Raisin in the Sun

McNevin O’GarroJanuary 7, 2013 EnglishPeriod: 9 A Raisin in the Sun Lena, Walter, Ruth, and Beneatha are all members of the family named Youngers. The name derives from Walter Senior, Lena’s husband and Walter Jr. and Beantha’s father. He worked tirelessly in construction, to the point where he finally passed away after such a long period hard work. Along with his death although came a pension worth ten thousand dollars toward the family. All the members of the family have dreams that are deferred throughout the story A Raisin in the Sun.Walter Jr. is a chauffeur who drives wealthy white people around for pay. With the pension from his father’s death he was striving to create his own liquor store. The ten thousand dollars that came in a check to the younger’s apartment was his catalyst to start of his business. During the story Walter says â€Å"Damn my eggs†¦damn all the eggs that ever was† in this quote Walter is signifying that all th e dreams he had aren’t being supported by his wife or his mother so he might as well give up on them.Also when the check came and Walter’s partner, Willy Harris, stole seven thousand dollars out of the younger’s possession Walter’s dream was deferred. Lena also known as, Mama, in the younger’s household has a dream of a beautiful garden where she can have multiple different gorgeous flowers, growing around, aside from her single plant that she is nurturing in the apartment with barebones necessities. â€Å"Well, I always wanted me a garden like I used to see sometimes at the back of the houses down home.This plant is close as I ever got to having one. † This quote explains Mama’s dreams towards having a better garden for her to care for her flowers. When the money was stolen, Mama had already put a down payment down on the family’s new home in Clybourne Park. Mama showed a strong powerful disappointment in Walter for not being able to responsibly take care of the family’s money for even a minor period of time. Her dreams toward a luscious garden were deferred right then and there.Ruth, Walter Jr. ’s wife who has wanted to escape from her rat hole of an apartment for many years, but hasn’t’ raised enough funds to ascertain better living arrangements. She works a job as a maid for wealthier lot of people outside of her apartment. The check coming in, Ruth felt that the money should all have been spent on Lena due to it officially being her property to which Walter disagreed since he could use it to start to his liquor store investment.After learning of the loss of the money, Ruth was very saddened to think that she was not going to make it out of the apartment before her newborn child would be born. When Walter finally took pride into his family and accepted the offer from the Clybourne Park representative, Mr. Linder, she expressed how happy she was to finally escape from the ap artment â€Å"All I can say is—if this is my time in life—my time—to say goodbye—to these cracking walls! —and these marching roaches! —and this cramped little closet which ain't now or never was no kitchen! . . then I say it loud and good, Hallelujah! and goodbye misery . . . I don't never want to see your ugly face again! † She personified the apartment as to having an ugly face in which she didn’t want to see again knowing she was moving up to a better place. Beneatha,Walter’s sister, who dreams of getting past the oppressive lifestyle she lives under due to the time period she lives in with oppression on both blacks, and women. Her being both, just set her back double times as much for her dream to become a doctor.With the money from the check Beneatha had a lot of hope of easily being put through her medical schooling year where she would earn her degree, to which she could become a fully realized doctor. When she l earned of the robbery from their family of the ten thousand dollars she felt absolutely dead inside knowing that she would never rise above the oppressive world the existed in. Well – I do – all right? – thank everybody! And forgive me for ever wanting to be anything at all! (Pursuing him on her knees across the floor) FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME!Beneatha at one point yells out for which she doesn’t know what to do with her life when all she done is strive but never attain positive results. After all the families troubles, worries, and problems they decide ultimately to move on into their new home in Clybourne Park and experience life there. Although most of the family member’s dreams are deferred they still manage to prosper in life and look ahead rather than back at what was, but instead into the future of opportunities awaiting them at their new community. Raisin in the Sun McNevin O’GarroJanuary 7, 2013 EnglishPeriod: 9 A Raisin in the Sun Lena, Walter, Ruth, and Beneatha are all members of the family named Youngers. The name derives from Walter Senior, Lena’s husband and Walter Jr. and Beantha’s father. He worked tirelessly in construction, to the point where he finally passed away after such a long period hard work. Along with his death although came a pension worth ten thousand dollars toward the family. All the members of the family have dreams that are deferred throughout the story A Raisin in the Sun.Walter Jr. is a chauffeur who drives wealthy white people around for pay. With the pension from his father’s death he was striving to create his own liquor store. The ten thousand dollars that came in a check to the younger’s apartment was his catalyst to start of his business. During the story Walter says â€Å"Damn my eggs†¦damn all the eggs that ever was† in this quote Walter is signifying that all th e dreams he had aren’t being supported by his wife or his mother so he might as well give up on them.Also when the check came and Walter’s partner, Willy Harris, stole seven thousand dollars out of the younger’s possession Walter’s dream was deferred. Lena also known as, Mama, in the younger’s household has a dream of a beautiful garden where she can have multiple different gorgeous flowers, growing around, aside from her single plant that she is nurturing in the apartment with barebones necessities. â€Å"Well, I always wanted me a garden like I used to see sometimes at the back of the houses down home.This plant is close as I ever got to having one. † This quote explains Mama’s dreams towards having a better garden for her to care for her flowers. When the money was stolen, Mama had already put a down payment down on the family’s new home in Clybourne Park. Mama showed a strong powerful disappointment in Walter for not being able to responsibly take care of the family’s money for even a minor period of time. Her dreams toward a luscious garden were deferred right then and there.Ruth, Walter Jr. ’s wife who has wanted to escape from her rat hole of an apartment for many years, but hasn’t’ raised enough funds to ascertain better living arrangements. She works a job as a maid for wealthier lot of people outside of her apartment. The check coming in, Ruth felt that the money should all have been spent on Lena due to it officially being her property to which Walter disagreed since he could use it to start to his liquor store investment.After learning of the loss of the money, Ruth was very saddened to think that she was not going to make it out of the apartment before her newborn child would be born. When Walter finally took pride into his family and accepted the offer from the Clybourne Park representative, Mr. Linder, she expressed how happy she was to finally escape from the ap artment â€Å"All I can say is—if this is my time in life—my time—to say goodbye—to these cracking walls! —and these marching roaches! —and this cramped little closet which ain't now or never was no kitchen! . . then I say it loud and good, Hallelujah! and goodbye misery . . . I don't never want to see your ugly face again! † She personified the apartment as to having an ugly face in which she didn’t want to see again knowing she was moving up to a better place. Beneatha,Walter’s sister, who dreams of getting past the oppressive lifestyle she lives under due to the time period she lives in with oppression on both blacks, and women. Her being both, just set her back double times as much for her dream to become a doctor.With the money from the check Beneatha had a lot of hope of easily being put through her medical schooling year where she would earn her degree, to which she could become a fully realized doctor. When she l earned of the robbery from their family of the ten thousand dollars she felt absolutely dead inside knowing that she would never rise above the oppressive world the existed in. Well – I do – all right? – thank everybody! And forgive me for ever wanting to be anything at all! (Pursuing him on her knees across the floor) FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME, FORGIVE ME!Beneatha at one point yells out for which she doesn’t know what to do with her life when all she done is strive but never attain positive results. After all the families troubles, worries, and problems they decide ultimately to move on into their new home in Clybourne Park and experience life there. Although most of the family member’s dreams are deferred they still manage to prosper in life and look ahead rather than back at what was, but instead into the future of opportunities awaiting them at their new community.

Why Study Humanities

Allison Humanities-?is a study of human culture with a great emphasis of history and art; further broken down into disciplines as music, performing art, theatre, religion, and languages. It is a study of what people have created and accomplished over a vast period of time. Nowhere in the definition of humanities have I seen science or medicine as sub study to humanities; maybe because science existed before human beings, but they were privileged to uncover and reveal to the rest of the World the new scientific laws.However, studying Humanities I would consider science piece as well, because it is also another significant achievement of the intelligent species. Traveling is one of my favorite types of vacation. Every year I try to visit a different country or two. Summer of 2014 was packed with lots of new experiences, mixed emotions, new knowledge, and of course new perspectives of different cultures.This summer I had an opportunity to travel to Israel. There I visited places like De ad Sea, Red Sea, Tell Aviva, Cashed and Mediterranean Sea, drove through two historically important deserts, the Judea Desert and The Desert of Engel, and of course Jerusalem, the city most desired and finally visited and explored. Jerusalem, especially the Old City is a heritage of three different religions and a multitude of different nations.The place that I wanted to visit the most was the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, place that commemorates the hill where Jesus Christ was crucified and His tomb where He was buried. This site is controlled by The Greek Orthodox Church, but people from many different religious backgrounds visit the church. What I found absolutely amusing is that there are no descriptions inside the church of the exhibits. Only during my second visit to the church I realized that Goliath (the hill of crucifixion) was located inside the church.When I inquired about the reason why there are no descriptions, I was told that guides from different religious background s are telling their own story from their religious perspective, and give the exhibit their own cultural name. Another place that I totally fell in love with was The Mount of Olives. It is located outside of the Old City of Jerusalem. The Jewish tradition says that Jesus' second coming will be on The Mount of Olives and the resurrection of the dead will occur at that time, thus many Jews want to be buried on the mountain.From the top mountain the view to the humongous cemetery opens up that is a result of the traditional belief. Muslim heritage also believe that Jesus will return to The Mount of Olives and have buried there their best soldiers who would stop Jesus from coming when the resurrection of the dead occurs. The New Testament of the Bible also mentions The Mount of Olives as the place where Jesus cried for His people. Visiting Jerusalem was a dream off lifetime. I attempted to go there in 2004 for the Why Study Humanities Allison Humanities-?is a study of human culture with a great emphasis of history and art; further broken down into disciplines as music, performing art, theatre, religion, and languages. It is a study of what people have created and accomplished over a vast period of time. Nowhere in the definition of humanities have I seen science or medicine as sub study to humanities; maybe because science existed before human beings, but they were privileged to uncover and reveal to the rest of the World the new scientific laws.However, studying Humanities I would consider science piece as well, because it is also another significant achievement of the intelligent species. Traveling is one of my favorite types of vacation. Every year I try to visit a different country or two. Summer of 2014 was packed with lots of new experiences, mixed emotions, new knowledge, and of course new perspectives of different cultures.This summer I had an opportunity to travel to Israel. There I visited places like De ad Sea, Red Sea, Tell Aviva, Cashed and Mediterranean Sea, drove through two historically important deserts, the Judea Desert and The Desert of Engel, and of course Jerusalem, the city most desired and finally visited and explored. Jerusalem, especially the Old City is a heritage of three different religions and a multitude of different nations.The place that I wanted to visit the most was the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, place that commemorates the hill where Jesus Christ was crucified and His tomb where He was buried. This site is controlled by The Greek Orthodox Church, but people from many different religious backgrounds visit the church. What I found absolutely amusing is that there are no descriptions inside the church of the exhibits. Only during my second visit to the church I realized that Goliath (the hill of crucifixion) was located inside the church.When I inquired about the reason why there are no descriptions, I was told that guides from different religious background s are telling their own story from their religious perspective, and give the exhibit their own cultural name. Another place that I totally fell in love with was The Mount of Olives. It is located outside of the Old City of Jerusalem. The Jewish tradition says that Jesus' second coming will be on The Mount of Olives and the resurrection of the dead will occur at that time, thus many Jews want to be buried on the mountain.From the top mountain the view to the humongous cemetery opens up that is a result of the traditional belief. Muslim heritage also believe that Jesus will return to The Mount of Olives and have buried there their best soldiers who would stop Jesus from coming when the resurrection of the dead occurs. The New Testament of the Bible also mentions The Mount of Olives as the place where Jesus cried for His people. Visiting Jerusalem was a dream off lifetime. I attempted to go there in 2004 for the

