A Literature Analysis Essay

Joyce Carol Oates attributes the creation of â€Å"Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been? † to Bob Dylan’s â€Å"It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue† and the article she read â€Å"about a killer in the American Southwest†, she also considered â€Å"the legends and folk songs connected with the subject of â€Å"Death and the Maiden†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ when creating this story (Latta 1). Oates was well known for writing about â€Å"the spiritual, sexual, and intellectual decline of modern American society† writing about such issues as suicide, rape and murder (eNotes. com, sect.2). Oates was also interested in exploring the various aspects of adolescence through her writing (Schwartz, 1). Critics have widely argued over the influences of â€Å"Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been? † and the true identity of Arnold Friend. Little attention has been given to the music incorporated into the story and the obvious similarities of the antagonist, Arnold Friend to legendary singer, Bob Dylan. This essay will explore Bob Dylan’s musical influence on â€Å"Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been? † by interpreting the song, â€Å"It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue† and the similarities between the two as well as identifying physical characteristic similarities between Dylan and Friend. Oates dedicated this story to Bob Dylan; which gives interpreters of this story just cause to assume Dylan’s music during the 1960s greatly influenced the characters and scenes of â€Å"Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been? † Critics however do not agree as to who Arnold Friend represents. Most critics feel that Arnold represents the devil and evil, such as Joyce Wegs’ and Marie Urbanski who argue that Arnold is evil and his outward appearance represents the devil. Some critics however feel that Arnold represents a religious or cultural savior (Jordan). It is unrealistic to think that Arnold Friend is any savior such as Mike Tierce and John Michael Crafton suggest in â€Å"Connie’s Tambourine Man: A New Reading of Arnold Friend† (Jordan). It seems most likely that Arnold is a creation of Oates which had the appearance of Bob Dylan because she was inspired by him which many critics have already noted. Another argument made by a small portion of critics is that Arnold didn’t really exist but was rather a figment of Connie’s imagination such as McConnell states in â€Å"Connie’s Tambourine Man: A New Reading of Arnold Friend† where he writes, â€Å"Connie is the framer, the story creator—and the diabolic traces in her fiction frighten her not because they are the manifestations of an outside evil but because they are the symbolic extrapolations of her own psyche† (1). There is no reason to think that Connie, a fifteen year old girl would imagine such a threatening older person. When Connie daydreams, she thinks of â€Å"the caresses of love† and boys such as the one she met the night before Arnold Friend showed up at the door. Connie daydreamed about â€Å"how nice [the boy] had been†, and Connie continues thinking of how sweet being with this boy had been. She related her experience to be like the movies and the way it was â€Å"promised in songs† (339). Connie was a young girl living her life according to the music, and she would not have daydreamed something as threatening and terrifying as Arnold Friend. While critics may disagree to what Arnold represents; there is significant evidence that Arnold was created to look, but not necessarily be, Bob Dylan. Arnold Friend’s physical description is that of Bob Dylan’s appearance in the 1960s. Oates makes reference to the radio DJ, Bobby King, which is in â€Å"reference to â€Å"Bobby† Dylan, the â€Å"king† of rock-and-roll† (McConnell, 1). McConnell also supports the theory that Arnold looks like Bob Dylan, with his â€Å"shaggy, shabby black hair that looked crazy as a wig,† (Oates, 340) his â€Å"long and hawk-like nose,† (Oates, 342) and his unshaven face. Arnold also had â€Å"big and white† teeth, his lashes, â€Å"thick and black as if painted with a black tar-like material† (Oates, 344) and his size, â€Å"only an inch or so taller† (Oates, 341) than Connie are all characteristic of Bob Dylan. Arnold â€Å"spoke in a fast, bright monotone† voice which â€Å"is also ‘suggestive of Dylan, especially since he speaks’ â€Å"in a simple lilting voice, exactly as if he were reciting the words to a song†Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ (Oates, 342) (McConnell, 1). When Connie became suspicious of his age, before she realized the danger she was in, small clues confirmed her feelings that he was indeed an older man. He used a mix of slang â€Å"as if he were running through all the expressions he’d learned but was no longer sure which of them was in style†. Arnold used his lyrical voice and pieces of lyrics from songs to confuse, comfort and then scare Connie. Connie recognized many of the lyrics used. Michael Kapper accurately portrays the influence of music in Connie’s life. Kapper writes, Rock’n’roll music is a constant presence in Connie’s life. At the drive-in, the background music is â€Å"something to depend on† (Oates, 337), and on Sunday afternoon, with no drive-in and no boys around, the music itself gives Connie joy. This omnipresence is even noteworthy in the music’s absence (1). It is important to decipher the similarities between â€Å"Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been? † and Bob Dylan’s â€Å"It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue†. While there are several other songs that are similar to the overall theme of Oates’ story, â€Å"It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue† has substantial similarities and support from several critics. The reoccurring lyric in â€Å"It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue† (Dylan) is â€Å"†¦it’s all over now†. Arnold Friend spends the majority of the time at Connie’s house explaining to her that her life as she knows it is over; at the end he says â€Å"it’s all over for you here, so come out† (349). Connie and her friend were very trusting and unaware of the consequences of their actions. Connie and friend risked crossing the highway to be able to act like adults, and â€Å"†¦listen to the music that made everything so good† (337). Dylan sings of the risks of living on the edge in â€Å"It’s all Over Now, Baby Blue†, warning that â€Å"the highway is for gamblers, better use your sense† (7). Connie gambles with her life both by crossing a busy highway and by trusting people she does not know. Arnold tells Connie that her time in her home was over, telling Connie, â€Å"†¦they don’t know anything about you and never did and honey you’re better than them because not a one of them would have done this for you† (Oates, 350). Arnold also makes himself look as if he is a saint saving Connie from her family who does not understand her. This is also present in â€Å"It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue†, where Dylan sings â€Å"look out the saints are comin’ through† (5). Dylan sings that â€Å"The carpet, too, is moving under you† (17), this must be what Connie felt when she realized Arnold was a â€Å"forty-year-old baby† (Oates, 344) and when she realized that she would not see her mother or sleep in her bed again. In the final few verses of Dylan’s song it states; â€Å"leave your stepping stones behind, something calls for you. Forget the dead you’ve left, they will not follow you† (19. 20). Oates’ story echoes Dylan’s song. Connie is leaving her home where she has learned and grown such as stepping stones and she will never see her family again; whether she dies or must stay with Arnold Friend against her will is personal interpretation. Arnold Friend however made it clear that she would not return. It is evident from the wealth of literary analyses that Joyce Carol Oates’ story â€Å"Where Are You Going? Where Have You Been? † will continue to have mixed interpretations of its characters, influence and overall theme. It is undeniable however, from Oates’ dedication of the story to Bob Dylan and the overwhelming similarities of â€Å"It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue† to Oates’ story that both the story and Oates was heavily influenced by Bob Dylan visible in both the antagonist’s characteristics, the choice of words and the overall importance of music to the characters and theme of the story. References â€Å"It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue†. Lyrics. Sony NY BMG Music Entertainment. (2007). 31 August 2007 Jordan, Tonia. â€Å"Who Is Arnold Friend? † Ezinearticles. com. (2006). 1 September 2007 Kapper, Michael, C. â€Å"A Virgin in the Backseat Smoking Hash: Joyce Carol Oates’s â€Å"Where are You Going, Where Have You Been? † The Joyce Carol Oates Papers. (1996). 1 September 2007 Latta, Alan, D. â€Å"Spinell and Connie: Joyce Carol Oates Re-Imagining Thomas Mann? † Connotations 9. 3 (1999/2000): 316-29. 31 August 2007. < ht tp://www. uni-tuebingen. de/uni/nec/latta93. htm> McConnell, Leigh. â€Å"Connie’s Tambourine Man†. Blog. (2007). 31 August 2007. http://conniestambourineman. blogspot. com/2007/07/connies-tambourine-man. html â€Å"Oates, Joyce Carol: INTRODUCTION. † Short Story Criticism. Ed. Joseph Palmisano Project Editor. Vol. 70. Gale Group, Inc. , 2004. eNotes. com. 2006. 30 Aug, 2007 oates-joyce-carol> Schwartz, Aaron. The Story â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? † by Joyce Carol Oates. Ezinearticles. com. (2007). 30 August 2007 http://ezinearticles. com/? The-Story-Where-Are-You-Going,-Where-Have-You-Been? -by-Joyce-Carol-Oates&id=324443 Showalter, Elaine. â€Å"Where Are You Going, Where Have You Been? â€Å". Rutgers UP: New Jersey. (1994). 30 August 2007 http://jco. usfca. edu/where. html

