Michael Kors

Michael Kors, the website is www. michaelkors. com. The corporate head office is located in New York City 11w 42nd St. , New York NY 10018. The phone number is 1-800-908-1157, FAX 646-354-4730. Michael Kors is a worldwide company. John Idol is the chief executive officer of the Michael Kors company. There isn’t an exact number of employees working at this company for 2013 but for 2012 there was 418,000. The Michael Kors company was founded in 1981. The company’s mission statement is to â€Å"bring our vision of a jet set luxury lifestyle to women and men around the globe†. Michael Kors sells primarily handbags, but also jewellery, clothing and swimwear. It is a luxury business in the fashion industry. Michael Kors has lots of competition, since there are many stores that sell similar products, a couple of these companies are coach, Prada, Gucci, Guess, Marc Jacobs and Louis button. They are competitors because of how similar the merchandise is and how they are all in the fashion luxury sector. Michael Kors has an excellent CSR, they give back in many ways, such as donating too many charities and special causes. Michael Kors has ecently donated 5 million dollars to a non-profit â€Å"god’s love we deliver† the New York based charity organization that provides meals to people living with mental illness. They have also donated 1 million dollar to the hurricane sandy relief fund. Michael kors also has a campaign called â€Å"destination Kors â€Å"which he donates 25$ from every purchase of one of his watches to the national world food program. Some of the charities he is involved in and has worked with are, Aids & HIV, children, conservation, environment, health, hunger, mental challenges and lastly poverty. Michael kors feels very trongly about giving back to his community and helping out the less fortunate, that is a huge aspect in his life, and explains why he is involved with many non-profit organizations looking to help people in need. The current share price for Michael kors is 60. 30. 2012 net income: total sales total revenue 130. 0 billion 636. 8 million 1,302,254,000 2011 net income: total sales: total revenue 72. 51 million 803. 34 803,339,000 2010 net income: total sales: total revenue 39. 25 million 508. 1 million 508,099,000 2009 net income: total sales : total revenue 13. 04 million 397. 7 million 397,074,000 Michael kors is a very popular brand which automatically in my opinion makes it a smart to invest in the company because of how successful and rich the company already is. Knowing what I know Michael kors will only get more successful and is an extremely smart investment The target market for Michael kors would be women starting from early teens on. The hand bags, jewelry and clothing attract many high-class women or men who have high income jobs. Michael kors is a luxury brand and is fairly expensive, so most consumers are upscale wealthy people who an afford the prices for the merchandise. Michael kors has a swimsuit line, a line of jewellery, purses and clothing that is always changing according to the latest trends and the consumers wants. The thing that all these lines have in common is that they all have the signature Michael kors logo the â€Å" MK†. The â€Å"MK† is short for Michael kors and is easily recognized. It stands out from other brands. Michael kors has many runway shows and is well recognized in the Fashion world. He also has some commercials. Once again Michael kors is a Luxury company

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Essay

In recent years healthcare systems have become more like business entities than health care providers. Technology is continually evolving so is healthcare and its financial approach. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), is a guide used by healthcare providers to account for their financial activities. GAAP is a guideline or a group of objectives and concepts that have evolved over 500 years from the basic concepts of Luca Pacioli set forth in the 1400s (Omar, 2010). It comprises a set of principles that have been developed by the accounting profession. According to Saunders (1993), â€Å"Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) established the rules and guidelines which require CPAs to indicate whether an audited set of financial statements is in compliance with GAAP† (p. 104). They are five principles and each one will be discussed in relation to healthcare. These are paramount to the effectiveness of business accounting. Accounting principles include the follo wing: accounting entity, money measurement, duality, cost evaluation, and stable monetary unit. Accounting Entity An accounting entity is the business or corporation that performs clear economic activities, separate from any personal economic endeavors (Cleverly, Cleverly, & Song 2011). In health care accounting entities can be surgical centers, hospitals, clinics, home health agencies, nursing homes, or other entities that are part of a larger health care network. An accounting entity requires financial records that define organizations financial activities that are clear and concise. Cleverly, Cleverly & Song (2011) states that if an entity is not properly defined, evaluation of its financial information may be useless at best and misleading at worst. The entity is expected to maintain its accounting records in accordance to GAAP. Money Measurement Measurement is the process of determining the monetary amounts at which the elements of the financial statements are to be recognized and carried in the balance sheet and income statement as a contribution to the accounting theory of extensive measurement (Scrimnger, & Musvoto,2011). Resources and liabilities have to be considered and calculated to determine accurate money measurement in an organization. These resources are referred to as assets, which include money, buildings and equipment. In health care these assets include, buildings, cash-flow, and equipment. Liabilities will be salaries to the employees and loans owed from banks and any other companies they are in business with. In most normal situations assets exceed liabilities in money measured value (Cleverly, Cleverly & Song 2011). An entity shall not recognize an element of financial statement unless a reliable value can be assigned to it. Duality. This is a fundamental convention of accounting that necessitates the recog nition of all aspects of an accounting transaction. According to Cleverly, Cleverly & Song (2011), â€Å"The value of assets must always equal the combined value of liabilities and residual interest, which we have called net assets†. He goes on to explain the basic accounting equation, the duality principle, may be stated as follows: Assets=Liabilities +Net assets. In any given situation the value of assets will always equal the value of claims. Cost valuation. When looking at an organization one needs to know about the assets and their value. When assets are recognized the basis for valuation needs to be determined. The two bases are historical and fair value (Saunders, 1993). The amount paid for the asset is the basis for valuation which is referred to historic and fair value is the amount an asset could be exchanged between knowledgeable willing parties. The firm’s accounting statements reflect the company’s financial status and this is presented in the balance sheet. GAAPs in the United States require the valu ation of fixed assets at historical cost, adjusted for any estimated gain and loss in value from improvements and the aging, respectively, of these assets. As mentioned previously hospitals now operate as business entities, and their accounting operation is the same as any other entity. Stable monetary unit. In any organization, the monetary unit principle assumes that the value of the unit currency in which you record transactions remains stable over time. This concept allows accountants to disregard the effect of in inflation, a  decrease in terms of real goods of what the dollar can purchase. Monetary unit assumption makes accounting process manageable however it can be problematic. If in any case the value of money changes rapidly due to market conditions or policy changes, a business’s financial statements may be less useful for comparison with prior records (Omar, 2010). Accounting focuses on the financial aspects of the business and that too for matters which can be expressed in terms of currencies. Nurse Managers must be able to communicate with financial managers of the organization as they help steer the overall direction of the organization (Saunders, 1993). The health care operation relies on revenues from patients billing and in turn help sustain the business on them and any other income. Health care systems are able to run business successfully by using GAAP guidelines. We have seen in this discussion that the five principles of accounting are essential in daily business operation. The understanding of accounting entity, money measurement, duality, cost valuation and stable monetary unit will help any health organization to manage their finances well. References Cleverly, W. O., Cleverly, J. O., & Song, P. H. (2011) Essentials of health care finance (7th ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett. Omar, O. (2010). Why Generally Accepted Accounting Principles Should Inform U.C.C. Article 9 Decisions. Texas Journal Of Law Review, 89(1), 207-226. Saunders, G. (1993) Accounting principles (5th ed.). Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons. Scrimnger, C. C., & Musvoto, S.W. (2011). The Accounting Concept of Measurement And The Thin Line Between Representational Measurement Theory And The Classical Theory of Measurement. Journal of International Business and Economics Research, 10(5), 59-68.

