Madeleine L’Engle’s “A Wrinkle in Time”

Madeleine L’Engle’s â€Å"A Wrinkle in Time† ranks with the best known classic children’s stories. Perhaps a â€Å"Lewis Carroll Shelf Award† and a runner-up position in the â€Å"Hans Christian Andersen Award† would prove this claim.However, all the prestigious awards and the wide readership were not enough to put â€Å"A Wrinkle in Time† in the pedestal of being one of the best works classic children literature.L’Engle’s science fantasy had received a barrage of criticisms from literary critics. The aspect of the story that had received much damage is the story’s ending. Before we go on further with this exploration of â€Å"A Wrinkle in Time†, it is essential to reiterate that the story is categorized as a children’s story—it is intended audience were children.The critics of the novel had approached the narrative in an overly critical fashion that is opposed to the book’s nature of be ing a light and fun read. And because of much overly critical approach, many had failed to appreciate that â€Å"A Wrinkle in Time† is packed with valuable insights that are likely to have a positive effect on young readers.The composition of the story seems to aesthetically decent for its intended audience. The plot was rich in exciting adventures and entertaining elements like aliens and inter-space travels—elements that grab the attention of children.The protagonist of the story was a fourteen-year-old school girl by the name of Meg Murry. Having a child as a protagonist makes it easier for young readers to relate more to the book. Moreover, before all the science fantasy elements were introduced, predicaments that are normal to a child were discussed through the character of Meg.She is considered to be an underachiever and short-tempered by the people around her. These kinds of predicaments, more commonly called peer-pressures, are faced by average children worldwi de.In addition to that, Meg is set to have an adventure of a life with her brother and friend to rescue her father. This kind of adventure would sound very interesting and fun for children readers.The effectiveness of the narrative as a story for children owes much to its uncomplicated language. The language that L’Engle had incorporated in the text was uncomplicated enough for easy absorption for children of reading level.But more notably is that although there was science fantasy elements in the story, L’Engle did not presented those elements a scifi-geeky way. The uncomplicated language can be seen when Mrs. Whatsit was explaining the â€Å"tesseract† to a child like Meg (L’Engle 85).The fact that â€Å"A Wrinkle in Time† a wide readership is arguably already enough to prove its effectiveness. The critics of the novel had made an approach that is considerably unnecessary. They had stripped a children’s story off its very essence. This pap er would stand beside the argument that any overly critical approach to this particular text can be considered an over-reading.The novel was not written for critics, it was for the children’s enjoyment. And because of an overly critical approach, many had failed to appreciate the ending of the story. What makes the ending appreciable is it is rich with insights that are likely to have a positive effect on young minds.For us to have a better vantage point in reviewing the ending, let us divide the ending into three significant parts: Meg’s final battle with IT, the reunion of the family, and Mrs. Whatsit’s invitation for further adventures.In Meg’s final battle with IT, the children are given the suggestion that they are capable beings. Meg is just an average child defeating an alien disembodied brain. This aspect could boost a child’s confidence towards facing challenges in life.In Meg’s reunion with her family, children are taught how to ca re for others. Her father and other characters were anxiously waiting for Meg’s safe return. This had taught Meg that she is important as person. Just like the protagonist, children readers could also have the same positive realization.Mrs. Whatsit’s invitation for further adventures suggests that after some challenges in life, may it be being an underachiever or getting lost within the continuum of time, better things and more adventures are waiting for us.The optimism that this could instil in the minds of the children would be very useful to them for this will teach them a positive outlook in life. A positive outlook would help the children through challenges in life, especially when they grow and move to adulthood—where scepticism and pessimism are prevalent.The ending should not be tampered with by the readers as changing the ending would violate the concept of authorship. Revising the ending is plain plagiarism and with simple logic, this is L’Engle ’s story—not the reader’s.Although, it is understandable that the readers and critics to have opinions and interpretations. But they should not tamper with a classic of children’s literature that was enjoyed by generations of young readers. What they could do with their opinions and interpretations is to keep those as writing materials. Who knows? They may end up writing a masterpiece for children just like â€Å"A Wrinkle in Time.†Work CitedL'Engle, Madeleine. A Wrinkle in Time. NY: Dell. 1973

Fast Food in HK Essay

Fast food, as you can understand is the term referring to food that is prepared and can be delivered in a fast time. It is traditionally American style meal that always included French fries, burgers and soft drinks. Restaurants store precooked ingredients, once the customer gives an order, take-away can be ready in a while. To be called as â€Å"Fast food†, these foods must meet a few standards: good time management, quality stability and fixed price. It is a very popular meal style in some well-developed cities, since the people have a totally busy life. The first recorded fast food restaurant A&W is founded in 1919 at the United States of America, and the second one is the famous company White Castle in 1921. In this century, fast food restaurants develop and most of them become chains suppliers. US people spent billions on buying fast food every year. The fast food globalization had now become a huge social issue. Nowadays there are over 500,000 fast food restaurants and thousands brands in the whole world. And today we are going to focus on the two head quarters in Hong Kong– McDonald’s and KFC. Introduction of McDonald’s McDonald’s is definitely the biggest fast food chain in the world. It founded in 1940 by Richard and Maurice McDonald. Nowadays, over 33,000 McDonald’s restaurants were established in the worldwide. The products of McDonald’s are in various types, mainly hamburgers, French fries, chickens and soft drinks. Sometimes, they will provide seasonal meal to attract customers such as ‘Shake Shake French fries’. Following differences of choices, McDonald’s would also offer vegetarian food too. In order to fit the culture, they may change the meal a little bit for example not providing beef in India. You can always find one on the street, because there are in total 200 stores in Hong Kong. McDonald’s became popular all the time due to busy life schedule of Hong Kong people. Introduction of KFC On the other hand, the Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC) is the largest fried chicken shop in the world, and the second largest fast food chain after the McDonald’s. Harland Sanders founded KFC in 1930 at Kentucky in the United States of America. KFC practically sells fried chicken pieces, coleslaw and drinks. The popularity of KFC’s chicken comes from its original secret recipe which mixed with 11 herbs and spices. Not like the McDonald’s, KFC has a smaller scale with only 63 stores in Hong Kong. However, the numbers didn’t affect the KFC’s second largest place of fast food chain in Hong Kong. Advantages and disadvantages of Fast Food The biggest advantage of fast food is definitely FAST. People in modern societies are always in busy life schedule. Facing the hard workload, they may only have half an hour to have a meal and rush beck to their work. Thus, these quick service restaurants help to solve to lack of time problem. Meals can be prepared within ten minutes. No matter how delicious other food are, Hong Kong people have not enough time to buy ingredients, cook or enjoy. Second is the stability of food within one chain of fast food restaurant. Tastes are mainly the same in any store. You will never taste bad with the same meal. And the prices are predictable and affordable too. One fast food meal is always cheaper than you cook alone at home. However, fast food as called as junk food, affecting people’s health. Restaurant usually uses a lot of additives such as salt, flavorings and preservatives. The large amount of calories and additives are harmful to human body. Since the fast food is all pre-cooked, the nutrients of the ingredients are lost. Therefore, some people may say that fast food is only for surviving. Eating fast food in a long term may cause various diseases such as diabetes and heart attack. Comparison of McDonald’s and KFC In Hong Kong, McDonald’s is obviously in a larger scale than KFC. Except the differences on the food kinds, the way they run the company are a bit different too. Apart from fast food restaurant, McDonald’s have McCafes to provide desserts and coffee like Starbucks. Besides, McDonald’s have works in different area of society such as charity, children health affair. But the KFC is just only a restaurant in Hong Kong. Therefore, people would called McDonald’s as a better company than KFC in Hong Kong.