Dulce Et Decorum Est And The Soldier

Dulce et decorum est is written regarding the First World War in the hindsight of the battle of the Somme. This takes a somewhat cynical view on warfare. The soldier by Rupert Brooke on the other hand takes a very strong patriotic feel and this shines through more then anything else. The soldier paints a picture of English serenity and whereas â€Å"dulce et.† portrays Owens anger at the indifference of those at home who continued to propagate lies. You can see the influence of Siegfried Sassoon in this piece. The language is more direct and shocking â€Å"guttering, choking, drowning† helps convey the grievance in the air. In the soldier the language is less deplorable and has a feel more of a love poem â€Å"her sights and sounds†¦ under an English Heaven† this coupled with the fact that the poem is written as a sonnet reiterates the feel of Love. Both poems are based on death in Wars. However Brooke paints a more glamorised and less direct picture of death â€Å"if I should die, think only this of me: That there's some corner of a foreign field†¦blest by suns of home.† This evokes the idealistic image of a perfect England in a ‘Golden' age, such as many believe existed immediately prior to the First World War. This does however expose the arrogance that Brooke perhaps had. It places too much importance on his own sacrifices and not on the general sacrifices being made by so many, and on the loss of a way of life, which the war would bring out like many other First World War poets such as ‘Edward Thomas' and ‘Charles Hamilton Sorely'. Owen on the other hand almost haunts the reader using fiery vocabulary to help depict the shocking death of a soldier â€Å"guttering, Choking, Drowning.† Owen clearly wanted to address the people at home and suggests to them that if, in their worst nightmares, they could re-live this experience, they would not keep repeating that it is good and sweet to die for your country. He is saying that no one who has witnessed these horrors could ever encourage anyone to take part in such a war. He had already pointed out the exhaustion of the soldiers â€Å"drunk with fatigue; deaf even to the hoots† helping the reader to visualise the lack of awareness of the soldiers. This certainly will give the reader a much more negative take on the war contaray to the over-hyped propaganda war that those at home believe. Brooke conveys the image that was painted by the media in Britain at the time of the war and even in death, he believes he cannot remove that sense of pride from him and his passing will not be in vain if, at home in England people are, once again happy and at peace. He feels that by his death he will have given back to England everything, and more, that it gave to him. The happiness and security earned by his sacrifice will buy his eternal peace † this heart, all evil shed away, A pulse in the eternal mind† Owen continues his cynicalism of the war in the last verse using necessarily harsh and wicked language â€Å"come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs†. They fling the man into a wagon, because they know there is no point in being gentle- he will soon be dead anyway. The description of his face and eyes â€Å"And watch the white eyes writhing in his face† gives him a ghost-like quality. This verse is intended to demonstrate the realism of a violent, u nnecessary death; hence it builds to a crescendo of anger, before a final earnest plea to stop the lies. These two poems could be no more different. ‘The soldier' is a poem supporting the war in a way not too dissimilar to the way the media in that time promoted it whilst ‘Dulce Et Decorum Est' is a pessimistic take on a war that was conveyed by the British media as far from the truth as possible. Owen wanted the British people to know the truth about the war and expressed these feelings best in his poetry. Brooke in contrast went along with the glamorized image that had been portrayed by the media, which wasn't a fair reflection on the war.

I’m the King of the Castle Essay

(i) With close reference to the passage, give evidence to show how Hooper knew that locking Kingshaw in the Red Room would scare him. From the beginning of this chapter three, we have already been exposed to the fears of the despondent young boy – Kingshaw. In this passage, Hooper welcomed the supposed to be honoured Kingshaw into the Red Room. When the door was opened wide for Kingshaw, he stepped a little into the room and then he stopped. While Hooper was standing â€Å"beside the doors, the keys in his hand†. With a tuck from Hooper’s challenge to go on into the room and look around, â€Å"Kingshaw stiffened and moved slowly towards the first of the glass cases† and then â€Å"drew in his breath sharply†. Hooper was watching him intently waiting for the next chance to attack his prey. Kingshaw also gave his fear away when he stuttered upon asking, â€Å"who†¦where did they come from?† while trying to act interested about the dead moths in that dark and dreary room. The despot’s wit took him nearer to his opportunity. He offered the small key to â€Å"open one of the cases† so that Kingshaw could touch them but Kingshaw was very overwhelmed by his fear that he replied Hooper with a straight â€Å"No.† four times. That only led himself deeper into the tyrant’s trap. Not only did Kingshaw’s answers betrayed himself, he also started â€Å"moving backwards† and â€Å"only wanted to get out of the room†. This incident in the room only brought Hooper to confirm his suspicion of Kingshaw having a fear for dead things. Hooper was first given an impression with his first attempt of scaring Kingshaw upon his first meeting with him. The young tyrant lied to the vulnerable Kingshaw about his grandfather dying in the room and on the bed that Kingshaw was about to use. At that time, the young boy was oblivious towards Hooper’s tormenting words. Yet, his reaction said a lot about his inner being. Kingshaw upon knowing of the past of his new bedroom only â€Å"went to the suitcase and squatted down†. It was very obvious to Hooper that he was trying to act as if the fact that someone died in his room did not scare him at all. At ten years old, any young boy would have protested for another room and demand a confirmation from an adult but Kingshaw just kept mum. Hooper put Kingshaw to another test of a dead creature again after watching the boy being attacked by the life crow. He confronted Kingshaw about his fear – â€Å"You were scared. You were running away.† The helpless Kingshaw then got reminded of his encounter with the scarlet red mouth of the carrion crow and was very agitated when he asked Hooper to â€Å"Shut up, shut up†. Kingshaw obviously didn’t want to recall that terrifying incident again. However, the scheming Hooper placed a stuffed crow on Kingshaw’s bed at night. As Kingshaw was already very afraid of his room, as he believed Hooper’s lie that his grandfather died in his bed, Hooper wanted to use the stuffed crow to make the terror of the attack of that crow return. Also, considering Hooper’s devious mind, I believe he also placed the stuffed crow on Kingshaw’s bed in the night also to create an impression on him that it could be Hooper’s dead grandfather. When Kingshaw saw the stuffed crow on his bed the next morning, he knew for sure that Hooper was behind it. He also developed a fear towards Hooper from this as he realized that that tyrant was capable of anything to scare him even more. Yet, Kingshaw was so afraid to put himself to shame if he ever did cry out for help as he remembered his father was laughing at him about his childhood fear of drowning. Kingshaw also knew that Hooper was waiting for him to scream and yell thus he decided to consume his fear so that he could get the overhand over this psychological battle against Hooper. Hence, we can see very clearly that Hooper did very careful planning and made specific interpretations about Kingshaw’s fear of dead things and yearns for the stronghold against Kingshaw and his emotions. Thus upon confirming Kingshaw’s fear, Hooper moves on to locking him in the Red Room with the dead moths and other stuffed animals with very dark surroundings enhanced by the rain and grey skies outside that creates a threatening mood in Kingshaw. (ii) Describe one other incident where Hooper preys on Kingshaw’s fears and discuss the effect of that incident on Kingshaw. Write with reference till where we stopped – Chapter 6. One other incident apart from that of locking Kingshaw in the Red Room on that rainy night, I believe very strongly that the stuffed crow created a very deep threat in Kingshaw’s life in Warings and he was bent on running away from his greatest fear right now – Edmund Hooper. Kingshaw was exceptionally traumatized from his attack of the living crow. It was like Hooper – aggressive, territorial and left no space for him to escape. The crow caused him â€Å"to scream in a queer, gasping sort of way† which shows us how terrified of the crow Kingshaw was. The crow seemed to have a craving to hurt him and Kingshaw was left totally helpless and almost unable to make a sound because of his terror and shock. The vicious attack of that crow showed how trapped and isolated Kingshaw was in Warings. Hence when Hooper exploits Kingshaw’s fear of the crow and dead things, Kingshaw started to have a fear for Hooper grow in him. Especially when he realizes that Hooper used the stuffed crow to terrorise him and also to hint to him about himself being kept under close observation and can be defeated anytime by a click of Hooper’s fingers. Although the living crow attacked Kingshaw physically, he knew very clearly that the stuffed crow was to attack him psychologically and that Hooper has had seen through his brave front. Kingshaw tried very hard to battle the fear inside him so that Hooper would not win him. However, after being locked inside the Red Room with all the dead animals, Kingshaw yearns for somewhere he can hide away from Hooper’s supervision. He hates Hooper now. Kingshaw did find a room of his own, his personal space in Warings somewhere that Hooper does not hold control of. It was a small room that â€Å"seemed never to have had any particular function of its own†. Although the room was small, Kingshaw was not afraid of it. The author was trying to tell us that the claustrophia was towards being locked up and not of minimal spaces. Kingshaw was actually fine with the idea about locking himself in that room full of antique dolls as a way of â€Å"defending himself† against Hooper. He only panics when somebody else locks him in a room, against his own will. His secret room was a very little room compared to Hooper’s confident Red Room. This tells a lot of Kingshaw’s insecurity and his sensitive and gentle character as the room was filled with a collection of female dolls. However, Kingshaw’s temporary sanctuary was not occupied for long, Hooper found his hiding place. His freedom was short-lived.

Political-economic ideologies, the nonprofit sector, the American Essay

Political-economic ideologies, the nonprofit sector, the American welfare state in the USA, and policy prescriptions for p - Essay Example Thus, at some point, the complex battle of these political parties complicates the deliberation and implementation of certain social and economic policies on the practical grounds. In this paper, analysis of the three major political positions will be discussed; namely, the left, the right, and the centrist movements. In here, we can see how the political spectrum affects the government, the private sector, and the non-profit organizations in the society as they try to give solutions to the problems of poverty and social welfare. The Right Conservatism, liberalism, libertarianism and nationalism are the common terms associated with rightist movement. The right usually pertains to the Republicans in the United States as influenced by Nixon, Raegan, Goldwater, Gingrich, Mc Carthy and many others (Bell xii). The origin of this movement can be drawn back from the ideas of aristocracy and monarchism. In this perspective, the preservation of control in the government usually takes over the policies for economic and political strategies (Bell 56). Basically, the rightist position in economic policies gives more focus on the ‘free-market’ system (Bell 463) which consequently supported the growth of capitalism in the community.

