Competitive Advantage Through Value Chain And Vertical...

We are living in a world, where technology keeps changing on day-to-day basis. In this ever-changing world of technology, the question is how are some companies doing better than the others and what are they doing to maintain competitive advantage? Rise of technology has given birth to competition by giving companies new ways to perform at higher levels and this has also led to the ways companies are producing their products and services. Technology has affected several sections of an organization by having an impact on business communications, company’s HR practices, and organizational changes. Therefore, in order to gain and maintain competitive advantage, a company must do one of the two; either produce goods/services at a lower cost or produce innovative products in a way that leads to differentiation and a premium price. Section 1: Competitive Advantage through Value-Chain and Vertical Integration Companies are using value chain approach to better understand which key areas will give them the greatest edge over its competitors. They are focusing on each division, distribution centers, pricing, product innovation, selling techniques, and value-chain formations. Value chain is an important notion that highlights the role of information technology in the operations of a company. â€Å"A Value-Chain is the whole series of activities that create and build value at every step. The total value delivered by the company is the sum total of the value built up all throughout theShow MoreRelatedThe Supply Chain Of Zara Essay1140 Words   |  5 Pages It always keeps in mind to improve their production quality. Supply chain management is the intercorrection of organizations managements that relate to each other through linkages between processes that produce value to customer. The term supply network refers to all operations that were linked together to provide goods and services through this network along individual channels or standards of that network. The supply chain of Zara is unique. Currently they call for manufacturers to outsourceRead MoreHow And Who Makes Strategy At The Corporate Level1631 Words   |  7 Pagesdirectors, corporate staff whose responsibility to supervise the strategic development and to make sure that business strategies are followed correctly with maximizing profitability and sustain competitive advantage. Strategic managers decide in which businesses and industries a company should compete, which value creation activities it should perform, and how it should enter, consolidate, or exit in order to create corporate level strategy. 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Vertical Integration Tying in with Starbucks’ Mission, the companies vertical integration with its supply chain from roasting its own coffee in one of two of its plants to its involvement with developing and fostering strategic partnerships with local coffee farmers may be the most important growth strategy the company focuses on. Quality and corporate social responsibility are the pillars of Starbucks; vertical integration is the key component to insuring bothRead MoreCompany Analysis: Thorntons1640 Words   |  7 PagesThorntons [Name of Student] [Name of Institute] Executive Summary Thorntons is found to be following a strategy including the element of vertical integration through the ownership of manufacturing and retailing stages of their businesses. The paper is helping in understanding the implications of companys pattern of vertical integration for competitive advantage and strategic development. 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Other types of Strategy: 1.Focus Strategy 2.Competitive or Value disciple strategy 3.Blue Ocean Strategy Focus Strategy: It uses either cost or differentiation strategy.This type of strategies is applies by the small companies especially for those want to avoid competition with big companies, Competitive or value disciple Strategy: This type of strategies is used to create customer value by providing competitive advantage. They are product leadership, customer intimacy and operational

Mobile Phone Life Cycle Free Essays

Samsung Electronics is a semiconductor mobile phone and mobile phone component manufacturer. It exists in the most dynamic end of the consumer product industry. It cannot succeed without continuous incremental improvement and without constantly updating its product portfolio. We will write a custom essay sample on Mobile Phone Life Cycle or any similar topic only for you Order Now The product life cycle for its premium product the Samsung galaxy S3 is estimated to be only 9 months. This occurs because customers withhold purchasing a product for which they know is going to be updated and replaced imminently. Samsung is a conglomerate in multiple markets, with the main profit centres being mobile telecommunications and information technology manufacturing. Samsung has posted record profits in its most recent financial quarter. Samsung is a dynamic but reactionary company; it emulates innovations by other manufacturers such as Apple but it operates in a marketplace where such things are common. It manufactures components for most other manufacturers of mobiles tablets and PCs. Samsung has an adversarial relationship with Apple who is Samsung’s both Samsung’s main competitor in mobile telephony and one of its biggest customer’s. Samsung has an advantage over Apple at present in that it has the infrastructure and dynamic capability to manufacture the components required. This leaves its main rival Apple requiring Samsung’s co-operation. Samsung is seeking to increase the price which it charges Apple. Strategically this is a wise option as switching costs for Apple essentially having to retool its entire operating network and refresh its product’s. Samsung is a company that prefers to grow organically. It has been suggested that the firm engage in a purchase of Blackberry maker Research in Motion. This would be characterised as a defensive acquisition. It would be merely adding to its portfolio of assets and gaining ownership of a mobile operating system. Currently it licences the Android from Google. Samsung has a strong diverse product portfolio and is capable of competing in numerous markets from the low end smartphones to the Premium Galaxy range; Samsung has a product for every possible price point. Samsung partners with other providers and builds phones and other devices for them such as the Google Chrome book. In an industry where there are numerous rivals and whereby Product Life Cycles are becoming progressively shorter. Samsung has an advantage in that as a semiconductor manufacturer it can respond to changes in the market dynamic quicker. A disadvantage for Samsung is that is does not have the same prestige as Apple and therefore cannot charge such premiums for its products. Samsung has to offer more at a lower price point than Apple does for its competing products. Samsung’s flagship Galaxy Range has 2 rivals for Apples iPhone the Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy NOTE 2. These combined even though they are of similar quality and differentiated towards different market segments than the iPhone 5 sales are still less than Apple. Could Samsung drop the Samsung nomenclature and market its high end models as Galaxy? This could enhance the appeal of the high end premium line. In the technology business Samsung is a rare beast in that it rarely makes acquisitions. Very few technology acquisitions are deliberately earnings generative. Facebook buying Instagram and Microsoft buying Skype are considered to be primarily defensive plays to enhance and protect certain advantages each of these companies had. Samsung could purchase a rival chip maker, though logistically and practically there would be little point in doing so. Another concept potentially to consider would be merging with Google to create an all in one hardware and software company. While logistically this would be the ultimate defensive move by both sides, it would be very difficult integrating the different business cultures it would probably mean that Samsung would have to move its headquarters to the U. S. A. A merger to companies that are on friendly terms as it is would certainly produce synergies in financing, but as they both maintain large cash piles that are increasing every quarter it doesn’t seem that the risk would be worth it. Another option for Samsung would be Nokia this would give Samsung 30 per cent of all the patents for 4G networks which would give the firm a significant royalty stream from every 4G enabled phone worldwide over the next 8 to 10 years which is the expected length that 4G will remain as the most modern network. Samsung will however be paying for a brand name and significantly weak company . It would also have to fend off rumoured interest from Microsoft. It would be a costly acquisition at 30 billion dollars given the Market Capitalisation of Nokia today and the required premium with which would be required to be successful. Samsung could use its partnership with Renault Nissan in the automotive industry to create a suite of products automatically synchronised with the car. This would be similar enough the Tesla Model S. While this is a left-field suggestion it is leveraging assets that Samsung already has and utilising it in order to serve its main Profitable arm. This allows the firm to gain a competitive advantage over its main rival Apple. The struggling Nippon-French automobile manufacturing partnership might also be receptive to an outright takeover by Samsung. Samsung has heretofore been a trend follower, albeit a very adept and nimble one. It hasn’t necessarily been the most innovative company, however with product life cycles getting consistently smaller and the competition which Samsung faces at all ends of the market from the low end to very top is also getting more innovative. Samsung is one of only a small number of companies that could redefine the market. It already produces Smart TVs in large quantities. It could start selling phones laptops and tablets TVs in large bulk quantities by already pre synchronising them for customers. Its steps like this that will put it ahead of its main rival Apple which is rumoured to be introducing a television that is expected to permanently alter viewing experience. In order to successfully manage this transition Samsung would have to be ahead in the U. S. A first and foremost. Gaining access to material is what blocked Apples entry into this new market. Aggressively Samsung could purchase a cable company or Netflix and control this content for itself, gaining such an imperative competitive advantage. Samsung if it wanted to be aggressive could stop supplying Apple severely hampering its main rival’s operations while aggressively increasing market share elsewhere by undercutting Apple. Another strategy would be to introduce a phone that would have enhanced abilities i. e. a class above its premium Galaxy range and equivalent iPhone 5 and Google Nexus 5. This would entrap Apple in a Pincer movement that would allow Samsung to be effectively the supplier of the latest accessory mobile phone, which at present is the iPhone 5 rather than the equivalent S3 and Note 2. The other strategy is to remain second the mobile phone market and a distant competitor to Apple in the Tablet market, this is the most conservative option and requires the least capital outlay, however it risks being overtaken in the same way Nokia was. In the technology market an aggressive approach would be beneficial, but as the relationship between Google and Samsung is seen as quite good the optimal strategy would be to jointly design products that would create a short term monopoly , such things exist in a world where second best is very often a distant second. Utilising inherent dynamic capabilities it was Apple who was playing catch up to the S3 and Note 2 but the iPhone 5 is outselling both products collectively, this could be because of the inertia derived from being introduced to a particular eco-system, in this way Apple has a first mover advantage in that it has a lot of loyal clients. Samsung primarily operates on Google’s Android operating system which is compatible with other Android users such as HTC and LG. At present Android has 68% of the market but the high margin clients have primarily tended to purchase Apple products. This is an issue that is only further compounded by time. In order to overcome this Samsung would have to be overly aggressive on a pricing strategy for a phone that would be significantly more advanced than its predecessors and its rivals. Samsung Electronics as a whole is a diversified technology company that should continue to grow unless it commit’s the cardinal sin of failing to innovate. It is a buy but it will have to alter its practices if it wants to surpass Apple’s profitability. S. Decker, 2012 Samsung Gets Review of Loss to Apple in U. S. Patent Case http://www. businessweek. com/news/2012-11-19/samsung-gets-review-of-loss-to-apple-in-u-dot-s-dot-patent-case Last Accessed 20/11/12 11. 25 http://www. investopedia. com/terms/d/defensiveacquisition. asp#axzz2ClJTl2OX Last Accessed 20/11/12 11. 30 Sam Grobart, 2012 Samsung’s Four (Easy) Steps to Mobile Dominance http://www. businessweek. com/articles/2012-11-19/samsungs-four-easy-steps-to-mobile-dominance Last Accessed 20/11/12 11. 30 Samsung Annual Report 2011 How to cite Mobile Phone Life Cycle, Essay examples

