Communications Character Conflict Essay Essay

â€Å"I can’t believe you, all your gifts, all your powers, and you.. you squander them for your own personal gain. (Hal Stewart) ‘Yes! (Megamind) ‘No! I’m the villain! † this is the main conflict between characters’ Megamind and Hal Stewart in the hit motion picture Megamind. Megamind defeats the cities beloved super hero â€Å"Metro Man†, they had been enemies since grade school and Megamind has always been the bad guy causing trouble and Metro Man was always saving the day and the people from the evils of Megeminds treachery. But soon after this deafeat Megamind realizes he misses the way things used to be, there was no more excitement and rush of being the villain in an epic good vs. evil battle. So, Megamind has devised a way that he can give any normal human being all the gifts and powers that Metro Man himself possessed. He settles on a young man named Hal Stewart, a cameraman for a news station, which he filmed the news girl who he claimed to be in love with, but everyone thought she was with Metro Man because he was always saving her. So Megamind gives Hal all the super powers, and gives him a new identity of â€Å"Titan†. However, to Megminds Dismay, Hal starts abusing his powers and begins stealing from banks, and using his powers to get equipment, video games etc.. This is a great example of unproductive conflict. Instead of creating a new evil versus good scenario with Hal or â€Å"Titan†, Hal just commandeers the whole city and puts them all at his mercy. It has many negative impacts the two characters, their relationship, and the situation. The aggression between them and the situation in general becomes increases greatly and turns even hostile because of the flaws in their communication. Megamind has certain qualities about the way he communicates that it often gets him into trouble. In fact pretty much every idea he comes up with in the process, he always seems to get either seriously injured, or suffers in some other way, all because of his communicational handicap. Some of the functions of communication Megamind uses, is he begins a relationship with a character named Hal Stewart to achieve a specific goal premeditated so he could accomplish what he wished to have done. What he wanted done was to turn Hal into a super hero and give him all the powers that the late Metro Man possessed, so that he could resume his role as the villain once again, since he defeated the last super hero he longed for the epic battle of â€Å"Good vs. Evil. † First of all, Hal isn’t the brightest pick to turn someone into a super hero, but Megamind is determined he is the perfect pick after a misunderstood first impression of Hal. Megaminds best friend even shows in many ways, he does not approve of Hal as being the one who has the traits of being a good super hero, most of the ways non verbal. Megamind even changes his own identity as Hal’s â€Å"Space Dad†, for the purpose of guiding Hal into fulfilling his destiny as the city’s new found super hero â€Å"Titan†. So Megamind actually is affecting the situation and their relationship as two different important character’s in Hal’s life and will play play big parts in his decisions. Hal Stewart, aka â€Å"Titan† aka â€Å"Cameraman†, is a very interesting character because of how he expresses his own communicational traits, it is entertaining. His perception of what a â€Å"super hero† means, and what sort of privileges or advantages he believes comes with being â€Å"Titan† are affected by the culture he lives in. Some of his expectations, the most important towards the story and the one that makes the most dramatic influence is; the super hero always gets the girl. This thinking of Hal’s is a mindlessness perception and also selective perception of how he sees a super hero. Obviously he does not get the girl he claims he’s in love with, because the thing he is mindlessness about is that just because you can fly and have huge muscles doesn’t mean you will always get girl, its about what’s underneath, not on the surface, which I believe is the lesson â€Å"Life† is trying to teach him. Another misperception he has is what should be accomplished with the incredible new â€Å"gifts† that he has recently required. Instead of catching bad guys, and making sure justice stands within the city and her people, Hal actually robs banks, and other equipment, video games etc.. nd is determined that the powers mean â€Å"get rich, and get rich quick†. These are all things that Megamind does not anticipate before hand and turns into being the exact opposite of what he wanted, all because Hal’s misunderstanding, and the communicational barriers of Megamind. Although, there isn’t a whole lot of competent communicati on going on with Megamind and Hal, in the end he still gets an incredibly large amount accomplished. The things that were bigger then even his beloved epic good vs. evil battles. He grew in more important ways, he grew as a specimen, and became a happier person, which ultimately should be eternal goal of communication and the functions and steps that are not only necessary and basically impossible to accomplish anything without them, competent or incompetent, things still move forward and things get done. In the end Megamind finds his true purpose and a higher purpose, along the way falling in love and discovering a more meaningful life all thanks to communication, and the culture which helps him perceive and judge.

Alice in Wonderland Essay

Alice in Wonderland is a very imaginative book written mainly for children, but adults can also enjoy it. The big theme through the whole book is growth and how people change from being a kid to eventually growing into an adult. The whole mystery of not knowing who you are and being confused about your position in life. The biggest example of growing is when Alice eats the cake and that makes her grow larger, and when she drinks the liquid that makes her shrink. The point when she starts to wonder about her identity is when she starts to think about home and where she really is. Another point is when people ask her who she is and she is not able to explain herself. Growth is definitely one of the biggest themes in Alice in Wonderland. The book tells about how Alice goes through many different experiences with all the different characters. The first sign of growth is when Alice needs to shrink down because she wants to go through the little door into the garden. She realizes that she left the key on the big table so she eats the cake to grow bigger again to get it. She then grows too big which foreshadows that there will be more confusion when it comes to size and how big Alice is supposed to be throughout the story. â€Å"Well, I’ll eat it, and if it makes me grow smaller, I can creep under the door; so either way I’ll get into to the garden† (p. 19). This shows that she’s not very sure about which size she should be while she’s in Wonderland and that she doesn’t understand what is happening around her as she only focuses on getting into the garden that looks beautiful from outside the door. The big moment when Alice understands that she doesn’t know who she is anymore is when she meets the Caterpillar. The Caterpillar asks her who she is and she can’t get herself to explain it. â€Å"I-I hardly know, sir, just at present – at least I know who I was when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then† (p. 54). Alice explains how she feels like she has lost her identity and doesn’t know if she is still the same person as when she got up the same morning. She says she can’t remember things she used to know so well For example, the rhyme she knew, â€Å"how doth the little bee†. Alice in Wonderland is a well-written story about a little girl going through an exciting experience where she grows, meets different characteristics then what she is used to and it focuses a lot on identity. Alice experiences growing when she eats the cake and drinks the potion. She doesn’t know how to explain who she is to the characters asking her which makes her very frustrated as she is used to being in control of herself. Alice goes through a big experience and learns a lot and I think she might even have got a better view of who she really is by being in Wonderland.

Mixed Marriages

Relationships of every type are faced with a wide variety of problems and challenges in any given situation. Whether it involves our coworkers, neighbors, friends or family – the dynamics are relatively similar and predictable within a common cultural framework. These dynamics become more complex where marriage is concerned and differences in personalities come to the forefront. While these issues can be challenging enough for any married couple, there are additional difficulties specific to couples in a mixed marriage.For the purpose of this paper, mixed marriage is defined as a marriage of two people from different races, religions or cultures. Different customs and cultural backgrounds can directly impact your marriage and family life, as they tend to teach different values and priorities. This is particularly true in cases where a husband and wife were raised in different parts of the world. SPECIFIC POINTS Acceptance of the mix-marriage — is a major obstacle as oft en times the families of both partners do not approve of their marriage.Mixed-marriage couples deal with unique challenges compared to traditional couples. The challenge with interracial couples is respecting each other’s race and culture. If not, this can have a ripple effect to the extended family. Social attitude and prejudices For instance, one partner’s prevalent social attitudes and common prejudices may begin to show more openly one day. â€Å"When this happens, all you can do is to maintain a good-natured attitude and have lots of patience,† Hans adds. But potential obstacles need to be clearly identified and frankly addressed before moving ahead.Nationalistic, ethnic, or social pride can also drive a wedge between otherwise loving spouses. One partner may (subconsciously) feel superior because he or she grew up in a â€Å"higher† socio-economic class than the other. Or a spouse may feel owed something for having legalized the other’s citiz enship through matrimony. Pride also raises its head when one spouse believes that the other’s culture or beliefs are inferior or strange, thereby discounting the other person’s importance in the relationship.Racial offenses – You want to avoid making any remarks including those in a joking manner. You can also simply make this clear to those around you by telling them that you will avoid interactions with someone who continues to be negative regarding your marriage. Firmly tell the person you will not spend time with anyone who expresses racist views. Interracial couples sometimes experience rejection or stress from their own families. This may occur because of traditional beliefs that people should marry of the same cultural background.Regardless of whether this is an issue in your marriage, it's still important to remember to respect the beliefs and traditions of your partner's family. Interracial relationships are much more common today. However, they can st ill bring unique challenges. Along with being aware of these four areas but also having sensitive and open communication, an interracial marriage can overcome the additional challenges. Yet it also offers plenty of opportunities for couples to learn from each other and to gain new perspectives on their lives and marriage.Communication is a key issue — The nonverbal stimuli in a communication, like body language, can also lead to wrong expression and misunderstanding by different cultures. In addition, factor for space between people, certain actions, even a sense of taste needs to be taken to consideration. Communication of symbol is also important and can represent a group’s identity — speech like what’s up, and ‘yo’ are popular in Malaysia. Non verbal communication, High context and low context communication.Communication can be one of the biggest difficulties facing interracial or intercultural couples. This can include the challenge of li terally speaking different languages. At first, couples tend to enjoy hearing another language spoken, but this can also become a point of contention when misunderstandings occur or when the â€Å"foreign† language is spoken at family gatherings. Communication also becomes an issue when it affects the way a couple solves problems. Family Structure — issues such as male dominated societies (marriage culture), differing concepts of raising children.It always makes sense to find out as much as possible about your partner’s family but it makes special sense to do so in mixed marriages – especially concerning the culture and its traditional family structures. Mixed marriages often face additional struggles and challenges in the field of parenting. Raising a child always leads to conflicts if the parents are not on the same page. We weren’t sure how to raise our kid. Whose traditions do we pass on? † â€Å"My friends here do not struggle as much a s we do.But then again, they don’t have to synchronize two different sets of cultural and religious backgrounds,† Hans concedes. The involvement of extended family members in the child-rearing process, behavioral expectations, and the question of what is considered appropriate frequently cause heated discussions between Hans and Ruba. â€Å"Interestingly enough, we have always found a compromise so far. Despite our different outlooks, it helps us to know that we both want the best for our child.It’s not easy, but we have some common ground in that. For example, I agreed that Eman should be raised as a Muslim because her faith is very important to my wife. But I didn’t want her grandparents to have too much of a say. For me, child-rearing is the parents’ responsibility – and only theirs. † Different cultural attitudes towards the respective roles of men and women in the home can play havoc with this area of the relationship unless husba nds and wives can find ways to turn conflicts into opportunities for learning and growth.Religion and Politics — Partners in mixed marriages may be supportive of each other’s religious beliefs but still often run into unexpected issues. Differences in the way people in these marriages celebrate certain holidays or have dietary restrictions are to be expected. Politics can be problematic if world view is highly polarized – ie. Convervative/Liberal/Socialist/Communist Food Culture — We often clash over specific issues, like food. It drives me crazy that she doesn’t even let me cook pork. I think our arguments have gotten worse since the birth of our daughter.As in any relationship or marriage, both partners have to be flexible and open-minded when facing unexpected arguments and issues. INFORMATION TO DRAW FROM FOR SUMMARY OR WHATEVER In the first place, it’s important to acknowledge and understand how contrasting customs and cultural backgrou nds are likely to impact your marriage and family life. The way you’re brought up is the way you’ll live unless you make a conscious choice to embrace another option. Different customs and cultures teach different values and priorities.Normally, this means that interracial or multicultural couples have a unique need to bend, flex, compromise, and accommodate to one another’s contrasting ways of looking at life. This is especially true if a husband and wife grew up in different parts of the world. â€Å"In mixed marriages, arguments may come up more often because of the different cultural backgrounds,† Ruba says. â€Å"It’s just a lot more challenging. † Clashing values – When you come from different families of origin, you will make different assumptions about how a family works. These assumptions won’t always be compatible.However, this is the case in most marriages. In an interracial relationship, there’s a good chance that at least some of these challenges will be accented, especially if you choose to have children. Comparisons – You and your partner bring unique differences to the marriage. These differences should be embraced and may likely be some of the most enriching parts of your lives. You want to discuss with your partner what you each consider most important in any traditions or cultural beliefs. 1. You both come from ends of the world, where the way of life is totally different.Yours will be a major leap of adjustments. The difference in practices about religion as well as political beliefs may have to result to one acquiescing to the other’s belief just to have a harmonious relationship. 2. Prejudice on social practices, such as sex-selective abortion, often cause early breakup of the marriage as one may not be ready to fully embrace this new-found culture you are bound to live due to marriage. 3. The language barrier often results to miscommunication and misunderstandin g that sadly leads to divorce or separation.

