Saturday, August 31, 2019

Closed-Source Systems Essay

There are several differences and similarities when discussing open and closed source software or systems. Some operating systems that are currently in operating are closed source and some of them are open source. Both closed and open source software / systems have their place in the technical world. It is difficult to say which of these types is better, because it will usually be based on numerous factors. Possible factors could be cost, convenience, flexibility, maintenance, and accessibility. The comparison will always be made when discussing open and open closed source software / systems, but it will always be a person-to-person situation based on necessity. Closed Source Software / Systems Closed source software is defined as software that contains a hidden source code or a non-visible source code. It is usually developed by a single person or a company. Once a final copy of the closed source software is developed and completed, it is sold to the public. This final copy is what end-users will find available to them. According to (Grant, 2004), â€Å"Closed source software is normally copyrighted or patented and is legally protected as intellectual property. † He also mentions that legally, â€Å"A user cannot give it away, copy it, or modify it in any way unless the user has a special license or permission to do it† (Grant, 2004). There are incentives for producing closed source software. It can be sold by the developers and it is intangible. What is meant here is, the developers or company that produced it can replicate it numerous times over. In order for companies to make a profit the software is generally rushed out the door. When this happens, the software can have issues in terms of functionality, maintenance, and support. Due to these issues, the producing companies are the only ones with the authority to produce patches to fix problems. Ultimately, after a patch is made the responsibility will rely on the end user to apply it and resolve the problem. This is where a security issue is involved. Grant mentions in his article, â€Å"Users have a poor record for applying patches resulting in thousands of computers around the world being left vulnerable every time a flaw is discovered† (Grant, 2004). Cost is a major factor with open and closed source software / systems. Closed source types generally cost more and this is due to licensing, patents, copyrights, registration, and manufacturer or company name. Maintenance, updates, and support are basic complimentary features when buying a closed source type. An example of a closed source software / system is Microsoft’s Windows and Office. Open Source Software / Systems As previously mentioned, closed source software / systems have their source code â€Å"hidden† from the public. Open source software / systems have their source code â€Å"visible† to the public. The same type of developers who create closed source software can create open source software. Grant states, â€Å"The reasons for writing open source software range from those who have a passion for computing and who want to contribute to make a difference, to those who do not like having to rely on any single company to produce what is needed† (Grant, 2004). Open source software / systems and the authors who create them are legally protected by the General Public License, or GPL. Since it is published under the GPL, users can use it for free and give it to as many people as they want to as long as they do not pretend they wrote it. According to Grant, â€Å"Users can make changes to open source software as long as what was modified is availably known to the public (Grant, 2004). That is one aspect that makes open source software / systems so grand, is that users can change the source code. This continues to the next aspect, which is; updates, patches and/or fixes. Users, or the public, can apply these factors straight to the open source software which is unlike closed source types. One of the downsides to open source software / systems is there is no warranty. If the software malfunction or does not perform well the users will have no recourse. Some other factors that Grant mentions with open source software / systems are, â€Å"There is no guarantee of good documentation or support, (Grant, 2004)† which is different than closed source types. Obviously, cost will always be an issue. Open source is free! Closed source is not. On the record, open source software packages have had better security that closed source types. A couple examples of open source type software / systems are; Linux and Open Office. Summary Overall, there are no perfect software / systems in the world. Some people might say that closed source software is for novice users and open source software is more for an advanced user base. Both types have a place in the technical world and serve a purpose. Their differences in maintenance, cost, functionality, support, flexibility, and availability will only make a difference in a person to person scenario. It can also come down to convenience and personal preference. Closed source and open source software / systems might have their differences, but where one might outweigh the other they tend to maintain a certain balance.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Productive and Counterproductive Behavior

Productive and Counterproductive Behaviors An organization will have employees with one of two behavior types. They can either be productive or counterproductive. The root cause of counterproductive behavior can be rooted in employee turnover, attendance issues, or lack of training. It is up to the organization to make an attempt to identify what the causes of their employees’ counterproductive behavior and attempt to find a workable solution. Productive Behavior and its Impact on an Organization Employers want productive behavior out of their employees because productive employees create revenue for the organization. However, employees tend to think just because they are doing â€Å"something† and not idle they are being productive. Their way of thinking would be incorrect. Productive behavior is â€Å"employee behavior that contributes positively to the goals and objectives of the organization† (Jex & Britt, 2008). As we can see merely doing something to occupy ones time is not being productive. Whether or not an employee is being productive can be measured by the cost associated with the employee’s performance and how effective they are. For example, there are two employees in a shoe store with similar sales figures and they sell the same number of shoes each month. The only difference in these two employees is that employee A works ten hours per day and employee B works a six-hour day. Employee B is the more productive employee because employee B accomplishes the same goal in fewer hours. There is a lower cost associated with employee B making him the more productive employee. Efficient employees are productive because they complete large amount of work in a short period of time. When employees are being productive they are concentrating on performing â€Å"core tasks† (Jex & Britt, 2008) and are bringing in revenue for the organization. An organization with productive employees will see less employee absences and in their turnover rate. Counterproductive Behavior Counterproductive behavior is â€Å"behavior that explicitly runs counter to the goals of an organization† (Jex & Britt, 2008). Employees who are counterprodtive may be employees who have issues with absenteeism or frequently tardy, substance abuse, they may steal from the employer, or simply have â€Å"ineffective job performance† (Jex & Britt, 2008). Any behavior that prevents an employee from conducting their job and producing for the employer is considered counterproductive. An Employee who take all day to complete a task because they are there all day and getting paid by the hour is an employee that is counterproductive. Another behavior that is counterproductive is an employee that uses unsafe practices at work. By not following safety rules employees can cause an injury to themselves or to another causing the employee to miss work. As previously stated, absenteeism is a counterproductive behavior. Strategies to Increase Productive Behavior To increase productive behavior in an organization and decrease counterproductive behavior an organization must investigate the cause. Sometimes the reason an employee is counterproductive are out of the employees’ control. For situations that are within the employees’ control, the organization must clearly outline their expectations for their employees. An organization must also outline the consequences for such negative behavior. Drug and alcohol testing and an attendance guidelines policy can be established. These policies will let the employee know what is expected of them and the consequences for not complying. The organization should also make efforts to understand why their employees are not coming to work (Associated Content, 2007). There are times when a personal issue can have its affect on an employees’ behavior. An organization can begin an employee assistance program that would offer counseling to employees if such a program were within the organizations budget. Lack of training and the appropriate tools for performing necessary job functions are factors that are out of the employees’ control. The organization needs to ensure all of their employees have all the proper tools. They can easily do a visual survey and question employees asking them what tools they could use to better perform their job function. Organizations must also ensure all of their employees have the proper training. If employees are not adequately trained they do not know how to perform their job functions. Organizations must adequately train or retrain if necessary any and all employees that require training. At times performing follow up training with all employees ensures employees are all on the same page as far as what their specific job functions are. Performance appraisals also need to be performed on all employees in order for them to know how they are performing in according with their job expectations. These performance appraisals will also serve as a tool to help the employee improve their performance and productivity. A performance appraisal should also be used to praise employees and let them know what they are doing that makes a positive impact on the organization (hrVillage, n. d. ). Both of productive and counterproductive behaviors have their impact on an organization. There are a number of reasons an employee can be counterproductive. Once the root cause has been identified an organization can begin to turn the counterproductive behavior into productive behavior. References Associated Content. (2007). Call Centers: 6 Steps to Improving Employee Attendance and Performance. Retrieved, March 29, 2010, from http://www. associatedcontent. com/article/189770/call_centers_6_steps_to_improving_employee. html? cat=31 hrVillage. (n. d. ). Employee Productivity. Retrieved, March 29, 2010, from http://www. hrvillage. com/human-resources/employee-productivity. htm Jex, S. M. &Britt, T. W. (2008). Organizational psychology: A scientist-practitioner approach, 2nd ed. New Jersey: John Wiley and sons.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Essay question Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Essay question - Coursework Example nesis is a concept in Plates theory that involves both epistemological and psychological theories that are developed in both his Meno and Phaedo dialogues. Russell on the other hand discusses the theory of knowledge in diverse measures of trying to unmask knowledge to its fine tiny particles. The platonic theory of anamnesis is mainly subjective to Orphism and Pythagoreanism and a belief in transmigration of souls (Koehler, 1972). It is also eminent of the thought pre existence of humanity with the sense of a soul. According to the theory of anamnesis, human discovers knowledge acquired during previous incarnations of the soul. This doctrine stipulates that, the soul knows truths about universal values and ideas. These values and ideas are known to be of non-materialistic sense. The soul already possesses knowledge hence its only duty is to recall ideas and occasions. Russell’s theory defines knowledge in that for an individual to discuss knowledge, one must be able to know the definition of a belief and the definition of a fact. There should be a known fact that connects with a certain belief that makes an agreement. As compared to the plutonic theory, Russells theory is determined to identify the major elements of knowledge and how they relate to the human soul. Russell defined a belief as the state of mind of a particular perception. A belief is set in accordance to the common sense. The human soul has the ability to feel and dictate the way a human being behaves. Consequently, a belief can be perceived as a percetin o common sense being manifested as behavior without any proof of mental occurrence. The interpretation of human knowledge according to this doctrine utilizes the theory of prior knowledge but it gives a different description as opposed to Kantianism or the neo-Kantianism theories. In contrast to this theory, Russell explains that knowledge is as a result of the distinction that truth and error exists. Theory of knowledge

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

French Language Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

French Language - Essay Example Although Standard French has in fact undergone centuries of human intervention and language planning, popular opinion, however, contends that Standard French should consist solely of the rulings by the Acadmie franaise in France, or in standardization from terminological work by the Office qubcois de la langue franaise in Quebec. There is further perceived or actual linguistic hegemony in favor of France by virtue of tradition, former imperialism, and a demographic majority. Such notions hinge on linguistic prestige rather than on a linguistic norm. Also, despite the existence of many regional varieties of French in the Francophone world, Standard French is normally chosen as a model for learners of French as a foreign or second language. The standard pronunciation of Metropolitan French is, out of concerns for comprehension or social stigma, sometimes favored over other standard national pronunciations when teaching French to non-native speakers in Francophone nations other than Fra nce. Though the French complain about the incursion of English into their language, they don't fight it nearly as much as French-speaking Canadians do. Whereas stop signs in France say stop, their Qubcois counterparts say arrt. Le week-end in France is known as la fin de semaine in Qubec. And of course, the word chosen to replace "email" in France was the Qubcois term courriel. Thus Canadians feel that their French is actually better than that spoken in France and should be the standard. Therefore, French-Canadians have started a petition to have their French become the standard by which all other variations are measured. Jean Charest, Premier of Qubec, had this to say: Au Qubec, on parle franais. Notre langue n'est pas un petit dialecte franco-canadien et elle n'est pas remplie de franglais comme le franais hexagonal. Nous insistons dsormais que notre franais, c'est la norme. (In Qubec, we speak French. Our language is not some "French-Canadian" dialect, and it's not full of franglais like the French in France. We insist that from now on our French is the standard.) (french.about.com/od/francophonie/a/4_1_05a.htm - 24k - Cached) French (Franais) is a Romance language spoken in France, Belgium, Switzerland, Canada (principally Quebec), northern New England (especially the state of Vermont), the state of Louisiana and in many other countries and regions formerly or currently governed by France. It is an official language of more than 25 countries. French is spoken as a mother language by 72,000,000 people and as a second language by some other 52,000,000. It is one of the five official languages of the United Nations. Origin and History French dialects developped from the Vulgar Latin which was brought to Northern Gaul with the Roman conquest in the 1st century B.C. (see Rome). The history of French language is divided into 6 main periods:

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Gun Control Legislation (Do stricter laws correlate to lower homicide Thesis

Gun Control Legislation (Do stricter laws correlate to lower homicide rates, fewer gun related crimes and less illegal weapons) - Thesis Example This book illustrates the author’s research on crime, prevention, and the authority to have concealed weapons. He severely condemns the notion that it is unjustified to allow citizens to carry guns, as it is harmful to the society, however, concealed weapons is only dangerous to the criminals and useful to the common man. The writer provides data of 3000 U.S. countries who imposed gun laws over 18 years (Lott, 2010) and as a result, the crime rate like murder, theft went down immediately. Moreover, according to Lott, the people who benefitted were mostly women, Blacks, and individuals living in the rural areas. However, in the book some statistics is rather dull and boring especially the data tables. This book is an excellent read especially for those who believe that gun laws should be implemented. Moreover, the book offers us a variety of debates that help us argue people who are in support of gun control. This source however, does not give much emphasis on the gun laws of A merica, instead, it provides data of gun control laws of other countries. The article gives information about Colorado’s mass killing that took lives of twelve people and fifty eight were injured. Living in America is extremely threatening because a person is more likely to be killed in the US than any other country like Britain, Japan and Germany. Moreover, the article gives credible information about why the crime rate is so high in America by telling, â€Å"two- thirds of the people in America carry guns, whereas in Britain only 10% of the people carry weapons† (Colorado’s dark night). The article shed lights on Obama’s failed strategy of gun control and the condition of the country is getting worse as a result. Every politician hides behind the Second Amendment constitution, which says the people have the right to carry arms. The

Monday, August 26, 2019

The endings of the films Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

The endings of the films - Essay Example However, her colleagues had been threatened to be sacked in case they failed to do so. Sandra decided to approach each one of them to secure her fate. Most of her friends’ preferred the bonus, but through her suffering and emotional character, she managed to secure her job. The plot is about a troubled abandoned teenage boy by the name Cyril who was left by his father and was later forced to live in a foster home. After escaping from the house to look for his father and his lost bicycle, he coincidentally manhandles a young woman by the name Samanatha. Samanatha later discovers the boy was emotionally disturbed due to lack of parental love. She decides to care for him and even help him locate his father; but after finding him, his biological father rejects him. Faced by disbelief, Cyril cries uncontrollably showing different emotions like anger, emotional imbalance and total muteness. Samantha carried away by his troubles, decided to help him both emotionally and psychologically, despite numerous betrayal from Cyril. Cyril at different points neglected her and joined a gang group where he robbed a certain father and his son some money. They later avenged the incidence and nearly killed Cyril. Cyril with emotional guidance he got form Samantha, takes his bike and walks away without doing anything to them. There is no satisfying resolution between the two endings. In Two days, one night; Sandra worn the case by securing her job but her boss did not want her back. Her boss blackmailed her colleagues in order to sack her from work. In The kid with a bike, Cyril never died and even though there were suspicions to bury his whereabouts, he decided not to revenge and went away. In the two movies, the lead casts found themselves in involuntary situations where they are abandoned and left on their own, despite their psychological challenges. It shows how people suffer for the problems they found themselves in. The two lead casts are

Sunday, August 25, 2019

The 5D Framework & Its Application towards Organizational Change Essay - 1

The 5D Framework & Its Application towards Organizational Change - Essay Example Therefore the primary thing we need to discuss is the reasons behind this extensive absenteeism. The probable cause can be many among which the environment is a strong factor. The environment consists of forces like the economy, political set up, technological factors, sociological and legal forces. These forces might affect an individual in several ways. For example, the economic condition of a country, specifically of an individual can force them to opt for other job opportunities. It is possible that the employees of the firm have opted for part time jobs in order to satisfy their & their family’s financial needs. It is also possible that the government of the country is offering better employment opportunities which are preferable in terms of salary, work conditions & work structure. The technology of the firm can also be a probable reason for the constant absenteeism as the employees might find it difficult to learn the new technologies & hence they are making excuse to a void those jobs which are highly technology oriented. The sociological factors might include that the employees are not getting enough recognition in their society for their work. It has been noted that the elderly care department is facing more absenteeism. The relevant cause might be the monotonous environment of the elderly care department. Also, the elderly people suffer from more health hazards which again might pose to be a discouraging element for the employees of that department as the general people do not like to stay near ailing people as the disease might make them sick too. A poor communications structure in the organization is considered to be one of the hindrances in the way of introducing the change.

Analyse and evaluate the impact of volunteer tourism on host Essay

Analyse and evaluate the impact of volunteer tourism on host communities - Essay Example Volunteer tourism is thus aimed at serving for the welfare of the community and at the same time facing the challenges in touring new places of diverse language and culture. Generally mass tourism is viewed as an activity of excursion or entertainment trip that is aimed at refreshment for the people undertaking the tour. The visit to new places is aimed at getting to know the language, culture and heritage of the places. The activities of mass tourism involve leisure with food and lodging, luxurious transport, etc. These activities impact the host community as it leads to environmental pollution and degradation and accumulation of garbage and waste. With the rise in globalization and increase in activities of the tourism industry, the issues of environmental degradation and conservation of wildlife and awareness of pollution have become sensitive issues all over the world. Volunteer tourism is an activity undertaken the volunteer tourists in undertaking tours to different places with an objective to serve for the welfare of the tourist spots (Benson, 2010, p.39). Discussion The activities of volunteer tourism has shifted the objective of tourism from the welfare of tourist industry to the welfare of host community or the places which host the tourist for a being popular destinations. The members of the community view the activities of volunteer tourism as restoration of nature and environmental balance of the host community. As a result of this, the members of the host community engage themselves directly in activities undertaken as a part of volunteer tourism. The members of the host community act in collaboration of the volunteers tourists and extend full co-operation and support to the volunteers in order to accomplish the goals of volunteer tourism. As a result of the volunteer tourism, the tourists are also exposed to the culture, language and social heritage of the area and thus there is a healthy exchange of culture between the local people and the volun teer tourists. The overall purpose of volunteer tourism being aimed at welfare of the host community, the local area is positively impacted by the honest efforts of the volunteer tourists. The volunteer tourists also have the objective of providing assistance to the community development projects that have been planned for execution. In order to be fully effective, the community development projects should be supported with necessary funds along with the knowledge and skill for efficient execution (Bricker,  Black and  Cottrell, 2012, p.49). The community development programmes may be aimed at development of children and women in the region, provision of food and nourishment for the under privileged, conservation of trees and forests, environmental balance, etc. The volunteer tourists play a vital role in collecting the necessary funding and also share the knowledge and skill required for execution of the community development projects. The volunteer tourism activities provide a means for the host community to increase their income levels and also accumulation of wealth. The volunteer tourist activities put up in the target destination for a period of time. Thus the basic and essential needs of the volunteer tourists need to be fulfilled by the economy of the host country. The supply from the host community is purchased by the volunteer tourists due to which the income levels of the host commu

Saturday, August 24, 2019

The analytical essay of the movie The History Boys Assignment

The analytical essay of the movie The History Boys - Assignment Example The essay explores the dramatic elements, theme, and meanings of the film, specifically for four main characters, Hector (Richard Griffiths), Irwin (Stephen Campbell Moore), Dakin (Dominic Cooper), and Posner (Samuel Barnett). Their sexuality produces inner conflicts that intersect with outer conflicts with social norms, norms that the basic institutions of society, specifically schools and religion, define and control. The dramatic action is the pursuit of knowledge in education and life and the changes that come from â€Å"knowing† and â€Å"becoming.† The theme of the film is that the purpose of education is to not teach what is known, but to help students know the unknowns about their society and their identities because this mindset makes them critical of knowledge and truth and sensitive to the vast gender and knowledge imbalances in society. Dramatic action occurs through the action of characters on their inner and outer conflicts about their identities and their knowing of the purpose of education to their identities. Education is supposed to help students and teachers learn what they do not know yet, so that they can become whole individuals. The through action of Irwin is that he changes because he learns that as a teacher, he should not forget his own personal growth. After Dakin and his friends learn that they all passed their respective university entrance tests, he confronts Irwin and offers an indecent sexual proposal. Dakin makes a strong remark on how different Irwin is as a history teacher and as a man because he is more confident and more of a risk-taker as a teacher than as a gay man (Cusack & Hytner, 2006). Irwin is clearly struggling with his gay identity, which he seems to be ashamed of. After the sexually-charged confrontation with Dakin, however, he becomes more spontaneous with his identity, when he rides with Hector on the latter’s motorcycle. The riding act means that Irwin is no longer ashamed of his identity be cause the purpose of education for him is to learn who he is. Dakin has action through understanding that he does not have to know his exact gender to be comfortable with himself because gender and education are both fluid complex processes in life. When he talks to Irwin about the sexual tension between them, Dakin underlines that he is not completely gay: â€Å"I'm not, but it's the end of term; I've got into Oxford; I thought we might push the boat out† (Cusack & Hytner, 2006). Dakin’s main conflict is his rigid sense of heteronormativity, which involves the validity placed on heterosexual relations. In reality, he struggles with his bisexuality. Both Irwin and Dakin are unravelling their sexual identities that they have repressed, and it is their education about sexuality that releases them from the bondage of heteronormative gender norms. Hector and Posner have the same gender conflicts, being gay in a world of masculine education. Posner struggles with his sexual ity that he does not want to control, while Hector struggles with his sexuality that he wants to control, but prefers not to because of his justifications that they are mere sexual baptismal rites. Posner confesses to Irwin that he is gay and in love with Dakin, and that he does not want his gay sexuality to be a phase (Cusack & Hytner, 2006). His inner struggle is more connected with his sexual insecurity because of his social circumstances. Posner is aware of the prejudice against gay people: â€Å"

Friday, August 23, 2019

An Obstacle Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

An Obstacle - Essay Example The "obstacle" the she deals with is "Prejudice." It is imperative to note that it is capitalized, which not only indicates its significance, but personifies it through granting it a proper name (Gilman, 2013). As the poem goes on, the personification involved here is confirmed, particularly in reference to "he." Lines such as â€Å"my strength and time were limited† and â€Å"I carried quite a load† proved that she was limited to accomplish her desires by men. According to the speaker, this was a form of â€Å"prejudice.† In the age where Gilman lived, society commanded women live by a "code of conduct"—and; therefore, the speaker talks about "the obstacle" "civilly." "Huge and wide" mean how extensive this prejudice is: with the poet’s proclivity to writing feminist literature, this obstacle saturate all through every corner of society putting restrictions upon what a female is permitted to do or not (Gilman, 2013). When Prejudice beams, probably it is carried out

