Cultural Post-Modernism and the Machine Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Cultural Post-Modernism and the Machine - Essay Example The essay "Cultural Post-Modernism and the Machine" discovers Michael Bay’s "Transformers". The film ties its themes to heroism, the sub plots involving U.S. Marines as well as covert divisions of the government. The film Transformers is a post-modern study of culture as it explores the nature of good and evil as well as the consumer culture as it is oriented towards the encoded objects for the male gender. The film Transformers has within it the construction those things that are most often associated with the male cultural dream of perfection: oversized machines that are heroic, sentient, and vehicular. Cars are gender coded, the appeal of the car traditionally a high priority for men with women not having the same kind of relationship with their vehicles . Where cars are concerned, men have wished to personify them since they were invented, naming them after women, giving them personalities, and creating a sense of identity through the formulation of the body as combined wi th the ‘heart’ or engine. In a variety of film projects such as the Disney film The Love Bug, the television show Knight Rider, the film Christine, and even to an extent, the television film Duel directed by Stephen Spielberg, the idea of giving a vehicle sentience and a personality has been used to give life to the post-modern symbol of male virility. The film gives reverence to this concept through everything from the emotional musical score to the intensity and wisdom filled authority of the voice of Optimus Prime. The vehicle is a cultural symbol of virility for the male. The post-modern world is one of consumerism and is about the shift from the domestic world to the public world where displays of consumer power has replaced other forms of displays of virility. The power to control the machine, to own it and to have dominion over it has become the center of mating practices, conflicts for domination within the male gender, and for expressing male gendered control o ver the environment. Men no longer pick up a sword and go into combat style displays of strength. Post-modern expressions of male domination can involve the economic power to hold and control the strongest, most dangerous looking car on the block (Griffens & Carnes, 1990). While the explicit male domination of the automobile has ended as women now equally own cars, the idea of the car as the male extension of virility still exists. This can be seen as little boys play with cars and are more often attracted to play that involves trucks and cars. One of the more interesting scenes in the film involves a cultural connection to past films, all relating to a specific look as it is associated with heroism. The car is chastised by Megan Fox’s character for choosing to wear the exterior of a crappy old Chevy Camero, which appears to have insulted the ‘Autobot’ (the name for the transforming alien). The car then throws her and her co-star, Shia Lebouf out of the car so th at it can drive a bit away to the rising sound of music that is reminiscent of Quentin Tarantino’