Week 10, 11 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Week 10, 11 - Assignment Example Its advantages are obvious as compared to disadvantages. Low cost and time saving has made it a delivery model for various business applications. Answer A. Data location is one of the security risk revealed by Gartner in textbook. Users might want to know the exact location where data is hosted. One does not know the place where cloud servers are placed, but believes that where cloud servers are located that is a safe place and no security risk is for stored information. Answer B. It is said that users have concern about data security and does not need to know where data is located. However, users of cloud computing service believe that local privacy requirements are met by authority keeping the cloud servers. Answer B: In the above figure, important concepts relevant to a Management Information System are given in a linear hierarchal way. Response management system, health information system, and sales information system are the main classes of MIS. Its services are numerous for business organizations. Answer A: Both UML and pseudo code are vital for designing and development of an online course delivery system. A UML of the online course delivery system will give graphical view of the system. Use Cases or other diagrams of UML save time for developers because system requirements are elicited very early in software development life cycle. Answer B. Pseudo code is another way of system representation in non-graphical view. It allows the developers/software engineer to specify levels of design description, which are required for each situation. Initial approach of UML is more suitable than pseudo code because it helps the software engineers throughout the life cycle of a system. It provides basic guidelines to developers for system designing and development. Answer A: A class diagram is mostly used by developers. This diagram is core for system designing and development. Objects and

Case study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 21

Case Study Example Taking more than two tasks makes one ineffective (Drucker 2). According to (Drucker 3), knowledge becomes useful after being translated into action. However, one has to write the course of action before taking the action. An action plan only states the intentions and not a commitment. This has to be revised often since every success or failure brings about new opportunities. In addition, there are other changes in the business setting which require revision of the plan. Action is also important, as it is the basis for one’s time management. One should make a decision, which is considered complete, if one has taken full responsibility of the decision. The name of the person executing it, the deadline, name of the individuals who will be affected by the action and the person who will be informed of the decision have to be clear, in order to ensure responsibility. Decisions are made in all levels of organisational management. Even in low levels, decisions are vital and should not be overlooked (Drucker 4). For one to be an effective leader, he should ensure that both their plans and their need for information are understood. Thus, they ought to share their plans and ask for the opinion of their co-workers. They should also let everybody get the information that they need to perform their duty (Drucker 5). Effective leaders centre on opportunities instead of issues. This is because problem-solving does not give a good outcome, whereas exploiting an opportunity yields better results. There are situations which a leader can take as opportunities. Some of these situations are unexpected failure or success; the difference between the reality and the potential in the market; transformation in an industry; market structure and innovation in a product, process, or service. Another vital element of focusing on opportunity is staffing. Effective executives place their best staff on opportunities instead of problems. One of the ways of doing this

AC3908 international finance environment Coursework

AC3908 international finance environment - Coursework Example The EVA methodology was implemented in order to improve resource allocation across Asahi Glass’s number of business around the world as well as to evaluate the managerial performance of top level executives (Mir and Seboui, 2008; Brown and Caylor, 2005). The case study explores the way the company calculated EVA and the weighted average cost of capital for the different business segments based in different countries (Desai, 2006). In this report we will analyze the impact of the bank based system on the company, the reforms associated with corporate governance, the barriers faced by the CEO while bringing about the reforms and lastly the implementation of the EVA methodology. Corporate governance framework constitutes of a bunch of mechanisms that are both market and institutional based which encourages the controllers of an organization to make decisions that are aimed towards maximizing the value of the shareholders. These mechanisms are meant to tackle agency problems. Normally, two basic models are utilized; control model that focuses on control from internal boards and market control that usually constitutes of independent boards, scattered ownership and policies that promotes transparency. It is however tough to determine the model that is the most appropriate one (Talamo, 2011; Handley-Schachler, Juleff and Paton, 2007; Thomsen, 2004). Corporate governance comprise of a variety of internal as well as external factors in companies such as Asahi glass. First of all, the ownership concentration in companies based in Asia is much higher than in companies based in the Western countries. This is precisely because majority of the big organizations in Asia are either family enterprises or state-owned. This results in the creation of an unequal and unfair selection system. This type of governance framework existing in organizations might have

To what extent did French avant-garde groupings in the 1880s coalesce Essay

To what extent did French avant-garde groupings in the 1880s coalesce around exhibitions - Essay Example The phrase ‘modern art’ first used by Joris-Karl Huysmans in a book title to delineate the subject matter of several paintings represented in the book in1883. The Anglo-Irish novelist, George Moore followed this in this book, ‘Modern Painting’. It was about this time that the critic Theodore Duret, who used it of certain young painters, introduced the term avant-garde (Wood 1999, pp. 7-33). Subsequently, modernity became the focal point for artists and critics, alike. How Impressionism triggered avant-garde groupings The period of 1860-1880 witnessed an undeniable transformation in the aesthetic perspective as the focus of paintings shifted to the depiction of everyday reality and fashions (Wood 1999, p. 113). Determined to present illustrations of contemporary life in both, urban and rural areas, the Impressionists pioneered this change by creating snapshots of everyday life. The war developed new urgency and hope in the progressive artists born in the 1880 s. There was unanimity amongst the generation that Europe had been endowed a second chance; Salinger 1957, 117 Wood 1999, pp. 28 Wood 1999, p. 113 thereby, a new order should be established (Hungerford 1989). Impressionism, a revolutionary movement in painting followed by music, emerged at the end of the nineteenth century in France. Impressionist paintings can be traced back to the period of 1867-1886 to a party of artists with common approaches, philosophies, and methodologies in art (Huyghe 1973, p. 90). They tried to translate their observations into the paintings by attempting to recreate the manifold and animated results of sunlight and shadows from direct and reflected light. One of the most integral development out of this style was the reproduction of objects out of discrete flecks and dabs of matching or contrasting colours to evoke the broken-hued marvels and distinguishing hued created by sunlight and its reflections (Callen 1982, p. 187). Lastly, conventional formal com positions were replaced by more casual and less artificial disposition of depicted objects. The Impressionists in portraying landscapes, houses, trees, and even urban streets employed these novel-painting techniques (Callen 2000, p. 245). As the mid 1880s approached, the Impressionists began to dissolve as every painter craved to pursue his personal aesthetic interests and principles. Nonetheless, in its short-lived existence, it categorically revolutionized art, paving the way for postimpressionist artists like Edgar Degas, Vincent van Gogh, Georges Seurat to be free from all traditional western paintings and methodologies and interpretation of subject matter. Aftermath Impressionism was the first avant-garde in art, which paved the way for contemporary or modern art. Undeniably, the impressionists motivated novel Hungerford 1989, 73 Huyghe, 1973, 90 Callen, 1982, 187 Callen, 2000, 245 approaches, perspectives, notions amongst subsequent artists (Ward 1996, p. 168). It was the resu lt of their relentless struggle and perseverance, that the Salon’s official foothold in the world of art was questioned. Undoubtedly, painters such as Monet, Renoir, Pissaro, and Degas encouraged new art movements, for instance, Post-impressionism, Fauvism, Cubism (Rewald 1978, p. 312). In 1886, following the official death of Impressionists, post-impressionism was born. Before these movements, the Impressionis

What new problems arose for the Roman Empire during the first two Essay

What new problems arose for the Roman Empire during the first two centuries A.D - Essay Example lous reign of Augustus Caesar (63 B.C- 14 A.D), the empire underwent political and economic downturn under the Julio Claudio emperors; especially at the time of Nero (A.D 54-68). A major blaze devastated Rome in A.D 64 and subsequently Christians were brutally persecuted throughout the empire. It was followed by a number of rebellions until the emergence of Flavian dynasty. Although Vespasian (A.D 69-79) the first Flavian was a good ruler, Domitian (A.D 81-96) was brutal and notably inefficient. The period between A.D. 96 and A.D161 was comparatively peaceful under the emperors Nerva (A.D 96-98), Trajan (98-117), Hadrian (117-138), and Antonius Pius (138-161) respectively. Again the Empire fell in wars against Germanic tribes during the reign of Marcus Aurelius (A.D 161-180). His son and successor Commodus (180-192) being an unfaithful ruler left the great empire to terrible civil wars. The empire was literarily fragmented under various military groups and finally occupied by 7 different dynasties since 193 A.D. In short, during the first two centuries the Roman Empire experienced numerous

Sandra Kendricks, Kickin It Apparel Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Sandra Kendricks, Kickin It Apparel - Coursework Example Assume that she decides to pay herself a 15 percent commission instead of the monthly salary of $3,000. Recalculate her projected monthly income statement based on this scenario. 3. Sandra suspects that she might be underestimating the amount of time needed to manufacture a dress. Sandra estimates that, on average, each dress will require three hours of direct labor at a cost of $1 O/hour. Assume that in reality it takes five hours to manufacture a single dress. Recalculate the economics of one unit and projected monthly income statement based on this scenario. A way for Sandra to increase her profits is by increasing the sales price of her merchandise. Two additional ways to increase profits is by lowering the cost of materials and direct labor costs per unit. Sandra could pay the minimum salary of $7.25 an hour instead of $10.00 an hour for direct labor. Sandra and Kickin’ It are not the same entity. The company could make money, but this does not mean that Sandra is better off running the company than working elsewhere. If the sum of Sandra’s salary and the net profit of the business are less than what Sandra was making working full time Sandra is not better off as a manager of the business. Sandra could go back to work full-time and hire a manager that makes $1,500 a month instead of the $3,000 a month she allocated for her salary. This way Sandra would have a full time salary and the business would generated under the original scenario $4,320. The pricing strategy the Kickin’ It Apparel is using is a penetration strategy. The company just got its first order and the pricing strategy used was to set the sales price low in order to gain market share. The firm seeks to satisfy its first customer in order to gain penetration into the fashion industry. Once the first deal goes through the company expects to gain recurrent business from that strategy. Upon further researching the fashion industry my assessment is that the