Thursday, August 22, 2019

The Travel Expense Billing Controversy Essay Example for Free

The Travel Expense Billing Controversy Essay Neal A. Roberts, an employee of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) found out that his employer was earning millions of dollars a year by way of a billing method that he thought was doubtful. PwC had been collecting large rebates on airline tickets and other travel expenses being charged as expenses to clients of the firm. These rebates were not being returned to the firm’s clients in the form of savings, but the firm was keeping these rebates for it. This was working, because the firm would bill the clients for the full price of airline tickets and other travel-related expense, but privately, the firm negotiated discounts and rebates that they then got at the end of the year based upon total amounts spent. The clients did not know anything of the back-end discounts and rebates the firm was getting; therefore, they were being charged more than the firm’s true out-of-pocket expenses for the items. In October 2001, the firm finally stopped taking airline rebates completely. The company started structuring all discounts as front-end price reductions that would be passed on to the clients. In the professional environment, there are two main areas in which ethical behavior is required. The first point concerns the behavior of the employee at work, in dealing with colleagues, with supervisors and subordinates and also with customers, the second point concerns the behavior of the company itself against its customers, its employees and all others who may are concerned from company. Also you have to distinguish between descriptive and normative ethics. Descriptive ethics is concerned with describing, characterizing, and studying the morality of a people, an organization, a culture, or a society. [†¦] It focuses on â€Å"what is† the prevailing set of ethical standards in the business community, specific organizations, or on the part of specific managers. [†¦] Normative ethics is concerned with supplying and justifying a coherent moral system of thinking and judging. [†¦] It deals more with â€Å"what ought to be† or â€Å"what ought not to be† in terms of business practices. Carroll, Buchholtz, 2008:242,243) So it’s rather impossible for a large company such as PwC to adhere to all these ethical values. These values can be quickly lost in the general public, because everywhere, they are trying to make money and advance the business, whether this ethical behavior is observed or ignored. Neal A. Roberts was constantly trying to uncover the corrupt business of the company, because he has a higher ethical consciousness and does not want PwC to get away with its wrong behavior. Identify the ethical issues in this case. There are three ethical issues in this case. Firstly the cheating on customers out of discounts. The firm PwC earns millions of dollars on rebates, which are not being returned to the clients in form of savings, but rather, the firm was keeping these rebates for themselves. The second ethical issue is that PwC is giving false information to the firm’s clients, by telling them a wrong amount for the airline tickets and other travel expenses. The last ethical issue is the cover-up of the firm’s corrupt activity. The company PwC does not tell their clients and their employees about the firm’s illegal behavior. All these ethical issues belong to the organizational level (or firm level). â€Å"[†¦] These issues may carry consequences for the company’s reputation and success in the community and also for the kind of ethical environment or culture that will prevail on a day-to-day basis at the office. In addition, how the issue is handled may have serious organizational consequences† (Carroll, Buchholtz, 2008:289,290). [A] survey conducted by the Ethics Resource Center reveal what managers and employees are up against. † There you can see, that 19 percent of the asked employees mentioned â€Å"lying to employees, customers, vendors, or the public† (Carroll, Buchholtz, 2008:290) is one of the most â€Å"questionable practices that employees today face in their work lives† (Carroll, Buchholtz, 2008:291). Who are the stakeholders and what are their stake s? The Stakeholders in case 14 are the customers, the federal government, the company PwC, the partners in business and the employees. The customer’s stakes are to get the right service for the money they paid, to get good quality and to be treated honest and fair. But in this case the customers are not getting the rebates that they should be rewarded. Furthermore the stakes of the federal government are that the company PwC can pay the taxes and acts legally and ethically. However, the federal government was not only lied to about speculations and regulations, but they were also lied to as the customers themselves. Moreover the stakes of PwC are that they can keep on the market with the other companies, that their employees are motivated nd make a good work, that their company is creditworthy, so in other words liquidity is given, that they have many customers and good conditions for suppliers. The stakes of the partners in business are that they want to know how the competitive company PwC is in the market and how big their market shares are. But the other businesses are getting tarnished. At last the emplo yee’s stakes are to work in a nice working atmosphere, to get fair wages and also to be treated honest and fair. What is your appraisal of the ethics of the travel expense billing practices described in the case? What are the ethical arguments for and against them? My appraisal of the ethics of the travel expense billing practices described in the case is what the company PwC did is wrong, because it is not right and fair. They violate consumer rights, employee rights and shareholder rights by offending against the main ethical principles, such as the â€Å"Respect for Persons†, the â€Å"Principle of Beneficence† and the â€Å"Principle of Justice†. In this connection ‘Respect for Persons’ means that individuals should be treated as autonomous agents and that persons with diminished autonomy are entitled to protection. Further the ‘Principle of Beneficence’ indicates that â€Å"persons are treated in an ethical manner not only by respecting their decisions and protecting them from harm, but also by making efforts to secure their well-being. [†¦ ]Two general rules have been formulated as complementary expressions of beneficent actions in this sense: (1) do not harm and (2) maximize possible benefits and minimize possible harms. As with all hard cases, the different claims covered by the principle of beneficence may come into conflict and force difficult choices. † Moreover the ‘Principle of Justice’ says that â€Å"[†¦] equals ought to be treated equally. † (http://www. stmarys-ca. edu/institutional-review-board/basic-ethical-principles) The company’s behavior meets the basic level of the CSR pyramid, which says â€Å"be profitable†, but on the other side it goes against legal, ethical and philantropical responsibilities. [†¦] In most decisionmaking situations, ethics, economics, and law become the central expectations that must be considered and balanced against each other in the quest to make wise decisions† (Carroll, Buchholtz, 2008:249), but in this case, the company does not obey this rule. PwC only refers to the ethical basis â€Å"be profitable† and ignores the other responsibilities, which makes the whole behavior of the firm illegal and not ethical.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

