park Information Centres, twelve Village Information Points, four Community Information Points and several other Centres supported by the National Park Authority. There are 72 different places to park within Dartmoor. The prices of houses within The Dartmoor National Park, and other parks, are soaring because rich, wealthy people from urban areas pay more for their second home than local people can afford. The majority of the community in National Parks throughout the United Kingdom have a lot of elderly retired people. There are not a lot of young people in the area because these areas do not have a lot of schools; primary and secondary, and they certainly do not have colleges and universities. Another key factor is erosion. Here is a diagram showing the main reasons why erosion occurs: The human causes of erosion are walking across the grassy terrain, grazing live stock on the fields, driving farm vehicles, horse riding, mountain biking and military training. Although all the things here can be refrained from doing, the National Park really would not be. Things like military training and some driving of vehicles can be avoided. All the natural causes of erosion; rain, wind and vegetation, cannot be avoided. These are natural and if it did not happen then all kinds of life in the park would die. The Ministry of Defence control around 13,340 hectares; about 32,951 Acres; of the park. This about 14% of the whole park. Most activity is intense between Okehampton and Two Bridges, to the North of the park. Both live and â€Å"dry† ammunition is used. Live firing has caused damage to ancient monuments and has disturb wildlife, When training commences, large areas are closed off from the public. Even though there are no natural lakes in The Dartmoor National Park, there are eight reservoirs, taking up around 1% of the park. Burrator, Venford, Fernworthy, Trenchford, Tottiford and Kennick were built before 1940. The other two were added latter; Avon Dam and Meldon. These reservoirs were created by blocking off valleys and waiting for them to fill up. These reservoirs are used to supply water to the towns and cities of Devon. Rainfall on the moors are much higher than urban areas such as London. Kaolin, otherwise known as china clay, is the source of the main mining industry in Dartmoor today. Kaolin is extracted by open cast mining and used in to make paper shiny. The kaolin is exported throughout the world. There are large reserves in southern Dartmoor, mainly around Lee Moor, which has one of the largest china clay pits in the world; over 90 m deep and covering over 40 hectares, around 100 acres. Producing kaolin produces large amounts of waste. Land that is important for recreation, wildlife and archaeological interest has been threatened by the dumping of kaolin waste. The main reason for the creation of The National Parks were to conserve the natural beauty of the areas. Within Dartmoor there are two large areas of blanket fog. This area waterlogged all year long because there is very heavy rainfall there and poor drainage. It is dominated by rushes, cotton grass and a thick layer sphagnum moss. Around this area there are heather and grass moors, providing better grazing for farm and wild animals. Solutions: The Authorities So what's going on to combat the land issues facing The Dartmoor National Park? Many things are being done to help conserve the environment from tourists: * More and more information centres are being created to inform visitors about the park, to make them understand how to use and preserve the park. This not only through information centres but also signposts and leaflets. * The Rangers observe the park the most .They are the eyes and ears of The Dartmoor National Park. They try to make certain that all visitors enjoy their visit and monitor the effects of recreation on the landscape and the local community. The local communities support their work a great deal. * The visitor mangers. These are the people who control more or less every man-made aspect of the park. They say were to put an information centre, where to put a toilet. They plan for these things by doing surveys. (One can be found on the next page). * New roads are being made. A trunk road was created a few years back, through the North of the park, although an act was passed that no new roads were to be created in parks. Erosion is single handedly destroying the environment. The National Park Authority has created a strategy to turf or re-seed the most eroded parts. The military is a big problem in the way to totally cleaning the park. All the Authorities are trying to ban them from The National Park. Authorities do not like the eight reservoirs already in the park. A bid for another one was made a few years back. It was refused by parliament. With all the waste from the kaolin, the authorities are trying to find suitable places for the waste to be stored. A place has not been found yet although they are still looking. Solutions: My Opinion I think that all cars should be banned from the area. People should park their cars and catch a bus into the area. The military should be also banned from the area. They should go and find else were to do their training.

Dilemmas Of The Individual In Public Services Social Work Essay Example

Dilemmas Of The Individual In Public Services Social Work Essay Example Dilemmas Of The Individual In Public Services Social Work Essay Dilemmas Of The Individual In Public Services Social Work Essay Essay Topic: Emma Introduction This book is intended to give the reader an overall apprehension of what Lipsky calls street-level bureaucratisms and administrative officials through an insightful analysis of front line pattern in public administrations. It is an effort at developing a theory of street-level bureaucratisms by analyzing the professional behavior and daily patterns of the administrative officials who operate within a model of supplying public services to the population. Lipsky defines street-level administrative officials as public service workers who interact straight with citizens in the class of their occupations, and who have significant discretion in the executing of their work ( 1980:3 ) . Some illustrations include instructors, constabulary officers and other jurisprudence enforcement forces, societal workers, Judgess, public attorneies and other tribunal officers, wellness workers ( 1980:3 ) . While he defined street-level bureaucratisms defined as public service bureaus that employ a im portant figure of street-level administrative officials in proportion to their work force ( 1980:3 ) . Lipsky argues that it is non through the authorities acts or Torahs that policy is best understood but through the crowded offices and day-to-day experiences of the administrative official. It is these administrative officials who through the proviso of public services implement a big sum of influence over how public policy is really carried out. Initially drawn to public service for selfless grounds, the worker is easy corrupted, overworked, and exhausted by assorted force per unit areas including battle with deficient resources and obscure policy ends ( Lipsky 1980: thirteen ) . Therefore, in order to cover efficaciously with these force per unit areas, the administrative official with comparative liberty from organizational authorization and high degrees of discretion exercises a figure of determinations, modus operandis, and get bying mechanisms which efficaciously become the public policies they carry out. The purpose of the book being to demo the broad disagreement between wh at authorities policies claim to make and what really