Introdiction to airline and airport management Essay

Introdiction to airline and airport management - Essay Example It is important to evaluate whether these factors are positively affecting the commercial air transport or not. The expectations of air passengers have increased in terms of quality of air transport services. Since passengers groups can be segmented into various categories based on different variables therefore, their needs may vary. The immense variability among the needs of the passengers has always been a major concern for the airlines. The ultimate need of all passengers is their satisfaction. Apart from the service quality improvements made by all airlines, the airports have widely adopting the quality criteria. Since the airports are also operating in a more competitive environment therefore, airport management is improving to serve passengers in a better manner. In the previous years, the customers used to buy tickets directly from the airlines and no contractual relationship used to exist between the customers and the airport. Today, the situation is very different because even without having any contractual relationship with the airports, the passengers expect to have excellent airport services. For fulfilling the needs of the passengers, the airport nowadays are giving great focus towards ground handling, security checks, airport access and border controls etc. The European airports have developed â€Å"Airport Voluntary Commitment on Air Passenger Service.† It has been developed after the extensive consultation of airport management with Consumers, European Commission and European Government. According to the voluntary commitment, European airports accept the responsibility to provide defined quality of services to the travellers without any legal binding on a consistent basis. For example, according to Airport Voluntary Commitment, â€Å"Each airport will prominently publicise the services it offers for assisting passengers with reduced mobility (PRMs).† 2 The

Cezanne's treatment of pictorial depth Assignment

Cezanne's treatment of pictorial depth - Assignment Example The essay "Cezanne's treatment of pictorial depth" concerns the painting of Cezanne. His compositions reveal innovative techniques such as the use of colour and intensity, as well as the interaction between the three-dimensional with the two-dimensional plane of the composition for creating pictorial depth. Important non-traditional elements in his work relate to the use of distortion and flat surfaces in his paintings. Paul Cezanne’s art consisted of steadfast searching and growth, and was not a process of creating masterpieces easily. He struggled with himself and his medium and produced classical works in which he achieved detachment by mastery over chaotic impulses. The restlessness of his early art gave way to Impressionism which guided Cezanne to use nature as his inspiration. The Provencal landscape captivated Cezanne more than any other. During the 1890s, he spent most of his time in Aix, however, making frequent trips to Paris. In the summer of 1896, at a health resor t in Talloires on Lake Annecy, he painted the following composition of the lake seen in Figure 1, â€Å"one of the most impressive of all the landscapes that Cezanne painted outside Provence†. In figure 1. above, of lake Annecy, the water’s surface appears dense and solid, its effect is motionless and tectonic or caused by structural deformation of the earth’s crust, similar to the mountain in the background which appears as an immense solid mass. Before composing this painting, Cezanne absorbed the scene, registering colour sensations.

Interpersonal Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Interpersonal Communication - Essay Example First, I am very opinionated. I do not necessarily have an opinion on every issue, but when I set my opinion on a certain issue, it is most probably because I evaluated the idea carefully and thoroughly. I have always thought that being such, I have the right to force my opinion on other people. I am usually like this with my friends, or those who are around my age bracket. I have no bad intentions in doing so. Usually, I become forceful in talks when I feel like I am doing the other person a favor by correcting his or her mistake. I usually put their opinion on the hot seat, and then point out the areas why that opinion is a mistake. I do it in a matter-of-fact manner that I usually do not care if the other person is getting offended or hurt. I notice that the other person will usually just say yes to me to close the topic, or keep quiet until he or she finds an opportunity to change the subject. Second, I have always believed that when I am right, I need to prove it. Sometimes, I go to lengths such as dissecting the issue just to show the other person that I was right. I do not have an issue in admitting that I am wrong if I am wrong, that is probably why I expect other people to be the same. I usually do this with my parents, especially when I feel that they underestimate my ideas just because I am younger and have lesser experiences than they have.I do not feel, however, like scoring points. ... I do not feel, however, like scoring points. I just want them to realize that there are times when I am right too. However, such conversations would end up either heatedly or with me being forced to shut up, which I do not appreciate. This would make me put a double effort in proving that I am right (usually by bringing up past conversations or arguments) when the next opportunity comes. Third, despite being opinionated and having strong character, I am a very happy person to be with. However, I seem to be very direct, or my sense of humor sometimes offends others who are a bit sensitive. For me, it is usually to break the ice or to encourage a cheerful mood when it gets awkward or dull. I always make it a point to be politically correct, but others still see my sense of humor as insensitive sometimes. While my upbeat personality may draw people to me and make them generally happy to be with me, I want to change some of my communication styles because I do not like offending or hurti ng people unnecessarily, even if they had been unintentional. Research on Self-Analysis of Communication Styles I have recently noticed how easy it is for my conversations with people who are close to me to go around in circles. What starts as a normal conversation would lead to an argument. Looking back to all those times, a big percentage of those arguments were due to trivial matters. I figured out it must have something to do with my communication styles. I remember a famous line that says, â€Å"It is not what you say, but how you say it.† This is the major point of my research regarding interpersonal communication. I believe that what is flawed is not my intention nor my message, but how I express my thoughts. As I have earlier mentioned, I

Global Business Communication Issues Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Global Business Communication Issues - Essay Example To effectively market the products in every export territory, business enterprises must communicate in the local languages. The implications of such a requirement are that the business enterprises should translate their product information, business communications, and marketing collateral. To create communications that are relevant to the local market needs a translation that exceeds the domestic content is required. Therefore, companies must make their advertising copies incorporate the benefits that specifically meet the needs of the local buyers and product descriptions to comply with the local practices and regulations. Solving this communication challenge requires that international companies should have localization agencies in different countries. Another critical issue in the global business communication is that of using consistent product terminologies. There is a significant challenge for every manufacturer to ensure that the names of the components, products, and spare p arts are consistently used in every export territory. Lack of consistent product terminologies creates a problem in supplying the right spare parts or products. To address this problem, the international companies must develop databases of technical terms and products and provide the translations of these technical terms to the local distribution and marketing agencies. The global business enterprises should undertake a global terminology management to ensure the consistency of communication and avoid costly errors.

Strengths-Based Leadership Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Strengths-Based Leadership - Term Paper Example Additionally, this paper explicates strategies for applying my leadership strengths in a health care organization to improve quality and safety. My top five strengths include restorative, responsibility, empathy, relator, and belief. The healthcare profession is today faced with many problems that hinder the provision of quality and safe care. In laymans terms, restorative strength is the ability to solve problems. This strength enables me to decipher challenges that affect provision of safe and quality care and therefore formulate new strategies to address them. Laureate Education (2013) asserts that health care professionals are provide care for patients from different age groups, different educational levels, and different levels of understanding. In this regard, my responsibility strength enables me to handle patients presenting with divergent needs with the highest of quality. Being responsible means that I value my responsibilities in relation to provision of quality and safe care. Empathy as a strength also helps me in provision of quality and safe care to patients. In explication, empathy is compassion or kindness. B eing kind means being sensitive of the needs of the patients and therefore, this strength helps me align care with the safety and quality needs of the patients. Being a relator denotes my ability to create and foster good and healthy relationship with my colleagues. Good relationships enhances teamwork and collaboration and as a result leads to improved job satisfaction. This also contributes to the provision of quality and safe care as all stakeholders work as a team. In relation to my strength of belief, I consider my job of more importance than the financial benefits I get from it. This means that I focus much of my attention on the welfare of the patients and in so doing, I achieve the highest possible performance in terms of provision of