Aanna Lukasik

Should focus on enhancing the auditor’s understanding of the auditors understanding of the client’s business and the transactions and events that have occurred since the last audit date. – 1 Planning 3. Should focus on identifying areas that may represent specific risks relevant to the audit. – 1. Planning 4. Do not result in detection of misstatements. – 4 Statement is not correct concerning anatical procedures 5. Designed to obtain evidential matter about particular assertions related to account balances or classed of transactions. – 2 Substantive testing 6. Generally use data aggregated at a lower level than the other stages. – 2 Substantive testing 7. Should include reading the financial statements and notes to consider the adequacy of evidence gathered – 3. Overall review 8. Involve reconciliation of confirmation replies with recorded book amounts – 4 Statement is not correct concerning analytical procedures 9. Use of preliminary or unadjusted working trial balance as a source of data – 1 Planning the audit 10. Expected to result in reduced level of detection risk – 2 Substantive testing Q-30 a) The minutes of each meeting refer to the minutes of previous meeting. In addition the auditor should obtain the next year’s minutes, probably for February 2010, to make sure the previous minutes referred to were those from September 16, 2009. b) Information relevant to 2009 Audit Audit Action Required February 15 1. Approval for increased distribution During analytical procedures, an Costs of $500 000. ncrease of $500000 should be expected for distribution costs 2. Unresolved tax dispute. Evaluate resolution of dispute and adequacy of disclosure in FS 3. Computer equipment donated. Determine that old equipment was correctly treated in 2008 in the statements and that appropriate deduction was taken 4. Annual cash dividend. Calculate total dividends to determine that dividend was correctly recorded. 5. Officers’ bonuses. Determine were paid in 2009. Consider the tax implications of unpaid bonuses to officers. September 16 1. 2009 Officers’ elected. Inform staff of possibility of related party transaction. 2. Officers’ salary information. Note information in audit files for 2010 audit. 3. Pension and profit sharing plan. Determine if the pension/profit sharing plan was approved. If so make sure all assets and liabilities have been correctly recorded. 4. Loan. Examine supporting documentation of loan and confirm loan information with bank. 5. Aquistation of new computers syst Determine of disposal of the 1 year old equipment and check the recording of the operations. 6. Auditor Selection Aanna Lukasik Should focus on enhancing the auditor’s understanding of the auditors understanding of the client’s business and the transactions and events that have occurred since the last audit date. – 1 Planning 3. Should focus on identifying areas that may represent specific risks relevant to the audit. – 1. Planning 4. Do not result in detection of misstatements. – 4 Statement is not correct concerning anatical procedures 5. Designed to obtain evidential matter about particular assertions related to account balances or classed of transactions. – 2 Substantive testing 6. Generally use data aggregated at a lower level than the other stages. – 2 Substantive testing 7. Should include reading the financial statements and notes to consider the adequacy of evidence gathered – 3. Overall review 8. Involve reconciliation of confirmation replies with recorded book amounts – 4 Statement is not correct concerning analytical procedures 9. Use of preliminary or unadjusted working trial balance as a source of data – 1 Planning the audit 10. Expected to result in reduced level of detection risk – 2 Substantive testing Q-30 a) The minutes of each meeting refer to the minutes of previous meeting. In addition the auditor should obtain the next year’s minutes, probably for February 2010, to make sure the previous minutes referred to were those from September 16, 2009. b) Information relevant to 2009 Audit Audit Action Required February 15 1. Approval for increased distribution During analytical procedures, an Costs of $500 000. ncrease of $500000 should be expected for distribution costs 2. Unresolved tax dispute. Evaluate resolution of dispute and adequacy of disclosure in FS 3. Computer equipment donated. Determine that old equipment was correctly treated in 2008 in the statements and that appropriate deduction was taken 4. Annual cash dividend. Calculate total dividends to determine that dividend was correctly recorded. 5. Officers’ bonuses. Determine were paid in 2009. Consider the tax implications of unpaid bonuses to officers. September 16 1. 2009 Officers’ elected. Inform staff of possibility of related party transaction. 2. Officers’ salary information. Note information in audit files for 2010 audit. 3. Pension and profit sharing plan. Determine if the pension/profit sharing plan was approved. If so make sure all assets and liabilities have been correctly recorded. 4. Loan. Examine supporting documentation of loan and confirm loan information with bank. 5. Aquistation of new computers syst Determine of disposal of the 1 year old equipment and check the recording of the operations. 6. Auditor Selection

Crime in uk Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Crime in uk - Essay Example The root cause of cult of celebrity is the deep-seated human desire to appear inspirational, famous and strong to lead ordinary people and attain personal satisfaction and fulfillment for belonging in the class of celebrities (Walker and Smith 2002). According to social identity theory, people identify themselves by their social groups which they belong and judge others by the memberships to the groups. Celebrity worship originated in 1880s since inventors, scholars and political leaders were perceived as cultural heroes and people were celebrated for being famous in the society (Walker and Smith 2002). Accordingly, the emergence of mass media technologies in 1920s and popularity of the entertainment industry shifted the cult of celebrity from character of the individual to personality of the individual (Walker and Smith 2002). Another factor that contributed to the popularity of cult of celebrity was the decline in morality due to decline in organised religion. These fixations of public personality distort the behaviour of individuals since millions are obsessed with famous celebrities such as Nicole Kidman and Tom Hanks (Walker and Smith 2002). A survey conducted among teachers in primary and secondary schools in UK concluded that cult of celebrity was affecting children’s expectations and aspirations in life since many teachers believed that their children want to be famous (Rojek 2001). The cult is producing a younger generation that believes educational achievements and hard work are not essential in attaining success in life. In this case, children will grow up with low self-esteem, sense of failure and alienation due to relative deprivation. Children idolise themselves with popular celebrities such as football stars, popular musicians and actors. The cult of celebrities is a widespread obsession, worship and idolatry on

Communication Activity BYP8-5 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Communication Activity BYP8-5 - Assignment Example Cash is considered the most liquid current asset. Cash is needed to pay off the short term and long term obligations of a company. Upon review of your internal control system to handle cash our firm found several deficiencies. The person that deposits the checks has properly endorsed checks that are ready for the deposit, but the person does not know the accuracy of his check deposit because he does not have a list of the checks. Adding a list of checks would provide a way to verify if the checks that are supposed to be deposited are there. The person that is handling this transaction is the wrong person. Currently your company is allowing the cashier and the account receivable clerk to handle this transaction. This is a risky move because since these employees are dealing with cash and receivable they could collude against the company and create a fraud scheme to steal money from the firm. Since they are handling all aspects of the cash dealing it would be easy for them to steal wit hout anyone noticing. To fix the problem these employees should no longer handle the check deposits. The weekly deposit routine can be improved by switching to a daily deposit routine. Regards, John May, Auditor Tel. (856-932-1412)

Elimination of the Quality Issues and the Retention of Business Case Study - 5

Elimination of the Quality Issues and the Retention of Business - Case Study Example Quality is an aspect which has gained importance and recognition around the world. The three components of quality which are quality control, quality assurance and quality improvement on a constant basis have become the core functions of numerous organizations since consumers are now well informed and not ready to compromise on quality. As the case suggests, the quality standards set by Presto Cleaners clearly did not meet the consumers’ standards and resulted in a lot of problems for the consumers (Dale B, van der Wiele T, van Iwaarden J, 2007).   Quality standards, in this case, did not revolve around the quality of the product itself but the means used to communicate and transfer the service to the consumer. Quality management must then be implemented whereby quality assurance is guaranteed both with the products and the processes used to deliver the service altogether. Without the implementation of appropriate quality standards, preferably those that are in line with the principles and guidelines set by the ISO standards of quality, an organization will not be able to effectively conduct business and might even fail to retain let alone attract new business. This was exactly what happened in the case of Presto Cleaners; Mr. Shelton was not satisfied with the services Presto Cleaners had provided and demanded compensation for the loss incurred by him or else lose out on business.  The objectives for which one chooses a product or service maintain a direct link with quality i.e. if the purpose for which the service, in this case, is chosen is not fulfilled the consumer would face quality issues (Howard S. Gitlow, 2005). When the Presto Cleaners opened their doors to customers, Mr. and Mrs. Shelton chose this service mainly because of the convenient location, suitable working hours and most importantly the friendliness and helpful nature of the staff. However, the cost was higher than competitors located in the vicinity, the Shelton’s gave Pre sto preference because they wanted to seek the quality services even if they had to pay higher costs for it.

Social Engineering (ethical hacking ) Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Social Engineering (ethical hacking ) - Essay Example However, while the internet has been a blessing to humankind, along with its bounties and huge number of facilities, it has brought a few risks as well. Studies (Erickson, pp. 49-56) have indicated that stealing of valuable information, corruption, and vanishing of computer systems are some of the major risks associated with the utilization of internet. Although in the past, it was an understanding that information locked in a file cabinet is more vulnerable than the existence of that information in electronic mode. However, things have changed now, and people are again relying on file cabinets to keep their records due to huge amount of issues related to information systems security on the internet. In this regard, internet has resulted in commencement of various beneficial things such as electronic commerce, e-mail, e-advertisement, and e-education; however, along with such technological advancements, there is one major issue among the various IS security related issues; hacking (McClure & Shah, pp. 20-26). In other words, a huge number of issues and threats exist in the world of information systems; however, hacking is one of the major issues that have been deteriorating the security of information security systems, which will be the focus of this report in detail. Analysis of different sources (Harris & Ness, pp. 49-63) has indicated that until today, the computer industry is using the term of hacking or hacker for dual purposes. In the beginning, hacker would be an individual who was interested in learning new things about the computer systems, and was keen to discover new capabilities of the computer networks unlike usual users of the computers who were interested in learning only standard usage of the computers. In other words, enthusiastic programmers were hackers, and as the time passed, skillful programmers continued to

Learning to Look Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Learning to Look - Essay Example Thus, the mass of the subjects were thin to again suggest and associate the product as an object of desire. The shape also is suggesting a constant motion, garb fashionably and ready to go. The left portion of the poster was intentionally left blank to reinforce the idea of motion that the subject is going somewhere and therefore, she should be unimpeded. In this aspect, balance was intentionally ignored to pull the focus on the woman who is about to go somewhere. The color of her dress is coordinated with the cigar to achieve unity with the product being advertised. Combining their colors, slim shape and set into a seemingly moving motion, the images achieved rhythm or a sort of harmony that makes the subject being advertised to be pleasing to the eyes. This kind of approach of using slender women alongside with a slender product in advertisement also adds variety on the approach of transforming a potentially harmful product into something desirable. The approach of Virginia Slims in this product is to convey an idea of confidence and happiness to any woman who are going to smoke their product. This was achieved by effectively using the elements of visual design to convey desirability to their product and create a picture of perfection and happiness to its product. This kind of advertising that uses the elements of design of tall straight lines and slim mass appeals to our sense of vanity that certain product can make us beautiful that could make us happier. All of these are of course created perceptions to serve a certain marketing objective which is induced and/or create demand for Virginia Slims. The use of this approach in the advertisment of Virginia Slims to induce women to smoke also induces anxiety among its target market then later provide Virginia Slims cigarette as the panacea to relieve the women of its distress through the use of beautiful images