Formal Informational Report on Dell and HP (Computers and Software)

Question: Discuss about the Formal Informational Report on Dell and HP (Computers and Software). Answer: Different management styles, handling and launch of products and approach to e-commerce Management Style The management style that HP focused was called the HP way." The company abandoned its hire and fire mentality, which was to hire many workers for a large project and then fire them afterward. The company offered their employees with almost perfect job security instead, where the company stayed away from layoffs even during recession 1974. Currently, HP follows the "Management by Wandering around" for informal communication within the enterprise, "Management by Objectives, and Total Quality Control that serves to produce high quality products (Steiber Alange, 2016). Dell started its journey as a startup and therefore follows some management styles. They always analyze their actions which cause the company to succeed and not random fun-filled activities. The company seriously takes family commitment as a way to balance life and work for productive work and encourage spotting opportunities. Other management styles that made so successful are embracing risk like a startup, being strate gic, learning from mistakes and surrounding oneself with the best people (Michael Dells dilemma, 2016). Launch and handling of Products Kou Lee (2015) stated that, over the years HP has produced several products like workstation computers, servers, scanners, and printers. It was successful in a launch in several hardware departments like in printer department, where it was described as the leading printing and imaging systems provider (IPG) from individuals to small and medium enterprises. HP also released some business services in network security. It sells software in different categories such as mobile apps, and analytics and big data. It also provides SaaS or software as a service, software services, and cloud computing solutions. Their managed services also offer full IT-support solutions. Kou, Lee Wei (2015) opined that Dell has products ranging from business class brands where the company offers longer life-cycle, serviceability, and reliability. Its consumer class brands offer performance, value, and expandability. Besides it has peripheral class products and service and support brands. Their technical supp orts for products are provided according to the type of components and support level purchase. Types of support offered are business-day on-site support, collect and return service and business-hours telephone support. It also provides 24x7 online supports for 365 days a year. The company also provides multivendor hardware support, advisory, and protection services among others. Approach to E-Commerce Tandon et al., (2013) stated that, to solve the multitude of problems towards selling its products on an e-commerce platform, HP developed an E-Services framework which has the following stages: matchmaking, negotiation, the formation of the contract, and fulfillment of the contract. In case the company finds the e-commerce to intrusive, that's why they have proposed three standardizations: standards for business-specific types which contracts, services and goods traded, Standards for specifying the format of contracts, proposals, and advertisements, which are used during business-to-business (B2B) transactions. And, standards that specify the protocols which the traders use to engage with each other during different stages of B2B lifecycle. Dell set up its website www.dell.com as an e-commerce website and found huge success through online sales. The approach behind the move to e-commerce platform was to leverage the benefit of face-to-face contact between the seller and the buyer. I t ensures that the staff is responsible for providing quality customer service and support, and on delivering the product when the users order products from the website (Mohapatra, 2013). Other strategies the company adopted are selling directly to the consumers, customization of product, and tracking the products. Future challenges of HP and Dell HP broke up from its internal PC division and split itself into two companies forming Hewlett-Packard Enterprise and HP Inc. The former will focus on selling consulting services and data center hardware, whereas, the latter will focus on selling printers and PCs. It means server farms, inventory tracking, accounting, payroll, and email were all divided into two, leaving all the thousands of employees in the dark. Eighteen software programs that needed transition had to be taken extra care, because if they broke HP would be unable to ship inventory, take orders or pay workers (MacArthur Barton, 2013). Dell faces a challenge from its Dell-EMC Merger. With the merger, there will be a lot of overlapping products which will confuse the customers until the company comes out with a single brand. EMC charges much higher price than Dell for the same product, and its the reason when the merger will complete, and the revenue per sale will decline (deal, 2016). It is more troublesome since EMCs sales force depends on earned revenue, and lower revenue equals to lower commissions. Decisions and its implications of HP and Dell HP decided to split up into two organizations Hewlett-Packard Enterprise and HP Inc. The company took the decision after taking many factors into account such as Lenovo taking over the market, slow demand in the PC market, problems in the companys senior management, company's own $10.2 billion Autonomy acquisition that lowered the companys value among many. It led to a migration of at least 18 software programs, which if broken would result in non-payment of workers, broken payroll inventory, and non-shipping of inventory items. Many workers were also left in the dark because of the acquisition (Forbes Welcome, 2016). Silver Lake Partners, a private equity firm brought Dell from public shareholders, but the buyout was underpriced at 22%, and this can lead to compensation to investors in tens of millions, those who opposed the deal for the computer maker (How Michael Dell, Silver Lake Underpaid Shareholders But Did No Wrong, 2016). Competitive Edge of Dell and HP Voigt, Buliga Michl (2017) explained that Dells competitive edge comes from its build-to-order and direct selling approach preventing middleman in between. JIT or just-in-time strategy allowed them to function with lowest inventory level. It gave Dell a significant cost advantage in component costs as they deprecate. Dell also offered personalization options which are customer centric. The workforce of the company also had access automated real-time volume expectations and demand trends of various components. Dell has its manufacturing plants built in places, which has high productive workforces and low labor costs, giving them a location-specific advantage. One strategy of HP is the key to sustainability to gain a competitive advantage. Another strategy is to renovate their BPS or Business Process Service by introducing new technologies to optimize existing systems, improve system integration, mitigating implementation risks and delivering results quickly (Pavie et al., 2013). New technologies introduced are Mobile technology, cloud technology, analytics to provide insights, and advanced BPS accelerators and automation. Strategic Moves of Dell and HP HPs main competitor is Dell. Dell has been consistent in funding innovation for the last six years, but for HP they had been trying to sustain in the PC market, and its demise started when it was split into two companies. Currently, in compared to HP Dell has a strong channel partner program (Forbes Welcome, 2016). In the same period, HP had a mixed channel partner track record. HP's reluctance in x86 server market and PC market led to the disappearance of few partners as they felt burned when the sales team members of HP Enterprise took direct deals. Now, Dell has a definite upper hand against HP in the channel (Cooke, 2013). Company success stories In the Global 2000 list, HP was positioned 80, and number 31 as Forbes nominated in the Worlds Valuable Brands category. At present, it is one of the champions in the global technology provider's area (HP History: HP's Garage: Story: Partner in Greatness | HP Official Site, 2016). Michael S. Dell became the Youngest CEO of a Fortune 500 company at the age of 27. Today, Dell Inc. it is one of the internationally acclaimed manufacturing brands (Dell's success in the details, 2016). Brief company background information Michael Dell founded Dell in 1984, with the premise that to understand the needs of the customers and proving solutions accurately and efficiently, the company needed to sell computers directly to the consumers (us, 2016). HP was founded in the year 1939 by Dave Packard and William Redington Hewlett. Currently, it operates as two different companies, the other being HP Inc. It is an American multinational Information Technology organization that delivers software services and hardware to large, medium and small enterprises across different industries (About us | HP India, 2016). Analytical statistics of Dell and HP Currently, Dell enjoys a 15 percent share in the sphere of high-end storage products like high-end storage products, printers, monitors, handheld computers, workstations, network servers, notebook computers, desktop personal computers, and a variety of computer software and peripherals. Michael Dell, the founder of Dell, has a 12 percent share in the company and will remain as the company's chairperson. It has over 111,000 employees worldwide. Half of the company's revenue comes from the PC market, and the other half comes from the server industry (Forbes Welcome, 2016). Hewlett Packard has a revenue share of US$ 138.854 billion according to the revenue posted in 2015. Its workforce consists of 315,000 employees as of quarter two of 2015. It serves its products worldwide and is currently headquartered in Palo Alto, California (US). The primary sources of revenue for HP are through value-added solution providers, resellers, and sales to channel partners (HPI/HPE split. Hewlett-Packard Alumni, 2016). References About us | HP India. (2016).Www8.hp.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016, from https://www8.hp.com/in/en/hp-information/ Cooke, P. (2013). Global production networks and global innovation networks: Stability versus growth.European Planning Studies,21(7), 1081-1094. deal, F. (2016).Four challenges for the Dell-EMC deal.Cnbc.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016, from https://www.cnbc.com/2015/10/12/four-challenges-for-the-dell-emc-deal.html Dell's success in the details. (2016).CNET. Retrieved 6 September 2016, from https://www.cnet.com/news/dells-success-in-the-details/ Forbes Welcome. (2016).Forbes.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/valleyvoices/2015/10/27/making-sense-of-the-dell-emc-vmware-deal/ Forbes Welcome. (2016).Forbes.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/patrickmoorhead/2013/06/21/dells-pc-growth-strategy-in-it-to-win-it/ Forbes Welcome. (2016).Forbes.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016, from https://www.forbes.com/companies/dell/ How Michael Dell, Silver Lake Underpaid Shareholders But Did No Wrong. (2016).Fortune.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016, from https://fortune.com/2016/06/02/michael-dell-shortchanged-shareholders/ HP History: HP's Garage: Story: Partner in Greatness | HP Official Site. (2016).Www8.hp.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016, from https://www8.hp.com/us/en/hp-information/about-hp/history/hp-garage/partner-in-greatness.html HPI/HPE split. Hewlett-Packard Alumni. (2016).Hpalumni.org. Retrieved 6 September 2016, from https://www.hpalumni.org/split Kou, T. C., Lee, B. C. (2015). The influence of supply chain architecture on new product launch and performance in the high-tech industry.Journal of Business Industrial Marketing,30(5), 677-687. Kou, T. C., Lee, B. C., Wei, C. F. (2015). The role of product lean launch in customer relationships and performance in the high-tech manufacturing industry.International Journal of Operations Production Management,35(8), 1207-1223. MacArthur, J. B., Barton, T. L. (2015). A teaching case on strategic and tactical decision-making at Hewlett-Packard Co.Journal of Business Cases and Applications,14, 1. Michael Dells dilemma. (2016).Fortune.com. Retrieved 6 September 2016, from https://fortune.com/2011/06/13/michael-dells-dilemma/ Mohapatra, S. (2013). E-commerce Strategy. InE-Commerce Strategy(pp. 155-171). Springer US. Pavie, X., Hsu, E., Rdle, H. J. T., Tapia, R. O. (2013). How to define and analyze business model innovation in Service. Steiber, A., Alnge, S. (2016). Silicon Valley: A Cradle of Management Innovation. InThe Silicon Valley Model(pp. 37-51). Springer International Publishing. Tandon, R., Chakraborty, A., Srinivasan, G., Shroff, M., Abdullah, A., Shamasundar, B., ... Dhore, P. (2013). Hewlett Packard: Delivering Profitable Growth for HPDirect. com Using Operations Research.Interfaces,43(1), 48-61 us, D. (2016).Our history.Dell. Retrieved 6 September 2016, from https://www.dell.com/learn/us/en/vn/our-history Voigt, K. I., Buliga, O., Michl, K. (2017). Customized and Built to Order: The Case of Dell. InBusiness Model Pioneers(pp. 55-66). Springer International Publishing.