Social Contract on Healthcare Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Social Contract on Healthcare - Essay Example It can be viewed as a service industry in which the consumers are patients who buy health services. In other words, the same criteria apply such as quality of service, reasonable costs and timely delivery of a needed health care service all determine whether a healthcare provider succeeds or not.   The United States health care system is largely a private enterprise and so is motivated mostly by the profit incentive (Porter & Teisberg, 2004, p. 1) unlike that of other countries like Japan or the United Kingdom, where the healthcare industry is almost socialist in its nature as it is a state-controlled sector of their economies. There is supposed to be healthy competition in this industry but experience shows otherwise; the quality has deteriorated and costs have risen greatly over the years due to distortions or externalities in the system. The famous â€Å"invisible hand† of the economist Adam Smith is not working in this industry, whereby individuals acting singly for thei r own benefit is supposed to improve society as a whole (Smith, 1776, p. 28). Some factors causing this market distortion is that the pricing system is not transparent. The right price is supposed to regulate the demand and supply in this industry, just like any other industry, where pricing is the mechanism by which free markets operate in a capitalist economic system. The healthcare industry is no longer what it once was, a perfectly competitive market, but replaced by an oligopolistic setup due to the mergers and acquisitions taking place where the industry continues to undergo further consolidation among the service providers.  Ã‚  

Health & Spa Tourism Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Health & Spa Tourism - Essay Example Health Spa over the years has proved to be extremely effective in treating disorders. However the health spa tourists are not essentially people with health problems, it also includes people who seek mental peace and tranquility. 2. Identify the reasons for the growth of your example of SIT. Link your discussion to factors such as trends in consumer behaviour and the tourism industry's search for competitive advantage. (3-4 reasons) By the year 2025 it is expected that the health spa tourism industry will become one of the most important and largest industries of the world. This sudden rise in popularity of health spa industry can be explained by analyzing the trends in the consumer behaviour and the tourism industry's search for competitive advantage. Across nations and across races, there has been an increasing awareness for fitness and healthy living. Among everything else today's consumers attach maximum priority to health and this trend is likely remain the same in the times to come. Awareness has struck the masses at a time when greater income and employment opportunities have given them enhanced purchasing power and disposable income. This has also resulted in the emergence of newer and better health care products and services. ... Awareness has struck the masses at a time when greater income and employment opportunities have given them enhanced purchasing power and disposable income. This has also resulted in the emergence of newer and better health care products and services. When discussing trends in consumer behavior and the subsequent rise in the health spa tourism business, mention of today's working environment and sedentary lifestyle is imperative. Today's men and women work under increased stress levels and an lead extremely sedentary life devoid of physical exercise and that leads to increased demand for health and relaxation related products and services. Health awareness among the masses coupled with rise in the pensionable population has made health spa tourism even more attractive. Unlike earlier days, today aged people want to stay fit, remain healthy and enjoy the benefits later in life. http://www.heartofenglandtouristboard.co.uk/uploads/file/Spa%20tourism.pdf Every firm or industry to sustain itself and make it viable in the long run, strives to identify its competitive advantages and thus strategise them to further their business. Similarly health spa tourism provides the tourism industry with the much desired competitive advantage among all the Special Interest Tourisms. Health Spas offer a host of services that leave the customer with excellent experience and craving for more. Spa tourism at the present times focuses more on relaxation and beautification rather than healing and treating diseases. Quality and excellence are two parameters that have helped the health spa industry to retain its competitive advantage over the years. 3. Who has responsibility for providing this particular type of product or service and to whom' Role of entrepreneurs and small

Factors affecting inflation rate Oman Assignment

Factors affecting inflation rate Oman - Assignment Example 21.54964 6.704981 2.19058 4.2857 8.11088 11.538462 2.801932367 14.6666667 Â   Â   Formula: Current year - Previous Year/Previous year*100 Â   Â   Â   From the above table it could be understood that the perspective of Oman inflation rate in the consecutive years has taken a leap from 2000 onwards. Starting from 2002 it can be seen that consumer price index has varied with some consistent rates of inflation. Starting from 2002 till 2008, there was constant price growth in certain sectors, which has made Oman’s inflationary conditions more severe than any other Middle East countries. Here we can see that there is a persistent inflation in food beverages and tobacco sector from 2002 to 2008 e.g. 0.10 to 21.54 inflation rate. This may be owing to supply bottlenecks and increase in demand. In case of education, recreation and entertainment deflation has taken place from 2003-2005 i.e. -0.79 to -0.10 but again from 2006 onwards growth in price level has been observed, this cert ain fluctuation has occurred due to change in educational demand of the country. In the initial years of 2000 Oman faced minimum growth in medical care due to non availability of proper medical facility and high expense. This is reflected in the change in rate of price change from negative to positive. But it has shown growth later on with response to the factors demanding for health and care of the country and this is again reflected in the slowdown of inflation rate after 2003. Then comes the most important consumer goods clothing and footwear sector where again a fluctuation in the CPI growth rate can be traced in the years 2002-2003 and again in 2006 but in later part it has increased. The manufacturing sector overall showed marked improvement and this might have generated more demand which in turn brought in inflation. In case of housing furniture and rent electricity water and fuel a huge deflation has been observed in the years 2002-2004 consecutively. In both the sectors the re was a downfall because at that time there was no change in the market condition for these years and in 2005 there was ‘0’ growth rate in price. But after that gradually it started taking up its position by severe improvement in the economy of the country. Sometimes growth in a sector can momentarily bring about inflation. The transport and communication sector is though highly developed in Oman with proper facility of road, airport, ports and railway has more or less consistent inflation in the following years except on 2003 when it came down to -0.50. The Government of Oman have made a total investments for major infrastructure projects estimated to be R.O. 15 billion between

Research Paper Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Research Paper - Assignment Example Furthermore, a questionnaire survey has been conducted with ten respondents in order to recognize their experiences regarding racial disparity of the US criminal justice system. Introduction In the United States (US), the legal system has been developed considerably in order to provide equal treatment to every citizen. However, in the critical fields of law such as in the criminal justice system, increased cases of racism can be observed. Although the criminal justice based regulations in the US are facially unbiased, they are imposed in such a way, which provides biased outcomes. Irrespective of deploying different acts, the US is unable to prohibit discernments based on race. For instance, in the year 1964, the US government had approved Civil Rights Act in order to forbid discernments. However, a considerable proportion of African American individuals were determined to have served certain period of time in prison. Then again, in the year 1968, the US government had passed Fair Ho using Act, yet substantial number of Blacks or Hispanics served in prison cell at that specific period of time (Weich & Angulo, 2011). Although several people believe that the US has overcome discrimination driven history, racism still creates a major impact on the organizational policies and criminal law practices. Focusing on this aspect, the paper intends to assess if the US criminal justice system is racist. Both primary and secondary researches have been conducted in order to evaluate the criminal justice system of the US. As a part of primary research, a survey has been undertaken with ten respondents in order to understand their opinions regarding the subject. Besides, different secondary sources such as textbook and literatures have been evaluated to gather an understanding related to the topic. Literature Review The criminal justice system through which lawbreakers are arrested and penalized is considered as one of the key pillars of democracy. However, in order to stay fea sible, the public must have faith in the justice system. Every phase of criminal justice system i.e. from initial investigation to prosecution, equal treatment of individuals needs to be ascertained. Yet, the US criminal justice system is far from an ideal legal structure. Several researches suggested that in the US, Blacks, Hispanics and other subgroups are mistreated through inconsistent targeting and biased treatments by law enforcement administrators. They are racially charged by discriminatory sentencing activities, resulting in the failure of equitable criminal justice legislations. Context of Racism in the US In the 17th century, racism began to rear its ugly head in different facets in the US such as in the fields of employment and justice system. In the 18th century, the conduct of racial discrimination had increased and became synonymous to the US. During 19th century, race was observed to be a subdivision of human beings that discriminate one individual from others. The g eneral concept of race surfaced in 20th century and continues to impact different legal facets of the US throughout 21st century. In most circumstances, African Americans are historically observed as inferiors across different attributes (SAGE Publications, 2013). The disparate treatment of individuals in the US justice system starts in the initial phase of the system. Police

How themes from gospel songs and the songs themselves have repeatedly Essay

How themes from gospel songs and the songs themselves have repeatedly been used in a rhythm and blues context - Essay Example This led to repetition of gospel music in a rhythm and blues context. Blues music can be said to be that music that developed from a blue note. Blues emerged as a result of self expression of the African-American community members in the United States of America, from gospel music, work songs, chant songs, and rhymed songs mainly meant to describe desperate moods of the African-Americans. At that time, according to Charles (2004) black music was termed as inferior. Blues music never needed other accompaniments during performances but, after some time they accepted the use of rhythm groups and horns rather than just the gutter alone. The general format of blues music can be traced back to the African music format of chorus answer format. It was noted that bluesmen like Skip James, Charley Patton, and Georgia Tom Dorsey are known to gain influence from spiritual songs. Gospel music developed in the early 1930s where most of the artists started performing gospel music in churches. Music ians such as King, Ruth Brown and Ray Charles are the leaders on transformation of country blues to modern blues and the developments of music blues from Soul. They are also credited for the improvement of vocal techniques that are applicable in the today’s contemporary world. Blues music was accused and named as having a great relationship with the devil's works. Over the years, it was known to incite violence among the city dwellers in the urban areas. According to Charles (2004), the artists protect the view, and there is no difference between blues, and other form of music. In gospel music, they use Jesus and blues they use baby. Arnold Show presents the golden year of the R& B music. During this time, the blues musicians who played the music came from the same place. For instance, the Chicago blues, all the musicians came from Chicago. It is also noted that blues is blues and that the tune does not change that s why gospel themes have been repeated severally (Arnold, 199 6). Ruth Brown and Dinah Washington are recorded as the first female R&B artists to perform blues and rhythms in a church setting. They succeeded in their music but, faced numerous challenges from the white community. In the long run, they ended up performing on stage as white singers. Ruth and Andrew (1996) indicate that this fact led to the success of their music both among the blacks and whites. Charles (2004) noted that he has been popular R&B artist for a long of time from 1930 to 2004. He is a singer, pianist, arranger, saxophonist, and bandleader. He is known to develop gospel music fused with, melodies, singing styles, harmonic and rhythmic patterns of gospels and secular remix. These influenced several singers to follow his procedures of fusing secular music with gospel music. Jerry Wexler, another R&B artist is known to have his music pass through the period of race till the modern era, where his music is known to influence many teenagers in the society. It was evident tha t the problem of fussing gospel music and secular music was rampant and, it became difficult for blacks to sell their music to the whites. The whites concentrated on selling their popularly known music and, never had any interest in Negro music. The demand of negro music was mainly from black buyers, the reason why gospel music kept repeating itself in blues and rhythm contexts. With the improvement of blues music, the whites started buying black music and the market moved from