Needs Assessment for Quality Improvement Assignment

Needs Assessment for Quality Improvement - Assignment Example However, school board's authority is limited to official meetings. Before discussing the quality and need for improving it in Tulsa Public School District, it is important to see its significant strategic plan factors. "We will provide quality learning experiences for every student, every day, without exception with the essential skills needed for academic growth, lifelong learning and personal character." (Official Website) Vision of this school system is very simple and clear. "The District of Choice, by providing quality education through high expectations for ALL"; this clearly shows that the top level management of this organization strives hard and makes policies which may make this school as everyone's only choice in the coming future. School makes appropriate policies to achieve its above stated vision for the future in order to gain a distinct advantage over its competitive forces. Each school community will demonstrate exceptional parent/guardian involvement and support through 100% membership in its parent/guardian association, and the District will triple its Partner-In-Education agreement with community, businesses, institutions, organizations and agencies. For Tulsa Public School District, values govern th... Each school will have 100% membership in its parent/guardian association, and the district will have 1,350 Partners-In-Education agreements. Each school community will demonstrate exceptional parent/guardian involvement and support through 100% membership in its parent/guardian association, and the District will triple its Partner-In-Education agreement with community, businesses, institutions, organizations and agencies. All employees will be highly qualified and choose to work for TPS. All employees will be highly qualified in their positions and CHOOSE to remain with Tulsa Public Schools. TPS will win the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award. These above stated goals have been defined by the top level management i.e. board members of the school system to successfully address their vision of 2010. Strategic Objectives: Build a connected learning community& broaden productive partnerships, services, & student outreach in order to meet the needs of existing & incoming students Integrate key learning programs across curriculum Empower & affirm staff as they provide dedicated service & enhance teaching & learning opportunities for the 21st century student Maintain & deploy quality management system, campus upgrades, safety requirements & aligned structure Develop new or expanded funding opportunities, including endowments, in order to meet fiscal responsibilities and budget goals Values: For Tulsa Public School District, values govern the function of its dealing and its demeanor or associations with Oklahoma's society at great level, internal and external customers, employees, local community and other stakeholders. Management by Fact: "within a

7 questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

7 questions - Essay Example In question 2, Jasmine can disaffirm the earrings, tickets to a concert and down payment for the used car due to her age. The case would not be any different if the items were used or she waited for a period of one month before returning them as long as the time agreed on the contract did not elapse. For instance, she could return the tickets to the concert after the one month provided that they had not expired. In question 3, the contract can be ratified through Jasmine writing or starting to confirm that she intends to be bound by the terms of the contract. Moreover, the action of her continuing to make the monthly payments can be termed as ratification of the contract. Her mother would be liable for the contract if Jasmine fails to adhere to its terms and the court proves that she failed to supervise her daughter properly; a factor that caused her to expose others to unreasonable risk of harm. In 4 (a), the contract is not enforceable because it exceeds the legal maximum interest rates which are set to facilitate business transactions while keeping the economy healthy. In 4 (b), in most States gambling is illegal because it might run afoul some applicable criminal laws hence any contract involving it is unenforceable. This factor renders the purchase of the slot machine to be used for gambling unenforceable. In 4 (c), the contract is enforceable because it involves revenue generation but the contractor would be expected to pay fine for working without a license. In 4 (d), the contract is unenforceable because it compromises the safety standards that are set to protect the health of the users. In question 5, Alex can make use of the substantive unconscionability as a legal defense in arguing that the contract with his former employer provided unfair benefits. He would term the contract to have had prevented achievement of equal benefits for both him and his former employer. In question 6, exculpatory clause is a legal provision that releases

Cost of the Good Life Essay Example for Free

Cost of the Good Life Essay Overall wellbeing, an extravagant lifestyle, and wealth all come to mind when I ponder the good life but what does the good life actually cost? At first glance, this seems like a loaded question that requires multiple dissertations in order to answer. I even contemplated whether or not the good life had a cost at all. Breaking the good life into separate topics relieves much of the stress when it comes to giving an answer. In terms of consumerism, the good life is damaging to the environment, places too much emphasis on money, and it dwindles the importance of non-market values. According to Annie Leonard’s â€Å"The Story of Stuff†, our current materials economy is a commodity chain in which goods go from extraction, to production, to distribution, to consumption, and finally to disposal. The system sounds stable but it is actually in crisis. Anyone with a simple understanding of mathematics can tell you that you cannot run a linear system on a finite planet in the real world. In order for us, the consumers, to get all of our fancy products and up-to-date technologies, a process that we turn a blind eye to takes place. At the source of the process, there is natural resource exploitation. â€Å"We chop down the trees, blow up mountains to get the metals inside, use up all the water, and wipe out all the animals.† As consumers, we are running out of resources because we have too much stuff! In the past three decades alone, one third of the planet’s natural resource space has been consumed. We are undermining the planets very ability for people to live here. In the United States, less than four percent of our original forests are left and forty percent of the waterways have become unsanitary. When the resources start to deplete, we do the same thing to third world or lesser developed nations. The erosion of the local environments of these nations and economies ensures a constant flow of natives that rely on the little money they can earn while working in factories. We have become a nation of consumers largely due to planned and perceived obsolescence. Planned obsolescence is the art of designing products that don’t last a long time but last long enough for someone to buy the product again. Perceived obsolescence is changing the design of things to follow trends and keep up with the times. The number one example that people can relate to is the iPhone. If you don’t have the newest and  greatest iPhone, you are a social outcast. While this might be a tad over exaggerated, it’s not too far from the truth. In all actuality, polls show that our national happiness is declining even though we have more stuff than ever before. This is because we have less time for the things that truly make us happy like friends, family, and leisure time. At the cost of our planet and environment, are we really even living the good life? Fritjof Capra of â€Å"Qualitative Growth† said that â€Å"human needs are finite, but human greed is not. The major problems of our time cannot be understood in isolation; they are all interconnected and interdependent.† In our current economy, we have put currency on a pedestal that is far too high for us to reach anymore. Most of the goods that are produced and sold are often unneeded and therefore are essentially waste. Even still, demographic pressure and poverty form a vicious circle that lead to fewer jobs and wider poverty gaps. These are the costs of the good life. Our current global economy is a system striving for unlimited quantitative growth and is manifestly unsustainable as previously stated. Looking again from an ecological standpoint, the bad growth resulting from this system leads to externalizing social and environmental costs, is based on fossil fuels, involves toxic substances, depletes our natural resources, and degrades the Earth’s ecosystems. Harvard professor Michael Sandel adds what I believe to be the most interesting cost of the good life when it comes to affluenza. He argues that over the last three decades, we have drifted from having a market economy to becoming a market society. Although these two seem to be synonymous, they are actually quite different. A market economy is a valuable and effective tool for organizing productive activity while a market society is a place where almost everything is up for sale. By doing this, we have created a way of life in which market values â€Å"seep into almost every sphere of life and sometimes crowd out or corrode important, non-market values.† One of the examples that professor Sandel uses is congressional hearings in Washington D.C.. Lobbyists want to attend these hearings and because the seats are limited, line-standing companies have arisen. Line-standing companies hire homeless people and pay them an hourly rate in order to wait in line just  before the hearing. According to the professor, this is wrong for two reasons. â€Å"In a democratic society, everyone should have equal access to representative government. The other reason it’s wrong is that it demeans representative government.† When it comes to the point where almost everything in our public life is sold off to the highest bidder, something is lost. Money matters more and more in our society. And against the background of rising inequality, money takes a toll on the commonality of our civic life. In other words, we lose a part of ourselves. Do we go so far that we are cheapening important social goods and civic goods that are worth caring about? Society will eventually become a place of narcissistic opportunism where people will be buying their way into and out of positive and negative situations. What is the good life worth? I’ve been struggling with this question a great deal lately. You may or may not be familiar with the term first world problems. They are frustrations and complaints that are only experienced by privileged individuals, typically used as a comedic device to make light of trivial inconveniences. Not having the latest gadget and the newest clothes from a particular store are just a few examples. When I bought something, I failed to realize what I was actually paying. I now know that these consumer goods cost natural resources, valuable money, and so much more. The simplest way I can put it is that the cost of the good life: priceless.