Impact of the Nigerian Business Environment on Shell

Impact of the Nigerian Business Environment on Shell ABSTRACT Since the advent of crude oil production half a century ago in Nigeria, other parts of the productive economy such as agriculture and manufacturing have been neglected by the government and also the countrys poor and shambolic infrastructure has made doing business too costly for investors. There is a major exodus of Manufacturing companies from Nigeria presently as the rising cost of running their business is eating deeply into their profits for example Michelin, closed its operations in Nigeria two years ago citing the high cost of production, while chocolate maker, Cadbury has found it cheaper to move production to neighbouring country (like Ghana) and re-import its goods. Cheaper imports from China have closed a high percentage of factories in Nigerias once-thriving textile industry. Investors who bought equipment with foreign exchange component said they now need more naira to pay for their loans. They linked what is happening to their investment now to the Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) or pre-SFEM days when importers suddenly had huge accumulated debts resulting from the adjustment of the exchange rate, over dependant on foreign goods, and high level of corrupt within the system. The micro and macro economic factors impacting on the running costs of manufacturing and production companies doing business in Nigeria makes it difficult for continued business activities in Nigeria by expatriate companies unless they are really making profit or they have a business that do not depend largely on the infrastructural amenities in Nigeria or can build a mini city that generates and produces its own power and other resources necessary to run its business such as Royal Dutch Shell. This report looks at the impact of the Nigerian business environment on Shell Plc and analysed the risks involved with macro-environmental factors. The report also analysed the strengths and weakness of shell Plc and strategies employed to take advantage of its strengths and opportunities in dealing with the various challenges they face. CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION 1.0 NIGERIA The Federal Republic of Nigeria comprises thirty-six states and one Federal Capital Territory (Abuja). The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in the north. Its coast lies on the Gulf of Guinea, a part of the Atlantic Ocean, in the south. The three largest and most influential ethnic groups in Nigeria are the Hausa, Igbo and Yoruba (see appendix, fig 1). Nigeria has a population of almost 148 million and is the most populous African country and the 9th most populated country in the world. It has about 400 Languages (Hausa, Yoruba and Igbo Etc) and its official Language Is English but its Lingua Franca in the North Is Hausa, Yoruba in the West, Ibo in the East and Pidgin English in the South. The Nigerian currency is Naira and Kobo (see appendix, fig 2). Nigeria has a dual economy with a modern segment dependent on oil earnings, overlaid by a traditional agricultural and trading economy. At independence in 1960, agriculture accounted for well over half of GDP, and was the main source of export earnings and public revenue. The oil sector, which emerged in the 1960s and was firmly established during the 1970s now making Nigeria the 12th largest producer of petroleum in the world and 8th largest exporter is now of overwhelming importance to the point of over-dependence: it provides 20% of GDP, 95% of foreign exchange earnings, and about 65% of budgetary revenues. Competition between ethnic and regional groups for power and access to the countrys oil wealth has been at the root of politics in Nigeria. The per capita income of Nigeria is $2,300 as at 2008 base on the reports from the World Fact book. Nigeria is governed by a democratic government but not politically stable because Nigeria is a country of extremes. Great wealth and great poverty sit cheek by jowl, and tensions between different communities can boil over into civil strife especially in the delta region. While a few parts of the country remain problematic, the vast majority is as warm and welcoming to visitors as anywhere. The country have an image problem as corruption seems to be the order of the day, also email scams (419) has become known as a lot of innocent yet greedy people have been a prey to this scam. Conducting business in Nigeria is characterized with so many factors and this report will critically analyze the business environmental factors, degree of risk involved and the advantages of operating in such an environment (Nigeria). 1.1 ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLC The Royal Dutch Shell Plc is a global group of energy and petrochemical companies founded by Alfred Donovan, was formed in February 1907 with the amalgamation of the Royal Dutch Petroleum Company (legal name in Dutch, N.V. Koninklijke, Nederlandsche Petroleum Maatschappij) and the Shell Transport and Trading Company Ltd of the United Kingdom, a move largely driven by the need to compete globally with the then predominant US petroleum company, John D. Rockefellers Standard Oil in the ratio of 60:40. Royal Dutch Shell (Shell) is engaged in oil and gas exploration and production, transportation and marketing of natural gas and electricity, marketing and shipping of oil products and chemicals. The company also has interests in renewable sources of energy such as wind and solar; and hydrogen. The company has extensive operations in more than 140 countries around the world. Its headquartered is in The Hague, the Netherlands and employs more than 300,000 people across the globe. The company recorded revenues of $318,845 million during the fiscal year ended December 2006, an increase of 3.9% over 2005. The operating profit of the company was $45,777 million during fiscal year 2006, an increase of 0.3% over 2005. The net profit was $26,311 million in fiscal year 2006, an increase of 0.2% over 2005. The current supplies earnings for year 2008 were $31.4 billion compared to $27.6 billion for year 2007 with an increase of 13.7%. 1.2 Management The Non executive chairman of Shell is Jorma Ollila, former Chairman and CEO of Nokia, he was appointed on the 1 June 2006. Ollila is the first Shell Chairman to be neither Dutch nor British. Other non-executive directors include Maarten van den Bergh, Wim Kok, Nina Henderson, Lord Kerr, Adelbert van Roxe, and Christine Morin-Postel. Jeroen van der Veer is the present CEO of Shell. 1.3 Shell Plc in Nigeria Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Ltd (SPDC) started onshore operations in Nigeria since 1958 as part of a consortium led by NNPC (The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation) with 55 percent and including Shell (30 percent), Elf (10 percent) and Agip (5 percent). SPDCs operations concentrate in the Niger Delta and offshore shallows nearby, where it holds oil mining leases covering an area of 31,000 km2. There, it has installed more than 6,000 km of pipelines and flow lines, 87 flow stations, eight gas plants and more than 1,000 producing wells. In 1997, SPDC produced 899,000 barrels per day from this system (about 40 percent of Nigerias OPEC crude oil quota). The SPDC workforce stands at more than 10,000 people of whom 4,500 are employees; the remainder work for contractors and of total workers, 98 percent are Nigerians (see appendix, fig 3 for Niger delta oil field in Nigeria). Shell also has three other companies which are NLNG (Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas) a gas company to produce Liquefied Natural gas and natural gas liquids for export. Shell is in joint venture with Nigeria with a 25.6% interest in NLNG (Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas) together with NNPC (49%) while SNEPCO (Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company) and SNG (Shell Nigeria Gas) are both 100% owned by Shell. SNEPCO comprise Shell Plc, Total, Exxon Mobil, and Chevron Corporation. CHAPTER TWO 2.0 SHELL PLC AND OIL INDUSTRY IN NIGERIA 2.1 Oil and Gas The Oil and Gas Industry has played a major role globally. It has always been a central global player in international development and geopolitics and because of the critical importance of hydrocarbon based energy as the engine of rapid industrial growth in modern economy, either capitalist or communist. Due to the intrinsic dependence of this centurys growth model on access to ever-greater reserves, the industry has had to deal with increasing complexity in its relations with developing countries and environments. This in turn has led to increased cost of operations to match the growth models demands (Meadows et al, 1972; Nordhaus, 1973). WCED (1987) agreed that since 1970s, continued hydrocarbon-based Growth model is only justifiable if profits are ploughed into technological advances that would ensure a timely and less painful transition to alternative energy. 2.2 Challenges Faced By Shell Plc in Nigeria Since Shell started producing Oil in Nigeria, it has faced a lot of challenges in dealing with the government, micro and macro economics factors in Nigeria and most especially the communities, as Shell production led to oil spillage, gas leakage and so many more. It has affected the soil and water which is the main source of earnings for people in the Niger delta, as the agriculture and fishing has almost become impossible which is source of living for the people. This has raised a lot of community clashes with Shell so much so that their operations in Nigeria has been globally criticised and has also affected the image of company. In 1995, the company faced two major challenges; firstly, the Greenpeace occupied its Brent Spar platform in the North Sea to prevent its being decommissioned by sinking. Secondly, the Nigerian government executed Ogoni human rights activists: Ken Saro Wiwa, the head of the MOSOP (Movement for the survival of Ogoni people) a campaigning organization representing the ogoni people in their struggle for ethnic and environmental rights and eight others, this problem led to boycotts, public outcry and violence against the company. The crises arose soon after Shell began to review its societal relations, and further catalyzed internal support for transformation. Unfortunately, they occurred at a moment when the company was casting about for ways to avoid exactly such crises, leading Shell officials to heed those who internally promoted a new approach. CHAPTER THREE 3.0 ANALYSIS OF NIGERIAN BUSINESS ENVIRONMENTS For management of Shell Plc to apply effective Strategy that will work at international level and which will also reflect the Companys Vision, Mission, and Objectives, they need to understand the international business environment (both internal and external environment) of the host country (Niger delta, Nigeria). A good international strategic planner must recognise all relevant factors within the environment before pushing it through the process of analysing, decisions making and actions taking. Putting the relevant factors into consideration and testing them will help to create sustainable competitive advantages over other competitors. After critical analysis of the international business environment by the team of strategic planners for Shell Plc regarding Nigeria Oil Industry, decision needs to be taken to determine the mode of operation that should be employed by the company in order to compete effectively and efficiently within the oil industry of the host country. Decisions are of no use unless they have been implemented (acted on and monitored); Shell Plc needs competent strategists that will utilize the available resources effectively to bring the intended operations and strategies to reality. Shell Plc has been in Oil business since 1886 and operates around the world. The company has been able to maintain good name (goodwill), good customers loyalty, and strong customer database. The company construct meaningful strategic planning for Nigeria business environment before/after operating in the country, while the strategy is monitored and reviewed quarterly to reflect the companys true vision, mission, and objectives. 3.1 SWOT ANALYSIS The Strengths of Royal Dutch in Nigeria includes SPDC (Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria) is the Oldest Oil and Gas industry in Nigeria. It was the first company to begin the production of Oil and Gas in Nigeria as a result, the company was able to monopolise the Oil Sector in Nigeria for a long period and established herself as a for-runner with a higher percentage than any competitors in the market. SPDC has a long standing name as one of the biggest Oil and Gas Company in the world as such it has the necessary equipment and money to invest in exploration of oil in Nigeria. Shell has been in business for over a century and they came to Nigeria with wealth of experience, technology, innovation and machinery. Shell operates autonomy of Shell Companies in a decentralized structure allowing Shell Offices in different countries to deal with the regulations, culture and behaviour of the communities in the best suitable way to meet their needs and concern. The Weaknesses of Shell Plc in Nigeria are: Shell faces the challenges that most companies encountered when they come into other countries as they have to learn the new rules, regulations and behaviours of the country and this can be a weakness from the start. Shell was not prepared for the challenge of dealing with the expense of ameliorating socio-environmental concerns which escalated and caused a lot of criticism internally and damaged the image of the company globally. The Opportunities of Shell Plc in Nigeria are: Nigeria was a virgin ground and shell Plc had the opportunity of being the first oil and gas to start production of oil and since then more and more oil fields were been discovered in Nigeria which has led to continuous production and increased production and business for the company. Shell had the opportunity for developing new business ideas as Nigeria gave them the licence to do that which led to joint venture between Shell Plc and Nigerian government, then the discovery of Natural gas led to LNG (another Joint venture) with Nigerian government and other opportunities opened up and shell now has SNEPCO and SNG, wholly owned. Also, Shell has the financial background to go into deep water exploration that led to new discoveries and new business expansion. The Threats of operating in Nigeria are: Fear of persistent interruption in their operations or damages to their properties and machineries by the militants in the delta region from which they conduct the drilling. Oil Gas extraction will someday reach a limit point but technical improvements in seismic exploration and extraction efficiencies have ensured continuing growth in reserves at the resource frontier. Growth of alternative sources of energy particularly renewable such as biomass and solar might changed their modus operandi. Continuing criticism on their image globally will increase costs spend on company and brand image. The new oil reform bill that would allow the Nigeria to retake acreage that has not yet been explored by their owners. Fear of new players into the oil sector from China and Brazil that will break its dominance in Nigerian oil and gas sector. It may be the target for other competitors. 