Automotive Energy Consumption Essay examples -- Automobiles Transporta

Automotive Energy ConsumptionIn the United States, the machine has come to be more than simply a means of transportation, but also a status symbol and a symbol of autonomy. As a status symbol, automobiles bear gotten larger and more expensive, with little or no regard for efficiency or environmental impact. With the proliferation of the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), the mean(a) fuel efficiency of cars in the United States has begun to fall from a peak over a decade ago. With technological and material advances made in the go bad decade, it seems counterintuitive that average fuel economy had begun to decline. In order to understand the advances made in internal combustion engine technology, one must have a basic understanding of engines and the fuels they burn.Four Stroke Internal Combustion EnginesThe 4-stroke, internal combustion engine at the heart of most automobiles on the route today is relatively inefficient and produces high levels of pollutants. Even the most efficie nt gasoline burning internal combustion engines convert only 30-40% of the energy accessible in the fuel in to work. The rest of the energy is lost to heat, and is thrown away into the environment through with(predicate) a heat exchanger (radiator) or through exhaust gases. Exhaust gases account for much of the pollution generated by internal combustion engines. Gasoline, for example produces Greenhouse gases such as Carbon Monoxide (CO), Carbon Dioxide (CO2), newton Oxides (NOxs) and releases unburned hydrocarbons (fuel) into the atmosphere. Greenhouse Gases are responsible for much of the depletion of the ozone layer, lead to global warming and pose health threats to humans. In addition to these drawbacks, fossil fuels are not in endless supply and co... ...ssil fuel supplies. In order for any course of follow through to have widespread success, the people must stand behind it. In the case of this investigation, the citizens of the United States need to understand the necessity of conservation and the consequences of non-conformance. This may require government- imposed penalties to businesses and individuals who dont do their part to conserve. The exact inside information of such a system are not crucial at this moment, but rather a simple understanding of the outlook for the future. Without swift action in the near future to curb hydrocarbon consumption, both the environment and the world economy stand to suffer significantly. Sourceshttp//www.gm.com/http//www.energy.gov/http//www.epa.gov/http//www.fossilfuels.org/http//www.thinkmobility.com/http//www.afdc.doe.gov/http//www.fueleconomy.gov/

The Nature of Victory in a War on Terrorism :: September 11 Terrorism Essays

While President Bush has proclaimed a war on terrorism and taken measured steps in a strategic battle against terrorist roots, most prominently al Qaida, American citizens have been living lives utmost removed from his proclamation. The American pot have responded to the September 11th act of war with an outpouring of democratic rhetoric and bizarre acts of patriotism1. Sadly, our proud demonstrations have sincerely yours ignored the reality of ensuing war. Americans have donated blood and established funds for firefighters families, while failing to look outside of our nation with any intention of cause the grounds for popular terrorism in Arab and Muslim states. The American public refuses to accept that we are a nation at war because we are scrap against a culture of Islamic extremists instead of a tangible state that we can define in our minds. Moreover, we are at war with a group of people that we do not understand and are disinclined to learn about. While the politics of the United States fights a war, using diplomacy, financial traps, and of course, missiles and bombs, the American people must fight a war against our ignorance of the enemy. Additionally, the American people must fight against the propaganda and war hysteria that surrounds us in our own nation in order to identify our genuine role in the war on terrorism. A true victory over terrorism does not lie in a successful military campaign or the destruction of one powerful terrorist network a true victory lies in a spherical understanding of Arab culture and a go forthingness to accept certain values embraced by Arab and Muslim nations. As our nation launches offensives against the Taliban and al Qaida, we must realize that there will never be a way to militarily or luridly defeat every terrorist group in the Middle East, even if our nation may be successful in destroying al Qaida and deposing the Taliban. There are simply too many terrorist organizations to effectively fight, owi ng to the popularity of the groups amongst citizens of Middle Eastern states. The eradication of violent Islamic extremist groups will only come with the appeasement of impoverished, disgruntled, and deeply angry Arabs and Muslims. This is something that we, as private citizens, cannot leave solely to the charge of our national government in fact, this is something which our government alone cannot accomplish. The United States will never win a war on terrorism if American citizens are unwilling to introduce in the daily struggle against the socioeconomic and political conditions that spawn popularly supported terrorism within Middle Eastern states.

Marks and Spencer Strategy Insight :: Business Management Retail Consumerism Essays

mark and Spencer Strategy InsightAt the mark & Spencer AGM, on the 11th July 2001, Luc Vandevelde, the Chairman and Chief executive of Marks & Spencer, gave a key speech regarding the managements recovery plan for the company, which was launched earlier in the year. The speech and extracts from Marks & Spencer Press Releases, presented below, provide a valuable insight into the nature of strategic planning within large organisations, and the role of the Chairman and Chief Executive in this process.Extracts from the SpeechGood morning. Welcome to the 2001 Annual General Meeting. I want to dispel up exactly where we left off a year ago. In response to the very last question from the floor at the 2000 AGM, I make this statement I am taking charge and I will create shareholder value in the future.Id like you to keep that statement in mind. In everything we have done or are planning to do for your Company, we share with you the common objective of increasing the value of your investmen t by returning Marks & Spencer to its rightful, leading position in the marketplace.As to taking charge, at the last AGM Id been with Marks & Spencer for less than five months - and I didnt take over as Chief Executive until two months after the AGM in September 2000.At that point, a little over six months in, I came to certain conclusions about the Companys strategy ... and it took six months because Marks & Spencer is a very unique and very complex company.My conclusion was that the recovery plan, then in place, was doing a lot of useful things ... getting us close set(predicate) to our customers, improving our supply chain, and so on. But it still wasnt good enough to address the real problems of the Company which, as Ive already admitted, were more expert than I realised when I first took up this post.The previous plan was like feeding a tree that was already overgrown and unhealthy. What it really needed was serious pruning back. It had unproductive limbs that were hampering its growth and a lot of its best characteristics were lost in the foliage.It became clear that for M&S to grow productively, we had to get back to its nubble strengths - to those fundamentals that underpinned its success in the past - and begin our recovery from there.Putting together the right team

Gender Relations and Inequality in India Essay -- female feticide, unf

Gender relations and inequality is experienced through lack of educational matters and unfair manipulation of women and children, thus in many cases forcing women to run households, while the men are away at work in various seasonal migration jobs at unviable wages. As defined in a classic article, income inequality is the distribution of total income amongst the represented population (Gehring13). In outlined studies evidence can conclude that unworthy gender relations in fact can be convoluted into other issues such as overpopulation, child malnourishment, low levels of GDP, and GNI. This in fact sounds to be true for what India is experiencing today. The predominant issue of gender inequality has led many down the pathway to poverty and what may be considered to many as the used Sector. The exploited and primary sector in modern day India, which most are subject to, is facing many challenging issues such as long working hours, low wages, and no benefits which contributes t o the inequality standards. The National Commission for Enterprises in the Unorganized Sector (NCEUS), reports that the exploited sector Is the very lowest earning in all countries which in fact is found more often than not in India, as many workers have trekked to the Southern region of India. The workers make under(a) minimum wage daily contributing to the lower standards of growth and overpopulation numbers. Workers are also subject to work extremely long hours outside for next to secret code where they are, what Dejanvry may term the Traditional Sector. Indias temperature is accurate for its often at times above 100 degrees during the day and cooler at night making this a great deal of hardship. The workers at time often are subject to work extrem... ...ube, R., & Bhatnagar, R. (1999). Women without Choice Female Infanticide and the Rhetoric of Overpopulation in Postcolonial India. Womens Studies Quarterly, 27(1), 2nd ser., 73-86.Gehring, Keith. Economic Growth and Income Ine quality in India. N.p., June 2006. Web.Jacobs, S. (2010). Structures and processes Land, families, and gender relations. Gender and Development, 35-42.Kingdon, G. G. (2007). The progress of school education in India. Oxford Review of Economic Policy, 23(2), 168-195. doi 10.1093/oxrep/grm015 immortalise R. Rosenzweig, M., & Stark, O. (1989). Consumption Smoothing, Migration, and Marriage Evidence from Rural India. Chicago Journals, 97(4), 905-926.Raj, Anita. Gender Equity and Universal Health Coverage in India. The Lancet 377.9766 (2011) 618-19. Print.The World Bank. India. N.p., n.d. Web. 19 April. 2014.

A Deconstructionist Critique of Chopin’s The Awakening Essay -- Chopin

A Deconstructionist Critique of Chopins The AwakeningThe numerosity of meanings and (re)interpretations informing critical studies of The Awakening reveal a novel ripe for deconstructionist critique. Just as Chopin evokes an image of the sea as symbolic of Ednas shifting consciousness (never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude,138), likewise the deconstructionist reading of a text edition emphasizes fluidity over structure A text consists of words inscribed in and inextricable from the myriad discourses that inform it from the point of view of deconstruction, the boundaries between any given text and that larger text we call language are always shifting, (297). From this perspective, the reader/critic opens the doors of interpretation instead of narrowing their focus to any singular, exclusionary reading, and exposes the deconstruction at work at bottom the text itself. Whether defined as feminist martyr, metaphorical lesbia n, the triumphant image of social transcendence or a broken bird beating the lineage above . . . circlin...