Adverse Possession: Law and Effect

Adverse Possession: Law and Effect Rebecca McKittrick To adequately address the controversy between whether or not adverse possession in England/Wales and positive prescription in Scotland are similar in effect, the law in both jurisdictions must first be discussed. Only then can the effects of same can be established and compared. When a property owner fails (within a specified time frame) to evict a squatter[1] from their property their title is extinguished, as a result they cannot recover possession. This is the essence of the doctrine of adverse possession. Adverse possession is by no means a novel or modern idea. Traces of this doctrine can be found back as far as Roman law with uscapio and longi temporis praescriptio, with common law roots dating to the feudal times.[2] As with all law, it has evolved and advanced through the use of both statute and case law. Thus a doctrine permitting the acquisition of ones land by another has long since been created. Perhaps one of the most interesting aspects of this doctrine is the rationale behind it. One such notion is that there is a pragmatic expectation that any property owner will assert their title against any and all intruders.[3] The argument goes that if property owners fail to affirm their rights against the trespasser then they are not a responsible owner, thus are not entitled to own the property. This echoes the legal maxim vigilantibus ton dormientibus lex succrit the law will only assist those who remain alert, not those who sleep. Additionally the policy considerations[4], the quieting of title[5], are adhered to. Some commentators have noted that this doctrine mutates a squatters initial wrong (theft) into an eventual right (land title).[6] Thus, it must be questioned whether there is value in upholding such a doctrine, due to its somewhat controversial nature, which notably evokes a strong emotional response due to the misconception of it as little more than legal theft.[7] A s a result of avoiding the obligation of payment for land, by engaging in this more primitive acquisition of it[8], squatters are often portrayed in a negative light such that they are stealing the patch of another.[9] This highlights the inevitable debate of the validity of such a doctrine for why should a person not be free to do whatever they so please with their property, even if that means doing nothing? Nevertheless such discussion for present purposes will not be furthered. The present law on adverse possession in England was initially formalised in common law in 1962.[10] In spite of this, as noted earlier, the law has been subject to alterations and evolutions through a number of leading cases.[11] As a result, although the current law does fall within the doctrine of general limitations, the infamously flexible judge-made law must be consulted for the relevant principles. In a sense the law of adverse possession is similar to that of criminal law there are two fundamental requirements, one physical and one mental. In adverse possession there must be factual possession and animus possedendi, the latter being the more contested issue in practice. As commentators have noted, much academic and judicial ink has been spilt in trying to determine in what circumstances possession could be deemed to have taken place and when it was also adverse'.[12] In the case of McFarlane[13], Mr Justice Slade spoke about what is necessitated by the requirement of animus possedendi. Ostensibly it was noted that the squatter must possess the intention to exclude the world at large, which inevitably includes the true owner, so far as the law will allow and is reasonably practicable.[14] It should be noted that for a significant length of time, what exactly the squatter had to intend was quite unclear. It is evident from the case law that different judgments purported differi ng requirements. For example it had been held that a squatter couldnt simply intend to possess the land, this of course was a requirement but, they must also intend to exclude all others from it (including the paper owner).[15] Subsequently it was emphasised that the requisite intention was simply that the squatter intended to possess the land.[16] Thus the question arose as to whether or not intention to exclude, in addition to the intention to possess, was an aspect of the animus possidendi requirement. Recently the House of Lords clarified the matter wherein it was held that the requisite intention was simply the intention to possess.[17] The courts must consider several factors in order to establish animus possidendi. These factors go beyond simply the nature of the actions undertaken by the squatter and the evidence as to their intention. The courts must identify whether the possession was adverse, as well as whether the acts of the squatter were such that the intention to possess was unequivocal and that this intention was made clear to the world. If the courts establish that these actions were in fact equivocal, that the intention was ambiguous or simply not made plain then the claim for adverse possession will fail.[18] The squatter must be in possession of the land in a manner inconsistent with the true owner before the time period will run.[19] It has been noted that possession with consent of the paper owner will not usually give rise to adverse possession[20] and prior consent will prevent the limitation period from running[21]. Nevertheless, there are certain contestable situations that may occur in practice . The issue of implied consent[22], and whether or not there was a granting of a license[23] are just two examples of how consent can affect the outcome of the individual case. In order to substantiate a claim for adverse possession the squatter must, in satisfying the requirement of possession[24], establish a sufficient degree of physical control over the property.[25] The notion of a sufficient degree[26] evolved throughout the case law, similarly to the test to establish it. Interestingly these disputes can occur in a wide variety of circumstances. For example there have been cases indicating the possibility of adversely possessing a specific portion of a house[27]. The courts apply an objective test relating to the nature and quality of the property, seemingly however no consideration or variation will be afforded by virtue of the status of the parties to the case.[28] Evidently any possession must be open[29], actual, continuous and exclusive[30]. In applying the objective standard to exclusivity the physical enclosure of land is relevant but not determinative[31]. Generally fencing will satisfy the requirements of factual possession. However, the purpose of the fencing will be taken into account. For instance if the fencing was in place to enclose livestock, as opposed to preventing access to the property, it will not satisfy the prerequisite for a claim of adverse possession[32]. In the Adams[33]case Mr Justice Laddie delved into the nature and purpose of fencing. This discussion can be interpreted as meaning both entry and exit from the property. Notably the squatter need not maintain the fencing for the purposes of both. Nevertheless, fencing is presumably the most self-evident form of factual possession[34]. It is clear that although no variation is given in accordance with the situation of the parties, there is variance dependent upon the na ture of the property being possessed[35]. Consequently a person can be held to be in possession of property by cultivating land[36], shooting over it[37] or by simply leaving it vacant[38]. Thus it is clear the finding of adverse possession is circumstantial. As a result the main issues in practice is the determination of whether the acts undertaken are sufficient to constitute possession[39]. Additionally, in accordance with common sense, it must be noted that the acts of possession need not necessarily inconvenience the true owner[40]. To mandate such a requirement would potentially, and it is submitted most likely, result in an action being brought against the squatter much sooner. Therefore a lot, if not the vast majority, of cases of adverse possession would be prevented from ever reaching fruition. Following from this it is clear that a mere act of trespass will, notwithstanding the variance depending upon the nature of the land, be insufficient to warrant an adverse possession claim[41]. The doctrine of adverse possession gained much clarity with the Pye[42] decision in 2006. Herein Lord Browne-Wilkinson purported that reference to adverse possession should be avoided as much as possible. The rationale being that by doing so, a lot of the confusion and complication that arises would be avoided. It was submitted that in such cases there is a simple question. The court, it was asserted, need only answer whether the squatter dispossessed the true owner by being in ordinary possession of the property, without consent, for the required time period. Throughout his judgment Lord Browne-Wilkinson seemingly claimed there was an over conceptualisation of the doctrine of adverse possession. In relation to the debate as to what constitutes adverse possession, he suggested that what needs to be established is whether the possession is without the owners consent. This case adopted the approach in McFarlane[43] wherein the nature and use of the property was the key test. Thus to sa tisfy factual possession one seemingly need only have sufficient custody and control for ones own use[44]. As noted earlier, the effect of the doctrine is governed by both statute and case law. Although the precedent set out above plays an important role in the deciding of cases, new statutory changes[45] have significantly limited the scope of this doctrine. It has been suggested that this restriction is to be commended for creating a more rational and secure footing for the law.[46] The new law provides for circumstances consistent with the system of land registry wherein titles can be abandoned or registered under certain acts. The 2002 Act[47] addressed concerns regarding the ease at which an individuals property could be adversely possessed[48]. Thus with the enactment of the legislation came a significant change such that the burden shifted from the true owner[49]. Prior to this reform, the paper owner had been required to remain alert and ensure their land was not being adversely possessed. As per the 2002 Act[50] however the squatter now bears the burden such that they must have a dverse possessed the property for a minimum of ten years before making an application.[51] The true owner can, of course, protect their title by objecting to the application. This objection will render the application incomplete. If the squatters application is rendered incomplete, they need only remain in possession for a period of two years before they can re-apply. There are different options available to the true owner in the event of an application[52]. If the paper owner chooses to ignore or confirm[53] the application then the squatter will be registered as the proprietor. The 2002 Act[54] also provides for serving counter-notice[55]. This requires the registrar to operate under paragraph 5 of Schedule 6. As a result a squatter may not be registered in place of the true owner irrespective of whether they have established factual possession or not. However his is subject to three exceptions[56] which highlight not only the equitable principles intrinsic to the doctrine but als o the policy considerations upon which it is premised. Although possible to identify numerous categories within the doctrine itself[57], it is clear that the requirements of factual possession and intent are at the heart of understanding its effect. The fact the squatter must show that they had the intention to possess the land and put it to their own use, as well as proof of physical possession illuminates both the equitable and legal transfer of property rights by the creation of an added dimension. The aspects present in establishing adverse possession, as discussed earlier[58], are of utmost importance regarding the effect of this doctrine. As seen throughout the case law, in reality it is these elements which determine the outcome of the case. Thus they dictate the effect upon the individual and the disputed property. Positive Prescription: Law and Effect Positive prescription is the existing system of land acquisition under Scots law, the name given to the hybrid legal system in Scotland. There is an interesting difference in development between Scots Law and the English common law system. Scots law does not simply follow suit as so many other jurisdictions do, rather they created principles consequential to the work of French and Italian scholars, with Roman law proving particularly influential[59]. Whilst some commentators have noted the similarities between the nature of Scots law and that of other jurisdictions (namely Sri Lanka and South Africa)[60], it did in fact develop, as part of the ius commune[61], with influences from both civil and Canon law. Unsurprisingly, due to both proximity and relationship, Scots law has inevitably also been affected by the influence of common law[62]. Therefore certain similarities may be drawn. Nevertheless it must be noted that Scots law is a very unique, distinct native system wherein legislation is king. Interestingly the first of the legislation governing positive prescription, a creature of Scots law, is from the sixteenth century.[63] Similarly to adverse possession, prescription has roots in Roman law wherein it played an important role regarding property law. Here title was acquired through possession, or where an individual failed to meet the formalities which would deny such appropriation[64]. Initially the rationale was established to distinguish between prescription granting title and that preventing a claim of title against the squatter. As noted, positive prescription had many muses one of which was Canon law. Herein a great deal of importance was given to the bone fide[65] possession of the property. Positive prescription is unlike adverse possession in the sense that historically its role was one of conveyancing, not a method self-acquisition or legal theft. Initially the legislation[66] simply had the effect of restricting the right to call on a possessor to produce his full progress of titles[67]. Effectively once the period of possession [68] was completed this was seen to be confirmation of title. If the period of possession was unfulfilled, the progression of derivative titles was incomplete. Subsequently the transfer of title would have been denied. Continuous, open, peaceable possession of a registered title (which is reflective of a real right) for 10 consecutive years (devoid of judicial interruption) will result in the indicated real right and this right will be free from challenge[69]. This exemption from challenge has been subject to much debate, nevertheless the modus operandi is to ensure secure title.[70] Notably in a discussion paper the Scottish Law Commission purported that a positive system of registration of title is no substitute for positive prescription.[71] They continued, focusing on the exemption from challenge. It was noted how registration of title simply makes a void title good but is subject to challenges, whereas prescription makes title good without recourse to challenge. Although the central ideology of system of positive prescription is to serve public interest[72] it may be viewed as a means of deprivation of property. Thus positive prescription, like the doctrine of adverse possession in England and Wales, has an important role regarding property ownership. That said, in Scotland by virtue of acquisition by prescription as per the 1973 Act[73], both possession and title are required. Contrarily the doctrine of adverse possession is such that the title of the true owner is lost via limitation. The Act further provides for circumstances wherein the title is registered in the land register or the register of deeds[74], or where it is not recorded[75]. The first of these situations mandates possession for a period of ten years, whilst the second holds a requisite period of possession of twenty years. The rationale, or objective, for the registry is similar to that of the model in England. Nevertheless there is a stark difference in the length of time mandated for possession. That said, in establishing either adverse possession or positive prescription what the court looks to is very similar if not identical. A Comparative Analysis of Effect In order to adequately assess the effect of both adverse possession and positive prescription we must first look to their justifications. Commentators have often noted that adverse possession simply executes what is deemed to be a pragmatic expectation which came into existence during a time where an individual would have to forcefully assert their title against intruders[76]. However this may be seen to be quite an archaic justification, and that in modern times the only purpose of such doctrines is to provide a legal form of theft. Additionally it has been purported that the law in this area is too harsh, especially in considering the human rights implications[77]. Nonetheless, there are in fact many valid considerations in favour of such laws, which in turn highlight the effect of the doctrines. The first justification to discuss is the infamous Lockean labour- desert theory. Locke asserted that an individual has a natural entitlement to land if it is used productively. In todays world, it is increasingly clear that land is a finite resource. Thus it is difficult to argue against the notion that property ought be granted to the useful labourer as opposed to the incompetent fainà ©ant. Although the context with which Lockes theory was concerned was unowned property, it seems to present a logical justification to the doctrines at hand. As briefly alluded to in the discussion of adverse possession, one justification for such a doctrine is in relation to the quieting of title. The policy concern is the continuation of markets, as well as the desire to minimise tensions and conflicts. Courts have held that the objective of any statutes of limitation is to prevent claims from arising after unreasonable amounts of time have passed[78]. If causes of action were unlimited by time restraints it would breach the basic rules of fair procedures and justice evidence could and would become lost, and memory by its very nature deteriorates with age. It could be said that this justifications retains elements of capitalism, however it serves to protect the innocent third party who purchases property whilst also providing pragmatic benefits (such as efficiency, registration and land use)[79]. Notably other countries, for example the United States or even Brazil, cite grounds including protecting development and initiative of the individual as justification.[80] As such it is important to note that in England and Scotland by the 18th Century most land had been enclosed[81] thus the concerns were in relation to the clarification of boundaries and titles. Which perhaps surprisingly, due to the reputation of the doctrines legalising theft, are in actuality the areas within which most cases fall. Interestingly in Scotland a landowners power is seen as intrinsic to the interrelationship with cultural symbols related to the land[82]. The notion of symbols having a sociohistorical significance (with it being connected to social standing and groupings) offers a different view to the effect of the doctrines. This understanding highlights that any decision made can and will have significant social consequences for the parties involved. In common law the doctrine of adverse possession was originally premised upon customs and traditions. Thus the systems of acquisition date back to the introduction of personal property. That said, they have since become more regulated and civilised. Although some commentators argue that the doctrine became ubiquitous only after the Norman conquest, with others stating its prevalence dates simply to British feudalism[83], it is self-evident that the possession of vacant land was an intrinsic part of the global development of civilisations. Likewise title to land can be gleamed though the open, peaceable possession of land (provided there has been no judicial intervention) via the doctrine of prescription in Scotland. Whilst comparing the doctrines of adverse possession and positive prescription, differences are apparent for example the specific time periods required for possession, the consequence of enforcing the expiration date, or even simply the basis of the doctrine itself. Nevertheless, in reality the application of the rules to factual scenarios leads to results and effects of great similarity such that they are often identical. Conclusion It is clear that courts have been faced with similar issues when dealing with cases of adverse possession and positive prescription. For example, issues arise in attempting to ascertain which acts of possession should be afforded the greater weight, or in establishing exclusion. As highlighted throughout the discussion, cases of positive prescription will not necessarily be determined using the same methodology as adverse possession. Adverse possession and positive prescription were established and have developed in very different forms nevertheless the effect of each remains the same. Positive prescription relies heavily upon the legislation, consistent with the approach of its native system, whilst adverse possession although makes use of legislation[84], relies to a large extent (as per the nature of common law) on case law. At first the doctrines seem to be completely distinct, however in reality the justifications and effects are of such similarity that in practice the doctrines could be interchanged without altering the result of the cases. Notably both doctrines have, at some point at least, taken the role of a guide for the other and it is submitted this will probably continue to be the case. Having evaluated the development, rationale and effect of the laws relating to adverse prescription in England/Wales and positive prescription in Scotland it is purported that, notwithstanding the difference in method and development, the effects of both are nigh on identical. Bibliography Ackerman W Johnson S, Outlaws of the Past: A Western Perspective on Prescription and Adverse Possesion Land and Water (1996) 31 Land Water L Rev 79 Accessed December 27th 2016 Ballentine, Title by Adverse Possession (1918) 32 Harv L Rev 135 Baron M, Weeks v Kyrsa: Cultivating the Garden of Adverse Possession (2010) 62 MeLRev 289 Accessed January 15th 2017 Bordwell P, Disseisin and Adverse Possession (1923) 33 Yale LJ 1 Bouckaert B and Depooter B, Adverse Possession Title Systems (1999) Buckley NF, Pye (Oxford) Ltd v United Kingdom: Human Rights Violations in the Eye of the Beholder (2007) 12 (4) CPLJ 109 Burns F, Adverse Possession and Title-By-Registration Systems in Australia and England (2011) 35 Melb. U. L. Rev. 773 Caterina R, Concepts and Remedies in the Law of Possession (2004) 8(2) ELR 276 Chalmers J, J A Pye (Oxford) Limited v United Kingdom: Deprivation of Property Rights and Prescription (2006) 10 EdinLR 277 Accessed December 12th 2016 Chen L, Whither adverse possession in Hong Kong? A comparative and statistical study (2014) 5 Conv 413 Conway H Stannard J, The emotional paradoxes of adverse possession 64(1) NILQ 75-89 Cooke L, Land Registration: Void and Voidable Titles (2004) 8 ELR 401 Accessed Janurary 9th 2017 Cusine D, Adverse Possession of Land in Scots and English Law (1996) 45 ICLQ 667 Dixon M, Human Rights and Adverse Possession: The Final Nail (2008) 2 Conv 160 Dixon M, Modern Land Law (8th edn, Routledge 2012) Donnelly C, From possession to ownership: an analytical study of the declining role of possession in Scottish property law (2006) 4 Jur Rev 267 Douglas, Acquiring Rights To Land by Way of Prescription (2012) TC Young Blog Accessed Janurary 28th 2017 Edney J, Human Territoriality (1974) 81 Psychol Bull 959 Ellickson R Thorland C, Ancient Land Law: Mesopotamia, Egypt, Isreal (1995) 71 CKLR 321 Accessed Farran D, The Principles of Scots and English Land Law. A Historical Comparison (W. Green Son 1958) Gardiner B, Squatters Rights and Adverse Possession: A Search For Equitable Application of Property Laws (1997) 8 Ind Intl Comp L Rev 119 Accessed December 12th 2016 Gravells N, Land Law (4th edn, Thompson Reuters 2010) Gray K Gray S, Elements of Land Law (5th edn Oxford University Press 2009) Gray K Gray S, Land Law (7th edn, Oxford University Press 2011) Gretton G, Case Comment: Privat