SEC 10-K Analysis Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

SEC 10-K Analysis - Essay Example The company has successfully extended its business operations all across America (1649 outlets) and Canada (11 outlets). Lowe’s, after considering the statistics provided by different relevant institutions estimated that US home improvement retailing market is worth more than $695 billion including both product demand and installed labor opportunity. However, due to the economic downturn within USA, the market size reduced by 7% in 2008. It is also estimated that the market will show some improvement in upcoming 2009 and demand will rebound in late 2010 or early 2011 once the recession is completely over. Lowe’s faces competition with other plumbing, electrical, hardware and electrical manufacturers plus suppliers and with merchandise stores, warehouses and e-businesses. Taking this into account as well tough economic conditions, Lowe’s paid special attention to adopting innovation centered approach to update its machinery by employing modernized and sophisticated technology, improving the store-outlook, productivity and efficiency within the stores by including information system s and store expansion so that it could cater customers all across USA. It must be pinpointed that better employment opportunities and subsequent increase in real personal income, growing housing sector and property ownership are the major determinants that contribute to higher sales. Unemployment rate of 5.7% and negative growth in property sector did affect the sales but the expansion policy (115 new stores in 2008 117,000-square-foot (117K) and 103,000-square-foot (103K) stores for large markets and a 94,000-square-foot (94K) store to serve smaller markets) of top management saved Lowe’s from the negative consequences because of the contribution from new stores in sales revenue that dropped by 7.2%. This reduction would have easily crossed 10-12% if this expansion policy had not been adopted. Expenses were

Cross-Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Identity Essay Example for Free

Cross-Linguistic and Cross-Cultural Identity Essay I grew up in a country whose native language is not English. But I grew up learning the English language nevertheless. In my home, we had access to English shows which I was constantly exposed to at a very young age. This is the reason why I learned English without much conscious effort. The language learning was taking place within the sub-conscious, which is the best way to learn any language: constant exposure at a very young age. Mei-Yu (1998, paragraph 2) once said that in the acquisition of oral language, â€Å"young children are active agents†, constantly refining and defining the inputs that they get from their surroundings in way that makes sense to them. Children create hypotheses about language rules, constantly filtering them through active engagement with the more competent language users in their immediate environment. Unconsciously, they learn to recognize contexts and begin acquiring fine discrimination in their use of a language. Looking back, I guess the constant exposure to the English language is the reason why I grew up knowing how to use it. There was never a conscious effort on my part to use or learn English, because it was already ingrained in my person. The people in my household knew English and spoke it on many occasions. I also had access to English books which strengthened my phonological awareness or sound-symbol relationships. This happened side by side while I was learning my mother language as well. As a child with a facility for the English language, I was subject to an excess of attention that I would not have received otherwise, had I just spoken our native tongue and nothing else. There is a prestige attached to the English language that makes people in my country take a second look and listen closely to what I have to say. They also make speculations as to whether my family is reach and if I grew up in the United States or have been travelling there on a regular basis. Such is the high stature of the English language in my country that if you speak it well enough, most people that you are rich or your family is. Growing up, my situation as a multi-lingual was even more fascinating. Perhaps it was because as I grew older, I became more aware of people’s actuations, and I am also more able to discern their motivations for why they act the way they do towards me. In my country there is a fascination for the English language because there is a fascination for the country. My people look at the United States as magical place where dreams come true, and life is generally better. To them, it seems like those who can speak the English language have greater chances of going to the United States as well. This general notion extends in every situation. That is why in every conversation where my ability to speak the English language is displayed, people seem to treat me better and pay me more attention. Sometimes, in order to avoid embarrassment, I hide my fluency in English when interacting with my community. Clearly, there is an overt favor towards those who speak the language, as if we are better than the rest of the local people. This is consistently true in all areas of endeavors, from school to social, to professional career. It is a sad situation, but true nevertheless, and I used my fluency in English and strive to make more of myself, in order to meet society’s expectations. Sometimes it can be difficult, trying to rise up to expectations, but I felt that it was my duty to do so, especially for those who sincerely believed that I could. The situation changed when I moved to the United States. If you are multi-lingual, you are regarded as ethnic, especially if your pronunciation has a very thick and recognizable accent. You will be subject to stereotyping, and in some cases, be even regarded as second class citizens. While I am not saying that everyone will react negatively to your accent or your use of your mother language, it is a reality that there are some people who will take it against you. If there is any field that multilingualism is always an advantage, and that is in the corporate world. This is especially true in the age of globalism, where most companies deal with overseas transactions. Being multilingual means that I can communicate with my colleagues, and at the same time be able to communicate with a client or supplier who speaks my mother tongue, but nothing else. Thus, I am able to bridge the communication gap and make sure that there will be no misunderstandings and conflict later on because of the language barrier. Actually, upon deeper reflection, I realize that people do not react to your multilingualism as much as they are reacting to the accent or how you speak the English language. The lesser your accent, the better people regard you. And this is true regardless or what place you are in. What we speak and how we speak, speak about our history as an individual. How we speak makes a statement towards who we are as a person. And people, for better or for worse, react to that. In an era of increasing globalization, more and more people want to learn English to make themselves more marketable and competitive. However, the value of the mother tongue should never be forgotten. Our mother language keeps our identity intact and sets us apart from the rest. Knowing English is the ship that will help us to get where we want to go, but it is our mother tongue that will be our anchor; the one that will help us find our way should we get lost. Reference Lu, Mei-Yu. (1998). Language Learning in Social and Cultural Contexts. ERIC Digest. Retrieved: April 14, 2007 from http://www. ericdigests. org/1999-2/language. htm