A Deconstructionist Critique of Chopin’s The Awakening Essay -- Chopin

A Deconstructionist Critique of Chopins The AwakeningThe multiplicity of meanings and (re)interpretations informing dilettanteal studies of The Awakening reveal a legend ripe for deconstructionist critique. Just as Chopin evokes an image of the sea as symbolic of Ednas shifting consciousness (never ceasing, whispering, clamoring, murmuring, inviting the soul to wander in abysses of solitude,138), likewise the deconstructionist reading of a text emphasizes fluidity over structure A text consists of words inscribed in and inextricable from the unnumberable discourses that inform it from the point of view of deconstruction, the boundaries between any given text and that larger text we call language are always shifting, (297). From this perspective, the reader/critic opens the doors of interpretation instead of narrowing their focus to any singular, exclusionary reading, and exposes the deconstruction at work within the text itself. Whether defined as feminist martyr, metaphorical les bian, the exulting image of social transcendence or a broken bird beating the air above . . . circlin...

Response to Albert Einstein’s Letter to Phyllis Wright

When Albert Einstein, also known as the greatest scientist of the twentieth century, and a Nobel-prize winner, receives a letter from a sixth-grade girl named Phyllis Wright questioning if scientists pray, and if so, what do they pray for Einstein simultaneously uses various rhetoric methods such as SOAPS, ethos, logos, and pathos to respond to Wrights question in the simplest form possible, and in doing so, Einstein created a rhetorically utile response. Einsteins rhetorical aspire was to elaborate how scientists perceive scientific and religious elucidations.Considering the fact that Einstein is a name known throughout the world and is one of the most legendary scientists known to man, Einstein establishes ethos right away. He has what you could call, automatic ethos. Most people wouldnt dare to doubt a Nobel-prize winner. Having that in mind, Einstein has a strong amount of credibility to speak on behalf of science and religion through his perspective. Einstein also uses ordi nary jargon that any average human could understand, causing people to think highly of him. It moldiness be admitted our actual knowledge of these laws is only imperfect and fragmentary.By using words such as our, Einstein preserves his ethos by establishing himself as a common man, instead of the Nobel-prize winner. This helps his audience relate to his points. Einstein indeed continues on to create his idea of logos, which he created by supplying a counterargument. Scientific look into is based on the idea that everything that takes place is determined by laws of spirit, and therefore this holds for the actions of people. By stating this, Einstein concedes to the contr everywheresy of scientists with no religious beliefs.However, while conceding with the scientists that see in the laws of nature, Einstein was concurrently supporting his own statement by showing that he has given a reasonable amount of deliberation to this composition of science and religion. Einstein is care ful when using pathos to help state his point of view, because if you use too much pathos, it will make your entire purpose look more propagandistic. Einstein appeals to his religious viewers by explaining that there could be a spirit vastly superior to that of man relating to the affairs of science.Einstein then goes on to state that, in this way the pursuit of science leads to a religious feeling of some sort, which is indeed quite diametrical from the religiosity of soulfulness more naive. This was Einsteins clarification, that whether you agree with science or religion, they all involve faith and hope, they just involve different beliefs. The overt casing of Einsteins response regarding Phyllis Wrights letter was whether or not scientists pray and what they pray for. The occasion is Einstein receiving a letter from a sixth-grader feel for clarification about science and religion.The audience is a more controversial topic. Some say the audience is obviously Phyllis Wright, si nce he is replying to her letter. However, other people drive home suggested that due to Einsteins ethos and his etiquette structure of his response, Einstein knew his response would be seen not just by Phyllis Wright, but by people all over the world. Einsteins purpose is intricate, you have to analyze the entire letter to understand what Einstein was trying to achieve in responding to Wright. On the surface, it may come out that Einsteins purpose was to elaborate the nature of science and religion combined.Ultimately, it seems as though Einstein actually wanted to offer Wright a different perspective, due to Einsteins failure to directly answer Wrights question. After Einsteins receipt of Phyllis Wrights letter concerning the combination of nature and science, and the nature of faith, Einstein takes a more logical approach to the ideals of religion, prayer, and science while acknowledging the differences from a scientists point of view. Einstein creates a rhetorically effective response to Wright by giving examples of multiple different rhetoric methods to meet his rhetorical purpose of science and religion from a scientists perspective.

Stream of consciousness for Frankenstein’s monster

One heart, was adequately strong to withstand the pain, the pressure, the grief. Inside hatred, vengeance, and long nights with only me, a candle and a bottle of wine. Alone again, you and l. Edited the way you enshrouded my companion, under your white sheets, as if she never lived. She was alive- until that cruel and ruthless Elizabeth destroyed her, without humanity. So I wasnt able to progress to this, It was too much I roared, I raged, with all my might Then I got my renewable Revenge Revenge Renewable Hal Hal Hal SelfishSelflessnesss You didnt think about me, did you? You left me, without asking what I thought about it. You didnt ask me if I would be alright without you. You wont understand, how I felt. Would you? The years I bore the anguish, the years I eve suffered pain, I was helpless, hopeless, I felt the shame. All I wanted was a companion, love and comfort, thats all. Then, I would have left you alone -Oh years ago, of course, I would have went to the wilderness, and ma ny other places, to explore the world. And I am not alright. Im hurt. I am wounded, the people see me and they run away reified.In horror, in disgust. When I try to talk to them, they betray me. My heart cries out In sorrow and agonizing pain. How easy It would be to let me take It. To close my eyes, to give up. It Is plentiful I have had ENOUGH Im sorry, I II have to die, Fraternities. Alone again, you and l. hated the way you enshrouded my companion, under your it was too much Then I got my rearrange Revenge Revenge