happens when policy is implemented. Drumhead The book is divided into four subdivisions each covering with a specific portion of the complex features of street degree bureaucratisms. Section one provides an introductory overview of the subject to give an apprehension of the nature of bureaucratisms, it besides examines the function of the administrative official in the devising and execution of policies. Section two examines the common work conditions of the bureaucratism with specific attending given to the resources, ends, and public presentation steps instigated, the purportedly supportive relationship between the client and the administrative official, and the work induced disaffection. Section three explores the forms of pattern or get bying mechanisms developed by the administrative official in order to cover with the work conditions and high degrees of clients, including rationing and curtailing clients, routinisation, and the control exercised in client processing. Section four focal points on the hereafter of street-le vel bureaucratisms, and proposes new agencies of cut downing client tensenesss and doing administrative officials more accountable. The first chapter points out the grounds why street-level bureaucratisms are so important, which include the Numberss employed, the monies to fund and pay forces, and the impact on persons lives particularly those of lower incomes. Its chief focal point is on the critical function played, and struggle experienced daily by administrative officials due to their placement as go-betweens ; between clients who hope for effectual intervention by the authorities through the services provided, and the public assistance province who hopes for economical proviso of public services. It posits that administrative officials in their place as service suppliers have a immense duty as their actions straight impact on clients lives. Using their powers of discretion to make up ones mind how to present the service, who should profit, and to what extent, they enact a signifier of societal control by necessitating certain behaviors and actions by the client. Therefore straight impacting on a client s lif e opportunities by either giving or taking off of benefits and using penalties or negative countenances for non-conformity. The purpose of the 2nd chapter is to exemplify how as a effect of their interactions with clients, enabled by their usage of discretion in determination devising, and their comparative liberty from the organizational authorization, it is the administrative officials who on a regular basis make policy. It is posited that even though there are regulations, ordinances, and norms to be followed, if a successful service is to be provided that is both cost effectual and timely discretion must be applied. Discretion is a described as a cardinal feature of the administrative official s place, necessary due to the really nature of the work i.e. the human dimension which frequently renders a really complex state of affairs necessitating flexibleness and consideration of all the grounds before doing a determination. The relationship between the lower degree administrative official and managerial governments of the administration being both dependent and conflicting is besides highlighted as inf luential in the behavior of administrative officials and determination devising procedure. Lipsky posits that because of differing involvements, deficiency of understanding on ends and aims, and contradictory positions on acceptable degrees of discretion and autonomy struggle arises. This struggle consequences in opposition from the administrative official to direction through avenues such as the organizational processs non being followed and new processs being developed by the administrative official therefore doing new policies ( 1980:19 ) . Section two focal points on the work environment which gives rise to commonalties found among street-level bureaucratisms which conditions the manner they perceive jobs and frame solutions to them, therefore giving rise to common forms of pattern that impact the administrative officials ability to take action ( 198:27 ) . In chapter three Lipsky highlights the issue of unequal resources, saying that street-level bureaucratisms will ever be inveterate missing in countries such as clip, information, and experience. Added to this the of all time increasing caseloads and demand for services which will ever transcend supply, the inevitable tensenesss between the client, administrative official, and director will doubtless hold a negative impact on both the clients and administrative officials experience. In chapter four he observes how in order for the administration to work efficaciously and expeditiously it needs to put down ends and aims which are frequently, at best, ill-defined a nd equivocal, and struggle with the administrative officials ain ends. This deficiency of congruity on ends makes it hard if non impossible for the director to garner public presentation measurings, and consequences in answerability besides being elusive. In chapter five, Lipsky describes the kineticss of the bureaucrat-client relationship as being common to street-level bureaucratisms. The administrative official exerts control over the non-voluntary client who must entree services either because they are non available elsewhere or they are on a low income, and therefore must follow with outlooks and determinations made in order to have benefits or avoid countenances ( 1980:60 ) . Finally in chapter 6, the issues of disaffection and the at odds function of protagonism are explored. Bureaucrats are expected to work for the client, have their best involvement at bosom, and guarantee the best intervention, but this conflicts with the outlooks of the bureaucratism. Bureaucrats being ex pected to work within a remit of maintaining control of resources and avoiding particular intervention are therefore, yet once more, put under great emphasis. Alienation, harmonizing to Lipsky, occurs because the administrative official merely works on parts of the merchandise, has no relationship to the result of their work or the natural stuffs, ensuing in the worker being alienated from their occupation. Section three examines whether the commonalties listed supra lead to common behavior apparent in street-level bureaucratisms. First, the commonalties listed above all contribute to the administrative official who joined the public service for selfless grounds going unmotivated, and dissatisfied with their place, and therefore negatively impacting on the services provided to the client. Lipsky states that forms of pattern or get bying mechanisms are developed by the administrative officials in different businesss in order to cover with the work conditions described in subdivisions one and two and the overloading of clients. He posits that in order to carry through their undertakings administrative officials ab initio set up modus operandis to simplify the complex occupations, but because these are capable to personal and political biass they straight impact what the modus operandi is seeking to accomplish and add up to contemplations of the administration and therefore direct policies ( 1980:86 ) . He highlights a figure of ways in which they ration and curtail services including ; waiting in lines, inordinate paperwork, pigeonholing likely wrongdoers, practising favoritism and symbolic entreaty processs ( 1980:81-82 ) . Bureaucrats besides retaliate against the emphasiss and strains imposed on them by direction by modify their ain behaviors to accomplish their personal ends, specializing or restricting and