The Social Organization of Singapore

My research will be based on Political, Economic, and Social Organization of Singapore—an industrialist city-state. Even though Singapore's history dates from the 11th century, the island was little known to the West until the 19th century. Singapore is one of the World's largest ports, because the city of Singapore has become a major port, with trade exceeding that of Malaya's, Malacca and Penang combined. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the advent of steamships launched an era of prosperity for Singapore as transit trade expanded throughout Southeast Asia (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). Singapore is a very multicultural country, but education through social studies has brought the country into a social cohesive unit (Ho, 2009). Singapore is a Republic—a one-house Parliament makes the county’s laws. A prime minister leads a Cabinet, which carries out the operations of the Government. The ruling political party in Singapore, reelected continuously since 1959, is the People's Action Party (PAP), headed by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong† (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). The president (chief of state) previously exercised only ceremonial duties. As a result of 1991 constitutional changes, the president is now elected and exercises expanded powers over legislative appointments, government budgetary affairs, and internal security matters. The PAP believes that rationalism and expertise is the proper approach to social and economic problems that may arise (Bellows, 1985). The PAP has held the overwhelming majority of seats in Parliament since 1966, when the opposition Barisan Sosialis Party (Socialist Front), a left-wing group that split off from the PAP in 1961, resigned from Parliament, leaving the PAP as the sole representative party† (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). â€Å"Singapore became independent in August 1965, and has had compulsory voting since the late 1950s (every Singaporean 21 years of age or older must vote). Between 1968 and October 1981, in four national parliamentary elections and innumerable by-elections, the PAP won every seat† (Bellows, 1985). The maximum term in Parliament is five years. The president appoints nominated members of Parliament from nominations by a special select committee. Nominated members of Parliament (NMPs) enjoy the same privileges as members of Parliament, but cannot vote on constitutional matters or expenditure of funds (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). Members of Parliament serve only two-and-a-half-year terms. As stated above, the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the advent of steamships launched an era of prosperity for Singapore as transit trade expanded throughout Southeast Asia (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). Also, in the 20th century, the Automobile industry’s need for rubber and the packaging industry’s need for tin assisted Singapore in becoming one of the World’s major ports. Singapore’s location among major sea lanes, and its industrious population, is what gives this small country its economic importance (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). â€Å"Upon independence in 1965, Singapore was faced with a lack of physical resources and a small domestic market. In response, the Singapore Government adopted a pro-business, pro-foreign investment, export-oriented economic policy framework, combined with state-directed investments in strategic government-owned corporations. Singapore's economic strategy proved a success, producing real growth that averaged 7. 8% from 1965 to 2009† (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). In addition to this economic strategy, the end of the cold war brought about less tension between Asian counties, which brought the region into a more globalizing production process (Heng, 2006, pg. 2). In the 1980’s, Singapore entered into a growth triangle (GT) with Indonesia and Malaysia, also written as IMS-GT. This triangle would prove to be a good move for the three countries, but with free trade agreements (FTAs) and close economic partnerships (CEPs) coming onto the scene, the growth triangles introduced in the 80’s looked as if they may have competition in the economic realm, but GTs continue to be at the tip of the spear due to the cooperation between the three are still very productive for them all. With all three countries being relatively close together, costs are minimal. Not to mention, this export-oriented cooperation is still attractive to foreign trading (Heng, 2006, pg. 1). The pioneering GT in Southeast Asia is that of the IMS-GT, and its evolution is very much tied to the economic development of the Singapore economy (Toh & Low, 1993, Kakazu, 1997). There are five GT’s in existence and GT’s are highly regarded by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). There were two major happenings that temporarily effected Singapore’s economy between 2001 and 2003—the worldwide electronics slump and the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS). Both times, growth bounced back, by world demand for electronics, pharmaceuticals, other manufactured goods, and financial services. The return was mostly contributed to by the economies of its major trading partners—the United States, the European Union, Japan, and China, as well as expanding emerging markets such as India (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). The next economic hit that Singapore would have to endure would not take place until 2008-2009. The hit was due to global financial crisis. Singapore had their worst two quarters in late 2008 and early 2009, but would bounce back quickly (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). Manufacturing and services are the backbone of Singapore’s economy, producing 26% and 69. 3% of Singapore’s gross domestic product in 2009. Singapore’s manufacturing of electronics accounts for 31. 5%, while chemicals account for 27% of the country’s manufacturing output. The government also approved the development of two casinos in Singapore, in May 2005, to facilitate new life in tourism. The investment produced more than $5 billion U.  S. dollars. Las Vegas Sands’ Marina Bay Sands and Resort opened in April 2010 and Genting International’s Resort World Sentosa opened in February 2010 (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). Lee Kuan Yew once said, â€Å"A casino in the city state was possible, only over my dead body. † Now, with the extra income to the economy, he seemed to have warmed up to the casinos. April 27, 2010, the opening of the Las Vegas Sands’ was published in USA Today and quoted as saying, â€Å"Singapore’s second casino-resort opened Tuesday, a massive $5. billion project by Las Vegas Sands Corp. that aims to makeover the city-state as a Southeast Asian gambling and tourism magnet† Singapore is continuing to grow economically as stated by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, â€Å"The government is actively negotiating eight free trade agreements (FTAs) with emerging economic partners and has already concluded 18 FTAs with many of its key trade partner s, including one with the United States that came into force January 1, 2004. As a member of the Association f Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Singapore is part of the ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), and is signatory to ASEAN FTAs with China, Korea, Japan, India, and a joint agreement with New Zealand and Australia. Singapore is also a party to the Transpacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement, which includes Brunei, Chile, and New Zealand† (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). Singapore was a small society open to influence from the west through the English language and subject to homogenizing effects of modernization and industrialization. Ethnicity was not assured as a fundamental element (Unknown, n. d. ). Singapore, as stated by the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, is one of the most densely populated countries in the world. The annual population growth rate for 2009 was 3. 1%, including resident foreigners. Singapore has a diversity of linguistic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. Malay being the national language, but Chinese, English, and Tamil are also recognized as official languages. English is utilized in administration, professions, business, and schools (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). English is mandated as the primary language by the Singapore Government to be used at all levels in schools. The government is said to provide at least ten years of education in English for every child (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). I have personally experienced this to be quite true. I have been to Singapore on three different occasions during my Naval career, and there is a surprisingly amount of people in Singapore that speak very good English. Ordering food at a restaurant in Singapore proved to be much easier than expected. Another surprising fact is that the literacy rate in Singapore is 96. 3% (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). A touchy subject in Singapore is the terms race and ethnicity. While 77% of the country’s population is Chinese, all Singaporeans are assigned a â€Å"race† at birth (determined by the father’s race), and this is indicated on an official identification card (Ho, 2009). The Singapore Department of statistics assigns the same meaning to both race and ethnicity and states the term ethnic group refers to a person’s race (Ho, 2009). The Singapore constitution also contains provisions that prohibit discrimination and guarantee protection to minorities, including articles 12, 16, and 152 (Tan, 2004). Singapore has diversity in ethnicity when it comes to religion. Singapore allows freedom of religion for the most part, but religion is subject to government view. Thus, some religions have been banned or restricted. â€Å"Almost all Malays are Muslim; other Singaporeans are Taoists, Buddhists, Confucianists, Christians, Hindus, or Sikhs† (Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, 2010). The Buddhism is prominently displayed through Buddhist temples throughout Singapore. I actually saw many of these temples in my travels to Singapore. Some of these temples are very extravagant works of art. You may also see the diversity among Singaporeans if you are visiting during National Holidays. The people of Singapore will display their different cultures through dance and cultural clothing all across the country. The Singapore government experienced a loss of cohesiveness due to this multicultural social organization. The Government introduced Social Studies into the educational system in order to bring cohesiveness back into the country. The social studies curriculum was introduced, in 2001, to secondary educational levels—students from fifteen to seventeen years old. It is designed to allow students to grasp an understanding of Singapore’s geopolitical situation, including its strengths and vulnerabilities (Ho, 2009). This curriculum brings to light the differences in this culturally diverse country. This in turn brings the different people of Singapore together, thus encouraging social cohesiveness. Singapore has risen to every challenge that has come her way. Singapore has grown politically, economically, and socially with minimal negative results. Politically, the PAP remains the leader in the government. Realizing the need for economic growth, the PAP has always stood by industrialization. The building of casinos in the city-state has shown a remarkable ability to tap into tourism. Singapore remains at the head of the spear in terms of global trade. The social organization will continue to strengthen with education of youth. This fact has been recognized—education of the next generation will lead to political, economic and social success. â€Å"Economic, social, and political development requires autonomy and creativity as well as an effective, interventionist government staffed by a highly qualified and dedicated civil service. Singapore has come closer to achieving this mix than most other third World countries. There is much that other developing countries could adopt from the Singapore experience† (Bellows, 1985).

AtekPC Project Management Office Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

AtekPC Project Management Office - Case Study Example It was mandated with developing entrepreneurial improvements in the cost reduction and management benefits. AtekPC desired to create new products for the markets meeting creative, adaptive and agile standards through designing innovative systems manufacture processes. The office depended on coming up with duties involving a project focus strategy and enterprise-oriented strategy. Responsibly, they were to mentor other workers within the organization through consultation, mentorship, and offering training (Warren McFarlan, 2007). At the heart of any company’s operation are its customers. They are the individual consumers who and why the company exists. AtekPC had different personnel and organizations they sell them PCs. It was identified through customer character that they feared and clung to old technology and could not buy new products that came into the market. AtekPC needed a reliable and cheaper production process to achieve its goal. The production department head Mr. Steven consented that they had challenges with their current manufacture processes (Warren McFarlan, 2007). There are many options available for meeting the process and could be through plant installation or outsourcing of the manufacturing process to another company. To deliver on milestones, a company needs the right employee mix from various departments to achieve their goals. In the project endeavor, AtekPC employee was divided into two factions; those that were pro-PMO and those who resisted the change. The IT department now of the need to change was not quite experienced. The management had the right experience but needed other expatriates to implement the process. Owing to the development of a new PMO, they needed to hire fresh and experienced professionals to spearhead the new department (Warren McFarlan, 2007). Every business wants a positive limelight, which presented from the media. To maintain customers, get to them, and receive their

Information systems Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Information systems - Essay Example (Joseph, 2008) define an information system as â€Å"the study of complementary networks of hardware and software that people and organizations use to collect, filter, process, create, and distribute data† (p416). Even though there are many definitions as to what an Information system is, the definitions all agree on the fact that it is all about how humans relate with technology Figure 1: components of an IS 1. Hardware Hardware refers to all the machinery that will be used by the firm in the information system. The most important hardware in the information system is the computer. The computer has its own important hardware parts like the storage, the control unit, the processors and many others. Some people refer to the hardware part of the information system as the central processing unit because this is actually where all the data processing for the system is done. The hardware of the computer must have five important parts for it to function optimally (O'Brien, 2003) Inp ut This is the means by which the computer accepts data that is fed into it via the input devices. The most commonly used input device is the keyboard where the user types instructions that the computer processes. Other input devices include microphones for sound input, scanners for digital input and mice. Process Once the computer has accepted input, it must have a means by which it will process data. Every computer usually has a part that is used for the process of the data that it receives from the input devices Control There are many processes that the computer usually performs and it is important to have a means of controlling the different operations for optimum results. The Arithmetic and Logic Unit is used to control the different arithmetic and logical operations that the computer is working on. Storage Computers must have a means of retaining the data that is input into the system. This is usually done on the main hard drive of the computer or any auxiliary storage devices like memory sticks, external hard drives, DVDs and many others. Output After data has been input into the computer and all the processing of the data has been completed, the computer must then have a way of generating feedback for the benefit of the user. This is achieved through the output devices. There are two types of output devices. There are those that give soft output like the monitors and the speakers and there are those that give hard output like the printers and the plotters. 2. Software This term refers to any computer application and all the manuals that come with these applications. To put it simply, software is a set of computer or machine readable instructions that tell the computer exactly how to manipulate the data that is fed to it by the user. The software is very important in the information system since it is the one that has instructions on how to manipulate the data thereby giving the necessary output which management can use for decision making. Software usu ally comes stored on DVDs and other auxiliary storage devices like flash disks but it has to be installed onto the computer system for it to be used. Most of the software is usually for sale although there are some that are given under the General Public User license agreement. The computer system will be totally useless without the relevant software (O'Brien, 2003) 3. Data This

Easy Jet's strategy in action-Strategic management undergaraduate Essay

Easy Jet's strategy in action-Strategic management undergaraduate - Essay Example These companies then ran almost scraped ships, and so on. On the other hand, EasyJet applies an efficient, cost-effective strategy that spreads in all racks of its management operations, that is, from boardroom to cockpit. Though being a large-scale airline operator that manages busy routes with modern aircraft, EasyJet is still low-cost company that has boomed in the market in a very short time. For the customers the EasyJet offers a safe, friendly airline that is, all the more, efficient for very low fare prices. With the growth of the company’s assets (its moving from a private venture to a public company, for example), has alerted other brands in the airline industry and a very intense air of competition is what can be seen soaring the European airline industry. As such other such giants as the British Airways and Ryanair are coming up with more solid strategies as well that give EasyJet a hard time as the â€Å"British Airways implementation of a low-cost strategy on its European network has put easyjet under pressure from a "full-service" airline on one side and Ryanair, the "no-service" airline, on the other† (proquest.umi.com). As such it is a challenge for the EasyJet to be in the market with the similar nature of being a low-cost no frills airline that is growing by the day and also on the constantly upward-moving curve of high profits, monopoly of its own modern kind, goodwill among the customer for safe and secure airline service, and most of all of being a low-cost, high-quality operator in Europe and elsewhere. In this regard, we can see that EasyJet is coming heavy as the company merger with GO airline is a milestone and it was analysed that â€Å"EasyJet/Go would become a bigger player overnight through its merger† (myphlip.pearsoncmg.com). Thus, in the following part of the paper, it seems wise to look

Personal development Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Personal development - Essay Example Recent years have been marked with profound changes in how hospitality services are delivered (Hinkin & Tracey 2004). My practical experience in team leadership has given me flexibility and ability to adjust to the changeable conditions of business environment, which are so necessary in the hospitality industry. I consider myself to be adaptable, creative, decisive and willing to change. I have a strong desire to lead and passion for interacting with customers and subordinates. All these features make an excellent candidate for becoming assistant C&B manager. I enjoy communicating with people. I think that every leader should possess good communicating skills in order to be able to lead people and direct their activity. As a leader, I have learned to take decisions, taking into consideration other opinions and beliefs. I am extremely attentive to customer and subordinate feedback and try to provide information needed to meet our obligations and do our jobs well. I consider it to be v ery important for a leader to understand the role of teamwork and to be able to coordinate the work of the team he leads. Also it is very important to be able to evaluate the abilities of other people in order to distribute the tasks among team members and I think that now I can assess one’s skills and abilities properly.... ve realized that as the hospitality industry is becoming dynamic and complex, hospitality firms and enterprises need to be unique, in order to sustain their competitive positions over long-term periods (Chathoth & Olsen 2002). Leadership can readily become the source of hospitality firms’ competitive advantage. Flexibility, patience, control, and direction is what leaders need to pursue prospective careers in the hospitality industry and make it more attractive and competitive. I have learned the value of teamwork and the importance of collaboration in the provision of superior food and beverage servicing at Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel. My experience has taught me knowledge and skills needed to become assistant C&B manager. I have experience in managing and organizing F&B services. I possess great delegation and supervisory skills. My role of a team leader has given me flexibility needed to quickly respond to a wide array of work situations. I am interested in and inves t resources and efforts in developing all members of my team. All these skills will give me strength and confidence as I am entering a new stage of career development. In five years, I view myself part of the executive team at Radisson Edwardian Hampshire Hotel. I am willing to provide guests with superior hospitality experiences and maintain genuine relationships with the subordinates. To achieve this goal, I will need to expand my theoretical knowledge and practical experience in the next 2-3 years. To achieve this goal, I will need to obtain the job of assistant C&B manager and enter executive education for hospitality managers. Which school to choose is an open question, as there is a variety of learning opportunities in all parts of the world. For example, Cornell office of executive