Ecological Agriculture for Sustainable Development

Ecological Agriculture for Sustainable Development Siddaraju V. G [*] Dr. M. Indira [**] Introduction Sustainable development is relevant issue of the present day. Sustainable development refers to development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generation to meet their own needs. Sustainable development is achieved through sustainable agriculture. Food security for the common man is a basic right. Over 800 millions people in the world suffer from hunger which has to be reduced by half by the year 2015. Agriculture plays a crucial rule in addressing the needs of a growing global population, and is inextricably linked to poverty eradication, especially in developing countries. Sustainable agriculture and rural development is essential to the implementation of integrated approach to increasing food production and enhancing food security in an environmentally sustainable way. According to Pingali (2001) many countries across the world provide support for modern agriculture, mainly to increase the productivity for commercial purpose without considering the environment sustainability. Therefore, the concept of sustainability of agriculture is gaining momentum from last few years. The concept of ‘Sustainability’ has been discussed in Earth Summits of 1992 and 2002. The Earth summit offered an opportunity for the global community to address key action on agriculture with a view to sustainability and reducing poverty and hunger, protecting biodiversity and access to resources for small farmers everywhere. Sustainable development has three components i.e., economic sustainability, environmental sustainability and social sustainability. Ecological agriculture addresses the environment or ecological aspects of sustainability. Sustainable agriculture embraces several variants of non-conventional agriculture that are often called organic, alternative, regenerative, and ecological or low input. Ecological agriculture based on ecological principles aim at maintaining or enhancing the quality of the environment and conserve natural resources without using chemical inputs leading to sustainable development. The difference between sustainable agriculture and ecological agriculture is that sustainable agriculture is a broad concept compared to ecological agriculture. Ecological agriculture systems are one of the means of attaining sustainable agriculture. Sustainable agriculture aims continuous increase in yield and greater resilience. For a sound future, ecological agriculture offers a dynamic interaction between soil, animal, humans, ecosystem and environment. Ecological agriculture is economically viable because: Reduction in the use of external inputs and increase in farm organic inputs with the greatest potential to benefit the health of farmers and consumers. More productivity through the incorporation of natural process as nutrient cycles, nitrogen fixation, and pest predator relationships in to the agricultural production process. Greater productive use of the biological and genetic potential of plant and animal species. Improvement of the match between cropping patterns and the productive potential and physical limitations of agricultural lands to ensure long term sustainability of current production levels and Profitable and efficient production with emphasis on improved management and conservation of soil, water and energy and biological resources. The basic requirement in organic farming is to increase input use efficiency at each step of the farm operations. This is achieved partly through reducing losses and adoption of new technologies for enrichment of nutrient content in manure (Sravanan, 2006). The concept of organic farming lays emphasis on economic and ecological sustainability of agricultural system and hence avoids the dependence on chemical pesticides use (Dhawan and Deshmukh, 2005). According to Charjan and Hajare (2002) organic farming is only an alternative, which may not be acceptable on short-term basis, but may be viable on long-term basis, perhaps due to number of issues. An attempt is made in this paper to analyze the economic performance of ecological agriculture and modern agriculture system and to identify the reasons for the transition from modern agriculture to ecological agriculture. Methodology The present study is based on primary data collected from 50 ecological farmers and 50 modern farmers in the production of Paddy and Sugarcane in Mysore and Mandya districts of Karnataka. Economic performance of any system could be analyzed by analyzing the costs and returns. In the present study relative economic performance of ecological and modern agriculture is analyzed in terms of Farm Business Income (FBI). Location, distribution of sample farmers is presented in table 1. Table 1: Particulars of selected district and taluk District Taluk No. of Ecological farmers No. of Modern Farmers Mysore Mysore 16 16 Nanjanagud 9 9 Mandya Mandya 14 14 Maddur 11 11 The above table shows that Location, distribution of sample farmers. Ecological farmers are located in Mysore and Nanjanagud taluks in Mysore district and Mandya and Maddur taluks in Mandya district. Mysore taluk in Mysore district has the large number of ecological farmers and Mandya taluk in Mandya ditrict has more number of ecological farmers. Equal numbers of modern farmers were selected for comparative analysis. Analysis and Discussion Economic Performance Farm Business Income (FBI) is one of the indicators to measure the economic profitability of an agriculture farm. It has been chosen to understand the relative economic profitability of ecological farming and modern farming systems in the production of selected crops. FBI is the difference between the gross returns and Cost A1. Farm Business Income = Gross Income – Cost A1 Cost of Cultivation Average cost and returns under ecological and modern agriculture in the production of paddy and sugarcane are presented below. Paddy Average cost per acre in the production of paddy under ecological and modern farming systems, yield per acre, returns from main product and returns from by product, net returns per acre are presented in table 2. Table 2: Costs and Returns from Ecological and Modern Agriculture in the Production of Paddy Sl. No. Particulars Ecological Agriculture Modern Agriculture 1 Farm Power 6147 5539 2 Organic Nutrients 1957 655 3 Chemical Fertilizers 1030 4 Seed 367 352 5 Irrigation 379 389 6 Land Tax 29 24 7 Depreciation Charge on Farm implements 1018 449 8 Depreciation Charge on machinery 623 603 9 Repair of Machineries 449 233 10 Total Cost of Cultivation (1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9) 10968 9274 11 Yield (Quintal/acre) 23 22 12 Price Received (Rs/quintal) 639 612 13 Returns from main Product (Rs/acre) 14697 13464 14 Income from by-product (Rs/acre) 1067 786 15 Gross Returns/Rs (13+14) 15764 14250 16 Net returns/Rs (15-13) 4796 4975 Source: Survey Data Gross returns from paddy produced under ecological agriculture found to be marginally higher compared to the paddy produced under modern farming system. While gross returns from ecological agriculture was Rs. 15764 per acre, the same from modern agriculture was Rs. 14250 per acre, a difference of Rs 1514 per acre. But net return was relatively low from ecological agriculture (Rs. 4795 per acre) compared to modern agriculture (Rs. 4975/acre), because cost of cultivation was higher for ecological farms (Rs. 10969 per acre) compared to modern farms (Rs. 9274/acre). Cost of organic nutrients, farm power, farm depreciation charges are higher in ecological agriculture. Marginal differences could be seen in other costs. While organic nutrients were expensive, the transportation of FYM, its administration, transplantation, weeding require more labour, which is reflected in the farm power. Farm depreciation charge is higher in ecological agriculture due to more use of farm equipments. The yie ld from ecological agriculture was not found to be much higher than modern agriculture. While ecological farms produced 23 quintal/acre, 22 quintal/acre were produced from modern farms. Ecological farmers received Rs. 27 per quintal of paddy, which is slightly higher price than the modern farmers. The yield and price was not much difference under the two methods of cultivation. Therefore, net return also was not much different. Sugarcane Sugarcane is a commercial annual crop grown mainly in Mandya and Mysore districts of Karnataka. Average costs and returns in the production of sugarcane is presented in table 3. Table 3: Costs and Returns under Ecological and Modern Agriculture in the Production of Sugarcane Sl. No. Particulars Ecological Agriculture Modern Agriculture 1 Farm Power 22589 20441 2 Organic Nutrients 2414 861 3 Chemical Fertilizers 3502 4 Seed 1300 1300 5 Irrigation 424 443 6 Land Tax 27 26 7 Depreciation Charge on Farm Implements 1800 3403 8 Depreciation Charge on Machinery 1172 1499 9 Repair of Machineries 500 204 10 Total Cost of Cultivation (1+2+3+4+5+6+7+8+9) 30225 31679 11 Yield (Ton/acre) 52 49 12 Price Received (Tonn/Rs) 989 961 13 Gross Returns/Rs 51428 47089 14 Net Returns/Rs (13-10) 21203 15410 Source: Survey Data Net returns from sugarcane were found to be higher from ecological farms (Rs. 21202 per acre) compared to modern farms (Rs. 15410 per acre). Similarly the gross returns were Rs. 51428per acre from ecological agriculture and Rs. 47089 per acre from modern agriculture. Relatively higher cost of cultivation in modern agriculture is due to higher cost of chemical fertilizers and farm depreciation charges. Chemical fertilizers like Urea, Potash, Complex and Salt were expensive. Farm depreciation charge is higher in ecological agriculture due to more use of farm equipments. Marginal differences could be seen in other costs except farm power. Because the cost of the transportation of FYM, weeding, harvesting and its administration require more labour, which is reflected in the farm power. The cost of cultivation of sugarcane with modern agriculture is costing Rs. 1454 more per acre. Yield per acre under ecological farming is nearly three ton more than that from modern cultivation and ecolog ical farmers received Rs. 28 higher for one ton of sugarcane than the modern farmers. Higher yield and returns have contributed to higher returns from ecological farming than the modern farming. Net returns from sugarcane under ecological farming are Rs. 5792 more than that from modern agriculture. Farm Business Income Farm business income under ecological and modern agriculture in the production of annual crops (paddy and sugarcane) is presented in table 4. Table 4: Farm Business Income of Annual Crops under ecological and modern farming system Paddy Sugarcane Variables Ecological Agriculture Modern Agriculture Ecological Agriculture Modern Agriculture Gross Returns 15,764 14,250 51,428 47,089 Cost A1 10,968 9,274 30,225 31,679 Farm Business Income (FBI) 4,796 4,976 21,203 15,410 Source: Survey Data The above table shows that larger variation in the FBI could be observed in the production of Sugarcane, which is a commercial crop. In the production of Paddy, FBI under ecological farming is marginally lower i.e., by Rs.180. Cost A1 under ecological agriculture is higher by Rs.1694 per acre. However gross returns is higher by Rs.1514 per acre. But in the case of sugarcane, FBI from ecological cultivation is higher by Rs.5, 793 per acre. In the case of sugarcane, cost of cultivation under ecological cultivation is relatively low. It is lower by Rs.1, 454 per acre. Gross returns are higher under ecological agriculture. The above analysis clearly shows that ecological agriculture is economically profitable. It has double advantage to the grower; it provides greater returns to the growers at present and ensures the sustainability of these returns in future by protecting the fertility of the soil. Transition Transition is the process of conversion from modern agriculture to ecological agriculture. After introduction of all necessary changes needed also, it might take some time before the transition is completed. Modern farming system depends on external inputs and is market oriented. On the other hand ecological farming is based on ecological principles of nature and depends more on inputs produced on farm. The production under ecological agriculture need not necessarily for subsistence. The growers may have several objectives in shifting from modern system of cultivation to ecological system. By understanding the motivation behind the shifting, it is possible to encourage more conversions. Reasons for Transition Process Information on what made the selected farmers to switch over to organic farming system from modern farming system was gathered. In many cases majority of the farmers reported that transition from modern agriculture to ecological agriculture was due to the possibility of producing healthy food, environmental protection and soil fertility management under organic farming system. A detailed analysis of Paddy and Sugarcane is presented in table 5. Table 5: Crop wise Reasons for transition from modern agriculture system to ecological agriculture system Sl. No Reasons for transition Frequency and Percentage Paddy Sugarcane 1 Cost of cultivation is low 8 (28.6) 10 (35.7) 2 Health 28 (100.0) 23 (82.1) 3 Employment 14 (50.0) 15 (53.6) 4 Soil Fertility Management 20 (71.4) 22 (78.6) 5 Environmental Protection 16 (57.1) 19 (67.9) 6 Yield 18 (64.8) 12 (42.9) Source: Survey Data, Note: Values within brackets represent percentage to total growers (Percentage don’t add to 100 due to multiple response) In recent years paddy farmers are practicing ecological agriculture due to different reasons. According to selected farmers, more than 70 per cent of the total farmers have shifted from modern agriculture to ecological agriculture, in order to maintain soil fertility. According to them, by using cowdung, ash, farm yard manure soil fertility can be maintained for many years. Health is one of the important factors influencing the paddy farmers to shift from modern agriculture to ecological agriculture. According to these farmers ecological food has positive impact on health and to be sure of the supply of organic food, they shifted to ecological agriculture. Paddy farmers also said that ecological agriculture creates more employment compared to modern agriculture. Survey results have shown that employment in ecological agriculture is more by 9 mandays/acre compared to modern agriculture. More than 50 per cent of the total farmers have shifted from modern agriculture to ecological agric ulture due to employment. Cost of cultivation is high in ecological agriculture compared to modern agriculture, because initially more investment is required in ecological agriculture. After completion of transition (5 years) gradually cost is decreased in ecological agriculture. Nearly 65 per cent of the ecological paddy farmers said that they shifted due to higher and stable yield that they are expected under ecological agriculture. The results support this and yield under ecological farm is more by 1 quintal per acre. In the case of sugarcane, 82.1 per cent of the total farmers have shifted from modern agriculture to ecological agriculture because they believe that it leads to healthy life. More than 65 per cent of the total farmers have transformed from modern agriculture to ecological agriculture due to soil fertility maintenance and environmental factors like pollution control, sustainability, water management etc. Sugarcane farmers also opined that ecological agriculture creates more employment compared to modern agriculture. Only 36 per cent of the farmers shifted because they think that cost of cultivation is low under ecological agriculture. In the case of paddy more shifts took place due to ecological factors than economic factors. The main reasons for transition can be found in environmental sustainability as well as health and soil fertility management. Paddy and sugarcane farmers mainly reported that cost of inputs like chemical fertilizers and pesticides are highly expensive. The results clearly show that the awareness about environmental impact of modern agriculture is the main reason for the farmers to shift to ecological agriculture. Conclusion The over all analysis of the study highlights that ecological agriculture is economically profitable compared to modern agriculture. It provides greater returns to the growers at present and ensures the sustainability of these returns in future by protecting the fertility of the soil and enhancing the quality of environment and conserve natural resources. Farm Business Income from ecological agriculture is more due to higher yield and price. It is mainly due to the purchase of organic manure by the growers. Efforts should be made to encourage farmers to keep livestock to produce on farm organic inputs in order to reduce the cost of organic manures. The main reason for transition from modern agriculture to ecological agriculture was the awareness about environment and health. This awareness is limited only to those who are educated. Efforts should be made to create awareness about two aspects of ecological farming i.e., awareness about environmental consequences of ecological farming and economics of ecological agriculture. References: CharjanY.D and T.N Hajare (2002), Ecological Agriculture Solves the Problems of Indian Agriculture, Kisan World, l29 (7), pp. 43-4. Dhawan AS and MS. Deshmukh 92005), Organic Farming in Relation to Environment Pollution, Kisan World, 32(2) February 2005, Pp: 27-28. Saravanane M et al (2007) â€Å"Organic Production System† Kisan World, 34 (03), Pp. 45 – 47, March 2007 Thakur and Sharma KD (2005), Organic Farming for Sustainable Agriculture and Meeting the Challenges of Food Security in 21st Century: An Economic Analysis, Indian Journal of Agriculture Economics, 60 (2), April-June 2005, Pp: 205-219. 1 [*] Senior Research Scholar, Department of Studies in Economics and Cooperation, University of Mysore, Mysore, Email: [emailprotected] [**] Reader, Department of Studies in Economics and Cooperation, University of Mysore, Mysore, Email: [emailprotected].