3.2 PEST ANALYSIS AND RISK ASSESSMENT If organisation is able to know that only one thing that constant in this world is change, it would be able to make plan for emergent situations by understanding its business environment. It is very important for any organisation that intends to operate in Nigeria business environment to conduct environmental analysis before and after starting a business. In fact, continuous process should be applied to all aspects of planning because Nigeria business environment is not predictable despite its attractiveness. The companys strategic planners must be able to identify its marketing environment that is made up of the following: The internal environment is the staff (or internal customers- hired contractors), office technology, finance, wages etc. The microenvironment is the organisational external customers, suppliers, distributors, other competitors etc. Company with strong internal forces can still set up strategies to dictate the mode of its operations. The macro-environment cannot be control but company can set up strategies that will help in adapting to the business environment, which is known as PEST FACTORS- Political Factors (and Legal), Economic Factors, Socio-cultural Factors, and Technological Factors (see appendix, fig 4). 3.2.1 POLITICAL/ LEGAL FACTORS political/legal factors influences the environmental regulations which participants in the oil industry must comply with. As with many factors in the general environment, changes that benefit one industry may damage others. For example, on the political front, government legislation can affect oil production by increasing the leasing charges on oilfield and then charge taxes per barrel produced. In a broader view, the following constitutes the numerous political and legal issues to be considered in any business environment: Political stability Risk of military invasion Legal framework for air pollution Intellectual property protection Industrial safety regulations Anti-trust laws Pricing regulation Taxation and incentives Wages legislation Hours work per week Mandatory employee benefits RISK ASSESSMENT ON POLITICAL/LEGAL FACTORS Nigerian political/legal history was characterised by military intervention, civil war, ethnic sentiments, and marginalisation. The country has a bad record in democratic set up and abuse of human right practices. The high level of corruption and political instability did not allow the rule of law to reflect in the society and also, the problem of instability in government policy due to lack of continuity in governance. Shell Plc assessed Nigerian business environment and capitalised on the corruption practices of the people. The company involvement in the execution of environmental activist (Ken Saro-wiwa) and eight Ogoni people that protested against the company reckless operations on their farm lands (in Niger Delta) cannot be dismissed. The political/legal factors do not possess any risk to Shell Plc if it knows is way. It is not necessary also for the company to follow all the legislations laid down for the Oil Industry. Legislations on industrial safety, air pollution control, wages, maximum hours work, mandatory employee benefits etc were not observed by the company. 3.2.2 ECONOMIC FACTORS the economy has an impact in all industries, from suppliers of raw materials to manufacturers of finished goods and services as well as all organisation in the service, wholesale, retail, government and non-profit sectors of economies. Key economic indicators include the following: Interest rates Unemployment rate Type of economic system in countries of operation Government intervention in the free market Comparative advantages of host country Exchange rates and stability of host country currency Efficiency of financial markets Workforce and labour cost Business cycle stage (e.g. prosperity, recession and recovery) RISK ASSESSMENT ON ECONOMIC FACTORS Nigeria operates mixed economy system which helps Shell Plc to manipulate the system because of government intervention in the economy. The interest rate does not pose any threat to Shell Plc because it did not take loans from any Nigerian banks. The companys bankers (the foreign banks) finance and support all their financial activities which favour Shell Plc because of devaluation in Nigerian currency. The major economic risk assessment to Shell Plc operating in Nigeria is increase in unemployment rate (especially in Niger Delta) due to exploitation of crude oil in that area that leads to job lost. The effect of this action has turned thousand of youths into militant groups that kidnapped foreign workers employed the company in exchange for money while some stole extracted oil from Shell. Despite the problem encountered from the militants, the company still operate in Nigeria because of prosperity attached to Oil Industry in Nigeria. 3.2.3 SOCIO-CULTURAL FACTORS -socio-cultural forces influence the values, believes, and lifestyles of a society. Examples include a higher percentage of women in civil service and more men engineering related jobs, holidaymaker, dual-income families, night out orientation, increases in the number of temporary workers, greater concern for healthy diets and physical fitness, greater interest in the environment, and postponement of having children. Some of these factors affect Oil Industry in Nigeria. RISK ASSESSMENT ON SOCIAL-CULTURAL FACTORS The risks that associate with Social-Cultural factors are many especial to the indigene of Niger Delta where eighty percent of the population are illiterate and have strong believed in their local tradition. Most of the indigene want to work for Shell Plc as a security officer or domestic assistant but their level of literacy does not matched the companys requirement. Shell Plc has employed some of the indigene on temporary basis and gives them opportunity to integrate within the system. The company give out scholarship to the indigene of Niger Delta to increase their level of literacy and give them sound orientations that meet the companys standard in order to tackle some of the problems associated with these factors. 3.2.4 TECHNOLOGICAL ANALYSIS development in technology leads to new products and services and improve how they are produced and delivered to the customers. Innovations can create entire new industries and alter boundaries of existing industries. Issues to be considered in technological analysis include the following: Recent technological development Technologys impact on product offering Impact on cost of production Impact on value chain structure Rate of technological diffusion RISK ASSESSMENT ON TECHNOLOGICAL FACTORS The only major risk on technological factors is problem of electricity power supply which can hinder technological advancement. This problem has been taken care for by using Power Generator to support the power system but add to the cost of production. There are no standard infrastructural facilities in place when Shell Plc moved to Nigeria but the government is now committed to modern technological development. Shell Plc imports most of its equipment with foreign expertise that operate it and then arranged with the expertise to train home workers. This process improves technological adoption and diffusion which also reduce the cost of production in long run. The company have used different methods to attract young talented graduates (in all disciplines but priority to engineering students) and trained them to become an expert. The number of Macro- environmental factors is virtually unlimited. In practice, the oil producers must prioritise and monitor those factors that influence the industry. It may be difficult to forecast future trends of any international business environment base on the macro-environmental factors with an accurate level of acceptability because of its complexity. 3.3 STRATEGIES EMPLOYED BY SHELL PLC FOR DEALING WITH CHALLENGES Shell Plc used corporate alliance strategy to shed off threats from competitors and to maintain its dominant position. The company operates joint venture with Nigerian government (NNPC) and also in partnership with Total, Chevron Corporation, and Exxon Mobil Corporation to form Shell Nigeria Exploration and Production Company (SNEPCO). The company was also in partnership with Globacom (a Nigerian telecommunication company) to create employment impact that will enhance the companys operations (Shell Plc) in Nigeria. Their strategy involved helping communities to leverage income and improve their quality of life in conventional ways, such as creating jobs and assisting to defray costs of social overheads such as roads, schools and hospitals. The company set up a committee that look into complain by the farmer(s). The committee assessed complains and compensate appropriate to their loss. The company also support the government initiative on amnesty by giving support to militants that submit their gun(s). The company want to support training or education of militants that surrendered their ammunition for to better life (see appendix, fig 6 for the images of militants surrendered their guns). The company is using Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) to build its image locally and globally to show more concern on corporate governance and sustainable development. The CSR campaign by Shell Plc is to accelerate developmental and employment-generating opportunities across the Nation but especial Niger delta. Two special partnerships have been entered into by the company with USAID (United States Agency for International Development)- a 5 year worth $20 million agreement to develop Nigerian capacity in agriculture, health and business enterprise; and with Africare- a 3 year worth $4.5 million partnership that focus on reducing deaths from malaria. Security strategy was used to crush the militants through cooperation between Shell and State Security Forces but proved ultimately counterproductive as youth militancy increased and the security deteriorated across the wider Delta. The militants target (kidnap) the foreign workers and key officers in Shell Plc in exchange for money (compensation) which nearly put an end to Shell operations in that region (see appendix, fig 5 for images of workers kidnapped). The company outlined a new approach of CSR and community engagement which aimed to build a security-development nexus in partnership with local people. This approach has worked well for the company but now it has led to uncivil tensions along gendered and ethnic lines which undermine the prospect of a long term solution. 3.4 NIGERIAN COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE- Porters Diamond Model SWOT analysis was used to determine the advantages, the level of attractiveness and risk involved in Nigerian business environment in line with the macro environmental factors for Shell Plc to operate in Nigeria (especially in Oil Gas Sector). Despite the problems and criticism encountered by Shell Plc, the company still operate and increase investment in Nigerian Oil and Gas Sector, and also extend partnership across the sector because of Nigerian comparative advantage. The Nigerian business environment possesses most of the qualities and characteristics that determine national competitive advantage as stated by Michael Porter in his theory (see appendix, fig 7 for porters diamond model). He identifies four sets of conditions that are essential in determining country competitive advantage: Factor conditions- human, knowledge, physical, technological and capital resources. Demand conditions- quality and quantity of home demand, demand that internationalised the domestic market will stimulate innovation faster in the domestic market. Related and supporting industries- availability of aid to trade (banking, insurance, transportation, warehouse and telecommunication). Firm strategy, structure and rivalry- local rivals and strategy that works with business environment. There are two other factors that can play an important role for any company to fully enjoy competitive advantage of any nation: chance (war, politics, financial movement and serendipity) and government (government policies, subsidies, training/education, and effective capital market). We have discussed most of these factors in our SWOT analysis and PEST analysis on Shell Plc. CHAPTER FOUR CONCLUSION What is Shell Plc comparative advantage in economic reform, competitiveness and economic governance when viewed in the light of activities initiated by other bilateral and multilateral donors, NGOs, and the Government of Nigeria? Shell Plcs broad comparative advantages are in government institutional strengthening and promoting private sector-led growth. Shell Plc has the most impact when it targets its activities in these areas at operational levels, where they can have sustainable effects, rather than at broad consensus-building (except in public awareness activities). In a vast bureaucratic environment like Nigerias, support must be highly selective, focusing on agencies and institutions in key leverage positions. These activities will complement the comparative advantages of other donors (who are operating at different sector but in partnership with Shell plc like Globacom and USAID). Globacom will continue to focus on telecommunication, and its technical and operational activities in the technology area can coordinate with Shell Plc. The USAIDs comparative advantage is in developing and implementing programs that actually address agriculture, health and business development. Shell Plcs CSR campaigns and partnership with international body (like Africare and USAID) will go a long way to redeem the image of the company internationally and also help to maximise their competitive advantage over others (like BP- British Petroleum). Their support to Nigerian government amnesty to educate and employ militants that surrendered their guns will reduce the number of youth that join militant group to survive. It is very important to be realistic about the strengths and weaknesses of any organisation when using SWOT analysis; it is of most important to identify the organisational current strengths and weaknesses then future chances. The macro environmental factors need to be mirrored with the organisational competitive advantage. Continuing evaluation of organisation strategy will help to check how effective they are in practice and then helps to inform of future environmental challenges. References Best, M. (1990) the New Competition: Institutions of Industrial Restructuring. Harvard University Press, Cambridge Dabbs and Bateson (1998), corporate impact of addressing social issues in projects of the developing world, Pro-Natural. Lima, Peru Davis, J (1998), a Commitment to Sustainable Development, WBCSD, London. Elkington, J (1998) Contributing to Society, a personal view. In Shell International, Ltd. Profits and Principles: does there have to be a choice? London. pp. 46-47. Environmental Resources Management (ERM), 1996, Camisea: Increasing Social Capital. London, May Faulds, E, F. Morrison and A. Wilkinson Shell, UK (1998) Engineering in a Show Me Frynas, Jedzrej George Oil in Nigeria: conflict and Litigation between Oil Companies and Village Communities Hamburg Lit 2000 Hastings, M, Corporate Incentives and environmental decision making: A case study and workshop report Centre for Global Studies, September 1999 Marketing Teacher (2008), Analysing the Environment- Five Forces Analysis retrieved on 08, December 2009 www.marketingteacher.com The World Fact Book (2009), Country with top per capita income retrieved on 03, December 2009 Wade, B.N