Pros and Cons of Affirmative Action Essay Example for Free

Pros and Cons of Affirmative Action Essay Affirmative action is a policy in which the previously disadvantaged due to discrimination receive priority.   It came to existence as a remedy toward discrimination and then became a problem all by itself according to some theorists, who are opponents to it. Supporters believe affirmative action should be adopted to provide equal employment opportunity, but facts show that it does not.   Affirmative action is a very controversial issue, which has been debated for more than thirty years.  Ã‚   Unlike discrimination, there are not so many laws against affirmative action, but opponents are indeed working on banning it wherever it is possible for them to do so. TABLE OF CONTENTS Brief Overview of Affirmative Action Origin of Affirmative Action Views of Affirmative Action People who benefit from Affirmative Action Employment and Affirmative Action Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity Legal Issues of Affirmative Action How to Stop Affirmative Action from Being Taken Pros and Cons of Affirmative Action Brief Overview of Affirmative Action   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Affirmative Action is usually defined as an active effort to improve employment or educational opportunities for members of minority groups and women or one to promote the rights or progress of other disadvantaged people. (Websters Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In practice, affirmative action is taken by giving women and people from a minority group priority.   For instance, a company has an opening for a bookkeeper.   On determining who should be hired, the company gives women and people from a minority group priority.   This could also happen with promotion: only women and people from a   minority group are likely to be promoted, and with education: women and people from a minority group have better chances of obtaining grants and scholarships that would enable them to attend college.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another way of illustrating how affirmative action is taken would be with a classroom in which some students receive a great deal of unfair punishments.   One day it is brought to the teacher’s attention that she will be dismissed unless unfair practices are stopped.   In an attempt to correct the past unacceptable behavior, the teacher starts treating those students with some kind of preference.   In the beginning this will be certainly appropriate, as those students will need to feel that they are not ill-treated anymore. Origin of Affirmative Action   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Affirmative action is believed to have come about as a remedy to the awful  discrimination that regrettably used to take place.   As a matter of   fact, according to T.H. Anderson, (2004) in 1940 discrimination was tradition and in some states it was  even law.   Sad though it might now sound to us, the most educated and  refined African-American did not have the rights the most illiterate  and indecent white individual did (p. 2). Therefore, when discrimination  became illegal in the United States, affirmative action started to  take place.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   By the mid-1970’s minorities and women were winning significant victories, which could be seen on construction sites,  exemplified by the Metro in Washington D.C.   Mayor Walter E.  Washington took a dramatic step, mandating a strong affirmative action  program in which all private companies doing business or having contracts with city hall would have to submit plans with goals to  advanced minorities and women. (J.H. Anderson, 2004, p. 142)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A valid affirmative action plan is one means of trying to undo the  effects of past illegal discrimination.   Under such a plan, an  employer makes employment decisions based on race or sex factor that  ordinarily can’t be considered, in order to restore equal opportunity  employment for groups that have faced discrimination. When a court finds that a business has discriminated and there are no  other effective means to remedy the discrimination, the court may  require the business to take affirmative action.   For example, a court  may order a company to hire one African-American employee for every two white ones hired until the company’s workforce resembles the  racial mix of the community.   (F.S. Steinhold, 2007, p. 156)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   A business may also have to set up an affirmative action plan as part  of voluntary settling a court case or the proceeding of E.E.O.C. (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission).   Any voluntary  program must meet the E.E.O.C.’s Guidelines on Affirmative Action Plans. (F.S. Steinhold, 2007, p. 156) Views of Affirmative Action   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Because it appears that originally valid plans of affirmative action became in a way corrupted or abused, there have been some opponents to it.   Affirmative action is a subject that has been debated and analyzed by philosophers, legal scholars, social scientists, politicians, journalists, editorial writers, and common citizens for three decades.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Basically, the debate has two sides: the Right and the Left.   The Right, which is totally against it, states that Affirmative action only causes people to obtain what they desire not because they deserve it, but because they belong to a group that was discriminated in the past.   According to this site, affirmative action is unmeritocratic, leads to reverse-discrimination, and is an un-American guarantee of equal results instead of equal opportunity.   The Left, which supports it, states that affirmative action is a compensation for past injustices and a guarantee of a fair share of the economic pie. (J.D. Skrentny, 1996, p. 1 2)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   To reconcile the two views, it could perhaps be said that an affirmative action plan might be proper in the beginning of a non-discriminatory period of time; women and people from minority groups should feel that they are not discriminated anymore.   On the other hand, there is no reason for this period of time to last forever.   For instance, in the United States discrimination became illegal a very long time ago, so previously discriminated people should not be given any kind of priority because of what it used to happen in the distant past.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When it became vital to take the affirmative action in the turbulent period of 1964 to 1971, a careful consideration of the cultural and historical circumstances became absolutely necessary in its debate and an explanation for why it happened was needed as well.   (Clayton Crosby, 1992, p. 2) Nowadays, more than thirty years after that period, affirmative action would simply be against logic and no explanation could possibly be given as a result.   Ã‚  Ã‚   Affirmative Action is believed to be one of the most controversial policies in the United States.   â€Å"The issues are complex, they stir strong feelings, and in the media everyone seems to have an opinion on the topic (Clayton Crosby, 1992, p. 1).   This implies that a great deal of understanding is needed.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The complexity of affirmative action as a topic is illustrated by the controversy of whether the version of the Civil Rights Act of 1991 required or prohibited quotas – George Bush’s belief versus his proponents -, the appointment of Clarence Thomas – an affirmative action beneficiary who surprisingly opposed it -, and the apparent shift in the Supreme Court. (S.D. Clayton F.J. VanDeVeer, 2000, p. 4)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Opponents of affirmative action are believed   to come from a variety of quarters: Supreme Court Justice Thomas – an African-American who opposes it – Thomas Sowell, Shelby Steele, and Glenn Lowry – African-American critics who gained national attention speaking about the policy -, and Stephen Carter – William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale University. Their reactions to affirmative action seem very intriguing. (S.D. Clayton F.J. VanDeVeer, 2000, p. 4)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Why people who benefit from affirmative action oppose to it deserves the amazement of whoever learns of the fact.   It could perhaps be interpreted that they want to be equal – neither better nor worse.     The fact that they are now granted more rights because they were once deprived of the ones they should have in the first place is likely to make them feel inferior.   In other words, their equality should be put in force and they should only obtain what they rightly deserve regardless of their background.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Affirmative action became a major issue in state courts in California and in Pennsylvania, where it was indeed claimed that its almost inevitable effect was reverse discrimination. People who benefit from Affirmative Action   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In general, belonging to a minority group is due to an inborn or inherited matter, like women, African Americans, and people from different origins.   On the other hand, there are some groups of people who willfully joined a minority group.   For instance, many people learned one religion at home and later converted to a different one.   Homosexuality and bi-sexuality is debatable: some theorists believe uncommon sexual orientations are in the genes, whereas some other ones believe they are a matter of option.   Regardless of which theorists are right, homosexual and bi-sexual people were victims of discrimination in the past and later became beneficiaries of affirmative action.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As we all know, African Americans were virtually the worst victims of discrimination.   Without any right whatsoever, people were taken from Africa and brought to America to be sold as slaves.   The awful slavery was abolished a few hundred years later, but African Americans were still unable to obtain what the average person usually could.   In the middle of the twentieth century, discrimination against African Americans became illegal and the law started to call for a total equality, and affirmative action was taken as a remedy. Employment and Affirmative Action   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Before focusing on the fact of whether or not affirmative action should be adopted to provide equal employment opportunity, we need to understand thoroughly the basic concepts or employment.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   P. K. Edwards (2003) states in his book Industrial Relations: Theory and Practice that the employment relations has two parts: market relations and managerial relations.   The former is more obvious because it covers price of labor, which embraces not only the basic wage but also hours of work, holidays and pension rights.   In this respect, labor is like any other commodity, with a price which represents the total cost of enjoying its use. Yet labor differs from all other commodities in that it is enjoyed in use and is embodied in people.   A machine in a factory is also enjoyed in use and for what it can produce.   Yet how it is used is solely up to the owner.   The ‘owner’ of labor, the employer has to persuade the worker, that is, the person in whom the labor in embodied, to work. (p. 9)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Most companies have employees nowadays, given that it simply becomes impossible for the owner to do everything all by him- or herself.   On hiring a new employee, companies have their own criteria.   We see quite often that the same employee who does not qualify for one company does for another one.   Employees are chosen based on the companies’ budget and needs.   In general, a large, profitable business is likely to choose a better skilled worker than a small business that operates at low budget.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Small businesses, which are usually constrained by the pressure of not exceeding their low budget, might also be selective in their own way.   A very unskilled person, however economical he or she might be, is likely to be of no significant assistance to the company.   As a result, the company might end up loosing money because of him or her.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When a person is to be hired by a company, it is imperative that it be done under the equal employment opportunity basis.   The best candidate should be the one taking over the position.   Failure to do so would be an unfair practice that might eventually lead to some significant problems.   F.J. Crosby and C. VanDeVeer (2000) wrote in their book Sex, Race and Merit: Often, when a problem has been identified, hiring or promotion goals are instituted. In classical affirmative action programs (where the employer monitors to make sure that qualified people are hired and promoted) the goals are derived from close study of the organization and are based on realistic appraisals of the labor market. (p. 4) From the above, we see that classical affirmative action is a way in which equal opportunity employment is achieved, and supporters of affirmative action indeed focus on the remedy of unfair acts of discrimination performed in the past.   Everybody believes that the employer is to monitor to make sure that qualified people are hired and promoted.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In fact, the goal of affirmative action when it came to existence was equal employment opportunity.   Nonetheless, its practice later on became corrupted and its present goal is to give priority to people who belong to a minority group that was discriminated in the past.   Many opponents of affirmative action would indeed oppose to discrimination and would agree to a policy in which only qualified people are hired and competent employees are promoted.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  J.M. Bernbach (1998), who so much disapproves of discrimination wrote: In 1996, affirmative action (the practice, fostered by federal government, of providing preferential treatment and / or opportunities to specified groups of persons in hiring or promotion, etc., as a means of correcting the present effects of past discrimination) received a good deal of negative attention. (p.3) On certain occasions, affirmative action seems necessary or  appropriate to remedy past injustices, but there is no reason to  believe that everybody, including people who were always against  discrimination, must follow suit. Affirmative Action and Equal Employment Opportunity   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   As the name implies, equal employment opportunity is the right of every single person to be employed regardless of his or her background, i.e. race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, or reprisal. In the United States there is an organization called Equal Employment Opportunity Commission that focuses on how this right is actually granted to every individual. Burstein in his book Discrimination, Jobs, and Politics (1998) states: In order to form a satisfactory picture of what public wanted on EEO, members of the congress would, ideally, want to know about three aspects of constituents attitudes: first, whether their constituents favored EEO, second, whether they wanted the government to do anything about it; and third, whether they felt strongly about the issue.   (p. 42)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   We see that the government is very much concerned about fair hiring and promotion practices.   It is indeed a fact that everybody wants equal employment opportunities; nobody favors priority on the basis of discrimination or affirmative action.   People want the government to ascertain the equal employment opportunities are in effect and they do feel strongly about the issue.   The answer of most people is that the right person should take over the position he or she rightly deserves   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Antidiscrimination programs are believed to be inefficient and costly.   The reason might be the stagnant economy that has apparently not permitted to continue with them.   Government pressures to employ or promote women and minorities may force firms to misallocate labor and thus suffer production losses.   Keeping with the current concern over productive efficiency can rather be an antidiscrimination effort. (P. Burestein, Equal Employment Opportunity, 1994, p. 85)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Better production in a company as a whole could rather achieve equality.   For instance, a company has been in business for many years and, on analyzing their activities, they come to see that their production was better when they had people with more skills in the engineering department.   As a result they decide to hire a high-skilled engineer.   When doing so, they carefully evaluate every candidate regardless of their background until they end up hiring the most suitable one.   One year later, the company analyzes their activities and see some remarkable improvements.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   One might want to ask how it is possible for someone who is not so skillful to become skillful in the future.   The answer would be quite simple: more education or training, and, as we all know, education is very easy nowadays. There are many ways online that would enable one to obtain it, and there are many regular schools that could help.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Some people take their not being hired as a lesson to get more education or training.   Inevitably, when the person being hired is from a majority group, some people accuse the company of being discriminatory, and, when someone from a minority group is hired, the company might also be accused of having taken affirmative action.   When something alike happens, the EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) needs to be contacted, and they need to investigate the situation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     The beginning of antidiscrimination and or against affirmative action is perhaps freedom.   One might question what freedom has to do with either discrimination or affirmative action, and the answer might be the actual explanation of what freedom means.   Freedom is the right to share fully and equally in American society – to vote, to hold a job, to enter a public place, to go to school.   It is right to be treated in every part of national life as a person equal in dignity and promise to all others.   (Curry, G.E. West, C. , 1996, p. 17)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In a society in which freedom is in existence, the equal opportunity employment practice is easier to put in practice.   Some people might use this freedom in an abusive form, ending up in discrimination or affirmative action.   That is why it is necessary that a commission EEOC (Equal Employment Opportunity) exist.   The goal of this organization is to establish rules and regulations and, whenever a case of discrimination or affirmative action is reported, this organization needs to study it thoroughly and then determine how it could be corrected.   In some occasions, it is even necessary to take legal action. Legal Issues of Affirmative Action   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Unlike discrimination, which is so clearly against the law and there is a great deal of coverage both constitutionally and statutorily, it has not become possible to have affirmative action at the same level.   No one constitutional or statutory provision covers all the many different varieties of affirmative action.   (C. Wolf-Devine, 1997, p. 182) As a result, it becomes very intricate for both judges and attorneys to deal with a case of affirmative action.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   If a man that does not belong to a minority group is not hired solely because that company is currently taken affirmative action when hiring, he would first report the incidence to Equal Opportunity Employment Commission.   If the E.O.E.C. determines that the individual has brought prima facie evidence, they might decide to take legal action against that company.   The judge and the attorney are likely to regard the whole case as a reverse-discrimination and by doing so, the same sources of law that are used in a discriminating case can be used for this particular one. After all, the individual that was hired was only successful to obtain this job because he or she belongs to a minority group, not because he was the best qualified for it.   If the case had been just the opposite – the individual that was hired did not belong to a minority group, whereas the one that was not hired did it would have been a regular discrimination case, which would have had a great deal of coverage in the American legal system.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The very same situation would have been with someone who has been working at a company for a very long time and, due to his valuable qualifications, would deserve promotion.   Besides the fact that promotion is not given to him, two other co-workers a woman and an African American – do become promoted in an attempt to take affirmative action.   Given that promotion is also controlled to E.E.O.C., the individual contacts them immediately and they determine that the matter is to be brought in front of a judge.   This case would also be treated as a discriminating case, and it indeed is a case of reverse discrimination.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   According to Herman Belz, in his book Equality Transformed (1991): Affirmative action lacks consistency and coherence insofar as the Supreme Court applied two antithetical theories of employment discrimination, upheld quotas in hiring and promotion while prohibiting them in layoffs, and used some form of strict scrutinity review to analyze discrimination under the Constitution while forsaking such reviews under Title VII – and only then asking whether a race conscious measure promoted the goal of minority employment. (p. 225 226) The above shows up to what point affirmative action is to be treated like discrimination when it comes to legal matter.   However, the fact that when affirmative action is taken does not at all mean that there has in fact been discrimination put judges and attorneys in a cumbersome situation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   While discrimination has the same principles, is clear and can be carefully considered, affirmative action – in general regarded as the opposite of discrimination – is never clear enough to be handled by a judge and attorneys.   As we know, affirmative action is sometimes taken as a remedy, whereas discrimination comes as a matter of opinion.   For instance, a company that never hires African American is sued for discrimination.   The basis of this type of discrimination will always be the same; the accused will try to deny the fact.   Someone that is sued for taking affirmative action will rather try to justify his attitude. How to Stop Affirmative Action from Being Taken   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Affirmative action is definitely not an effective diversity or opportunity policy; it is merely reverse discrimination. Given that a person obtains what he or she wishes because he or she belongs to a minority group – not because he or she deserves it, the policy is very unfair indeed.   A fair policy would be one in which the best-skilled individual takes over a position at a company or someone who qualifies for a grant or scholarship to attend college obtains it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On some occasions, there might be a court order for a company to take affirmative action.   When this happens, it is usually in an attempt to settle a lawsuit that was placed because discriminatory policies were adopted by that particular company.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   When affirmative action is taken on a voluntary basis without any good reason whatsoever, it becomes a legal transgression that is just as awful as discrimination.   Obviously, a court cannot order a company taking affirmative action to be discriminatory from now on, as this would only be an awful crime.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The solution toward the problem of taking affirmative action is quite simple: the company should make their hiring and promotion decision based on the workers skills and qualifications, not based on the fact that that particular individual belongs to a minority group.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission should come up with some guidelines to prevent companies from taking affirmative action altogether.   Those guidelines should be brought to the attention of the U.S. Senate in order for them to become laws.   As we know, when a company is accused of taking affirmative action, judges and attorneys find it difficult to handle the case, because there are not enough laws against it.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Copying the laws of discrimination would not be an option, because a court would never order a company to discriminate, whereas it might order a company to take affirmative action as a remedy for past discriminatory activities.   New laws need to be put in force, as laws against affirmative action were in some occasions questioning.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is very painful to pinpoint that extreme affirmative action is widespread in the United States, and there does not seem to be any solution at first sight.  Ã‚   Under the assumption that affirmative is taken as a remedy toward discrimination, the number of individual that claim to suffer from affirmative actions exceeds the number of the ones who suffered from discrimination in the past and now benefit from the policy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Empirically the official case for affirmative action is weak and conceptually it is loose.   Believing that the policy has been good for America and that it has been an instantaneous move to color-blindness would be ill-advised.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Equal opportunity is supported by everybody, but it would be inappropriate to the extreme to believe that the way to achieve it is phasing out affirmative action. Michigan, a state in which there are many opponents, is one of the ones that have intended to ban affirmative action altogether, and such a measure is believed to be one of the harshest attacks on affirmative action to come to a vote anywhere in the country. This movement has been called Michigan Civil Rights Initiative and it deserves to be called the Michigan Anti-Affirmative Action Initiative. It was also intended to add language to the Michigan state constitution to disallow preferential treatment based on gender, or race. Other states following suit are California, Washington State, and Florida.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The passage of the Michigan Civil Rights Initiative would specifically ban public institutions from using affirmative action programs that give preferential treatment to people from minority groups and prohibit public institutions from discriminating against groups or individuals that do not belong to those groups.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The Michigan Civil Rights Initiative is indeed very appropriate and the whole country, as well as the whole world, should follow in their footsteps. Anderson, T.H. (2004). Pursuit of Fairness: A History of Affirmative Action. Oxford University Press, (p.2, 3 142) Belz, H. (1991) Equality Transformed, Transaction Publishers (p225 p226) Bernbach, J.M. (1998). Job Discrimination II, Voire Dire Press (p. 3 4) Burestein, P. (1994). Equal Employment Opportunity, Aldine Transaction (p. 85) Burestein, P. (1998). Discrimination, Jobs, and Politics. University of Chicago Press (p. 42) Clayton, S.D., Crosby, F.J. (1992). Justice, Gender, and Affirmative Action. University of Michigan Press (p. 1 2) Clayton, S.D., by F.J. , VanDeVeer, C. (2000). Sex, Race, and Merit.   University of Michigan Press (p. 4) Curry, G.E. West, C. (1996). The Affirmative Action Debate, Basic Books (p. 17) Edwards, P.K. (2000). Industrial Relations: Theory and Practice. Blackwell Publishing (p. 9) Skrentny, J.D. (1996). The Ironies of Affirmative Action: Politics, Culture, and Justice in America. University of Chicago Press (p. 1 2) Steinhold, F.S. (2007) The Employee’s Legal Handbook, Nolo, (p. 156) Wolf-Devine, C. (1997) Diversity and Community in the Academy, Rowman Littlefield, (p. 182) Websters Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged. Merriam-Webster, 2002