E-Business and E-Commerce Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

E-Business and E-Commerce Project - Essay Example E-business has evolved and is continually changing to accommodate new technology, inventions and innovations. Since the first website appeared online; organizations, companies, and institutions went on a rush. It is not enough to be on-line with a domain name and a simple website. A good and well designed website is an important factor to consider. Website statics are a major concern for the management, who want to realize a return on investment for their money (Johnson 2010). Despite the overrated chants for this new-age business concept that has suddenly become the goal of many commercial organizations, not much has changed in the traditional way of handling various business processes (Jianfeng Wang 2010). E-business maintains the same principles of business operation as traditional commerce, that people, both sellers and buyers come together to exchange commodities and services over a network of computers. Ordering, buying, bidding, selling, customer services, enquiries and virtua lly all the business processes still uphold the underlying principles of commerce. E-commerce is a subset of the overall e-business strategy. It chiefly seeks to improve the buy-sell transaction activities in a business; as a result it increases the revenue. In a way e-commerce covers a range of on-line business activities for services and products, both businesses to customer and business to business on the internet as a platform. E-commerce breaks the process of on-line business into showing the scope activities and information that is provided to the customer to conduct business and online shopping. Quite a number of different functions go into the requirements of e-businesses. For instance, there are some basic functional necessities that cover the sort of specialized that perform the functions that run on the e-business mode. There are also other functions that cover the software and hardware requirements to carry out the same services. An analysis of how e-business verity cred it, process an order and how they fulfill the order as well as how they verity shipments and all or any post sales process needs to be considered while assessing the performance of an e-business. How the website works E- Commerce site uses database, all information about products on sale and the company is stored in a database which will be installed on the server provided by the company that provides hosting services. It aims at creating successful online businesses by providing tailored technology solutions that are scalable and flexible, use of search engine and interactive sites to solve the customer’s need as well as the producer’s business need. When creating an ecommerce site we should consider the nature of online business to be performed, its target customers and audience and well as the competitive environment in that particular business. In our case we intend to create an ecommerce website for an organization that produces and sells computers, printers and o ther electronics. We target worldwide retailers and wholesalers as our online clients. It should be well arranged and easy to navigate. An ecommerce web site has different types of menus. On the main menu we should have Home. This is where the information about the product and the company is found. It should be visually pleasing and quickly loading. It should features such as flash slides and music. It should include all features

Talk about the economic system in china and then the U.S Essay

Talk about the economic system in china and then the U.S - Essay Example The growth rate of China economy is higher than other developed countries due to restructuring of the old economic structures and policies. The revamp and growth was necessitated by the enabling environment that was created by the economic class. For instance, they shifted the cities and urban areas to be wealth creation centers while using the rural areas for manufacturing (Ikenberry, 27). The economic wealth and prosperity is however shared or distributed by the state to all the devolved units of government. This is to say that the government has a hold on the economic patterns and regulates the ownership of private businesses. The regulation bby the government is aimed at balancing the socialistic aspect and capitalism. In principle, the economy is structured or macro-organized in such a way that wealth created in a particular area must live positive externality on the lives of that area, either through employment or construction of infrastructure which are all marks of economic growth and excellence. The United States of America has a free market economy where the activities of the buyers or consumers and the sellers or the producers determines the equilibrium. Equilibrium refers to the price level in the money and commodity markets and the profits. In principle, the government hold in the process of wealth creation is very minimal. Therefore, individual owners of business who could also be called capitalists have the free power to control their business make profits and use the proceeds thereafter as they please (Bruinsma, 9). There are economic policies such as the minimum wage policy and the trade unions which strive to ensure that the business owners or capitalists operate in a fair manner. The trade unions or the labour organizations are also a critical component of the economic system because they present a room and chance for collective bargaining so that the capitalists do not misuse their

Business Decision Making Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Decision Making - Essay Example The researcher further uses numerous data processing tools including the SPSS in coding and processing the data thus making realistic conclusion. In data presentation, the researcher uses numerous graphical data presentation techniques thereby making comprehension of the research findings and conclusion easier. With a revenue of  £23.303  billion in the year, 2013, Sainsburys is definitely one of the leading supermarkets in the United Kingdom. The business, which is a chain of supermarkets, retails numerous household goods and groceries thereby targeting a wide market. The company that has survived for more than one hundred years exhibits effective management a feature that influences its strategic operation and expansion plan thereby constantly increasing its market share (Pickton & Broderick, 2005). The business employs different marketing and operation strategies in order to sustain its profitability. Key among its strategies is diversity of both products and services and the expansion of stores within the country. The two strategies are effective in ensuring that the supermarket increases its market share as it enters into new markets. The report below is therefore one that seeks to inform the creation of yet a new store. The decision is important owing to the financial implications of the new investment. Opening up a new store within the city will increase the capacity of the company. However, just as any other business the new store requires effective market research and analysis in order to ensure that the demand in the region will sustain the desired profitability of the store besides increasing the business’ market share in the region. The report follows an extensive market research and analysis that sought to determine the viability of the new store. The research investigated the features of the new target market with

Human Resource Management methods. Examples Essay

Human Resource Management methods. Examples - Essay Example Similarly, rather than investing money on training money firms are coming up with innovative methods to boost the productivity of their employees. These methods are by giving your employees good working condition, giving them better machinery to work with, increase supervision through the use of modern technology like CCTV, giving them chance of recreational activities and by creating better information flow networks. This is to evaluate the proposed training session on the directive of managing director according to the letter which HR department received on 12 April 2007. The reference number for this letter was "xHRMD". We will evaluate this training session under following techniques: As I told you in our meeting that training and development represent a planned effort by an organization to facilitate its employees learning new job related behaviors. Training usually involves involve two things, a) it involves teaching how to do their job efficiently that is taking less times in the tasks they do, and b) it involves teaching the employees skills necessary not only for present job but also to prepare them for future jobs. However, as managing director has said that the training session is going to improve the morale of the company, this may be wrong as training session might not improve the morale of the employees as many business managers believe that it is nothing but rewards that improve the motivation level of the employees.1 Motivation basically is the when employees are feeling happy and are satisfied with their jobs. The MD of the company might argue that when employees know how to do their work well they may be happy and satisfied. But the argument given b y the managing director might not always be right. Suppose, the employees are working in their present job from decades and know each every thing about the job and know how to do their job well, so one might say that teaching them might not motivate them. However, what will motivate them in the current scenario is good pay or financial security, job security and other needs as suggested by one of the management guru Maslow. Maslow argued that there are levels of motivation and after each level is fulfilled there is a need to fulfill another one to motivate the workers. Suppose, when a person joins the work, at that time he will not have that much money and might need more money to build property and life. At that point, he believes, that money will be the best motivator. You pay your workers well and they will be motivated. Once he has achieved the level of financial security he'll move on to the other level. Now he might want job security i-e he will not want promotion in job and k nowing that he will not be fired. Now these factors will become his motivating