Fertility Treatments Essay -- Infertility Birth Pregnancy Papers

Fertility Treatments I. Introduction It is assumed by most that we will all be able to grow up, fall in love, get married, and then have children of our own. This is not the lifestyle that all people choose, but it is still the view accepted by the majority of society. What happens when the unthinkable occurs and a happily married couple is unable to get pregnant? This is a reality for 7.1%, or 2.8 million, of the married couples in the United States (Lenox, 1999). Today, there are many people all over the world that decide to use fertility treatments to help them conceive a child, and this often leads to the birth of twins, triplets, or even higher order multiples. There are many risk factors that are involved in this type of pregnancy, and these issues have created a cloud of debate around this subject. The use of fertility treatments in recent years has been accompanied by an increase in the number of multiple births seen annually. The twin birth rate has increased by 59% since 1980, and the triplet and higher order multiples birth rate is up 423% (Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter’s, 2004). There are two main forms of assisted reproductive therapy (ART) that are used currently. These are ovulation induction using fertility drugs alone and In vitro fertilization (IVF). II. Fertility Treatment Options Ovulation induction through the use of different forms of fertility drugs is the most common type of assisted reproductive therapy. The drug known as clomiphene, delivered in the form of an oral tablet, is commonly used for ovulation induction. It is taken over a restricted period of time during the menstrual cycle (Jacobs, 2004). This can vary between patients and physicians. The drug functions by all... ...Academic Search Premier [Online Database AN: 3358771]. Jacobs, Barry, M.D.. Multiple Births. Retrieved October 13, 2004, from http://www.texasfertility.com/nextstepmultiple.htm Lenox, Naomi. (1999). When Fertility Therapy Runs Amok: Debating the ethics and dangers of multiple births. Midwest Today. Retrieved November 1, 2004, from the World Wide Web: http://www.midtod.com/fertility.phtml Malpani, Dr. A&A. (2004). How Much Does Treatment Cost?. Retrieved November 1, 2004, from the World Wide Web: http://infertility.adoption.com/chapter47.php Morrow, Lance. (1999). Is This Right? Who has the right to say?. Time. Vol. 153, Issue1, p.41. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier [Online Database AN: 1402892]. Shady Grove Fertility Centers. Blastocyst Transfer. Retrieved October 14, 2004, from http://www.fertilitynetwork.com/articles/articles-blastocyst.htm Fertility Treatments Essay -- Infertility Birth Pregnancy Papers Fertility Treatments I. Introduction It is assumed by most that we will all be able to grow up, fall in love, get married, and then have children of our own. This is not the lifestyle that all people choose, but it is still the view accepted by the majority of society. What happens when the unthinkable occurs and a happily married couple is unable to get pregnant? This is a reality for 7.1%, or 2.8 million, of the married couples in the United States (Lenox, 1999). Today, there are many people all over the world that decide to use fertility treatments to help them conceive a child, and this often leads to the birth of twins, triplets, or even higher order multiples. There are many risk factors that are involved in this type of pregnancy, and these issues have created a cloud of debate around this subject. The use of fertility treatments in recent years has been accompanied by an increase in the number of multiple births seen annually. The twin birth rate has increased by 59% since 1980, and the triplet and higher order multiples birth rate is up 423% (Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter’s, 2004). There are two main forms of assisted reproductive therapy (ART) that are used currently. These are ovulation induction using fertility drugs alone and In vitro fertilization (IVF). II. Fertility Treatment Options Ovulation induction through the use of different forms of fertility drugs is the most common type of assisted reproductive therapy. The drug known as clomiphene, delivered in the form of an oral tablet, is commonly used for ovulation induction. It is taken over a restricted period of time during the menstrual cycle (Jacobs, 2004). This can vary between patients and physicians. The drug functions by all... ...Academic Search Premier [Online Database AN: 3358771]. Jacobs, Barry, M.D.. Multiple Births. Retrieved October 13, 2004, from http://www.texasfertility.com/nextstepmultiple.htm Lenox, Naomi. (1999). When Fertility Therapy Runs Amok: Debating the ethics and dangers of multiple births. Midwest Today. Retrieved November 1, 2004, from the World Wide Web: http://www.midtod.com/fertility.phtml Malpani, Dr. A&A. (2004). How Much Does Treatment Cost?. Retrieved November 1, 2004, from the World Wide Web: http://infertility.adoption.com/chapter47.php Morrow, Lance. (1999). Is This Right? Who has the right to say?. Time. Vol. 153, Issue1, p.41. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier [Online Database AN: 1402892]. Shady Grove Fertility Centers. Blastocyst Transfer. Retrieved October 14, 2004, from http://www.fertilitynetwork.com/articles/articles-blastocyst.htm Fertility Treatments Essay -- Infertility Birth Pregnancy Papers Fertility Treatments I. Introduction It is assumed by most that we will all be able to grow up, fall in love, get married, and then have children of our own. This is not the lifestyle that all people choose, but it is still the view accepted by the majority of society. What happens when the unthinkable occurs and a happily married couple is unable to get pregnant? This is a reality for 7.1%, or 2.8 million, of the married couples in the United States (Lenox, 1999). Today, there are many people all over the world that decide to use fertility treatments to help them conceive a child, and this often leads to the birth of twins, triplets, or even higher order multiples. There are many risk factors that are involved in this type of pregnancy, and these issues have created a cloud of debate around this subject. The use of fertility treatments in recent years has been accompanied by an increase in the number of multiple births seen annually. The twin birth rate has increased by 59% since 1980, and the triplet and higher order multiples birth rate is up 423% (Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughter’s, 2004). There are two main forms of assisted reproductive therapy (ART) that are used currently. These are ovulation induction using fertility drugs alone and In vitro fertilization (IVF). II. Fertility Treatment Options Ovulation induction through the use of different forms of fertility drugs is the most common type of assisted reproductive therapy. The drug known as clomiphene, delivered in the form of an oral tablet, is commonly used for ovulation induction. It is taken over a restricted period of time during the menstrual cycle (Jacobs, 2004). This can vary between patients and physicians. The drug functions by all... ...Academic Search Premier [Online Database AN: 3358771]. Jacobs, Barry, M.D.. Multiple Births. Retrieved October 13, 2004, from http://www.texasfertility.com/nextstepmultiple.htm Lenox, Naomi. (1999). When Fertility Therapy Runs Amok: Debating the ethics and dangers of multiple births. Midwest Today. Retrieved November 1, 2004, from the World Wide Web: http://www.midtod.com/fertility.phtml Malpani, Dr. A&A. (2004). How Much Does Treatment Cost?. Retrieved November 1, 2004, from the World Wide Web: http://infertility.adoption.com/chapter47.php Morrow, Lance. (1999). Is This Right? Who has the right to say?. Time. Vol. 153, Issue1, p.41. Retrieved from Academic Search Premier [Online Database AN: 1402892]. Shady Grove Fertility Centers. Blastocyst Transfer. Retrieved October 14, 2004, from http://www.fertilitynetwork.com/articles/articles-blastocyst.htm

Harvard case essay

Treasury bonds with the same maturity. The deference between selling TIPS and buying T-bonds will cover the Inflation risk losses thus effectively eliminates Inflation risk In the portfolio. The Harvard's Policy Portfolio Includes much of the university endowment, pension assets, working capital, and portfolio contains 1 1 wide asset classes, Including domestic equity, foreign equity, private equity, domestic bonds, foreign bonds, emerging markets, real estate, commodities, absolute return, high yield, and cash.This portfolio was determined by the board of the corporation for the long-run allocation, however, the manager can make short-run adjustment within the limits from the guideline. The reason that HAMS focus on real returns is HAMS want to exclude the influence of inflation and determine the return rate more precisely. As the formula nominal return = real return + inflation rate shows, choosing real return instead of nominal return can reveal the real purchasing power of the in vestment, thus help the manager to conduct more efficiently to prevent the evasion of the investment.As we can see from Exhibit land Exhibit 2, domestic and foreign equity constitute the biggest part of the portfolio, and these two asset classes have high real returns as well as latterly larger standard deviations. And we know that equity premium indicates the difference between the expected return on the market portfolio of common stocks and the risk-free interest rate, and higher risk often indicates higher equity premium.Based on Ham's assumption that the real growth rate of annual spending is 3% after inflation, and that gifts to the endowment are same as the historical average rate (1%), HIM has to maintain a real between 6% and 7% of the total investment In order achieve its preservation goal. Thus HIM has to invest a large portion in US and reign equity with higher premium, resulting in a short of cash. Yes, From inception in 1 997, TIPS had offered a real yield that ranged f rom. 2% to 4. 25%.