Principles Of Procedural Programming Computer Science Essay

Principles Of Procedural Programming Computer Science Essay Procedural programming is the most natural way of telling a computer what to do as the computer processors own language and machine code is procedural. It is also referred as structured or modular programming. Procedural programming is performed by telling the computer what to do and how to do it through a list of step-by-step instructions. Therefore, procedural programming involves procedures, which implies that there are steps that need to be followed to complete a specific task. For example read a number, add 7 or display a specific message. Procedural programming is quite straightforward and efficient as more than often to begin with, the program is written in a common and plain language by applying logic before actually writing the code. The main features of procedural programming is that it is relatively easy to read and write program code and maintain program code as numerous procedures can be debugged separately. Furthermore, large programs are divided into smaller ones and that most of the data is shared and can therefore be reached from any other point within the program. Conclusively, taking into account that the main characteristics of procedural programing being sequential logic, simplicity, easy implementation of compilers and interpreters, ability to make use of the same code in the program by calling it instead of copying, ease with which the program flow can be tracked, ability to be strongly modular or structured, it can definitely be said that procedural programming is an essential stepping stone towards learning further programming skills. 2. Implementing Procedural Programming Solutions. An algorithm can be defined as a set of steps for performing a task that can be written down and implemented. An algorithm details how to start with known information specified in the problem and how to use that information to reach a solution. In this particular task, the following algorithm using pseudo code has been developed a program which will help a small High Street Curry House manage their business operations. Algorithm using pseudo code Show Login and Exit ( Press 1 to Login/ else exit) Request monthly salary and other income Calculate and Display Total Income Request All Personal Expenses ( i.e. college fees/ rent/ food/travel/entertainment/phone bill/ gas bill/electricity bill/ TV license/ council tax/ club membership and charity contribution and any other expenses) Calculate all expenses and display Total Expenses Calculate and Display Balance (Total Income Total Expenses) If Balance is positive display credit amount and if negative display no more funds available. Diagram 1| Flowchart illustrating Algorithms Logical Flow Functions. START IF 1 OR IF 2 Salary + Other Income = Total Income Display Request Salary Other income Login Request all Expenses Calculate Total Expenses Display Total Income Total Expenses = Balance If Balance is +ve (Balance > 0) If Balance is -ve (Balance Display You are in Credit EXIT No More Funds Available 3| Implement Procedural Programming Solution using System; using System.Collections.Generic; using System.Linq; using System.Text; namespace Unit18_CW_ID10571 { class Program { static void Main(string[] args) { double monthlySalary, otherIncome, totalIncome,balance; /************************************************************************************************************************************* About : This program answers Task 3 of the Coursework for Unit18_Procedural Programming, BTEC HND in Computing and Systems Development (CSD). Icon College of Technology and Management. Date : 10.04.2013 By : Ibrahim Khan Mahomudally . Student ID : 10571 Tutor : Y M Gebremichael *************************************************************************************************************************************/ Console.WriteLine( ****************************************************************************** n); Console.WriteLine( ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Profit Loss Accounting 2013 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ); Console.WriteLine(tttt [Menu]nn); Console.WriteLine(tttt 1. Loginnn); Console.WriteLine(tttt 2. Exitnn); Console.WriteLine(ttt To Login Please Press 1nn); Console.WriteLine(ttt To Exit Please Press 2nn); Console.WriteLine( ****************************************************************************** ); int Menu = int.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); if (Menu == 1) { // input income //calculate total income and display Console.WriteLine(************************* All income***************************************); Console.WriteLine(Enter Monthly Salary: ); monthlySalary = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); Console.WriteLine(Enter Any Other Income); otherIncome = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); totalIncome = monthlySalary + otherIncome; Console.WriteLine(Total Income = + monthlySalary + + + otherIncome + = + totalIncome); /******************************************************************************/ //input expenses //calculate total expenses and display Console.WriteLine(************************* All Expenses***************************************); double totalExpenses, rent, collegeFees, food, travel, entertainment, phonebill, gasbill, electricitybill, tvlicense, counciltax, clubmembership, charitycontribution, anyotherexpenses; Console.WriteLine(Enter College fees); collegeFees = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); Console.WriteLine(Enter Rent); rent = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); Console.WriteLine(Enter Food); food = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); Console.WriteLine(Enter Travel); travel = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); Console.WriteLine(Enter Entertainment); entertainment = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); Console.WriteLine(Enter Phone Bill); phonebill = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); Console.WriteLine(Enter Gas Bill); gasbill = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); Console.WriteLine(Enter Electricity Bill); electricitybill = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); Console.WriteLine(Enter TV License); tvlicense = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); Console.WriteLine(Enter Council Tax); counciltax = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); Console.WriteLine(Enter Club Membership); clubmembership = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); Console.WriteLine(Enter Charity Contribution); charitycontribution = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); Console.WriteLine(Enter Any Other Expenses); anyotherexpenses = double.Parse(Console.ReadLine()); totalExpenses = collegeFees + rent + food + travel + entertainment + phonebill + gasbill + electricitybill + tvlicense + counciltax + clubmembership + charitycontribution + anyotherexpenses; Console.WriteLine(Total Expenses = + totalExpenses); Console.WriteLine(************************* Balance***************************************); //work out balance and display relevant message balance = totalIncome totalExpenses; Console.WriteLine(Balance = + balance); if (balance >= 0) { Console.WriteLine( 🙂 You Are In Credit by  £ + balance); } else { Console.WriteLine(:( No More Funds Available); } } else if (Menu == 2) { Environment.Exit(1); } else { Console.WriteLine(Enter a number from the menu); // this should return back to the menu again } Console.ReadLine() } } } 4| Testing Procedural Programming Solutions. Below are enclosed screenshots of the above-designed program demonstrating that every aspects of program is tested and compared against the design specification. Screenshot 1| Menu Options. Main menu presenting the user with the following options: Press 1 to Login Press 2 to Exit Screenshot 2| Request for Income. When 1 is pressed, User is requested to start entering figures for incomes Screenshot 3| Total Income. When all incomes are entered, Total Income is calculated and displayed. Screenshot 4| Input Expenses. User is requested to input figures for all expenses. Screenshot 5| Total Expenses, Positive Balance and Message. Total Expenses is calculated and displayed. Balance is obtained and if the result is positive, You Are In Credit message displayed. Screenshot 6| Negative Balance Relevant Message. Total Expenses is calculated and displayed. Balance is obtained and if result is negative, No More Funds Available message displayed 4b| Difference between syntax error and semantic error Syntax is the required grammar and punctuation of the language while semantics is all about meaning, that is, what the statements do, what the programs do. Applying the correct syntax is essential as if not done properly, the program wont run. The syntax of a language greatly affects how easy it is to write, read and understand programs. Syntax errors usually occur when program statements do not conform to the rule of the language. Therefore, Syntax errors occur during the parsing of input code, and are the result of grammatically incorrect statements. Some examples of syntax errors are misspelled keywords, unmatched quotation marks, missing semicolon, illegal character in the input, missing operator, two operators in a row, two statements on the same line with no intervening semicolon, unbalanced parentheses, misplaced reserved word etc. Semantic errors occur when the form of the elements in a statement is correct but the elements are not valid for its use. Semantic errors are normally detected at compile time. Semantic errors occur during the execution of the code, after it has been parsed as grammatically correct. These errors have to do not with how statements are constructed, but with what they mean. Regular examples of sematic errors are such things as incorrect variable types or sizes, non-existent variables, subscripts out of range, specifying the wrong number of arguments for a function, using numeric variable name where only character variable is valid and non-existent references.

Three Types of Friends Essay -- essays research papers friendship rela

Through my experiences I have come to realize that there are basically three types of friends a person can have. There are friends that I call â€Å"sometimes† friends, these people appear to be your friend but only when you are face to face with them, and when you are not around them they act more like a foe. They are often referred to as two faced or a back stabber. These types of friends are not very reliable nor should they be trusted. Another type of friend a person can have, and the best kind, is a â€Å"true† friend. A true friend is someone you know you can always trust and rely on no matter what. The last type of friend is the â€Å"acquaintance†. These are the type of friends that you do not necessarily hate, but at the same time you do not divulge your personal information with this person, simply because you do not spend a great amount of time with the person and do not know them well. It may be hard to determine if someone that you call a friend is actually a â€Å"true† friend or a â€Å"sometimes† friend. They can be very deceitful and scandalous towards you at times. If you notice...

The Selfishness Of Man in Steinbecks Grapes of Wrath Essay -- essays

The Selfishness of Man Cultural and economical pressures often lead people to behave corruptly. In John Steinbeck?s novel, The Grapes of Wrath, set in the dustbowl era, people act out of greed rather than out of consideration or kindness. Tom Joad and his family have been run off their land by inconsiderate, money hungry businessmen who do not care about the impact homelessness will have on the evictees. The story revolves around the Joad Family?s trip (joined by former preacher Casey) from Oklahoma to California, along route 66, where they expect to find work. Though Casey and the Joads are goodhearted and honest people, they are the victims of dishonesty and dupery when they realize that the jobs they have come so far to acquire pay them much less than they were originally promised. The book focuses on the family?s struggle to survive, while exhibiting the evil and manipulative power which the tenant owners and businessmen of the era possessed. Throughout the novel, Steinbeck demonstrates the impacts and consequences of man's selfishness and inhumanity by exemplifying the wicked and egotistical actions of the tenant owners and businessmen. In the beginning of the novel, before Casey and the Joads set out on their journey, the selfishness and inhumanity of the businessmen and tenant owners becomes apparent. In one of the ?plotless? chapters, the reader is exposed to the hardships which the farmers are forced to face while being evicted from their land. Businessmen, sent from the bank, would come to the farmers land in cars and explain to the farmers that they need to get off their land. They would tell the farmers that unfortunately, with the technological advances being made, a tractor can do the work of twelve families- h... ... rendering the much needed food useless. The inconsiderate actions displayed by the businessmen and orchard owners show their selfishness and inhumanity, and exemplify their carelessness and indifference towards suffering humans. Steinbeck portrays the wealthy men of the era as heartless and egotistical people who only care for themselves. His message through the portrayal of these wicked men is one of simplicity, egotism, greed, selfishness, and heartlessness are all traits which a man shouldn?t possess. The themes which run throughout the novel are as valuable today as they were in the mid 1900?s, and Steinbeck urges his reader to recognize that. His depiction of the selfishness of man serves to teach about human nature, and by acknowledging the harmfulness of the greedy and corrupt businessmen, one can learn how to act morally and ethnically responsible.