even spread outing duty to acquire things done harmonizing to how they think they should be ( 1980:142-150 ) . Section four concludes with a expression to the hereafter of street-level bureaucratisms, discoursing the impact of the 1980 s financial crisis in regard to answerability and potency for reform. Lipsky argues that it is virtually impossible to keep administrative officials accountable where the nature of the work employs high degrees of liberty and discretion ( 1980:159 ) . He believes that the force per unit areas of the financial crisis to cut down fiscal outgos while understating impact cuts will merely function to increase unequal resources and lessening service quality. He concludes by suggesting two ways of cut downing client tensenesss and doing administrative officials more accountable ; by including clients in bureau determination devising, and pins his hopes on new professionals who will perpetrate to seeking to accomplish greater societal and economic justness and shun personal position sweetening ( 1980:204 ) . Review Michael Lipsky is surely more than qualified to compose about street-level bureaucratisms, holding graduated from Oberlin College and received an MPA and a PhD in Politics from Princeton University. He has taught in the countries of public policy, American political relations, and societal motions since 1975, and has written, edited, and contributed to many books and diaries. He is presently a Research Professor at Georgetown University s Public Policy Institute and a Senior Program Director at Demos, a public policy and protagonism administration based in New York ( Georgetown University 2012 ) . Sing his educational background it is rather delighting to happen the book is easy to read and follow. It uses an informal, enlightening tone and non excessively many big indecipherable words which means it is suited for all to read ; bookmans, pupils, and the wider public. It provides a comprehensive analysis of street-level bureaucratisms and administrative officials which has an copiousn ess of real life illustrations which assist the reader in understanding Lispky s hypotheses. Lipsky developed his theory following a book reappraisal he wrote and a subsequent paper Toward a Theory of Street-Level Bureaucracy which laid out his initial ideas and guesss on the importance of work construction in set uping the relationship between citizens and these public employees ( 1980: seventeen ) . His uses a qualitative experimental attack to his survey and did non execute any methodical empirical research but alternatively used a figure of empirical illustrations and secondary literature to show his statement. However, he besides uses rather a figure of mentions to common sense analogies which win in bolstering his statement. His theory, it must be noted, is strong in placing and explicating the issues environing policy execution and could therefore be described as descriptive theoretical account ; a theoretical account to depict how they do run, to simplify the survey of how they make determinations ( Hogwood and Gunn, 1984, as cited in Cairney 2012:32 ) . Execution can be described as the executing of a program for making something ; it can mention to the bringing of a programme or to an array of activities initiated by the authorities to accomplish ends and aims set frontward in a policy. Policy execution is portion of the policy rhythm which by and large involves policy design followed by policy bringing and so policy reappraisal. It is concerned with set uping or using an administration to take duty for execution, guaranting that the administration has the resources to make so, and doing certain that policy determinations are carried out as planned ( Cariney 2012:33 ) . The survey of execution is centred on the hypothesis that determinations made by policymakers may non be carried out suitably ( 2012:34 ) . Lipsky can be understood as working from a bottom-up attack to policy execution, a direct challenge to the top-down attack which believes that cardinal authorities is the chief influence on policy results. He sees policy as being created in a complex field of tensenesss and demands by the single actions of the implementers, in this instance street-level administrative officials who have a critical function in implementing policy. Lipsky s thesis is based on the impression that policy is in fact what bureaucrats do, utilizing discretion in both positive and negative ways to voyage the complex and multi-faceted country of human services. For Lipsky, discretion occurs in a context of struggle between front-line workers and directors ; between a desire to top-down control and resistance to it. His work gives great lucidity to the motivations behind the actions of street-level administrative officials, every bit good as indicating to the policy and resource morass which lends itself to the burnt-out attitude frequently presented by front-line staff. Research by Wandersman et Al ( 2008 ) identified a figure of factors which influence execution in pattern which corroborate Lipsky s theory that front line administrative officials have an of import function to play in the policy execution process. They identified a figure of including single features, such as practictioners education, experience, and attitude toward the invention, every bit good as organizational and community factors. A study from the Mental Health Commission ( 2009 ) besides supports Lipskys theories saying that effectual execution is synonymous with co-ordinated alteration at system, administration programme and pattern degrees . Evans ( 2011:3 ) has besides shown that Lipsky s ideal of street-level bureaucratisms are comparable to modern-day societal services in that they are administrations controlled by directors where there is concern for what is produced non the procedure. Even though this book is based on American experiences it can still be applied to the Irish experience and I believe is relevant to the Irish Welfare State and its policy execution schemes. For illustration, Community Welfare Officers can be understood as street-level administrative officials who use discretion in their work to make up ones mind who shall have benefits and when, impose countenances. They use commanding mechanisms such as inordinate signifier filling, and long waiting lines to enable them to routinize their processs and implement the policies of the public assistance system. Probation Officers who work under the remit of the Criminal Justice Department can besides be understood as street-level administrative officials who operate with great discretion in their daily operation, and have to set and make their ain policies to enable them to run expeditiously. Other authors have besides found that Lipsky s work can be applied to states with much differing public assistanc e provinces such as Winter ( 1981 ) whose qualitative instance surveies in Denmark identified extended header mechanisms amongst street-level administrative officials. The overall purpose of this book has been to demo the broad disagreement between what authorities policies claim to make and what really happens when that policy is implemented. It has portrayed the life of a street-level administrative official as being invariably under duress from both sides of the system and shown how choler and bitterness evolve to develop into get bying mechanisms to cover with clients and the confines of work conditions. I believe Lipsky has been most successful in this enterprise and produced a all-around, nonsubjective survey of the procedure of policy execution as evidenced in street-level bureaucratisms.