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Women In A Midsummers Night Dream English Literature Essay

Women In A Midsummers Night Dream English Literature Essay Shakespeares female characters are represented across a variety of social classes. In this essay I will explore how Shakespeare portrays women in A Midsummer Nights Dream inclusive of several female characters in this play. This allows us to examine in depth, to a very limited extent, how they were treated in society and the stereotypical roles Elizabethan society imposed upon them. I will be examining specifically the characters and portrayal of Hippolyta, Helena and Hermia and how they defy the stereotypical notion of how women were treated by men. Firstly, the most obvious aspect regarding Shakespeares portrayal of women in this play is that the female gender is commodified. Throughout the play, women are treated like objects to be sold or traded. With reference to the background of the characters Theseus and Hippolyta, Greek mythology states that when Theseus, the Duke of Athens, sailed to the land of the Amazon, the Amazons offered Theseus gifts of peace. However, Theseus kidnapped Hippolyta, the queen of the Amazonians, and forcefully made her his wife.  [1]  This resulted in the war between the Athenians and the Amazons. Theseuss action of claiming Hippolyta as a prize and a wife might show that he treats them as objects rather than human beings.  [2]  This idea is reinforced when Theseus says Hippolyta, I wooed thee with my sword, and won thy love doing thee injuries (I.i.16-17). This statement refers to how Theseus won the battle with the Amazons and in conquering the Amazons; he has conquered their queen, Hippol yta, both physically and emotionally. Hippolytas lines in this play are of relatively insignificant amount and value as compared to Theseuss. For example, in the first Act, Hippolyta only comforts Theseus by saying that Four days will quickly steep themselves in night; Four nights will quickly dream away the time (I.i.7-8) and they will have the marriage ceremony soon. In addition, Theseus appears to be making the decisions regarding everything, ranging from their marriage to Hermias marriage. This is significant as it shows that Hippolyta is subservient to Theseus as she has little say in these state events despite being seated next to Theseus. In addition, Hippolytas silence could possibly show how she is unhappy about being forced into a marriage with Theseus  [3]  as shown in the 1970s BBC production of A Midsummer Nights Dream. Hippolytas silence could also be seen as a rejection of male dominance.  [4]  However, it is also significant that Hippolyta gets is given more of a voice in the last scene after bein g married and this will be explored later. Another relationship that suggests the marginalizing of women is seen again between Egeus and Hermia. Egeus, Hermias father, has made up his mind to marry Hermia to Demetrius but Hermia refuses to do so. Egeus then brings up this complaint to Theseus, hoping Theseus is able to help him. In doing so, Egeus is shown to regard Hermia as a commodity. Egeus says that Hermia has turned her obedience, which is due to me (I.i.37) and that since she is mine, I may dispose of her (I.i.42). These 2 lines show Egeus treating Hermia as mere property  [5]  because he made her and hence Hermia ought to listen to her fathers instructions. This idea is also proven by some parents in the early 17th century such as Sir Edward Coke who whipped his daughter into marriage with a mentally unsound man.  [6]   Moreover, Theseus becomes the personification of the law in Athens as he tells Hermia to either to die the death, or to abjure for ever the society of men (I.i.65-66). According to the ancient privilege of Athens (I.i.41) a womans father has the right to decide who she should marry and she has no say in his decision. If the woman goes against the wishes of her father, she can either be put to death or to stay a virgin forever by becoming a nun. The number of different options given by both Theseus and Egeus only goes to support the fact that Renaissance women were constrained in the verbal medium and that silence was the virtue most stringently required from Renaissance women.  [7]   However, it is also through these three women that we see the female gender defying the societys treatment of women then. Hippolyta, Helena and Hermia go against the grain in their unique ways and show that despite the limitations and laws that society imposes upon them, they are able to assert themselves and show society that they have the potential to be as capable as men. Critics have said that Shakespeares portrayal of women in this manner could possibly be his own stand on how women should be treated equally as men but since he belongs to the Elizabethan era, it is still difficult to garner Shakespeares precise views on feminism and its issues solely based A Midsummer Nights Dream and even if we could, it is still problematic to judge his 16th 17th century mindset based on the definitions and criteria of twentieth century feminism.  [8]  In addition, Shakespeare is based in the Elizabethan era yet he writes about the lives and attitudes of the ancient Greeks. This suggests that interpreting Shakespeares mindset from his works is only reliable to a small extent. Hence, his representation of women only serves as an understanding to how he was unorthodox in the gender assumptions of his era. One extremely effective method of showing that women should assert having their opinions and rights recognized by men is to have the characters in A Midsummer Nights Dream either engage in a power struggle or a role reversal. The very first power struggle shown in the play exists between Egeus/Theseus and Hermia. In Act 1 Scene 1, Hermia openly defies Egeuss wishes for her to marry Demetrius instead of Lysander. Through Egeuss eyes, Hermia is seen to have a stubborn harshness (I.i.38) and she will not consent to marry with Demetrius (I.i.40). She defies Egeus despite knowing that ancient tradition grants the father power to marry his daughter off whoever he wishes to. Nonetheless, she even conspires with Lysander and agrees to his plan of leaving Athens to Lysanders widow aunt whose house is remote seven leagues (I.i. 159) and out of reach of the sharp Athenian law (I.i.162). While running away might seem like a nuanced and subtle form of defiance, it is still an affirmation of Hermi as rights and freedom as a woman to choose who she marries. In the same scene, she defies Theseus in both her tone and her language. For example, when Theseus tries to persuade Hermia to marry Demetrius by saying that Demetrius is a worthy gentleman (I.i.52) Hermia asserts, So is Lysander (I.i.53). In addition, when Theseus tells Hermia that she faces either a nunnery or death, she replies that My soul consents not to give sovereignty (I.i.82) and she would rather be a nun than having to marry Demetrius. In Hermias case, the act of women asserting themselves is almost unheard of as Shakespeare lived in a patriarchal culture in which authority and privilege is particularly invested in the hands of the patriarch of a family. This shows that women were subordinate to men.  [9]   The most obvious example of gender reversal is between Demetrius and Helena. In Act 2 Scene 1, Helena reminds the audience about this role reversal by saying, We cannot fight for love, as men may do; we should be wooed, and were not made to woo (II.i.241-242). This line refers to how, in this situation, Helena is playing the role of the male chasing after the female (Demetrius) through the woods and persuading Demetrius to love her. Although I acknowledge that Helena is forced to woo Demetrius due to her situation of unrequited love, it is not proper for a woman to behave in this manner in Ancient Greece. This role reversal between Helena and Demetrius suggests that in Ancient Greece, women were generalized as insensible and unable to make proper judgments and hence needed a male guardian.  [10]  By getting Helena to play the role of men, Shakespeare creates comic relief as the audience sees it as ridiculous and absurdly funny. In addition, some members of the audience may feel sympathetic for Helena instead. Inducing sympathy and challenging the audiences perception of women could have been Shakespeares intentions to promote equal treatment regardless of gender. Nonetheless, this seemingly comic situation still holds true to this day as we, to a small extent, still stereotype women as human beings to be wooed by men despite various organizations pushing for female equality. This may be due to our genetic makeup as human beings or cultural influences about women but we do not exactly know. The final instance of a power struggle between the genders occurs between Theseus and Hippolyta. In Act 5 Scene 1, Hippolyta voices out that she disagrees with Theseus on the events that happened to the lovers the previous night. While Theseus says that he may never believe these antique fables (V.i.2-3), Hippolyta disagrees and says that it must have been true because all their minds transfigured together (V.i.24) and it was more witnesseth than fancys images (V.i.25). Hippolytas verbal answer can be seen in two ways. Firstly, Michael Boyd, a stage director implied that Hippolyta has accepted Theseus as she gives her husband a kiss. This suggests that Hippolyta is simply discussing the whole issue about the lovers with Theseus. The darker way of looking at this is that Hippolyta is involved in struggles for power in a patriarchal society.  [11]  In doing so, Hippolyta empowers the female gender by going against how women were supposed to be submissive and agreeable to their husb ands. In conclusion, I hope this essay demonstrates Shakespeares several conscious and subconscious feminist intentions, through A Midsummer Nights Dream, in his portrayal of women as opposition to the supposed virtues of marriage.  [12]  More importantly, this paper would have suggested that A Midsummer Nights Dream may be interpreted to imply Shakespeare being a proto-feminist who understood and sympathized women who were treated unfairly.

Monday, August 19, 2019

Child Abuse and Neglect Essay -- Violence Against Children

Child Abuse Child abuse and neglect is frightfully high. As a country this is unacceptable. We need to come up with better ways to fight this â€Å"disease† before we destroy our children, our future. An estimated 903,000 children across the country were victims of abuse or neglect in 2001, according to national data released by the Department of Health and Human Services. The statistics indicate that about 12.4 out of every 1,000 children were victims of abuse or neglect, a rate comparable to the previous year's victimization rate of 12.2 out of 1,000 children. "A nation as compassionate as ours should ensure that no child is a victim of abuse or neglect. The number of children that are being abused and neglected this country is an unacceptable daily tragedy," HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson said. "We must do more to protect our most vulnerable children. That's why President Bush has proposed an important new approach to give states the tools and resources they need to prevent abuse and care for these young victims." As part of HHS' fiscal year 2004 budget request, the Bush Administration is proposing a new approach to protect children in the child welfare system. Under the plan, states would have the option of using some money now designated solely for foster care to support a range of abuse-preventive services and programs. The proposal provides the flexibility and sustained financial support necessary to build innovative programs for children and families...