“The Death and the Maiden” D. 810 by Franz Schubert Essay Example for Free

â€Å"The Death and the Maiden† D. 810 by Franz Schubert Essay Franz Peter Schubert was born on the 31st of January 1797 in Lichtental, Austria which is near Vienna. He has fifteen brothers and sisters, but only five of them live to see their first birthday. The father, Franz Teodor is the Principal in a local school. The mother, Elizabeth Viets was a cook in a Viennese family. When Franz Schubert was just five-year-old he started playing the violin and his teacher was his own father. Three years later, Michael Holzer, who was the parish priest in the town, started to teach the eight-year-old composer how to play the organ. Franz Schubert composed his first piece at the age of just ten. In 1808, he started singing in the courtier choir. Not only he was a soloist in the choir but did he play in the section of second violins in the orchestra. This way, he came to know the music of Joseph Haydn and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. At this time, Shubert was taught by Antonio Salieri. After graduating from a teaching seminary in 1814, Schubert worked as a teacher alongside his father until 1818. The three year period between 1818 and 1821 is probably the toughest test in the composer’s life. Shubert was trying to earn enough giving private lessons but the money was really insufficient. He was not able to find a full-time job either, so he had to live with some of his friends – other composers and poets. In 1818 and 1820 as a musical teacher of count Esterhazy’s daughters, the young composer had the chance to visit Hungary. Schubert learnt a lot about the Hungarian national music and the Gypsy music during these visits. Suddenly and unexpectedly, his songs become very popular in Hungary and Austria after 1821 when he managed to publish some of his works with his friends’ help. Franz Schubert is the composer of some of the greatest classical master pieces ever written such as â€Å"The Unfinished Symphony† No. 8 D 759, the piano quintet â€Å"The Trout† D. 667, the string quartet â€Å"The Death and the Maiden† D 810 and of course his more than 600 songs. Schubert is also the pioneer of the song cycle genre, composing pieces such as Die Winterreise D.911, and Die Schone Mullerin D. 795. The composer died on November the 19th 1928 in Vienna. This essay has been prepared to examine several different aspects of Franz Schubert’s chamber music by mainly giving examples from the string quartet â€Å"Death and the Maiden† D. 810 and the song â€Å"Der Tod und Das Madchen† D. 531. Analyses and connection between the poem â€Å"Der Tod und Das Madchen† by Matthias Claudius, the song and the string quartet â€Å"The Death and the Maiden† by Franz Schubert will also be included. Also, the extent to which Schubert has taken the vocal melody and made it idiomatic for the string instruments will be explored. Most of the Schubert’s songs are really connected with poetry. He used to work with poets such as Goethe and Schiller, who had a huge impact onto the composer’s works. Christoph Wolff suggests that the things which Shubert mostly liked in the Matthias Claudius’ poems were the purity and simplicity of the poetic language. (Bandura-Skoda, Branscombe, 1982, 144). The song â€Å"The Death and The Maiden† D. 531, which was composed by Franz Schubert in 1815 is based on the poem â€Å"Der Tod und Das Madchen† by Matthias Claudius which was written in 1775. The poem consists of two stanzas as example one shows. Das MadchenDer Tod: Voruber! Ach, voruber!Gib deine Hand, du schon und zart Gebild! Geh, wilder Knochenmann!Bin Freund, und komme nicht, zu strafen. Ich bin noch jung! Geh lieber,Sei gutes Muts! Ich bin nicht wild, Und ruhre mich nicht an.Sollst sanft in meinen Armen schalfen! The Maiden: Death: Pass me by! Oh, pass me by! Give me your hand, you beautiful and tender form! Go, fierce man of bones! I am a friend, and come no to punish. I am still young! Go, rather, Be of good cheer! I am not fierce, And do not touch me. Softly shall you sleep in my arms! Example 1 – The poem â€Å"Der Tod und Das Madchen†. It is clear to see that the poem is in a form of a dialog between â€Å"The Maiden† and â€Å"The Death†. A key feature in the first stanza is the short sentences, ending with an exclamation mark. This shows that the girl is frightened and afraid of â€Å"The Death†. On the other hand, â€Å"The Death† in the second stanza is meant to be scary and dangerous, but instead of that it sounds harmless and even makes a compliment in the opening words: â€Å"Give me your hand, you beautiful and tender form†. Anyhow, there is an interesting fact about the title of the poem â€Å"Der Tod und Das Madchen†, therefore the names of the song and the string quartet by Schubert â€Å"The Death and The Maiden†, which is the reverse order of the two stanzas compare with the title which shows the serious presence of Death even before the opening words. The song â€Å"The Death and The Maiden† D. 531 by Schubert is logically as contrasting as the poem which it is based on. The opening eight bars of the song are just an introduction to the following piece. From bar nine onwards, Schubert uses very smart resources to establish the scary and anxiety atmosphere such as chromatism and quicker metric rhythm, as it can be seen on example two. Example 2 – the song â€Å"The Death and The Maiden† D. 531 It can be said that the Maiden is giving up resisting the Death between bars sixteen and twenty-one and there are few evidence supporting this idea. Firstly, the vocal line is going downwards which is a sign of humility. Secondly, the metric rhythm in these six bars is calm and uninterested, exactly as it was in the very opening of the song. Lastly, the fermata in bar twenty-one could be the final clue that the Maiden is already given up fighting. After this really dramatic moment for the listener, Schubert introduces the second character in the piece – â€Å"The Death†. (Bandura-Skoda, Branscombe, 1982, 152) The composer sets the tempo of the introduction as a tempo for the second part of the song. There is a little dynamic detail, however really important. The dynamic in the first part of the song (the part of â€Å"The Maiden†) is p while in the second part (the part of â€Å"The Death†) is pp. By using this technique, Shubert makes the lyrics of â€Å"the Death† sound even more shocking. The opening words in the second stanza are so important that the composer keeps the vocal line on the tonic of D minor for nearly six whole bars. The words: â€Å"Gieb deine Hand, du schon und zart Gebuild!†, which translates as follows: â€Å"Give me your hand, you beautiful and tender form!† are accompanied by quite a simple harmony pattern. Schubert uses the tonic of the D minor in the first bar of the second part of the song and then the sub-dominant is used in the second bar which develops into its first inversion in the following bar. The composer goes back to the tonic in the fourth bar, but just to set a much more interesting harmonic pattern for the second verse of the stanza: â€Å"Bin Freud, und komme ni cht, zu strafen†, which means: â€Å"I am a friend, and come not to punish†. In the fifth bar of the second part of the song the chord being used is the first inversion of the supertonic seventh which changes to the second inversion of the same chord in the first part of the following bar. However, the chord used in the second part of the bar in question, which is bar six of the second part of the song, is the seventh of the sub-dominant. The composer uses bar seven for a transition to the new key of F major, which is established in the eighth bar. The harmony is being changed from sub-dominant to the tonic of F major and back to the first inversion of the sub-dominant in the frames of the next bar. During the next two bars – ten and eleven, the tonic – sub-dominant movement in F major continues. â€Å"The Death† ends with the words: â€Å"Sollst Sanft in Meinen Armen Schafen† which translates as: â€Å"Softly shall you sleep in my arms†. Schubert goes back to D minor in this last passage; also, the composer uses the â€Å"French† augmented 6th for the word â€Å"Schlafen†. This chord seems to be the perfect one to finish the idea of â€Å"the Death† with, as it sounds unsure, uncomfortable and probably harmless. Immediately after that, in the last seven bars, Schubert unexpectedly uses D major, as if to show the public that â€Å"the Death† has no bad intentions. These harmonic patterns and the lack of melody movement in the second stanza can only characterize â€Å"the Death† voice as supernatural and really contrasting to the active voice part in the first stanza. (Bandura-Skoda, Branscombe, 1982, 153) As already said above, the song is based on the poem, which is the reason for some absolutely striking similarities between the two of them. For example, Schubert clearly differentiates the two stanzas and the two dialogue partners by various terms such as the dynamics and declamatory gestures. The piano dynamic, crescendo and diminuendo in the first part of the song correspond to the short and disjunct phrases in â€Å"the Maiden† part of the poem. Likewise, the pianissimo dynamic in the second part of the song is in harmony with the long and conjunct phrases in â€Å"the Death† part of the poem (Bandura-Skoda, Branscombe, 1982, 150). However, an interesting fact is that Schubert does not use two different voices for the two stanzas. This perhaps was his way of making the dramatic dialogue between â€Å"the Maiden† and â€Å"the Death† even more effective. In fact, Schubert uses a material which was previously written by him quite often. For example, the famous piano quintet in A major D. 667 is based on the song â€Å"the Trout† D. 550. Similarly, â€Å"the Wanderer† D. 493 supplies with material the C major fantasy D. 760. As it was already mentioned above, the String Quartet D. 810 â€Å"The Death and the Maiden† is based on the song D. 531. More precisely, the second movement of the string quartet, which consists of one main theme and five variations, is completely based on that song. The main theme can be divided into three parts: A, B and C. Example 3 – Comparison of the first eight bars of the second movement of the string quartet (above) and the song (below) The A section, which is shown on example three above, is almost directly taken from the song. Afterwards, between bars nine and sixteen, which is section B, the music is getting livelier and vivid, just to correspond perfectly to â€Å"the Maiden’s† feelings. The C section of the main theme, between bars seventeen and twenty-four, is again calm exactly as â€Å"the Death† in the Claudius’s poem is. The first twenty-four bars are probably the most beautiful and angelic, yet incredibly simple, in the Romantic era. However, the simplicity of the whole passage is what makes it so genuine. For example, the note G is repeated thirteen times between bars seventeen and twenty-four in the part of the first violin, while the note B is repeated fourteen times in the viola part. Anyhow, the feature which makes these bars sound so perfect is t he harmony pattern which is shown on example four. Example 4 – Harmonic analysis of bars seventeen to twenty four of the second movement of the string quartet The first variation starts in bar twenty-five. Basically, the harmony pattern is the same to the one in the original theme. This time, however, the second violin and the viola provide the harmony which was previously played by the whole quartet. The inner-voices sustain the key feature in this variation in triplets throughout. The cello is providing the foundation of the whole passage by playing strong quaver pizzicato notes. The first violin part is really interesting in this variation, because it has very much a supporting role, something unusual, especially at the beginning of a piece. The notes played are part of the chord played by the rest of the group. This first of five variations is somehow more tensed and emotional compare to the original theme in the movement. This is probably to underline â€Å"the Maiden† fright when she tries to escape â€Å"the Death† at the beginning of the poem. In the second variation, there is a lead singing part – the cello. It is interesting to see how this melody corresponds to the original theme, which can be seen on example five. Example 5 – Comparison between the cello part in the 2nd variation (above) and the original theme (underneath) The second violin provides a second voice, which supports the main tune. It is a unique accompaniment because of its multitasking. The dotted quavers form the supporting voice which was mentioned above, while the semi-quavers complete the first violin and the viola accompaniment roles, as it can be seen on example six. Example 6 – The unique, multitasking second violin part in the second variation. The role of the viola throughout this variation is to provide a strong base part. Schubert achieved that with very simple but incredibly effective rhythm – quaver, quaver rest and two quavers. This pattern repeats for twenty-four bars. The first violin part has an ornamental function again, likewise in the first variation. It can be said, that the harmonic patterns remains similar to these at the beginning of the piece, however, there are simply more notes played in this variation which is the reason for the more tensed and excited feelings. The third variation is an absolute shock for the listener. It is a kind of culmination of the feelings which have been building up so far in the movement. This variation is unlike any of the rest in terms of role playing of the four instruments. The key feature in the third variation is the rhythm which is presented mainly by the second violin and the viola, while still reminiscing about the main theme with all the quavers, as example seven shows. Example 7 – Strong rhythmic second violin and viola parts, which still reminisce about the main theme. The first violin and the cello have a similar job of playing big three-part chords later on, which create additional tension in the music. There is an interesting fact that the original theme and the previous two variations finished in the key of G major. In the third one, however, all four instruments resolve to a single G note. The composer surprises the listener again with the fourth variation. Having listened to the previous really tensed and exciting variation, Schubert introduces very light and beautiful music in G major. A similarity to the main theme has been found in this variation, as shown on example eight. Example 8 – Similar material in the fourth variation and the main theme. The first violin is playing an accompanying role again in this variation, but this time, so lyrical and smooth, that it can be described as a counter-melody. The last part of this variation is in C major, which is the first significant change of tonality so far in the movement. By going back to the more relaxed music in this variation, the composer hides the return to the home key of G minor perfectly, as he prepares the listener for the end of the movement. In this final fifth variation, the second violin and the viola play a version of the main theme which has been played in the first variation, but this time much more lyrically. Schubert uses some voice exchange between the two of them as well. This time the cello part has the job of providing the base. It is a very simple ostinato movement, but again, incredibly effective for the listener as example nine shows below. Example 9 – The ostinato movement of the cello in the last variation The first violin has a very limited part. Starts off with a very long G note, just to continue with a passage, which strongly emphasizes the G minor chord as shown on example ten. Example 10 – The first violin line at the beginning of the fifth variation Of particular interest is the note of the cello in bar one-hundred and thirty which is shown on example eleven. There, the cello reaches the lowest note of the whole piece. This note is greatly emotional for the listener, because this is the point where all the tension and excitement, which has been building up throughout the movement, finally resolves. Example 11 – Bar 130, where the cello reaches the lowest note in the piece The coda of this movement starts in bar one-hundred and forty-four. Schubert uses the material from sections B and C of the original theme. This can be seen in the parts of the second violin, viola and cello while the first violin part is more variative and ornamental then any of the other instruments. It is an interesting fact, that Schubert finishes this movement the same way he finishes the song, with a restatement of the introduction but this time in a major key. Having written more than six-hundred songs, Franz Schubert has a huge contribution to the developing of this genre. His creativeness as a song composer, of course pervade some of his instrumental music as well. It is very difficult to reproduce in great detail what the composer had in mind about his vocal and instrumental works, in order to the fact that the singing techniques and the instruments some two-hundred years ago were so different to what they are nowadays. An interesting fact is the use of slurs in Schubert’s instrumental music. He is the composer who has rarely written a slur which is longer than a string player could manage. The slurs in a string player part correspond to the breaths a singer would take. This proves that even when composing pieces for a string quartet or even a symphony, Schubert uses his vocal techniques all the time. (Montgomery, 2003, 11) Unlike the classical string quartets, the Schubert’s works can be described as â€Å"genuine† according to the violinist Louis Spohr. This means that there is no one leading part, as it used to be during the Classical era, but all four parts are equally important. Therefore, the first violin should not aim to distinguish himself above the other three players by style of delivery or strength of tone. (Montgomery, 2003, pp.12-13) In conclusion, the String Quartet in D minor, D. 810 is one of the greatest chamber music pieces in the classical repertoire nowadays. After listening to such music, the genius of Franz Schubert cannot be questioned in any way. There is a striking fact that, this piece was not published while the composer was still alive. Anyhow, this essay analysed the poem â€Å"Der Tod und das Madchen† by Mathias Claudius, the song â€Å"The Death and The Maiden† D. 531 and the second movement of the string quartet D. 810 by Franz Schubert, by exploring mainly harmony patterns and instrumental voice leading. The strong link between the song and each of the variations from the second movement of the string quartet with the poem by Mathias Claudius has been explained. Schubert himself, in an often-cited letter, refers to the String Quartet in A minor, D. 804 and the D. 810 in D minor as well as the Octet D. 803, in a specific context: â€Å"†¦ I intend to pave my way towards grand symphony in that manner †¦Ã¢â‚¬  (Bandura-Skoda, 1982, 171). There can be no doubt that the D minor Quartet is really experimental and adventurous, which can easily be in the dimensions of the symphonic format in terms of cyclical form and expressive content. Bibliography: 1. Bandura-Skoda, E. Branscombe P. (eds.) (1982) ‘Schubert Studies: Problems of style and chronology’. Cambridge: University Press. pp. 1-25, 143-173, 327-347. 2. Brown, C. (2010) ‘Performing 19th- century chamber music: the yawning chasm between contemporary practice and historical evidence’. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 3. Montgomery, D. (2003) ‘Franz Schubert’s Music in Performance. Compositional Ideals, Notational Intent, Historical Realities, Pedagogical Foundations’. New York: Pedagogical Press. pp. 65-173. 4. Somervell, A. (1927) ‘Schubert: Quartet in D minor and Octet’. London: Humphrey Milford: Oxford University Press. pp. 5-30. 5. Rink, J. (ed.) (2002) ‘Musical Performance’, A Guide to Understanding. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. Discography: 1. Schubert, F. String Quartets Nos. 13 and 14, â€Å"Death and the Maiden† (Alban Berg Quartet) EMI Classics, Compact disc, 0077774733359. 2. Schubert, F. String Quartet Nos. 10 and 14, â€Å"Death and the Maiden† (Britten Quartet) EMI Classics, Compact disc, 0724357327350. Music Scores: 1. Schubert, F., 1981, String Quartet in d minor: ‘Death and the Maiden’ D. 810, Eulenberg Edition, Leipzig. Music Score. 2. Schubert, F., 1989, String Quartet: ‘Death and the Maiden’ D. 810, Barrenreiter Edition, Kessel. Music Score. Web-sites: 1. Claudius, Matthias. Der Tod und das Mà ¤dchen / Death and the Maiden. Trans. Emily Ezust. The Lied and Art Song Texts Pages: Texts and Translations to Lieder (2007): http://www.recmusic.org/lieder.