Carbon Footprint Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Carbon Footprint - Essay Example rpool to work, take public transportation, turn off lights, reduce waste, plant trees, use rechargeable batteries, ride bike, reduce waste, print double sided, eat low carbon diet, go organic and buy electric vehicle. By using a more efficient vehicle my emissions will reduce, plants will help in releasing oxygen and giving out carbon dioxide, bike does not have any emission unlike using a vehicle (Ham, et al. 2000). Emissions are also reduced by carpooling even though by driving we increase emission but the number of sources will have reduced. Electric vehicles are more efficient and greener. I will also ensure my engine efficiency by managing my driving speed as the faster you drive the less your engine becomes and by doing this I will level off emissions on freeways. By using public transportation, I will eliminate the emissions from my vehicle. By going organic, I will reduce the chemical toxins in the environment (Ramseur, et al 2008). A day that I chose to reduce my emissions by 50%, the specific changes that I made were, switched from T12 lights to T8 lights, eat a low carbon diet, take public transport to work, ride my bike, reduce my waste, turn off lights. By switching to T8 lights from T12 lights I was able to reduce the power consumption in my house (Pal, et al. 2014). My diet for that day was also of low carbon diet and this helped to reduce my food emission. By taking a public transport I did not have any emission from my vehicle for that day. After work I used my bike to go shopping and this was helpful because it does not have any emission, I tried very hard to recycle what I could so as to reduce my waste of the day. By turning off the lights that I did not require, I greatly reduced my power consumption of the day. I succeeded in all I had planned. I succeeded because I was determined to achieve that even though it was not easy. It only requires dedication and discipline and I had both. It was I little bit hard for me. Like I am used to driving

Identity theft Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Identity theft - Research Paper Example Identity theft involves the use of another individual’s personal information in order to gain access to financial or other information that would serve to benefit the criminal in some way. Identity theft has become an increasing problem globally in recent years, causing millions of people undue emotional, psychological, and physical trauma. In addition to this, the issue has cost society quite a lot of money. The heartache caused has limited access to critical services and denied credit availability to millions of honest and hardworking citizens around the world, and in particular the United States. It is a serious issue that needs to be tackled immediately before spiraling even further out of control. The aim of this study is to discuss the seriousness of the problem and to explore various ways that society can begin to protect itself from the evils of identity theft moving forward. Problem Statement The problem is that identity theft is destroying the financial security and freedom of countless individuals worldwide. As honest people have their identities stole, they are subject to a potential loss of credit access, have difficulty in gaining employment, and they may encounter problems of various sorts with law authorities. Upon becoming a victim, individuals must often hard to prove that their identity was stolen in the first place, often causing a great deal of anguish throughout the process. Governments and other officials across the globe are currently implementing measure to prevent identity theft, but the problem continues to grow exponentially (Adomi & Igun, 2008). The five major types of identity theft in existence today, and that form the basis for this study, are: 1) Criminal identity theft, 2) Financial identity theft, 3) Identity cloning, 4) Medical identity theft, and 5) Child identity theft. This study examines each of these areas in an effort to help the reader understand the warning signs of identity theft and assists them in the avoida nce of becoming a victim themselves in the future. Relevance and Significance of Understanding Identity Theft As has been discussed to this point, identity theft is a serious issue that must be tackled across all segments of society. It affects nearly everyone in our culture, either directly or indirectly. Even if a person is not a victim on their own, they often pay the price for the crime in other ways. An individual who has fallen victim to any of the major types of identity theft often find themselves embroiled in years of turmoil and strife trying to set the record straight. Families can be denied mortgages, criminals set free, and hospital services rendered to people who have no right to the benefits. These are just a few of the ills that can be realized as a result of identity theft. When honest members of society go to utilize certain services, which they are rightfully entitled to, they can quickly that they are denied access because someone else is using their name and per sonal information. It is an unfair burden to be sure, but one which criminal have bought to the forefront of modern reality. For these reasons, it is critical that we understand the issues surrounding how identity theft occurs and how to prevent it moving forward. That reality forms the focus for this study. Criminal Identity Theft Criminal identity theft involves one person committing a criminal act, proceeding to get arrested, and then

Blended Family Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Blended Family - Research Paper Example The present article emphasize on the analysis of trends presenting changes in the patterns of parenting culminating into blended families. Remarriage affect the power dynamics within marriage. It witness changes in men and women in terms of marital power across their first-marriage, divorce and remarriage. It is observed that male ego and social setup cannot tolerate women’s market worth more when he compares with his worth! On the contrary domestically oriented women do undergo a feeling of loss of power. These circumstances pave the way for remarriage and formation of blended families. It surely affects the market work, marital and divorce experiences and their working atmosphere. Formation of blended family or stepfamily is a step to meet and fulfill the desires of each other as in these families one or both partners have been married before and has lost a spouse through divorce or death, and may have children from the previous marriages. Blending of two families not only encompasses two people coming together but also their children get an acceptance from the opposite partner and his/her children. Only by visualizing one cannot discriminate between the composition of first-marriage families and blended families, but when observed closely then there do occur a drastic difference in terms of marital conflicts. Blended families are structurally more complex as it comprises more family members. Children along with the adults (new parents) of blended family have to share more relations making the family tree from simple to complex. This results in amplification of the possibilities for conflict. Also the range of types of relationships also can lead to a greater likelihood of family disputes (Borrine Brown & Handal, 1991). This complexity can also affect the psychology of the child because of lack of family boundaries; this also affects the discipline of the

Green Computing Essay Example for Free

Green Computing Essay Green computing or green IT, refers to environmentally sustainable computing or IT. It is the study and practice of designing, manufacturing, using, and disposing of computers, servers, and associated subsystems—such as monitors, printers, storage devices, and networking and communications systems—efficiently and effectively with minimal or no impact on the environment. Green IT also strives to achieve economic viability and improved system performance and use, while abiding by our social and ethical responsibilities. Thus, green IT includes the dimensions of environmental sustainability, the economics of energy efficiency, and the total cost of ownership, which includes the cost of disposal and recycling is the study and practice of using computing resources efficiently. To comprehensively and effectively address the environmental impacts of computing/IT, we must adopt a holistic approach and make the entire IT lifecycle greener by addressing environmental sustainability along the following four complementary paths: †¢Green use reducing the energy consumption of computers and other information systems as well as using them in an environmentally sound manner