Total Rewards Program Development

The Baby Boom generation holds most power and control in the United Sates, since it comprises about 44 % of the entire workforce (Delcampo, 2012). This generation is very visionary and it is likely to have much influence for at least the coming two decades. The generation grew up after the World War II.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Total Rewards Program Development specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Parents who experienced the World War and global recession hoped that life would be more rewarding to future generations. Children to these parents underwent various teachings on discipline and acceptable behavior. However, the parents did not interfere with the self worth of these children. During these times, schools encouraged teamwork. Besides, schools encouraged global reformation and economic recovery. Optimism for the future marked these times. Therefore, baby boomers like making things differently at workplac e. They always expect a hearing on their voices and consideration of their decisions (Heneman, 2007). They also like influencing management in organizations. To prove their worth, Baby Boomers like working for long hours and even weekends. They have a strong orientation in teams and they encourage participative management, team building and employee involvement. Members in this generation group have good skills in communication, strong work ethic and are stable emotionally. Most of them continue working after they retire, since they plan to transform retirement. Others prefer to work in new industries, or instituting businesses. Thus, there is a need for organizations to make programs and benefits that can attract and keep Baby Boomers in their companies, as they are a rich source of labor. Generation X represents workers who are in their twenties or the thirteenth generation in America. This generation comprises 33 % of the American workforce and currently, they are so much into le adership. Members of Generation X always resist tags.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The parents of this generation experienced inflation and recession. They lived in the reigns of President Nixon and Reverend Swaggar. During these times, people carried themselves vary cautiously. Most mothers of Generation X members worked far away from home, due to global changes. Therefore, their children learnt how to take care of themselves. Besides, these children experienced divorce in their families. Divorce of their aunts and friends of their parents affected those who were lucky not to experience divorce in their immediate families. Consequently, Generation X members are prone to giving their loyalty away. When it comes In the employment world, Generation X members are independent. Since many of them experienced divorce in their families, they learnt to cope with different neighbo rhoods as well as change and commotion. They take pleasure in streamline systems and processes as well as attaining significant results. Mostly, Generation X members like working in organizations that are flexible and result oriented. In addition, they like organizations that consider their preferences. A total rewards program that will keep these two generations engaged must consider their sources of motivation. Some factors that motivate Baby Boomers include recognition, room for teamwork, ability to work for long hours, work ethics and communication proficiency (World at Work, n.d., par.3). Conversely, factors that motivate Generation X members include autonomy at work, efficiency of systems and processes as well as flexibility of the organization.Advertising We will write a custom essay sample on Total Rewards Program Development specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More A total rewards program for the Baby Boomers must comprise sever al elements, which derive from their motivation factors. First, the package must have compensation in the form of base wages, premium pay, and variable pay. Base wages in form of salary pay are relevant since most Baby Boomers work for long durations. Premium pays are also acceptable for Baby Boomers since most of them work during weekends. In addition, the program should have variable pay to compensate attainments that come from teams. Second, the package should have benefits such as of workers compensation insurance, social security insurance and medical insurance. The package should also contain retirement benefits and life insurance, since this is an aging group. Health and welfare benefits, which are also key to the package of this group, should contain spouse dependant insurance, life insurance, prescription drug plan and vision plan. Al these are central considering that this is an aging generation and the health of the body deteriorates with age. Besides, this group of worke rs needs their families to be safe in the event of their demise. The third component of Baby Boomers’ total reward program should be work-life balance. Most persons in this generation group are old people who are likely to have other responsibilities and thus, should get the opportunity to work part time. Besides, Baby Boomers require employee assistance programs, on site massages, health screenings, nutritional counseling, on site nurses and geriatric counseling due to their aging nature. Fourth, the Baby Boomers package must have performance and recognition rewards.Advertising Looking for essay on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Performance rewards could include meetings and team evaluations. Baby boomers like working in teams and being involved in directive decisions. Therefore, they always appreciate team evaluations as well as conferences where they can give their views. Also, service rewards and retirement rewards represents an essential part of the program. Conversely, a total reward program for Generation X members must have career development programs. This group likes streamlined systems and processes, which is achievable through training in areas like new technology. Other rewards such as on- job training, virtual learning and seminars should form a part of the program. Besides, availing self-development tools and information networks to this generation makes them more independent. Another component of a reward program for Generation Xers is compensation. This includes base wages and incentive pay based on individual performance. In addition, the program should have legally required benefits and ot her benefits. Legally required benefits include Medicare, unemployment insurance, worker’s compensation insurance and social security insurance. Health and welfare benefits for this generation should include health savings account and vision plan. The program should also encompass benefits associated with sick leave, holidays and other leaves. Another relevant component is work-life. This generation requires flexible work situations and an organization can offer this in the form of alternate worksites and seasonal schedules. Besides, the program should contain maternity leaves and reproductive health plans, since most members of this group are in their reproductive age. Other relevant items include smoking cessation assistance and stress management programs. The last component should be performance and recognition. Performance rewards in this context should include goal-setting sessions because generation X members are usually goal oriented. Besides, performance rewards shoul d include involvement in meetings so that they can air their preferences. Similarly, recognition should comprise goal-oriented awards including productivity, cost savings and safety. Giving employers a total rewards package has benefit to both the employee and the employer. First, workers who get rewards that they expect feel motivated and maintain engagement in all their duties. Consequently, their organizations experiences more financial stability. Second, employees experience satisfaction when they perceive that they have equal opportunities such as those of career development, irrespective of their differences. In addition, giving employees total reward programs results in reduced turnover and higher retention because employees who receive the package feel loyal and are likely to offer services to an organizations for a long time. Offering rewards has both benefits and risks to certain groups. For instance, offering sick leaves and maternity leaves is likely to benefit Generatio n X. However, offering health-screening program may affect the same group negatively, especially when they come to realize that they have an incurable disease like cancer. Another type of reward that is likely to raise legal concerns is the spouse/dependant life insurance. At times, it becomes hard to identify a person’s true dependants especially when such a person has a record of having extra marital affairs. Looking at the hospital where I work, there exist several gaps when it comes to rewarding employees as required in the total rewards program. Last year, the hospital experienced high turnover, conflicts with labor society and wrecked channels of communication. The personnel department also lacks connections to customer needs and business needs. Despite the hospital having carrying a survey that pointed out areas that needed redress, there has been no action. To handle this situation, the hospital should develop a broad strategic plan that aims at attracting and retaini ng the workforce. Such a plan should offer room for leaders to receive training on how to deal with different generations. The training should enlighten leaders on how to communicate with each generation, as well as factors that can motivate, or de-motivate members in different generations. Leaders should also be prepared to dedicate themselves to particular strategies of leadership. To identify strategies that are relevant to different generations’ leaders at the hospital should analyze the percentages of employees by generation. After the analysis, they should build a life cycle employment and benefits plan depending on the needs of employees at different phases of work and life. Leaders should also create welfare and work-life programs such as health screenings, nutritional counseling and on-site massage services. Besides, leaders should offer career training to personnel at the hospital and offer scholarships and coaching in various fields. Another strategy that leaders c an employ is providing a clinical mentor program that aligns experienced nurses with new nurses. This should aim at preparing young nurses for the occupation through coaching and training. Lastly, these leaders should carry out a needs analysis, create valuable career opportunities and improve their strategies on career communication. On the other hand, the top management of the hospital should offer junior leaders training on generational diversity. Such training may take the form of conferences, seminars, websites, or experiments. This training should ensure that leaders have knowledge on how to handle multigenerational groups. Besides, top officials must make sure that the board and council have representatives from every group. The hospital management must also make sure that they reward productivity and performance. The compensation program should motivate and reward productivity without considering age, or a person’s position in an organization. Another area that the ma nagement should consider is benefit options. Most employees, across generations, have families and other personal interests that they have to take care of even as they work. Therefore, the hospital management should offer flexible work hours to their staff. Most workers consider flexible work options when rating quality of work places. Managers should thus offer incentives like flex time, working from home and job-sharing to attract more workers. Managers may also offer workers a paid off during winter seasons, or summer seasons. The management should as well match the employee’s generation to that of the customer base. Most clients prefer to receive services from people who they share their perspectives and points of view. Additionally, the management should encourage regular conversations about generational differences. This can enhance understanding and respect for persons across generations at the work place. Furthermore, the management should offer employees phased retir ement options. For instance, an employee may continue working in the organization for up to two years after retirement, but at a reduced level. Usually, most employees prefer to work at a reduced capacity ahead of retirement and continue to work the same way for several years after retirement. Another approach that the management should take is making through advertisement on career opportunities prior to recruitments. This may include posting available posts on the organization’s internet, in the magazine and newspapers so that employers of all kinds can apply for the positions. Lastly, the management should offer various benefits to employees. Such benefits may include insurance, scholarships as well as vision and dental plans. Other benefits may include child and elder care. For instance, a caregiver may receive 13 weeks off every year while still having full salaries. The hospital management should also consider giving caregivers reimbursements to cater for their children ’s costs. However, the management should ensure that such benefits suit a workers phase of life. For instance, a Baby Boomer will prefer to have long-term care insurance plan, while a person in Generation X will prefer to have a scholarship. All these aspects should serve as excellent ideas for reducing turnover, increasing employee satisfaction as well as employee retention at the hospital. References Delcampo, R.G. (2012). Managing the multi-generational workforce: From the GI generation to the millennials. New York, NY: Gower Publishing Ltd. Heneman, R.L. (2007). Implementing total rewards strategies: A guide to successfully planning and implementing a total rewards system. New York, NY: SHRM Foundation. World at Work (n.d). Total rewards model: a framework for strategies to attract, motivate and retain employees. Web. This essay on Total Rewards Program Development was written and submitted by user Jair H. to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Return to Bitter Creek essays