Effects Pine Beetles Have on the Forests

Effects Pine Beetles Have on the Forests Climate change and the effects pine beetles have on the forests. Introduction The ever growing effects of natural and man-made climate change are having a wide-spread effect on many mixed and coniferous forest ecosystems. Particularly as average annual temperatures increase, the habitat for the mountain pine beetle, Dendroctonus ponderosa, has expanded, because the beetle is able to occupy new habitats at higher elevations, which were previously too cold for it. The mountain pine beetle habitat extends from Mexico through the Western United States and up to Canada. The damage caused to cone-bearing trees by the mountain pine beetle is threatening the strength of the North American mixed and coniferous ecosystems at every trophic level, as well as affecting the mountain forest carbon cycle and watershed hydrology. This damage has combined with the effects of human logging practices in the coniferous forest to drastically alter these ecosystems. Though these areas have been severely degraded, there are solutions that can slow or reverse the damage that has alrea dy been done. Background Human-caused climate change is having a pronounced effect on many different ecosystems. One of these effects is the spread of mountain pine beetles through the forests of the Western United States and Canada. Mountain pine beetles inhabit many species of coniferous trees such as jack pine, whitebark, lodgepole, Scotch, ponderosa, and limber pines. Pine beetles typically attack and inhabit trees at lower elevations, but the effects of climate change have allowed them to inhabit ever higher elevations. With mild winters and warmer summers, the pine beetles have been able to infest mature pine trees that could resist the beetles before the change in average temperature (Carroll et al. 2003). There were many pine beetle outbreaks in Canada and the U.S. Rockies since the 1940’s but they are considered mild compared to the more recent outbreaks. The earlier outbreaks were partly contained by human intervention and were ultimately ended by severe winter conditions, the natural regula tor of pine beetle populations. As climate change undermines this natural regulation system, the current infestations are much larger in scope and much harder to contain through human intervention (Ono. 2003). Mountain pine beetles spend their life cycle in four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. In the summer the adults migrate and infest new trees. During the stages of their life they live under the tree bark where they feed and lay their eggs (Carroll et al. 2003). The mountain pine beetles’ life cycle and survival rate is regulated by the temperature of their habitat. Temperature at a particular time of year helps regulate the life cycle stage of the beetles, determining in part when eggs are laid, when the pupas become adults, when they migrate, and ultimately when the beetles die. A rapid decrease in temperature can kill an entire population of beetles. Other factors for survival include the dryness of the tree and the amount of snow insulation, but mainly the change (drop) in temperature is what keeps beetle populations in control (Creeden et al. 2013). Effects on the Ecosystem Changing climate and weather conditions in the higher elevations and their forest ecosystems are expanding the survivable habitat for the mountain pine beetle. The climate change occurring in these areas is weakening the overall strength of mixed and coniferous forest ecosystems. Hotter summers with less rainfall have caused many tree species to lose their natural defenses. Drought conditions have long been an indicator of previous outbreaks and are now a predictor of new pine beetle outbreaks. In turn, extended drought can also have a negative effect on the pine beetles if the drought lasts too long and the number of available hosts drops. Rising temperatures creates tree loss from drought and fires that hinders pine beetle migration (Creeden et al. 2013). At the same time, climate change exposes beetle infested conifers to a greater risk of fire and drought, reduces their resistance to both, and threatens both the beetles and the trees. Climate change is not only affecting the pine beetles, but species at every trophic level. One of the biggest food sources in the forest is new tree growth and seeds from mature trees. With changing climate conditions trees are not able to reproduce at the pre-climate-change rates. This is especially true in drought areas where the mountain pine beetle has infested the trees. The pine beetles weaken and destroy trees and reduce the rate of seed production and new tree growth, which affects small mammals such as squirrels that rely on the seeds pines produce. Decreasing food supply for smaller animals affects the population size of these species, which in turn affects their larger predators on higher trophic levels (Bartos et al. 1990). Climate change and the spread of pine beetle habitat are having such large effects on mountain ecosystems that it can change the diversity of species in the forests. The mountain pine beetle is no longer just an important species in the forest ecosystems they normally in habitat, they have becom e an important indicator species for ecological problems areas they normally do not inhabit. The expansion of their habitat demonstrates that climate change is having an effect on the entire ecosystem. Moreover, climate change is having an immediate effect on biodiversity and the ecosystem of conifer forests, which is increasing and accelerating (Logan et al. 2003). This is why it is important to keep track of the health of the ecosystem and make quick decisions when detrimental changes are observed. Effects on the Carbon Cycle Climate change and pine beetle outbreaks are also having an adverse effect on the carbon feedback cycle. Currently in British Columbia, Canada the outbreak of mountain pine beetles is so large that Canadian conifer forests have turned from carbon sinks to sources of carbon. Because of the combined effects of mountain pine beetle infestation, logging, and forest fires, large sections of forest are being damaged, which increases the amount of carbon dioxide. It is estimated that 435 million trees have been lost to the combined effects of climate change. This is having a big economic effect on the timber industry. The industry has responded by increasing the rate of harvesting and moving into areas that have not previously been logged. (Kurz et al. 2008). In these area loggers are stripping the biomass of the forest and turning it into, among other things, wood pellets as an energy source for Europe. Combining the damage from the mountain pine beetles, increased forest fires, drought, a nd all the commercial uses, these forests will release more carbon dioxide than they absorbs. This will increase both the causes and effects of climate change and worsen the situation years from now (Lamers et al. 2014). Kurtz modeled the effects of the mountain pine beetle in a test area of 374,000 km ² during the years 2000 to 2020. The study estimated that 270 megatons of carbon would be released during the pine beetle outbreaks in the test area. The model showed that if an area was untouched by pine beetle infestation but had moderate timber harvesting and fires, then the test area was a slight carbon sink; in the control scenario the area averaged 1 to 5 megatons of carbon release per year between 2007 and 2020. Two test scenarios were modeled, one in which the forest was infested with mountain pine beetles and one that included both infestation and additional timber harvesting. The scenario with mountain pine beetle infestation and normal harvesting showed the forest to be a net carbon source ranging from 10 to 20 megatons of carbon per year during 2007-2020. The scenario with the section of forest infested with mountain pine beetles and having additional harvesting due to timber damage showed that the forest was a net source ranging from 10 to 25 megatons of carbon per year for the years 2007 to 2020 (Kurz et al. 2008). This model shows that in the forests of British Columbia mountain pine beetle infestation combines with natural disasters and timber harvesting to help drive climate change (See fig 1). Effects on Watershed Hydrology Increased destruction of forests by the mountain pine beetle is causing a large effect on the hydrology of pines forests and the watershed. The increase in dead trees is having an effect on evapotranspiration as less of the sunlight evaporates water from live trees and instead heats the surrounding surface, raising local temperatures. This is turn is causing a change in hydrology locally and in areas downstream. The damage to the trees is also having an effect on the water quality and the biochemistry of the area (Mikkelson et al. 2013). The snow packs are also being affected; there has been an increase in canopy transmittance and a decrease in the amount of snow that is stored in the canopy. As more trees die solar radiation has been able to penetrate farther causing an increase in evaporation and a change in albedo (Winkler et al. 2012). Once an area of forest is affected, it takes several years for the changes in the canopy cover to effect a complete change. It takes an average of two to three years for the needles of the pine trees to change from green to red. During this time only a small portion of the canopy cover is lost and results in only a small change in interception. A few years after the needles turn red is when the trees turns gray and the majority of the needles are lost to the forest floor. During this stage pine needles and branches fall to the forest floor and eventually the entire tree falls and decays. This increases the amount of nutrients in the soil such as carbon, phosphorus, and nitrogen, which leads to nitrification of the water supply (Mikkelson et al. 2013). These changes alone will cause noticeable changes in the quantity and quality of the water. Adding more numerous forest fires and increased timber harvesting can have a drastic effect on the local watershed (See Fig. 2). Rita Winkler and her colleagues studied the effects of snow accumulation, forest structure, and snow surface albedo in the Rocky Mountains after a mountain pine beetle infestation. Over a seven-year period they studied these effects in areas that were clear cut, mixed, or young pine forests. Their study showed that areas that were primarily infested young pines completely lost their canopy within six years. Due to the loss of their canopy the snow accumulation decreased while transmittance and snow surface albedo increased when trees turned from green to gray. The study found that as trees turned from green to gray the rate of snow water melt increased. In areas that had mixed species of trees the effects were not as drastic as the areas with only young pines. The primary reason that snow accumulation and surface snow albedo were not as affected was due to a large diversity of tree species. In these areas there was also a more developed understory that reduced the effects seen in areas that were primarily young pine. Moreover, while the effects increased from mixed species areas to young pine areas, the affects in neither area compared to the far greater affects in areas that were clear cut (Winkler et al. 2012). It is easy to see from this study that the type of forest, level of beetle infestation, and timber harvesting practices will have a significant or large effect on the water cycle and the hydrology of the surrounding watershed. In the Rocky Mountains this can have a particularly extreme effect on the quality and quantity of river flow in this region since the Colorado River is supplied largely by snow melt. If this trend continues, the amount of water coming out of the Colorado River will decrease, which could lead to increased water shortages in the Southwest. Managing Mountain Pine Beetle Outbreaks As the population and habitat of the mountain pine beetle continues to expand several types of management practices have been tried. Currently Western Canada is experiencing one of the largest expansions of mountain pine beetles, with estimates that over 13 million hectares of conifer and mixed forest have been affected. There are two main methods to manage pine beetle outbreaks, or at least slow their expansion. The indirect control is a preventative method that tries to limit host trees through prescribed burning and forest thinning. The direct method tries to limit the population and growth rate of the beetle by destroying infected trees before the beetles emerge to migrate and attack new hosts (Wulder et al. 2009). There have also been studies done using chemicals on non-infected trees to try and limit the expansion of beetles to these areas. While this type of managing technique is effective, it is too costly to use on a large area of affected trees (Fettig et al. 2007). Coggins and his colleagues completed a study in Western Canada to test which management practices were the most effective. In their study, they used two different areas and selected 28 sites with each plot of trees having a radius of 30 meters. Each plot was selected due to the age of the trees, elevation, and the severity of beetle infestation. They broke their plots into two groups. Eighteen of the plots were not managed while management practices were implemented on the other ten plots. For the ten plots that were selected for mitigation they used tree removal techniques to remove the infected trees before beetle migration. In their study, they calculated that at the beginning of their study, the average expansion rate was 0.29 for non-managed plots and 0.12 for managed plots. Over a ten-year period they showed that the plots of unmanaged areas grew exponentially. While during this same period the managed plots went to zero infected trees after ten years with a 43% detection rate. The s tudy found that the time to reach zero infected trees would be shorter if the detection rate was increased (Coggins et al. 2010). It can be concluded that managing practices will have an effect on the migration of the mountain pine beetle. The main problem with controlling their migration is detecting infected green trees. The problem is that they cannot be detected from the sky, so people have to actively go into the field to detect them. This causes a problem because some areas are inaccessible for a variety of reasons. Even with all of the problems associated with managing the mountain pine beetle, it is vital for the forest ecosystems of North America that these practices continue. Conclusion While the mountain pine beetles will continue to expand and inhabit new areas management practices need to be put into place. The main cause of the mountain pine beetle expansion is primarily due to climate change, particularly drier, hotter summers and shorter, warmer, drier winters. These insects in turn are also contributing to climate change. As their habitat expands, they are turning forests that were once net carbon sinks into net carbon sources. When infected trees die and decay, they release carbon dioxide and increase the amount of phosphorus and nitrogen in the ground. The damage the beetle is causing to forests is also changing the watershed in negative ways. Both the quality and quantity of water is being degraded, which affects the health of the ecosystem. All of these changes combined are having an extreme effect on the ecosystem and negatively affecting every species in it. At every trophic level there is some kind of effect as the mountain pine beetle expands and dest roys the forests. More studies must be done to help mitigate mountain pine beetle expansion and more money needs to be invested in managing them. As a society we will take a major economic hit if the timber we need is destroyed by the mountain pine beetle. Also, if their expansion continues in the Rocky Mountains and damages the watershed there, it could affect a large portion of the drinking water for the Western United States. We need to manage the mountain pine beetle as we reduce carbon dioxide emissions to curb the effects of global warming. Figure 1 Figure 2 Works Cited Bartos, D. L. and K. E. Gibson. Insects of whitebark pine with emphasis on mountain pine beetle. UT 84321. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Montana, United States. Carroll, A. L., S. W. Taylor, J. Regniere and L. Safranyik. Effects of climate change on range expansion by the mountain pine beetle in British Columbia. BC-V8Z-1M5. Canadian Forest Service, Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Coggins, S. B., N. C. Coops, M. A. Wulder and C.W. Bater. 2011. Comparing the impacts of mitigation and non-mitigation on mountain pine beetle populations. Journal of environmental management 92: 112-120. Creeden, E. P., J. A. Hicke and P. C. Buotte. 2013. Climate, weather, and recent mountain pine beetle outbreaks in the western United States. Forest Ecology and Management 312: 239-251. Fettig, C. J., K. D. Klepzig, R. F. Billings, A. S. Munson, T. E. Nebeker, J. F. Negron and J. T. Nowak. 2007. The effectiveness of vegetation management practices for prevention and control of bark beetle infestations in coniferous forests of the western and southern United States. Forest ecology and management 238: 24-53. Lamers, P., M. Junginger, C. C. Dymond and A. Faaij. 2014. Damaged forest provide an opportunity to mitigate climate change. Bioenegy 6: 44-60. Logan, J. A., J. Regniere and J. A. Powell. 2003. Assessing the impacts of global warming on forest pest dynamics. Frontiers in ecology and the environment 1: 130-137. Mikkelson, K. M., L. A. Bearup, R. M. Maxwell, J. D. Stednick, J. E. McCray and J. O. Sharp. 2013. Bark beetle infestation impacts on nutrient cycling, water quality and interdependent hydrological effects. Biogeochemistry 115: 1-21. Ono Hideji. 2003. The mountain pine beetle: Scope of the problem and key issues in Alberta. BC-X-399. Canadian Forest Service, Pacific Forestry Centre, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. Kurz, W. A., C. C. Dymond, G. Stinson, G. J. Rampley, E. T. Neilson, A. L. Carroll, T. Ebata and L. Safranyik. 2008. Mountain pine beetle and forest carbon feedback to climate change. Nature 452: 987-990. Winkler, R., S. Boon, B. Zimonick and D. Spittlehouse. 2009. Snow accumulation and ablation response to changes in forest structure and snow surface albedo after attack by mountain pine beetle. Hydrological Processes 28: 197-209. Wulder, M. A., S. M. Ortlepp, J. C. White, N. C. Coops and S. B. Coggins. 2009. Monitoring the impacts of mountain pine beetle mitigation. Forest ecology and management 258: 1181-1187.