Methods of Resource Allocation and Resource Leveling

Abstraction This paper illustrates what is the resource, what are the motivations for the direction of resources in undertakings, what is the different between Resource Allocation and Resource Leveling, it explains the attacks used in resource direction which are â€Å" the resource constrained scheduling problems† ( RCSP ) and â€Å" Resource Leveling Problems† ( RLP ) , it discusses the different methods or algorithms that involvement in resource programming and direction, it besides presents some of heuristic theoretical accounts such as the Minimum Moment Method, the PACK Method, and the Minimum Absolute Deviation ( MinDev ) Method, it besides focuses on the Genetic Algorithm ( GA ) , explains what is the mechanism of work and its rule, and it shows the mathematical theoretical accounts of GA. Introduction What is resources? Any point that required to carry through a work, and to Complete an activities to accomplish coveted ends. Some illustrations of resource are people, capital, energy, stuff, machinery, clip, etc. The success of a undertaking direction is determined by its day of the month completion. Through a carefully planned sequence, the agenda arranges the group of single work activities by directing start and terminal day of the months. The clip it takes to construct a undertaking is controlled by the yearss of the planned work activities. The continuance of each activity is equal to the measure of undertaking divided by the production rate. Shortages of chief resources can impact the completion clip and work of scheduled work activities by diminishing the outlook of production rate and later increasing the planned continuance of work beyond the outlook completion day of the month of the undertaking and hence carry extra fiscal loads due to the hold. Ignoring restraints set on the agenda by the limited resources decrease the effectivity of utilizing the agenda as a direction tool. For that, the resource demands for each activity should be estimated and calculated carefully before a agenda is assign into action. Different between Resource Allocation and Resource LevelingDelegating needed resources to undertakings or activities such that available resources are non exceeded the upper bounds called Resource Allocation.Resource grading: it’s a procedure of smoothening of a resource demand. It’s an effort to delegate resources to project activities in a manner that will better productiveness and avoid extra resource needed.Ideal Condition, Theoretically histogramFigure 1 Practical & A ; Target Histogram Figure 2 Resource allotment,besides known as resource burden, is the procedure that breaks down work activities into the types and measures of labour, stuffs, and equipment needed to finish the occupation. As a consequence, one is able to find the awaited resource demands, and program consequently.Resource gradingtakes the direction of resources one measure farther by analysing the resource demands of the full undertaking and trying to cut down the jobs associated with deficient measures and/or fluctuations in resource demand on a daily footing. Work performed on building work sites requires the use of labour, stuffs and equipment resources. As antecedently stated, deficits in the handiness or measure of any of import resources can impact the efficiency and completion of day of the month and scheduled work. Therefore, the resource demands for each activity should be estimated before a agenda is put into action. By apportioning the labour, stuffs, and equipment required to execute each single work on the agenda, one is able to pre-plan the expected resource demands for each working day of the undertaking before the agenda is carried out. This entire resource demand is so compared with the measure ( supply ) on-hand. If the supply on-hand exceeds the demand, so the agenda can be worked as planned. If it is found that the demand exceeds supply, so stairss need to be taken to guarantee that the proper sum of resource will be on manus on the day of the month needed. It should be noted that the Resource Allocation procedure merely determines whether or non there is a job when comparing resource supply and demand. It will non province the class of action needed to rectify the job. The fluctuations of resource use of labour, equipment, or stuffs can do a resource waste, therefore it will be extra fiscal loads and it’s really expensive. The disbursal that consequences from fluctuations in labour supply comes in the signifier of uninterrupted preparation and lay-off of new employees, or in the mobilisation and demobilisation of building equipment. Leveling the demand for resources helps minimise the cost of the undertaking and the big daily fluctuations in the figure of resources needed. Frequently, the undertakings tend to two chief way, whether they are profitable undertakings or service undertakings, the first 1 is to alter day of the month of the completion clip of the undertaking before when it was scheduled and planned â€Å" Reducing the continuance of the undertaking, † with the available resources â€Å" the resource constrained scheduling problems† ( RCSP ) , while the 2nd tendency is the leveling the resources on the all-time of the undertaking to guarantee the terminal of the undertaking in the scheduled day of the month â€Å" Resource Leveling Problems† ( RLP ) . For that, many methods and algorithms were published that take one of these two tendencies, some of them are heuristic methods which will be mentioned some of them subsequently, and the other are modern method, such as a familial algorithm, Ant Colony Optimization, and Particle Swarm Optimization and others. The first heuristic method that is published isBurgess and killbrew methodin 1962, this method aims to level the resources along the continuance of the undertaking to guarantee the the completion day of the month of the undertaking. And what distinguishes it that the precedence regulation based heuristic process to cut down the fluctuations on resource demand and applicable to a assortment of leveling prosodies. In 1975,Woodworth and Willie methodwas published, its RLP method, and its algorithm for resource grading in multi-project, multi-resource programming. Harris has created a method calledPACK methodin 1990, to level resources by minimising minutes of resource histograms has been introduced. Then followed byMartinez and Aoannou methodin 1993, its RLP, the Modified Minimum Moment Heuristic has been used in building resource grading in this method, in 1996 Chan Chua and Kannan algorithm has published, its GA based method which aims to minimise divergences from available resource. General theoretical account to transport out resource grading ( RLP ) and limited resource allotment ( RCSP ) at the same time. This sort of algorithms sometimes called metaheuristic. One of the ways that will be discussed in this paper the minimal minute method. The Minimum Moment Method ( Martinez and Ioannou 1993 ) The minimal minute method supposes that the minute of the day-to-day resource demands about the X axis ( horizontal axis ) of a undertaking ‘s resource histogram is a powerful step of the resource use and the optimum resource allotment obtains when the entire minute is at a lower limit, when the resource histogram is an ideal status as a rectangle form. The method ‘s aim is to minimise the day-to-day fluctuations in resource demand by traveling activities in clip on the x axis and withen each activity ‘s free float so as to avoid switching successor activities. this activity shifting is typically time-constrined ( the undertaking completion clip remain unchanged without increased or decreased. Mathematically, the resource minute () for the undertaking can be expressed by ciphering the amount of single resource minutes about the X axis ( clip axis ) . The cost map given by: Subjected to: A?Tocopherol?F A? 0 iN= 1,2, †¦ , m Where I is the clip interval index, omega is the figure of clip interval,is resource demand for each interval, N is the figure of activity, m is the entire figure of activities, Ais the existent start clip of each activity n,Tocopherolis the earliest start clip of activity N, andFis the free float of activity N. The PACK Method ( Harris Method 1990 ) The PACK Method is based on the minimal minute method and depend on packing each non-critical activities one by one to do switching on allowable free float taking into account their day-to-day resource demands fill the spreads in the resource histogram. The PACK method builds a histogram sing merely critical activities in the first, the other activities ( non-critical activities ) are arranged in given sequences based on sequence measure ( in diminishing order ) , day-to-day resource demand ( in diminishing order ) and entire float ( in increasing order ) and so hierarchically activities are selected from the processing waiting line and arranged and assigned in clip between the originally scheduled early start and late start clip of each one. The activity displacement is determined so that cut down the minute of resource or day-to-day resource demand taking into history the impact on the undermentioned activities. Figure 3 One of the restraints of this method is the continuance of each activity remains without altering and that betterments in resource allotment can be achieved by activity shifting and the use of each activity’s free float. Minimum Absolute Deviation ( MinDev ) The aim of AbsDev is to minimise the divergence between the resource demands and a desirable changeless resource rate.The mathematical preparation of the nonsubjective map for the AbsDev is as follows: AbsDev = U = Where N is the undertaking continuance, andis the demand of appointed activities at the twenty-four hours m, Y is the figure of activities, U is a unvarying resource degree,is the entire demand of activity x, andis the continuance of activity x. Familial Algorithm ( GA ) In the recent old ages, Genetic Algorithm has been the topics of involvement. The dramatic characteristic of this algorithm is that it is based on thoughts from the scientific discipline of biological genetic sciences and the procedure of natural choice. It is introduced in the United States in the early 1970’s by J.Holland and it is an outstanding method to work out the complex optimisation job. It has been widely used in many Fieldss, such as map optimisation, combination optimisation, nervous web optimisation, programming optimisation and so on. The major benefits of this algorithm is that they provide a robust hunt in complex infinites and are normally less expensive, every bit far as calculation is concerned, when compared to most other optimisation solutions. Some of the features of GA compared to normal optimisation hunt processs are: ( 1 ) Smart hunt ; ( 2 ) Progressive optimisation ; ( 3 ) Global optimum solution. ( 4 ) Black-box construction ; ( 5 ) Good versatility ; ( 6 ) Parallel-type algorithm ; ( 7 ) Intrinsic acquisition ; ( 8 ) Stability. Most of the familial algorithms have three chief operators: 1 ) Choice ; 2 ) Crossing over 3 ) Mutant. The Genetic Algorithm is performed in the undermentioned stairss: Measure 1: Population low-level formatting ; Measure 2: Calculate the fittingness value of each person ; Measure 3: Choice ; Measure 4: Crossing over ; Measure 5: Mutant ; Measure 6: Analyze the halt status, if meet stop status, travel to step 7, else go to step 2 ; Measure 7: End product the person with best fittingness value. The procedure of the Genetic Algorithm can be described as Fig. 4: Figure 4: Flow chart of the Genetic Algorithm

Elementary Level Syllabus for Beginning English Courses

Elementary Level Syllabus for Beginning English Courses Syllabus - Lesson 1 This syllabus has been written for false beginners in a business English setting. The focus is therefore on the workplace. However, the basic structures that are introduced should be the same for any type of class. Vary the content of your lessons to make sure they fit students learning objectives.   Theme - Introductions The revised language items will include: The verb to beRevision of possessive adjectives: my, your, her, hisBasic greetings The new language items introduced will include: The use of names of countriesExpansion of lexical set: basic greetingsExpressions including Countries and Nationalities Your first lesson focuses on the verb be which will help students begin discussing basic questions. Possessive adjectives such as her and his encourage students to discuss what they learn from other students. Learning nations and national adjectives can help them talk about their country. Syllabus - Lesson 2 Theme - The World Around Me The revised language items will include: spelling skillsRevision of letters of the alphabet The new language items introduced will include: The use of questions and negatives with the verb to beThe use of determiners: this, that, those and theseThe use of a and anExpansion of lexical set everyday objects - singular and pluralExpressions including basic opposite adjectives This lesson focuses on objects that can be found both in and out of the classroom. It might be a good idea to take the class on a short walk around your school to help them become familiar with the concept of here / there, this / that. Working on basic adjectives in opposite pairs (big/small, cheap/expensive, etc.) will help students begin describing their world.   Syllabus - Lesson 3 Theme - My Friends and I The revised language items will include: singular and plural nouns, numbers 1 - 100, phone numbers, the use of the verb to be for giving personal information The new language items introduced will include: Giving personal information: name, marital status, phone number, address, ageAsking for and telling the time, prepositions used for telling the time at, past, toExpansion of lexical set jobs. This lesson helps students begin discussing schedules, meetings, and other responsibilities. The focus is on numbers, time, marital status and other personal items that require students to give information involving numbers and spelling.   Syllabus - Lesson 4 Theme - A Day in the Life of†¦ The revised language items will include: Times of the day, the 12-hour clock - a.m. and p.m.Revision of basic verbs used to describe daily routines The new language items introduced will include: The use of the present simple (1)The use of the first, second and third person singular in the present simpleExpansion of lexical set daily routinesExpressions including verbs and nouns that go together, prepositions used for times of the day - in the morning, afternoon, evening / at night The big focus on this lesson is the use of the simple present tense to speak about routines, habits and other daily tasks. Make sure to help students learn differences between the verb be and all other verbs. This will require a special focus on the helping verb do in questions and negative sentences.   Syllabus - Lesson 5 Theme - The Workplace The revised language items will include: continuation of the present simple (2)Revision of basic verbs used to describe work tasks The new language items introduced will include: The use of negative and question forms in the present simpleThe use of the first, second and third person plural in the present simpleThe use of adverbs of frequencyPrepositions of place and movement: to, in, atExpansion of lexical set daily work routinesExpressions including: Asking for help and asking someone to repeat In this lesson, you will expand on the present simple by introducing adverbs of frequency such as usually, sometimes, seldom, etc. Move from discussions focusing on I to talking about others with he, she, we, etc. Its a good idea to ask students to write up questions, interview other students, and report back to class to help students recognize and begin using different pronouns.   Syllabus - Lesson 6 Theme - Talking about Work The revised language items will include: Greetings and informal discussion about your work tasksRevision of seasons, months and days of the week The new language items introduced will include: Expansion of lexical set means of communicationExpressions including terms used for talking about the relationships between people in an office Continue exploring the work world while discussing a larger time frame when introducing days of the weeks, months and seasons to the class. Have students discuss typical activities for each time of the year, the day of the week or month.   Syllabus Lesson 7 Theme - The Ideal Office The revised language items will include: Revision of lexical set things in the officeRevision of daily work tasks The new language items introduced will include: The use of there is and there are for descriptive purposes and in the interrogative formThe use of some and any in the positive, negative and interrogative formExpansion of lexical set furniture to include items commonly found in an officeExpressions including prepositions of place including: on, in, near, next to, in front of, and between Drill down into the office world by focusing on office equipment. Ask students to discover what other students workplace look like by working with any and some (i.e. Are there any tables in your office?, We have some copiers in our office, etc.) Syllabus - Lesson 8 Theme - The Interview The revised language items will include: verbs expressing skills and abilitiesRevision of expressions used for asking and giving personal information The new language items introduced will include: The use of can to express abilityThe use of haveExpansion of lexical set skills and abilitiesExpressions including verb-noun collocations (words that go together) Finish up this first section of the syllabus by expanding vocabulary skills with common workplace collocations. Use mock interviews to introduce the modal can to speak about abilities. Syllabus - Lesson 9 - Check Module I The revised language items will include: introductions numbers and letters, skills and abilities, telling the time, describing your daily work routine, numbers and lettersGrammar Revised: The use of the verb to be in the present simple, possessive adjectives, the use of the present simple, the use of basic prepositions of movement and place, the use of some and any, the use of there is and there are, the use of can to express abilities, the use of determinersVocabulary Revised: countries and nationalities, telling the time, work routines, objects in an office, months, seasons and days of the week, asking for help and repeating, relationships at work At this point, its a good idea to assess students comprehension with a quiz. The test should not be long but should include each element of the first eight lessons.