Prescriptive And Descriptive Schools Of Strategy Business Essay

Prescriptive And Descriptive Schools Of Strategy Business Essay Introduction: Strategic management has become well established in all the sectors of the economies especially in the large organizations. Every business has some specific purposes a reasonable of a business is to create customers and to build a profit generating market. A customer is the foundation of the business. Survival ability is a kind of competence function of the management and nature of the business, nature of ownership, and the financial strength of the enterprises are interested. A stable enterprise always struggles to minimize the managerial tensions of the business. It is the strategy of assistance in an external environment. Ohmaes definition of strategic management is quite different. He drew three groups of strategic management which are customer, Corporation and competitors. The generator also described the importance of theme by moving from abstract idea of strategy to the concrete strategic planning of its implementation. There are different ideas and arguments among many people having interest in the strategic management but their arguments and ideas are remarkably inconclusive. Over the years the studies show that the aim and objectives specify the quantity and targets and goals towards the leadership and the effort, the investment of the resources, the abilities to be directed such that the aims and strategic intent is achieved. In this assignment you will find the schools of strategy briefly. Role of Strategic Management and competitive analysis: The major requirement of the role of the strategic analysis is the understanding of competitive situation and appraisal which directs the enterprise in the sector or market. The strategic choice is flourished by the competitive forces against the organization or enterprise. The enterprise always makes a transparent and clear activities and identities of its competitors. It is important particularly when the selected proposals are supposed to enter in the market to operate in the international market. In early 1993 Mr. Kay discussed the basic or core enterprise in which the capability of the firm or company provides the more competitive advantage in the local market and international as well. The reason of it is because the competitive advantage is relative and the firms can facilitate themselves by the applying the strategic role to other suppliers in the same market. A firm is supposed to understand and define the competitive strategic advantage arena. The strategic competitive poli cy of the Japanese and South Korean competition was pillared on the encouragement of Competitive Oligopoly among the companies within the frame work of the national protection acts. Contemporary Strategic Issues: Issue is an un solved problem or question which is need to be solved and to give a result to take a future decision but when it is strategic issue then it has major impact on the direction of the business. The strategic issues are involved in the deep simplifying strategic planning. There are many strategic issues are hidden behind the curtain in one organization which just needed to be taken out to get tackle against them. Actually a team will generate bigger list of the strategic issues then they will have time to solve it. All the strategic issues are queued in an order and the priority is given to the much serious ones. While solving the issues the team staff is permitted to discuss the terms and then it defines the scope of the issues before the discussion get into heated. Then the discussion is derived until the decision is taken placed and solutions are provided to the member or represented people of the organizations. Some of the strategic issues lead to the later strategic p lanning steps. Schools of the Strategy: Mintzberg and lampel in 1999 reviewed ten schools of strategy formulation and declared that any type of business must be driven by the strategy. The strategy has a specific role in the enterprise management but the concept of enterprise indicated that the company has vision, mission and culture and it does not look possible that any one create a future statement on the development of company or organization. Hence the plans are created for the short term future to sustain and struggle against on coming challenges. So strategy is not a set of acts to achieve the future objectives but it is concentration which is gazed upon the created plans. The contributions of ideas have been included by the schools in the followings. Cognitive School: This school is about the process of strategic decision making which is based on the concept and their frameworks already exist. Concept of business, definition of plan or action and formation of strategies are the processes of the enterprise. The cognitive school as compared to school of learning is much different it presents the mind of strategies and drawing field of cognitive psychology. The large body of research that informs the individual about the decision making and to support evidences and the abilities to adopt the same criteria in the similar situation. The more recent event having the greater influence then the past events. In addition the individuals have the cognitive style including the followings; The strategic formation is a cognitive process that takes place in the strategies stage. Strategies emerge as frames, maps and concepts. Design School: Design school is what that perceives the strategy formation as achieving getting fixed between the internal strengths and the outer threats and opportunities. The SWOT (Strengths, Weakness, Threats, opportunities) has keen importance to make help of the vision and mission of the organization. The planning and design schools are emerged from the same academic years and had so many features. Difference that are mentioned between the design and planning schools are required an implicitly imaginative steps to devise candidate strategies. Therefore the strategic businesses theories which lie behind the planning school are really wanted for business to work more efficiently and work like a machine and it leave no room for the creativity. The planning and design schools use SWOT style and these become so formalized and detailed. In practice the planning begins with an objective covered by the strategy. Entrepreneurial School: The principal aspects of an enterprise are considered here as a vision. The unique figure of future is defined with a team leader who is utilized as the source of vision and mission. The vision sets as the motivation and courage of the employees of an organization. One of the advocates named Peter Ducker identifies the entrepreneurial with the management. The entrepreneurial act is the act of economic risk taking and business enterprise institution. Entrepreneurial in the larger business or organization includes Richard Barson of Virgin and Jack Welsh as well. The domination of strategic forming by the new search opportunities. It leading to the decision making on the large scale on the face of uncertainty and its power is centralized in the hands of the chief executive. The vision of strategy is deliberated in its broad view and flexible to attain the aim or objectives. Cultural School: It defines the importance of culture as an enabler of strategic formulation. The organizational culture can be a thought of shared value beliefs and norms which are held by the people who work on it and the organizations from other organizations. The framework of the organizational culture includes the team work, control, honesty, conflicts, decision making power and rewards. It is categorized to the other aspects like dress code or as shown on the other member of the staff and consumers. In some of the cases the rules which are governing the conduct of the business are known as unwritten grounded rules. The focuses of cultural school are the social interaction of involving the others within the organization for the purpose of strategy formation and the reflection of strategy which emerges the understandings and beliefs of those within the organization. Positioning School: The positioning school is the school which provides the strategic approach to the planning of analytical approach and aims to define the common place through the industry situation. The industry analysis is based on the Porters five forces analysis. The positioning school is driven like both the programmatic and consultancy driven as well and it looks like the design school. Actually the numbers of things in this paragraph are not to draw conclusion for the school and everything is implicit or assumed. It is the knowledge view that is not in circular flow or the expected development has no long term value attached to this kind of knowledge the required data is being saved and kept by the consultants and The Gurus. Now it is just relying on the long term condition of predictability that has nothing to say about the implementation and the competitors and company itself had a broadly shared determined world view. This theme was originally create by the consultants for their personal ben efits. Mitzberg has drawn an explanation for the production of performance, attendance and the constant cycle of rehearsal. By reviewing the ideology of this school it seems like that we can make better characterized entrepreneurial ideology in two parts. Based on Dialectic but crucially world view Based on the investment into specific uncertainty From the given prescription of Mintzberg we might be getting few numbers of misgivings about the positioning school of strategy. Planning School: Planning school contributes with the structural planning process with many levels of decision making. The different levels allow the people who make decisions to analyze many aspects of strategy as corporate. This school is meant to be the bridge between the business practice and theory of traditional business (old world) and the risk management (new world). In order to make it functional it is important to take it in ones notice that how the business runs and the running figures being utilized in the scenario. The way of doing remains unspecified despite the claimed formality of the proceeding stage. The objective toward the goal remains under discussion and it is formed by the tricky process between them by the act of negotiations. Mintzberg dicussed about the planning theories. The parts that are eliminated from the theory are creative imagination except for the Porters five Planning Schools Scenario. It was initially considered that the planning school of strategy is different fr om the idea of strategies being a form of knowledge probably these are inherited uncertainly. While capturing the business form of objectives and programmatic goals assumed that all other things are different that is the place where strategy formula is disappeared. Thus the Strategic School of Planning rejects the existence of uncertainty in any of the form and it is almost a meta strategy of placing truth in the formal planning process. The planning school marks points where the business modeling has been taken off by the effect of risk management techniques to make a statistical model of the market or company. Until now the Mintzberg keeping the sides of both of the fallacy of predetermination and the fallacy of detachment. The legacy of business strategic planning school is that business plan