Classifications of Government Expenditure

Classifications of Government Expenditure The welfare of the people of India highly depends on the expenditure of the Government of India (GOI). Government expenditure is a very important aspect of the governments budget presented by the finance minister every fiscal. Through it GOI tries to maximise the welfare of the people by appropriately allocating economic resources to various government activities. Government expenditure can be broadly classified into four categories: Functional Classification or Budget Classification: In April 1974, the GOI introduced a new accounting structure in order to serve the requirement of financial control and accountability. Under this structure, a five tier classification has been adopted sectoral, major head, minor head, subhead, and detailed heads of accounts. Sectoral classification has clubbed the government functions into three sectors, namely, General Services, Social and Community Services and Economic services. In the new structure, a major head is assigned to each function and minor head is assigned to each programme. Each minor head include activities or schemes or organizations as subheads. Economic Classification: Economic classification of the government expenditure signifies the way of the allocation of resources to various economic activities. It involves listing the government expenditure by significant economic categories, separating current expenditure from capital expenditure, spending for goods and services from transfers to individuals and institutions, inter-governmental loans from grants etc. This classification provides a record of governments influence in each sector of the economy. Cross Classification or Economic-cum-functional Classification: Cross classification provides the break-up of government expenditure both by economic and by functional heads. For example, expenditure on medical facilities, a functional head, is split as current expenditure, capital expenditure, transfers and loans. Accounting Classification: Accounting classification of the government expenditure can be presented under (i) Revenue and Capital (ii) Developmental and Non-Developmental and (iii) Plan and Non-Plan. Each classification of expenditure has an objective associated with it. For instance, Revenue and Capital expenditure indicates the creation of assets by government expenditure and unproductive expenditure. Further, the developmental and non-developmental classification differentiates the government classification as the expenditure on social and community services and economic service from that against general expenditure. Similarly, the Plan and Non-Plan expenditure represents the expenditure on planned schemes of government and non-plan expenditures. The above classification of the government expenditure serves one or more of the purposes of the government, such as, parliamentary control over expenditure, economic development, price stability etc. Analysis of Government Expenditure in India The chart given below shows the division of government expenditure in terms of capital and revenue expenditure for some selected years. The percentage share of revenue expenditure in government expenditure has increased over time due to increase in expenditure in society welfare. The growth story of the India can be said in terms of five year plans which give an account of government expenditure during the plans. The first five year plan (1951-56) laid emphasis on agriculture, including irrigation and power, wherein the government had spent 36% of its subject on these heads. The second five year plan (1956-61) marks the foray towards industrialization with an increased government spending in transport and communication sector with an contribution of 28.9% of its expenditure. The urge for industrialization continues even during the third five year pan (1961-66) with 24% and 20% public spending on Industry Minerals, and Transport and Communication respectively. Fourth to seventh five year plans have social services of education, health, welfare sharing a majority of the pie with 24% and 26% expenditure in fourth and fifth plan. The eight five year plan (1992-97) commenced the era of fiscal reform and liberalization. There were increased efforts to improve the economic growth and quality of life of the common man. There were high public spending on the sectors like energy (26.6%), Transportation and communication (20.8%) and Social and other services (19.6%). The Ninth five year plan (1997-2002) focussed on the development of infrastructure by allocating 72% of the funds to irrigation, energy, transport and communication and social service. The tenth five year had an objective of atleast 8% growth rate by providing a boast to power sector spending (26.56%) and increasing social Community services sector spending to 29.27%. COMPARISON OF INFLATION BASED ON CPI AND WPI Consumer Price Index (CPI), is defined as the weighted average change over time in the prices of a basket of the good and services consumed by a consumer. While, Wholesale Price Index is defined as the weighted average change over time in the price of a basket of wholesale goods. Inflation rate is calculated based on the CPI and WPI as the percentage in the respective indices over time, generally a year. The calculation of inflation rates based on CPI and WPI form 1994-95 to 2006-07 is given in the table provided below: CPI and WPI differ in terms of their weights assigned to their respective constituent basket goods and services. Food has been assigned a higher weight in CPI (46% in CPI-IW) as compared to a weight of only 27% in WPI. As a result, the CPI changes more with the change in the food process as compared to the WPI. Further, the fuel group has a much lower weight in CPI (7% on an average) relative to that in the WPI (14.2%). Consequently, the variations in international crude process affect the WPI more than CPI. Also, services are not included under WPI, but are included in the CPI to different extents. Hence, the CPIs are influenced by the service price inflation. Considering the data provided in the table above, it can be inferred that on an average CPI-IW inflation is higher than that of WPI inflation. Also, in terms of WPI inflation the period from 1994-95 to 1995-94 was of higher inflation, then the inflation decreases and increases again in 2000-01 and then decreases again. It can be seen that the inflation rate, both CPI inflation and WPI inflation, follows a cyclic pattern.

Violence On Television :: essays research papers

Violence on Television   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Since its introduction, television has increased in popularity to such an extent that the TV has become the electronic member of the family. The TV can hypnotize us and lure us into worlds of fantasy and adventure as we escape from our worries and cares. It can also inform us and bring us up to date on the latest news. The TV can be a teacher, a friend, and a source of knowledge and information, or it can have a negative effect on our behavior. No matter what effect television has on a person, it is often possible to know someone's lifestyle by observing the way he watches TV.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When the television was first introduced, critics claimed that it would be mind numbing, addictive, and utterly passive. These critics were describing the stereotypical TV watcher, the Addict. As his name implies, this person's life revolves around watching television. TV is like a drug to him, and he cannot get enough of it. He epitomizes the couch potato and the â€Å"boob† in boob tube, and can often be described as intellectually empty, especially while he is watching TV. The Addict lives hand to mouth from the potato chip bag. He is lazy and will often go for hours without moving from the television.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If the Addict is not glued in front of the TV, he is most likely to be found paging through his latest issue of TV guide, carefully selecting the shows which he will watch that week and marking them off with a highlighter. On an average day the Addict will come home from work or school, put off all responsibilities, and escape into the world of TV. In this world, the Addict has no demands or responsibilities. The TV becomes his only focus of attention, and all of his energy goes into staring at the TV. While watching one of his favorite shows, the Addict becomes totally oblivious to the world around him. He will not answer his phone, talk to his family or friends, or do anything else which may distract from his viewing pleasure. He lives to watch TV.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Just as the Addict emerged with the invention of the TV, the Surfer arose with the invention of the remote control. When a Surfer sits down to watch television, he first grabs the remote before anyone else can get to it. He turns on the TV with the remote, and it does not leave his grasp until he is finished watching. He is constantly changing the channels and will pause on a particular show only for a moment.