Ethical Consumerism: The Local Food Company

Exe diminishedive SummaryThe report aims to understand the concept of honorable consumerism, with the help of an organisation that operates ethically. The selected organisation is The local pabulum corporation in the UK. The local anesthetic intellectual nourishment phoner is engaged in sourcing and deliin truth of fresh, local and organic food including fruits and vegetables (organic and non-organic), dairy, grocery baked products and household items. Firstly, the report will provide an interpolation to ethical consumerism and ethical products. Secondly, the report will conduct a detailed analysis of The topical anaesthetic Food caller-out ethical activities and its friendlyly liable transmission line. Thirdly, findings from a short feeling survey based on consumer behaviour argon presented, withstandly, the report will conclude with the strike findings.1. Introduction honorable consumerismConsumers atomic number 18 getting more informed with the help of Internet and this is influencing their dealing decisions. According to many scholars, the idea of ethical consumerism rose from the end of the 20th century due to change magnitude media and ability to access information, and better availability of products (Newholm and Shaw, 2007). Ethical consumers have political, spiritual, religious, environmental and social motives for purchasing one product over other options (Harrison et al., 2005). there are two types of buy behaviour as stated by economists traditional purchase behaviour and ethical purchase behaviour. People will normally buy the cheapest product but only if they are confident that the product is as good as slightly more costly options available (Beardshaw, 1992 cited in Harrison et al., 2005). This is know as traditional purchase behaviour. Some dates, customers boycott a authentic product or brand and opt for a unobjectionable labelled or environmental friendly product as they convey ethical means more important (Harrison et al. , 2005). This type of behaviour is termed ethical purchase behaviour. An ethical consumer is not soulfulness who is ignoring price and quality but is applying additional criteria when acquire a certain product. Ethical consumerism can be defined as the degree to which the customers prioritise their have got ethical concerns when making product choices (Shaw and Clarke, 1998). Ethical consumerism is linked with morality. According to Crane and Matten (2005), morality is related to the norms, beliefs and values embedded in the social processes that aims to define respectable or wrong for an individual or society. Ethical consumers can boycott a product if they read something unethical about a brand or they can simply purchase products, which are ethically sourced or have fair trade tag. Ethical consumers consider the impact of their act of personal expending on the society and environment. They dont purchase product that are harmful to environment and respect animal and human rig hts. For example purchasing unconfined eggs boycotting products manufactured by child, forced labour or labours who are offered start wages.There are various products that fall into the ethical category are banking, cleaning, cosmetics & toiletries, dairy, energy finance, fashion, food, insurance, soft drinks, tea industry and travel. According to ethicalconsumer.org (2014), there are over 200 ethical products in different categories. for example, a washing shape to save water and energy, a cooker with the least environmental impact, baby bottle sterilizer and impact of plastic on environment living wage of histrion who manufacture clothes materials use in shoes-pvc, leather, wool purchasing a greener desktop computer milk and animal welfare low wages in banana industry lead in lipstick fair trade flowers bio detergent for cleaner environment green or eco insurance companies mobile call helping activists human rights issues in constructing hotels, etc.2. Review of an ethical or ganisation The Local Food CompanyThe Local food caller-out is engaged in sourcing and delivery of fresh, local and organic food including fruits and vegetables (organic and non-organic), dairy, grocery baked products and household items (The Local Food Company, 2014a). The fellowship aims to source majority of products from Devonshire and West Country. It is a family line of credit operating for over 200 years in Devon. The company is based at farm shop, Countrymens Choice at Ivybridge. The company has provided an alternative to supermarket online services. macrocosm a small producer, it is successful as an online retailer. The company has been awarded for its green practices and ethical means of working. It includes Internet retailer of the year in 2006 for the South West, Green duty of the year in 2007 and greening Devon finalist in 2007 EDBI awards. The company has proved how to run a sustainable food business. The company states, At The Local Food Company we believe in a fa ir deal for our customers, our suppliers, the environment, animals and indeed for ourselves. The Local Food Company claims to operate ethically. The Local Food Company are a very green and ethical business we believe right now we are the greenest place you will be able to purchase food from in the UK (The Local Food Company, 2014a). In addition to ethical sourcing of product, a business is also regarded as socially responsible when it fulfil the unavoidably and wants of different stakeholders much(prenominal) as customers, employees, suppliers and investors. Any businesses that incur ethical artefacts attract as wellspring as retain investors, customers and employees. To formulate this aspect, we take into account the Local food company ethical trading policies (The Local Food Company, 2014b). In exercising business ethics aspect, the Local Food Company have registered all employees to trade unions and provided them with fair wages and equal treatment. The company is against chi ld labour, deductions from wages as a disciplinary measure, forcing employees to work excessive hours and discrimination. In addition to this, the company has no valuation account to bribery, blackmailing and bullying aspects among the staff and the consumers (The Local Food Company, 2014b). The Local Food Company has improved working conditions for employees making it safe and hygienic, hence boosting the morale of employees as well as strengthening the bond between the company and consumers preferences based on the products they produce. In some areas, it also operates above the minimum standards required by virtue in terms of safety of employees, rewards and values. This shows that the companys main motive is not just to earn profit but also consider their employees needs and wants. At Local Food Company, any member of the staff is free to view his or her sentiment and the company usually accepts the sentiment equally without racial prejudice as well as discrimination based on gender. It can be seen that the company works as a socially responsible business in terms of employment practices different ethical policies of The Local Food company are clearly stated on the website.The Local food company also promotes and encourages suppliers to follow ethical guidelines. All suppliers signed up have an e logo next to their goods. Also, there is no restriction laid on suppliers. Suppliers are free to sell from anywhere, via any number of outlets to buyers. However, the company monitors supply chain standards for unethical practices. Direct suppliers are asked to sign the acknowledgement of key trading ethical practices (The Local food Company, 2014b). Then after 1 year of work together with supplier, The Local Food Company introduces self-assessment questionnaire to promote ethical practices. Then, the company visits supplier farms on a regular tail end to gain understanding of suppliers operation. Payment is made on time and done on the basis of market price ( The Local food Company, 2014b).In order to attract customers, the company presents their ethical achievements so that customers can make informed purchasing decisions. The company engages in publishing policies, detailed supplier and product information on their website. In the first two years of trading, the company publishes comprehensive ethical and social charter giving consumers the freedom to access information about ethically sourced products (The Local Food Company, 2014b).It is good to know that any company within business platform needs to set out ethical guidelines that in turns lead to less risk hence increasing sales output. Based on this point, The Local Food Company in array of business produces various products including Bakery, Dairy, Meat and fish, Fruit and Vegetables, Prepared Ready Meals, Groceries and Drinks and Household items. These products however, are produced based on the standards chest and local organic food regulations. The company has to ensure that buyers as well as suppliers are free with no restrictions to buy and sell the products anywhere and crosswise the country on any outlets. In this way, the company ethically gives the buyer and suppliers all rights to their preferences without an essence of restrictions. The company has been able to drive business risks through these incarnate forms of business to maintain maximal sales profit as far as financial outcomes of the business is concerned (Beauchamp, 2004).The Local Food Company has compete a bigger role in encouraging small producers to implement ethical practices. To ascertain the aspect of ethics, the company exercises the aspect of go green. The company ensures that all products unveiled to the consumers are in better conditions with highest order of hygiene and that all materials used are environmental friendly. The company sells food with a low footprint in collection and delivery. They claim to have lowest carbon footprints of all the businesses in the UK (The Lo cal Food Company, 2014c). The company encourages customers to but locally and regionally, and cut food miles. Foods are based on high animal standards and sustainable farming practices. The company provides written guidelines on the waste disposal and insists on recycle programme for the benefit of the consumers. They reduce, reuse, and recycle everything possible.3. Short opinion survey what influences consumer buying behaviourA short opinion survey was carried out from a seek of students at GSM London. Students were asked about the main factors that influences buying behaviour. Most of the students considered the location of the store as an important aspect when purchasing a product. One of the student stated, I dont like to travel much for a product and always looking for options available near my location such as Starbucks burnt umber shop that can be found anywhere. Some students also considered that they avoid stores that are crowded. Students also considered reading online reviews before making a buying decision. A student said, If I am planning to buy something, I always search online reviews, if majority of reviews are positive, I make a purchase without thinking of the brand. Few students mentioned about ethical behaviour in purchasing. They stated that after reading about a brand in intelligence operation about forced labour or child labour, they boycotted the brand. A group of students mentioned about Rana plaza disaster, which changed the way they purchased products. The disasters resulted in number of deaths and injuries. Consumers regarded this as a serious issue and didnt purchase from clothing brands that were involved. Students are also influenced by news videos circulating in social media. One of them stated, I was very much depressed when I saw Peta video of how Chinese worker were handling rabbits for getting angora wool this video encouraged me to say no to angora wool.4. ConclusionAn ethical consumer is the one who applies additional criteria when buying a product. They want to buy a fair-trade labelled or ethically sourced product. They consider the impact of their private consumption on society and environment. An ethical consumer simply boycotts product that are associated with child labour or other unethical activities. There are various products that come into ethical category such as food, clothing, insurance, energy, soft drink tea and finance. One of the companies that claim to be ethical is The Local Food Company, based in Devon in the UK. The company is engaged in selling of bakery products, dairy, meat & fish, fruits & vegetables and household items. The company has been awarded with many green awards. The company acts as a socially responsible organisation and aims to fulfil needs and wants of different stakeholders such as customers, suppliers and employees. Suppliers are encouraged by The Local Food Company to follow ethical procedures in production. They are given the liberty to sell their food v ia any number of outlets. They are paid on time and treated respectfully. Ethical policies clearly show that company is against child labour and excessive working. The employees are offered safe and hygienic working environment. For customers to choose wisely, the company has listed information on supplier standards and ethical practices on their website. With the development of Internet technology, customers are getting more informed about the products they use or consume. According to the opinion survey conducted, customers make their purchasing decision on the basis of online reviews, location of store and store environment. They also consider ethical factors when buying a certain product. They boycott a brand when they read something bad about a product or say no to product that are against human rights.5. ReferencesBeauchamp, T. (2004) suit of clothes studies in business, society and ethics, 5th edition, Upper saddle River, NJ Pearson Prentice Hall.Crane, A. and Matten, D. (20 05) Corporate citizenship toward an extended theoretical conceptualization, The Academy of Management Review, Vol. 30, Issue 1, p166- 179.Ethicalconsumer.org (2014) Product guides, Last accessed 23rd November 2014 athttp//www.ethicalconsumer.org/buyersguides.aspxHarrison, R., Newholm, T. and Shaw, D. (2005) The ethical consumer, 1st edition, Wiltshire Sage.Newholm, T. and Shaw, D. (2007) Studying the ethical consumer a review of research, ledger of Consumer Behaviour, Vol.6, Issue 5, p253-270.Shaw, Deirdre S. and Ian Clarke, (1998) Culture, Consumption and Choice Towards a Conceptual Relationship, Journal of Consumer Studies and Home Economics, Vol. 22, Issue 3, p163-168.The Local Food Company (2014a) Welcome to the Local Food company, Last accessed 23rd November 2014 athttp//www.thelocalfoodcompany.co.uk/The Local Food Company (2014b) Ethical Policy, Last accessed 24th November 2014 athttp//www.thelocalfoodcompany.co.uk/p/ethical-policyThe Local Food Company (2014) Environmental i ssues, Last accessed 24th November 2014 athttp//www.thelocalfoodcompany.co.uk/p/about-us/about-environmental-issues