Superiority Ideas in the Formation of the United States :: United States History Papers

Superiority Ideas in the Formation of the United States Superiority ideas are the darkest elements of human nature. The people of the United States appreciate the notion that the nation is progressive and constantly pushing towards the equity and prosperity of all its citizens. However, the United States remains a nation of polarized cities and undemocratic schools. Within the country is a macroculture that forms the cultural norms of America; norms that alienate many of the diverse groups that are in reality the constituents that form the Union. We need to realign our ideals to truly encourage the equity and prosperity of all the citizens of America; before this can be accomplished we need to recognize the origins of the superiority views that are a part of the present American culture. In an effort to trace the roots of the superior views that are part our macroculture, the follow exposition examines the Puritan settlers of the New World, the waves of European immigration to America in the 1800s, and the structure of the American city. The Protestant ethic of the New World and the United States has influenced the macroculture that mandates the nation’s present educational ideals and social norms. In addition, the models used by sociologists to describe the American city demonstrates that even the structure of the American city encourages the nation to be racially polarized; polarization that inevitably leads to violence. With obvious constraints, the following exposition points only to a limited portion of the possible roots of the existing superiority views; clearly there are numerous other origins that can be found within the formation of the United States that have contributed negatively to the social norms of America. The identified roots of superio rity are the points of the authors interest and have been intentionally researched and described as possible sources of superiority views. Consequently, the negative attributes of the Puritans and the dominant group in America have been focused on. Certainly, not all of the Puritan ideals and Anglo-Saxon ideals have had a negative influence on the apparent macroculture of America. Our present society has had a myriad of beneficial contributions from the early Puritan settlers and the Protestant ethic. With the previous clarifications mentioned, the Puritan settlers of the New World can be contemplated and rediscovered. The Puritans were, in their view, an â€Å"elite† subgroup of the Protestants, thus their goal in England was to halt Roman Catholic worship.

Fad Diets: Look Before You Leap Essay

Association. â€Å"Fad diets are a short-term, quick-fix approach to weight loss that don’t work over the long haul. These diets tend to over-promise results but don’t deliver. Food choices are often monotonous, and caloric intake may be very restricted, so that once the novelty wears off, so does the motivation to continue.† Even the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recognized the huge popularity of fad diets, and in February it sponsored the Great Nutrition Debate, a discussion panel that featured popular diet book authors as well as nutrition and weight loss researchers. While the panelists agreed that Americans are too fat, there was no consensus about the best way to lose weight and keep it off-although it led to interesting and sometimes heated debate. In the end, USDA indicated that it might be time for government researchers to evaluate the various diets to help sort fact from fiction. There is a dire lack of scientific research to corroborate the theories expounded in the majority of diet books currently on the market. Most promise weight loss programs that are easy, allow favorite foods or foods traditionally limited in weight loss diets without limitations, and do not require a major shift in exercise habits. Often, adds Sachiko St. Jeor, PhD, RD, Director of the Nutrition Education and Research Program at the University of Nevada School of Medicine, â€Å"fad diet book authors take a scientific half-truth that is complex and use that as the basis for their arguments.† Authors may simplify or expand upon biochemistry and physiology in an effort to help support their theories and provide a plethora of scientific jargon that people do not understand but that seems to make sense. And few, if any, offer solid scientific support for their claims in the form of published research studies. Instead, most evidence is based on anecdotal findings, theories, and testimonials of short-term results. Some of the most popular diets to hit the news wires these days are those that promote low carbohydrate and high protein intakes and promise significant weight loss. These diets are nothing more than low calorie diets in disguise, but with some potentially serious consequences. Following a low-carbohydrate, high-protein diet will encourage the body to burn its own fat. Without carbohydrates, however, fat is not burned completely and substances called ketones are formed and released into the bloodstream. Abnormally high ketone levels in the body, or ketosis, may indeed make dieting easier, since they typically decrease appetite and cause nausea. However, ketosis also increases the levels of uric acid in the blood, which is a risk factor for gout and kidney disease in susceptible people. Additionally, notes Dr. St. Jeor, â€Å"following these diets can result in dehydration, diarrhea, weakness, headaches, dizziness, and bad breath, and over the long term, can also increase risk of atherosclerosis and osteoporosis.† Here’s a rundown on some of the more popular high-protein, low-carbohydrate diets that are making headlines. Sugar Busters! By H. Leighton Steward, Sam S. Andrews, MD, Morrison C. Bethea, MD, and Luis A. Balart, MD Premise/Theory:Sugar and certain carbohydrates (those with high glycemic indices) are toxic to the body causing blood sugar levels to rise and increasing the levels of insulin production, thereby prompting fat storage and weight gain. Supposedly, decreasing sugar intake can help people lose weight and decrease body fat, no matter what other foods are eaten. Dietary Recommendations: * Eliminates refined and processed carbohydrates, especially sugar and white flour and all foods made from these ingredients. Also eliminates foods like potatoes, corn, white rice, beets, carrots, corn syrup, molasses, honey, soft drinks, and beer. * Encourages consumption of whole grains, low-glycemic-index carbohydrates (high-fiber vegetables and fruits), and lean meats with no restrictions on protein foods. * Authors claim that washing food down with liquid does not allow for proper chewing. Claims excess fluid with meals also dilutes digestive juices and can result in partially digested food. * Average intake of calories is 1200 calories/day distributed as 30 percent carbohydrate, 32 percent protein, and 28 percent fat. Recommended calorie intake in this diet is low, accounting for short-term weight loss. Concerns: * There is no scientific basis or published data for the Sugar Busters! weight loss theory. The explanation of insulin’s role in weight gain that is provided is simplistic. The body does produce insulin in response to a rise in blood sugar levels, but it does not promote storage of fat unless excess calories are consumed. * There is no scientific evidence supporting the claim that the consumption of fluids during meals negatively affects digestion. Drastically decreasing dietary intake of carbohydrates forces the body to burn reserves of stored fat for energy, a condition known as ketosis, which leads to decreased hunger and a metabolic advantage. Dietary Recommendations: * Limits carbohydrates to 20 grams/day for the induction phase of the diet and 0 to 60 grams/day in the ongoing weight loss phase. Carbohydrate intake ranges from 25 to 90 grams/day in the maintenance diet. * Unlimited quantities of protein foods and fat-steak, bacon, eggs, chicken, fish, butter, and vegetable oil-are allowed. Avoid or limit carbohydrates, specifically breads, pasta, most fruits and vegetables, milk, and yogurt. Concerns: * No published scientific studies support the diet claims. * Offers extremely limited food choices. Diet is nutritionally unbalanced and excessively high in protein, fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol. * Promotes ketosis as a means of weight loss. * Suggests that a high-saturated-fat, low-carbohydrate diet does not have an effect on lipids. * Dehydration is possible if large amounts of water are not consumed. * Diet is low in calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin C, and folate (dietary supplements are recommended). Enter the Zone By Barry Sears, PhD Premise/Theory: The â€Å"zone† is a metabolic state in which the mind is relaxed and focused and the body is strong and works at peak efficiency. A person in the â€Å"zone† will allegedly experience permanent body fat loss, optimal health, greater athletic performance, and improved mental productivity. Insulin is released as a result of eating carbohydrates and leads to weight gain. Because food has a potent, drug-like effect on the hormonal systems that regulate the body’s physiological processes, eating the right combination of foods leads to a metabolic state (lower insulin levels and lower eicosanoid levels) in which the body works at peak performance and which results in decreased hunger, weight loss, and increased energy. Dietary Recommendations: * To get into the â€Å"zone,† rigid quantities of food, apportioned in blocks and at prescribed times, are recommended in a distribution of 40 percent carbohydrate, 30 percent protein, and 30 percent fat. Meals should provide no more than 500 calories and snacks less than 100 calories. * Food should be treated like a medical prescription or drug. * Menus suggest lots of egg whites, nuts, olives, peanut butter, and monounsaturated fats and large amounts of allowable (low-glycemic-index) fruits and vegetables.Alcohol is okay in moderation, but â€Å"zone† followers are advised to avoid or limit carbohydrates, especially pasta, bread, high-glycemic-index fruits and vegetables such as carrots and bananas, saturated fat, and arachidonic acid. * Diet averages 1,300 calories per day, although some menus may run as low as 850 calories. Concerns: * Oversimplifies complicated physiological processes. For example, eicosanoids are one part of a complex system, and no studies suggest that they are dangerous or cause disease. * The metabolic pathways explained in the book that supposedly connect diet, insulin-glucagon, and eicosanoids are not found in standard nutrition or biochemistry texts. The premise that any type of diet completely controls insulin and glucagon secretion is not supported by current nutrition or biochemistry knowledge, nor is the theory that the insulin-glucagon axis controls production of eicosanoids. * Relies upon unproven claims based on case histories, testimonials, and uncontrolled studies that are not published in peer-reviewed journals. Although all of these diets may promote short term weight loss, their long term effectiveness is a different story. The bottom line for lasting and healthful weight loss is a varied diet, reduced caloric intake, and regular physical activity. â€Å"The truth is that losing weight permanently takes work. It’s not glamorous-eating habits need to change and activity usually needs to increase,† notes Quagliani. â€Å"If a diet sounds too good to be true, it probably is.† Glossary Arachidonic acid: fatty acid precursor for eiconsanoid production. Eicosanoids: biologically active class of compounds that are involved in a wide range of regulatory processes such as synthesis of certain fatty acids. Glycemic index: a ranking of the effect on blood glucose of the consumption of a single food relative to a reference carbohydrate (e.g., white bread or glucose). Glucagon: has an effect opposite to that of insulin. Insulin’s and glucagon’s opposing effects help maintain carbohydrate metabolism in a steady state. Tips on Spotting Fad Diets Claims or implies a large or quick weight loss of more than 1 to 2 pounds per week. Slow, gradual weight loss increases the chance of weight loss success and of keeping weight off over the long term. Promotes magical or miracle foods. No foods can undo the long-term effects of overeating and not exercising or melt away fat. Restricts or eliminates certain foods, recommends certain foods in large quantities, insists on eating specific food combinations, or offers rigid, inflexible menus. Implies that weight can be lost and maintained without exercise and other lifestyle changes. Relies heavily on undocumented case histories, testimonials, and anecdotes but has no scientific research to back claims. Contradicts what most trusted health professional groups say, or makes promises that sound too good to be true.