Far and Away :: essays research papers

Far and Away fades in with a slow fly-over shot of a crashing Atlantic Ocean on a partly sunny day, off the coast of what could not be mistaken for anywhere but Ireland. The wide-angled overhead continues, and the film title emerges as the camera lifts up and over the craggy cliffs and shoreline of rural Ireland; our sense of place reinforced by a backing of cheery Celtic flute music. The opening credits continue to roll as the camera glides over a lush green, hilly landscape, accented by late afternoon silhouettes of the partial cloud cover, and perhaps best described by Carolyn James in her review as â€Å"picturesque in the manner of an Irish Spring soap commercial†. Gradually, what we assume to be a late 19th century Irish village comes into view, characterized by a handful of rudimentary stone buildings, narrow carriage roads, and stone walls. The camera view switches to brief shot of the street level in the village, the music replaced by the bustle of the everyday activities of the townspeople, before taking us into the local pub. It should be noted here that from street level, this village does not much resemble the romantic vision of the same village provided by the aerial shot. Even in such a short shot, the village appears more urban than it probably should, and if not for the natural light, would not differ greatly from the scenes of urban Boston later in the film. It is in the pub that we first meet Joseph’s father (Joe) and a friend (McGuire) who appear to be perpetuating stereotypes by sharing a drink (or two) in the middle of the day and singing a favourite drinking refrain before being summoned to the street by a local to protest the arrival of a rent collecting protestant landlord. The camera scrambles to follow the protest out into the street as the villagers yell and throw debris at the landlord’s carriage and horses. Here the early comedic groundwork of the film is set as the scene essentially stops to allow Joe to blurt out a semi-drunken slurred barb toward the landlord, to which McGuire responds with a coy smile and a sarcastic â€Å"You told him† type response. The protest resumes (or, at least the film refocuses on the protest), and in the chaos of the landlord trying to escape the villagers, his horses and/or carriage knock over some sort of infrastructure (it is quite unclear what actually happens here) whic h falls on, and injuries Joe gravely.

Human Variations in High Altitude Populations :: Tibet Himalayans Adaptation Essays

Human Variations in High Altitude Populations Thesis:The purpose of this paper is to describe the high altitude stresses and the general adaptations made by the Tibetan population in the Himalayas and the Quechua in the Andes.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I Introduction   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   II Background   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A Quechua People   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  B Tibetan People   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   III General Adaptations   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  A Physical   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1 Growth   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2 Development   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3 Core temperature   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   4 Extremity temperature   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  B Non- Physical   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   1 Clothing   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   2 Houses   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   3 Schedule   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  V Conclusion   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"Some ten to twenty-five million people (that is less than 1% of the earth’s population) currently make it[high altitude zones] their home(Moran,143).† The adjustment high altitude populations must make are firstly physical and secondly cultural. Although most people adapt culturally to their surroundings, in a high altitude environment these cultural changes alone aren’t enough. Many physical adaptations that reflect â€Å"the genetic plasticity common to all of mankind(Molinar,219)† have to be made to survive and even more than that thrive in this type of environment. In this paper I will describe the high altitude stresses. Along with adaptations made by the populations living in them. The two high altitude populations which I will examine in this paper are the Tibetan people of the Asian Himalayas and the Quechua of the South American Andes. The Quechua are an Indian people who inhabit the highlands of Peru and Bolivia. They speak Quechua, which is a branch of the Andean-Equitorial stock. They show many remnants of Inca heritage by their houses, music, and religion which has pagan rites under the Roman-Catholic surface. Their villages consist of kin groups . Their marriage partners are taken from within each village. Agriculture is the dominant subsistence pattern in the central Andean region but the Nunoa region where the Quechua reside can only support a few frost-resistant crops. Which include bitter potato, sweet potato, and a few grain crops of quinoa and canihua. The rest of the fruits and vegetables of the Quechua come from the eastern mountains on it’s way to the markets. The most important subsistence pattern for the Quechua is stock raising. Which is limited to the few animals that do well in the high altitudes. Their stock include alpacas,llamas and sheep.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  In the Himalayas only â€Å"5% of the geographical area(Baker,36)† can be used for agriculture. The main crops are barley, wheat and buckwheat. The crops are grown between 3,500 and 4,300 meters. These few crops are threatened by drought, hail, frost, snow and erosion. The Himalayas also have extensive pasture areas which are used by the nomadic and sedentary peoples. The higher regions have pastures where yak, sheep, and goats are the main animals used.