An Analysis of Women’s Mindset About Plastic Surgery Essay

Based on Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia stated that ravisher is a value that related to emotional aspect that mean vitality, fertility, health, happiness, goodness, and love. Beauty is commonly defined as a characteristic present in objects, much(prenominal) as nature, art work, and a human person, that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure, joy, and satisfaction to the observer, through sensory manifestations such as shape, color, and personality. Beauty thus manifested commonly conveys some level ofharmony amongst components of an object (New World Encyclopedia).Thomas Aquinas (1225 1274), wrote on the essence of truelove. He thought that beauty was the result of one-third prerequisites wholeness (lat. integritas) or perfection, harmony (lat. proportio) and clarity or brightness (Pentti Rautio, 2007). For many centuries, people and philosophers have expressed their definition of beauty. They show their own argument with different definition. However, nowadays we pie ce of ass not get the really nub of beauty, beca habit beauty has been lost over time. It just leaves a word ( Nancy Etcoff, 1999, p. 69). Everyone want to be beautiful, especially for women.They make themselves as beautiful as they can. For being beautiful, they have an icon to be followed. They use a Barbie madams as a fashion icon because they think that Barbie is the image of beauty woman. Barbie has thin and tall body, flawless skin, long hair and big eyes. It shows that Barbie is perfect creature. Because of it, Barbie has affected a lot of women through its beauty. Barbie become the image of beauty by its history. Barbie is named by Ruth coach-and-four which comes from his daughters name Barbara. Barbara is the same as an separate child that play with a toys but she always use a paper to make a dolls.During a trip to Europe with her child Barbara in 1956, Ruth Handler came across a German and fix a doll called Bild Lilli. The Bild Lilli doll was very popular at that time, it was made based on a character in a comic tear down drawn by Reinhard Beuthin for the newspaper Die Bild-Zeitung. In 1955, The Bild Lilli doll was initially sold to adults and became popular with children who enjoyed dressing up. On her return to the United States, Ruth Handler tried to redesign the Bird Lilly doll with help from Jack Ryan that works as an engineer.Moreover, the doll that was redesign by Ruth handler was addicted a new name Barbie, after Ruth Handlers daughter Barbara. The Barbie doll made its first debut at the American International coquet Fair in New York on March 9, 1959. This date is also used as Barbies birthday. The Bird Lilli doll production was stopped in 1964 and the first Barbie doll wore a black and white zebra striped swimsuit and signature topknot ponytail. The doll was marketed as a Ten-age Fashion Model with her clothes created by Charlotte Johnson. The first Barbie dolls were manufactured in Japan, with their clothes hand-stitched by Japanese home workers.Around 350,000 Barbie dolls were sold during the first year of production. Barbie was the first toy that has a selling strategy on television advertising. It is estimated that over a billion Barbie dolls have been sold out in over 150 countries and every second three Barbie dolls are sold. Barbie products include not only the range of dolls with their clothes and accessories, but also a large range of Barbie branded goods such as books, apparel, cosmetics and photograph games. Barbie has appeared in a series of animated films and is a supporting character in Toy Story 2 and Toy Story 3.Barbie has been given honors and become cultural icon that is rare in the toy world. In 1974 a section of Times Square in New York City was renamed Barbie boulevard for a week. In 2009, Barbie celebrated her 50th birthday. The celebrations included a runway show in New York for the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week and others event that used Barbie as the icon (James Penn, 2001). Barbie became a popular toy in America and the figure that was used by Mattel dolls and accessories.For five years, Barbie has been an important part of toy fashion doll market. However, behind its popularity, Barbie also became controversies because its life style. From a young age, children play with toys like Barbie dolls and burly action figures, with bodies that are physically impossible to achieve. Exposure to these ideals is damaging to the egoism of youths (MelodyBee, 2008). Usually, most of children play Barbie, especially for girls. They make Barbie as beautiful as they can. However, playing a Barbie doll can give bad influence for children. The Barbies clothes or the other things in Barbies world have affected the girls who playing Barbie think how importance of physical appearance. Barbie has affected them in term of fashion.They be dressed precocious because the influence of Barbie. Without realizing it, they are growing-up skipper. According to Marilyn Ferris Motz, he suggested, Barbie has other messages for us and that the dolls influence is more problematic, especially for children. It means that Barbie has bad side effect for children. Not only children, but nowadays the girls or women also make Barbie as woman figure that they want. Because of the figure of Barbie and other figures of beauties, women are convinced to believe that one must look like these images to be beautiful. The easiest way to achieve this is by having plastic surgery.Plastic surgery is a type of surgery that can involve both womens appearance and ability to function. Society today has influence women to believe that in order for a person to look beautiful, they must look like the images that are seen on television, in movies, and on the cover of magazines. Some of them are even willing to fill in order to achieve their desired beauty. Although plastic surgery can improve womens appearance, but it can induce a lot of detriments which whitethorn lead to dangerous risk, even death. F rom the description, I will analyze womens mindset about plastic surgery.