Sociology Research Essay Example for Free

Sociology Research Essay Sexism is also known as  gender discrimination  or  sex discrimination, is defined as prejudice or discrimination based on sex; or behavior, conditions, or attitudes that foster stereotypes of social roles based on sex. Sexism is a form of discrimination or devaluation based on a persons sex, with such attitudes being based on beliefs in traditional stereotypes of gender roles. The term  sexism  is most often used in relation to discrimination against women, in the context of patriarchy. Sexism involves hatred of or prejudice towards a gender as a whole or the application of gender stereotypes. Sexism is often associated with gender-supremacy arguments. Gender stereotypes A 1952 magazine feature stereotyping women drivers. Gender stereotypes are widely held beliefs about the characteristics and behavior of women and men. Gender stereotypes are not only descriptive, but also prescriptive beliefs about how men and women should be and behave. Members of either sex who deviate from prescriptive gender stereotypes are punished; assertive women, for example, are called bitches whereas men who lack physical strength are seen as wimps. Empirical studies have found widely shared cultural beliefs that men are more socially valued and more competent than women at most things, as well as specific assumptions that men are better at some particular tasks (e. g. , mechanical tasks) while women are better at others (e. g. , nurturing tasks). For example,  Fiske  and colleagues surveyed nine diverse samples, from different regions of the United States, and found that members of these samples, regardless of age, consistently rated the category men higher than the category women on a multidimensional scale of competence. Gender stereotypes can facilitate and impede intellectual performance. For instance,  stereotype threat  can lower womens performance on mathematics tests due to the stereotype that women have inferior quantitative skills compared with men. Stereotypes can also affect the assessments people make of their own competence. Studies found that specific stereotypes (e. g. , women have lower mathematical ability) affect women’s and men’s perceptions of their abilities (e. g. , in math and science) such that men assess their own task ability higher than women performing at the same level. These biased self-assessments have far-reaching effects because they can shape men and women’s educational and career decisions. Gender stereotypes are sometimes applied at an early age. Various interventions were reviewed including the use of fiction in challenging gender stereotypes. For example, in a study by A. Wing, children were read  Bills New Frock  by  Anne Fine. The content of the book was discussed with them. Children were able to articulate, and reflect on, their stereotypical constructions of gender and those in the world at large. There was evidence of children considering the different treatment that boys and girls receive, and of classroom discussion enabling stereotypes to be challenged. Sexist and gender-neutral language Research has found that the use of  he  as a generic pronoun evokes a disproportionate number of male images and excludes thoughts of women in non gender-specific instances. Results also suggest that while the plural  they  functions as a generic pronoun for both males and females, males may comprehend  he/she  in a manner similar to  he, as  he  usually is placed before the dash and  she  after. This is usually done because the word  she  already contains the word  he  so it is positioned after the dash. It also has nothing to do with stereotypical gender roles. Nearing the end of the 20th century, there is a rise in gender-neutral language in western worlds, which is often attributed to the rise of  feminism. Gender-neutral language  is the avoidance of  gender-specific job titles, non parallel usage, and other usage that is considered by some to be sexist. Supporters claim that having gender–specific titles and gender–specific pronouns either implies a systemic bias to exclude individuals based on their gender or else as unnecessary in most cases as race-specific pronouns, religion-specific pronouns, or persons-height-specific pronouns. Some of those who support gender-specific pronouns assert that promoting gender-neutral language is a kind of semantics injection itself. Anthropological linguistics and gender-specific language Unlike the  Indo-European languages  in the west, for many other  languages  around the world,  gender-specific pronouns  are a recent phenomenon that occurred around the early 20th century. As a result of  colonialism, cultural revolution occurred in many parts of the world with attempts to modernize and westernize by adding gender-specific pronouns and animate-inanimate pronouns to local languages. This resulted in the situation of what was  gender-neutral pronouns  a century ago suddenly becoming gender–specific. (See for example  Gender-neutrality in languages without grammatical gender: Turkish. ) Gender-specific pejorative terms Gender–specific pejorative terms intimidate or harm another person because of their gender. Sexism can be expressed in a pseudo–subtle manner through the attachment of terms which have negative gender oriented implications  such as through  condescension. Many examples include swear words. A mildly vulgar example is the uninformative attribution of the term hag for a woman or fairy for a man. Although hag and fairy both have non-sexist interpretations, when they are used in the context of a gender–specific pejorative term these words become representations of sexist attitudes. The relationship between rape and misogyny Research into the factors which motivate perpetrators of  rape  against a specific gender, for example, women, frequently reveals patterns of hatred of said gender and pleasure in inflicting psychological and/or physical trauma, rather than sexual interest. Researchers have argued that rape is not the result of pathological individuals, but rather systems of male dominance, cultural practices and beliefs that objectify and degrade women. Mary Odem, Jody Clay-Warner and Susan Brownwiller consider sexist attitudes to be propagated by a series of myths about rape and rapists. They state that contrary to those myths, rapists often plan a rape before they choose a victim and that acquaintance rape  is the most common form of rape rather than assault by a stranger. Odem also states that these rape myths propagate sexist attitudes about men by perpetuating the thought that men cannot control their sexuality. In response to  acquaintance rape, the Men Can Stop Rape movement has been implemented. The US military has started a similar movement with the tagline My strength is for defending. Occupational sexism Occupational sexism refers to any  discriminatory  practices, statements, actions, etc. based on a persons  sex  that are present or occur in a place of  employment. One form of occupational sexism is  wage discrimination. In 2008, the  Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development  (OECD) found that while female employment rates have expanded considerably and the gender employment and wage gaps have narrowed virtually everywhere, on average, women still have 20% less of a chance to have a job and are paid 17% less than men. Moreover, the report stated: [In] many countries, labor market  discrimination  Ã¢â‚¬â€œ i. e. the unequal treatment of equally productive individuals only because they belong to a specific group – is still a crucial factor inflating disparities in employment and the quality of job opportunities [ ] Evidence presented in this edition of the  Employment Outlook  suggests that about 8% of the variation in gender employment gaps and 30% of the variation in gender wage gaps across OECD countries can be explained by discriminatory practices in the labour market. The report also found that despite the fact that almost all OECD countries, including the U. S. have established anti-discrimination laws, these laws are difficult to enforce. Gender stereotypes Gender roles  (or sex roles) are attitudes and activities that a society links to each sex. A culture that defines males as ambitious and competitive encourages them to seek out positions of leadership and play team sports. To the extent that females are defined as deferential and emotional, they are expected to be supportive helpers and quick to show their feelings. According to the  OECD, womens labor market behavior is influenced by learned cultural and social values that may be thought to discriminate against women (and sometimes against men) by stereotyping certain work and life styles as male or female. Further, the OECD argues that womens educational choices may be dictated, at least in part, by their expectations that [certain] types of employment opportunities are not available to them, as well as by gender stereotypes that are prevalent in society. There is a long record of women being excluded from participation in many professions. Often, women have gained entry into a previously male profession only to be faced with additional obstacles. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive an M. D. in the  United States  and  Myra Bradwell, the first female lawyer in the state of  Illinois, illustrate the prevalence of women being excluded from certain professions and the changing culture. Professional discrimination continues today according to studies done by  Cornell University  and others. Some have hypothesized that gender bias has been influencing which scientific research gets published. This hypothesis coincides with a test conducted at the  University of Toronto  led by Amber Budden. The study showed that, in the journal  Behavioral Ecology, after implementation of double-blind review in which both the author and reviewer identity is concealed, there was an increase of 7. 9% in the number of papers authored by women. This was more than three times the increase of female ecology graduate students in the United States. In addition, women frequently earn significantly lower wages than their male counterparts who perform the same job. In the U. S. , for example, women earn an average of 23. 5% less than men. In 1833, women working in factories earned only one-quarter of mens wages, and in 2007, womens median annual paychecks reflected only $0. 78 for every $1. 00 earned by men. A study showed women comprised 87% of workers in the child care industry and 86% of the health aide industry. Some experts believe that parents play an important role in the creation of values and perceptions of their children. The fact that many girls are asked to help their mothers do housework, while many boys do technical tasks with their fathers, seems to influence their behavior and can sometimes discourage girls from performing such tasks. Girls will then think that each gender should have a specific role and behavior. A 2009 study found that being overweight harms womens career advancement but presents no barrier for men. Overweight  or  obese  women were significantly under-represented among company bosses, whereas a significant proportion of male executives were overweight or obese. The author of the study stated that the results suggest that the glass ceiling effect on womens advancement may reflect not only general negative stereotypes about the competencies of women, but also weight bias that results in the application of stricter appearance standards to women. Overweight women are evaluated more negatively than overweight men. There is a tendency to hold women to harsher weight standards. At other times, there are accusations that some traditionally female professions have been or are being eliminated by its roles being subsumed by a male dominated profession. The assumption of baby delivery roles by doctors with the subsequent decline of  midwifery  is sometimes claimed to be an example. Wage gap [pic] Euro stat  found a persisting gender pay gap of 17. 5% on average in the 27  EU Member States  in 2008. Similarly, the OECD  found that female full-time employees earned 17% less than their male counterparts across OECD countries in 2009. In the U. S. , the female-to-male earnings ratio was 0. 77 in 2009, meaning that, in 2009, female full-time, year round (FTYR) workers earned 77% as much as male FYTR workers. Womens earnings relative to mens fell from 1960 to 1980 (from 60. 7 percent to 60. 2%) and then rose rapidly from 1980 to 1990 (from 60. 2% to 71. 6%), and less rapidly from 1990 to 2000 (from 71. 6% to 73. 7%) and from 2000 to 2009 (from 73. 7% to 77. 0%). At the time when the first  Equal Pay Act  was passed in 1963, female full-time workers earned 58. 9% as much as male full-time workers. The gender pay gap has been attributed to differences in personal and workplace characteristics between women and men (education, hours worked, occupation etc. as well as direct and indirect discrimination in the labor market (gender stereotypes, customer and employer bias, etc. ). Studies always find that some portion of the gender pay gap remains unexplained even after controlling factors that are assumed to influence earnings. The unexplained portion of the wage gap is attributed to gender discrimination. The estimates for the discriminatory component of the gender pay gap vary widely. The OECD estimated that approximately 30% of the gender pay gaps across OECD countries is due to discrimination. Australian research shows that discrimination accounts for approximately 60% of the wage differentials between women and men. Studies examining the gender pay gap in the United States  show that large parts of the wage differential remain unexplained even after controlling for factors that affect pay. One study examined college graduates and found that the portion of the pay gap that remains unexplained after all other factors are taken into account is 5% one year after graduating college and 12% 10 years after graduation. Research done at  Cornell University  and elsewhere indicates that mothers are less likely to get hired than equally qualified fathers and, if hired, would be paid a lower salary than male applicants with children. The  OECD  found that a significant impact of children on women’s pay is generally found in the United Kingdom and the United States. ]  Fathers, on the other hand, earn  $7,500 more on average that than men without children. Glass ceiling The term glass ceiling is used to describe a perceived barrier to advancement based on discrimination, particularly gender discrimination. In academic achievement, great improvements have been made. However, as of 1995 in the United States, women received about half of all Masters degrees, but 95 to 97% of the senior managers of Fortune 1000 Industrial and Fortune 500 companies were male and in the Fortune 2000 Industrial and service companies, only 5% of senior managers were women. The  United Nations  asserts progress in bringing women into leadership and decision making positions around the world remains far too slow. Objectification Some argue that  sexual objectification  is a form of sexism. Some countries, such as  Norway  and  Denmark, have laws against sexual objectification in advertising. Nudity itself is not banned, and nude people can be used to advertise a product, but only if they are relevant to what is being advertised. Sol Olving, head of Norways Kreativt Forum, an association of the countrys top advertising agencies, explained, You could have a naked person advertising shower gel or a cream, but not a woman in a bikini draped across a car. Sexism in the Workplace Sexism in education is clearly associated with sexism in the workplace. When women are expected to â€Å"stay in the home,† they are unable to access the necessary educational resources to compete with men in the job market. If by chance they are able to secure a position, women may be less prepared educationally for the task, and thus draw lower wages. In recent decades more women have entered the United States workforce. After WWII (from about 1947), about 30 percent of women were employed outside the home; today, at the start of the 21st century, the figure is well over 50 percent. (Some estimates approach 75 percent if â€Å"part-time† jobs are included. Yet women are far from treated equally on the job. Typically, they hold lower-paying, lower-status jobs than men. In fact, women may account for only 25 percent of the upper-level managers in large corporations. And although half of the employees in the largest, most prestigious firms around the United States may be women, perhaps as few as 5 percent or less actually hold senior positio ns. In general, women are under-represented in the higher-status, higher-paying occupations, such as university teaching, law, engineering, and medicine. In contrast, women are over-represented in the lower-paying occupations, such as public-school teaching, nursing, and secretarial work. In stereotypical female jobs, referred to as  womens ghettos, women are subordinate to the positions of men. For example, executives supervise secretaries who are likely to be women, and lawyers supervise paralegals, who are also likely to be women. Women in the same jobs as men usually earn less, even though these women may have the same or better training, education, and skills. As a general statistic, women make only 60 percent or less than men in comparable positions. Why this disparity? Sociologists speculate that, in some cases, the fact that women often must take time off to have and raise children interrupts their career path. As much as Americans may hate to admit it, women in the United States still bear the primary responsibilities of child-rearing. Conflicting demands may partly explain why married women with children are more likely to leave their jobs than are childless and single women.