Analysis of Nextcard.Inc

Nectar, Inc. Jeremy Lent lunched a company named Nectar. Inc. Aims to earn money by helping people get credit card more conveniently. But there is two huge flaws in this strategy, first, the way nectar to obtain new customers proved to be much higher than the figure Lent had originally projected. Second, the people who signed up for the Neckband credit card proved to be much higher credit risk than Lent had expected. So, the result is big bad debts. But the company officials still Insist that theIncreasing allowance for bad debts Is caused by hackers and other Internet miscreants. Then in late 2001, they got a large class-action lawsuit by the angry Investors. While the real big problem Is what the audit partner Thomas Trigger did. In order to make the workspaces appear as If the addling teams had been ‘right on the mark' all along, he modifying the workspaces and scour the evidences. Instead of scour the evidence, Trigger's subordinate gave It to federal authoresses. I think t he audit Issue we should concern about Is the destroying of documents.As It Is said In the paragraph, the financial markets depend on the integrity of auditors, lawyers and other professionals to do their jobs ethically and fairly. If they fail to do so, the damage is huge, and the mistake is unforgivable. But I didn't appreciate what Outrages subordinate did. He should at least persuade his superior not to do this. He pretend to be obey the boss's order while do another thing behind wisher's back is kind of betraying. On the other side, Trigger is incompetent to be a good mentor. He didn't teach his subordinate to be honest auditor.Whether the auditor should evaluate the soundness of a client's business model is depends on the position of the auditor. If the clients asked about the suggestions, they can give some advices. If they are not been asked to do, I think the business model is out of an auditor's obligations. Analysis of Nectar. Len By redeemed So, the result is big bad deb ts. But the company's officials still insist that the increasing allowance for bad debts is caused by hackers and other Internet investors. While the real big problem is what the audit partner Thomas Trigger did.In order to make the workspaces appear as if the auditing teams had been ‘right on the mark all along, he modifying the workspaces and scour the evidences. Instead of scour the evidence, Trigger's subordinate gave it to federal authorities. I think the audit issue we should concern about is the destroying of documents. As it is said in other professionals to do their Jobs ethically and fairly. If they fail to do so, the Trigger's subordinate did. He should at least persuade his superior not to do this. He didn't teach his subordinate to be honest auditor. Whether the auditor should