Return to Bitter Creek essays Return to Bitter Creek takes place in Bitter Creek, North Carolina, during current times. There are many acres of beautiful land. There are a lot of trees and plants. The weather is seasonal, although mild during the winter. Most of the action occurs at a farm, and in a house. Although the story involves family conflicts, and could take place anywhere, the setting was relevant to this plot because a lot of what happened involved nature, horses, and rural jobs. Lacey Bittner is the main character. She is a teen-aged girl who lived with her mother, Campbell, and her mothers boyfriend, David. Lacey is upfront, honest, hard working, efficient, and kind. When someone is rude she tells them how she feels. For example, she tells her mother when she thinks her mother is being inconsiderate. Whenever she has a job to do, like making a cabin in the trees, or clearing the pasture for the horse, she gets to it right away, and continues until its done, even late at night. She tries to fit all her activities in, including school, sports, and taking care of her horse; she is responsible. Even though her mother doesnt get along with the rest of the family, Lacey is still pleasant to them. The main conflict is man vs. man. This is a story about a family who just cant get along with each other. There are personality conflicts between mothers and daughters, and cousins and cousins. There is squabbling over such things as who can spend time with whom, and who will drive to school. Campbell, Laceys mother, lived in Bitter Creek her whole life, but she didnt get along with her family, especially her mother. She moved away to Clio, Colorado with Lacey, being single. She met a man name David. They were very close and lived together, but werent married. They moved back to Bitter Creek, North Carolina because David found a blacksmith job there. When they arrived in Bitter Creek, they bought a little ho...