Case Study on Strategic Management of Global Companies

Case Study on Strategic Management of Global Companies 1.1 What are the key differences between the two accounts of Hondas entry into the US market? 2The first case is narrated by The Harvard Business School based on the Boston consulting (BCG) Report whereas the second case, An Insiders Account of Hondas Entry into the US Market is a direct narration recorded by Richard Pascale. The BCG report explains on the Honda Company as a matured business and a mix of its competitors in the US. As affirmed in the case; Hondas competitors were Harley-Davidson, BSA, Triumph, Norton, and Moto-Guzzi. Whereas, the second case enlightens how the company initiated from scratch and its journey through the difficult times. Richard Pascales article explains the challenges that the company went through during its commencement, such as difficulty in getting funds; treatment of the motorcycle dealers was discourteous, while in the BCG article no challenges were mentioned. The BCG report emphasizes more on the Hondas in-depth research and development department for instance having more staff; as said in the article, the RD was staffed with 700 designers/engineers, increase in the production level as a result more investment in the RD department. While the second case doesnt explain anything with regard to the research and development since it is taking the business at an initiative level. The BCG report highlights target market in general whereas the second article explains target market in details as said in the case, the company chose Los Angeles as the location whereby their target market consisted of second and third generation of Japanese community. Richard Pascales article clearly identified the companys products offered to the market as stated in the article; the products were 50cc, 125cc, 250cc and 350cc machines while in the first essay explains the general overview of the companys products. 1.2 REFERENCE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY: Herbert Rotters former Goldwing page former Yamaha Virago 1100 page, Personal Homepage, Honda Motorcycle 350 CB [Image] http://www.porzellanpuppen.at/hpbikes/bikeenglish.htm Electronic Source Cover Page Image Greenwich University; Course Work: The Honda Effect, Case Study Scenario. CASE STUDY 2- LAURA ASHLEY 2.1 Map Laura Ashleys stakeholders using a power/interest matrix. 4Stakeholders are individuals, groups or organizations who are affected directly or indirectly by organizations goals, objectives, actions and policies. 5Stakeholder Analysis is a tool used to recognize the stakeholders and investigate their needs as they are the ones who are concerned with the actions taking place within the organization. The aim of this analysis is to identify the stakeholders interests, concerns and manage relationships with them. The method used to access stakeholders is Mendelows Stakeholder Matrix which has two dimensions; Power and Interest with four quadrants.  [6]  Interest talks about the stakeholders concern towards a project whereas power talks about the control over the project. Interest Minimal Effort people who need to be observed without boring them with unnecessary communication. Keep Informed people who need to be informed sufficiently, talked and make sure that no major issues take place. They can help with the developing the project details. Keep Satisfied people who need to be well satisfied with nothing much that would bore them whilst comprehending of the assignment. Key Player- people who must be associated and satisfied with the efforts made. 7Laura Ashleys stakeholders are Analysts, London Stock Exchange Market, Malayan United Industries (MUI) shareholder Dr. Khoo, Customers, Government and Suppliers. It is essential that the stakeholder management should be conducted so as to know each stakeholders level of power and interest along with their impact on the company. However it is sometimes difficult to locate all companys stakeholders in one frame as in the case of Laura Ashley. Beneath is the table, of the Stakeholder Map showing the strategies that are applied for Laura Ashley. Interest 2.2 REFERENCE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY: Vintage Verity Adoring all things vintage, retro and downright quirky Laura Ashley logo [Image] http://vintageverity.wordpress.com/2008/02/27/cath-kidson-v-laura-ashley/ Electronic Source Cover Page Image Business Dictionary, An Ask.com Service, Definition of Stakeholder http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/stakeholder.html Johnson et al, 2009, Fundamentals of Strategy: Definition of Stakeholder, 1st edn, page 90. Wikipedia, October 16, 2008, Stakeholder Analysis, Wikipedia Encyclopedia, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stakeholder_analysis BaBou, March 9th, 2008, Leadership Champions, What is Stakeholder Analysis? Part 1: Definition and aim of Stakeholder Analysis, http://leadershipchamps.wordpress.com/2008/03/09/what-is-stakeholder-analysis Mind Tools Essential Skills for an excellent career, Winning Support for your Projects, Stakeholder Analysis: Mendelows Stakeholder Matrix, http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newPPM_07.htm BaBou, March 10th, 2008, Leadership Champions, What is Stakeholder Analysis? Part 2: Mendelows Stakeholder Matrix, http://leadershipchamps.wordpress.com/2008/03/09/what-is-stakeholder-analysis/ Greenwich University; Course Work: Laura Ashley, Case Study Scenario CASE STUDY 3- APPLYING A BALANCED SCORECARD 3.1 What arguments would you use to persuade an organization to adopt the Balanced Scorecard approach? 9A Balanced Scorecard (BSC) is a tool that is used to measure a companys business activities in relation to its vision along with its strategies. It provides managers a complete knowledge of the business performance. 10Figure 1 Usually when organizations measure performance, it is the financial area that is given more attention while the rest of the aspects are not taken much into consideration. It is therefore important that organizations should pursue in using the balanced scorecard.  [11]  Below are some of the benefits which the organizations will gain. One of them being a source of direction since it guides the management as well as helps identify what needs to be measured in order to accomplish organizational goals which will in return act as a competitive advantage for the firm. With Balanced Scorecard, firms are able to determine both financial as well as non-financial measures. As said in the case study, the balance scorecard was to combine three new sets of measures with the customary financial ones, embracing the customer, learning and growth, and internal issues such as quality improvement and cost control. Balanced scorecard allows firms to develop as well as expand so as to align new organizational strategies, as said by Mr. Hofmeister in the case study, it gives us better and better alignment (between all operating units) and focuses attention on whats important and on results. Through the balanced scorecard, organizations are able to the compare past experience in order to improve its performance which will help predict what will happen in the future. Although the growth of practicing balanced scorecard is slow, however many organizations have already accepted and are applying it. 3.2 REFERENCE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY: Businessballs.com, Balanced Scorecard; Kaplan and Nortons organizational performance management tool Balance Scorecard [Image] http://www.businessballs.com/balanced_scorecard.htm Papaers4You, Guide on How to write University Essays, Coursework, Assignments and Dissertations: Definition of Balanced Scorecard, 2002-2007, http://university-essays.tripod.com/balanced_scorecard.html Business Knowledge Source, What is a Balanced Scorecard, and what does it have to do with manufacturing? Definition of Balanced Scorecard, http://www.businessknowledgesource.com/manufacturing/what_is_a_balanced_scorecard_and_what_does_it_have_to_do_with_manufacturing_023647.html Ali, Md. Mohobbot, The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) A Critical Analysis, http://eprints.lib.okayama-u.ac.jp/1391/1/18_0219_0232.pdf Queensland Government, Southbank Institute of Technology, Strategic goals: Balanced Scorecard Framework [Image] http://www.southbank.edu.au/site/about/corporate/mission.asp Balboa, Jun 26, 2005. ECheat; Porters Five Forces, Value chain, Balanced: Critically evaluation of Porters five forces, Value Chain Analysis, Balanced Scorecard Benefits of Balanced Scorecard. http://www.echeat.com/essay.php?t=27147 Business Knowledge Source, What is a Balanced Scorecard, and what does it have to do with manufacturing? Benefits of Balanced Scorecard, http://www.businessknowledgesource.com/manufacturing/what_is_a_balanced_scorecard_and_what_does_it_have_to_do_with_manufacturing_023647.html Partnering to Success, The Balanced Scorecard: Benefits from using the Balanced Scorecard, http://www.thebalancedscorecard.com/benefits_bsc.htm Ali, Md. Mohobbot, The Balanced Scorecard (BSC) A Critical Analysis: Benefits of Balanced Scorecard http://eprints.lib.okayama-u.ac.jp/1391/1/18_0219_0232.pdf Beverly Dianne Calhoun, Oct 19, 2004, Using the Balanced Scorecard to Determine Corporate Information Needs: Benefits of Balanced Scorecard http://www.designbydi.com/documents/BalScrCrd.pdf Greenwich University; Course Work: Appling a Balanced Scorecard, Case Study Scenario CASE STUDY 4- FIAT: REBIRTH OF A CARMAKER 4.1 Using the information in the case study undertake a SWOT analysis of Fiat at the time of Sergio Marchionnes appointment and suggest how a SWOT analysis in 2008 may differ. 13SWOT analysis is used for scanning an organization (internal factors) as well as its environment (external factors). The internal factors include strengths(S) and weaknesses (W) while the external factors include opportunity (O) and threats (T). 14 SWOT ANALYSIS FOR FIAT GROUP AUTOMOBILES: Below is a table showing SWOT Analysis before the year 2004. Strengths weaknesses Fiat offered differentiated products. That is; it provides the market with a variety of cars. The companys hierarchy line was long making it more bureaucratic. Fiat cars were viewed as a quality brand. It lacked well developed core competence lending to ugly and unstylish cars. The company was well reputed. It needed to maintain its debts. Ability of manufacturing small cars. Licensing agreement with Bosch for financial support in exchange with the diesel technology that Fiat had. opportunities Threats Fiat had a chance of wining the market share from rivals. Competition with existing automobile firms. The market is ready to accept the new and stylish cars. Partnership agreement with General Motors for giving it them the right to sell its cars. Risk of employing new members to the Fiat family. Table 1 Below is a table showing SWOT Analysis after the year 2004. Strengths weaknesses Distinctive competence of designing low cost equivalent four-cylinder engine. Limited resources. Using technology by means of computer for simulation. Lack of knowledge with regard to entering new markets. For example the Chinese market. Producing new and stylish car designs. Drop in the market share. Competitive advantage of cutting down time to reach the market. Declined performance of the company since Fiat only sold 2000 cars in china, India and Russia. Fiats cars are exploited to have relative fuel efficiency. It is the first carmaker to put forward diesel engines that met the so-called Euro 5 fuel standards. opportunities Threats Winning the market share. Rivalry of potential new competitors. Expanding product line with new and innovative stylish cars. Rivalry with existing competitors such as VW and PSA Peugeot Citroen. Entering into joint venture for instance, with companies like SAIC (China) and TATA (India). Adverse demographic. For insistence Russian market; is it ready to accept the cars offered to them? Entering new geographic markets such as Brazilian, China, India and Russia. Challenge in controlling quality of the car brand. Fiat cars expect to have lower average emissions than any other competitor due to its fuel efficiency. Risk of employing new members to the Fiat family. Table 2 Comparing SWOT analysis before and after 2004: The company is able to increase its growth by entering new and emergent markets. As said, Fiat is expecting to have its sales from different areas such as outside Western Europe, China, India, Russia and soon overtake Germany. Fiat will also be able to increase sales along with its market share whereas before 2004, its sales were dropped; market share had declined and a lot of debt was to be paid. With introduction of technology, new stylish cars were offered to the market with reducing time at development area so as to start the production as soon as possible. The firm was able to rectify mistakes that it made earlier. For example the licensing agreement with Bosch in exchange with the diesel technology that Fiat had. Below is a table showing a comparison between the two SWOT Analyses. 2004 2008 Sales were dropped, Market share declined and a lot of debt was pending to be paid. Sales along with its market share increased. Fiats core competence had ceased. Developed new competences such as designing low cost equivalent four-cylinder engine, usage of technology, cutting down time to reach the market, relative fuel efficiency, put forward diesel engines. Mistake of licensing with other companies in order to support their finances in exchange with their ability. The firm will not repeat the same mistake of licensing; hence it will protect its competitive advantages. The companys hierarchy line was long making it more bureaucratic. The hierarchy line had become shorter making it less bureaucratic allowing the process to be smooth. Table 3 By 2008, most of the weaknesses had been reduced due to the rearrangement of the organizational system however, at the same time; a lot of improvement has been made. Therefore in order to develop, it is essential that the company takes many risks, as done by the Fiat Group Automobiles, since it is through this, the company has reached where it is now. 4.2 REFERENCE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY: Legendarydevils, Thread: 140 Fiat Cars Wallpapers, Fiat Cars Image http://www.legendarydevils.com/english/2173933-140-fiat-cars-wallpapers.html Quick MBA Knowledge to Power your Business, Strategic Management: Defining SWOT Analysis. http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/swot/ Marketing Teacher Est 2000, Lesson: SWOT Analysis, Definition of SWOT analysis. http://www.marketingteacher.com/Lessons/lesson_swot.htm Greenwich University; Course Work: Fiat: Rebirth of a carmaker, Case Study Scenario. CASE STUDY 5- THE PROFITABILITY OF UK RETAILERS 15 5.1 Use the industry analysis framework to explain the profitability of the main supermarket chains in the UK. Analyzing profitability of any Industry is done through The Five Forces Model that was put forward by Michael Porter. Beneath is a figure of the model. 