and business model that had formed the degraded liberatory emancripatory language of ghetto poverty. Its discredited certainties of a positive business theory against the life tsunami of un certainties. All the situation looks like same that was arguably the high point of rational approach to strategic management. Power School: The school which focuses on the strategy making pillared of power. Numbers of two approaches power exist in a company where the organization uses the power on its suppliers or customers. The culture to elaborate principles and polices that leads to the relationship among people is called Micro Power. The combination of power with the other strategy groups id that is beyond the economic terms because the influence of the power for one organization will affect the politics of the firm. It started in the early 1990s. The roles of this school are some times to negotiate the implicit contracts to build the power base and building a larger and powerful department. In budget: to govern more resources playing with in clearly defined rules. The political action or continuing process can be the internal persuasion and in few cases confrontation with the shifting interests. Learning School: The learning school exploits the strategy model like a learning process where the competencies and capabilities are important parts of the process and strategies that are underpin. In an enterprise concept the core competence is the concept that is supposed to be used. The perspectives of learning school are that the workers inside the organization get ideologies that how can them respond to adopt the situation in the positive manner. The premises of this school are described as the many number of individuals in an organization are involved with the formation and learning of strategy. The formation and the implementation of the strategy cannot be separated and this whole process occurs over a long time. The strategic school learning of raises the question that who is the architect of strategy. Environment School: This believes that the strategies and the companies have a life cycle and it rotates continually. So it seems important to understand the demand and supply of the products that are being used under the policies of the organization or a company and there is a viable strategy to exist is needed. The individuals acquire the organizations beliefs by a process of socialization reinforce by the formal training session. The environmental strategy making is a process that reflects the patterns of actions. The beginning of environmental school was from the 1990s. It viewed as the forces working outside the organization are active and the organization itself it trying to obtain the energy from outside to merge it or gain it to compete in the strategic environment. The basic participation of the Environmental school is to bring the overall view of strategy to maintain the balance. The strategic school is of the point of view is that the one company or enterprise is sole responsible for the form ation of strategy. The school had premises outside the environmental forces are the central person in the making of a strategy plan. Configuration School: The transformation process viewed as the strategy for the company in order to undertake such revolutionary alteration. The strategy is one of the most important aspects of the enterprise. Most of the enterprises state it as stable like adopting a particular structure for a number of strategies. The stability time durations are like a life cycle in the organization or company. The purpose of strategic management is to control the process of change by not effecting the negative way on the company. The configuration school of strategy and other schools of strategic management are employed at different times. The key is to elect a relevant school of choice to complete the project by depending on the circumstances on other side a particular process for development of strategy can be suggested over there. All these school had considered to define the frame work for the organization. Strategy Formulation in the large company or organization: The formulation can be divided into two inter related components and parts to get better understand. These are corporate strategy and Business strategy. The corporate strategy is related with the issues of strategic management at the level of the enterprise. There are few directions that should develop its activity in which it can develop the nature of its internal architecture and the nature of the relationship with its sector. The Business strategy is what in which the enterprises establishes the strategies for the organizational business activities and the specific division or business units operations can be allocated. Strategy formulation in SME: The formation of strategy in the SME small to medium sized enterprises it is unluckily to differentiate to make difference between the business and corporate strategy. You will be amazed to know that the strategy of the enterprise is its business strategy until the SME flourishes to an efficient size to think about issues of corporate development and the external relationship. In the well known series of Mintzberg and colleagues (1985b, 1987b) the basis of strategy are categorized under the following headings Self imposed The requirement The deliberate Rationalistic Logically incremental The emergent Conclusion: There are different ideas and arguments among many people having interest in the strategic management but their arguments and ideas are remarkably inconclusive. Over the years the studies show that the aim and objectives specify the quantity and targets and goals towards the leadership and the effort, the investment of the resources, the abilities to be directed such that the aims and strategic intent is achieved. References: Books: Strategic Management by Paul Joyce Adrian Woods (Published 2001) ISBN 0 74943583 6. Strategic Planning and management for Library Managers by Joseph Matthews (Published in 2005) ISBN 1-59158231-8. Hand Book on Enterprise Architecture by P.Bernus, L. Nemes and G. Schmidt issued in 2003 ISBN 3-540-00343. Principles of strategic management by Tony Morden (published in 2007) ISBN 978-0-7546-4474-3. Internet: [www.strategyletter.com] http://www.strategyletter.com/cp_0799/FeaturedArticle.php [www.nickpelling.com] http://www.nickpelling.com/dissertation/chapter4.pdf

School Violence :: School Violence Essays

From decade to decade, there has been a new type of fad to sweep the country. In the 50’s it was dancing and having fun. In the 60’s it was to dress freely and avoid the draft. The 70’s were full of pot smoking has-beens, the 80’s big hair and radical clothing. From the smallest of fades, the children in the 90’s have taken a whole new approach to the game. The changed the rules, that would affect the country for the rest of their existence. The fad? To act out in violence in school against eachother, not just fist to fist physical altercation, but from one boy’s fathers gun to another. The new fad is to take a school by a surprise attack and make news headlines. Quite a change from the early 50’s. So the question that boggles ever Americans mind, is why and how we allowed these children to invade and inhabit our lives and allow them to take the control they have at this point. The question can only be answered by figuring out the exac t problem to a â€Å"T†. We need to figure out every aspect of what they are doing. What are the exact statistics on the teen crime rate? How can we stop it? Let’s start by recognizing the problem and deal with it from there. Here is the first step. Here are some solutions to the high rising problem, I have supplied part of the solution, it is now up to the public to take action. Three-quarters or more of all schools reported having zero tolerance policies for various student offenses. "Zero tolerance policy" was defined as a school or district policy that mandates predetermined consequence/s or punishments for specific offenses. About 90 percent of schools reported zero tolerance policies for firearms (94 percent) and weapons other than firearms. Eighty-seven and 88 percent had policies of zero tolerance for alcohol and drugs, respectively. Seventy-nine percent had a zero tolerance policy for violence and 79 percent had a zero tolerance policy for tobacco. Tobacco seems to be a rising problem on its own, and we as citizens, teachers and peers, need to do more to let the children know that this behavior is unacceptable, that they are in fact still children. Another way to help stop the prob lem is Requiring School Uniforms Public school principals were presented with a list of crimes and asked to report the number of incidents of each type of crime that had occurred at their schools during the 1996-97 school year.

The Impact of the Electric Guitar on Music Essay -- Exploratory Essays

The Impact of the Electric Guitar on Music Everyone has moments when they feel as if they have found the wrong place. Now, it was time for one young gentleman to partake in one of these moments. A salesman had an appointment for a meeting with a wealthy man, yet he found himself wondering if he had arrived at the correct office. This was supposed to be a millionaire’s office, yet as he looked around the room, he saw no leather couches or expensive desks. In fact, the room was sparsely furnished, and had no carpeting. There was a desk, a rather common one that was too cluttered with blueprints and assorted papers to recognize, anyway. Also cluttered, a metal bookcase was in the corner, covered with speaker parts and catalogues. This enormously wealthy man even saved a disposable Styrofoam cup, which was sitting on his desk with his name labeled on it. Still hoping to find the owner, the salesman peeked in a back room, where he found nothing but dust, drills and punch presses. The man exclaimed, â₠¬Å"Maybe it was the room down the hall† as he turned around. With this turn he bumped into the father of the solid-body electric guitar and the man he had been looking for. Mr. Fender then responded with a whole-hearted, â€Å"Can I help you?† (Wheeler, 1982, pp. 42-43). The sought after executive was a man named Clarence Leo Fender, who was responsible for the first successful mass marketing of the solid-body electric guitar. However, it was an innovation that came after people were already using the electric guitar. For years before Fender’s success began in 1948, hollow-body electric guitars had been produced and used by top names in the guitar business, such as Lonnie Johnson, Eddie Lang, and Blind L... ... in American life. Smithsonian Productions. Retrieved December 21, 2001, from http://www.si.edu/sp/onair/guitar1.htm. Mongan, N. (1983). The history of the guitar in jazz. New York: Oak. Pareles, J. (2000, November 12). The humble instrument that conquered the world. New York Times, p. 1, sec. 2. Romana, H., Gustafson, G., Purse, B., & Daft, M. (1998, March). Guitar: Past, present and future. Music Educators Journal, 5, 84. Retrieved December 18, 2001 from EBSCOhost Database. Thompson, A., Levy, A., Ellis, A., & Fox, D. (1998, December). Legends of the Paul. Guitar Player, 32, 106-123. Retrieved January 4, 2002, from Proquest Database. Waksman, S. (n.d.). Instruments of desire: The electric guitar and the shaping of musical experience. Cambridge: Harvard. Wheeler, T. (1982). American guitars: An illustrated history. New York: Harper.