Pfizer Inc/Warmer-Lambert Co. Essay

Pfizer is one of the leading pharmaceutical companies in United States. Its headquarters are in New York City and it is the owner of the drug Lipitar, an atorvastatin which is used to lower cholesterol in the blood.   The company produces a big range of other precuts.   Pfizer acquired Warmer-Lambert in 2000.   The two had been the leading companies in the research based pharmaceuticals.   In 1999 Pfizer had been named the fastest growing pharmaceutical company in its industry. Warmer-Lambert had been the Second (http://www.pfizer.com/home/). Warner-Lambert also deals with pharmaceuticals.   The company has grown through acquisition which started in 1962 when it acquired American Chide Company which produced gums and mints. American Chide Company was the owner of the Adams brand which was well known around the world. The merger between Pfizer and Warmer-Lambert was as a result of observation of the market trends in the industry and in the global economy.   The global market has been characterized by slow growth.   The market was not expanding at the same rate as it has before.   It seemed as if it was experiencing a slack in growth.   Thus for the companies to continue operating profitability there was need to capture a bigger share of the market and reduce competition. Because the market was not expanding at a good rate expansion of the companies’ operations could only be possible through taking over a bigger share of the existing market.   This called for greater and more effective efforts in competition (Mercola J. 2000). One way to gain competitive advantage is through cost cutting and concerted efforts. Merging the two fastest growing companies in the industry could effectively achieve this. Both companies were strong players in the market and combining power gave them a force that could enable them acquires additional share of the market from the other competitors.   Merging also could enable the companies make concerted efforts in marketing and other ventures hence saving on cost.   Cost reduction will help the companies gain competitive advantage in the market (http://www.secinfo.com/dsVsj.599.htm#1stPage). Expiration of a number of key patents was another major trend in the market.   Both of the companies are research based and had been holding patents which had been key to their operations.   Expiry of these patents meant the companies were loosing their hold in the market.   Many other competitors were due to come in the market.   Ã‚  Entry of additional competitors could inflate costs and m ay lead to reduction of profits.   Merging could help the companies to cut on this cost increase and compete more effectively in the market. Research and development costs were increasing at a higher rate.   The significance of research and development was gaining new heights in the modern business environment.   Because of the high competition and the rapidly changing business conditions the need for new innovations in operations and products has increased. More efforts and investment in research and development have been necessitated. These together with other factors have led to significance increase in Research and development costs. Both Pfizer and Warmer-Lambert are research based and merging them will enable them collaborate in Research and hence reduce cost effectively. Through their combined efforts the companies will be able to do more effective research. The role of e-commerce in business is changing significantly with many more business transactions being carried out though e-commerce. There is increased used of technology both in research and in doing business.   The way business is conducted have greatly been affected by e-commerce.   Thus, the companies had to change so as to utilize the effects of e-commerce for their benefits in the long run. (http://www,secifo.com/dsvsj/599.htm) There are several factors that motivated Pfizer Inc. to merge with Warmer-Lambert Co. Each of the companies had its motivational factors by generally both companies need to stabilize them product portfolio and reduce the dependence on some few key products. (http://www.secifo.com/dsvsj.599.htm).   Another motivating factor was the increased need of increasing their rate of growth.   Other factors that motivated the merger included increased in revenue, better research and development (R&D) and more cost cutting. Terms of transaction Pfizer paid a premium of 34% to Warmer-Lambert in the merger that resulted to Pfizer and Warmer-Lambert combining to form the largest pharmaceutical company in the world at that time. Shareholders of Warmer-Lambert got 2.75 shares of Pfizer common stock for each share of common stock held in Warmer-Lambert.   The Warmer-Lambert shares were valued at $98.31 per one unit by the closing prices of October 1999 against $ 35.75 per one unit of Pfizer shares by the closing price of February 4, 2000. This represented a premium of 34% (http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=105&STORY=/www/story/06-19-2000/0001246843) The company expected to have combined annual revenue of approximately $28 billion. The company expects a 13% growth on compounded annual revenue and 25% growth in earnings (The Birmingham Post).   The expected market capitalization is more than $230 billions.   After the merger 61% of the new company will be held by the Pfizer shareholders while the remaining 39% will be held by the Warmer-Lambert shareholders (http://www.pfizer.ca/english/newsroom/press%20releases/default.asp?s=1&year=2000&releaseID=29). The valuation of the target firm can be done as: calculation of the future value of the company FV = PV (1+2)n From this we can be able to calculate the valuation of the target company using DPV = FY / (1+a) n Where FV = Future value DV = Present value I = opportunity cost N = no of years FV = $ 90 billion x (1+0.01) 1 90 x 1.01 $ 90.9 billions. After getting the future value, the discounted present value can be calculated as 90.9 billions / (1+14%) 1 14% is got by adding the growth rate representing the opportunity cost and the risk factor which we assume to be 1% 90.9 / (1.0 + 0.14)1 (90.9 / 1.14) 79.74 billions. In the valuation there are several assumption made. One of the assumptions is that the risk factor is equivalent to one percent.   The other assumption is that the opportunity cost is Warmer-Lambert merging with Pfizer is equivalent to the growth rate expected.   Thus the assumed discount rate is expected to be 14% that is, combining the opportunity cost and the risk factor.   Another assumption made I s that the future value is calculated after only one year thus making the period n to be equal to 1. There are several risks that come with making the above assumptions. If the actual risk factor of the market is different from the assumed risk factor of one percent then the outcome of the valuation will not be accurate. This is risk as it may give a wrong impression of the effect of a decision, for example the decision of Warmer-Lambert to merge with Pfizer   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Another risk is inherent because of the assumption that the opportunity cost is equal to the growth rate expected.   In the real business environment this may results that are not accurate.   This may lead to making a decision based on wrong information.   This may consequently lead to difficulties in the company or loss to the owners of the company. Pfizer mission have been to emerge as the leader in the pharmaceutical industry by the stunt of the new millennium. The company had aimed at becoming the most valued company to all its stakeholders who included patients, doctors, insurers, investors and business partners.   To achieve this, the company is committed to offering services of value to the stakeholders (Huff, A. Huff J. and Barr P; 2000). To ensure that Pfizer remained of value to the stakeholder the company was committed to innovation so as to provide products of value to its customers.   The company realized that innovation was what could enable tit to continue being relevant to needs of its customers in the long run.   As the customer needs were changing the company had to keep innovating to enable it to satisfy the needs of these customers. Pfizer in this regard was committed to continued Research and development productivity.   Much effort and finances were invested in research and development so as to produce more relevant products in the market. Pfizer strategy of success in the market was sustaining growth of existing products and expanding the range of products through innovations.   This innovation was facilitated by increasing productivity of research and development (http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_Feb_1/ai_53672006 ). Pfizer’s acquisition of Warmer-Lambert was a major and useful step in the Company’s strategy toward attainment of its mission (http://goliath.ecnext.com/coms2/gi_0199-5212317/Pfizer-Driving-Performance-Through-Growth.html).. Acquisition of Warmer-Lambert by Pfizer was aimed at encouraging Business development. There are many benefits that this merger could help Pfizer to achieve. These benefits all worked for Pfizer in its quest to create the most valued pharmaceutical company to all its stakeholders. Acquisition of Warmer-Lambert helped Pfizer to get access to patent that Warmer-Lambert held.   Warmer-Lambert held some patents and so upon the merge the two companies could benefit from the patents.   Considering that the market condition was characterized by expiry of key patents meaning each of the company’s advantage of holding patents was slowly decreasing.   Thus, combining gave the two companies a great advantage as the new company could hold more patents (http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/M-R/McKinnell-Henry-A-Jr-1943.html). Pfizer acquisition could also lead to the company getting access to new and racial technologies in the other firm.   Each of the company was developed in its own way and had technological capabilities that were unique to its operations.   This technology was in the form of processes and platforms which facilitated production and innovation. Combining these unique capabilities from two companies gave the resultants much power and benefits which could be denied from utilization of these technologies.   Access to both technologies by one company gave it synergy thus compounding the benefits to be derived from the technologies.   This synergetic combination of technology could help Pfizer advance its strategy of producing new lines of products through innovation.   This technology could also help the company to sustain growth of its existing products (Aitkin M. and Baskaran S. 2000) As technology is a major component to research and development, access to new technology could boost Pfizer’s efforts in research and development.   This boost in research and development could help the company to significantly reduce the cost of innovation.   Consequently, reduction in cost of innovation could lead to reduction of the overall cost and so boost profits of the company.   Reduction in costs could also help the company reduce the prices it charged for the product.   Reduction in the prices could lead to increase in sales as well as increasing the access of the products by greater number of customers.   An increased access of the precuts by many more customers will help to serve their need by the company and thus meeting the main aim of the company that is making it the most valued company to various stakeholders. The acquisition by Pfizer helped the company to expand its products line.   Acquiring Warner-Lambert made Pfizer the company with the broadest portfolio in the industry.   The company had products in various categories which included women health, central nervous system disorders as well as in many other categories. This was in line with the company’s aim of achieving a broad range of product instead of relying on a narrow range of products. The acquisition of Warmer-Lambert also gave Pfizer a big number of new products.   I had eight products in the year of acquisition which brought in more than $1 billion in sales in that year.   This was a great achievement for Pfizer, a company that was committed to increasing the contribution of innovation and research and development productivity. The achievement gave the company a boost toward attaining its overall aim. Combining the research operations of Pfizer and those of Warmer-Lambert produced the largest Research and development budget in the pharmaceutical industry. The new company had a budget of $4.78 billion set aside for research and development.   The scientific staff of the company was more than twelve thousand. This showed the commitment to innovation and increased Research and development productivity (http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/01/23/ap4565943.html). Acquisition of Warmer-Lambert gives Pfizer much regard in the world and makes it the most productive in sales and marketing in the industry. This increases the reputation of the company among the stakeholders.   The company also acquires some of brands which are highly regarded in the world.   These brands Include Schick and Zaritac 75 http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/external/ibd.morningstar.com/quicktake/standard/client/shell/AP707.html?ticker=PFE&valid=NO&MP=FP&pageidx=1&pageitemidx=2   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Combination of Pfizer and Warner-Lambert the two fastest growing companies in the world in the pharmaceutical industry produces a large organizational with great might. This enables the new company to have strong presence in major international market. Because of its power, the organization will be able to conquer new markets and compete effectively (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/633782.stm). Test of merger performance. a) The target, Warner-Lambert Company had a market capitalization of $60 billions in 1999. The acquirer, Pfizer had a market capitalization of $148.074 billions in that year (Financial Times 1999) After the merger between Pfizer and Warner-Lambert the new company had a market capitalization of $263,996 millions in 2001 (Financial times 10th May 2001). Before the merger Pfizer and Warner-Lambert had a total market of capitalization of $208.074 billions in 1999. After Pfizer acquired Warner-Lambert their total market capitalization was 263.99 billions in May 2001. This was a major increase in only one year after the merger.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The increase in the market capitalization after the acquisition signifies that it was beneficial. The merger was value enhancing in the short run for the investors who held shares in the company (Pryor F. 2001) b) After the merger of Pfizer Inc with Warner-Lambert Company the market reacted favorably to the new company. The combined market share increased from 7.8 percent to 8.2 percent after the merger (Http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/M-R/McKinnel-Henry-A-Jr-1943.htm/). The total Revenue of the company in the subsequent year increased by 11 percent to $29 billion and the income rose by 10.9 percent to $7.8 billions as compared to year 2000 performance.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   On February 1 the market price for Pfizer stock was $32.12 by closing. After the acquisition of Warner-Lambert the share prices rose steadily to a close of $48.00 in 1st June 2000. This indicates that in the short run the market was favoring the merger between the two companies (Http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshot/historical.asp?symbol=DFE)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Generally the market reacted favorably to the merger in the short run. The market prices rose, the revenue and income rose as well as market capitalization. c) Performance of the merger by return to shareholders.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The merger between Pfizer and Warner-Lambert indicated good performance in the short run. The two giant companies merged to form one very powerful company. The good performance was reflected in the market prices of the new company shares as well as in the market share revenue and earnings. The returns to shareholders also increased in the year that followed the merger.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 2001 a year after the merger the earnings of Pfizer grew considerably to reach 1-22 per share (http://www.thestreet.com/tech/adamfeuerstein/10005524.html)   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 2002 the earnings per share was $1.46 Revenue was $32.29413. This indicated a positive growth. It showed that the merger between the two giants was paying off for the second year consequently.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In 2003 the earnings fell to 0.54 indicating a negative growth. Revenue was $44.73614. This showed a slump in the benefit that had been derived from the merger in the previous year. Though the performance of Pfizer improved the years that followed the performance of 2003 were so discouraging and brought fear that the merger may not bring as much benefits as it had been expected earlier.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In general the performance of the merger was positive to returns to the shareholders. It worked to improve the wealth of the shareholders by increasing the earnings per share and market capitalization. This was possible as the company was able to cut on cost, increase market share and consequently increase Revenue. http://www.pfizer.com/files/annualreport/2004/financial/financial2004.pdf.) Evaluation and prognosis of merger between Pfizer and Warner-Lambert. a) M&A effects on Pfizer’s long term position in its product market areas. There had been both positive and negative effects experienced as a result of the merger between Pfizer and Warner-Lambert.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The short run was characterized by very encouraging positive results. These results showed that the company was achieving its goal of becoming the most valued pharmaceutical company to all its stakeholders. The positive effects were evident in the performance of the company. Immediately after the merger with Warner-Lambert, the stock prices shot up, the revenue soared and earnings increased. The market capitalization increased significantly. All the indicators showed that the company was headed for excellence in all aspects in the industry. It was able to increase its market share to a bigger percentage than the combined market share of the companies before the merger.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   However, in the long run Pfizer performance does not reflect the earlier exhibited positive growth. There had been a slack in the trend of growth that had been observed in the short run after the merger with Warner-Lambert. The merger between the two giant companies which had been declared the first and second fastest growing companies in the pharmaceutical industry was aimed at creating one giant company with great power to foster increase growth and development. The goal was to establish strong international presence in all major markets in the industry. Merging with Warner-Lambert made the new company the biggest in the industry with a huge budget of Research and development (Knack R. 2000).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Glaxo merged with Smith Kline to form GlaxoSmithkline a company that was bigger than Pfizer after acquiring Warner-Lambert. Thus the leadership role that Pfizer wanted to have was overtaken. The competitive advantage that had accrued to Pfizer as the largest company in the industry with ability to carry out costly researches and conquer new markets as well as release many new markets, diminished. Though Pfizer tried to fight further by putting more efforts through other acquisition it never gave much impact. Pfizer acquired Pharmacia but the impact was not as big as when it acquired Warner-Lambert (Ramrattan L. and Szenberg M. 2006).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The performance of Pfizer has not been as was expected considering its performance in the short run shortly after the merger. The stock prices had risen to $46 but this is not the case now. The stock prices have been decreasing steadily from $46 in June 2000 to $22.33 as of Friday February 2008. This shows that, instead of improving the company is facing some difficulties in operation (http://investing.businessweek.com/research/stocks/snapshort/historical/asp?symbol=PFE). The company’s performance has been below the industry’s performance since 2005 to present.   The performance is also below the S&P 500 index or performance of the pharmaceutical industry. (http://www.thestreet.com/tech/adamfeuerstein/10005524.html). Homer Pfizer has struggled to restructure its operations and remain relevant in the market. This restructure was in various operations of the company and even in the leadership. The chief executive officer was changed (http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/M-R/McKinnell-Henry-A-Jr-1943.html).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The declining performance of Pfizer had been characterized by loss of some share of the market thus reducing the size of the market it had captured in 2000 after the merger. Pfizer, after much restructuring and leadership of a new CEO, have managed to remain one of the biggest in the industry with a market capitalization of $152,510 millions. The leading company in this industry is Johnson & Johnson which have a market capitalization of $180,004 millions. Pfizer is the second and Glaxo Smithkline PLC is the third with a market capitalization of $132,384 million (http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/external/ibd.morningstar.com/quicktake/standard/client/shell/AP707.html?ticker=PFE&valid=NO&MP=FP&pageidx=1&pageitemidx=2).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Generally, the merger of Pfizer and Warner-Lambert helped Pfizer to gain some crucial benefits that helped the company to establish itself better in the market place. The population, Research and development muscle and acquisition of significant patents were major boosts for Pfizer. By acquiring Warner-Lambert, Pfizer got 100% ownership of the Lipitar patent which was one of the major products that have contributed to Pfizer good performance. However this have been in the short run and for the company to establish a firm long lasting position in its product market will require adoption of another strategy which will produce more long term benefits (Cerami C. 2000). b) Major changes to strategic decisions and directions to improve performance and prospects. There are some various changes that the Pfizer Inc can undertake so as to improve its performance in the short run and in the long run. Technology use. Pfizer can adopt a more purposeful use of technology to improve its performance. Technology is a powerful business tool which can be very useful in turning performance of a company round. Technology can be used in research, production of products, management and administration and in marketing (Du Boff R. 2000). In the modern world online commerce is rife and the companies utilize this opportunity for marketing its products to more areas of the world. The company should adapt a technology strategy which should be aimed at establishing new products, managing operations, establishing new markets and increasing competitive advantage ion the already established markets. Technology can improve operations of the company by better using the technology to manage information and communication in the company as well as establishing controls in the work. These are the aspects of the company that will help it to cut on administration costs as well as achieve more efficiency and hence increasing customer satisfaction. Customer satisfaction will in turn lead to improved sales and profitability of the company (Beltran L. 2000). Technology can also achieve a lot in production. Adapting high technology may be expensive at cost but the benefit derived will be major and long lasting. Besides that, good technology will lead to improved efficiency in production which will consequently lead to reduction in cost and improvement in quality of the products (Carey D and Ogden D. 2004). Explore new market Instead of depending on the already established market, Pfizer should put more effort in market research so as to determine other potential markets for its products. Earlier entry will give the company an upper hand than its competitors in the new market. Technology can be used to help in assessing the potential of these markets and also in identifying their specific needs so as to develop the products required for that market. This will enable the company to continue being relevant to more people of the world and thus further its effort of being the most valued pharmaceutical company to all the people of the world.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Other efforts should be put to explore all potential markets so as to ensure all feasible opportunities available are utilized for the benefit of the company. The company should keep on evaluating its market and the industry. The market conditions in the modern world are characterized by rapid and more unpredictable changes and thus for a company to survive the instability that comes with unpredictable markets a lot of efforts have to be put in market scanning and evaluation of the industry. Consequently if a company want to be the leader in its industry a lot more have to be done. The company besides scanning the market has to put up a strategy that will help it to manage change effectively as well as project the market with a bigger degree of certainty and accuracy. The company should always be ahead of others and so should apply proactive measures instead of waiting to react to issues. Product range. The company should not rely on a few main products for its success in business. The company has a big range of products which should be marketed well so as to establish themselves better in the market and thus earn the company much revenue. Most of the products of the company can do better if more efforts can be used to market the products. The company should make up a marketing strategy aimed at conducting intensive marketing of all products. This will help the company to increase revenue got form all products instead of relying on revenue from a few products. Marketing can be done by utilizing emerging aspects of the market conditions. An example of such aspects includes electronic commerce. Pfizer can put up a strategy of conducting intensive online marketing and then conduct sales through electronic commerce. Pfizer should also try to market its image to European and American authorities as this will give it more easier job when it comes to lobbying for certification of new products. These measures will help the company avert problems that it had faced in the past due to delay in approval of some of its new products (Dubois W. 2003). Quick approval of products will help the company to start benefiting from its investment in the product as early as possible. Early approval of a prod7uct will also help to reduce the opportunity cost that comes up with such delays Acquisition Pfizer should reconsider its strategy of acquisition so as to gain dominance in the market. Though acquisition brings a lot of benefits, there are equally big costs involved from experience the benefits are not very long term so Pfizer should examine new strategies instead of being invested through acquisition can be invested in research of a potential market. Reference: Aitkin M Baskaran S.  Ã‚   Lamarre E.   Silber M. Waters S. A License to Cure. The McKinsey Quarterly, 2000. Associated press. Market performance. Retrieved on February 15, 2008 from http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/external/ibd.morningstar.com/quicktake/standard/client/shell/AP707.html?ticker=PFE&valid=NO&MP=FP&pageidx=1&pageitemidx=2 BBC. Drug giants merge. Retrieved on February 15, 2008 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/633782.stm Beltran L. (2000). Earnings Growth Redefined. Black Enterprise, Vol. 30, July 2000 Business wire. Warner-Lambert announces Goodes to retire.   Retrieved on February 15, 2008 from http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0EIN/is_1999_Feb_1/ai_53672006 Businessweek. Earnings. 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Retrieved on February 15, 2008 from http://www.pfizer.ca/english/newsroom/press%20releases/default.asp?s=1&year=2000&releaseID=29 Pfizer. Retrieved on February 15, 2008 from Pryor F. (2001). Dimensions of the Worldwide Merger Boom. Journal of Economic Issues, Vol. 35, 2001. Ramrattan L. Szenberg M. (2006) Global Competition and the United States Pharmaceutical Industry. American Economist, Vol. 50. Referenceforbusiness.com. McKinnell-Henry. Retrieved on February 15, 2008 from Securities and Exchange Council. Facing our future together. Retrieved on February 15, 2008 from http://www.secinfo.com/dsVsj.599.htm#1stPage The Birmingham Post (England). Pfizer Looks to Global Leadership after Pounds 57bn Takeover of Warner-Lambert. February 8, 2000 The street.com. Pfizer keeps its outlook on positive side. Retrieved on February 15, 2008 from http://www.thestreet.com/tech/adamfeuerstein/10005524.html