Political Communication in the Global Age - Does political advertising Essay

Political Communication in the Global Age - Does political advertising undermine or support democracy - Essay Example Most of their competitive campaigns include huge numbers of advertisements and negative appeal. Such campaigns can overwhelm voters. It makes them think these communications are manipulative and may turn them off. However, at the same time, such communications and campaigns are responsible for giving people access to information, keeping them up to date and engaged, it mobilizes them, gives them choice, gives them freedom, help those who are politically unsophisticated and bring many other advantages that positively impact democracy. Political advertising supports democracy by giving people choice and access to information as it is but to enable it to facilitate order and democracy even more, it should be driven by some regulations. More research needs to be carried out to identify gaps in political advertising versus democracy. When customers are in the process of making a decision about a commercial product – whether to buy it or not; they need to have information about that product. Better yet, they should be able to engage and interact with the product to get a better idea about it. In my opinion, having this information makes these customers powerful and facilitates decision-making. However, whether this decision is the â€Å"best† one or not is unclear until customers actually start using a product after purchase. Similarly, before voting, customers might need relevant information to be able to vote. At the same time however, well-equipped and even better funded candidates and political parties can devastate the voter with their political advertising campaigns that may include negative, competitive and attack ads. This paper will look at the arguments for and against political advertising and its relationship with democracy. It will then conclude whether political advertising undermines or supports democracy. To give readers a head start, the following section will explain what political advertising is and how, as a marketing tool,

Progress Report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4500 words

Progress Report - Essay Example She also shows some anticipation for the next step in activities with familiar routine and is beginning to show ability to communicate a desire for activities to continue. Record of Progress Communication and Language Activities experience by the pupil this year Communication underpins every activity that Cristina undertakes at school. She has participated in a range of activities over this year to provide opportunities for her to develop her communication skills. These activities included greetings, end of the day sessions, massage, sensory story, interactive music, and one-to-one interaction sessions with familiar members of the staff. Responding Pupil’s progress Cristina has been working towards developing anticipation of the next step in well-established routines and responds appropriately or consistently to a range of different sensory stimuli. As the year progresses, Cristina has become more consistent in showing anticipation for regular daily activities such as greeting s and her favourite weekly sensory story session titled ‘We going on the bear hunt’. A good example is her excellent progress in anticipating for greeting or interactive sessions during Autumn term. She would look at a bottle of essential oil when presented to her by an adult and stay still for a few seconds to smell the oil of the day. She initially smiled broadly when asked whether she wants more of a smell particularly if given plenty of time to respond. During Spring term, she showed ability to recognize the sequence of steps within same activity. She has also begun exploring the drum positioned under her hands by making small finger movement especially if encouraged verbally by adults to perform a task. Over the time, she has learnt to prolong the activity by trying hard to continue her small hand movement in exploring this musical instrument especially with prolonged one-to-one interaction she gets from an adult at such times. She has also begun to get less startl ed if adult leading the activity use a countdown such as ‘one, two, three’ when introducing noisy objects, such as drum. Recently, she began to vocalise when asking for a tune to say hello, although she is not yet consistent and will need more time to consolidate this skill. During the sensory story sessions, she has shown ability to anticipate certain familiar routines, especially if an adult used the phrase ‘ready, steady†¦go’. She would for example anticipate for water spray by turning head and looking at an adult shaking a thunder maker for brief moment of 2-3 seconds. She would also smile when activities were accompanied by ‘ready, steady†¦go’. On some occasion, she would actively turn her head towards rainmaker and tracked torch light on the black material other than just smiling or stilling in response. Interacting Pupil’s progress Cristina has been working towards developing her interaction skills with familiar and less familiar adults and shows ability to distinguish between them. Cristina remained interested when adults interacted with her and continued to smile or became animated when the adult talked to her. She responded best during one-to-one intensive sessions when familiar members of staff interacted with her. She showed a clear awareness of the presence of others and would at times smile when chatting to a class staff member. She has also responded with various facial expressions and random vocalizations. She has learnt to accept physical contact from familiar and

The 21st Century Lifestyle in G20 Countries is Bad for Your Health Article - 1

The 21st Century Lifestyle in G20 Countries is Bad for Your Health - Article Example stress upon maternal health and also include eradication of severe poverty and hunger, universal primary education (helps in creating awareness through the basis lessons regarding health), Combat HIV, Malaria and other ailments, ensure a sustainable ambience and building global alliances or partnerships for overall development. Emerging economies of the world like China, India, Brazil and South Africa still depend on assistance from foreign developed nations in order to meet the health needs of its people. The major health concern for the G-20 countries in meeting the Millennium Development Goals is to combat infectious diseases like AIDS and malaria (Robertson, 2010). Leaving aside Brazil, all other G-20 countries have significantly failed in curbing the spread of AIDS. Moreover apart from the spread of AIDS, chronic diseases like diabetes, and fatal diseases like cardiac ailments and cancer are also increasingly affecting the people in the emerging economies (Garrett & Alavian, 201 0). Obesity is spreading fast as a symptom of health crisis. It is a significant problem for mostly the developed nations but the developing countries are also catching up. Three of the G20 nations have an obesity rate above 30 percent. These are United States with 46.5 percent of its population suffering form obesity, Argentina with 37.6 percent and Mexico with 35.5 percent. Across the world above one billion adult population are overweight and the obesity rates have risen three fold or beyond in regions of North America, East Europe and the Middle East mainly due to lack of proper nutrients and reduced level of physical activities. Seven amongst the G20 nations have obesity rates above 25 percent. These include Saudi Arabia (29.7 %), â€Å"Australia (28.8 %), Canada (25.6%) and the United Kingdom (25%)† (The Globalist, 2010) Obesity poses great risk for chronic diseases like type two diabetes, cardiovascular disease, strokes, hypertension and sometimes, even cancer. Countries l ike