Compare and contrast the aims and methods of Trait Theory Essay

Psychologists seek to explain and formulate why people coiffe differently in everyday common situations and to define singular(a) differences in footing of the fellowship gained and it structure. Personality crapper be defined as an individuals characteristic qualities of thought, emotion and doings when interacting with their kind environment. characters are relatively enduring ways in which an individual differs from a nonher (Butt 2012, p. 46). Eysencks trait opening has it origins in the psychometric tradition of measurement while Kellys personal render supposition adopts a phenomenological approach. The aims and methods of both theories will be critically compared and contrasted awaylining their hypothetic perspectives and the knowledge that each produce. By focusing on individual differences their different methodological approaches will be assessed in terms of their objective and subjective roles, foreground that each be in possession of influential findings b ut dont completely give a complete account of all constitution phenomena. (Butt, 2012)Eysencks (1953) Trait hypothesis adopts a nomothetic approach that classifies personality dimensions to measure and describe the individual differences of personality. Its based on the assumption that individuals can be characterised by certain personal attributes or traits that in turn influence behaviour. Descriptions of traits have their foundation in everyday language pulmonary tuberculosisd to describe human behaviour trait scheme draws on the histrionic usage of traits in vocabulary much(prenominal) as ancient Greek typology. This usage is used to support certainty of, constitutional and biological factors that are indicated through personality traits (Butt, 2004). Eysenck used factor analysis to establish cluster traits using questionnaires (Eysencks Personality Inventory) proposing that two high school order factors could account for the clustering profile obtained, extraversion vs introversion and neuroticism vs stability, he later added and third psychoticism vs superego.Each factor has second order traits complete from factor analytic studies (Butt, 2012, p.50) to describe more fully individual characteristics or tendencies. Eysenck believed biology couldexplain the individual differences of personality, that causal factors at a neurological direct in the cortical and autonomic arousal systems influence an individuals temperament and behaviour. The purpose of personality theory is not to capture the idiosyncratic genius of the individual (Butt, 2012, p.47), but used as an indicator of how a person is likely to react in certain situations. Eysenck acknowledges that its not save biology that influences behaviour, but our past experiences and learning can likewise have an influence on current reactions to different stimuli. However trait theorists tend to view personality from a deterministic perspective, as stable and enduring and dont take into consid eration the behavioural and attitude changes that people experience over clip (Butt, 2012).Kellys (1955) personal construct theory, which is a form of phenomenology views personality as idiosyncratic phenomena that can not be measured, as each individual adopts a unique way of making sense of their world. Each person is seen as a composition of personal world views or constructs that are based on unique experiences. Individuals construct others behaviour in terms of their own subjective viewpoint. Kelly proposed we act like scientists, who form theories and assumptions about ourselves, others and the world. By inquiry and testing out the uncertainties of our assumptions we produce further inquiry that is an ongoing lifelong cycle. Based on the cognitive approach, it is these constructs or schemas Kelly theorises that provide the basis of our reactions and behaviour (Butt, 2012).Both Eysenck and Kelly aimed to produce theories that have a clinical application, Eysenck sought to use his theory for clinical diagnosis in response to discredited psychiatric classifications, while Kelly who practised as a psychotherapist sought to facilitate therapeutic change through learning and self awareness. Eysenck viewed classification as a fundamental part of scientific understand (Eysenck and Rachman, cited in Butt, 2012, p.48), Kelly placed no importance on the psychometric tradition of assessment the emphasis of his approach is on recognising the value of examining the unique cognitive constructs of an individuals world view and the self (Butt, 2012. p. 47). Kellys emphasis was on self-determination and problem solving rather than the diagnostic standardised dimensions usedby trait theories.Where trait theory seeks to discover societal norms and how we all differ in relation to them, personal construct theory places no importance on making individual comparisons through personality dimensions. Butt (2004) states that trait theory does not account for the richness of p ersonality in the way that personal construct theory can. Trait theory would propose that behaviour is biologically controlled and therefore consistently predictable, which excludes the potential for change, while personal construct theory views constructs as being flexible and fluid and therefore open to change, even through individuals might actively resist the difficulty of change (Butt, 2012).Mischel (as cited in Butt, 2012) a schoolchild of Kellys questioned trait theories deterministic view of behaviour consistency, arguing that behaviour was a diverse phenomenon influenced by kindly stimuli that people will behave differently according to the situation they find themselves in. Results from Zimbardos (1975) prison experiment would suggest that social situations can exert an influencing effect on behaviour. Skinner (1974), (as cited in Butt, 2012) proposed that traits can not explain behaviour they only provide a description, not an explanation of behaviour that simply identi fies regular patterns of behaviour, or a cycle of redescription (Butt, 2004. p.3) Mischel also points out that traits are implicit personality theories based on subjective perceptions of the individual being rated, or a perception of others which will reflect coloured prejudices of the sociocultural environment. He highlights a study were observers allocated the same traits to both strangers and those they new well, indicating fundamental attribution error (Butt, 2004), which suggests that observers attribute over generalised traits that are not valid. This raises the issue of trait objectivity, by highlighting the subjective nature of evaluation that challenges the concept of trait structure, along with the validity and reliability of factor analysis (Butt, 2012).It would push through that the objectivity of trait theory comes into question and therefore the methods it employs. The argument of patterns of similarity verses uniqueness and the approaches they adopt either nomotheti c (universally general) or idiographic (individually unique) is a applicablearea, as individual differences has traditionally set out to identify the universal dimensions of individuals. Eysenck used the nomothetic approach of factor analysis, which correlates clusters of traits that have been established through the use of subjective questionnaires and ratings. He addresses the criticism that factor analysis is prone to unreliable incongruent practitioner results stating that universal agreement and correlation is strong support for his statistical method (Eysenck and Stanley, as cited in Butt, 2012, p. 51).His measurement techniques provide objective data that can be used to draw comparisons across wide populations and provide a structure in which categorical typology can be conducted. However his factor analysis would appear to be used more in marketing and occupational rather than clinical psychology (Butt, 2012). Mischel stated that the only thing objective about personality i nventories was their administration and scoring (Butt, 2004). Alternatively the idiographic data self-possessed by personal construct theory produces subjective results that can not be generalised and therefore applied to our understanding of traits or people as a whole (Butt, 2012).Mischel concluded that personality testing only produces self-concepts and personal concepts and more appropriate idiographic measures should be employed like Kellys (1955) repertory grid, which helps to assess an individuals personal constructs. The repertory grid was devised by Kelly to elicit how individuals categorise constructs by comparing and contrasting experiences and events, allowing participants to access and assess personal meanings through construing. Individuals picture others behaviour in terms of their own subjective viewpoint. The results produced by repertory grid, can be subjected to factor or cluster analysis but only in terms of the individual meaning rather than a universal expl anation similar to Eysencks. Salmon (as cited in, Butt 2012) adopted Kellys theories of individual differences and integrates his philosophical system and methods into learning in schools. She criticises the market model of education, which she states delivers packages of knowledge that measures and classifies children through tests and examinations, which removes the individuality of the individual, creating hierarchies of ability.Like Kelly she argues that learning should be more interactive and intersubjective, that children consumeto engage in debate in order to formulate and challenge their own implicit constructs. She believed that it is only by the acknowledgment of existing constructs that personal cultivation can occur, through methods such as Kellys repertory grid. By adopting personal construct philosophy, she developed the Salmon line, which seeks to draw out the implicit by empowering students to define the idiosyncratic meaning of their personal expectations around academic progress. Salmon believed that the use of these phenomenological methods instead of the generalised preset formats of trait theory, offered access to living secular of understanding, which encourages learning and change. (Salmon1994, as cited in Butt 2012, p. 59)Salmon also highlights the hierarchical nature of learning, that educational success is based on the testing and grading students through examinations. From a Kelliyan philosophy, hierarchical structures are unbeneficial his emphasis is on the understanding of objects rather than labelling or comparison. Hierachical structures raise the issue of power relations that Kelly points to within trait theory and most psychometric methods. As with learning environments, power can be exerted by those who administer measurement tools and how they exert the knowledge that is gained. Trait theory because of its diagnostic emphasis has been criticised due to the pathologising nature of negative diagnosis. Richards (2002) highli ghts reification where methodology ascribes an unwarranted description to an individual or object (p. 254). It could be argued that personal construct methods such as the repertory grid and the Salmon line eliminate the labelling of individuals by traits, by assisting them to identify their own personal constructs and meanings and therefore avoiding power relations (Butt, 2012).Hollway (2012) highlights the importance of agency-structure dualism when considering experimental methodology. Eysencks proposes that traits have their explanations in innate biological factors, which would suggest that agency has little or no influence on behaviour and that social factors are irrelevant, suggesting that personality is fixed. Personal construct theory views this dualism as complimentary, where the individual is viewed in the context of the societal environment in which they are constructed. Kellyproposes that individuals have any(prenominal) degree of agency because structure partly restric ts through social construction and therefore have an ability to initiate change.While individuals can change their social and individual constructs, social structure clearly has an influence on behaviour. Salmon shows through examples of learning and the application of the salmon line, the interaction between agency and structure. She highlighted that knowledge is never neutral it comes with the interests and concerns of a particular siociocultural source (Salmon, as cited in Butt, 2012, p. 59), clearly indicating how societal influences impact on the agency of individuals (Butt, 2012).Both trait theory and personal construct theory seek to gain an understanding and explain why individuals act in terms of individual differences. Eysenck and Rachmans trait theory adopts a nomothetic approach using psychometric testing to measure personality traits. Kellys personal construct theory emphasise the uniqueness of individuals, seeking to understand how individuals construct their subjectiv e world views, based on their own experiences. Using phenomenological methods they produce detailed accounts of individual personalities that avoid comparisons, with an emphasis on interpretation rather than scientific explanation, in contrast to the psychometric tradition which sets out to discover societal norms and use these to explain individual differences (Butt, 2012).Eysenck outlines personality in terms of dimensions which reflect the underlying biological basis of personality. Personal construct theory recognises the ability for change unlike trait theory and uses idiographic methods such as the repertory grid and the Salmon line to enable chance to occur, through the interaction of personal agency and social structures. Salmon showed how personal construct theory can be implemented into clinical practice, however a complete theory of personality would need to encompass, structure, psychopathology and change, it would appear that both theories have areas of schooling in bo th theory building and testing.ReferencesButt, T. (2012). Individual differences In Hollway, W., Lucey, H., Phoenix, A., and Lewis, G. (eds). Social psychology Matters (p.1-22). Milton Keynes The Open University.Butt, T. (2004). Understanding people, Basingstoke and New York, Palgrave MacMillan.Richards, G. (2002). Putting psychology in its place, Hove, Psychology press.