What Matters in Life? :: English Literature, Personal Values

What Matters? What matters most to you in the world today? People often ask this question. I must say being 26 I have been asked this question many times in my life. The response I always give was my career. Winning and surfing, you see they are the only things that should matter. But I did not once stop to think that maybe the things that mattered more then just a surfing career was my family. I hardly got to see my children in the first stages of their life, never got to see them take their first step or say their first word because I was always out surfing and living up to my dream of being the one that no one could beat. This al changed drastically one year just after my daughters fifth birthday. I arrived home from a surfing tournament to find my wife and two kids homeless. Lucky for them they weren’t in the house at the time of the fire. The police say that it was because I was the â€Å"unbeatable† one and that the other Pro-surfers just wanted to be in the spot light for once. But I say it was a message. A message that maybe it was time to stay at home and help out. A time to watch my children grow up and be there for them. As we walked through the house going from room to room looking a tall that had been destroyed. All I could think of was my awards and trophies that I would no longer have to show off to the people that came over, to camera reporters when they do interviews about me. My wife asked me â€Å"if we were in the house at the time†¦what would you have taken with you? I replied with â€Å"Oh of course my medals and trophies† she sat down as tears welled up in her eyes and said to me â€Å"Yes. But what about the pictures that can never be replaced, you can always get more trophies†. It was at this point where I thought long and hard about what I would really take with me if I was given the time. I had thought of clothes and blankets, of the kids toys, but my mind was now set on what really matters. All the things that I wanted to take with me could be replaced, the only things that could never be replaces where the photos and the memories.

Sunday, August 18, 2019

The Impact of the Civil War on Womens Rights Essay -- Womens Rights

â€Å"I do not wish them [women] to have power over men; but over themselves.† ― Mary Wollstonecraft, A Vindication of the Rights of Woman After four years of seemingly endless battle between a divided nation, more than 600,000 people were killed. These lives, however, were not given in vain. Had it not been for the American Civil War, abolition may not have been carried out. The nation might have remained divided. Women might have remained confined to their roles as the "homemakers." Although the Civil War was fought in hopes of preserving the nation and ridding it of slavery, another war raged on within the depths of this war--the women's war. Serving as nurses both in the hospital and on the battlefields, women came to know a whole different world; a world outside of the home. When the last gun shot was fired, women were expected to return to their roles as the housewives. Some, however, had tasted the sweetness of being able to hold positions equal to that of their male counterparts and had become addicted. In this way, the American Civil War served as a significant turning point for the transformation of societal v iews concerning working women-particularly those in the field of nursing. Prior to the Civil War, it was believed that a woman's place was in the home. Societal views held that women were to be the homemakers, while the occupations in the outside world were to be left to the men. "It was an age when women were preferred as angels rather than amazons, homemakers rather than careerists" (Donald & Randall 19). A woman's legal status was dependent on that of her father or husband, depending on whether she was married or not. As a result, a woman could not make any legal appearances in court or sign any legal papers... ...ar and Reconstruction. D.C. Health and Company: Boston,1965. McPherson, James M. Ordeal By Fire: The Civil War and Reconstruction, Second Edition. Princeton University: McGraw-Hill, Inc., 1992. Moore, Frank. Women of the War: Their Heroism and Self-Sacrifice. Hartford, Connecticut: S.S. Scranton & Co., 1866. "Negro Emancipation," Harper's Weekly: Journal of Civilization, January 10, 1863, p. 18. "The Bombardment of Fort Sumter," Harper's Weekly: Journal of Civilization, April 27, 1861, p. 1. Thompson, William F. Image of War: The Pictorial Reporting of the American Civil War. Louisiana State University Press: Baton Rouge and London, 1960. Volo, Dorothy Denneen and Volo, James M. Daily Life in Civil War America. Greenwood Press: Westport, Connecticut and London,1998. Wright, Mike. What They Didn't Teach You About the Civil War. Presido Press, 1996.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Personal Academic Goals

The National Center for Education Statistics did a study on pay comparison between graduate and non-graduate workers. The study indicates that college graduates get paid an average of 38% more compare to those non-graduates. Therefore, finishing college is as important and should be a goal for most individuals if not everyone. My three personal academic goals that hope to achieve as a student here at the university are to earn a degree in management, learn how it affects roductivity in the workplace and also to improve written and oral communication skills.Understanding that going to college and graduate from it is no simple task. It involves numerous moving parts and those parts need to work together in harmony to achieve personal academic goals. Some of those moving parts that need enhancing are personnel responsibility, time management, written, and oral In my 24 years of military service, I did not take advantage of communications. acquiring a formal education even though the mil itary provides the opportunities and environment to take college courses and get a degree.When I was in the military, my priorities were more focus on getting the Job done making sure that military personnel get their personal records corrected and updated, get paid correctly and on time, provide briefs, submit reports, and conduct different types of trainings. After retiring from the military, my priority changes and academic success is in the front of it. By using my military educational benefits (GI bill) entitlement to jump start my desire to pursue higher learning and hoping to acquire a degree in management here at the university.The Association of American Colleges and Universities (AAC&U) researchers at the University of Michigan Center for the Study of Higher and Postsecondary Education (Eric Dey, 2008) that in categories they surveyed; students and professionals strongly agree that personal responsibility should be a major focus of a college education. The same study also demonstrates that 40% of college students acquire or develop personal responsibility while in college pursuing a degree.To me, personal responsibility is to admit and accept that no one is perfect, will make mistakes, take ownership of my actions, seek assistance when eeded, learn from it, and correct it. Time management is also important to students' academic goals, personal life, and career success. Setting short-term and long-term goals are an integral part of time management. In the book â€Å"Becoming a Master Student† (Dave Ellis, 2011, p. 61), emphasizes that students have enough time for the things they want to accomplish.It takes thinking about possibilities and making conscious choices (p. 61). Students know that there are 24 hours in a day and 168 hours in a week, â€Å"no more no less. † By making conscious effort to write down hould help meet deadline and task. As a student, I need to recognize that procrastination is the enemy of time management; fight it , destroy it, and stop it now! Managing and following time management diligently with no hesitation is a model for success for students to follow.Another key element to personal academic success is the importance of improving one's written and oral communication skills are vital in the workplace. The utilization of computers has been the greatest force for change in the environment and activities of an organization (Uhlig, 1977). Electronic evices, such as computers have been increasingly used as a medium in written and oral communications in the world of business today. To succeed, I have to learn the foundations of basic writing, grammar, and speaking in front of people.I must also understand that communications skills are a necessity and important in the business world not only in todays environment but also in the future, In conclusion, there are no shortcuts to academic success and that graduating from college are extremely difficult and time consuming. By improving, mastering, and applying acquired skills n personal responsibility, time management, oral, and written communications can prepare me to succeed in academic settings.Investing time, attention, patience, and perseverance must be the focal point of emphasis in achieving my academic goals. It is time to learn, conquer fear, fght procrastination, and enjoy every moment of it.

Friday, August 16, 2019

The Role of Marketing

1. Markets bring together buyers and sellers of goods and services. In some cases, such as a local fruit stall, buyers and sellers meet physically. In other cases, such as the stock market, business can be transacted over the telephone, almost by remote control. We need not go into these details. Instead, we use a general definition of markets. 2. What the term market means A market is a shorthand expression for the process by which household’s decisions about consumption of alternative goods, firms’ decisions about what and how to produce, and workers’ decisions about how much and for whom to work are all reconciled by adjustment of pricesPrices of goods and of resources, such as labour, machinery and land, adjust to ensure that scarce resources are used to produce those goods and services that society demands. 4. Economics studies markets and prices Much of economics is devoted to the study of how markets and prices enable society to solve the problem of what, how, and for whom to produce. Suppose you buy a hamburger for your lunch. What does this have to do with markets and prices? You chose the cafà © because it was fast, convenient and cheap.Given your desire to eat, and your limited resources, the low hamburger price told you that this was a good way to satisfy your appetite. You probably prefer steak but that is more expensive. The price of steak is high enough to ensure that society answers the â€Å"for whom† question about lunchtime steaks in favour of someone else. 5. The seller’s viewpoint Now think about the seller’s viewpoint. The cafà © owner is in the business because, given the price of hamburger meat, the rent and the wages that must be paid, it is still possible to sell hamburgers at a profit.If rents were higher, it might be more profitable to sell hamburgers in a cheaper area or to switch to luxury lunches for rich executives on expense accounts. The student behind the counter is working there bec ause it is a suitable part-time job which pays a bit of money. If the wage were much lower it would hardly be worth working at all. Conversely, the job is unskilled and there are plenty of students looking for such work, so owners of cafes do not have to offer very high wages. 6. Prices guide your decisionPrices are guiding your decision to buy a hamburger, the owner’s decision to sell hamburgers, and the student’s decision to take the job. Society is allocating resources – meat, buildings, and labour – into hamburger production through the price system. If nobody liked hamburgers, the owner could not sell enough at a price that covered the cost of running the cafà © and society would devote no resources to hamburger production. People’s desire to eat hamburgers guides resources into hamburger production.However, if cattle contracted a disease, thereby reducing the economy’s ability to produce meat products, competition to purchase more sca rce supplies of beef would bid up the price of beef, hamburger producers would be forced to raise prices, and consumers would buy more cheese sandwiches for lunch. Adjustments in prices would encourage society to reallocate resources to reflect the increased scarcity of cattle. 7. We have adopted a general definition of markets There were several markets involved in your purchase of a hamburger. You and the cafà © owner were part of the market for lunches.The student behind the counter was part of the local labour market. The cafà © owner was part of the local wholesale meat market and the local market for rented buildings. These descriptions of markets are not very precise. Were you part of the market for lunches, the market for prepared food, or the market for sandwiches to which you would have turned if hamburgers had been more expensive? That is why we have adopted a very general definition of markets which emphasises that they are arrangements through which prices influence t he allocation of scarce resources.