Marxist Analyses And Motivation Theories Management Essay

Marxist Analyses And Motivation Theories Management Essay Motivation defined as: The set of processes that arouse, direct, and maintain human behaviour towards attaining some goal. Motivation is the inner drive that pushes individuals to act or perform. Employees motivation in a company or a firm is a very crucial management practice which should not be underestimated since its implications are very much pronounced. Motivated employees have greater concentration and are less likely to make mistakes, cause accidents or be involved in conflict. They are also likely to show greater loyalty to the company and have less absenteeism. Some authors argue that there is no problem of worker motivation in capitalist economics, as managers can rely on job insecurity to ensure compliance. Other have identified the characteristics of capitalism is that production of commodity occupies a dominant position and production of surplus value. The conflict of interests between owners and employees will be caused the problem of worker motivation in capitalist organizations (Knights and Willmott, 2007). Because of the owners interest is not making work more satisfying for employees but exploit them. The purpose of this essay was to explore is there a problem of worker motivation in capitalist economies. The following presents the literature reviews about motivation theories and Marxist analysis of the nature of capitalist economies. Secondly, the case of Wal-Mart that used illustrates the problem of worker motivation in capitalism. And also some critical arguments will be presented. Finally, make a conclusion that is based on the justified argument. Literature review: Marxist Analyses and Motivation Theories 2.1 Marxist Analyses Capitalism is a mode of production based on private ownership of the means of production (Heilbroner, 2008). Capitalists produce commodities for the exchange market and to stay competitive must extract as much labor from the workers as possible at the lowest possible cost. The economic interest of the capitalist is to pay the worker as little as possible, in fact just enough to keep him alive and productive (Isaac, 2008). In capitalism, the worker, who is alienated from the products he creates, is also estranged from the process of production, which he regards only as a means of survival. Estranged from the production process, the worker is therefore also estranged from his or her own humanity, since the transformation of nature into useful objects is one of the fundamental facets of the human condition (Pinder, 2008). The worker is thus alienated from his or her species being-from what it is to be human. Finally, the capitalist mode of production alienates human beings from other human beings (Harder, 2008). Deprived of the satisfaction that comes with owning the product of ones labor, the worker regards the capitalist as external and hostile (Carter, 1995). 2.2 Motivation Theories In this increasing competitive world where satisfaction of workers needs is the centre of attention for both private and public organizations. Not all people are motivated by the same thing and over time their motivations might changes (Hutchens, 1989). Therefore, Motivation theory can help us to consider the different investments which can be made in people. A motivated and qualified workforce is crucial to increase productivity and the quality of the organizational services in order to achieve organizational objectives (Isaac, 2008). The most popular needs classification is the one developed by Abraham Maslows. Maslow Hierarchy of Needs put forward a theory that there are five levels of human needs which employees need to have fulfilled at work. At the most basic level, an employee is motivated to work in order to satisfy basic physiological needs for survival, such as air, water, food, sex and sleep. Following the achievement of physiological needs, ones attention shifts to safety and security needs in order to overcome the threat of physical and emotional difficulties. The next three levels in Maslows theory relate to intellectual and psycho-emotional needs: love and belonging, esteem and finally the highest order need, self-actualization. He believes at this point individuals have the desire to achieve their full potential and skills (Anonymous, 2009). All of the needs are structured into a hierarchy and only once a lower level of need has been fully met, would a worker be motivated by the opportunity of havin g the next need up in the hierarchy satisfied (Pinder, 2008). For example a person who is dying of hunger will be motivated to achieve a basic wage in order to buy food before worrying about having a secure job contract or the respect of others (Locke Letham, 2004). Herzberg (1966) proposed a two factor (motivation-hygiene) motivation theory. The satisfier/motivators include achievement, recognition; work itself, responsibility, advancement and growth, while the hygiene factors include company policy and administration, relationship with supervisor, working conditions, personal life, salary, and relationship with subordinates, status, and security. Motivators are the factors that fulfill individuals needs for meaning and personal growth; hygiene factors create dissatisfaction when they are mishandled. Worker motivation problem in Wal-Mart In 2001, Wal-Mart became the worlds biggest company in terms of sales revenues and 2.1 million employees (Fortune, 2002). However, in order to minimize operating costs and maintain low prices, Wal-Mart pays relatively low wages, provides minimal benefits to its employees, and also Wal-Marts Punitive Policies Drive Employees to Work Sick. A deli section worker said: Everyone comes to work sick, including employees handling food. In the deli section, most of girls come coughing their brains out, but cant go home because of points coughing too loudly switch you to another department. Since you cant take days off. Her cough worsened, and she ended up hospitalized with pneumonia (Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights, 2009). Being sick, deli section work was hard because its a hot area, requiring in and out visits to a freezer to get meat. Everyone is sweating and your hair is all wet, but we cant use fans because of the dust (Greenhouse, 2002). Another Wal-Mart worker told: Wal-M arts (sick) policy has not changed, and no one said anything about this. As a result, one worker said morale is low in their workplace and pretty much everyone hates their jobs, but havent much choice in todays economic climate (Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights, 2009). Under Wal-Marts Open Availability policy, management demands everyone be available 24 7. A flood of people would leave the company if they could find other work. Fear and need keep them there. In order to provide low-cost products to customers, they cut staff salaries; reduce full-time employees health insurance fee and also no health insurance fee pay for temporary workers. Overall, Wal-Mart treats employees punitively. Theyre overworked, underpaid, and treated like wage slaves (Kaufman, 2000). Capitalist organization, like War-Mart think that they had managed quite well without to motivate staff, as they still rely on the fact that people need a job. Marx argues that labor is central to a human beings self-conception and sense of well-being. Labor are as much an act of personal creation and a projection of ones identity as it is a means of survival (Harder, 2008). However, Wal-Mart deprives employees of this essential source of self-worth and identity. The employees approaches work only as a means of survival and derive none of the other personal satisfactions of work because the products of his labor do not belong to him (Carter, 1995). Everyone comes to work sick, all of the staff do not have the right to rest when they are sick. Unless you found a new job then you can rest. If you are coughing too loudly that they will switch you to another department. Everyone hate their job but fear and need keep them continue to work. This entire situation is due to these individual rights are expropriated by capitalist company. In addition, the power of the profit motive encourages unscrupulous individuals to act unethically (Burawoy, 1979). Poor treatment of staff and lack of consideration for motivate. According to Maslows model of work motivation based on a hierarchy of needs in which individuals are posited to first seek the satisfaction of physiological needs before pursuing other desires (Ford, 1992). Employee is motivated first and foremost to satisfy physiological needs. Organizations must provide employees with a salary that enable them to afford adequate living conditions. Employees will feel less motivated to do some tasks if they feel their compensation is not appropriate. Paying employees less will lead to dissatisfaction. A dissatisfied employee is an unmotivated employee (Hutchens, 1989). However, wages at capitalist Wal-Mart have always been as little as we could get by with at the time The current wage does not honor Wal-Mart workers personal development and it stifles their participation as individuals in society (USA TODAY, 2012). According to Living Wage Calculator, the per-hour salary necessary to meet the minimal life necessities in Charlotte, North Carolina is approximately $8.73 per hour (Washington monthly, 2006). The current wage of many Wal-Mart employees falls well below this benchmark. From a more macroeconomic vantage point, economists estimate that the aggregate annual income of a full-time Wal-Mart employee is approximately $17,600 a year. Moreover, the annual income of an individual compensated by a living wage comes in at $18,152.40, well above Wal-Marts average figure. Even more disturbing, using very conservative estimates as approximations, a newly hired Wal-Mart employee can expect to earn approximately $14,560 annually. Not only does this figure fall far below the recommended living wage value, but it also only marginally clears the abject poverty standard for an individual of $11,201 (Anthony, 2006). In Wal-Mart, Employees money need does not satisfy. The company pay minimum wages but in getting in more out of them. Their minimum wages only enable workers to survival, let alone to meet other needs. These salary figures ha ve direct bearing on a Wal-Mart employees ability to purchase health care. Some authors said that it happens because the capitalists monopolize one thing: surplus value of labour belongs to them (Braverman, 1974). Another researcher said that capitalism has its drawbacks. Profit is a motivator who lacks morals. It is focused only on a single outcome of business actions ignoring all other outcomes (Cater, 1995). Company pays lower wages to gain higher profits. Wal-Mart cannot meet staff needs it will led them lack of motivation, that they tend to resort to anti-work behaviours such as absenteeism, late-coming, failure to meet deadlines, display of open frustration and all these factors work negative to the performance and credibility of an organization. As a result, with most the recent staff cynicism and resign, shoppers are waiting longer for service and getting upset (Institute for Global Labour and Human Rights, 2009). It can be observed that Herzberg (1990) ranked hygiene and motivator factors as the most important motivational theory when uncertainty exists, problems can arise. If an employee is concerned that her job is not secure, she/he may be unmotivated to produce a full effort. Without safety, an employee can be unmotivated. If the motivational factors are met, the employee becomes motivated and work performs higher (Ford, 1992). In Wal-Mart, the working environment is bad that deli section workers working in a hot area, where everyone is sweating, but they cant use fans because of the dust. For above situation, Wal-Mart does not do anything and do not make any changes to meet employees needs. As well as, Open Availability policy also let staff feel that they become Wal-Wart Androids. For reducing the costs, Wal-Mart cut employees health insurance fee, and no insurance fee paid for part-time workers. Capitalist organizations think that they had quite well without theories of motivation; managers can rely on the fact that people need a job as a powerful force for motivation (Knights and Willmott, 2007). Their interests is not making work more satisfying for employees but in getting in more out of them. As a result of lack of employees motivation, most of employees began to hate their jobs, give a negative emotional attachment to their jobs, and being dissatisfied with its role in the work environment. Further, a recent study shown that; employee motivation is directly proportional to organizational performance and profitability (Fortune, 2002). With all these negative and unappealing characteristics of being a Wal-Mart employee, why do people inevitably find themselves working at this dreadful modern day sweatshop passed off as a nationwide superstore? Wal-Mart has left their employees in a dilemma that produces the mindset that no other stores will provide a job opportunity in this difficult economy but in return employees receive extremely poor treatment and considerably low wages (Nlcnet, 2001). Conclusion The problem of worker motivation is inevitable under capitalism because the workers are an exploited class. The lower their wages are, the higher the owners profits. The owners take the products, services and infrastructure created by the workers, sell them on the market, and pay the workers as little as possible. The Maslow need theories maintain that an individual is motivated to do something if he or she experiences a specific need that may be fulfilled directly or indirectly by performing that action. The lower order needs have to be satisfied in order to pursue higher level motivators along the lines of self fulfillment. In addition, Herzberg said that in order to motivate people an organization needs to first have the baseline that is the hygiene factors in place and then the motivators will be used to motivate and in absence of the base line motivation is not possible to achieve. It is indicative of the above discussion that most of the employees need to motivate. However, in the case of Wal-Mart, they paying staff lower wages, cut their self-control, and also the sick policy regulates everyone comes to work when they sick. Under those circumstances, most of the employees began to hate their jobs, and being dissatisfied with its role in the work environment. All of this is due to compan y wants to profit maximization. In sum, the long-term survival of any organisation depends largely on the motivation of its employees be it financial or non-financial. Therefore organisations should be willing to continuously and on regular basis, undertake employees surveys such as this one in order to understand what their employees expects from their current job. The result of such exercises could prove useful for the organisation, because knowing what their employees wants and efforts in meeting these needs facilitate a mutual working environment for both the employees and its management. Using the power to motivate workers will cause worker motivation problem.