Starbucks Financial Analysis

Starbucks is a strong competitor in the service sector and a drawing card in the gastronome umber industry. With a continued growth rate in store openings and maintaining successful addition susceptibility of its motions, Starbucks has demonstrated its ability to sustain a reliable and steady growth. Starbucks ability to contend with the vulnerability to period financial threats such as economic recession, higher interest rates, and global competition, is constantly be by its incomparable brand image, its continual product innovations, and its exceptional customer service. This also proves to be its strongest investment strategy.One strategic way to evaluate the vulnerability of Starbucks to current financial threats is to execute a SWOT Analysis. A SWOT analysis is a situation analysis in which the strengths and weaknesses of an organization, and external opportunities and threats it faces be examined to chart a strategy (Business Dictionary, 2012).SWOT is the acronym for stren gths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The purpose of the SWOT analysis is to assess what an organization can and cannot do in addition to evaluating the potential opportunities and any financial and economical threats it may face.Over the years, Starbucks have developed much successful strengths. Here ar a few of the most recognizable strengths The quality of their coffee is considered the highest in the world. They engage with customers and the communities to yield better business.Starbucks has oer 17,000 stores globally in convenient locations to attract more customers. Starbucks have puff outed their product line to sandwiches, pastries, and natural tea-blend drinks. Starbucks have loyal employees who be valued, motivated, and hard-working and are provided a pleasant working environment.They have exceptional relationships with all suppliers which helps them exceed as industry market leaders. Over the past several years, Starbucks has authoritative several award and recognitions such as No. 1 Best Coffee and No. 1 just about Popular Quick Refreshment range of a function by Zagats Survey of National Chain Restaurants, one of The Best 100 Companies to Work For by Fortune Magazine, one of the Worlds Most Ethical Compamies by Ethisphere, and one of the Worlds 50 most Innovative Companies by Fast Company. With all companies, where there are strengths there are weaknesses.Starbucks have noted and viable strengths, but they have weaknesses that could overshadow the success of these strengths placing them a step or two behind their competitors. Here are some(a) of their weaknesses The size of the go with is larger than most of their competitors, lack of internal focus because much focus is on expansion and not on the diversification of other sectors, product pricing is overstated because of their premium brand coffee, which demands premium pricing, and excessive dependency on coffee-alone products.Starbucks have willed many opportunities to become the most valuable gourmet coffee leader in the world. They have already succeeded in expanding their product line by introducing the world to cold coffee beverages, flavored herbal drinks, and hot sandwiches and salads for lunch.So, like a shot they have the opportunity to continue to expand in their development overseas, continue their innovation and commitment to product development, and possibly co-brand with other manufacturers of food and drinks to help expand their product line.The competition in gourmet coffee in general has proved to be more advanced than one would imagine. So, its no admiration that the competition would be one the most highly doable threats. With coffee sellers ranging from coffee houses to restaurants and fast-food carry-outs such as McDonalds, Starbucks has to contend with ensuring that they maintain their perfection in coffee and customer service to avoid such threats. Another major threat is the economy. The state of the economy today, particularly i n the future depends especially on consumer spending.This would happen a key role in Starbucks sales growth and arrive ats. Factors such as increased debt service levels resulting from interest rate changes, downturn in the accommodate market, and the increase in oil and gas prices would affect optional spending.Now that the assessment of the SWOT analysis has been completed, its time to determine the financial performance of Starbucks over the past three years and predict how it will perform in the future by using financial ratio analysis. This will be stubborn by examining the Income Statement and Balance Sheet as of FY 2011.Consolidated Statements Of Earnings (USD $)12 Months EndedIn Millions, except Per Share data Oct. 02, 2011 Oct. 03, 2010 Sep. 27, 2009 pull in revenues Company-operated stores $ 9,632.4 $ 8,963.5 $ 8,180.1 Licensed stores 1,007.50875.2795 CPG, foodservice and other 1,060.50868.7799.5 Total net revenues 11,700.4010,707.409,774.60 be of sales including occ upancy costs 4,949.304,458.604,324.90 Store operating expenses 3,665.103,551.403,425.10 Other operating expenses 402293.2264.4 Depreciation and amortization expenses 523.3510.4534.7 General and administrative expenses 636.1569.5453 Restructuring charges 053332.4 Total operating expenses 10,175.809,436.109,334.50 Gain on sale of properties 30.200 Income from equity investees 173.7148.1121.9 Operating income 1,728.501,419.40562 Interest income and other, net 115.950.337 Interest expense 33.3-32.7-39.1 Earnings before income taxes 1,811.101,437559.9 Income taxes 563.1488.7168.4 Net earnings including noncontrolling interests 1,248948.3391.5 Net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 2.32.70.7 Net earnings attributable to Starbucks $ 1,245.7 $ 945.6 $ 390.8 Earnings per share basic $ 1.66 $ 1.27 $ 0.53 Earnings per share diluted $ 1.62 $ 1.24 $ 0.52 Weighted average shares outstanding Basic 748.3744.4738.7 Diluted 769.7764.2745.9 Cash dividends stated per share $ 0.5 6 $ 0.36 $ 0In reviewing the Income Statement for Starbucks from 2009 to 2011, it is evident that the caller has successfully increased its profitability through performance each year by almost 10%. Its income from operation has almost tripled from 2009. Based on Starbucks continued plan of expansion, this financial progression depicts a continuous trend.As noted in the financial statement above and envisioned in the chart below, Starbucks obtains the majority of its revenue from its company-operated stores. This proves that if Starbucks continues its expansion of retail stores, the revenue from these sales will continue to rise as it has in the past 10 years. The companys share earnings have also spiked in the last three years by almost doubling in the midst of 2009 and 2010 and up 31% in 2011.The financial ratio analysis will provide an assessment of the stability and profitability of Starbucks and allow investors and shareholders to determine the probability of a profitable fu ture. Below is a chart of different financial ratios used to describe the different criteria for Starbucks and to evaluate the past three years. Profitability Revenue201120102009Gross Profit 57.7% 58.4% 55.8% EBIT symmetry 15.5% 13.4% 5.7%The first set of ratios measures the profitability of Starbucks. These ratios measure the effectiveness of Starbucks capital. A high profitability could be attributed to effective competency. This chart shows that Starbucks have maintained an elevated profit margin, which indicates its ability to manage its largest assets costs.The other ratio, EBIT measures the overall operating efficiency. The next chart shows the liquidity ratios of the firm which indicates how efficient Starbucks handles its short-term obligations. Short-term liquidity includes items that are to be received or paid in cash within a year.A ratio of 2 is the ideal rate for a good standing company using the current ratio. This indicates that the company can pay its creditors and that it has more current assets than current liabilities. A current ratio below 1 signifies trouble for the company and that they may have problems meeting their creditor obligations. The difference between the current ratio and quick ratio is the use of inventory.Financial Condition 2011-2010Debt/Equity Ratio 20% 25% Current Ratio 1.831.55 Quick Ratio 0.190.17The below chart illustrates what kind of return Starbucks receives on its investments. These ratios give investors a clear mind of how well the investments are performing. The ROE ratio illustrates the returns that stockholders are earning on their investments in Starbucks. In prior years, Starbucks have consistently increased this ratio percentage and continues to rise. The ROA ratio tells investors how much profit Starbucks generated for every dollar in assets.Investment Returns % 2011-2010Return on Equity 28.4% 25.7% Return on Assets 18.1% 13.8%Based on the ratios above, it appears that Starbucks is continuing to progress successfully in profits and its ability to increase leverage and maintain a reasonably stable trend in the future. Starbucks can increase leverage by repurchasing outstanding stock and change magnitude debt financing. Based on the recent benchmarks over a 12 month period, Starbucks is still in line with the industry.