Nike - Recent Enviromental Changes Essay Example for Free

Nike Recent Enviromental Changes Essay INTRODUCTION Founded in 1968 in Oregon, Nikes business activities involve design, development and the worldwide marketing of high quality apparel, equipment, footwear and accessory products. Nike sells to approximately 140 countries around the world and currently boasts an approximate revenue of $8,776,900,000 These revenues are based on product sales of shoes, clothing, and other sports products. Advertising expenditures currently total $223,300,000 and include the following allocations: $64,975,000 for network television, $31,447,000 for consumer magazines, $7,700,000 for spot television, $343,000 for newspapers, $134,000 for outdoor postings, and $36,000 for radio. (Reed Elsevier) Most footwear products are made outside of USA. However apparel products are produced in the USA and abroad. (www.statcan.ca) In this article we will try to explore the interaction between the company Nike and its external business environment, as well as the internal strengths and weaknesses of the company. We will attempt to discover some of the significant changes and events in the external environment that have occurred in the last 5 years and have directly impacted Nike. We will describe how the company adapted and responded to these changes and what the effects of these events were. Also we will identify and describe some of Nikes internal strengths and weaknesses. CHANGES AND EVENTS IN THE EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL CRISES One of the most recent global environmental changes are the events of September 11th 2001, when airplanes crashed into each of the World Trade Center towers in New York, the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., and near Pittsburgh, P.A. (www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/5232/) U.S. government officials reported that the crashes were a coordinated terrorist attack. Since this catastrophe was not expected, no one was ready to respond to it. Cole Haan store (owned by Nike), located in the World Trade Center plaza has been completely demolished. However, all of approximately 250-260 Nike and Cole Haan employees based in New York are safe and accounted for. In addition, no Nike employees were on board any of the planes involved in the terrorist attacks in New York, Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon. (www.centrum.sk) After closing on Tuesday, September 11th, and Wednesday, September 12th, all  other Nike and Cole Haan stores in New York and Washington D.C. are open. (www.nike.com) This disas ter affected not only the American people but also the world economy and many areas of business, including Nike Inc. The value of American dollar dropped rapidly and is recovering very slowly. Nike has a large amount of their products in inventory, which they are unable to sell and are preparing to cut down the production. This would mean a significant downsizing in number of employees. (www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/5232/) Many consumers have reduced their travel to certain retail destinations; in general consumers are purchasing few non-essential products. Nike expects lower sales and profits over the next several months as consumers closely monitor the U.S. attacks on Afghanistan. (www.nike.com) When a military campaign, like the one in Afghanistan, brings new developments or intensifies, U.S. consumers buy less, prompting retailers to become more cautious with their product orders. These events caused a 12 percent decline in shares since September 11th of Nike Inc., the industrys leader. (www.nike.com) The company said the September 11th attacks on the United States have disrupted most of its long-range strategy plans. Analysts have predicted a modest decrease in quarterly earnings estimates for Nike. They also said they expect fourth-quarter 2001 sales to be hurt by the slowdown in consumer s pending.(www.msn.com) Decline and slow recovery of Nikes stock since Sept. 11th 2001 (www.moneycentral.msn.co.uk) The company expects to scale back advertising and production next year. (www.nike.com) Nike, as a global company, is now focusing its efforts on assisting in the relief efforts and in heeding President Bushs directive to regain business as quickly as possible. (www.sme.sk) Both local and national Red Cross agencies have identified immediate financial support as their most critical need. For that reason, the Nike Foundation has been collecting contributions from individual Nike employees and factory partners across the country and throughout the world. Through matching funds, Nike is making a $1 million contribution to the American Red Cross and a variety of other local relief organizations through matching funds of employees and factory partners. In addition, Nike partner factories in Asia, Feng Tay and Pou Chen, have donated $100,000 each to the American Red Cross. (www.nike.com) Nike also is working with relief agencies in New York, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania  to provide do nations of Nike products for victims who are affected by these tragic circumstances, as well as for those involved in the rescue and recovery efforts. These donations include more than 14,000 t-shirts, 11,400 pairs of socks, 1,200 pairs of Nike ACG work boots, 1,000 towels, plus hundreds of pairs of shoes, warm-ups, jackets, sweat shirts and gym bags for rescue workers to store their personal belongings. (www.sme.sk) (www.nike.com) Nike and Niketown New York will continue to coordinate with relief and government agencies and provide as many requested products as possible for fire and rescue personnel. Already, more than $300,000 Nike products have been delivered or are on their way to New York relief agencies. (www.nike.com) Nike US employees participated in a Red Cross blood drive on Sept. 24-25 at its Beaverton-based world headquarters and Oct. 1st and Oct. 5th in its Memphis distribution center location. Nike also has donated money to pat for airtime for two 30-second advertisements to the Red Cross during the Oct. 7 broadcast of the World Cup qualifying match between Team USA and Jamaica on ABC, as well as purchasing space the West 4th wall in Manhattan for advertisements. (www.nike.com) The previous numbers indicate Nikes response to this huge global change from social as well as from the business point of view. Nikes donations as a response to the events of Sept. 11th 2001 Organization Amount Designation American Red Cross $250,000 ($106,000 from Nike employees globally) Relief efforts in NY, Washington, DC, and Pennsylvania PBA Widows and Childrens Police Relief Fund c/o Police Benevolence Association $175,000 Assistance to NY families for burial costs and family survival expenses UFA Widows Childrens Fund c/o Uniformed Fire Fighters Assn $175,000 Assistance to NY families for burial costs and family survival expenses Federal Employee Education Assistance Fund $100,000 Assistance to families for burial costs and family survival expenses International Association of Fire Fighters $50,000 Assistance to NY families for burial costs and family survival expenses New York State Fraternal Order of Police WTC Fund $50,000 Assistance to NY families for burial costs and family survival expenses Catholic Charities USA $50,000 Immediate counseling and family services for those impacted by NY disast ers United Methodist Committee on Relief $50,000 Immediate counseling and family services for  those impacted by NY disasters Mercy Corps Comfort for Kids Project $25,000 Helping children and families in NY and Washington DC Misc. contingency fund $75,000 Programs and organizations promoting racial and religious healing and community building efforts Total Reported Cash Donations $1 million (www.nike.com) E-BUSINESS As the modern world changes through advances in technology, the global market economy also changes, affecting global businesses such as Nike Inc. Technological changes in the form of machines and mechanical inventions affected the economy during the industrial revolution, but today the advances are more in computer technology. The first computer was produced in the US approximately 50 years ago and was the size of a large room needing its own electric power plant and cost a million dollars to build. This gigantic computer could only do simple calculations. Computers have since decreased greatly in size and cost and increased in productivity and capabilities. In the 1980s there were big improvements in microprocessors, which allowed for the huge technological advances of the 90s. Computers are now part of many households and almost every family in the developed world has a computer. The top personal computer now costs between $2500 and $3500 compared to the larger models earlier in th e past century. The Internet has also been expanding globally and has changed our world into and global village. The first version of the net was developed in 1969, during the Cold War by the US department of defense as a communication in case of nuclear attack. The net became available in the 1980s for email and Internet chats, but improvements in HTML in the 1990s sparked the birth of a new way of communication and business (www.freespace.virgin.net/g.hirst/). A recent survey calculated 120 million users of the net worldwide and numbers are still growing at an enormous rate. The development quick loading and the fast moving Internet attracted people to do more things on the Internet. One of the new advances of the Internet is an E-business. Many people are now ordering goods and services over the Internet. One other use of Internet is also advertisement. Recently, Nike has been trying to find new markets and consumers. One huge innovation to get closer to the customer is through the Internet. The Internet makes information available to people all around the world. Nikes web page is designed to entertain the visitor through innovative, colourful graphics; to inform the potential customer of Nikes activities; and promote  and sell their products through the E-shop. The Nike accommodates to the world trend of Internet and shopping over the Internet. They made their own web-shop where visiting customers can easily find the product, which they are looking for. This is a great way to improve future business of the company as Internet business is improving so quickly. It is also important to put a lot of effort and quality into the services offering through the Internet to make a good reputation about the services and name of the company. (www.niketown.com) GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS, LAWS AND TRADE BARRIERS In 1994, the EU commission imposed quotas on certain types of footwear manufactured in China. Special Technology Athletic Footwear, footwear designed for use in sporting activities, met certain technical criteria and footwear having a CIF (cost, in surance and freight) price above 9 EUROs was excluded from these quotas. All other footwear produced by Nike falls under the quotas. However Nike feels that the quotas have not material effect on their business. (www.nike.com) In 1995 the EU commission initiated two anti-dumping legislations covering footwear imported from China, Indonesia and Thailand. In 1997 and 1998, the commission imposed definite anti-dumping duties on certain synthetic, textile and leather upper footwear originating from China Indonesia and Thailand. These anti-dumping duties have exclusions for STAF footwear, sports footwear and footwear with the CIF above 5,6 EUROs. (www.nike.com) This means the anti-dumping duties apply only to low cost footwear, which means that Nike can distribute most products except children shoes and low cost sandals. However Nike shifted the production of these types of footwear to other countries and therefore the anti-dumping duties have not had a material affect on their business. (www.centrum.sk) If the EU measures become more restrictive Nike recommends that the European subsidiaries consider shifting the production of footwear to other countries in order to maintain competitive pricing. Nike continues to closely monitor international restrictions and maintain a multi-country sourcing strategy and contingency plans. Nike believes that their major competitors are in the similar position. (www.pravda.sk) NEW MARKETS AND CONSUMER TRENDS Revenue for the past three years of Nikes international (non-US) and US market (www.nikebiz.com) Over the past 4-5 years many new markets have opened for Nike, not only from the geographical point of view and expansions outside the US but also from the customer demand and trends perspective.  (www.centrum.sk) As the concept of the global village is becoming reality, more unexploded markets are opening up. Nike divides its global business into four regions: the United States, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Americas. (www.nike.com) While each reg ion increased revenue in the fiscal year 2001, most of its growth came from the new unexplored markets outside. In the last seven years, Nike has built many international branch offices and subsidiaries as a response to the changing market. These are located in: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Hungary, Indonesia, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, The Netherlands, Norway, Peoples Republic of China, The Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Singapore, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Kingdom and Vietnam. (www.nike.com) Percentage of footwear production in specific countries The European market for athletic footwear and apparel continues to flourish. Every day, new shops open with a commitment to presentation and service that NIKE emphasizes. Nike feels the emotional connection growing in Europe is similar to the one NIKE created in the U.S. 20 years ago. (www.nike.com) Nikes Asian market is very profitable but als o very demanding one. This market depends on authentic sports positioning and the ability to deliver technology-based performance products. Nikes attempt to fulfill these criteria has so far been very successful. Nike is especially enthusiastic about the World Cup coming to Japan and Korea in 2002. They hope this will provide them with a great opportunity to influence their soccer success in Asia. (www.nike.com) The most competitive and developed market in the world for Nike is the USA. Revenues in this market grow at two percent per year. Although Nike has been struggling in some areas of this market, it continues to lead the athletic footwear