Carbon Fibres and Composite Material Free Sample for Students

According to Goodman et al. (2011), a composite material refers to a combination of two or more materials that are of different composition, physical property, and morphology. These materials are often combined on a microscopic scale. Depending on the constituent properties, composites are in many cases designed to (or â€Å"intending to†) producing materials with materials aimed at fulfilling specific mechanical, physical, or chemical requirements. As a result, Hofmann (2016)   points out that the use of composite materials have progressively increased for the past 40 years and have many uses in the automotive, aeronautic, medical, and naval fields among other industries. Consequently, different composite biomaterials have been tested and studied for use in the medical field and are often commercialized for their advantages of the traditional composite materials that were used before. In the medical field, most human tissues such as skin, bones, tendons, teeth, and ligament are composites made up of single constituents whose distribution, morphology, amount, and properties are the major determinants of the final behavior of the resulting organ or tissue according to Paknikar and Kumbhar (2015). The same study denotes that human-made composite materials can as well be used in making prostheses that are used to mimic these biological tissues with the aim of ensuring thy match their mechanical behavior and restore the mechanical functions of the body tissues that have been damaged. This paper presents the history, structure and synthesis, mechanical properties, possible uses, as well as pros and cons of the carbon-fiber-reinforced,   peek (CFR-PEEK) composite material whose use have been studied, tested, and proven fit for medical purposes. Carbon Fiber, a polymer that is also known as a graphite fiber, is a very strong material and light in weight. Though stiffer than steel, its light weight makes it suitable for use as a raw material in the manufacturing of other materials (Garry, 2013). The composite material was discovered back in 1879 by Edison Thomas. The scientist backed bamboo silvers and cotton threads at high temperature carbonizing them into a fiber filament of all-carbon. His invention led to the use of high-performance carbon fibers in 1958 in Cleveland. CF-PEEK was then introduced as a matrix where long and short PEEK fibers were used as the composite matrix to ensure the end product had the qualities of both fibers. Despite the fact that they were inefficient, the fibers contained approximately 20% carbon with low stiffness and strength properties. However, the carbon fiber’s strength potential was realized in 1963 through a new manufacturing process at British research center (David et al., 2014). In the medical field, carbon-fiber-reinforced peek materials range from large scale components such as x-ray application materials to most invisible bolts internally used to support the bones in the body according to Paknikar and Kumbhar (2015). CFR-PEEK materials have for a long time been adopted for use in the medical field in different facets. They are widely used in the orthopedic processes mainly for bone crafts, bone cementing, hip joint replacement, and in the fixation of the bone plates in the body. Hofmann (2016) points out that CFR-PEEK can be fabricated with tensile strength or stiffness in the capability of the bone they replace in the body. As a result, the materials are successfully finding their way into the medical devices as implants to replace the internal body organs and tissues. Historically, many challenges have been faced by implant designers in achieving acceptance from different regulatory agencies globally. However, the uses of carbon-fiber-reinforced peeks are on the rise as a result of technological advancements and innovations. New medical applications and composite materials are gaining popularity and approval in many parts of the US food and drug administration (Garry, 2013). CFR-PEEK are used in the formulation of bone growths for implants such as temporary bone supports and bone screws mainly adopted in the orthopedic repairs. These materials have been adopted for use in the bioresorbable polymers that can safely break down and be absorbed by the body in the rebuilding process of the bone. In the medical industry, the first synthesis requirement is a performance parameter indicating the relative merits of different designs of CFR-PEEK with the primary knowledge that the growth and micro-motion of bones can be used for different purposes in a clinical view. What follows is a finite element code that determines the strains in the bone used as essential parameters in evaluating the performance of the carbon fiber. The CF-PEEK composite is manufactured by the use of a hybrid fabric composing of PEEK and carbon fiber as a matrix that is then modified and treated by low temperature and oxygen plasma. The process is then followed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transformation attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) that are essential I relating the functionality and roughness of the carbon fiber surface with the PEEK interfacial adhesion strength.   The plasma treatment is aimed at increasing the roug hness of the carbon fiber surface while the prolonged treatment results into the smoothing. According to Duraccio, Mussano, and Faga (2015), the structural properties of a composite material are determined by the length, volume, and alignment of the carbon fiber it contains. Apart from being strong, carbon fibers have high tensile strength and stiffness but with low weight. It also has a high chemical resistance and is often tolerant to high temperature and excessive heat but with a low thermal expansion as denoted by Garry (2013). According to Cano and Guilemany (2016), the mechanical property of a composite material can be determined by the mechanical properties of CFR-PEEK. Carbon fibers consist of strong and thin crystalline carbon filaments for the strengthening of other materials. David et al. (2014) denote that the fibers can be thinner than the human hair but gets its strength when the fibers are twisted and laid over a coated and molded into plastics or resin. For these mechanical properties, carbon fiber is adapted for use not only in the medical field but many industries such as the military, automotive, and aerospace. There are two main forms of carbon fiber incorporation used in composites for medical applications. Short CFR-PEEKs that consist of short carbon fibers randomly aligned and are mostly less than 0.4 mm, used as producers of the homogeneous material property for the implant. Long CFR-PEEK consists of carbon fibers essentially running the entire width of most composite materials. The long CFR-PEEK has a tensile strength that is greater than 2000 Mpa when compared to the 170 Mpa which is of the short carbon fiber (Aspenberg, 2014). As a result, their controlled alignment of these carbon fibers hence helps in providing a broad range of anisotropic properties that can be controlled for specific functions depending on there the composite material that needs to be made and the use.   Ajioka et al. (2016) denote that carbon-fiber-reinforced peek material is engineered to produce a varying degree of stiffness and strength based on the number and orientation of the carbon fibers used. It is hence easier to help the manufacturer match the elasticity of the bone to be replaced with the composite implant material that will be fixed. On the other hand, Paknikar and Kumbhar (2015) also denotes that using carbon fibers as composite materials is easier since, before their innovations, manufacturers were facing challenges from modulus mismatch of the then used metal implants. For instance, the mismatch was often producing stress shielding; alter loading, and a periprosthetic bone remodeling process that was often detrimental. Commercially available carbon fiber composite materials have been tested in several ways for fatigue cycles but have always proven to be effective and resistant. Nayeri (2014) denotes that the average strength for a 4.5mm implant plate is 19.1 Newton meters while that of a similar 4.5mm stainless steel compression plate is 17.8 Newton meters. The bending strength of available 10-mm CFR-PEEK is averagely 80.3 Nm, while an 11-mm titanium tibial plate bending strength is 43 Nm. This has proven that the testing for wear debris of the implants is significantly lower than the wear debris strength of titanium plates made from the steel as pointed out by Goodman et al. (2011). The same study denotes that the healing and fracture reduction are available for a standard radiograph. The absence of both MRI and computed tomography means that CFR-PEEK for the composite implants has applications for infections, spine, and for oncologic cases. Even though there are several advantages of using the carbon-fiber-reinforced peek composite implants for medical reasons, there are also some specific disadvantages. For instance, they cannot be contoured hence making their use in fracture fixation limited to straight diaphyseal hence calling for a specific locking screw technique anatomically designed for the specific fracture Utech and Boccaccini (2016). At the same time, stiffness can be beneficial to the receiver, but the too much flexibility is as well dangerous as it can lead to pseudarthrosis. The increased fatigue strength of the implants helps in decreasing any possible risk to fatigue failure. However, the radiolucent nature of the carbon-fiber-reinforced peek used in the manufacturing of the implants precludes directly hence visualizes radiography. In his study, Hofmann (2016) denotes that all biomaterial composites intended for use in the body of any living organism have to meet certain conditions, regulatory requirements, and criteria. These include; Carbon-fiber-reinforced peek have found a wide application and use in different facets of the medical sectors. These include bone cementing, bone grafting, hip joint replacements, bone fixating plating, and other forms of bone replacements (Asghari et al. 2017). In the manufacturing and design of prosthetic composite implants used for the replacement of the central bone and the combined joint, the primary objective is often to arrive at an implant with a higher bone growth stimulus but slightly lower that the titanium alloys implants that are currently used (Egger et al. 2017). From the CFR-PEEK innovations, patients can easily get access to rapid and easier proper implant fixation and bone replacement. Achieving these objectives requires the synthesis and structure of the composite implants to consist of three primary elements. In his study, Soboyejo (2017) points out that CFR-PEEK includes bio-glass-ceramic, xenograft, and allografts often used in joint replacements and tissue engineering. They are often made of different layers of long and short carbon fibers; the final product often combines the properties of both the materials used. The resulting product is often mechanically strong but lightweight at the same time. Saleh (2016) also denotes that the materials have low density and can easily resist corrosion. The use of composite body implants has several advantages when compared to the metallic devices that were used before their inventions. It modules if elasticity and fatigue strength makes the CFR-PEEK an ideal composite implant material for bones plates and nails. The disposal of CF-PEEK is becoming a major issue since the different carbon fiber reinforced composite materials are reaching the end of their live services. According to Schinner, and Brandt (2011), over 27 000 tons of CF-PEEK have produced annually. As a result, grinding up the waste material and sending it to landfills or disposing of it through incineration has little appeal to the environment since it is non-biodegradable.   With global warming and climate change policies affecting every global industry, incineration is not the best method of disposal of the material as it will lead to the production of greenhouse gasses as well as smoke, thus leading to pollution. Disposal into landfills also reduces the aesthetic value of the environment turning the areas into wastelands and creating environments for disease-predisposing factors such as stagnant water collection points for mosquito and bilharzia breeding when it rains. As a result, different recycling methods such as pyroly sis have been adopted that strips away the epoxy resin from the fibers while leaving the original properties undamaged. The medical industry is driven and guided by the demands of the medical profession that seeks constant improvements and device innovations for better medical care. Consequently, different composite biomaterials have been tested and studied for use in the medical field and are often commercialized for their advantages of the traditional composite materials that were used before. Carbon fibers have found a wide application and use in different facets of the medical sectors. These include bone cementing, bone grafting, hip joint replacements, bone fixating plating, and other forms of bone replacements. Ajioka, H., Kihara, H., Odaira, C., Kobayashi, T., & Kondo, H. (2016). Examination of the Position Accuracy of Implant Abutments Reproduced by Intra-Oral Optical Impression.  Plos ONE,  11(10), 1-12. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0164048 Asghari, F., Samiei, M., Adibkia, K., Akbarzadeh, A., & Davaran, S. (2017). Biodegradable and biocompatible polymers for tissue engineering application: a review.  Artificial Cells, Nanomedicine & Biotechnology,  45(2), 185-192. doi:10.3109/21691401.2016.1146731 Aspenberg, P. (2014). Alendronate-eluting polyglucose-lignol composite (POGLICO).  Acta Orthopaedica,  85(6), 687-690. doi:10.3109/17453674.2014.979724 Bailey, S. R. (2009). DES Design: Theoretical Advantages and Disadvantages of Stent Strut Materials, Design, Thickness, and Surface Characteristics.  Journal Of Interventional Cardiology,  22S3-S17. doi:10.1111/j.1540-8183.2009.00449.x   Cano, I., & Guilemany, J. (2015). Cold spray as an emerging technology for biocompatibility of Carbon Fibers: state of art.  Journal Of Materials Science,  50(13), 4441-4462. doi:10.1007/s10853-015-9013-1 David, J., Cyril M., Seligson,   D., Bennie L. (2014). Use of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Composite Implants in Orthopedic Surgery, Journal of Orthopedics, 37 (12): 825-830 Duraccio, D., Mussano, F., & Faga, M. (2015). Biomaterials for dental implants: current and future trends.  Journal Of Materials Science,  50(14), 4779-4812. doi:10.1007/s10853-015-9056-3 Egger, J., Gall, M., Tax, A., ÃÅ"cal, M., Zefferer, U., Li, X., & ... Chen, X. (2017). Interactive reconstructions of cranial 3D implants under MeVisLab as an alternative to commercial planning software.  Plos ONE,  12(3), 1-20. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0172694   Garry, P. (2013). Self-tapping ability of carbon fibre reinforced polyetheretherketone suture anchors.  J Biomater Appl. Epub ahead of print. doi:10.1177/0885328214535274   Goodman, B., Stuart, S., Kelsey, G. & Deborah, J (2011). Composite Implant for Bone Replacement. Journal of Composite Material, vol. 261, pp.  63-81. Hofmann, A. (2016). Surface Functionalization of Orthopedic Titanium Implants with Bone Sialoprotein.  Plos ONE,  11(4), 1-23. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0153978 Kumbhar, J. (2015). Applications of bacterial cellulose and its composites in biomedicine.  Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology,  99(6), 2491-2511. doi:10.1007/s00253-015-6426-3 Paknikar, K., & Kumbhar, J. (2015). Applications of carbon fiber and its composites in biomedicine.  Applied Microbiology & Biotechnology,  99(6), 2491-2511. doi:10.1007/s00253-015-6426-3 Saleh, M. M. (2016). Biodegradable/biocompatible coated metal implants for orthopedic applications.  Bio-Medical Materials & Engineering,  27(1), 87-99. doi:10.3233/BME-161568 Schinner, J. & Brandt, H. (2011). Recycling carbon-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites, J Thermoplast Compos Mater, 6(9), pp. 239–245 Soboyejo, W. (2017). Polymeric composite devices for localized treatment of early-stage breast cancer.  Plos ONE,  12(2), 1-11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0172542 Utech, S., & Boccaccini, A. (2016). A review of carbon-based composites for biomedical applications: enhancement of hydrogel properties by addition of rigid inorganic fillers.  Journal Of Materials Science,  51(1), 271-310. doi:10.1007/s10853-015-9382-5