Effectiveness of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Effectiveness of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Assessment of the Organization and Effectiveness of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Homeland security polices involve organization of the activities in all social spheres to detect, protect, and respond to the domestic attacks, including 9/11. Within the context of the National Strategy for Homeland Security, the mission of the department is defined as a â€Å"concentrated national effort to prevent terrorist attacks within the United States, reduce America’s vulnerability to terrorism, and recover from and minimize the damage of attacks that do occur† (Kamien, 2005b, p. xli).Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Effectiveness of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The Department of Homeland Security organized activities into six critical mission areas, including intelligence and warming, border and transportation security, domestic counterterrorism, protec ting critical infrastructures, protecting against catastrophic threats, and emergency preparedness and response. All these areas involve specific agencies and administrations that take greater control of specific fields of social activities to ensure security, protection, and prevention. Under the auspices of the department, such agencies as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA), and many other areas work on analysis, prediction, and prevention of all possible hazards within and outside the United States. Specifically, the FEMA aims to organize, plan, and coordinate available resource for mitigating and responding to the effects of natural and man-made risks (Kamien, 2005b). The TSA is also an important element in the security framework because it monitors seaports, airports, highways, railroads, and pipelines that ensure safety movement of people and goods within and out of the country (Kamien, 2005b). This sector is of special attention because it is closely associated with global transport infrastructure. The Homeland Security Infrastructure successfully applies a multi-dimensional approach to protecting and introducing prevention measures and responses to outside and inside threats. Despite the total coverage, there are still gaps that need to be fulfilled to enhance the security and reduce the risk of terrorist attacks. Specific attention should be given to agricultural/food sectors which are considered within a broader context of domestic counterterrorism. Biological weapon and foodborne diseases can constitute a serious threat to the safety and health of the nation and, therefore, the Department of Homeland Security should consider this issue in more detail. In addition, the agencies should focus both on various types of terrorist weapons and on the areas that could be affected seriously. Overseas combating terrorism is also among the most important natural strategies initiated by the Department of Homeland Security. Regarding the scheme under which the terrorism combating occurs. The problem is that the National Strategies address too generalized issues while encountering terrorist threats and hazards.Advertising Looking for coursework on homeland security? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More There should be a more consistent and specific approach to the areas that need particular attention. Much concern should be connected with diagnosing and predicting, as well as constant overview of possible measures that could improve the protection systems. Constant control and innovation is the major source of facing terrorist attacks. Threats and Issues Pertaining Cyber terrorism The issue of cyber security has now been on the agenda of the Department of Homeland Security for many reasons. First, the technological advances and popularity of web space have increased the computer-literate population. The spread of â€Å"hac ker† tools complicated the tasks of the security agencies in terms of development of effective software and hardware that would reduce and eliminate the access to the confidential information (Moteff, 2010). In response to the treat, the Clinton Administration planned to establish a Federal Intrusion Detection Network that could meet the goals of the Homeland Security Department (Moteff, 2010). During the Bush administration, the intense focus on cyber security occurred due to the 9/11 events, due to the mission to introduce a separate unit that would protect and monitor the recent challenges and problems in the sphere. Cyber security significantly differs from the purpose of protecting the nation from cyber crimes in terms of objectives that are purposes by the initiators of cyber terrorist attacks. Specifically, cyber crime cover much more general categories and that cause different outcomes for the security of the U.S. nation (Moteff, 2010). Specific attention should be pai d on the developing a new agency and framework that would be responsible for cyber security activities and policies. The legislation and regulations introduced by the Obama Administration have enhanced cyber security and have contributed to the development of cyber infrastructures that were particularly interested in considering the challenges being critical to the safety of the nation. According to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2009), â€Å"the use of innovative technology and interconnected networks in operations improves productivity and efficiency, but also increases the Nation’s vulnerability to cyber threats† (p. 12). Therefore, lack of awareness in the malicious factors that trigger attacks against the virtual infrastructure can lead to quick spread of debilitating effect. Therefore, the current and the main objective of the agencies responsibility for cyber space should ensure that the information flow within the nation is properly controlled and monito red.Advertising We will write a custom coursework sample on Effectiveness of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More The development of policies enhancing protection of the cyber space is quite challenging because of the interdependent and interconnected nature of Infrastructure Resource Center. In order to meet the goals, the main purpose of the Department of Homeland security is to introduce effective measure that would sufficiently address the consequences of outside influences, as well as provide effective response to the emerged contingencies. In this respect, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (2009) has introduced a consistent plan that touches upon the safety of important assets, networks, and system operating in Canada and Mexico and creating possible threats to the welfare of the nation. In particular, functionality, planning, and coordination should be among the core approaches of im proving the protection and prevention mechanisms. Vulnerabilities, Threats, Hazards, and Challenges Regarding Port and Cargo Security The post 9/11 event produces another potential attention to the carrier systems and cargo transportation in airports, and seaports. Such sectors as aviation and maritime have become the major focus of protection due to the increased vulnerability and threats. The major challenge in aviation is connected to the open and distribution of entry points both inside and outside the country, which makes it difficult to protect (The White House, 2003). Moreover, the main aspects of the aviation infrastructure constitute the major focus of the terrorist targets because they can become potential weapon for terrorist attack. There are many other potential hazards for aviation, including volume, limited capabilities, and time-sensitive cargo, accessibility, and aspects of security confronting accessibility. To meet the threats experienced in the aviation sphere, t he Homeland Department National Strategies has decided to identify interdependencies and vulnerabilities that could present the major threat in all possible spheres (The White House, 2003). Survey of manufacture, industrial, and production spheres in aviation are under the major focus. The points of accessibility should also be tightened in terms of security so as to reduce the availability of entrance areas in airport (The White House, 2003; Kamien, 2005a). Operations and coordination centers should not be available as well. Cargo screening capabilities and detection technologies should also be improved constantly. Railroad challenges should also be considered carefully to limit the threats of terrorist intrusion. The National Strategy, therefore, gives especial attention to the complicated network of railroad routes, which makes it difficult to ensure availability of security measures (The White House, 2003). In particular, the threat of specific train materials, including freight and transportation security, as well as lack of effective information exchange between the managers of the transportation sector can increase the probability of terrorist attacks. Transportation of marketing car container is another challenge that needs especial consideration. This is of particular concern to the emergency response mechanisms that are not developed extensively.Advertising Looking for coursework on homeland security? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Highways and public transport have also been the major concern because of lack of sufficient security system that would take control of the passengers. Therefore, this field is the least protected among all types of transportation systems. The routes that include tunnels and bridges are also under the major risk of intrusion (The White House, 2003). These areas should be monitored by the public transportation officials to prevent the possibility of intrusion. Because pipelines are part of industrial and public service system, no specific unit is responsible for this sector. In fact, any damage to pipelines can lead to negative consequences in many spheres of control. Because pipelines are attributes of differential industrial networks, the distribution of stakeholder prevent the government to take sufficient control of the safety measures. In order to prevent the described risk, it is reasonable to introduce a common unit for controlling the industrial pipelines that are owned by va rious stakeholders. Introduction of common standards of checking is also another approach that has been implementing by Homeland Security. Appropriate Roles and Responsibilities of the Federal, State, and Local Government and the Private Sector Respectively, in Terms of Security for Critical Infrastructure Key Resources The U. S. social, economic, and political infrastructure is complex and multi-facet and, therefore, it is difficult for both state and federal government to take control of the public sectors. Greatest vulnerability can experience such spheres as food industry, public places of food consumptions, including care and restaurant networks, as well as food markets. The Centre for the Disease and Control can experience significant hazards because of debilitating influences on economic and social infrastructure as a result of the identified gaps. Michel-Kerjan (2003) argue that private sectors lack sufficient degree of collective preparedness, which is especially essential after the 9/11 events. Therefore, terrorist attacks are oriented on the private sectors that are out of the attention of the government to generate fear and deterrence among the population. Previous experience reveals that use of separate elements in combination with larger social networks can be used to generate terrorist attacks because there is a bad interaction and connection (Michel-Kerjan, 2003). Therefore, the government at regional and national level should enhance their cooperation and interaction to be able to react immediately to emerged contingencies, as well as to predict any possible threats the welfare of the U.S. nation. Most of the resources used by the government are not used properly to address the needs of successful infrastructure cooperation. There should be an equal distribution of forces, responsibilities, and duties to coordinate actions and introduce a powerful protection mechanism. Specifically, the main mission of the Homeland Security is to ensure proper cooperation of local, tribal and national governments, as well as private sector administration to remove control deficiency (Department of Homeland Security, 2010). Lack of interconnected response to threat is among the main vulnerabilities that the President Administration should address first. The establishment of relations between public and private sectors is also important for working effective protection strategies. Despite the effective diagnosing and prediction of challenges and threats, there are still areas that need to be addressed. Specific attention should be paid to equal distribution of control between the identified sectors because prevalence of one over another will not ensure successful cooperation (Department of Homeland Security, 2010). Therefore, there should be balance struck between local government initiatives and the legislature and protection schemes issued by the federal and state administration. Specific attentions should be paid to decision-sharing pro cess and problem identification. Overall, the overall protection and prevention techniques that were previously developed will work much better in case they are enacted in cooperation of private and public sectors. These operations could also be enhanced in case much concern will be given to the private areas where separate elements of a network should be in accord with other elements relating to much greater infrastructures. Threats and Vulnerabilities Affecting Agriculture/Food Sector Foodborne illnesses are among the major threats that can be used as a biological weapon for terrorist attacks. This is of particular concern to seafood, poultry, eggs and other perishable goods that should undergo strict control and adherence to food standards. The problem is that there no strict standards that could be applied equally to all products irrespective of region and place of delivery. Imported goods should be of special concerns because there are differences between the food standards at home and abroad (DeWaal and Barlow, 2004). In order to prevent the hazards, the government should be more concerned with the development of international standards that would correspond with global standards and that would provide a safer ground for food distribution. Lack of facilities for inspecting and checking food for quality is also a serious problem that needs to be addressed immediately. The local governments should creative an extensive network. Lack of laboratories and relevant technologies does not contribute to the security of the U.S. citizens because of the lack of cooperation between public and private institutions. The second step that need to be considered is poor work of reporting and surveillance systems (DeWaal and Barlow, 2004). Despite the good and cooperative work of investigation networks, the information received is not properly distribution for further analysis and, therefore, the government fails to implement to corresponding measures. In order to avoid th is program, the government should implement a specific legislature that would regulate transparent reporting. This area of reporting should not be confidential because the public awareness should be informed about possible threats of consuming various food products. Monitoring of food-poisoning outbreaks is also a significant component that should be properly arranged. Most of the programs addressing this issue do not equally assess the extent to which these outbreaks can damage the economy and social welfare of the country. Therefore, the government and the Department of Homeland Security should introduce greater efforts to improve the situation (DeWaal and Barlow, 2004). In addition, Domestic food production is closely connected with agricultural sector and, therefore, it should be carefully monitored by the National Strategy initiative. Control of planting and supply of pesticide and other substances are enhanced to prevent the spread of biological weapon. References Department o f Homeland Security. (2010). Quadrennial homeland security review report: A strategic framework for a secure homeland (Sections I-IV, pp. 1-36). Web. DeWaal, C.S. and Barlow, K. (2004). Outbreak Alert! Closing the gaps in our federal food-safety net. Web. Kamien, D. G. (2005a). Civil Aviation in the United States: Security Before and After 9/11. In D. G. Kamien The McGraw-Hill Handbook of Homeland Security. US: McGraw-Hill Companies. pp. 613-630. Kamien, D. G. (2005b). The McGraw-Hill Handbook of Homeland Security. US: McGraw-Hill Companies. Michel-Kerjan, E. (2003). New challenges in critical Infrastructures: A US perspective. Journal of Contingencies Crisis Management, 11(3), 132-141. Moteff, J. (2010). Critical infrastructures: Background, policy and implementation. Congressional Research Service, 1-31. Web. The White House (2003). The National Strategy for the Physical Protection of Critical Infrastructures and Key Assets. US: Washington. 1-96. U.S. Department of Homeland Secur ity. (2009). National infrastructure protection plan. Web.