market in share and product innovation. Apparel in the U.S. is slowly making its way back to the market after couple of tough quarters in the past 2 years. U.S. Apparel is currently up 9% in revenue for the year and is starting to stabilize in the second half of fiscal 2001. (www.nike.com) Changes that have occurred in customer demand are directly proportional to the present trends of people. According to recent researches, American kids have only 25 percent of their  daily life considered as free time, compared to about 40 percent in 1981. (www.nike.com) For a sports company this means less demand for leisure time clothes, footwear and equipment. According to statistics, athletic footwear sales have shown a decrease in the third quarter. This fact represents back-to-school sales, indicating less interest by the crucial teenage market as it moves toward different looks in the footwear area. This may be explained by an overall shift of interest and fashion in this market from sports toward entertainment, music, and celebrities. A recent trend in the athletic footwear business shows that several of the large corporations are losing market share due to the declining sales in traditional markets. As aerobics, fitness and cross training markets decline there is a shift to non-traditional sports. By 1998, the publicity for a market in brown shoes had passed. Brown shoes never impacted the athletic footwear market as predicted. Instead, hiking, off-trail and fashion footwear continue to show strong growth, with many athletic footwear companies expanding into those areas. (www.nike.com) It is predicted that the market for athletic footwear has peaked and is now declining and leveling off at a production level of about 300 million pairs. Fashion driven spikes often occur, such as in 1995 where a production level of 345 million pairs was reached. This is viewed as a bonus for the industry. (www.nike.com) Retailers will thrive at the 300 million pair a year production level by working with retailers to consolidate store locations, manage inventories and maximize sell-through. The continued trend over the last five years is the consumers willingness to pay, on average, higher prices for athletic footwear. (www.proquest.com) IMPORTANT FINANCIAL EVENTS The financial interactions between countries and governments affect the profits of the large corporations such as Nike and the retail values of their products. In North America transactions are often measured in US dollars. This common currency makes transactions easier between countries. In the European Union, 15 different countries must convert their different currencies when doing business with other countries. This often accounts for increased retail prices in international goods and services. On January 1st 1999, 11 of the 15 members countries of the European Union  established permanent conversion rates between their existing currencies and the new EURO, the new common currency of the European union. Until the end of the transition period, public and private parties may pay for goods and services using the countries original currency or the EURO. Starting January 2002, the EURO will be the official currency of the EU and the original currencies will be completely withdrawn from circulation by June 30th 2002. (www.nike.com) Since January 1998 Nike has been researching the complications and affects of the transitions to the EURO. Nikes devoted project team has made modifications to inform technology systems supporting the market, management, invoicing, pay roles and cash management functions in order to make their conversion smooth. Nike believes that the introduction of the EURO will eliminate inequalities in exchange rates between countries although differences in cost between countries and different tax rates will still affect price differences at the retail level. Over the past three years Nike has been actively working to asses and adjust a practices in pricing to operate effectively under this new currency. (www.nike.com) The cost of adapting Nikes systems and practices to the use of the EURO total approximately 8 millions US dollars and was generally related to the modification of their existing systems. Nike also believes that the change of currency will not have an impact on the financial conditions of results of operation. (www.nikebiz.com) INTERNAL STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES STRENGTHS Decision Making Nikes strongest weapon is decision-making. Their managerial team has been able to make decisions specific to their needs and although not all the time, most of the time they were right. They combined rationality, intuition and experience to come up with the best decisions ever made in this market. To prove the above, we can just look at some of their well-known choices made in the past. Nike managers decided to rely on globalization and externalization of risk through wholly or partly-owned subsidiaries. (www.nike.com) The fact that they have subsidiaries all over the world helps them to become more flexible and partially getting rid of potential risk. Their flexibility is proved by the diversity of sports areas they are involved in, which has also turned out to be a great decision since Nike is dominating most of these markets. (www.nike.com) This company is able to manufacture products for a dozen of different sports and still keep the top quality in all of them. Fr om the  start, the managers of Nike decided to count on customer satisfaction and total quality of their products, realizing the social expectations that lied upon their shoulders. They have believed that quality outweighs the extra amount of money spent on manufacturing of the best products on the market. One of the most important decisions of Nikes management was advertising. They spent large amounts of money on commercials, which have in the long term paid back in multiples. They have used famous athletes to promote their brand, which is considered a great strategic plan. Also they decided to involve in various social activities. Their extraordinary advertising has helped them to develop the well-known image they have. (www.msn.com) The owners of the company visualized, gave the company a form, set their goals and then they tried to achieve them. They hired the right personnel and they motivated them by generally higher wages than their competitors were offering. They also involved their employees in initiating and implementing change. According to these employees, Nike allowed them to gain self confidence, express their creativity, and involve in making decisions that need not only the expertise of a manager but also an experience of a worker. (www.nike.com) Looking at the present results of Nikes decisions, this kind of empowerment has shown to be a great choice. Research and Development Efforts Nike believes that the key factor of its success originates from their research and development efforts. (www.nike.com) They emphasize the technical innovation in the design of their products to achieve their manufacturing goals, which are to create products capable of reducing injury, increasing athletes performance and maximizing comfort. Of course, Nike pays a lot of attention to their products design respectively to the present trends. (www.sgma.com) Since these criteria require a specific expertise, recruitment is one of the most important managerial issues of Nike. Looking at their past, we have to admit that they have succeeded in this with