Aspects of Psychology Unit4 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Aspects of Psychology Unit4 - Essay Example They do not consider physical traits of human beings as part of their intelligence. Sternberg’s Model Robert Sternberg (1988) proposed a theory of intelligence called as ‘triarchic theory’ as according to him, intelligence consists of three aspects interacting with each other (Davidson & Downing, 2000, p.42). The fist aspect is the internal skill of information processing which helps the human being to behave intelligently (Davidson & Downing, 2000, p.42). The second aspect is the ability of human being to create a match between the internal skills and the external environment in the best possible way (Davidson & Downing, 2000, p.42). The third aspect is the ability to take the help of past experiences to tackle the new or unfamiliar information, successfully (Davidson & Downing, 2000, p.42). Sternberg’s theory shows that intelligence is the ability to use different internal and external aspects to achieve success and to realize potential. Spearman’s Model Spearman’s model of intelligence is called as a ‘two-factor model’ of intelligence. ... The results revealed that children who scored well in one test also scored well on other tests (Pyle, 1979, p.7). Spearman noticed that there was a positive correlation between the tests designed to measure different mental abilities like memory, reasoning, creativity etc (Pyle, 1979, p.7). Spearman concluded that even though the tests were aimed at measuring different mental abilities, they had one factor common in them, which was getting measured in all the test results (Pyle, 1979, p.7). He concluded that this common factor was ‘general intelligence’ and named it ‘g’ (Pyle, 1979, p.7). However, he also realized that even though intelligent children scored well in all the tests, their scores were not exactly the same in all the tests (Pyle, 1979, p.7). This is because every test was designed to measure a ‘specific’ ability of a child and hence, it displayed the specific skill set of a child (Pyle, 1979, p.7). Spearman named this factor as â₠¬ËœSs’, indicating that even though ‘general intelligence’ was a common factor in children scoring well in the tests, their specific abilities were different from each other (Pyle, 1979, p.7). As Spearman’s model of intelligence is based on the two factors of ‘general’ and ‘specific’ intelligence, it is called as ‘two-factor model’ (Pyle, 1979, p.7). According to Spearman’s model, ‘intelligence’ is the mental energy or the ‘general ability’ of human being which ‘flows’ and guides him in most of his activities (Pyle, 1979, p.8). Spearman believed that all human beings have ‘g’ to some degree but as there is a difference in the level of their general intelligence, their mental abilities are different (Pyle, 1979, p.7). People differ from each

Analysis of RadioShack Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Analysis of RadioShack - Essay Example The company is suffering from net cash outflow instead of net cash inflow and this threatens to deplete its cash and cash equivalent reserve. This means that the company may be bankrupt in the near future and creditors are likely to lose their stake in the company. The company is also not doing well in its profitability because this source of cash inflow could offset the deficit in cash and cash equivalents that the company suffers (Carrasco 1). Possible stiff competition and poor operational management could be the reasons the organization is not doing well. While a large percentage of the organization’s stores are based in the United States, these stores have not been profitable to generate sufficient cash and facilitate growth. Competition could have also constrained demand, leading to high levels of inventory, and reduced profitability. Assuming the role of competition in the organization’s performance, poor operational strategies that have failed to minimize cost would be another reason for the current condition. The inefficient growth strategy is another reason for the condition because while the company is realizing challenges in its United States’ market while other markets remain promising, it has failed to shift its focus to the other regions (Carrasco 1). The economic approach to â€Å"profit maximization and marginalism† are the central principles to the problem that the company faces (Nicholson and Snyder 374). Under the profit maximization principle and within the scope of a competitive market, the company should operate at a level where the difference from its marginal costs to its marginal revenue approaches zero from the positive side (Mankiw 283, 284). This could inform production level and reduce or mitigate the realized negative cash flow, and develop creditors’ confidence and finance management’s efficiency.  Ã‚  

Of Mice and Men - John Steinbeck Essay Example for Free

Of Mice and Men John Steinbeck Essay In Chapter 4 of Of Mice and Men, John Steinbeck portrays Crooks, Lennie, Candy, and Curleys wife as outcasts who although are lonely and seek each others companionship, ostracize each other nevertheless. Each of said characters seek companionship, are outcasts, and as a result abase one another. Crooks, Candy, Curleys wife, and Lennie are lonely and therefore seek companionship. Crooks is a very lonely character, and may in fact be the most diverse due to both his handicap and race. When he gets company, he tries to conceal his pleasure with anger; he does not welcome others into his abode because they discriminate against him (his impediment is therefore seen as a spiteful retaliation), but at the same time he is delighted to have company. When Crooks sees Lennie standing at the doorway smiling at him, Crooks gives in and allows him to stay, telling him you can come if ya want. Lennie is also lonely, for he is drawn to Crooks stable when he sees the light on; when he approached Crooks, he smiled helplessly in an attempt to make friends. Candy later comes in to the stable, as Crooks allows him to come in; he is modest about Crookss welcome, saying of course if you want me to. Candy is a passive man virtually unable to take any independent action and his one major act in the book, offering Lennie and George money in order to go in on a piece of land together, is a means by which he can become dependent on them; this is a result of his impeding loneliness. Lastly, Curleys wife enters the stable. Her presence is almost nomadic; she wonders around the whole ranch, seeking company and then parting. Generally considered to be a tramp by the men at the ranch, Curleys Wife is the only major character in Of Mice and Men whom Steinbeck does not give a name. She dislikes her husband and feels desperately lonely at the ranch, for she is the only woman and feels isolated from the other men, who openly scorn her. She still holds some small hope of a better life, claiming that she had the chance to become a movie star in Hollywood, but otherwise is a bitter and scornful woman who shamelessly uses sex to intimidate the workers. When she enters the stable, she pretends as if she is looking for Curley, but she really just wants company. Each of the aforementioned characters seek each others companionship and company to keep from getting lonely. Crooks, Candy, Curleys wife, and Lennie are also scrutinized as outcasts in the society in which they live, due to their defects Crooks being a black cripple, Candy an old handicapped man, Curleys wife being female, and Lennie whom is afflicted with mental retardation. Their reclusive stature is justified in the names in which they call themselves; Crooks calls himself black and a busted back nigger. Candy is called a busted sheep, Lennie a dum dum, and Curleys wife a tart. Furthermore, Steinbeck does not give Curleys wife a name; this illustrates that women in the concurrent era were looked down upon. Crooks, Curleys wife, Candy, and Lennie are further exemplified as outcasts by the fact that Slim, George, and Whit left them behind. Crooks, Candy, Curleys wife, and Lennie are exiled from society and left to be alone. With the pain, loneliness, and fear which they feel, Crooks, Candy, Curleys wife, and Lennie degrade each other. They call each other names, and Curleys wife adds to these statements by saying they [George, Slim, and Whit] left the weak ones behind. Candy calls her a bitch and reminds her that they at least have friends. Candy and Crooks even indicate that they want her to leave, that they have had enough. Crooks, Lennie, Candy, and Curleys wife are portrayed as outcasts who although are lonely and seek each others companionship, they ostracize each other nevertheless because of the over bearing society in which they live. They demean and mortify one another to make themselves feel better to attain a private victory that the other is more of an outcast than the former. They would rather have bitter company as to no company.

The Strain of Mother-Daughter Relationships in Annie John Essay

The Strain of Mother-Daughter Relationships in Annie John Jamaica Kincaid accurately portrays how adolescence can strain mother- daughter relationships. The mother- daughter relationships are universal but "it is not clear why we avoid the topic"(Gerd). The father- daughter relationships and the mother- sons relationships are the issues mostly talked about. In Jamaica Kincaid's novel, Annie John, she explains and gives insight into mother- daughter relationships. In Annie John, there are events that make people think about their relationship with their own mother. Kincaid expresses this relationship through her main character Annie who tries to find her own identity. The relationship between Annie and her mother (also called Annie) was very strong and they do a lot of things together. By the time Annie turns twelve, she starts to go through some changes which many teenagers normally goes through. In order for Annie to mature and prepare for the world, Annie's mother told her to find her own way of life. Due to these new changes, the relationship between Annie and her mother begins to degenerate. Annie now did things her mother disapproved of. At the end of the story, their relationship was okay but not as strong as it was before. After reading this book I saw that the main issue discussed in her novel, is all the stages mother- daughter relationships go through. The mother- daughter relationships are intense relationships. This is a relationship most daughters have with their mother from birth. Both male and female children are attached to their mother from birth, but most male child quickly grows out of it. The daughter is so attached to the mother in a complex way in whic... ... Louis F. Caton. "Romantic Struggles: The Bildungsroman and Mother- Daughter Bonding in Jamaica Kincaid's Annie John." Melus. vol. 21, No.3. Fall 1996. 125-42. Rpt. in Literature Resource Center. Nagel, James. "Desperate Hopes, Desperate Lives: Depression and Self Realization in Jamaica Kincaid's Annie John and Lucy." Traditions, Voices, and Dreams: The American Novel Since the 1960s. Ed. Melvin J. Friedman and Ben Siegel. U. of Delaware P, 1995, 237-53. Rpt. in Novels for Students. vol. 3. Rpt. in Literature Resource Center. Phyllis NCTU. "The Images in Annie John." 4 May 2000. 10 Dec. 2000. William M. Smith. "Annie's Mother and "Mary": Motherhood in Various Literary Forms." 26 July 1999. 15 Dec. 2000.