The Lottery vs State of Grace Essay -- essays research papers

Shirley Jackson's "The Lottery" talks about a community that follows a tradition. Every year the people take everyone's name, put it in a black box, and pick the name of a person. This person they stone to death. Their reason range from an idea that having the lottery makes them civilized to an idea that the lottery makes for good crops. The author suggests that the real reason is society’s need for a victim. When talking about communities that have given up the tradition of choosing one person to stone to death, "Old Man Warner snorted, 'Pack of crazy fools' he said. 'Listening to the young folks, nothing's good enough for them. Next thing you know, they'll be wanting to go back to living in caves, nobody work any more, live that way for a while. Used to be a saying about "Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon."'" (Jackson, The Granta... Page 66) This tradition causes the people of the town to destroy each other instead of working together to destroy the tradition. As Tessie Hutchinson is getting stoned, someone from her community puts a stone in her son's hand. Even the closest family member participates in the horror. "The children had stones already, and someone gave little Davey Hutchinson a few pebbles." (Jackson, The Granta... page 62-63) This action shows how tradition is being passed on literally from hand to hand. This stoning is the way that the people of the community act out their fear of being ...

The Train Station ( Creative Writing )

It was the cold seemingly endless winter of 1947 in Paris , Latin Quarter. . Sheets of snow put the rest of the district in almost complete obscurity; all but steeples and tall spires were invisible, on such a bleak day as this. The railway station was a vast cavity made to look smaller by the hoards of hagglers, travellers, tourists, natives and locals. Beggar boys being whisked from sight and hidden by wardens with preying eyes and superstition written all over them. The wonderful smell of the patisserie on the opposite side of the benches wafted around.Although it was only a railway station it held a certain grandeur, however it was not so now, for that was it in its former glory. A truly different sight beholds me now,creepers and vines reach upward, like the boney fingers of a witch. Corridors with cracked flagstones out of which weeds protrude and moss lingers. Must hangs in the air. Rust continues to corrode the tracks, graffiti encapsulates and engulfs the far wall. Tattered posters show a glimpse of what used to be of the place. Old newspaper flutters in the wind, floating on a cushion of wind. Alcoves show the remains of where shops used to trade.Like a black and white movie no colour was really visible. Some were,vaguely, but most not. Something strange hung in the air: an almost haunted aura. Only smashed windows provided light. The old wooden sleepers lay decaying, riddled with termites and millipedes. Forty years of decline and decay, decisions made, money paid,much to be gained as restoration is to begin, windows replaced, rusty tracks turned shiny again, wood turned concrete as the sleepers were replaced, graffiti became mosaic tiles, must became fragrance and dull became vibrance, grit became shine, and disused became used and indeed much was regained.

God Hates Divorce Essay

When Adam was alone The LORD God said, â€Å"It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him† .Gen.2:18. Under marriage covenant man and woman come together to serve a divine purpose and a role. Man can serve this purpose and role only if they are united and married. The moment they get divorced the unity is destroyed and they fail to serve the divine purpose and role that God wants them to fulfill while they are married and united. God gave a command to the first couple in the Garden of Eden to be fruitful. This command of God only a couple can carry out and the moment they get divorced they fail to carry out this divine command and we have to keep in mind that this command was given to men before their fall and even after the fall men are bound to keep this command. This shows us how important is this command and why God hates divorce so much. The failure to keep the first command affected the whole human race for generation after generations, the failure to keep this second command will also affect the human race generation after generations and even it will cause the mankind to stop be in existence. This is another reason why God hates divorce so much. When men get divorced they forget their first love. Marriage is a love relationship. When man is angry he cannot make a right decision. An angry head cannot evaluate the relationship that was made by a loving heart. Anger makes a man blind and leads him to the bottomless pit and that is divorce. Divorce is the worst hell in this world, the moment anyone falls into it he will be separated from his spouse, children, friends and families and from God. This is the darkest pit that will show no mercy and kindness to its victims. Life will be meaningless and worthless. You will be a creature without hope and future. A lonely man cannot succeed in anything; he is fruitless and useless to God and to society. All the sweet memories turn into bitterness. Then it becomes easier for that person to get into more and more sins as there is no one to show him his fault and give account to for all the wrong doings. Divorce affects our relationship with God, our relationship with one another, our relationship with the children and our relationship with the society. God cannot use a divorce person to reflect His glory and to show His image to His people. That person turns into an instrument of devil. There are so many reasons for all wise and all knowing God to hate divorce. God with His infinite wisdom can see the infinite danger that lies in divorce. Man cannot see the infinite danger that lies in divorce that is why man can take this decision of divorce without much thinking and considerations. God in His infinite wisdom and knowledge gives us the person that will be best suitable for us. We take it granted that suitable means comfortable. Something could be very suitable for us but at the same time it could be very painful and uncomfortable. The spouse you have is always suitable for you because God gave you this spouse. God took this responsibility from the very beginning to give us suitable spouse. The spouse we have is the best teacher for us given by God in our life to teach us something that no one can teach and to make us useful for God and for man. It takes a lot of pain, patience, humility and suffering to learn through our spouses to be more like Jesus Christ and God. Every time my wife gets angry with me or sins against me I ask God what lesson do you have to teach me today. Every time I can see that God has something to teach me through her anger. She does the same thing but I learn so many different lessons, at the beginning I get hurt then I rejoice when I can see what God has to teach me today through her anger. Then I feel very sorry for her because she took so much pain and suffering to teach me a lesson that nobody could teach me. Then I began to thank and praise God for her. We need to see what God wants us to see and to understand what God wants us to understand. God in His sovereignty allows us to go through all the bitter and painful experiences to make us more like Jesus and to draw us nearer to Him and to teach us how God feels when we sin against Him. We need to learn how to bow down to the sovereignty of God and to stop bow down to sin or to give in to sin. God hates the sin of divorce because He does not like separation or division. Divorce is the worst ingratitude towards God’s greatest gift and blessing in our life. The moment we stop giving thanks and praises to God for our spouses we are on the way to be ingratitude for the gift that God by His mercy and kindness gave us. Our Lord Jesus suffered and died on the cross and chose to be separated from God to keep us united with one another and with God. Our Lord Jesus chose to suffer and die to keep us united and one. So we must choose to suffer and die to remain united, one and married for the sake of our God and Lord Jesus Christ.

What is a SWOT analysis?