excellence. Nike has own staff of specialists in the areas of biomechanics, exercise physiology, engineering, industrial design and others. They also have committees specialized on research and advisory. These committees are made of top-level athletes, coaches, trainers, equipment managers, orthopedics, podiatrists and other experts. (www.nike.com) These people use their expertise and experience to  help Nike on its way to improvement. They help them to develop new better products and improve upon present products. They also consult the company about designs, materials, and concept for product improvement. Athletes hired or sponsored by Nike test-prove the companys products during the development process. These facts are strongly held within the company and Nike is proud to include them in their reports (www.nikebiz.com). WEAKNESSES Ability To Respond And Adapt To Changes Since Nike is a consumer products company, the demand for their products highly depends on popularity of different sports and activities and the changing trends. Therefore they should be able to respond to these changes in costumer preferences and quickly adapt to them. This company must adjust their existing products, develop new ones, and create styles that are specific to the trends. (www.sgma.com) They also have to make an effort to influence sports and fitness preferences through aggressive marketing. This kind of environment is very unstable and puts one against many different sources of risk. If you fail to react quickly to such changes it will show up on your sales and profits reports. Since Nike has been occupying the top of the sports equipment manufacturers chart for a long time they are getting used to their strategies, which are now becoming habits. (www.nike.com) This may be very useful in some cases but according to analysts, ove r time, organizations develop and lock into ways of doing business, in spite of changing conditions. Nikes strategy has been to dominate only the markets that are relatively safe and tend to be very profitable since it has become the worlds leader in this market. (www.nike.com) Despite their great decision making abilities this has turned out to be a very poor choice. For example, Nike did not respond to the growing market of aerobics and fitness training because it seemed too small to be worth that much attention. (www.sgma.com) However, Reebok developed a line of aerobics and fitness equipment which has met a lot of popularity among the customers. Since then, Reebok has been leading this market, which is currently the area of their main interest. (www.sgma.com) This was an example of a slow response to environmental changes. However, there are areas where Nike responded quickly and still was not quite successful. For example, soccer is currently the number 1 sport in the world and is currently dominated by the brand Adidas.  (www.fisonline.com) Even though Nike soccer equipment qualitatively meets the Adidas products, Nike has not been able to take over this market. So what was wrong with their reaction? To dominate such a large market you have to be more aggressive and be able to gain customers attention. (www.sgma.com) Nikes failure in the soccer market is generally seen as the lack of interest, aggressivity and creativity in this area of business. (www.referaty.sk) Growth Company That Has Not Grown Fiscal year 2001 was an above average year for Nike. However, it was not great even though they finished hard in the fourth quarter. This year was fairly similar to the last four years. During that time Nike has been a growth company that has not grown. Until the end of the fiscal year 1997 everything was going great for Nike. From 1994 to 1997 this company went from being a strong company with growing market share and $3 billion in revenues to one with dominant market share and revenues over $9 billion. (www.nike.com) Everyth ing seemed to be going perfect for Nike, they were successful in everything they touched and they were growing rapidly. At the end of the fiscal year 1997 they found themselves in a position where employees were euphoric, but overworked since there was not enough of them. To keep this enthusiasm going they hired more people and continued on their path to becoming a truly global company. (www.sgma.com) Since they realized that this couldnt be accomplished over few years they were trying to be the best at everything they were doing as well as building a strong team for the future. (www.nike.com) This was exactly the point where their growth has frozen and never started again. They penetrated new markets successfully, but were not able to keep up the standards they had set before. They focused on new areas of business so much that they forgot to do the old simple things right. (www.sgma.com) Despite all these efforts the industry was standing still. There were different reasons for this such as the U.S. market hitting the recession point, Nike launching a massive 3-year supply chain overhaul and the tough period in the Asian economy. (www.nike.com) The U.S. market recession point was well expected since this market had grown so fast. Nike launching the m assive 3-year supply chain overhaul, which was well in advance of the competition, was not a productive strategy in short-term but its benefits are supposed to show up in the fiscal year 2002. (www.nike.com) Lastly the downside of the Asian economy was also predictable since this is  a market with big turnovers and risks. However, it was not expected to influence Nike as much as it did. Great companies are able to deal with such events and keep on growing. Nike managers did not pay enough attention to these facts and that was the main reason of their growth halt. (www.sgma.com) Even though Nike is currently growing in some areas of market, such as Europe, Asia, Latin America and the soccer and golf markets, overall they are standing still. (www.nike.com) Year 2001 is the proof of the above. In this year Nike forgot to compete mid- and low-priced footwear in the U.S. and they were not able to match their orders and production well, in which they were very successful in the past. Now, Nike has to face a big decision. They can accept the problems they have and let their business go slowly down, or keep excelling in some things, be average in others and stay at the point where they are now.  However, the best choice for Nike would be to find the solutions to their problems and start growing again. (www.msn.com) (www.sgma.com) CONCLUSION Nikes environment is very unstable and exposures companies to unexpected risks. Generally, Nike has been able to respond to these changes (except few exceptions) by their creativity and flexibility. This company tries to prevent a direct impact of these changes on them by externalizing risk. Despite these facts, Nikes expansion is not as significant as it is expected to be. This is caused by some of their internal weakness and external changes. However, they still remain number 1 in the world footwear market. (Company Profiles For Students) BIBLIOGRAPHY 1. Company Profiles For Students vol.2 m-z 1999 1st ed. P. 944-949 2. www.proquest.com 3. www.geocities.com/Athens/Acropolis/5232/ 4. www.sgma.com 5. www.centrum.sk 6. www.zoznam.sk 7. www.freespace.virgin.net/g.hirst 8. www.fisonline.com 9. www.statcan.ca 10. www.moneycentral.msn.co.uk 11. www.msn.com 12. www.nike.com 13. www.niketown.com 14. www.nikebiz.com 15. www.sme.sk 16. www.pravda.sk 17. www.referat.sk 18. Reed Elsevier, 2000