Demand For E Ticketing Systems Computer Science Essay

Demand For E Ticketing Systems Computer Science Essay It has already seen that there has been a rapid growth in the demand for E-Ticketing systems in a widespread range of applications like cinemas and theatres. The usage of an Electronic ticketing system has become a huge convenience in the Airline industry as well. Most airlines currently prefer that the bulk of their reservations and booking be done online. As it is a no-paper system, there are huge savings to be made when using the electronic system. This section of the research paper is where the research methods to develop this mobile ticketing are discussed. Upon completion of the literature review, the existing systems have been thoroughly studied. The advantages and disadvantages of the existing systems have been pointed out. The target now is to produce a new idea that has the advantages of the existing systems but does not have its disadvantages. The system has to be new and improved. To accomplish this, the literature review is not enough. Further research needs to be done t o assess if it is even possible to create this system, whether the people will approve of it and find it useful, how feasible is production of this system, what measures need to be taken to make this system and other factors. How this further research will be carried out will be explained here. The planning and schedule of the research method is also stated. Introducing: Mobile Ticketing System for Airlines. A mobile ticketing system is yet to be utilized by most airlines. It is intended to produce such a system where people can finally use their cell phones or mobiles throughout their flights. The use of mobile ticketing has been seen in cinemas and other areas but NOT for airlines. This has not been introduced for flights anywhere in the world, but it has an excellent future. There are many reasons why this is so. There has been an increase in the usage of mobile payment schemes. This has streamlined the process of payment for various products and services. The various schemes include Direct Operator billing, Premium SMS transactions or even linking the application to external payment methods like credit cards or PayPal. This is one of the key features that make this new system very usable. Over all the usage of mobile phones now a days are a must. Almost everyone has a mobile phone with them. So there will be many mobile phone users who will find this system very useful. Mobile Ticke ting will still include benefits to service providers like travel agencies to access new opportunities through smartphones, by bringing value added services, such as traveller guides and tips. It will reduce the amount of paper work and also use of paper itself. Passengers will not have to worry about losing their tickets any more. The system will be the first system that will implement the scanning of mobile QR codes or a quick response code for flights. As the name suggests this code will be apt for the system because it is read very fast and it can store a large amount of data, which is perfect for storing the ticket information. A simple scan of the code and the passenger will be ready for the flight. This new system is Mobile Ticketing System for Airlines. Aims and Scope: The first step in producing any system is to figure out exactly what the system needs to be able to execute, that is to say, its functions. The Mobile Ticketing System is required to fulfil all the business processes of an airline booking system. It will inherit the basic flow of processes of current E-Ticketing systems. Below are the basic functions of this system. Creating Reservations The passenger must login to the airline booking system on the application. The destination, departure and/or return date will be input. Once a flight is booked, the passenger will be prompted for payment. Once the payment clears, the system will generate a unique QR code for the passenger. Checking in Upon arrival at the check-in counter, the passenger allows the scanner to scan the QR code in the phone. The system then validates the ticket and the passenger is checked in. Boarding Once the passenger arrives at the respective boarding gate, another scan is done and the passenger is let on board. Boundaries Boundaries of a system is the boundary that separates the external entities of the system from its internal entities. Knowing the system boundaries assists in reaching the project development goals. The mobile application to be developed is web based and will interact with the current booking system of the airline. As a result, a booking system itself will not be required to be made. The users themselves will interact only with the mobile application. Deliverables: When managing a project, the deliverables of the system need to be well defined. Deliverables are the objects that need to be produced in order for this system to function properly and execute what it is designed to. External Deliverables: The external deliverables of this research project will include an overall report of the system and an appendix including screen layouts, charts and questionnaires. Internal Deliverables: The internal deliverables include a Gantt chart showing the development timeframe and a description of the Methodology of developing the system. Objectives: Please refer to the Appendices for the Gantt chart that displays the overall tasks and timeframe for the development of the system. Key Features: The system must be able to provide the user with up-to-date flight information along with the various prices for a ticket. Must allow the purchasing of a ticket. The system must be able to generate a QR code containing the information regarding the ticket purchased and also information required for validation. The system must include mobile payment methods including Direct Operator billing and Premium SMS transactions. To do this, the system must be registered with the various telecom operators of the country of use. In the case where a passenger does not wish to use mobile payment, the application must allow the user to pat using other methods like credit card or PayPal. In the checking in and boarding process, the system must be able to validate the passenger using scanners. The user must be able to access flight information at any time. Flight cancellation. Advantages of the system: Ease of use The application itself is very simple to use. The purchasing of tickets is fast and less time consuming. Reduces the requirement of waiting in lines, thus saving the user valuable time. Tickets can be purchased from any location, whether it be at home or at the airport itself. All that is required is an internet connection. Avoids the requirement of carrying cash or credit cards during ticket purchase. Significantly reduces the number of free-riders. This is a term given to those travellers who arrive late for a flight and do not have the time to purchase a ticket using the regular method. Mobile Ticketing can increase the consumer experience with the use of Value-added services. For example, in the case of a traveller visiting an unfamiliar location, the application can use the ticket information to generate useful advice and guidelines to the traveller. Ecosystem advantages Savings in cost due to no printing required. There is also a reduction in marketing costs. The system reduces the impact on the environment caused by printed tickets, especially those using magnetic stripes, which are not recyclable. Less paper is used, which saves trees. Solutions to limitations: The descriptions of the limitations of the current systems used are detailed in the literature review. From the limitations mentioned there, the main ones concerning the mobile ticketing system were: Payment methods may not work with foreign subscription phones Tickets can be forged easily Phone can get lost or turn off due to lack of battery charge. Last minute flight cancellations will pose a problem when trying to book a different flight. The solutions to the above problems are elaborated below: In the case in which certain Premium SMS transactions are blocked by some operators, registering the foreign operator providing the Premium SMS with the local operators may solve the problem. In the case where it is not possible at all, other payment methods like credit cards or PayPal must be used. Another problem for E-ticketing systems is ticket forgery. With the use of Mobile-ticketing, various encryption methods can be used to prevent forgery. Also, the smartphones used by the passengers can be registered into the system, so that alerts can be made if a phone is stolen. Prior notice will be given to go to the airport with the phone battery fully charged. In the case of a flight cancellation, the system will look for an alternative flight. If there is a difference in pricing, a refund process will be initiated or extra charges will be added to the passengers account.

Euthanasia Essay - Lutheranism and Doctor-Assisted Suicide :: Euthanasia Physician Assisted Suicide

Evangelical Lutheranism and Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide   Ã‚   As a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, I feel it important to express in this essay the stand of the church on the question of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Our church has strong biblical and traditional reasons for adamantly opposing these new end-of-life approaches.    Increasingly, people know from their own experience some painful dilemmas involving elderly or handicapped individuals who are in pain. While the achievements of modern medicine have been used to prolong and enhance life for many, they have also helped create an often dreaded context for dying. Costly technology may keep persons alive, but frequently these persons are cut off from meaningful relationships with others and exist with little or no hope for recovery. Many fearfully imagine a situation at the end of their lives where they or their trusted ones will have no say in decisions about their treatment. In this context, new emphasis is being placed on the rights of patients. Recent federal legislation, for example, requires all health care facilities receiving Medicare or Medicaid monies to inform patients of their right to make medical treatment decisions. This includes the right to specify "advance directives," [1] which state what patients wish to be done in case they are no longer able to communicate adequately.    We consider the legislation consistent with the principle that "respect for that person [who is capable of participating] mandates that he or she be recognized as the prime decision-maker" in treatment. [2] The patient is a person in relationship, not an isolated individual. Her or his decisions should take others into account and be made in supportive consultation with family members, close friends, pastor, and health care professionals. Christians face end-of-life decisions in all their ambiguity, knowing we are responsible ultimately to God, whose grace comforts, forgives, and frees us in our dilemmas.    Which decisions about dying are morally acceptable to concernd Christians, and which ones go beyond morally acceptable limits? Which medical practices and public policies allow for more humane treatment for those who are dying and which ones open the door to abuse and the violation of human dignity? Proposals in various states to legalize physician-assisted death [3] point to renewed interest in these old questions. ELCA members, congregations, and institutions need to address these questions through prayer and careful reflection.    Euthanasia Essay - Lutheranism and Doctor-Assisted Suicide :: Euthanasia Physician Assisted Suicide Evangelical Lutheranism and Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide   Ã‚   As a member of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, I feel it important to express in this essay the stand of the church on the question of euthanasia and assisted suicide. Our church has strong biblical and traditional reasons for adamantly opposing these new end-of-life approaches.    Increasingly, people know from their own experience some painful dilemmas involving elderly or handicapped individuals who are in pain. While the achievements of modern medicine have been used to prolong and enhance life for many, they have also helped create an often dreaded context for dying. Costly technology may keep persons alive, but frequently these persons are cut off from meaningful relationships with others and exist with little or no hope for recovery. Many fearfully imagine a situation at the end of their lives where they or their trusted ones will have no say in decisions about their treatment. In this context, new emphasis is being placed on the rights of patients. Recent federal legislation, for example, requires all health care facilities receiving Medicare or Medicaid monies to inform patients of their right to make medical treatment decisions. This includes the right to specify "advance directives," [1] which state what patients wish to be done in case they are no longer able to communicate adequately.    We consider the legislation consistent with the principle that "respect for that person [who is capable of participating] mandates that he or she be recognized as the prime decision-maker" in treatment. [2] The patient is a person in relationship, not an isolated individual. Her or his decisions should take others into account and be made in supportive consultation with family members, close friends, pastor, and health care professionals. Christians face end-of-life decisions in all their ambiguity, knowing we are responsible ultimately to God, whose grace comforts, forgives, and frees us in our dilemmas.    Which decisions about dying are morally acceptable to concernd Christians, and which ones go beyond morally acceptable limits? Which medical practices and public policies allow for more humane treatment for those who are dying and which ones open the door to abuse and the violation of human dignity? Proposals in various states to legalize physician-assisted death [3] point to renewed interest in these old questions. ELCA members, congregations, and institutions need to address these questions through prayer and careful reflection.   

Freedom in Braveheart and the Lord of the Rings :: Braveheart Lord of the Rings Essays

The Power of Freedom in Braveheart and the Lord of the Rings How far would you go to defend freedom? Would you overcome impossible odds? In the films â€Å"Braveheart† and â€Å"The Lord of the Rings,† the main characters, Mel Gibson and Elijah Wood, go to the ends of the earth to achieve their goals and bring freedom to the people within their society. The two main plots emphasize the concept that no matter what nation you live under, any man or woman will fight to defend their right to freedom. In â€Å"Braveheart†, Mel Gibson, plays William Wallace. In the movie his wife is brutally killed by one of the English kings. Before the death of his wife, Wallace also experiences the death of his brother and father by the hands of the same aggressor when he was a child. After this he decides that any aggressive action against those he holds dear will not be left unavenged. The day of his wife’s death, William waited for his wife at a secret hiding place and when he finds out she isn’t coming because she was killed, he takes the ways of the law into his own hands. When William becomes a revolutionary he leads the Scottish people to an uprising against the English government. William then begins to de-thrown all the kings in the English region. He loses all sense of inhibition while pursuing his desire to avenge his loved ones’ death and brings freedom to his people. â€Å"The Lord of the Rings† is a movie about the plight of mankind while defending itself against a great evil of a supernatural kind. In this movie, the main character, Frodo Baggins, played by Elijah Woods, must protect the ring of power on an arduous journey across the country in an attempt to destroy the ring. If he fails, all of mankind will be destroyed and ruled by sorcerers and unseen forces of evil. Although he faces many grueling obstacles during his journey, his determination and knowledge of the possible disintegration of the human race fuels him and gives him the strength to complete his journey. In the end, after many trials and near death experiences-not to mention the loss of close friends and his own personal struggles centered around the power the ring has over him-he accomplishes his goal and successfully destroys the ring and brings freedom to mankind.

Kissinger, Metternich, Realism :: History

Kissinger, Metternich, Realism Henry Kissinger, Secretary of State during the Nixon administration, sculpted his statesmanship from the realistic ideals of Prince Klemens von Metternich, who served as the Minister of Austrian Affairs nearly 160 years earlier. Although Kissinger has denied fashioning his ideas after Metternich, he believed the following to be true: legitimacy is one of the most important factors regarding revolution and war, and that disorder is far worse than injustice. Revolution, by definition, is a dramatic change in ideas or practices. Kissinger and Metternich both agreed that, in the rare case that revolution was a legitimate idea, pacing was critical. Change needs to be gradual. A sudden change in either political or social ideas or rulers, they believed, could result in chaos and disorder. This disorder, in turn, can lead to crimes against one another because justice is lacking. Actions are born from chaos and become chaotic themselves. A revolution is, in most cases, born out of fear, whether that fear is legitimate or not. Take the American Revolution, for example. King George III was over-taxing the colonists. They wanted to be free of British rule so they revolted. This was one of the few legitimate revolutions because it had a direct affect on the people. A new country was founded on the blood of many men, but it is important to remember that a nation can live forever. A revolution, no matter where and when it occurs, will almost always have certain similar outcomes. A successful revolution, whether legitimate or not, allows new powers to rise and allows for revolutionary chieftains develop. Napoleon is an example of this. He and his aggressive leadership was a product of the French Revolution. As realists, both Kissinger and Metternich understood different motivations for revolutions and war. They believed objectivity is difficult to achieve and that m any factors enter a person’s decisions. Kissinger also felt that taking an idealistic approach to issues only resulted in disenchantment of the people. What starts out with good intentions towards hope of changing the world don’t always end up that way as was demonstrated by President Wilson’s unsuccessful try for democracy in the Muslim Middle East. In a world filled with disorder, order can be achieved by causing fear in the people. Saddam Hussein serves as an extreme example of this. He created order in Iraq by making his countrymen fear him. Saddam inundated his country with statues and posters of himself everywhere the people looked.