16Figure 1 17Below is an industrial analysis showing the profitability of the main UK supermarket chains. SUPPLIERS Bargaining power of the suppliers is Low since British firms have command over their suppliers. As said in the case; British firms are more experienced and more skillful in their buying power to extract better terms from suppliers. BUYERS Customers bargaining power is also Low since the supermarket groups have control over them. As said in the case; The UK groups exert massive buying power by utilizing the oligopoly power to impose a higher-than-normal price on their customers. RIVALRY The competition between existing supermarkets is extremely high, due to the fact that there are many groups within this industry which have similar products / services. SUBSTITUTES Threat of substitutes is high as customers can switch to other shops instead of going to the supermarkets since they might be charged with a higher price as compared to other shops providing similar products at a lower price. Secondly, the suppliers could also switch to other firms rather than the British supermarkets due to the buying power exerted by the supermarkets. THREATS OF NEW ENTRANTS With lots of competition, threat of new entrants is relatively high, since the industry is more profitable in UK. At the same time, UK groups have barriers that cause difficulty for new competitors to enter the industry. Some of them being: Application of IT in their logistics, Lower Labor costs and High own-label penetration. Reference list Carpenter, M, Bauer, T, Erdogan, B, Flatworld Knowledge, Principles of Management; Developing Strategy through External Analysis Porters Five Forces Analysis of Market Structure. [Image] http://www.flatworldknowledge.com/pub/1.0/principles-management/29047#web-29047 BUS 2700 Business Driven Information Technology, chapter 2: Identifying Competitive Advantages; The Five Forces Model Evaluating Business Segments. The Five Forces Model. [Image] http://bus2700-spring08.blogspot.com/2008/01/chapter-two-identifying-competitive.html Greenwich University; Course Work: The Profitability of UK Retailers Case Study Scenario. Tutors notes on Industrial Analysis: Five Forces Model Service design is one of the key resources that Novotel has, making it valuable. It includes the layout of the hotel allowing the customers to easily access the public spaces such as bars and restaurants. Distribution systems are attained by good relationships with distributors. Novotel has achieved to operate in both individual and corporate business as well as leisure markets. Firm infrastructure and Procurement Novotels relationships with partners develop a strong bond creating a valuable asset to the organization. Its efficiency allows delivering both economies of scale and scope making it rare and difficult to imitate. Staff retention is the most essential resource required in this industry. To retain and motivate, is a challenge Novotel was competent to do, thus reducing staff turnover through staff exchanges resulting to value creation. Standardization in all the locations worldwide is another benefit that Novotel has; allowing the staff to understand basic functions. This technique is valued and rare. Novotels Multi-skilled staff creates an exceptional resource and is most valued. The skills given to them during the training makes them capable of doing multiple tasks. Most of the capabilities conclude to be temporary competitive, since the industry is such that many competitors can imitate most of the capabilities and resources that the Novotel hotel has, directly or indirectly. Hence Novotels most sustainable competitive advantages are obtaining and retaining its multi-skilled staff that can work flexibly as well as having good relationships with suppliers. Reference list tophotelsphuket.com, Top Hotels in Phuket, Thailand, Novotel Hotels and Resorts Novotel logo [Image] http://www.tophotelsphuket.com/hotels/novotel-hotels-phuket.htm Applying the VRIO Framework: An Overview; VRIO Analysis. http://academic.udayton.edu/DianeSullivan/Other%20Helpful%20Files/Applying%20the%20VRIO%20Framework.doc Abraham Z. et al, Pacific Lutheran University School of Business, Vodafone Strategic Evaluation; VRIO Analysis, 2007. http://www.plu.edu/~vennataj/doc/vodafone.doc Scott Gallagher, 2004; Why do firm performance differ? Internal Analysis VRIO Analysis; Updated on 1st Nov 2007, http://falcon.jmu.edu/~gallagsr/WDFPD-Internal.pdf Greenwich University; Course Work: The Novotel Value Chain Case Study Scenario Tutors notes on: VRIO Analysis CASE STUDY 7- THE LEVISS PERSONAL PAIR PROPOSAL 7.1 What position in the market does Levis occupy (use the strategy clock to characterize its position)? 21Bowman derived the strategic clock into four quadrants, having eight dimensions namely; No fill, Low price strategy, Hybrid, Differentiation, Focused differentiation, Increased price / Standard value, Increased price / Low value, Standard price/ Low value. The clock is compared in terms of Perceived Price and Perceived Benefit or Added Value as shown below. By using the strategic clock, Levis business environment is positioned to be in the fourth category which is the Differentiation. This is because; Levis offers a variety of products that have added value as well as a premium price slightly higher than the normal in order to satisfy the consumers needs. Levis products have Quality, Brand Image and Product Design and as a result creates Price premium, Customer Loyalty, giving the company a competitive advantage against its competitors. Due to Levis brand recognition and loyalty, its price offered is also slightly higher than its rivals therefore prevents itself from entering the price-based competition. As said in the case; Due to brand recognition and loyalty they did not enter into price based competition thus controlling reasonable price premium Levis also provides a wide range of products such as pants, shorts, skirts, jackets, and outwear. As said in the case; while blue jeans remain the companys mainstay, the San Francisco based company also sells pants made of corduroy, twill and various other fabrics as well as shorts, skirts, jackets, and outwear. With a premium price, along with its strong brand name, Levis has been able to position itself in the differentiation category, resulting into value-added products, hence gaining higher profit margins. 7.2 REFERENCE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY: Feed the Interns A Daily Bite, Thursday, August 12th, 2010, Levis arent just for dads anymore?; Levis Logo [Image] http://feedtheinternsblog.blogspot.com/ Electronic Source Cover Page Image Dagmar Recklies, April 2001, Literature by: David Faulkner and Cliff Bowman, The Management.de The Essence of Competitive Strategy, The Strategic Clock Strategies on the basis of price and value: Differentiation strategy. http://www.themanagement.de/ressources/Strategy%20Clock.htm Strategy Explorers, Bases of Competitive Advantage: The Strategy Clock http://www.strategyexplorers.com/whitepapers/Do-you-have-a-competitive-strategy.pdf Zanthus Corp. 2007; Business Strategy Bowman, C. and Faulkner, D.; Competitive and Corporate Strategy; Irwin; 1996 Bowman Strategy Clock http://www.zanthus.com/databank/strategy/business_strategy.php?aspr Greenwich University; Course Work: The Levis Personal Pair Proposal Case Study Scenario. Tutors notes on: VRIO Analysis Zanthus Corp. 2007; Business Strategy Bowman, C. and Faulkner, D.; Competitive and Corporate Strategy; Irwin; 1996 -Bowman Strategy Clock:[Image] http://www.zanthus.com/databank/strategy/business_strategy.php?aspr CASE STUDY 8- THE VIRGIN GROUP 8.1 Does the virgin Group, as a corporate parent, add value to its businesses? If so how? 24According to Johnson et al, Corporate parenting is the level of management above that of the business units, and therefore without direct interaction with buyers and competitors. (Johnson et al, 2009, p.172). Below are some of the areas through which the Virgin Group corporate parent adds value to its businesses. First the corporate parent has added value in establishing a strong brand name such as being a consumers champion through which barriers to entry could be overcome. Virgin is a reputed and well known brand in the market, thus enabling it to expand itself in static markets. In addition, the Virgin Group has a good resource management team. Branson together with his expertise and experienced team, review business proposals every week, out of which, appropriate prospects that match with the Virgin brand are then discussed. This enables Virgin to identify industries as well as institutionalized markets in which to enter. Moreover, the corporate parent assists in reducing organizational risks by entering into many joint ventures. Through these ventures Virgin, is able to penetrate new or untapped feasible markets allowing it attain low costs as well as expansion. Furthermore, Virgin Groups management style and leadership system is decentralized providing its managers with flexibility in decision making. Branson is mostly involved when it comes to marketing and promotion. In terms of innovation, the brand name itself tends to invite like minded partners to venture new markets thus allowing innovation and differentiation. Indeed, Virgin Group as a corporate parent adds value to its business by always trying to venture untapped markets and manage the business in a liberal way. 25As said by Andrew Campbell et al, Fit between a parent and its businesses is a two-edged sword: a good fit can create value: a bad one can destroy it. (Thompson and Strickland, 2004, p.290) 8.3 REFERENCE AND BIBLIOGRAPHY: Rotty Seinfeld, Downtown Pets nyc dog services for lower Manhattan, Virgin founder Richard Branson on Charity and Dire Straits, Thursday, October 11th , 2007 at 7:45am; Virgin Group [Image] http://nyc_dog_blog.downtownpet.com/2007/10/virgin-found-richard-branson-on-charity.html Electronic Source Cover Page Image Johnson et al, 2009, Fundamentals of Strategy: Corporate Parenting, 1st edn, page 172 Rob Abdul, WSI Case Study: Virgin Corporate Strategy, Value Adding by Corporate Parent http://www.robabdul.com/the-virgin-group-case-study.asp The Role of the Corporate Parent Outline http://www.business.stir.ac.uk/teaching/Business%20Studies/Units/Autumn/StrategicManagement/4027Role%20of%20the%20corporate%20parent.ppt#257,1,The role of the corporate parent Exploring Corporate Strategy; The Virgin Group. http://esecourses.com/cfincase.pdf Scribd.com, Corporate Parenting Fundamentals, February 16th 2009, Corporate Parenting Style Supported its Strategic Implementation? http://www.scribd.com/doc/12456190/Corporate-Parenting-Fundmentals Greenwich University; Course Work: The Virgin Group Case Study Scenario. Tutors notes on: Corporate Parenting Thompson and Strickland, 2004, Strategic Management: Strategy and Competitive Advantage in Diversified Companies, Quotation on Corporate Parenting. 13th edn, page.290 Greenwich University; Course Work: The Virgin Group Case Study Scenario Flow chart of the Virgin Group Electronic Source- Article CASE STUDY 9- EXTENDING THE easy BUSINESS MODEL How would you characterize easyGroups growth strategies in terms of Ansoff matrix? 28Ansoff matrix is a tool used by the organization to establish growth strategies that focus on its product as well as market growth. It is divided into four quadrants namely; Market penetration, Market development, Product development and Diversification.  [29]  Below are the growth strategies used by the easyGroup. Existing Products New Products Existing Markets Market Penetration Product Development New Markets Market Development Diversification easyGroup penetrates its market by providing best services at low price thus attaining customer satisfaction and loyalty. As a result, companys market share increases. . For example, easyJet provides its customers with affordable services through various strategic campaigns and promotions. Additionally, easyCar rents brand new A-Class Mercedes cars at a lower price reflecting easyGroups brand. It has also established pick-up and drop-off areas nearer to the car parks by means of mobile vans. Moreover, easyGroup develops its products by either modifying or getting into new businesses within the same market. For example, the group expanded easyinternetcafe services by setting up smaller Points of Presence (PoP), within existing enterprises, example McDonalds, Burger King, and Subway. Furthermore, easyGroups market development involves offering existing products to new markets. The easyGroup is planning to extend its easyinternetcafe through franchising involving store establishment, local marketing and store maintenance as well as entering into international markets such as in US. For the case of easyCar, the group aims to expand its sites from 50 to 80. easyGroups diversification strategy enables it to increase its scope, by providing new markets with new services not only in the airline industry but also in other industries. For example easyGroup launched new ventures such as the easyCar, easyValue as well as easyMoney, and is now planning to enter into the cinema industry. Thus, the company experiences unrelated diversification strategy. 9.2 REFERENCES AND BIBLIOGRAPHY: easy.com more value for less, The portal site for all easyGroup companies, easyGroup logo [Image] http://www.easy.com/ Quick MBA Knowledge to Power your Business, Strategic Management; Ansoff Matrix Definition of Ansoff Matrix. http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/matrix/ansoff/ Marketing Teacher, Est 2000, Ansoff Matrix Planning for Growth; Definition of Ansoff Matrix http://www.marketingteacher.com/Lessons/lesson_ansoff.htm tutor2u, Ansoff product/ market matrix; Definition of Ansoff Matrix http://tutor2u.net/business/strategy/ansoff_matrix.htm university essays tripod, Guide to write university essays, course works, assignments and dissertation: Ansoff Analysis; http://university-essays.tripod.com/ansoff_analysis.html Custom essays from Degree Essays; Business Essays Easy Group Study, Strategic Direction Ansoff Matrix of easygroup http://www.degree-essays.com/essays/businessessays/easy-group-study.php Greenwich University; Course Work: Extending the easy Business Model, Ca