Racism among Human Interactions Essay

This essay will shortly focus on cultural diversity as the basis behind racial discrimination; its impact and effects on my community. It is important before in-depth digging on this assignment to consider the subject of racism as first, a belief that radiates passion, capable of igniting different forms of action ranging from discrimination, bulling, oppression, wrong prejudice, violence among others. Racism in accordance to Oxford dictionary is an ideology that holds that a particular racial stratum is characterized with generic abilities or capabilities that is different from other cultural caucus. This specific characteristic is to other culture considered inferior or superior in its whole essence. Some other definitions for racism do hold fast that race is the fundamental identification of human inherent traits (Smedley & Brain 2005). The abilities thereof are a measure of racial dissimilarities that produce visible effect in assuming superiority to other racial groups (Merriam, n. d. ). In another author’s definition for racism, there is a pronouncement that human races possess distinct trait that predetermine their cultural orientation. The orientation thus follows that one’s race is superior and has a predetermined authority to lord control over other races (Macquarie). Legal description of the term racial discrimination according to the submit of U. N. Convention on Racial Discrimination Elimination in March 1966, â€Å"it shall be any form of separation, exclusion, refrain, or preference based on racial origin in terms of color, descendant, nationality, ethnic group which result in impairing or infringing an equality in recognition, exercise of fundamental human right to freedom in affairs such as political platform, socioeconomic, cultural or any other diasporas in life. † British law describes racism as a concept implying the definition as a particular society in terms of their â€Å"nationality, color, ethnic, race or citizenship. A sociologist, David Wellman in 1993 thus defined racism as a cultural convention that defends Whites’ superiority owing to the incapacitated position of the derelict minorities. Feagin, a former president of American Sociological Association, submits recently in a â€Å"theory of racial oppression† in the U. S. , that the White Americans intentionally create and circulate a system of racial discrimination that has presently uncontrollable eaten deep the bone of their society. Major institutions are built on racial segregations in a non accidental manner but direct arrangement. Feagin recognizes that the operating racial system over decades have taken some forms of change, contending that there has been a significant reproduce of elemental seed of racism. The seed is a reflection of the present day’s â€Å"racial hierarchical institutions as far back as seventeenth century. The present day racial witnesses should be fast traced beyond the peripheral but seen as a rather infiltrating, and interconnected phenomenon that cut cross diverse social groups and establishments among the society. Feagin’s view is in contrast to the assumption that racism is more of an attitude or a kind of irrational bigotry that is independent of social organization. This assumption is supported by the psychologist. Human Racism within Neighborhood in my community It is a sad experience to stay in a habitation among the people of unlike minds who do not for any reason believe that men are born equal, be it white or black, Negro or others. It is rather more saddened that there is a constant atmosphere of insecurity to live among people whose signals of dealings with them constantly radiate hatred and disregard of high caliber. Where else does one needs to find rest if not home among neighborhoods? But the neighborhoods are soaked in an aura of perpetual dislike for color, for nationality and for genealogy order than the White they are. This is exemplified in a scenario when there was a call for a meeting to decide the fate of security our community one weekend. The leader do not border inviting a particular black and therefore, erroneously perceiving his opinion may not count but would rather give a second to the best of taught. And even peradventure, should he surpass every expectation; the White race would feel embarrassed and inferior. The leader presumes this may generate a violent attack and it would be in the interest of the community to live out his contribution as black. This is grossly unfair to humanity and the entire race of mankind. I doubt if the lower animals base their condemnation (if only it exists at all) on racism, how come we claim to be a better one called homo sapiens – I hope scientists will re-evaluate man as a social been. Human racism within Service groups and workplace in my community Service groups majorly constitute the White Americans. The cultural diversity is part and par sues of everyday dealings. It all began from the employment process. The communities around me often times neglect high level of hospitality to Black workers and extend apathy even in recruitment process. One researcher named, Dean Karlan with Marianne once found among a study conducted in 2003, that the extent of racial discrimination among people in workplaces is demoralizing. They discovered that people whose names where trace to black genealogy were more than fifty percent likely not to be shortlisted for the second phase of interview when they apply for a similar job with the Whites. This result is one out of the numerous societal biases forming a giant procedural method in application for job where cultural diversity triumph. I supposed securing job should rather be of intellectual competence and acumen instead of racial introduction that may corrupt the seed of greatness towards achieving the employing institution’s mission statement and its objectives. Despite the fact that blacks in this community can barely afford a day hospital bill without insurance, they are mostly faced with the major health hazard at workplace without a corresponding compensation to make up for the risk of life involved. This could be traced down to the aged fought battle on black slavery. The white society would rather hide under the canopy of existing racial system and enslave fellow mankind. I wonder where the world is heading to at this age long civilization era. If I could be opportune to effect any change in my community, I will gladly revisit this aspect of racial diversity and treat all men equally at workplace. The means of livelihood is a sensitive part of one’s live. That should not be negotiated for any racial operating system in a society with diverse culture. It should be left undiluted as this would be an eventual benefit to the company if nothing but just excellence is the sole key for employment. The disparity in the salary scale I would balance once an individual can prove his or her worth irrespective of the cultural diversity. Human racism within clubs, local governments, and schools The extension of induction to the minority black in my community for a cooperative cohabitation in a club is not a known issue but a taboo. Blacks rather form one in their own minority shell. Members of the club benefit in no small ways. They are treated equal and one among themselves. This makes it possible for numerous assistances members’ enjoy at either on an occasion or whenever there arise the need to give moral or/and financial support. The unity covers the shame of fellow individuals in the club. An applicant into the club of different race suffers these whole benefits even though he lives within this people. The psychological trauma is enough to initiate mental disturbance, mania, depression and bipolar syndrome (some psychiatric diseases) owing to a huge sense of delineation and alien among fellow human being. The presence of cultural diversity among schools at all levels of studies is certain. Students from different homes prefer one school to the others. Privilege to attend is denied by the prevailing racial discrimination. The racial prejudice begins when some school authorities reject applications from people of a particular nationality. At times, the low socioeconomic income of a racialized group of people dictates where to send their children for schooling and not a direct rejection. All tends to same racism resulting from cultural diversity. Other form of racism within exists among the students themselves. We have heard cases where a student arose on a red morning and began to shoot sporadically into the air. Over thirty six casualties were recorded. This man was a black who felt injured by cumulative experience of racial discrimination. Conclusion The people in leadership position often times play a lip service to this very sensitive issue of unfair racial human interactions as a result of cultural diversity. Concerning leaders in my community, we do quite share the same believe that one must be very careful in an attempt to resolve the ideas of inequality birthed from cultural diversity. One example is the record of black massacre in South Africa. The killing in this region in a part is due to an overwhelming dominance of Black Africans playing key roles in the economy of the country. I do disagree that there is no way to resolve it permanently. Military enforcement in a way may assist in ensuring adherence to laws pertaining to racial discrimination among societies with diverse culture. There should be gradual introduction of minority interest for the sake of balancing the democracy we practice though with caution to avoid undue attention and popularity. Government installation should be enforced by the legislature to base campaign in a way to effect eradication of racism in communities. When men of icon in the society openly campaign for racial equality, their loyal supporters would reason with them and change. The impact of media is one of the most essential tools in correcting the society for racial discrimination. Some media publicize the goods of the white and the ugly of the black. Media staff should try playing neutrality and conducting themselves in a professional manner, sharing my idea to contribute in eradicating the obnoxious outcomes resulting from cultural diversity. References Feagin, Joe R. (2006). Systemic Racism: A Theory of Oppression. NY: Routledge. Feagin, Joe R. (2000). Racist America: Roots, Current Realities, and Future Reparations. NY: Routledge. Allen, Theodore. (1994). ‘The Invention of White Race†. Volume 1, London, UK. Smedley and Brian D. (2005) â€Å"Race as Biology if Fiction, Racism as a Social Problem is Real. † American Psychologist 60: 16-30. Cazenave, Noel A. and Darlene Alvarez Maddern. 1999. â€Å"Defending the White Race: White Male Faculty Opposition to a White Racism Course. † Race and Society. http://www. rohan. sdsu. edu/%7Ergison/againstracism. htm. Retrieved on June 14, 2008.