Technological Momentum and Education

Hughes presents a case for talking about technological momentum as a point between two opposite ideas; social constructivism and technological determinism. This raises questions as to what exactly the relationship is between technological momentum and soft determinism. Both ideas deal with the effect society has on technology and the effect that technology has on society. I will argue that while both ideas seem to be the same, there are important distinctions to make between the two. One is that Hughes’s idea of technological momentum is time dependent.So it is sensitive to society, culture, and the changes that occur to a technological system as it matures. On the other hand, soft determinism doesn’t distinguish between when a system will tend to be affected most by society, and when that technological system will have the most influence on society. In his essay, Thomas Hughes presents a case for technological momentum. The idea of technological momentum lies between t he extremes of social constructivism and technological determinism. Social constructivism is when social or cultural forces determine technological change.Technological determinism, on the other hand, is the idea that technical forces determine social and cultural changes (Smith, 102). Within his essay Hughes points out how technological systems evolve during their lifetime to fall under either of these extremes. According to Hughes, the maturity of the system often times dictates its influence on society and the impression the society itself can have on the technological system. One might point out that the idea of technological momentum is similar to the idea of soft determinism.The soft view of determinism is the belief that technological changes drives social change, but social pressures also influence it. Both of the ideas use the view that technology effects society, and that society effects technology. The ideas of technological momentum and soft determinism are very similar in the ways that they view the relationship between society and technology, as both state that social development shapes and is shaped by technology (Smith, 102). However there are important distinctions between the two that prove that they are indeed different.One important distinction to make between technological momentum and soft determinism is that Hughes’s technological momentum is time dependent and takes into account the multitude of changes that a technological system undergoes during its lifetime. Hughes emphasizes that a young or less complex system will be influenced more by society than influence society, which maintains the social constructivist’s view that it is primarily society that influences technology and technological change within the system.Ultimately, technological momentum and soft determinism are not two concepts referring to the same idea because of the emphasis Hughes puts on time and the maturity of the technological system, and how that pl ays a role in whether it’s technologically deterministic or socially constructed. In his essay Technological Momentum, Hughes uses examples of various technological systems to help support his claims. His example for a system that both shaped and was shaped by society is EBASCO. The Electric Bond and Share Company (EBASCO) was an American electric utility holding company of the 1920’s.EBASCO provided financial, management, and engineering construction services for the utility companies. There are multiple instances of social construction within EBASCO’s history. Hughes begins illustrating the social constructivism side of the spectrum by showing the technological forces that helped shape the EBASCO system. â€Å"The spread of alternating (polyphase) current after 1900, for instance, greatly affected, even determined, the history of the early utilities that had used direct current, for these had to change their generators and related equipment to alternating cur rent or fail in the face of competition. Smith, 106-107)† This example demonstrates how EBASCO was technologically influenced by society. If the new alternating current technology hadn’t been gaining popularity at the time, EBASCO wouldn’t have been forced to change their equipment to keep up with the competition. Not only did external technological forces shape EBASCO’s technical core, but economic ones did as well. Hughes points out the political forces that shaped the EBASCO system during its evolution. â€Å"Small urban utilities became regional ones and then faced new political or regulatory forces as state governments took over jurisdiction from the cities.Regulations also caused technical changes (Smith, 107). † This political influence shaped the EBASCO system as well. As the state governments took over they implemented guidelines that pushed for changes within the EBASCO system if they wished to stay in business. In addition to political an d technical influences, Hughes uses an example of geographical forces playing a role in EBASCO’s development. He states â€Å"As the regional utilities of the EBASCO system expanded, the confronted geographical realities as they sought cooling water, hydroelectric sites, and mine-mouth locations (Smith, 107). Hughes would say that these geographical issues played a role in EBASCO’s development as they had to discover a way to work around some forms of geography and while learning the most efficient means to utilize the other. Hughes would say that from a social constructivists’ standpoint, these technological, economic, political, and geographic forces all, with varying levels of intensity, influenced the EBASCO system during its development. While all of these social components did influence EBASO over time, Hughes claims that â€Å"the interaction of technological systems and society is not symmetrical over time (Smith, 108). Here, Hughes emphasizes his clai m that as a system becomes larger and more complex, it gathers momentum and becomes less shaped by and more the shaper of its environment. By the 1920’s the EBASCO system was now a large technological system with capital investment, customers, and influence on local, state, and federal governments. The company also largely interacted with many industries and communities. Hughes claims that these various components added to the momentum of the EBASCO system. Hughes also uses an example of another technological system in his essay to show the role of technological determinism.As merchant ships began to be replaced by submarines during World War I, the United States attempted to increase its supply of nitrogen compounds. They selected a process that required large amounts of electricity so the government had to construct a hydroelectric dam and power station. However, before the nitrogen-fixing facilities being built near the dam were completed, the war ended. Now, the supply of synthetic nitrogen compounds exceeded the demand. The U. S. government was left not only with process facilities but also a very large dam and power plant (Smith, pg 110).In 1933, however, a hydroelectric, flood-control, soil- reclamation, and regional development project sponsored by Senator George Norris and the Roosevelt administration and presided over by the Tennessee Valley Authority became created. The technological momentum of the dam had carried over from WWI to the New Deal (Smith, pg 111). Hughes views this process of creating a technological system and observing it go beyond its original purpose and going on to shape the society in which it resides as a prime example of technological determinism.Hughes sums up the technological determinism present in the hydroelectric dam example by stating that â€Å"this durable artifact acted over time like a magnetic field attracting plans and projects suited to its characteristics. Systems of artifacts are not neutral forces; they tend to shape the environment in particular ways (Smith, pg 111). † In his essay, Hughes has some claims about when social constructivism would be the dominant influence and when technological determinism would be the stronger influence.Hughes’s idea of technological momentum can be described as a spectrum that determines the way a technological system is manipulated. On one end you have social constructivism. On this end Hughes claims that younger developing systems tend to be on this end of the spectrum because they are more open to sociocultural influence. On the other end of the spectrum lies technological determinism. Hughes claims that technological systems that are technologically deterministic tend to be the more mature systems because they are older and prove to be more independent of outside influences and therefore more deterministic in nature.By defining technological momentum as being time dependent Hughes maintains that the concept of technological moment um avoids the â€Å"extremism of both technological determinism and social construction by presenting a more complex, flexible, time-dependent, and persuasive explanation of technological change (Smith, 104). † One objection to my claim might be the fact that just because soft determinism doesn’t explicitly address time doesn’t mean that it doesn’t consider time because it would be difficult for a technological system to be socially constructed and technologically deterministic at the same time.My response would be that while it may be assumed that only one action can be done at a given time, it is not specifically stated in the description. The idea of technological momentum looks at time within the context of the maturity of the technological system. Soft determinism looks solely at whether a system can be both socially constructed and technologically deterministic, but not how this may change overtime due to the maturity of the system and the momentum it has gained.In conclusion, Hughes explains his idea of technological momentum by placing it on a spectrum with social constructivism on one end and technological determinism on the other. Technol ogical momentum is related to soft determinism because of the effect society has on society and the effect that technology has on that society. However, it is important to make an important distinction regarding time. Hughes’s technological determinism is time dependent so it is sensitive to society, culture, and the changes that occur to a technological system as it matures.