Thursday, August 15, 2019

Philippine Prehistory: Lessons from the Historical Past Essay

Throughout the weeks of this course, I’ve learned a lot more about the Philippines as a place, as well as the people themselves and about the things they do. Before, I just went with the stereotypes that everyone says about Filipino’s, they’re all short, they’re poor, etc. In some cases, that remains true, but not for all of them out there. They also seem to be more advanced in technology than I thought they were. There is a lot more to the people, the country, the culture and their rich history. Some things I didn’t know about the Philippines were that they had established their own writing system before they had any contact or knowledge about other people or languages in the world. Baybayin or Alibata consisted of 14 consonants and 3 vowels, while using dots on the tops and bottoms of characters to distinguish consonants with certain vowels and a cross beneath character which takes out the vowel, leaving just the consonant. They also had technology of tools, using them to engrave the Baybayin writing into bamboo poles and creating the Angono Petroglyphs and the Laguna Copperplate Inscription (LCI). The LCI was found and nobody knew what it was, nor did anyone want it. But it held important information about how society was back then. The inscription was about the forgiveness of a debt. It was linked to several cities that still exist now. The Angono Petroglyphs exist in a cave in the province of Rizal. They contain images on rock walls of animals and humans that date back to 3000 B. C. Now days, due to erosion of the walls and defacing of the walls, some images have become indistinguishable. Another thing about the Philippines that I didn’t know about was the Tabon man. The Tabon man is reported the oldest known set of bones found in the Tabon Caves said to date back 30,000 years making it the oldest remains found in the Philippines. Some also believe it to be a woman. Some geologic things I didn’t know about were that the Philippines have three sections; Palawan, Mindanao, and Visayas. Within these areas, there are over 100 different languages spoken, although the national language is Filipino. In Mindanao, it is the place where the Islam religion is most prominent. It was introduced 100 years before Christianity. The Philippines consist of 7,100 Islands, but some of them only being above sea level in low tide, and under sea levels in high tide. There are only around 500 islands that are larger than 1 square mile and only 800 of the 7,100 are inhabited. The Philippines, as a whole, is about 194 times larger than Hawaii. There are two pronounced seasons, wet and dry, where June – November is wet and December – March is dry. Manila is the Capital of the Philippines and the Philippines has the 2nd largest mall in the world, the Mall of Asia. The Philippines is different than how I had looked at it before, and now I know more about their culture and how they live. This history is important because it shows where these people have been and where they are going. Although there might be some bad things throughout history here and there, it’s what brought the country to where it is now. This Country has more to offer than what I previously had thought and in my eyes, it seems like a pretty nice place to visit or live in.