SWOT Analysis stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and threats. It is a strategic planning tool which is used by businesses and organization to set a comprehensible rationale of the project. [1]This analysis is not only aimed at analyzing the internal factors but it also scans the external environment. Strengths and weaknesses are usually taken as internal environmental factors while opportunities and threats are viewed as external environmental factors. It helps a company in formulating strategies and utilizes the firm’s resources in the accurate vicinity.Strengths would highlight the areas where investments should be made to further enhance the product or service and make it as a competitive advantage for the company, e.g. low cost. Weaknesses would tell a firm that improvement is required in a particular area, e.g. weak distribution network. Opportunities would define the areas which are not being targeted by the company and investing in that area would bring cha nces of growth and profit, e.g. an unmet customer need. There may be some changes in the external environment which can be a threat for a company, e.g. a new substitute product.[2] SWOT analysis should be performed for every area of the businesses and it should be repeatedly done for every market.What is its purpose in strategic planning?Strategic planning basically helps a business to set its overall objectives and then build a comprehensive plan to accomplish those objectives.[3] In doing so, SWOT analysis performs an important function by highlighting the strengths and weaknesses and spotlighting the opportunities and weaknesses. Through this in-depth market analysis, companies can set their goals in the right direction.Do you have to conduct a SWOTT Analysis to have an effective strategic plan? Why or why not.Yes, it is necessary to perform a SWOT analysis for building an effective strategic plan. The reason is that it tells a company what has been done well, so as to focus in t hat area to earn higher profits. Then it highlights the internal harmful factors that can be improved by a company. Not only this, it gives insights for better opportunities in the market. [4] SWOT Analysis also informs about potential threats for a business. It is an immense planning tool that will help in building a winning strategic plan for a company.Week 2 DQ 2What are the key planning factors for competitive success?Key planning factors for an organization will differ from company to company. However, we can perform a general industry analysis, along with competitor analysis and macro environment analysis. These factors drive the strategy of a company, so it is important to understand then properly. For achieving competitive success, type of business must be taken into account. Some suggested key planning factors for competitive success are: ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Focus on strategic planning ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Right implementation of the strategyà ‚ ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Time management of the entire project ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Using project management techniques for effective planning ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Research and development ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Acquiring land and maintaining liquidity ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Well-constructed product ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Establishing efficient channels of distribution ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Providing after-sales support ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Communicating every decision to everyone in the organization ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Involvement of every employee in decision marking[5] ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Teamwork and Collaboration between all departments ·Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Following principles of EthicsProvide an example of an organization that has achieved competitive success through planning.An example of an organization that has achieved competitive success through planning is â€Å"Nestlà ©Ã¢â‚¬ . It is a leading nutrition and health company. They have diversified into new areas by creating value for their products.   They were able to achieve that through long term planning by creating value for their shareholders, employees, consumers, and business partners. They strategically planned for the development of their research centers across the globe which is now one of their competitive advantages. Their entry into different countries and creating products with respect to the tastes and culture of that country was also a part of their strategic planning process. This planning is helping them to achieve their long term vision, i.e. creating shared value for society and shareholders.[6]Provide an example of an organization that has failed to achieve competitive success as the result of failed planning.An example of an organization that has failed to achieve competitive success as the result of failed planning is Hershey’s. It is a leading manufacturer of chocolates, confectionaries and beverages in United States of America. Hershey’s was in process of implanting an ERP Solution and they decided to choose SAP ERP. But this implementation failed and caused heavy loss to the company in terms of profits and sales. The reason was not any technical mistake by the vendor but poor planning by Hersey’s. They choose wrong time for implementation when business was at its peak. They made a blunder of restructuring the business process and changing it in a wrong way without doing strategic planning.They spend most of the time on ERP implementation which interrupted the day to day operations of the business, creating confusions for the employees. They might have avoided this issue if they remained focused and planned out all activities properly before implementation. They should have set their priorities in a strategic manner by looking at the business prospects from all angles.[7]B ibliography:What is SWOT Analysis(2010), Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-swot-analysis.htmStrategic Management(2010), Retrieved from http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/swot/Strategic Planning(2010), Retrieved from http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1079687246&type=RESOURCESRoger Lever (Dec 10, 2008), Retrieved from http://strategic-business planning.suite101.com/article.cfm/use_swot_analysis_for_strategic_planningKey Success Factors in Strategic Planning By Bill Birnbaum, CMC(2009) Retrieved from http://www.birnbaumassociates.com/key-success-factors.htmRetrieved from http://www.nestle.com/AllAbout/AllAboutNestle.htmAnalyzing ERP failures in Hershey, Retrieved from http://www.erpwire.com/erp-articles/failure-story-in-erp-process.htm[1] What is SWOT Analysis(2010), Retrieved from http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-swot-analysis.htm [2]Strategic Management(2010), Retrieved from http://www.quickmba.com/strategy/swot/ [3] Strategic Planning(2010), Retriev ed from http://www.businesslink.gov.uk/bdotg/action/detail?itemId=1079687246&type=RESOURCES [4] Roger Lever (Dec 10, 2008), Retrieved from http://strategic-business planning.suite101.com/article.cfm/use_swot_analysis_for_strategic_planning [5] Key Success Factors in Strategic Planning By Bill Birnbaum, CMC(2009) Retrieved from http://www.birnbaumassociates.com/key-success-factors.htm [6] Retrieved from http://www.nestle.com/AllAbout/AllAboutNestle.htm [7] Analyzing ERP failures in Hershey, Retrieved from http://www.erpwire.com/erp-articles/failure-story-in-erp-process.htm

Classical Economics

Classical Economics Classical economics is one of the main theories of economics, besides Keynesian economics, although classical economics is considered the first school of thought in economics, probably only due to timing. Although others have contributed ideas and theories to the classical school of thought, Adam Smith is the person behind the Classical economics school of thought. The Classical economics theory teaches and is based on the idea that the economy can stabilize and run effectively on its own, without any type of assistance. There are three basic assumptions of Classical Economists theories. One is that all prices must be susceptible to flexibility downward just as easily as upward. This is proven not to be the case for downward prices because of factors such as laws or unions. Another assumption is what is called, â€Å"Say’s Law†. This law preaches that â€Å"supply creates its own demand†. However, this is also proven to not work effectively because in most economies today production is based on demand not the other way around. The third assumption is that the savings of every consumer should match their investment. This, we all know from experience, not to be the case. Classical economics believes the economy is a type of self- correcting mechanism and needs no assistance or intervention to function effectively. Unemployment in an economy is considered to be a temporary disequilibrium due to excess labor at the current wage rate. Also, whenever wages are high, Classical economics points out that there are always more people willing to work at that ongoing rate and this is what they name as unemployment. Furthermore, if the economy is a Classical one, wages are perfectly flexible, so this would cause the wage rate to fall. This would, in turn, rid the excess labor available and reduce the unemployment back to equilibrium levels. This is how Classical economics believes an economy is the perfect solution. It relies on the idea that employers will always act in their own best interest. But, by doing so they will also help the economy. When employees are still available at a lower price, he will have no incentive or reason to pay them more. He will then adjust the wage lower and still be promoting for the overall benefit of its society without any extra effort. The Classical economy school of thought also teaches that the commodities markets will also always be in equilibrium because of flexible prices. It believes that if the supply is high with adequate demand, the situation is temporary. Just like when producers adjust their prices lower to lure a consumer into buying it when it has not sold, the prices for the commodity, also, lower down to match the demand and supply, thus once again, bringing the situation back to an equilibrium level. Capital Markets are no exception for Classical economics. In the classical economics school of thought, no human intervention is required to lead the capital markets to equilibrium as well. Classical economics theorize if savings exceed investment, the interest rates fall and equilibrium follows. Contrary, if savings fall short of investments, the interest rates will rise and once again reach equilibrium, with help from that invisible hand. One potential problem with the classical theories is that Say’s law may not be true. This could happen because not all the income earned goes towards consumption, misinterpreting the missing potential demand which will cause a dis-equilibrium. When supply falls short of effective demand like this, several problems can arise. For example, producers reduce their production, employees are laid off, wages decrease, thus leading consumers with less income, this will have a downward spiral. Classical Economists believe that what occurred to the savings is what started the problem and is where the solution lies. They believe all that is needed is for the savings to go in as investments. This will then allow the interest rates to adjust and bring equilibrium to the economy once again. But, once again, are our savings actually invested? Sadly, mine are not. Nonetheless, Classical economists argue all these solutions could work with no government intervention. Furthermore, they argue government intervention would actually hurt an economy in the long run. In conclusion, the Classical economics school of thought hold that Say’s law proves â€Å"costs of output are always covered in the aggregate by the sale-proceeds resulting from demand†. Also, Classical economists explain how the theory of the invisible hand is far more effective than any government intervention, with no monetary policy during an economic crisis. With Classical economics, the long run is targeted for an economy’s successful growth, leaving short run losses to be tackled at a later date. Classical economists believed investments did not hurt an economy in any way but will actually help because of their fluctuating ability. There are contradictions to any theory, but most can agree on the idea that the future expectations of any economy will affect its consumers. We will inevitably use our human instincts of survival and attempt to do what we think is best for our and our loved ones’ survival regardless of what we think is the best thing to do in â€Å"the long run† for our economy’s growth and stability.

Professional Sports Teams Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Professional Sports Teams - Essay Example A good example is the US where the National Basketball Association (NBA), Major Baseball League, and the National Football League (NFL) are a major source of attraction and income for the country (Dobson & Goddard, 2011:206). Commercialization of sports follows the principle of economic of profit maximization, and it is with such understanding that economists have taken a keen interest of evaluating sports club and franchises owners’ objective and their influence on regulations and structure of leagues. This paper seeks to analyze the objectives of team owners and the impact they may have on the regulations and structure of professional sports leagues. From an economic standpoint, professional team sports are a form of enterprise, the owners of the teams being the entrepreneurs and the game being the product. The customers are the fans supporting these teams, while the players and the coaching staff are the inputs (Mayhew, 2003:79). Professional players and athletes earn milli ons of dollars per season, with team prices shooting past 500 million dollars (for Washington Redskins and New York Jets). With such huge figures, professional sports teams have been organized into sealed leagues with the identity and number of competitors being fixed by the league members themselves, thus the influence of the league by the owners of these teams (Masterlexis & Hums, 2011:295). Figure 1: Graph showing one-year change in total value of football clubs in the US (emphasis on New York Jets and Washington Redskins). Retrieved from http://www.data360.org/dsg.aspx?Data_Set_Group_Id=1358 Unlike other contemporary economic sectors principle of monopoly, success of the professional team sports relies on extreme competition between the teams. The more competitive the game, the higher the ticket charges as well as the attendance, resulting to higher profits. The implication of this fact is that teams with consistent unbroken winning streaks become common and boring. This has led to the formation of leagues that manage and organize games with the aim of eliminating unfair competition in the sector (Rodney, 2004:25). These leagues have become so popular, going past the country’s border and spreading over the world. Prime examples include the Premier League in English football, La Liga football league in Spain, Super Bowl baseball league in the US, and NBA basketball league in the US (Kern, 2000:101). These leagues are multi-billion dollars ventures that contribute significantly to the GDP of their respective countries. Players’ drafts, salary caps, roster limit, and player trading restrictions govern the labor market of professional sports. Gate collection sharing, collective sale of television broadcasting rights, and joint merchandising limit economic competition in the product markets. These agreements apply to such leagues like the ice hockey, baseball, basketball, and American football. These agreements are based on the economic principles of profit maximization, which is often the objective of the professional team owners (Melicher, 2011:9). Team owners in Europe and the US have always deferred in objectives, with the paradigm of profit maximization dominating the North and non-profit making objectives, like maintenance of winning streaks, being a more embraced approach in Europe. In the economy of sports, the objectives of team owners, and the controlling leagues is important, considering the monopolistic nature of the league enterprise. The issue of profit