Students With Learning Disabilities In The Classroom Education Essay

Baum, S. Owen, S. , Oreck, B. ( 1997 ) . Transfering Individual Self-Regulation Procedures from Humanistic disciplines to Academics. Arts Education Policy Review 98.4: 32 ( 1 ) . Retrieved from General OneFile April 06, 2010. What is the article about? This article discusses the correlativity between pupils with larning disablements in the schoolroom and their ability to constructively use themselves in other countries of instruction. Why was the research performed? The research was performed to demo that pupils could use self-regulation in humanistic disciplines instruction to their schoolroom surveies and could better their overall instruction public presentation. Findingss This article explores the research behind how pupils learn in the humanistic disciplines and how those methods of direction can be used to better instruction and teacher instruction. It has been shown that effectual humanistic disciplines direction encourages the development of single schemes and multiple solutions to jobs Strengths The article was broken down into easy digestible subdivisions that were easier to understand and measure. Failings The tabular arraies where non good developed and were difficult to follow doing the article less cohesive overall. Deductions for Practice Self-regulation occurs when pupils monitor precisely what they are making and compare their advancement to an internal criterion and have finally have assurance in what they are making. This can be developed by external environment factors and while everyone can profit from self-regulation it would be particularly of import for this accomplishment to be taught to underachieving pupils. Key words Dance and Society Citation Cote, P. ( 2006 ) . The power of dance in society and instruction: lessons learned from tradition and invention ; Rich dance experiences, and the dynamic tenseness between tradition and invention, supply a solid foundation for dance instruction. JOPERD — The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & A ; Dance 77.5: 24 ( 10 ) . Retrieved from General OneFile April 06, 2010. What is the article about? This article addresses the links between society and dance instruction. The writer looks at how each interacts and alterations the other. She besides examines dance instruction teacher-training plans and there consequences. Why was the research performed? The writer presents the stuff on the footing of her experience and the function dance played in her life played a big portion in her research layout and presentation. Findingss The writer found that while reflecting on her old ages of find and learning her positions were confirmed that the apprehension of the humanistic disciplines evolves over old ages of life closely with them. She purports that dance instruction promotes connexion with the community and that future instructors should develop enterprises which create happy schoolroom environments. This procedure can get down during instructor development and readying. Strengths The writer is really familiar with the capable affair as she was trained as a terpsichorean and a dance teacher. She used that cognition to compose an in deepness survey on dance in society and its application in instruction. Failings With the writer concentrating entirely on her experiences as a dance teacher the article is limited that experience and is directed more towards learning dance with a smaller focal point on instruction. Deductions for Practice By developing dance teachers decently the benefits to the pupils progresses into all facets of their lives non merely through dance. Key words Dance and Society Citation DeMetz, K. ( 2007 ) . Toward a synthesis of scientific discipline and theater humanistic disciplines. Forum on Public Policy: A Journal of the Oxford Round Table. Retrieved April 06, 2010 from Academic OneFile. What is the article about? This journal article discusses how scientific discipline and the theater humanistic disciplines, chiefly play and dance, have shared a successful relationship that has historically benefited society. Why was the research performed? The research was performed to demo how scientific discipline and the theater seek the same things. Findingss The writer found that systematically over two thousand old ages at that place has been a successful partnership between scientific discipline and the humanistic disciplines which should help in doing a instance for interdisciplinary course of study in our current instruction system. Strengths This article is really good written and leads the read from historical findings of links in scientific discipline and the humanistic disciplines to more current applications and deductions for modern society. Failings If you are unfamiliar with scientific discipline and the Laws of Motion, Newtonaa‚Â ¬a„?s Laws, etc. this article will do for a confusing read. Deductions for Practice Although a New York Times column was keening Americaaa‚Â ¬a„?s illiteracy in the countries of scientific discipline and math a recent survey showed that those pupils who studied the humanistic disciplines performed better in six classs of literacy and critical thought accomplishments. These Numberss show a direct correlativity between the humanistic disciplines and improved instruction benchmarks. Key words Dance and Society Citation Kinderfather, K. , & A ; Porter Hearn, C. ( 2010 ) .The National Dance Association: the leader in dance instruction: these are some of the ways in which NDA has affected the universe of dance instruction in the past 25 old ages. JOPERD — The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & A ; Dance 81.1: 40 ( 5 ) . Retrieved April 06, 2010 from General OneFile. What is the article about? This article covers the assorted ways in which the National Dance Association ( NDA ) has affected the dance community over a 25 twelvemonth period and reviews future programs of the NDA to go on to heighten community and life styles of persons of all ages. Why was the research performed? This research was performed to supply an accurate overview of the benefits that the NDA has provided to the universe of dance and the community and their hereafter programs. Findingss NDA has contributed significantly to community instruction through dance for persons of all ages and continues to be after for the hereafter of dance in society. Strengths Provides a batch of basic information on how dance has historically been a portion of society and continues to be a portion of a strong foundation. Failings This journal article gives a wide overview of what the NDA has accomplished, but does non travel into any existent deepness. Deductions for Practice Re-enforces other journal articles and surveies that show dance incorporated into society will go on to profit persons of all ages and aid prepare pupils for todayaa‚Â ¬a„?s society. Key words Dance and Society Citation Monroe, J. E. ( 1995 ) . Developing cultural consciousness through drama. JOPERD — The Journal of Physical Education, Recreation & A ; Dance 66.8: 24 ( 4 ) . Retrieved April 08, 2010 from General OneFile. What is the article about? The function of drama on the development of cultural values and how dance can be incorporated into recreational plans in a manner to increase cultural consciousness and community engagement. Why was the research performed? This research was performed to demo how culturally play-based activities have been the cultural footing to go through down or present values within a community from coevals to coevals. Findingss Adults benefit from the interaction every bit much as the kids do. This survey showed that drama could supply the participants the chance to research the word around them and let them to go more culturally cognizant of and accepting of the diverseness they are surrounded by in their environment. Strengths This journal article reviews a assortment of signifiers of drama that would be good to cultural consciousness and value based betterments every bit good as how to develop a culturally based plan and who should be involved in the development of those plans for maximal effectivity. Failings The article covers a broad assortment of possibilities for cultural based consciousness non focused on dance entirely. Leans more towards play alternatively of utilizing dance as a focussed, dedicated signifier of look that benefits society and cultural diverseness and consciousness. Deductions for Practice By integrating play-based activities and dance you can supply a multicultural value system which will stress credence of differences between cultural systems. This would include assisting to develop a positive ego image for those persons who would be most affected by racism. Key words Dance and Society

Finding my place in society essays

Finding my place in society essays Can one just imagine the pain and suffering a young poor African American boy in the 1920s had to go through? No one can. Just because the color of ones skin is different does not mean that their different on the in side. The book Black Boy by Richard Wright ( 1937) is about him self, like an autobiography. It is about all the troubles he went through as a young boy, and all the pain he had to face being of a different color. The book takes place it the 1920s-1930s era, and in different areas of the South. As a young boy, Richard was always curious of the world around him and he always got in trouble. One day Richard ¡s dad leaves him, his brother, and his mom 'cause he got fed up with them. So Richard ¡s mom thought it would be best for them to move in with their grandmother. Throughout the time period Richard discovers alcohol and gets in to fights, but he starts to go to school. He wants to be educated and to do some thing with his life, and not accept his expected roll in life. Richard ¡s expected roll in life is to be a nothing, a nobody and to never succeed in any thing. One of societies expectations for Richard is to be a nothing, a nobody. All of Richard ¡s childhood, he was always let down and discouraged.  ¡...I use to mull over the strange absence of real kindness in Negroes, how unstable was our tenderness, how lacking in genuine passion we were, how void of great hope, how timid our joy, how bare our traditions, how lacking we were in those intangible sentiments that bind man to man, and how shallow was even our despair... ¡ (45) This explains how the way of society has got Richard feeling down, and how empty his world felt to him. He always felt like there was something missing, or he was out of place. But with being a nothing there is no To never succeed in anything is an easy accomplis ...

Philosophy and Society Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Philosophy and Society - Assignment Example Men benefit from philosophy through defining the sense of the world. Different theories are on hand and more theories are yet to be discovered. Hence, these theories allow a person to see the world in varying perspectives, providing different perceptions and allowing one to establish his or her own standards which can help him make the best decision for his self. Contemplating and deciding on one’s future education and career is more rational through philosophy. Having a philosophy in life aids in having a clearer vision of what one wishes to believe in, what one wishes to pursue and where path one wishes to go. Philosophy is in great correlation with ethics as ethics gives one an idea on what you ought to do in a particular situation and why one ought to do it. Moreover, philosophy also aids in discovering one’s self. The main value of philosophy is thinking and questioning the realities of the world like why one does a thing and why one does not. According to Bertrand Russel, â€Å"The man who has no tincture of philosophy goes through life imprisoned in the prejudices derived from†¦habitual beliefs of his age or his nation† (Carroll, n.d.). Philosophy opens windows and doors that lead to continually liberate man’s mind from certain beliefs passed on by their forbearers by discovering one’s perception of the world. The importance of philosophy lives in every individual’s desire to seek knowledge, learn and unravel the mysteries of the world. This further leads into innovation, progress and development of the self and of the world where one lives. One’s thoughtfulness fuel the need to continuously see beyond what is visible, listen beyond what is audible and think beyond what is

In relating to the surrounding culture in a post-Christendom world, Essay

In relating to the surrounding culture in a post-Christendom world, what lessons should the Church learn from the pre-Constanti - Essay Example In the twenty-first century the broadly Christian basis of society has given way to something much more diffuse. In particular the absence of a Christian values to underpin governmental regimes is resulting in an increasing number of potential conflicts between Church and State, and suggests that the Church needs to find ways of adapting to a new role outside the main value system of the majority of people. This paper examines the situation of the pre-Constantinian early Church and the way it related to the cultures surrounding it. The Church’s early relationship with Jewish, Roman and Greek culture is examined, and experiences gathered in this pre-Constantinian period are applied to the contemporary situation of the Church, showing that in terms of identity, ethnic relations, attitudes to war, social customs and political engagement, the modern Church has much to learn from its own earlier history. In modern times, as in pre-Constantinian times, Christianity is not the accept ed â€Å"norm†, and its doctrines are not perceived as the core values of society at large. Instead of sustaining and promoting a stable Church/State symbiosis, which we see in the post-Constantinian conceptof â€Å"Christendom†, the Church finds itself on all fronts in danger of entering into conflict through contamination from and resistance to the surrounding cultures. The implications of isolation from the dominant norms are perhaps most significant in the area of evangelism. In pre-Constantinian times, as in present time, any Christian outreach work must start from an assumption that people will require intensive mentoring, apprenticeship and instruction in even the most basic doctrines.1 Nothing can be taken for granted, in terms of factual knowledge or moral training in the family, and the position of outsider that the modern Church occupies means that it must find ways of operating that help to clarify, define and maintain its position in relation to a somewhat hostile environment . The first lesson that the modern Church must learn from this earlier stage in its history is therefore to revisit and re-emphasize its core message through teaching of basic Christian facts and principles. One aspect of early Church history which has perhaps been underplayed by later commentators is the extent to which it harmonized with the cultures around it in the very beginning. An important factor in its first spurt of growth was its focus in cosmopolitan centres, where a multitude of different cultures co-existed with each other without any problem: â€Å"Absorption and adaptation were to mark the progress of the church both in east and west so long as it remained predominantly urban.†2 The trading cities of the Mediterranean were a melting pot for different races but also for different ideas, and the fledgling church took advantage of this relative freedom to develop its structures and systems, often taking selected elements from different cultur al groups around them. Celebration of the Jewish Sabbath, for example, was a custom that was adapted for Christian use but was clearly borrowed from the Jewish tradition. Much of the rhetoric and some philosophical texts for exposition and teaching were borrowed freely