Software Distribution on the Internet :: Essays Papers

Software Distribution on the Internet As society has come to terms with the ever widening use of the computer, people are starting to ask themselves should everything on the computer or internet be free for them to download? The ethics of our society are tested to see if they will be chosen to become one of the ever-widen population, that downloads this free software off the internet and uses it to benefit their computers and their wallets. I will be researching some websites that offer free software links on the internet, and also will be looking at pirated software off the internet that allows people to download software without having to buy it. On a recent search for "free software", at the website http://www.yahoo.com/, I found over two thousand websites that either distributed or provided links to free software on the Internet. Most of the software was available in one of two forms: shareware and freeware. Shareware is the term given too many trial versions, versions with a time limit that allows you to try it for free, with send-payment if you decide to keep it. Freeware is the name given to software that is distributed, with full knowledge and consent of the owner, in its entirety. [1] An example of this kind of software is the LINUX operating system. The LINUX operating system was invented by Linus Torvalds, one of the world’s best computer programmers. Fed up with the MS-DOS system in the PC’s in the early 1990’s, he started his own operating system and it took off like a rocket. â€Å"I had no idea what I was doing. I knew I was the best programmer in the world. Every 21-year-old programmer knows that. â€Å"How hard can it be, it’s just an operating system?†Ã¢â‚¬  [2] Furthermore he made his software available for the public to download this software off the internet, and spark the evolution of the open source software era, where people can just take whatever they want and making the Software companies feel the damages, because everyone is stealing their software instead of buying it. I also conducted a search for "pirated software" at http://www.yahoo.com/. The results of this search gave me over 1800 listings. The majority of these sites have only one purpose. That is to distribute illegally copied versions of software programs. These software programs are usually found exactly as one would find them if they had purchased them from a store.

Pros And Cons Of Judicial Review :: Government Judicial Review Essays

Pros and Cons of Judicial Review   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Judicial Review is the power given to Supreme court justices in which a judge has the power to reason whether a law is unconstitutional or not. Chief Justice John Marshall initiated the Supreme Court's right to translate the Constitution in 1803 following the case of Marbury Vs. Madison, in which he declared the Supreme Court as the sole interpreters of Constitutional law. This is one of the sole purposes of the Supreme Court of the United States. Many Historical thinkers would find some difficulty in imagining a government set up to limit the power of itself,but others would argue that this form of government best works for the people, and not against them. The treatment of the Constitution by the Supreme Court as a "living" document that is able to be translated differently over time for the good of the people has as many skeptics as it does supporters. But, if we do not allow the Supreme Court to translate the Constitution who then, should the people chose to do such an important job.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If we were to look back at the ideas and thoughts of some of the greatest political thinkers of our time, we would find that individuals such as Plato, Niccolo Machiavelli, and John Locke, would share extremely different views as to whether or not Judicial review, and the Supreme Court as a whole, would be successful in their ideal government situations.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  One of the earliest political philosophers Plato, would find our present day governmental setup of the Supreme Court to be the ideal group to deal with the United States' situation. Plato felt that government should be run by enlightened philosopher kings, that would rule for the good of the people, and not themselves. We today see the Supreme Court as a collection of the most "enlightened" thinkers of our day. They are chosen to make moral decisions about laws made by others in our society, and decide whether or not the laws we make are in the best interest of our nation as a whole. Plato knew that within any political State their would be corruption, to stop the corruption Plato felt that the philosopher kings would best rule because they would not indulge themselves in a corrupt society. They only believed in the truth, and justice that government is supposed to protect its people with.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Although Plato would not totally agree with the Democratic structure of our government, I believe that he would chose for our society, a state that is ruled by a similar group to that of our Supreme Court because, the members of

Evil of Fulfillment in Toni Morrisons The Bluest Eye :: Toni Morrison The Bluest Eye

Evil of Fulfillment The Bluest Eye, by Toni Morrison, tells the sordid story of Pecola, a young colored girl, as she struggles to attain beauty, desperately praying for blue eyes. Depicting the fallacies in the storybook family, Morrison weaves the histories of the many colored town folk into the true definition of a family. Through intense metaphor and emotion, the ugliness of racial tension overcomes the search for beauty and in turn the search for love. Pecola, a twelve year old from a broken home, is first introduced when she is sent to live with Claudia (the narrator) and her family. Her father, Cholly Breedlove, a drunk, has burnt down the family's home and is now in jail. Here we see Pecola's want for beauty and her obsession with Shirley Temple and blonde haired, blue-eyed baby dolls as a common desire of young black females. This want for beauty is really a yearning for love, the love and adoration they see attributed to the living "dolls." [I wanted] to discover what eluded me: the secret of the magic they weaved on others. What made people look at them and say "Awwwww," but not for me? The eye slide of black women as they passed them on the street, and the possessive gentleness of their touch as they handled them (15). The children, so used to being beaten or whipped, have memories only of this treatment. They have never felt the warmth or love that they believe the white children receive. This pain turns them to believe that it is because of their color, their dark skin, dark eyes, and "woolly" hair, that they are not seen as being beautiful, and from these thoughts they begin to hate the beauty of the white children. Living in fear of her parents, Pecola becomes introverted and learns as many of the other children to deal with the pain. "[Mama's song] left me with the conviction that pain was not only endurable, it was sweet" (18). An undertone of sexual fantasies and discovery is present throughout the novel, as many of the characters have been products of loveless relationships. The men especially seek passion in the young girls, leading eventually to the confrontation between Pecola and Cholly, during which he rapes and impregnates her still developing body. It is after this immoral act that Pecola seeks Soaphead Church for the answer to her prayers.