Battle of Messines in World War I

Battle of Messines in World War I Battle of Messines - Conflict Dates: The Battle of Messines took place from June 7 to 14, 1917, during World War I (1914-1918). Armies Commanders: British General Sir Herbert PlumerLieutenant General Sir Alexander GodleyLieutenant General Sir Alexander Hamilton-GordonLieutenant General Sir Thomas Morland212,000 men (12 divisions) Germans General Sixt von Armin126,000 men (5 divisions) Battle of Messines - Background: In the late spring of 1917, with the French offensive along the Aisne bogging down, Field Marshal Sir Douglas Haig, commander of the British Expeditionary Force, sought a way to relieve pressure on his ally. Having conducted an offensive in the Arras sector of the lines in April and early May, Haig turned to General Sir Herbert Plumer who commanded British forces around Ypres. Since early 1916, Plumer had been developing plans for an attack on Messines Ridge southeast of the town. The capture of the ridge would remove a salient in the British lines as well as give them control of the highest ground in the area. Battle of Messines - Preparations: Authorizing Plumer to move forward with an assault on the ridge, Haig began to view the attack as a prelude to a much larger offensive in the Ypres area. A meticulous planner, Plumer had been preparing to take ridge for over a year and his engineers had dug twenty-one mines under the German lines. Constructed 80-120 feet below the surface, the British mines were dug in the face of intense German counter-mining activities. Once completed, they were packed with 455 tonnes of ammonal explosives. Battle of Messines - Dispositions: Opposing Plumers Second Army was General Sixt von Armins Fourth Army which consisted of five divisions arrayed to provide an elastic defense along the length of their line. For the assault, Plumer intended to send forward the three corps of his army with Lieutenant General Sir Thomas Morlands X Corps in the north, Lieutenant General Sir Alexander Hamilton-Gordons IX Corps in the center, and Lieutenant General Sir Alexander Godleys II ANZAC Corps in the south. Each corps was to make the attack with three divisions, with a fourth kept in reserve. Battle of Messines - Taking the Ridge: Plumer commenced his preliminary bombardment on May 21 with 2,300 guns and 300 heavy mortars pounding the German lines. The firing ended at 2:50 AM on June 7. As quiet settled over the lines, the Germans raced to their defensive position believing that an attack was forthcoming. At 3:10 AM, Plumer ordered nineteen of the mines detonated. Destroying much of the German front lines, the resulting explosions killed around 10,000 soldiers and were heard as far away as London. Moving forward behind a creeping barrage with tank support, Plumers men assaulted all three sides of the salient. Making rapid gains, they collected large numbers of dazed German prisoners and achieved their first set of objectives within three hours. In the center and south, British troops captured the villages of Wytschaete and Messines. Only in the north was the advance slightly delayed due to the need to cross the Ypres-Comines canal. By 10:00 AM, the Second Army had reached its goals for the first phase of the assault. Briefly pausing, Plumer advanced forty artillery batteries and his reserve divisions. Renewing the attack at 3:00 PM, his troops secured their second phase objectives within an hour. Having accomplished the offensives objectives, Plumers men consolidated their position. The next morning, the first German counterattacks began around 11:00 AM. Though the British had little time to prepare new defensive lines, they were able to repel the German assaults with relative ease. General von Armin continued attacks until June 14, though many were badly disrupted by British artillery fire. Battle of Messine - Aftermath: A stunning success, Plumers attack at Messines was nearly flawless in its execution and resulted in relatively few casualties by World War I standards. In the fighting, British forces incurred 23,749 casualties, while the Germans suffered around 25,000. It was one of the few times in the war when the defenders took heavier losses than the attackers. Plumers victory at Messines succeeded in achieving its goals, but led Haig to over-inflate his expectations for the subsequent Passchendaele offensive which was launched in the area that July. Selected Sources First World War: Battle of MessinesHistory of War: Battle of Messines

Negotiations and Conflict Resolution Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Negotiations and Conflict Resolution - Assignment Example Also what is their resistance point, meaning how far can they go in the negotiations to receive the desired result. And what the cost of terminating the negotiations altogether will be (Lewicki et al, 2011) Lewicki (2001) elaborates that another tactical tasks is to try and supervise and somewhat manage the impressions of the other party. If the negotiator can do this and influenced ones impressions, then he can also modify the perceptions of the other party. One of the approaches is to conceal information. Again, such a strategy can carry ethical implication. Carefully exercising such tactics may mean that the negotiator can actually manipulate and orchestrate the deal, delay or even terminate the negotiations. One can also influence the cost of the bargaining. There are three ways to do so – in a disruptive way, in a alliance with outsiders and in a scheduled manipulation (Lewicki et al, 2011). In addition to the key steps the negotiations transition through 3 stages. The first stage is when all the planning and initiation to find a counter business partner is (Mnookin, 2011). The Second stage is when the negotiations begin and some issues need to be overcome to conclude the deal. And the last stage is when the agreement is executed. During the preparation parties need to find out what are their goals and how we can work together to reach it. Building relationship with the other party is all about understanding and accepting the differences and similarities not only between the businesses, but between each others characters (Lewicki et al, 2011) During the information gathering, the parties learn and collect clues about the businesses and what issues may arise. The use of the information implies that the parties have to assemble their best cards and present their argument. The bidding is when the negotiators trade their offers and each party explains what is willing to give and what is