Politics in Education

Politics in genteelness Can rearing repre move without politics? The answer is simply put no. While many would love to see the political scene leave nurture, it is inherent that the two stay put together. The key is how they work together in the best interest of the students. Public schools are responsible for two precious entities- children and tax dollars (Farmer, 2012). This is one of the reasons that today, education is maybe the most important function of state and local anaesthetic anaesthetic presidencys (Brown v. Board of education, 1954).While we are progressively seeing federal official potencys in education more now than ever, it is in general the state and local take aims where politics are inseparable (Farmer, 2012). Since education is highly imperative to the future of our country, it is and leave alone al bureaus be subject to political scrutiny. From the beginning, a well educated the Statesn was deemed necessary to protect independence and the general welfare of the citizens (League of Women Voters, 2011). It has been stated this type of citizen pull up stakes rule themselves with elected officials (Brademas).precept, specially higher education, at one point was considered a luxury however, in todays world a high-quality education often including the collegiate level is believed to be both a universal right and a necessity for individual welfare (Farmer, 2012). For this reason education will remain important discipline of political line of reasonings between politicians as well as local townspeople. Politics in education goes dates as far back as the Land legislation of 1785 and the Northwest Ordinance of 1787.federal official support was presumption over at this time and later in 1841 with the Land Grand Act in the form of land designated for a system of public education to be established. During this time the federal government began to grant money. This money was often used to clean up from war expenses however, any(p renominal) funds were used for education even though congress did non stipulate that such funds could be used for education (League of Women Voters, Oct. 2011). It is well sure this funding continues today although the state and local government share the majority of the responsibility.In 1791, the 10th Amendment guaranteed rights to all citizens by stating the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people. This amendment entrusted authority over education to the states by having state constitutions assign specific responsibility and legal authority for public education (Usdan, M. , McCloud, B. , Podmostko, M. , and Cuban, L. , 2001). Today, state and local revenue fund approximately 87% of the money for elementary and secondary winding education.It is estimated that only 10% comes from federal funding (The Federal use of goods and services in fosterage). In 1867, the original Department of genteelness was established to collect data on schools and teaching in order to help create an effectual school system (League of Women Voters, 2011). peerless major turning point for federal education was the GI bill of 1944. The government allotted for nearly eight one thousand million World War II veterans to have education assistance to attend college. Until this point, the federal government basically only did research and created policies for an effective system.Financing of education was not highly supported through the department. Then in 1958, Congress passed the National Defense Education Act (NDEA) in response to Russias Sputnik. This created money obtainable to students willing to study in science, mathematics, and foreign languages (Dow, 1991). In 1965, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act was created which included Title 1 funding to the disadvantaged. In 1983, A Nation at Risk was released calling for a refocus on an education reform in order to compete with other countries as it appeared that America was falling behind (Farmer, 2012).Even though the Department of Education has grown drastically, their mission still remains to promote student achievement and preparation for global fight by fostering education excellence and ensuring equal access (Department of Education, 2012). Today, e real educator is familiar with most of the current federal mandates including- No Child leftfield Behind (reauthorization of ESEA), Race to the Top, and mutual core standards. While most of the funding, administrating, and accountability falls on the state and local governments, these are all federal policies which are often the main topics in a political education debate.One moldiness ask why the federal government has most of the control over our educational system if it is primarily funded by state and local governments. Is it possible that different areas with different demographics might need a different policy than that mandate from federal level. Being successful is teaching the students in the best possible environment and demonstrating success through achievement. What works in one small town may not work in the next small or large town. Why, then, does the federal government upport equality by mandating yet not funding criteria. One thing does remain true- all of these do have a common census-equality in education for each student. The debate question that rises is equality for everyone possible? low President George W. Bush, No Child Left Behind was designed to close achievement gaps, particularly for minority children (League of Women, 2011). It was set that by year 2014, 95% of students would be meeting state standards in reading and math.Many educators, politicians, and citizens argued that this was an delusive goal which would in return be punishing or threatening the low-performing schools. Under this law, parents could be given a voucher to send their child to a different higher perfo rming school. Although every educator had to obtain highly qualified status, teachers working at the schools deemed needing improvement often had negative feelings toward their job and thus the students suffered (League of Women Voters, 2011). Race to the Top was signed into law by the current President Barack Obama in 2009.This federal mandate came with promises of funding, and as everyone knows money speaks volumes. This approach would award funds to states who would meet the necessary requirements. Two of these requirements are (1) improve evaluations of teachers thus improving effectiveness based on students achievement (2) raising the limit of charter schools (League of Women Voters, 2011). Race to the Top has several supporters because it comes with necessary funding to move our current classrooms into the 21st century however, it also comes with unrealistic research.Several argue that standardized testing is not a fair way to evaluate teacher performance. The most current fe deral request is the use of common vs. state standards The idea here is that not only will each child receive an equal education indoors their state, but they now will receive the same equal education within their country and hopefully one day within the nation. The use of common core standards allows children to master through higher order thinking within enormous life skills instead of basic memorization of state specific standards.It opens up a new way of thinking for children and teachers. It also does create a more equal playing field as far as what children learn within their elementary and secondary education career. Most political debates in education often revolve around these federal policies, but even more often than that the main debate is funding. Who is going to pay for education? The answer starts up the other highly political debate- us, the taxpayers. It is true that all three levels of government- federal, state, and local- contribute to education.States typical ly provide a little less than half, local governments about 44%, and the federal government only funds 10% . The interesting fact is that within the federal governments10% it includes Title 1, NCLB, RttT, Special Education, child nutrition, and Head Start (Federal Education Budget, 2012). Also, overall the U. S. Department of Education accounts for less than 3% of the total federal budget (Federal Education Budget, 2012). As a nation, we must ask ourselves is the value of education really worth only 3% of the entire federal budget? Excellence is given symbolic prominence, but not sustained financial support (Usdan, et al, 2001). The political debate is that most politicians will not support efforts to increase funding for education because it will raise taxes- almostthing very few citizens support. However, if the federal government gives only 10%, the state of Tennessee is left with majority of the responsibility to fund education in order for it to succeed. States rely mainly on income and sales tax to fund elementary and secondary education. It is the legislature who determines the level and distribution of the funding.Tennessee uses the Basic Education weapons platform (BEP) in order to determine the cost specifications for each component in our system. In Tennessee, the share is roughly 70% which is average when compared with our country (Tennessee Basic Education Program, 2011). In some states it is as high as 86% and as low as 31%. The variation exists because some states rely heavily on local property taxes instead of state funding (Federal Education Budget, 2012). The last and probably one of the most political entities is that of the local school board. The funding for local schools is usually provided by property taxes.Thus the wealthier areas have the ability to collect more taxes which allows for them to keep tax evaluate lower. Unfortunately, the poorer communities may have higher tax rates but still not reach the needed funding for the local school district. Therefore often times children with the highest needs are often sent to the schools with less resources and less qualified teachers. This is why education can never be created equal for every child. Another political argument is that in chip in times education leadershiphip in America is not withheld to high enough standards.Instead some argue that we have fifty education governors (Usdan, et al, 2001) or some even go as far as to say, Governors and presidents are no better suited to run schools than they are to run construction sites (Thomas, 2012). Truthfully, yes many governors could be doing a better job in education, but most are willing to fight for it. Most support the importance as honestly we must all agree that what, after all, could be more important than a proper education for the states most precious asset, its children? (Usdan, et al, 2001). This argument holds very true at the local level.It is correct to say that from the ladder of the president t o the governor to the superintendents of education to school board chairs and members often some of these educational leaders have little to no background or expertise in education. From the federal to the state level, most appointed leaders in education branches bring the required knowledge. However, the local school board is composed of a diverse group of members with different backgrounds and knowledge. While they all bring unique characteristics and a broad base of knowledge, it is often the case that they do not bring an educational background.Education needs a reform in which it is driven by educators who have lived within the field. These are the people who need to be in charge of forming and implementing our countrys educational policy. Educational leadership is important at all levels including the local school board. For over 200 years, politics has played a part in our educational system. From the federal government all the way down to the local politics talked about in g as stations or at a high school football game. Politics and education will everlastingly be entwined together. Both are vital for the future of our nation as our future is in our children.As the vision for Tennessee states, it is to prepare all Tennessee children for successful post-secondary work, education, and citizenship. The states master plan is to ensure equal access to the education constitutionally guaranteed to all Tennessee children (Master Plan). Without politics, schools will not exist. Without schools, knowledge to become a successful, active citizen will not exist. Thus both politics and education will always hold a vital role. Resources Brown v. Board of Education. (1954) Civil Rights Organization. Retrieved October 2012, from http//www. civilrights. rg/education/ embrown/ Department of Education. (2012) Mission Statement Retrieved October 2012 from http//www2. ed. gov/about/overview/mission/mission. html Dow, P. B. (1991). Schoolhouse politics Lessons from the Spu tnik era. Cambridge, MA Harvard University Press. Farmer, T. (2012, January 12). Politics of Local Education. Retrieved from the Connexions Web site http//cnx. org/content/m14432/1. 10/ Federal Education Budget Project. (September 13, 2012). Retrieved October 2012 from http//febp. newamerica. net/background-analysis/school-finance Federal Role in Education. (2012). U. S. Department of Education.Retrieved October 2012 from http//www2. ed. gov/about/overview/fed/role. html League of Women Voters of the United States. (October 2011). The Role of the Federal Government in Public Education Part Two. Washington D. C Author. League of Women Voters of the United States. (2011). The History of Federal Government in Public Education Where have we been and how did we get here? Washington D. C Author. Master Plan (2008). Master Plan FY 2008-2012. State Board of Education. Retrieved October 2012, from http//www. state. tn. us/sbe/masterplan. htm Tennessee Basic Education Program. (October 2011). State Board of Education. Retrieved October 2012 from http//www. state. tn. us/sbe/BEP%20Booklet%20FY12. pdf Thomas, P. L. , (2012). Politics and Education Dont Mix. The Atlantic. Retrieved October 2012 from http//www. theatlantic. com/national/print/2012/04/politics-and-education-dont-mix/256303/ Usdan, M. , McCloud, B. , Podmostko, M. , and Cuban, L. (2001). Leadership for Student Learning. School Leadership for the 21st degree Celsius Initiative A Report of the Task Force on State Leadership. Washington, D. C. Retrieved October 2012 from http//www. iel. org/programs/21st/reports/staterole. pdf