Wednesday, August 14, 2019

Research Project

Research Proposal Investigating the challenges and opportunities of Ben Trounce Candy and suggesting applicable strategies for future development of Dong A Company-owner of Ben Tree brand August 2012 1. Introduction This research is conducted in a short time, so obviously it will have limitations. The research actually focus on evaluating, collecting data and information about how prices of coconut influence on Ben Tree Coconut Candy and also on Ben Tree people. Besides, the elements such as source of materials, quality of coconuts, quantity will also be considered.The researcher is particularly interested in how company can transfer challenges to opportunities. In business, company needs to maximize profit, but it also must make sure the development can be maintained sustainable. Using analysis techniques the researcher wants to point out what company needs to do and what strategies can help company. The researcher chose to study this topic because he is aware of the importance of s ustainable development when Ben Tree province wants to maintain and develop this traditional products. 1. 1 Research background 0 General information a bout product/service linked to RESEARCH According to theOfficial Site of Ben Tree province (2012), it currently has over one hundred coconut candy enterprises, making up thirty percent of local enterprises. Altogether, they churn out (produce much more and not focus on quality) about 1 5,000 tons of products a year and dominate the local market compared to other provinces. Research Proposal-prepared by DON page 10 0 General Introduction about Market of designated products/service In domestic market, coconut candy of Ben Tree is sold in provinces and cities all over the country and it is also exported to other countries includes Asian countries, China, Australia,Europe and North America. 0 Market of the designated organization in research Ben Tree Coconut Candy is a well-known brand which is a specialty of Ben Tree. This brand was nam ed by DONG A General Production and Trading Company. The company, established in 1980, has gone through decades of development to become one of the leaders in the business of coconut candy. Starting from a staff of only 50 employees, Dong A now has over 1000 people. Ben Tree Coconut Candy is distributed to over 200 retail outlets in Vietnam and many export markets. General information about the challenges that the market and organization are acing Ben Tree is currently facing with a wave of cutting coconut. This threatens to a lot of coconut manufactures. However, there is not much study to evaluate effects of these problems. So, studying on this research is quite useful and important. It will provide fundamental assessment of current situation in Ben Tree province, some theories related to strategy for Dong A Company can apply, awareness of people in Ho Chi Mini city to assess the brand name of Ben Tree Coconut Candy. 1. Statement of problem Ben Tree, currently, has to deal with so me knotty problems. The price of dry coconut, n Ben Tree province is now VEND 12,000 – 14,000 a dozen, meaning a coconut is worth only VEND 1,200. It is only 10 per cent of the price last year and early this year, each dozen of coconuts have lost VEND 120,000 – 125,000 (Saigon Time, 2012). This leads to a result that many palms is losing as farmers cut them down to grow other trees. If company does not consider carefully, it is Research Proposal-prepared by DON Page 1 1 easy to conclude that Ben Tree Coconut Candy will have a big advantage.This is not completely right. It might also be problem because business can be lack of material n near future or even the price of coconut will be high later on. Coconut trees are not like orange, mango or panama, it cannot Just be cut down and then planted for a short time. It will take from 7 to 8 years before providing coconut fruits. So, it is like to be a threat for business, as it might increase the cost of production where is a shortage of raw materials. The second point is the threat of copyright. Recently, Ben Tree Coconut Candy must compare with other products which breach the copyright of Ben Tree.A lot of fake products are named as Ben Tree Coconut Candy. This makes customers to be infused on quality of candy from Ben Tree. Moreover, the company is also lost revenue. The threat of substitute products is now increasing. There are a lot of international companies investing into Vietnam and they bring high quality candy with famous brand. Ben Tree Coconut Candy needs to ensure the quality will always be remained at high level. 1. 3 Research objectives 1. Investigating and evaluating how price of coconut in Ben Tree province at the present effect to the Dong A Company as well as Ben Tree Coconut Candy. . Evaluate factors which will effect to the source of materials of company in the present and future. . Define purpose of customer when buying coconut candy: teenager and adult, from this apply applicable strategies to attract more customers. Page 12 4. Conduct a survey in Ho Chi Mini City to evaluate the awareness of customer as well as evaluate the brand name of Ben Tree Coconut Candy in this market. 1. 4 Research questions The following are questions which are used to define and evaluate the effect of main factors to Dong A Company as well as its product – Ben Tree Coconut Candy. . How does price of coconuts effect to price of Ben Tree Coconut Candy? What should company do to remain the price of raw materials? . What do coconut farmers act with current situation in Ben Tree province? 3. What do competitors react when the sources of material change? How do compassionateness tong A company? 4. What is main purpose of customariness buying coconut candy? 5. How many percent do customers know Ben Tree Coconut Candy brand? How do they know? 6. What are main expectations of customer toward coconut candy? 1. 5 Research methodology 1. . 1 Research approach In this research, the res earcher considers the deductive approach to analysis data. The researcher uses existed theories which will be described in â€Å"intended literature† section in order to analyses the data. Page 13 1. 5. 2 Research strategies The research focuses much on using survey. The aim of a survey is to obtain information that can be analyses in order to extract patterns and make comparisons (Bell, 1999). Describe (1998) states that the use of a survey is a research strategy rather than a research method.The strategy can include methods such as 0 questionnaires, 0 interviews, 0 documents and 0 observation. These methods will be described detail in data collection method. Source: BP Professional Education, 2010, page 39 Page 14 1. 5. 3 Research design QUANTITATIVE DATA In this research, quantitative analysis of data will be strongly focused. This design can help the researcher to be easy to evaluate, compare and present results in tables, charts or diagrams. The questions in the question naire survey will be designed as quantitative questions so that the researcher can use quantitative analysis.There are three important techniques which can be applied in the analysis: 0 Personalization: there will be a measurement scale. For example, the answer of one question will be ranked an attribute between 1 and 5 with 1 for poor and 5 for good. 0 Measurement: For example, the respondents might be asked to assess the quality of Ben Tree Coconut Candy. 0 The collected data can be broken into parts to analysis. QUALITATIVE DATA However, to make the research more accurate and effective, qualitative research is also used. Qualitative analysis is the analysis of data in a non-numerical way (BP Professional Education, 2010).The qualitative analysis is based on information from interviews. It is an unlimited number of non-standard responses. O QUANTITATIVE / QUALITATIVE DATA page 15 The follow diagram shows a brief of how problems can be analyses: Qualitative analysis Identify proble m (from survey) Suggesting solutions & making decisions Quantitative Data collection methods There are many methods to collect data. Data can be collected in a variety of way, in different settings and from different sources (Seeker, 2000). However, there are two mains categories of data: primary and secondary.Primary data The researcher uses method to collect primary data through 0 interviews and 0 questionnaires Interviews As the limitation of time, the researcher cannot conduct many interviews. There are two objects of people: coconut farmers and owner of coconut shops 0 Group 1: For coconut farmers: 0 The researcher is going to interview about 5 people. 0 They are in Bin Dad District. The interview is prepared as fully structured. It means all five people are asking the same questions. 0 The wording of the questions and their order are set.Page 16 0 Responses from coconut farmers are recoded on a standardize schedule. 0 Before going to interviews, the researcher will prepare a l ist of questions. These questions are focused on the awareness of farmer about current coconut price, what they expect and what they would like to do with their coconut palms. Group 2: For owner of coconut shops: 0 The researcher is going to interview 4 owners: 2 owners of Than Long Coconut Candy shop and 2 owners of Ben Tree Coconut Candy shop in Chaw Than District, near Reach Mime Bridge. 0 The type of interview being used is semi-structured.Questions are prepared in advance, but depending on the situation of the conversation, the researcher can adopt the schedule from interviewee such as asking explanations, omit particular questions which seem inappropriate with interviewee. Questionnaires Questionnaires have two categories are self-administered and interviewer administered. However, as the limitation of time, the researcher uses interviewer administered. Following with that, the type of questionnaire being used is face to face questionnaire. 0 1 . Face to face questionnaire 0 T he researcher comes to meet respondents.During asking, the researcher can explain what respondent might confuse and might also obtain in-depth answers. This method makes the response rates to be obtained. It is easy for researcher can summaries the survey and evaluate results. 0 2. Sample size page 17 The researcher is going to survey the idea of 45 respondents who are of age from 16 to 45 in Ho Chi Mini City. The researcher comes to three main supper market: Maxima Congo Ho, Big C (Hang Van HTH Street) and Coop Mart – Unguent Kim. In each supper market, the researcher chooses 15 people to do the survey.Designing the questionnaire 0 There are two main parts in the questionnaire. They are the questions included and the overall appearance. The questionnaire includes 20 questions. 0 With the appearance, the researcher writes an introduction which shows information about the survey, the introduction points out that the research will not harm respondents such as personal informati on, ideas, and honor. Besides, the questionnaire also has a clear instruction. 0 Types of questions: There are main types of question being used in the questionnaires: 0 closed question, 0 list question, 0 category question and 0 open-ended question.Secondary data The researcher also uses second data which was collected by someone else for their own purpose or for general use. The main sub-group of secondary data being used in this research is documentary data. Documentary include: written materials and non-written materials. With written documentary data, there are sources which will be used: 0 Books: there re books related to research project such as: HON./HAND Business course books which are published by BP Learning Media Ltd. Research Proposal-prepared by DON page 18 0 Newspapers: for example SAA Goon Times. Journal and magazine articles: for example Donna Nan SAA Goon – Entrepreneur With Non-written sources of documentary data: 0 pictures; 0 television programmed, for ex ample, Ben Tree channel, VIVID, VT. 0 Source of second data from internet is important for researcher to conduct the study. Name Internet address Tool Tree http://territories. Van/ News Dona h Nan SAA Goon Online Ben Tree Official Vietnam The Saigon Times http://paper. Admonishingly. Van/ http://English. Bent. Gob. Van/ Comment Up-to-date resource. The website is very famous.It includes several areas such as Business, Politics, Society and etc. Up-to-date resource. Main area is business and financial information The official site of Ben Tree province. Http://Vietnamese. Vengeance. Com. Van/ The national English language daily http:// English. Testimonies. Van/ The business newspaper. It updatability information in business, banking, and finance. Page 19 2. Intended literature This research focuses on how to help Ben Tree Coconut Candy to be developed sustainable by analyzing challenges and opportunities.Following with Porter's five forces, Dong A Company can analyses the business to take advantages as well as reduce threats. 1 . Five forces are: Supplier power: for example, this can impact to inputs on cost. If Dong A has little suppliers, they supply almost input for company, so if they do no supply, company might face problem. Threat of substitutes: challenge from substitute products such as banana candy, chocolate, or marshmallow. Business needs to evaluate this factors as it increase the competition as well as threatens the sales of product.Buyer power: wholesales who are major customers of Dong A Company can have high power of bargaining as they buy a large amount product from company. Threat of new entrants: new coconut manufactures might impact to revenue as well as market share of Ben Tree Coconut Candy. Competitive rivalry: Dong A can know what advantages that company has so that it can against the strength of competition in the candy industry. 2. The interrelation between building the success branding of product and brand loyalty of customer Moreover , to build a strong brand in business, a business needs to satisfy customers.Meghan (1995) states that there is an interrelation between page 20 building the success branding of product and brand loyalty of customer in consumer purchasing patterns. This requires company needs to always remain and develop its quality to meet customer expectation and then to make the brand of product to be stronger. 3. Four As in marketing E. Jerome McCarthy (1960) proposed a four As in marketing which has since been used until today. This theory focused on how to analyses a strategy when business does marketing. Four As includes: product, price, promotion and place.The term â€Å"product† is related to features of product such as brand name, packaging, warranty, quality and support. 0 The term â€Å"price† is likely to be a main factor which attracts customers. It refers to the process of setting price for product, pricing strategy or price discount. 0 Promotion includes advertising, sa les promotion and refers to various methods of promoting product. 0 The term â€Å"place† or distribution refers to how product is sold to customer such as distribution channels. It is clearly that, if Ben Tree Coconut Candy wants to develop and attract more customers, it must build up suitable strategies.Hawkins and Motherboards (2007) states that: â€Å"all marketing decisions are based on assumptions and knowledge of consumer behavior. † One â€Å"official† definition of consumer behavior is â€Å"The study of individuals, groups, or organizations and the processes they use to select, secure, use, and dispose of products, services, experiences, or ideas to satisfy needs and the impacts that these processes have on the consumer and society (Lars Peeper, 2011) Research Project Research Methodology Analysis of factors affecting Online Shopping Submitted by -: Pranav Sood 400907018 Amity Anand 400907031 Mehul Shukla 400907034 Research Methodology Introduction Indian consumers as a whole spend about 55% of the total consumption expenditure on food items. According to a survey conducted by ORG , the expenditure on non-food items has recorded large growth that the expenditure on food items. Consumers decide whether , what, when, from whom, where and How much to buy. They can avail various mediums to buy the products.But currently we are living in the age of internet. According to a study , â€Å"About 44 percent students use Internet in India and overall 72% of young people access Internet on regular basis. Due to the vast usage of Internet, the buying patterns have been changed. It has changed the way goods are purchased and sold, resulting to the exponential growth in the number of online shoppers. However , a lot of differences concerning online buying have been discovered due to the various consumers’ characteristics and the types of provided products and services.Attitude toward online shopping and goal to shop online are not only affected by ease of use, usefulness, and enjoyment, but also by other factors like consumer individuality, situational factors, product distinctiveness, previous online shopping understanding and faith in online shopping. Therefore, understanding who are the ones consuming and why they choose to use or keep away from the Internet as a distribution channel, is a critical matter for both e-marketing managers and consumer thinkers.There are lots of companies which are providing the platform to consumers to buy the products through online. Online consumers tend to be better educated. Higher computer literacy makes internet shopping smarter. Their awareness about the internet also makes them better positioned to identify and take decision for products and services. By the internet, consumers find that th ey no longer have to accept fixed prices for the products and services and through the click of a few buttons the lowest priced, highest quality product can be found.The concept of online shopping developed gradually, after the launch of the World Wide Web. Charles Stack was the first person to create an online book store in 1992. Even Pizza Hut opened an online pizza shop, whereas eBay and Amazon took the concept of online shopping to an entirely new level. Online shopping began in full swing since the year 1996. 1 Research Methodology Overall, 71 million users accessed Internet in year 2009, with 52 Million â€Å"active† users who accessed it atleast once in a month.The first benefit that a customer derives from e-retailing is convenience as it saves time and efforts for today’s time starved customer at the same time providing a plethora of choices for wide category of items and also the luxury of comparing the offerings from different vendors – all at the cli ck of his mouse. Another most obvious benefit of online shopping is the significant discounts that most of these e-retailers provide to attract the customers. Also online stores are usually available 24 hours a day and not limited by global time differences.Searching or browsing an online catalog can be faster than browsing the aisles of a physical store. Along with information about a company and its products, buyers can also have better access to product review and rating systems. However, many people still locate information on the internet and purchase products offline at traditional stores, conversion rate being very low. Research shows that between 65% and 75% of consumers that initiate an online tran saction fail to complete the transaction. Online shopping is the process consumers go through when they decided to shop on the Internet.The Internet has developed into a â€Å"new distribution channel (Hollensen. 2004) and the evolution of this channel has been identified by Smi th and Rupp (2003) to be the most significant contribution of the information revolution. Using the Internet to shop online has become one of the primary reasons to utilize the Internet. Combined with searching for products and finding information about them (Jomes 2003). Smith and Rupp (2003) also state that the consumers have never had access to so many suppliers and productiservice opinions. 2 Research Methodology ProblemAt any given time there are millions of people online and each of them is a potential customer for a company providing online sales. Due to the rapid development of the technologies surrounding the Internet, A company that is interested in selling products from its web site will constantly have to search for an edge in the fierce competition. Since there are so many potential consumers, it is of the out most importance to be able to understand what the consumer wants and needs. The importance of analyzing and identifying factors that influence the consumer when h e or she decides to purchase on the Internet is vital.Since the Internet is a new medium for there have been new demands set by the consumer. That is why it is crucial for the online retailers to know what influences the online consumer. Objectives of the research ? To determine the factors affecting consumer behaviour towards E- Shopping. ? Of the determined factors identify that have major impact on consumer purchase intent. ? To study the product segments preferred during online purchase. Research Approach There are two most commonly used research approaches, the inductive and the deductive method.The inductive research method attempts to set up a theory by using collected data, while the deductive research approach attempts to find the theory first and then test it to the observed data. We chose a deductive research approach for our study as we would move from the more general to the specific. 3 Research Methodology Methodology Initial Phase ? The first step towards our research was to decide on the factors which we will consider for our study. With the resources and the time available we decided to go ahead with the following factors: ? Experience on computers Comparison with Offline channel ? Security of Information ? Money Savings ? Convenience ? Variety ? Previous Experience ? Service of Website ? Product Availability The above factors are made the independent variables and the purchase intent is the dependent variable which would be explained by: ? Online shopping intent. ? Overall perception of online shopping. Hypothesis Formulation ? After determining the factors we made the hypothesis for our research which would be mentioned in the later section. 4 Research Methodology Data Collection Phase ?The next step was to develop a Questionnaire (Annexure-1) that asks questions to the respondents on the above mentioned parameters and also on the products they prefer for online shopping. ? The Questionnaire was designed on the Google docs and the survey was started. Analysis Phase ? After the collection of data (Annexure-2), each factor was tested for normal distribution. ? The process of testing the hypothesis was based on the regression model. Interpretation Phase ? The results from analysis were interpreted and relevant factors were drawn out. ?The research is concluded with the findings. 5 Research Methodology Hypothesis The following are the hypothesis made by us for our research, the model would be based on the assumption that independent variable has a linear relationship with the dependent variable : Null Hypothesis for all tests: H0: Variable has no relation with online shopping intent. Alternate Hypothesis: H1: Security of Information will affect the online purchase intent. H2: Variety of Products affects the online purchase intent. H3: Web Site Quality affects the online purchase intent.H4: Money Savings affects the online purchase intent. H5: Convenience affects the online purchase intent. H6: Discounts Available affects t he online purchase intent. H7: Time Savings affects the online purchase intent. 6 Research Methodology Analysis The first task is to prepare a questionnaire that asks questions to the respondents and on the basis of their responses we can accept or the hypothesis. The detailed questionnaire is given in Anexxure-1. At the last of our questionnaire, we have a question measuring the online shopping intent.The responses would be used to measure dependent variable. Reliability: Since the Cronbach’s Alpha is >0. 7 the data is reliable. Normality: The output sheet (Normality. spv) attached with this report contains the histogram and the normal distribution curve One Sample T-test: One sample T test was conducted to know the significance of these factors and results are shown in the table . And it is evident that p value (0. 000) is less than significance level of 0. 05 for all the factors. 7 Research Methodology Hypothesis Testing:H0: Variable has no relation with online shopping in tent. H1: Security of Information will affect the online purchase intent. Since sig. value < 0. 05, as confirmed by above tables. The null hypothesis is rejected, hence online security has a significant relationship with online shopping intent. 8 Research Methodology H2: Variety of Products affects the online purchase intent. Since sig. value > 0. 05, as confirmed by above tables. We fail to reject null hypothesis , hence product variety has no significant relationship with online shopping intent.H3: Web Site Quality affects the online purchase intent. Since sig. value < 0. 05, as confirmed by above tables. The null hypothesis is rejected, hence web site quality has a significant relationship with online shopping intent. 9 Research Methodology H4: Money Savings affects the online purchase intent Since sig. value < 0. 05, as confirmed by above tables. The null hypothesis is rejected, hence web Money saving has a significant relationship with online shopping intent. H5: Convenience af fects the online purchase intent Since sig. value > 0. 05, as confirmed by above tables.We fail to reject null hypothesis , hence Convienence has no significant relationship with online shopping intent. H6: Discounts Available affects the online purchase intent 10 Research Methodology Since sig. value > 0. 05, as confirmed by above tables. We fail to reject null hypothesis , hence Discounts and offers has no significant relationship with online shopping intent. H7: Time Savings affects the online purchase intent Since sig. value < 0. 05, as confirmed by above tables. We reject null hypothesis , hence Time saving has no significant relationship with online shopping intent. 1 Research Methodology Demographics Analysis What are the category of products most preferred by consumers during online purchase ? This shows that majority of consumers purchase Electronics goods followed by Books and Apparels. How often do consumers go for online shopping (Frequency) ? This concludes that majorit y of consumers shop once in a month followed by once in six months. How much consumers spend in online shopping ? 12 Research Methodology 13 Research Methodology Annexure-1 14 Research Methodology 15 Research Methodology 16 Research Methodology 17