Molson Canadian Beer to China Essay

This paper will analyze a products potential to enter a foreign market. The product, Molson Canadian, is a well known and reputable Canadian beer with a rich history. For our purposes, we have attempted to formulate a plan for Molson Canadian to enter the Chinese beer market. Utilizing empirical data, statistics and research on the Chinese beer market, we have gathered significant information regarding entry into this market. After analyzing China as a country, their beer market and relevant business information, we developed an effective way for Molson Canadian to be introduced into the Chinese market. In addition, we have highlighted some potential opportunities and threats associated with this plan, thereby rationalizing the entry mode we have chosen. After all the information was presented, we concluded that the most effective way to introduce Molson Canadian to the Chinese market was to export the product, utilizing distributor and import contacts to have the beer sold at on-trade sites such as upscale bars and eateries. The following information provided explains our direction and reinforces our decision to enter the market in this fashion. Introduction. The beer brand Molson is one of Canada’s oldest consumer brand names and one of North America’s oldest brands. John Molson established Canada’s oldest brewery in 1786 near the St. Lawrence River in Montreal, Quebec. The Molson company has a range of beer selection including: Molson Canadian, a lager beer containing 5% of alcohol per volume, Molson Canadian Light contains about 2% of alc/vol, Molson Canadian 6. 0 Cold Shots (6% of alc/vol), Molson Canadian Sub Zero (it can served at temperatures below freezing through innovative technology) and its new Molson Canadian 67 (contains only 67 calories). Along with the Molson brand of beverages, Molson also owns the rights to other brands such as the various Rickards brands as well as distribution rights of popular imports such as Heineken from Holland. Molson Canadian is the company’s signature beer, using freshwater from Canadian lakes and the best quality barley in the recipe. Molson’s brewing methods do not utilize preservatives in order to maintain crisp, clean and fresh taste. Instead, they use traditional best methods along with skilled brew masters to ensure best quality from suppliers to retailers. As a result, Molson has received numerous awards in the past, including the gold for â€Å"North American Style Lager† in 2008. In 2005 Molson Brewery merged in equal parts with American brewing company Coors, forming the Molson Coors Brewing Company. The purpose of this report is to introduce a marketing plan for Molson to enter the Chinese consumer market. The main objective is to analyze and determine possible ways to successfully distribute Molson’s signature beer (Molson Canadian) to the Chinese consumer market. The next sections provide country and business analysis as well as the marketing mix in order to construct an effective and efficient marketing plan. Also, an action plan will be prepared to consider implementation of strategies and their associated budgets. Country Analysis China is located in eastern Asia and is the fourth largest country in the world. It borders a number of countries including Vietnam, North Korea, India and Pakistan. China also has the largest population in the world with more than 1. 3 billion (1,338,612,968) people. China also has several languages and dialects spoken throughout the country, but the major ones are mandarin and Cantonese. (CIA Fact book 2010) China is a communist state, however in the last 30 years the nation has gradually changed from a centrally planned economy to a more market oriented economy. This transition has benefited China because it opened its’ boarders to international trade, increasing the countries import/export figures dramatically over the years. In addition, the more open economic system allowed for an influx of foreign direct investment into the country. China’s rampant growth in the past 30 years is evident in the country’s economic statistics. 2009 country GDP numbers place China as 3rd overall worldwide in total GDP with $8. 791 Trillion (US$), only second to the European Union and the United States. (CIA Fact book 2010) This figure can be put into perspective however when analyzing GDP per capita where China places 128th worldwide with only $6,500 (US$), a figure which has been improving throughout the years. Although china is one of the fastest developing countries in the world, its’ government still faces several challenges including reducing corruption, sustaining adequate job growth rates and environmental concerns such as pollution. In addition, China has long been perceived by other nations as a country not up code regarding certain policies such as human rights and intellectual property rights. However, their inclusion into the World Trade Organization in 2001 has vastly improved their global standing and many joint and domestic initiatives have been undertaken to improve the perception of China globally. Rationale for Choosing China There were several key reasons for choosing China as our target market. China’s vast population was an influence because it provided a large potential consumer base. Another reason is the large demand for beer which continues to grow as middle and upper class income levels continue to rise in the country (Datamonitor 2004). In addition, several international beer brands have not managed to effectively penetrate the Chinese market. Therefore, if an international beer company in china survives an initial tough few years, it has the potential to make significant profits going forward. The beer industry in China will be analyzed in more detail in the following sections. Other important reasons for the selection of China was that its’ healthy trade relations with Canada throughout the years. China is Canada’s 2nd largest trading partner, only second to the United States of America with bilateral trade between China and Canada reaching over $50 billion(CAN) in 2009 (Statscan, 2010). Finally, notion that China is the fastest growing nation in the world and is predicted to be the world’s largest economy by 2025 had a significant impact on our selection. (Foreign affairs and international trade Canada, 2005) (See Appendix A) Environment of the Beer Industry in China â€Å"China is one of the world’s largest alcohol producers in the world and in the next few years it is expected to go surpass the United States as the largest alcohol producer in the world† (Newman, Ian 2006). China has a very large beer market worth around $6. 154 billion (USD$) and produced more than 26,244 million litres in 2004 (Datamonitor 2004). Both of these figures are significant increases from the previous year 2003. For the majority of brewers around the world, the Chinese beer market is too large to ignore and at times, too hard to grasp because of its complicity. China is viewed as the next big opportunity in the beer industry because its large population and its high economic growth is unmatchable elsewhere. However, many international brewers have failed to penetrate the Chinese beer market. This could be due to unfamiliar market dynamics and the presence of too many domestic beer brands in the Chinese market. Although many international brands have failed, some like SAB Miller have succeeded. It is believed that focus on quality brands and long term entry plans were contributors to the success companies like SAB Miller have had in the Chinese market. Some of the leading brewers in China include Tsingato brewery, SAB Miller, Fosters Group Limited and Noble China Inc. (Datamonitor 2004) Threats and Opportunities Having looked at the general environment of the beer industry in China, our focus will now shift to the threats and opportunities in the market. First, one of the main threats is the other large beer companies and breweries that we are going to be competing with, both domestic and international. Chinese domestic beer accounts for a large percentage of consumption in the country, and as an international product, we will be facing stiff competition from other international companies already present in the market. A less concerning threat is that the older demographics in China prefer to drink more wine than they do beer. This however is contrasted by the increasing popularity of beer in the nation. The biggest opportunity is the fact that the China has largest population in the world and also that it is the world’s fastest growing country. Another opportunity is that there is steady growth rate predicted in the next few years for the beer industry (Datamonitor 2004). Another key opportunity is that Chinese consumer’s value taste and reputation in their beverage products, we believe that Molson Canadian can cater to this need with our product implementation. (Industry Digest, 2005) On the technological side, the Chinese market has several domestic brewing companies in the nation. This could be very useful because the technology to produce beer in China is readily available. On the negative side, China incorporates strict restrictions on content through various media. For example, internet censorship is common in the nation, leaving marketers with limited when choosing which type of media to use for marketing purposes (Human Rights Watch, 2006). Socially, alcohol plays an important role in Chinese tradition and Chinese society as a whole. Alcohol is used in a lot of Chinese traditional festivals and celebrations, as well as it is also a very important part of Chinese religions. Alcohol can also be found in traditional Chinese medication and also used for cooking (Newman, Ian 2006). Market Buyer Characteristics Many of the beer buyer characteristics in the Chinese market are similar to those of Canada. First, gender plays a large role in that the majority of beer consumers are males. However, the female segment of the market has steadily continued to increase as china develops further, mainly due to increased spending power of Chinese women. However, this gender bias cannot be overlooked as the female segment of the buyers is very important because in some major cities like Beijing, women make up to around 30% of beer drinkers in the city. Most of the buyers of beer in china are between the age groups of 25 to 44, similar to the demographics found in Canada (Industry Digest, 2005). Another important aspect about buyer behaviour in China is that it varies according to the region or province. The same applies for the beer market in China, for example people from the southern regions of China drink more beer at bars an pubs and banquets whereas people in the northern regions are more likely to drink beer while dining because they believe that it ads flavour to their dining. Also in the south of China the climate is very hot so casual drinking as a means to cool down is common similar to Canada in the summer months. (Industry Digest, 2005) Furthermore, reasons why people buy beer in China are important aspect for marketers. For consumers in China, value and good taste are important characteristics that consumers tend to look for. These qualities of beer products precede the importance of other factors such as price and brand reputation. Brand loyalty to domestic brands is more common in certain locations such as Beijing, but brand loyalty overall in general is not a decisive factor for many consumers in the Chinese beer industry. â€Å"People between the ages of 16 to 44 who live in Guangzhou and shanghai, switch brands on a regular basis† (Industry Digest, 2005). Selection of and Rationale for Chosen Mode of Entry into the Target Country The entry mode that we have chosen for entering into China will be exporting through an import contact that will then use local distributors to sell our product. The reason that we have selected this option is that although there is a huge potential for companies to succeed in the Chinese beer market, there are still many risks of doing business in China. By choosing exporting as our first step, it allows us to reduce financial and investment risks. Many studies have shown that having a good relationship with the Chinese government and business owners is a significantly important factor for foreign companies to success in China (Owen, 2010). Therefore, before moving into further actions such as partnerships and joint ventures, we want to have Molson establish a good working relationship with the Chinese government. At the same time, this entry mode will also give Molson ample time to develop the relationship with potential Chinese partners, as well as get better understanding about the government regulations for foreign ownership of land & building resources. Last but not least, comparing this mode of entry to partnerships and joint ventures, exporting requires less finical investment. For example, Molson does not need to build factories or set up mass manufacturing operations right away which will save a significant amount of money right from the get go. In addition, if anything goes wrong initially, this entry mode allows us to withdraw the business from China much easier than if we had already established manufacturing operations in the country. Objectives. Due to the risks that beer companies are facing in expanding into the Chinese market, Molson Canadian wants to move slowly into the Chinese market. In other words, the company wants to test the environment first and then take the necessary steps to further the expansion process. First of all, Molson Canadian will establish the mode of entry which is the exporting strategy, and then the company will choose a well known Chinese beer company such as Tsingtao as our distributor, because this will reduce the uncertainties. While working with Tsingtao, Molson Canadian wants to ensure distribution networks are reaching desired locations for sale of product and look for other possible distributors and partners as well in order to get it prepared for our future development purposes such as joint ventures or partnerships. The next objective that we suggest is gathering forecasting information for potential future margin and feedback from consumers. This step will help us to make sure if the Chinese market is really worth to investing in and develop strong indicators to our customers’ preferences, in order to better serve our customers. During this stage, Molson Canadian will also be able to get more familiarized about the Chinese regulations related to the beer companies, especially for foreign companies. After the completion of this stage, the company will be able to develop plans for future operations based on the information that it has collected from before. If the information does not support the expansion, then Molson Canadian should stop developing, and possibly withdraw the business from China. If everything goes well, the company will pick the right distributors and partners that have been evaluated before to start the joint ventures or partnerships with local Chinese companies. The reason that we decided to do joint ventures or partnership eventually is that based on information from the Euromonitor International, which states by doing a joint venture it will allow foreign companies to gain local market knowledge â€Å"These joint ventures should provide foreign companies with a necessary foothold in the market which can, in the future, be exploited by their own products† (Euromonitor International, 2004). The last objective is to work towards generating steadily increasing profits in the future, which will be in more details in our action plan. Limitations There are also limitations that could affect Molson Canadians entry into the Chinese market. As we mentioned before, the uncertainty of the Chinese market is a huge concern. First of all, the government regulations and standards are different from what we have seen in the North American market. Based on the article written by Owen, issues included the â€Å" Chinese top-down approach to standards and conformance, Openness and transparency, Low confidence in private-sector standards setting and conformity assessment, and Inconsistent implementation creates uncertainty†(Owen, 2010) are all the