Hutu Tribe

Hutu The mention of the word â€Å"Hutu† immediately conjures up images of mass murder from the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. The recent film Hotel Rwanda brought the horrible atrocities of that genocide to the public eye. However, it is not only in Rwanda that the Hutu have been involved in ethnic war. The country of Burundi, a neighbor to Rwanda, was the site of the first violence between the Hutu and the Tutsi. The Hutu people of Burundi have a rich culture and history that has been largely overshadowed by ethnic conflict. The Hutu are a Bantu tribe numbering about thirteen million (Newbury 2001).Traditionally the Hutu organized themselves in clans and family groups through patrilineal decent (Ndarishikanye 1998). Within these groups they practiced polygyny and bridewealth as part of the institution of marriage (McDonald et. al 1969). Like many African tribes the Hutu’s religious beliefs include the spirit world. The supreme God Imana is seen as the giver of all good whil e there are lesser spirits who do evil (book). The Hutu inhabit the high plateau of the central African Rift Valley and inhabited 85% of Rwanda and Burundi before the ethnic wars in those countries (CIA World Factbook).The Hutu inhabit diverse geographies. In the southeast region of the Rwanda and Burundi territory there are open grasslands which are ideal for pastoral people. In the western region of the countries there are mountains. The west is good land for agriculture because it reliably receives rainfall. In the northeast there are lowlands that are along Lake Tanganyika (Newbury, 2001). This vast array of ecologies provides different possibilities for food production or procurement.The Hutu are traditionally agriculturalist but they did get involved in herding cattle because of the closely related Tutsi tribe. The Hutu wanted cattle and the Tutsi wanted laborers. To appease both groups, agreements called ubuhake were made. These agreements exchanged the Tutsi cattle for the H utu labor. In other words when a Hutu entered this agreement he received cattle but in return became submissive to a Tutsi owner (Louis 1963). This is one reason that the minority Tutsi rose to control economics and rule over the majority Hutu, this would later lead to ethnic conflict.The ethnic conflict between the Tutsi and the Hutu is most famous in Rwanda but the Hutu of Burundi have also been severely affected by ethnic tension throughout the years. Understanding the causes and effects of the violence is a part of understanding the history of the Hutu people. The causes of the ethnic tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi are not simply explained. In fact, in 1931 Bernard Zuure, a missionary with seventeen years of work in Burundi, noted that it was pointless to distinguish between the Hutu and Tutsi because their cultures were so similar (Zuure 1931).What then caused the separation between the two ethnicities? According to Alphonse Rugambarara the separation of identities came wh en there was a specific political agenda to create separate Tutsi and Hutu ideologies. These terms created animosity and dichotomist identities where there was actually little difference (Rugambarara 1990). The identities of Hutu and Tutsi were so significant that other ethnicities or social segregations became less important. The role of the Hutu as submissive to the Tutsi was engrained in society.An example of this is that in the Kirundi language (spoken by the Hutu) there is not a word equivalent to the English equality or liberty so Hutu’s could not even verbalize a desire for freedom (Lermarchand 1995). Given the strong identity associated with ethnicity in Burundi the complications behind the explanation of the 1972 genocide are understandable. To get to the root of the problem or causes of the genocide is difficult because the perceptions of the Hutu and Tutsi about the conflict are very different (Lermachand 1995). Liisa Malkki studied Hutu refugees in Tanzania who ha d fled from the genocide.She discovered that in the refugee camps â€Å"mythico-histories† were created. These were stories or parables that the Hutu told which constructed their history and moral truths (Milkka, 1989). These stories were not necessarily untrue or true but they served to construct the identity of the Hutu and the cause of the genocide. The Hutu were not the only tribe developing â€Å"mythico-histories. † The truth is very hard to discern among many â€Å"histories† (Lermarchand 1995). Beyond the â€Å"why’s† of the conflict we can conclude the â€Å"what’s. † What actually took place in Burundi in 1972?In the spring of 1972 on April 29th the Hutu attempted a rebellion against the ruling Tutsi. In response the Tutsi retaliated with warfare. Within several weeks roughly 100,000 people were killed in the ethnic conflict. Of the total population of Burundi 3. 5 percent were wiped out (Mikksa 1989). This was not the last of ethnic violence in Burundi. In 1993 the country saw more violence when its first Hutu president, Melchior Ndadaye, was assassinated (Lemarchand 2001). The Hutu reacted to the Tutsi murder of their president by killing an estimated 20,000 Tutsi in the two months following the assassination (Lemarchand 2001).Blame for the violence between the two ethnicities cannot be placed on one group or the other, they are both responsible. The history between the Tutsi and the Hutu is full of attack and reaction sequences. Both the Tutsi and the Hutu wanted to have, â€Å"the last word. † With a long history of violence between Tutsi and Hutu in Burundi there have been severe repercussions. The largest affect of the genocide has been the diaspora of Burundi. The conflict in Burundi created both Tutsi and Hutu refugees in search of safety.The UN Refugee Agency (UN Refugee Agency 2007) estimated in June 2007 that a total of 464,026 Burundians had been displaced from their homes. Of that g roup 48,144 had returned to Burundi and 396,541 were still in refugee status (UN Refugee Agency 2007) Of the refugees still in refugee status, not including internally displaced persons (IDP) the UNHCR is assisting 164,191 (UN Refugee Agency 2007). What exactly do all these terms and numbers mean? Put simply they mean that there are hundreds of thousands of people who were forced or chased away from their homes and livelihoods.The UNHCR defines a refugee as â€Å"a person who is outside his/her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well-founded fear of persecution because of his/her race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country, or to return there, for fear of persecution† (UN Refugee Agency 2007) Under such conditions it is expected that any people group will undergo significant changes. Liisa Milkka has written a book about the ref ugee status of the Hutu’s in Tanzania.She spent one year in Tanzania studying two groups of refugees. Many refugees fled to Tanzania after the genocide of 1972 in Burundi. The first group lived in an isolated refugee camp and the other settled near the town of Kigoma. The town refugees tended to be dispersed amongst non-refugees while the camp refugees were concentrated all in one place (Milkka 1989). Because of these arrangements the town refugees assimilated into the town culture. They took on many identities and did not solely live as â€Å"Hutu† or as â€Å"refugees† (Milkka 1992). Naturally it was more ifficult for the camp people to do the same because they had isolated themselves from the Tanzanians. The camp culture glorified the Hutu identity as the original inhabitants of Burundi who would one day return there to reestablish their kingdom (Milkka 1989). The status of refugee for these camp people was a great thing. It made them become â€Å"a purer an d more powerful Hutu† (Milkka, 1992). These differences between refugee definitions of â€Å"Hutu† complicate the Hutu ethnicity further. Instead of creating more confusion and uncertainty for the Hutu there should be a movement toward unity.This is exactly the approach that the Burundi government has taken to appease the violence between the Hutu and the Tutsi. Instead of stressing differences the government wants to stress unity. By focusing on national unity, democracy, and individual rights the Burundi government has tried to dissolve ethnic tensions (Ndarishikany, 1998). Some discussion has been made about the benefit that could come from reinstating the Burundian abashingatahe (Herisse 2002), which in traditional Burundian society was a judge, moral interpreter and well respected man (Newbury, 2001).The abashingatahe served to reconcile families with communities, certify marriages, settle litigations, maintain peace, and in general speak in favor of human rights ( Herisse 2002). It is argued that bringing this social force back into practice will begin to reconstruct social unity in Burundi. This may be just what the Hutu people need to come together and rebuild. The troubles of the genocides between the Tutsi and Hutu have strained both cultures. Many refugees created by the genocides in Rwanda and Burundi have integrated themselves into foreign cultures.Just an hour to the north of us there are Burundi refugees in the city of Buffalo. These refugees come to the US speaking little if any English. They eventually get jobs and become functioning civilians. As Burundians assimilate into American culture they will eventually lose some of their â€Å"distinct† cultural features. Understanding some of the history of Burundian Hutu’s and the reasons behind the ethnic conflict with the Tutsi can increase the effectiveness with which we help refugees integrate into American society. Works Citied CIA World Factbook. (Nov. 1 2007). Burund i.Retrieved Nov. 13, 2007. https://www. cia. gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/by. html#People Lemarchand, Rene. (1998). Genocide in the Greak Lakes: Which Genocide? Whose genocide? African Studies Review, 41, 3-16. Retrieved November 7, 2001, from JSTOR. Malkki, Liisa. (1992). National Geographic: The Rooting of Peoples and Territorialization of National Identity among Scholars and Refugees. Cultural Anthropology, 7, 24-44. from JSTOR. Malkka, Liisa. (1989). Purity and Exile  : Transformations in Historical-National Consciousness among Hutu Refugees in Tanzania.Ann Arbor: University Microfilsm. Malkki, Liisa H. (1996). Speechless Emissaries: Refugees, Humanitarianism, and Dehistoricization. Cultural Anthropology, 11, 377-404. Retrieved November 11, 2007, from JSTOR. McDonald, Gordon C. Brenneman, Lyle E. , Hibbs, Roy V. , James Charlene, A. , Vincenti, Violeta. (1969). Area handbook for Burundi. Ndarishikanye, Barnabe. (1998). The Question of the Protection of Mino rities in Burundi. Issue: A Journal of Opinion, 26, 5-9, Retrieved November 8, 2007, from JSTOR. Newbury, David. 2001) Precolonial Burundi and Rwanda: Local Loyalties, Regional Royalties. The International Journal of African Historical Studies. 34,. 255-314. Retrieved November 8, 2007, from JSTOR. Rockfeler, Herisse, P. (2002). Democracy, Governance and Conflict in Burundi. Peace Studies Journal. 1-10. Rugambarara, Alphonse. (1990). Conscience ethnique. Le Reveil, July-August, 35-40. The UN Refugee Agency. (daily updated). 2006 Refugee Statistics. Retrieved Nov. 11, 2007. http://www. unhcr. org/statistics/STATISTICS/4676a71d4. pdf. Zuure, Bernard. (1931). L’ame du Murundi. Paris: Beauchesne.