Gender and Translation Essay

Abstract The aim of this study was to identify the role of the gender of the translator on the accuracy of the translation, and to determine whether there is any difference between the translations done by female and male translators in terms of translation accuracy. Two English novels and two translations for each, one done by a female and the other by a male translator, were selected. Each translation was compared with its source text, sentence by sentence, and based on some certain categories, their inappropriate renderings affecting the understanding of the ST, and in fact affecting the translation accuracy, were extracted. The total numbers of the observed inappropriate renderings of each group of the female and male translators were counted. Having analyzed the data and having applied some statistical analyses, the researcher discovered that the answer to the research question was negative and the null hypothesis of the research was supported. Key Words: gender, accuracy, mutedness, politeness, dominance 1. Introduction Every process of translation involves at least two languages and one message, which can be called form and meaning. In fact, the meaning is the message which is transferred by various features and it is the task of the translator to transfer the meaning of the ST into the TT. So, depending on different factors affecting the translator’s performance and the way the message is conveyed, different translations will be produced. Gender of the translator is one of the factors that may affect the product of the translator, and the accuracy of translation is an important feature in evaluating any translated text. This research aimed to work on the differences which might exist in terms of the accuracy between the translations done by male and female translators. Thus, the research question was as follows: â€Å"Is there any difference between the translations done by female and male translators in terms of translation accuracy? † In order to investigate the above mentioned research question, the following hypothesis was developed: â€Å"There is no difference between the translations done by female and male translators in terms of translation accuracy. † 2. Gender, Language, Accuracy and Translation 2. 1. Gender and Language: Language, socially and personally, is a significant part of man’s identity. Language and gender are linked and developed through man’s participation in every day social practice. It is proved through various investigations that the languages of men and women are really different (Holmes 1995: 1). In the past, women were invisible, yet today they believe that they possess a different voice, different psychology, different experience of love, etc. and also different culture from that of men (Coates 1997: 13). Many studies have been conducted so far, regarding the role of the gender â€Å"as a determinant of linguistic usage† (Stockwell 2002: 16). According to Stockwell (2002: 16), today the term ‘genderlect’ is used to refer to the different lexical and grammatical choices which are characteristically made by males and females; e. g. women in their talks use frequent certain color term, frequent certain evaluative adjectives, not sure intonation, tag phrases and super-polite expressions, such as euphemism, less swearing and more indirect words. Some of their language differences proved through various investigations are as follows: women are believed to be the talkative and gossiping sex (Graddol & Swann 1992: 70). Women speak softly, whereas men speak loud and such differences in the voices relate to their physical sexual differences; moreover, men are thought to be stronger and bigger than women (Graddol & Swann 1992: 13). Men use ‘I’, swear words and taboo ones more than women, and in order to continue the conversation and show the certainty, women use more hedges, expressions such as ‘I’m sure’, ‘you know’, ‘perhaps’†¦ (Coates 1997: 116, 126). According to Jepersen (cited in Coates 1997: 20), since women start talking without having thought, they are much more often break off than men without finishing their sentences. It is believed that women talk, compliment others and also apologize more than men do; moreover, in conversations women usually do not interrupt men’s words and they wait until they finish their talk (Holmes 1995: 2). Also, as Graddol and Swann (1992: 92) believe women talk more politely than men. But what is the linguistic definition of the concept of ‘politeness’? Politeness should be considered as â€Å"an expression of concern for the feelings of others† (Holmes 1995: 4). Holmes (1995: 6) believes that women are more concerned about the feelings of those to whom they are talking and they speak more explicitly than men; also, he says that women are considered as the members of the subordinate group, so they have to be polite. In mixed conversations, women use the minimal responses more than men and at appropriate moment, while men use such words less and often with delay to show their dominance and the powerlessness of the gender to which they talk (Coates 1997: 116). As mentioned before, men interrupt more than women and it is because they think they are more dominated and powerful (Coates 1997: 110). There is an idea that powerlessness is a feminine characteristic (cited in Graddol & Swann 1992: 91, 92). DeVault (2002: 90) believes that â€Å"the concept of â€Å"mutedness† does not imply that women are silent†. According to Coates (1997: 35), for centuries women were considered in a ‘muted group’ and this was the desired state of them; so this belief that women talk too much is because of this fact that they are required to express themselves to the dominant group of men and talk to them, so that they can be heard by them and this talking is against their mutedness. Consequently, women are considered as the subordinate group and men as the dominant one, and for this reason, females are doing their best in order to be heard by the society and express their abilities to males. But regarding their translations, it must be said since translation is the product of man’s language, it must have the same characteristics as that of language. So, every translation must reflect the characteristics of the language of its translator. 2. 2. Translation and Accuracy: In the process of translating a text, the message of the original should be preserved in the translation and this shows the fidelity or faithfulness of the translator to the original text. Beekman and Callow (1989: 33) believe that a faithful translation is the one â€Å"which transfers the meaning and the dynamics of the original text†; and by ‘transferring the meaning’, they mean that the translation conveys the ST information to the TT reader. According to Beekman and Callow (1989: 34), â€Å"only as the translator correctly understands the message, can he begin to be faithful†, and it is only then that â€Å"he can translate clearly & accurately†. In fact, faithfulness and fidelity are two terms which show how much the TT reconstructs the ST. Some translation theorists believe that the translation should be evaluated by considering its ST as â€Å"the yardstick† (Manafi Anari 2004: 34, vol. 2, no. 5). Manafi Anari (2004: 41, vol. 1, no. 4) defines accuracy as â€Å"the exactitude or precision of the meaning conveyed† and in fact it â€Å"implies conformity of translation with the original text in terms of fact or truth†. Also, he defines ‘accurate translation’ as a translation â€Å"which is the reproduction of the message of the ST† (Manafi Anari 2004: 34, vol. 2, no. 5). Newmark (1996: 111) believes that in translating a text, â€Å"the accuracy relates to the SL text, either to the author’s meaning, or to the objective truth that is encompassed by the text†, etc. According to the discussion above, accuracy can be considered as one of the representations of the faithfulness in translation, i. e. showing how accurately the translator has managed to reproduce the message of the ST into the TL. Larson (1984: 485) believes that in every translation, accuracy, clearness and naturalness are of the great importance. Regarding the translation accuracy, she believes that in some cases, when the translator tries to get the meaning of the ST and convey it to the TT, s/he may make some mistakes, either in the analysis of the ST, or in the process of conveying the meaning, and a different meaning may result; then, there is a need for a careful check regarding the accuracy of the translation. According to Khomeijani Farahani (2005: 77-78) based on what Larson proposed in 1984, the process of evaluating the accuracy of translation can be done in 2 possible ways: one way is recognizing the key words of the ST and their equivalences in the TT and comparing how close they are; i. e. determining whether the translator could convey the same and exact meaning of the ST by selecting the best target equivalents and whether s/he could achieve an acceptable accuracy or not. Another way is using back translation; i. e. translating the TLT into the SL, then, carrying out a contrastive analysis and if the retranslated text is reasonably close to the SLT, the translation has got the acceptable accuracy. Also, Waddington (2001: 313) has proposed a translation quality assessment method based on Hurtado’s (1995) model: Waddington’s â€Å"Method A† introduces three groups of mistakes which may exist in a translation. The first group of the mistakes, which consider the understanding of the ST message, is related to the accuracy of the translation; it contains inappropriate renderings affecting the understanding of the source text and divides them into eight categories: contresens, faux sens, nonsens, addition, omission, unresolved extralinguistic references, loss of meaning, and inappropriate linguistic variation (register, style, dialect, etc. ). Consequently, the term ‘translation accuracy’ refers to the translator’s understanding of the message of the ST and that how accurately the translator has managed to translate a text from one language into another. 2. 3. Gender and Translation Through reviewing the languages applied by women and men, and also by studying various aspects of their lives, it is revealed that women are considered as the subordinate group and men as the dominant one. Hence, it is for this reason that in recent decades, females are doing their best in order to be heard by the society and express their abilities to males. Over the past several decades and after the women’s movement, gender issues got involved in the language issues; meanwhile the translation studies developed more and more (von Flotow 1997: 1). Regarding the translation, it can be assumed that since translation is the product of the language of the human being, it might have the same characteristics as those of language. So, every translation might reflect the characteristics of the language of its translator. According to von Flotow (1997: 5), â€Å"gender refers to the sociocultural construction of both sexes†. During 1960s-1970s, feminist thinkers discussed socialized difference between women and men and the cultural and political powerlessness of these two genders (von Flotow 1997: 5). About the concept of gender, Sherry Simon (1996: 5) believes that â€Å"gender is an element of identity and experience which, like other cultural identities, takes form through social consciousness†. By reviewing the history of translation, we can discover that always there have been â€Å"well-known debates over how best to be faithful†; then, it is not   astonishing â€Å"that fidelity in translation has been consistently defined in terms of gender and sexuality† (Chamberlain, cited in Baker 1998: 93). For a long time, translation has been employed to explain women’s actions in public, and as von Flotow (1997: 12) has referred to Marguerito Duras, women lived in darkness for centuries, they did not even know themselves very well; then, while entering the public atmosphere, they had to translate what they mean. As claimed by Arteaga (1994: 2, cited in Simon 1996: 134), cultural and linguistic histories of every nation demonstrate the relationship between self and other; at present, in cultural studies, translation is considered as a metaphor expressing â€Å"the increasing internationalization of cultural production† as well as â€Å"the fate of those who struggle between two worlds and two languages†. According to Simon (1996: 134-135), marginalized group view translation as a means through which they can establish themselves in the culture and language of the dominant groups: women attempt to â€Å"translate themselves† into the men’s language and migrants try to translate their past experiences into the present. It is because of â€Å"the sense of not being at home within idioms of power† that has made many women and also migrants, such as Salman Rushdie, to believe themselves as being â€Å"translated beings† (Rushdie 1991: 13, cited in Simon 1996: 135). Translator and translation have been considered as marginalized, since some have believed that the original text has got superiority over the translation and that the translation is just an equivalent of the original and it is not an original in itself (Hatim & Munday 2004: 200). Historically, translation has been considered as a secondary and degraded version of authorship (Simon 1996: 39). As Simon (1996: 39) states, it has been appeared as a great instrument for women providing them to step into the world of literature and writing; translation helps women to express themselves through their writings and translations; for long, women have been limited to just translate and they have been only permitted to enter this specific secondary zone of writing; they have been forced to stand outside the borders of the dominant zone of writing and not been allowed to enjoy the position of authorship. Feminism and translation are both considered in the category of â€Å"secondariness† and both are served as instruments for the critical understanding of differences as it is described in language (Simon 1996: 8). The aim of feminist translation theory is to determine and to criticize the concepts of inferiority of women and translation, in both society and literature; for this purpose, the process through which translation has come to be feminized should be explored and the structures of authority maintaining such association should be troubled (Simon 1996: 1). By the passage of time, and through the achievements formed by feminists and their movements, women could express themselves and their abilities in society, and in fact, they could establish their identities in the world; just as Simon says, â€Å"feminism has also reordered lines of cultural transmission† (Simon 1996: 84). By means of translation, translators – often females – have created new ways of exchange; besides, they have opened new translation markets, and according to Simon (1996: 84), â€Å"in addition to the conceptual challenging of translation tropes, feminism has worked to establish new intellectual connections†. 3. Methodology The researcher compared some Persian translations with their English originals to discover whether there is any significant difference between the translations of the male and female translators in terms of translation accuracy. So, a comparative descriptive approach was adopted. In fact, this research was conducted through a descriptive corpus-based method. As the corpus of the study, two English novels and two translations for each, i. e. one by a male and another by a female translator, were compared regarding their accuracy. The researcher considered about 10000 words of each English novel and compared the original sentences with their Persian translations. The titles of the novels and their translations were as follows: ( Austen, J. (1813), reprinted 2003. Pride and Prejudice. Bantam Classic: New York. ( . ? . . . : ? 1385. ( . ? . . . : 1386. ( Bronte, E. (1847), reprinted 2003. Wuthering Heights. Bantam Classic: New York. ( . ( ). . . : 1386. ( . ( ). . . : 1385. 4. Data Analysis In order to discover whether male translators translate more accurately than female translators and to find out whether there is any significant difference between the accuracy of the translations of these two genders, the researcher chose two English novels and she compared the first 10000 words of each novel with their two translations, one done by a male and the other by a female translator. Here, the unit of the analysis was ‘sentence’; i. e. the researcher compared each sentence of the source text with its certain translation according to the first part of Waddington’s â€Å"Method A† (2001: 313) which is related to translation accuracy and contains the eight categories of the inappropriate renderings which affect the understanding of the source text: contresens, faux sens, nonsens, addition, omission, unresolved extralinguistic references, loss of meaning, and inappropriate linguistic variation (register, style, dialect, etc.). Examples below show the way the researcher analyzed the translations. Here, there are: * MT1: male translator of the Text 1 *FT1: female translator of the Text 1 * MT2: male translator of the Text 2 *FT2: female translator of the Text 2 Examples are as follows: ( But to be candid without ostentation or design – to take the good of everybody’s character and make it still better, and say nothing of the bad – belongs to you alone. (Text 2/ Sentence 220) ( (FT2): ? ? ? ? . ( Faux sens: make it still better: ( Addition: ? / ? / ( Omission: character/ or design ( (MT2): ? †¦ ? †¦ . ( Faux sens: ostentation: / to make it still better: ( Addition: ? / ( Omission: character ( They could not every day sit so grim, and taciturn; and it was impossible, however, ill-tempered they might be, that the universal scowl they wore was their everyday countenance. (Text 1/ Sentence 159) ( (FT1): ? . ? ? . ( Addition: ? / ?/ ( Omission: sit/ countenance/ universal/ they wore ( (MT1): ? . ? ? . ( Fauxs sens: grim: ( Addition: / / ? / ? ( Omission: they wore/ universal The researcher computed and then presented the number of the frequencies of each category of the translations in the following tables: MT1 |Contresens |Fauxsens |Nonsens |Addition |Omission |Unresolved Extralinguistic References |Loss of Meaning |Inappropriate Linguistic Variation |Total | |Frequency |3 |169 |0 |217 |193 |3 |32 |11 |628 | |Percentage |1 |47 |0 |60 |53 |1 |9 |3 |- | |Table 1: MT1’s Inappropriate Renderings. FT1 |Contresens |Fauxsens |Nonsens |Addition |Omission |Unresolved Extralinguistic References |Loss of Meaning |Inappropriate Linguistic Variation |Total | |Frequency |3 |136 |0 |163 |151 |12 |25 |2 |492 | |Percentage |1 |38 |0 |45 |42 |3 |7 |1 |- | | Table 2: FT1’s Inappropriate Renderings MT2 |Contresens |Fauxsens |Nonsens |Addition |Omission |Unresolved Extralinguistic References |Loss of Meaning |Inappropriate Linguistic Variation |Total | |Frequency |1 |136 |0 |139 |171 |16 |44 |62 |569 | |Percentage |0 |36 |0 |37 |45 |4 |12 |16 |- | |Table 3: MT2’s Inappropriate Renderings. FT2 |Contresens |Fauxsens |Nonsens |Addition |Omission |Unresolved Extralinguistic References |Loss of Meaning |Inappropriate Linguistic Variation |Total | |Frequency |3 |169 |2 |204 |201 |4 |67 |11 |661 | |Percentage |1 |45 |1 |54 |53 |1 |18 |3 |- | |Table 4: FT2’s Inappropriate Renderings 5. Discussion: Regarding the translations of the Text 1, the researcher found that the female translator translated more accurately than the male translator, since the number of the observed inappropriate renderings of MT1 was more than that of FT1. But regarding the Text 2, the researcher got an opposite result; i. e. she discovered that the male translator translated more accurately than the female translator, for the number of the inappropriate renderings of FT2 was more than that of MT2. So, based on the different findings obtained from the analysis of the Text 1 and Text 2, the researcher discovered there is no significant difference between the translations done by the female and male translators in terms of translation accuracy. 6. Conclusion According to the data analysis and findings obtained through studying inappropriate rendering cases affecting the understanding of the ST, and in fact, affecting the accuracy of their translations, which occurred in the translations of the male and the female translators, it was proved that there is no significant difference between the translations done by male and female translators in terms of translation accuracy. Thus, the null hypothesis of this research was supported. Here, it is concluded that the gender of the translator plays no significant role in the accuracy of the translation, and that it cannot be said whether female translators translate more accurately than male translators or vice versa. So, this study proved that the gender of the translator cannot be considered as a determinant factor in examining the translation accuracy. References Baker, Mona. (ed. ) (1998). The Routledge Encyclopedia of Translation Studies. London and New York: Routledge. Beekman, John. and J. Callow. (1989). Translating the Word of God. Zondervan Publishing House. Coates, Jennifer (1997). Women, Men and Language (A Sociolinguistic Account of Gender Differences in Language). 2nd Edition. London and New York: Longman. DeVault, Marjorie. L. (2002). â€Å"Talking and Listening from Women’s Standpoint: Feminist Strategies for Interviewing and Analysis†. Darin Weinberg, (ed. ) Qualitative Research Methods. Massachusetts: Blackwell Publishers Inc. , 88-111. Graddol, David. and J. Swann. (1992). Gender Voice. Cambridge: Blackwell Publishers Inc. Hatim, Basil. and J. Munday. (2004). Translation: An Advanced Resource Book. London and New York: Routledge. ` Holmes, Janet. (1995). Women, Men and Politeness. London and New York: Longman. Khomeijani Farahani, Aliakbar. (2005). â€Å"A Framework for Translation Evaluation†. Translation Studies, 3 (9), 75-87. Larson, Mildred. L. (1984). Meaning-based Translation: A Guide to Cross-language Equivalence. Lanham/New York/London: University Press of America. Manafi Anari, Salar. (2004). â€Å"A Functional-Based Approach to Translation Quality Assessment†. Translation Studies, 1 (4), 31-52. —– (2004). â€Å"Accuracy and Naturalness in Translation of Religious Texts†. Translation Studies, 2 (5), 33-51. Newmark, Peter. (1996). About Translation. Clevedon/Philadelphia/Adelaide: Multilingual Matters Ltd. Simon, Sherry. (1996). Gender in Translation: Cultural Identity and the Politics of Transmission. London and New York: Routledge. Stockwell, Peter. (2002). Sociolinguistics: A Resource Book for Students. London and New York: Routledge. von Flotow, Luise. (1997). Translation and Gender: Translating in the ‘Era of Feminism’. Manchester: St. Jerome Publishing. Waddington, Christopher. (2001). â€Å"Different Methods of Evaluating Student Translations: The Question of Validity†. Meta, XLVI (2), 311-325. Also, available from: http://www. erudit. org/revue/meta/2001/v46/n2/004583ar. pdf [Accessed May 5, 2007]. ———————– [1] Contact Number: 09123274659 [2] Contact Number: 09124017793, 02133793821 E-mail Address: maliheh. ghodrati@gmail. com