concerns that Molson needs to pay attention. The second uncertainty is that the intense competition will be created by both local and foreign beers companies in the crowded industry. As represented by Euromonitor International, there are several foreign breweries doing business in this market now. Many of which have found that the market is more difficult to operate than they expected before entering the Chinese market. Problems included comparatively high production costs and a fragmented market, combined with oversupply, has caused a market slowdown which led many companies to cut their prices. Many of the companies have already chosen to exit the market and cut their losses (Euromonitor International, 2004). Criteria In terms of the time frame, we estimated that will take one year to complete the objectives from 1 to 3, which is also considered to be our primary expansion. As mentioned above this includes the establishment of the entry mode- exporting, develop appropriate distribution networks, and collecting forecasting information and feedback from consumers. The secondary expansion includes the envelopment future operating plans such as joint ventures or partnerships; after everything has been created our final goal will be work towards generating steadily increasing profits in the future. We estimated that will take 1 or 2 years to finish framing the joint venture or partnership structure. Segmentation For our segmentation we decided to focus on 5 main demographic criteria’s. We obtained basic secondary data based on the past buying patterns of Chinese and other Asian consumers. From that data, we sorted and decided upon with segments of the market we would test for. We based the selection of the criteria on hypothesis testing and concluded that only traits that that appeared consistently within two standard deviations (95%) of each segment’s sample would be counted; these demographics being on age, region, ethnicity, financial capacity and lifestyle within the 18 – 45 age range. For this analysis we have ranked them in order of popularity and difference in cost relative to other premium beers; from this analysis we have distilled this ranking system. * Molson Canadian Subzero is loved for its flash and fancy appeal * Molson Canadian Lager is popular for its strong distinct flavour * Molson Canadian Light beer is popular for its smoother taste and lack of a strong after taste * Lastly Molson Canadian ‘67 is the least preferred. This is due to the misconception that diet beers are more diluted than regular beers and that consumers are getting less for their money. From our demographic analysis of Chinese consumers of a certain demographic tend to prefer certain tastes to be present in their alcohol and while these preferences are not as potent in affecting purchase decisions as they would be in north America, never the less they are significant to warrant analysis and attention. Characteristic| Characteristic Related| Price| Westernized | Stronger Alcohol| More expensive| Traditional| Smoother Alcohol| Less Expensive| Sichuan | Stronger Alcohol| Less expensive| Han| Smoother Alcohol| Less expensive|. Tibetan| Stronger Alcohol| Less expensive| Southern| Smoother Alcohol| Less expensive| Northern| Stronger Alcohol| More expensive| Old | Stronger Alcohol| average| Young| Smoother Alcohol| Less expensive| (Data Extrapolated from China’s beer consumption and Barley imports) From our analysis we can conclude that as you move up north and become more westernized the taste for alcohol becomes steadily stronger and that people value alcohol more. We have found that there are many cultural factors that the affect the purchasing characteristics of each segment. Age: Age is a significant factor when incorporating this model, with younger generations preferring relatively cheaper products than the older generation. As China’s socialistic society progress, legislation has greatly altered the spending habits of consumers. Such like the 1 child policy has left a significantly smaller working force to support the country. With most average working couples supporting 3 generations simultaneously (Adams, 2008), this can impact greatly on the decisions regarding the purchase of the luxury items such as premium foreign beer. Region: In regards to region, there are smaller difference in the tastes and spending habits of northerners vs. southerners. While the South has a higher pay-grade than those of the north, historically the south has always been a more crowded and competitive place (Trent, 2009). Thus those living there adapt to have a more conservative outlook in regards to consumption and purchases. Contrary, while the average northerner earns significantly less money they are more likely to spend extra for what they want (Trent, 2009). Also cities along the coast tend to adopt more western ideals than those located on the interior of China. Ethnicity: While china’s population is 87% Han (Doan, 2008) there is a small population of minorities that also live in china. Though living in the same country this minority have significantly different tastes from your average Chinese. These Minorities include Tibetans, Wiggers and Manchus. Lifestyle: Since China has opened its doors to international products and cultures, there have been many Chinese that have adopted a more western-lifestyle. With Western styles often come more western tastes (Qingbin et at, 1998), in contrast to the smoother taste western-styled Chinese prefer a stronger tasting alcohol. Marketing Mix This section presents strategic alternatives that Molson Canadian should take into consideration, recommendation of the suitable alternative and implementation of marketing plan through the use of the controllable elements of marketing mix. Strategic Alternatives There are two strategic alternatives that Molson Canadian can use to expand its beer brand to Chinese consumer market. Molson Canadian can expand its beer brand to Chinese consumer market by exporting its product line on trade or off trade. Alternative 1: The first alternative for Molson Canadian is to export its product line on trade, meaning that their target locations for sale are establishments which serve alcohol. For our product, we want to target specifically high end restaurants, pubs and bars. High end restaurants, pubs and bars would offer high quality products; therefore the best quality beer would also be expected from customers. One of the main strengths of Molson Canadian is that they utilize high quality ingredients as well as a team of brew masters that make sure the beer follows the high quality standards, qualities that Chinese consumers would be drawn to. Additional strengths of Molson Canadian is that it offers product differentiation such as best quality barley and no use of preservatives for its production. Also, the products country image is perceived as good quality product since it is North American which means that the products symbolize Western civilization, status and modernity (Zhou & Hui, 2003). A weakness that should be taken into account is that Molson Canadian is not well known in the Chinese market, so it may be difficult to find consumers initially. However, opportunities in Chinese alcohol industry should be considered regarding this matter. For instance, an opportunity encountered is that there is an increasing demand for better tasting and premium products, meaning that premium beer sales will be more likely to increase in upcoming years (Euromonitor International, 2010). Also, another significant opportunity is that as consumers’ disposable incomes increase, consumers will be able to spend on leisure time such as going out to pubs and bars. In fact, there is a strong development of the consumer foodservice market, as well as, an increase of premium beer in forecasted years which accounts for 70% of total value growth from 2008 to 2013 in local currency (Euromonitor International, 2009). In addition to the above points, Chinese consumers are not price sensitive regarding on-trade places, indicating that premium and standard beer will become popular among the consumers (Euromonitor International, 2009). Lastly, a major threat towards this alternative is that the rise of prices for materials such as oil and energy can affect transportation cost. The National Development and Reform Commission (NRDC) had reported a price increase of RMB 1,000 per tonne for oil which is approximately equivalent to US$ 170 in 2008 (Euromonitor International, 2009). This means that there will be a need for adjustments in terms of price of beer to circumvent export costs to China. Alternative 2: The second alternative for Molson Canadian to export in China is to sell its product off trade. For this alternative, Molson Canadian beer should be sold in small grocery stores and/or hypermarkets. In order to better analyze this alternative for better profitability of the company, a mini SWOT analysis should be established. A major strength for this company is that the beer could be sold as standard lager beer to Chinese market with product differentiation. For example, the beer could be differentiated towards its high quality ingredients used in the production such as barley and hops and its high quality control standards. A weakness encountered in this option is that Molson Canadian is not a well known beer brand among Chinese market. An opportunity for selling Molson Canadian beer off trade is that this is main channel of sales accounting for 68% of volume sales in 2008 (Euromonitor International, 2009). Also, small independent grocery stores in rural areas account for 66% of total volume sales in 2008 (Euromonitor International, 2009). However, threats should also be taken into account for this alternative. A major threat there is high competitive market between domestic and foreign beer brands. In fact, the three top companies China Resources Enterprise Co Ltd, Tsingtao Brewery Co Ltd and Beijing Yanjing Brewing Corp accounted for 41% of total volume sales in 2007 (Euromonitor International, 2009). There are also two leading international companies participating in Chinese beer market which are InBev and Anheuser-Busch. Another threat encountered is that consumers are price sensitive towards beer in off trade channels as they have a range of beer selection as well as prices that differ from different brands issues (Euromonitor International, 2009). Recommendation. The best alternative for Molson Canadian is to target on-trade businesses, especially high end restaurants, pubs and bars. The main criterion for choosing this alternative was based on willingness to pay for high priced product. Also, Molson Canadian should consider the high competition with domestic and foreign beer brands in off-trade markets. In order to reach Chinese consumers, we have weighed the pros and cons of this alternative and believe that Molson Canadian would have the best chance for success by initially focusing on selling to high end restaurants, pubs, bars and so on. The first reason for this chosen alternative is that customers will pay for high quality at any price. The customers will pay for a product that provides better taste, healthier and premium packaged products (Euromonitor International, 2010) since their disposable income allows buying better quality products. In fact, according to China Alcoholic Association, beer volume production has increased 6 % in the first half of 2009 (Euromonitor International, 2010). Also, when beer is sold in high end restaurants, its price will be set much higher price than at grocery stores, so Molson Canadian can generate profit using this method. According to Euromonitor International (2010), standard and premium beer account for only 10% of total sales volume, but generate around 50% of total profits in China’s beer sector. One of downsides towards marketing on-trade is that it may be difficult to break into the market since Molson Canadian is not recognized publicly in China. Also, Molson Canadian may face fierce competition in Chinese on-trade markets. For example, Budweiser, Heineken, Tiger, and Carlsberg are the main multinationals that have majority of the premium beer sales on trade. This alternative is preferable to the other option since it provides the means to generate long term profit and on-trade customers will favour buying high quality product as their preferences change. Another reason for choosing this alternative other than off-trade is that grocery stores will offer a variety of beer brands that are cheaper and domestic Chinese brands, therefore consumers will have more general knowledge of the products available to them. Once the strategic alternative is implemented, there will be opportunities and challenges that should be relevant to Molson Canadian. A potential opportunity for Molson Canadian is to introduce Molson Canadian 67 which is a type of beer that contains only 67 calories. This is a significant advantage for this company since Chinese people are becoming more concerned about their health and wellness. In terms of challenges that Molson Canadian may face is that there will be competition within foreign beer brands such as Heineken that could affect Molson Canadian’s profitability. Implementation In order to execute the marketing strategy of exporting Molson Canadian beer to Chinese market in high end restaurants, pubs and bars, the company should consider the 4P’s of the marketing mix. First, the product provided is Molson Canadian lager beer by Molson Coors Brewing Company which is a high quality Canadian brand which Molson Coors will be able to sell its beer as premium brand because of it offers clean, crisp and fresh taste as well as the no use of preservatives. The price for Molson Canadian beer lager is planned to be high since most of target market in China is represented by medium to high income consumers. Consumers in high end restaurants, pubs and bars will able to buy a bottle of Molson Canadian lager beer for more than 20RMB or $3US(Eumonitor International, 2009) since high end restaurants will place their price three times its market price. For the promotional aspect of our product, Molson Canadian attempt to use practices similar to those found in the North American markets. The use of commercials and posters display the refreshing qualities of a Canadian lager beer will be a major focus of the promotional ads. However, unlike the Canadian and American markets where beer commercials incorporate sexual messages to sell their products, ads in China will mirror those of beverage companies already operating in the country. To do this, the sexual appeal found in North American type commercials will be replaced with the quintessential Chinese humor found very often in Chinese advertisements. In addition, another promotional campaign will be launched in China based on the current public relations department knowledge of Molson Coors regarding drinking and driving programs. This program will be shared with the government of China to increase awareness since drink driving is one of major factor causing traffic accidents. In fact,† according to the Ministry of Public Security, the number of road traffic accidents reached 107,193 during the first half of 2009, with the number of fatalities and injuries reaching 29,866 and 128,336 respectively† (Euromonitor International, 2010). This promotional tool will be helpful to reduce barriers that the government may place for Molson Canadian. Finally, another way to promote the beer brand is to provide an event marketing strategy since ‘international sporting, economic and cultural events are strong drivers for beer consumption† (All China Marketing research, 2008). For instance, Molson Canadian can potentially sponsor the 16th Asian Games in China which is taking place from November 12th to 27th, 2010 (Guangzhou Asian Games Organising Committee ,2010). Therefore, this sponsorship will bring brand awareness. Molson Canadian may have a backup plan if the sponsorship does not work out through donating a certain amount of money to the Asian Games event so then there will be also the brand name out there for consumers. A last marketing mix factor is place which could be achieved by utilizing the same distributors of Coors Light to d.