What, for Weber, are the distinctive features of the modern state and Essay

What, for Weber, are the distinctive features of the modern state and what kind of qualities are to be found in those who have a vocation for politics - Essay Example Max Weber’s lecture on ‘Politics as a Vocation’: Politik als Beruf, was given in January 1918 to the students of Munich University. In it, Weber gave his definition of the modern state from the sociological point of view, which continues to hold good in the present day context, and his conception of the person who has a genuine vocation for politics. Weber’s ideal politician is one who realistically and resolutely confronts the vicissitudes of political life and combines in himself passion and detachment, along with the ethics of ultimate means and responsibility. Weber holds that the state is a political association which cannot be circumscribed by its’ ends, as these are too varied. It can only by defined in terms of its’ employment of physical force to attain its’ ends. Weber agreed with Trotsky’s assertion that â€Å"Every state is founded on force.† The state claims its’ use of physical violence as a legitimate right and considers itself the sole arbiter of this right. Another characteristic of the state is its’ demarcation into a particular territory. In the modern state, men dominate other men. This association is reinforced by the states’ use of force when necessary. The foundation of the state is the mandatory obedience of the people who are dominated to the authority of the state. This domination is given legitimacy by three â€Å"inner justifications† – traditional, charismatic and legal. Traditional domination is that exerted by patriarchs and princes out of age old custom. Charismatic domination is based on the appeal of a magnetic personality who inspires his followers to devotion because they â€Å"believe in him.† Legal domination is based on legal decrees which are accepted and respected as valid obligations. Of course, fear of punishment for resisting authority and the hope of reward for obedience are other factors which come into play. Politically dominant

BORDER SECURITY USING WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK Research Paper

BORDER SECURITY USING WIRELESS SENSOR NETWORK - Research Paper Example Borders are critical features of any state since they define territory. Individualterritories on the other hand have specific rules and acceptable ways of conduct which must be protected. As such, it is important that borders should be protected so as to keep away intruders such as illegal immigrants, smugglers, and terrorists. WSNs are being embraced in surveillance because they are cheaper and more effective as compared to traditional surveillance methods such as radar or satellite (Wang &Guo 358). Wireless border control sensor network architecture is made up of three main components: sensor nodes, gateways, and task managers. Sensor nodes are the components at the end of the architecture which capture the data at the border (through sensing). They are also referred to as the sink, source, or actuators. As such, movement for example at unauthorized areas can be sensed from the sensor nodes. Several sensors are situated differently and are usually interconnected. The sensor nodes may do some calculations before transmitting the data at the border though a gateway (Kalita, &Kar 2). Gateways on the other hand are proxies for the wireless border control systems. They allow the system administrators to interface Motes to some relay points such as personal digital assistants and personal computers for monitoring. In short, all the interconnected sensor nodes relay their information to the administrator through the same proxy (gateway) (Maharrey, Lim, &Gao 7). Gateways may be active (allow nodes to actively relay data to the system (gateway server), passive (allows gateway to send requests to sensor nodes), or hybrid (performs tasks of both active and passive gateways) (Villegas, Tang, &Qian 4). The task managers are the receiving ends of the wireless border control sensor network architecture. After the sensor notes acquire information from the

Balance sheet Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Balance sheet - Essay Example However, the major underlying problem of Superior Foods is that total current liabilities figure has increased at a phenomenal rate of nearly 10% per annum during 2001 – 2003, whereas the growth rate of total current assets figure is well under 7% per annum. Therefore, it is justified to argue that Superior Food’s current ratio has been constantly declining in last 3 years. Indeed, current ration was between 2.1 – 2.3 in 2001 and 2002 but reduced to 2.0 in 2003. This is an alarming trend because it may deteriorate liquidity position in next 5 years. 1) Current Ratio = Current Assets / Current Liabilities (in thousands of US $) = 83900 / 41950 = 2.00 2) Net Working Capital = Current Assets – Current Liabilities = 83900 - 41950 = 41950 As far the liquidity / solvency of Superior Living is concerned, it should be pointed out that the current ratio indicates that for every $1 that Superior Living owes imminently, it has $2.0 of available liquid resource in fis cal year 2003. The financial experts usually argue that an excellent current is in the range of 1.5 – 2.0 because it enables the firms to easily pay off their debts and future financial obligations to creditors / lenders.

Torts Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Torts Law - Essay Example condition of the fishing equipment, the service provider brushed it aside in a casual manner saying no untoward incident had happened in the past 25 years generally without paying attention to the particular boat and equipment. It is not the case of the service provider that even if the fishing equipment had been in good condition, the accident could not have been averted given the fact hooking of such a huge fish is capable of leading to such an eventuality as not a foreseeable risk and presence of tuna fish in that coastal area is a rare phenomenon. Hence the Family Friendly Vessel’s owner is clearly responsible for the injuries suffered by Mickey’s wife June and his daughter Gina. Lord Atkin in Donoghue v Stevenson1 (1932) laid down that in tortious liability due to negligence, the above requirements of duty of care, breach of that duty and loss and damage due to that breach should be met. In fact Donoghue case gives liberty to proceed against those who are not privy to the contract unlike in the present case wherein there was definitely a contract that existed between Family Friendly Fishing and the Mickey family. Hence it is all the more appropriate to hold the vessel owner directly liable to June and Gina for loss they have suffered. This principle laid down in Donohue v Stevenson was adopted in Australia in Grant v Australian Knitting Mills and Another.2, though both were from the House of Lords. The Family Friendly Fishing can not avoid the damages under the pretext of the inherent risk involved in such dangerous sports because, but for the defect this mishap would not have occurred. The res ipsa loquitur doctrine can not come to the rescue of Family Friendly Fishing. The doctrine is understood as â€Å"Control [by the defendant manufacturer] during the process of manufacture was sufficient, once the plaintiff has eliminated himself and other extraneous forces as likely causes of the injury†3 They had the duty of

Plays of William Shakespeare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Plays of William Shakespeare - Essay Example Everything in life had its place and every individual was expected to respect the social hierarchy. The Elizabethan age had its own unique rules about the social structures in the society and people were bound by the social rules. The main objectives of these rules were to ensure that the society followed a certain social values and that the class structured is maintained in the society. In his plays – Much Ado About Nothing, Macbeth, The Tempest, Richard III, and Othello Shakespeare certainly addresses the idea of an ordered society as well. In all the plays these characters both uphold and break down assumptions about the ordered world in Shakespeare’s time by conforming to the society’s values and at the same time breaking the social order. In Much Ado About Nothing, Beatrice is the slave of a pert tongue. She is extremely intellect, wild and strong. Unlike the other female characters in the play, she does not want to bow down to the patriarchal rule. In the p atriarchal society of the play, the women are governed by values of the society imposed by the men. Men in turn are governed by their expectations in their women. Male superiority and the subordination of women are seen throughout the play. This is mainly because of the fact that during that period men were considered to be superior in the society. The character of Beatrice does not conform to the typical characterization of the Elizabethan time, but it must also be kept in mind that this may be done to portray the strong characters in a farcical way. Beatrice is portrayed as a strong character who speaks her mind. Her pert tongue and her quick thinking can be seen when with her sharp reply to Benedick, â€Å"It is so indeed, he is no less than a stuffed man, but for the stuffing - well, we are all mortal" (Shakespeare). She often uses her wit and play with words to win an argument. This type of attitude and wit in a woman is rarely portrayed in Elizabethan era where women were tre ated as second class citizens. By portraying Beatrice as a witty, clever and strong character, Shakespeare breaks the social order of the women’s role in a society. In the play The Tempest, Shakespeare dissolves the society and embraces a new social order. In the play, Caliban is portrayed as the offspring’s of the devil and a witch, but at the same time he represents the creature of the earth. Throughout the play, he is referred many times as "natural man†, this is in sharp contrast to the Elizabethan social order. Like the character portrayal of Beatrice in â€Å"Much Ado about nothing† Caliban is given a place in a society which breaks the rigid social stratification. Caliban does not follow the social hierarchy by refusing to be under anyone’s control. Caliban acts on his own instincts and cannot be suppressed by Prospero as he loves his freedom. He made it very clear that he is the rightful owner of the Island, â€Å"I must eat my dinner. This island's mine, by Sycorax my mother, which thou tak'st from me. When thou cam'st first† (Shakespeare). This breaks down the social hierarchy as any land belongs to the king and cannot be claimed by people of lower status. But, then again, we also see the obvious social implications regarding the hierarchy, with the representations of Caliban’s character. In Shakespearean time, the social classification was rigid and he illustrates this rigid social structure throughout the play. He exemplifies how men of a certain

Torts Law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Torts Law - Essay Example condition of the fishing equipment, the service provider brushed it aside in a casual manner saying no untoward incident had happened in the past 25 years generally without paying attention to the particular boat and equipment. It is not the case of the service provider that even if the fishing equipment had been in good condition, the accident could not have been averted given the fact hooking of such a huge fish is capable of leading to such an eventuality as not a foreseeable risk and presence of tuna fish in that coastal area is a rare phenomenon. Hence the Family Friendly Vessel’s owner is clearly responsible for the injuries suffered by Mickey’s wife June and his daughter Gina. Lord Atkin in Donoghue v Stevenson1 (1932) laid down that in tortious liability due to negligence, the above requirements of duty of care, breach of that duty and loss and damage due to that breach should be met. In fact Donoghue case gives liberty to proceed against those who are not privy to the contract unlike in the present case wherein there was definitely a contract that existed between Family Friendly Fishing and the Mickey family. Hence it is all the more appropriate to hold the vessel owner directly liable to June and Gina for loss they have suffered. This principle laid down in Donohue v Stevenson was adopted in Australia in Grant v Australian Knitting Mills and Another.2, though both were from the House of Lords. The Family Friendly Fishing can not avoid the damages under the pretext of the inherent risk involved in such dangerous sports because, but for the defect this mishap would not have occurred. The res ipsa loquitur doctrine can not come to the rescue of Family Friendly Fishing. The doctrine is understood as â€Å"Control [by the defendant manufacturer] during the process of manufacture was sufficient, once the plaintiff has eliminated himself and other extraneous forces as likely causes of the injury†3 They had the duty of