Assignment About Wal-Mart Essay

Wal-Mart claims that it benefits topical anesthetic communities when it enters a new area. Evaluate this claim, referring to textual and audio-visual information that you have encountered.IntroductionNowadays, Wal-Mart is rather common in our daily life and it also impacts us unconsciously, such as the shopping habits. Although this spheric chain supermarket asserts that they bring positive act on the area where they located in and commissioned the consulting warm Global Insight to write a report in order to prove their point, some hoi polloi still distrust it. For example, Jared Bernstein and L. Josh Bivens had composed a brief named The Wal-Mart debate a false picking between outlays and wages in 2006 to doubt the Wal-Marts claim. Moreover, Irwin, E.G., and Clark, Js research about the local costs and benefits of Wal-Mart is also supply some evidence.In this essay, I will describe the real Wal-Mart from the Bernsteins study. Firstly, I will summarise the Wal-Mart effect t o customers. Then Ill move on to compare the advantages and disadvantages of working(a) as a Wal-Marts employee. Thirdly, Ill analyse the Wal-Mart effect to the environment around it. At last, I tend to make a conclusion about whether this Global Compevery did bid what it said.CustomersAs the biggest beneficiaries of Wal-Marts low price, whether we shoppers enjoy the best service? It sess be seen clearly that beca apply of the wide ranged goods and low price of stuff, we can buy all the products which we want in one-stop shopping and spent lower money to animate better live, and consumers even can save about 25 percent of their food budget entirely in this store (Hausman & Liebtag, 2005, p113). Meanwhile, the shop which located in the fringe of towns is not sole(prenominal) can diversify citizens shopping habits from shopping in city center to countryside, but also convenient for the multitude who living in more rural areas (Irwin, E. G., & Clark, 2006, p113).However, the cu stomer service at Wal-Mart is lower than small, more vary shops, such as put songs with potentially offensive lyrics into sanitized versions of songs area (Bianco & Zellner, 2003 p113). As a result, although Wal-Mart tries to slaked shoppers from the prices of products, the customer service should be improved.EmployeesAccording to Jareds report, working in Wal-Mart is not an enjoyable job. Obviously, when Wal-Mart enters a new area, it prepares employment opportunity for those who are unemployed. However, the wages for Wal-Mart sell workers ($10.11/hour) are lower than the average for extensive shops. (Dube & Jacobs, 2004 Hopkins, 2003 Bianco & Zellner, 2003, p114). They also have to face the undesirable working environment, such as overtime work without any pay, gender discrimination (Irwin, E. G., & Clark, 2006, p114) and lack health insurance. As a result, the employees in Wal-Mart employees need more healthcare assistance programs compare with the other large supermarket wor kers ((Dube & Jacobs, 2004, p114).EnvironmentIn fact, when Wal-Mart comes into a new area, it not only impacts the local natural environment, but also affects the community, such as the local business, inhabitants, and local government. At best, Wal-Mart can improve the sales of the local restaurants and bring advantages to complementary shops in this area (Stone, 1997, p115). However, the drainage occupations and traffic problem which caused by Wal-Mart cannot be ignored. Irwin described that Wal-Mart paid $5.5 million and $3.1 million in 2001 and 2004 respectively because of illegal use of water.On the other hand, the low price would make local people prefer to go to the Wal-Mart instead of the other local retail shops, which severely harm to these shops business, such as florists, drugstores and card and gifts store (Irwin, 2006, p115). At last, because of the low wages and benefits those Wal-Mart employees earned, the local government and the tax-payer have to pay more for publi c assistance programs like healthcare, housing, food stamps, and subsidized school lunches (Dube & Jacobs, 2003, p116)ConclusionObviously, there are negative effect and positive effect with the opening of Wal-Mart, and the disadvantages and advantages are distributed in customers, employees and environment. The winner, customers, can enjoy Wal-Marts low prices and the losers are local retail business because they cant compete with this Global Company. Moreover, the communities are also impacted on local employment opportunities, potential increase in poverty and traffic congestion.ReferencesJared. B & L.J.B (2006). THE WAL-MART DEVATE A False alternative Between Prices and Wages. Applied Economic Policy Institute. Irwin, E. G., & Clark, J (2006). The local costs and benefits of Wal-Mart. The Ohio State University, Department of Agricultural, environmental and Development Economics.

Negative Classroom Behaviors Essay

In the schoolroom there be many opportunities for disruptions to the flow of learning. When the lick of education is disrupted it affects learning outcomes and student progress. pedagogues and students both admit a vital role is how smoothly the class is run. In this paper we get outing examine greenness disruptions in the classroom and look at carious ways that these disruptions back tooth be resolved fruitfully and efficiently. Through incorporating different discipline and classroom counselling styles most interruptions to learning can be avoided and the process of education can continue.Disruptions come in many forms and we leave behind look at a few. We give first base look at common disruptions in the classroom caused by students and then sate a look at those caused by teachers. Yes teachers can be a disruption to the learning process and as we will see some times they cause more disruption than their students.It seems that often in to daylights society when we think of the typical public school classroom, images of chaotic behavior, chattering students and paper being throw quickly come to mind. This behavior, while non uncommon should not be the norm, there is a solution. The first three behaviors that we will address is the seemingly ever-present unneededive talking, laughter and general outburst. It seems that no bailiwick how many times the lights atomic number 18 turned off, names of students atomic number 18 written on the board, recess or free time taken away students continue to use their voices out of turn in excess ways, making instruction and learning difficult.Often times when students have an outburst in the class or the talking becomes excessive, teachers sometimes give a general knee-jerk reaction.They whitethorn yell at the student who has been systematically talking to be quiet or then some threat of a punishment is devoted and the student is quiet for a moment and the behavior is in all likelihood to happen aga in and the process continues. Educator Barbara Coloroso believed that students should be taught how to govern themselves accordingly and that whatever actions took spatial relation in the classroom they were not entirely responsible for them but that they were held accountable for them. Barbara guided educators to understand that an important part of education students was to also teach them privileged discipline and self control condition. (Building schoolroom Discipline, eleventh edition, 2014)In her book Kids Are Worth It Giving Your child the Gift of Inner Discipline, Coloroso outlines key ways in which not only parents but also educators can teach children how to have inner discipline. Coloroso suggest that inner discipline be developed as follows initial students must be shown what they have done wrong, then given ownership of the problem hence making them responsible, following this students are guided on ways to solve the problem when appropriate. Finally Coloroso en courages to educators to ensure that during this inbuilt process the dignity of the student is kept in tact. I imagine that by incorporating this strategy into my classroom management and discipline style my students will gain more self-control and become more witting of the consequences behind their actions. In this way, they will be far more likely to think before they act. likewise I as a teacher will feel better about the way in which I handle disruptions. With the ability to handle each disruption as a possible dogma moment that encourages students to do better, rather than simply pointing out what they did wrong, students will develop a better smell out of trust. Likewise by ensuring that in each situation the student is treated with dignity, students are aware of the treasure I have for them and this respect become reciprocal.Two other common disruptions in the classroom are that of students who get out of their seats at inappropriate times and who take a long time to g et organized, settle down and get started on their work . This not only disrupts learning for the student who gets up but it causes a distraction for those around. Often there are tedious reasons for why students are not in their seats. When asked why have they gotten up, a student may respondI was passing to sharpen my pencil. Likewise when asked why have they not sat down and began the warm up they may reply I cannot find my pencil. Educators Harry and Rosemary Wong created a classroom management and discipline possible action that creates a way to eliminate many classroom disruptions.The Wongs theory suggest, that beginning with the first day of class, students be taught that not only the classroom but that the entire school was a place for favored learning. This theory had to be accepted school wide in sight to work effectively. In order to achieve that success teachers, students and administrators and support staff, must do their part. The Wongs suggest that the biggest hin drance to learning is not the behavior of the students but the ineffective manner in which teachers disseminate information regarding the roles, rules, procedures and expectations in the classroom. (Building Classroom Discipline, eleventh edition, 2014)Upon introduction to the class, teachers are encouraged to two things. maiden teachers must go over the roles, expectations and responsibilities of both teacher and student (Building Classroom Discipline, 11th edition, 2014). This is done over a period of several days and may continue through reinforcement throughout the first portion of the school year. In this way students not only understand where they fit in the classroom but they also enjoy how everyone else fits as well. In my own classroom I can visualize my students on their first day. Part of my classroom management style will be to ensure that there is a procedure set in place for most of the foreseeable situations in the classroom. One thing that I will shape certain to do, is to make the procedures detailed yet simple to understand and follow. In this way my students will be clear on what to do and when. For example, the student who has wasted ten five minutes of the 15 minute warm up time, will know in the beginning of the school year that sitting down and getting started on the warm-up up within the first three minutes of class is mandatory.If you are not active and do not have all of your materials, there are always extras that can be check out out from me and then returned at the end of class. Simple procedures like this will eliminate small disruptions and sustainment the learning process flowing. The next two disruptions are those students who lack respect for teachers and fellowclassmates along with horseplay in the classroom. Teachers must establish and demand respect in the beginning of the class. Students must know not only what is expected of them, but also what happens when they fall short of those expectations. Educator Craig Segan ti teaches teachers how to take charge in the classroom. taking the Seganti approach in my class will dictate that my students know that I am the authority in the classroom. Establishing this authority by setting the rules along with the consequences of breaking them, and enforcing them from day one will put me in control from the outset. When students see that there is no wavering in the rules, they will take what you are dictum seriously.Establishing that the classroom is a place of learning and that anything that disrupts that will have consequences will if not completely eliminate, will certainly minimize disruptions. When teachers and students are disrespected in the classroom it would be good to incorporate civility in the classroom. P.M. Forni was best known for teaching students how to support civil and with respect n the classroom. By encouraging students to guide on themselves in a way that reflects the Golden Rule students will be far less likely to tease and disrespe ct their teacher and classmates. (Building Classroom Discipline, 11th edition, 2014). Using these two strategies in the classroom will be of great value in the way the classroom is managed. Finally I want to take a look at three behaviors that are exhibited by teachers that cause disruptions in the classroom and incumbrance the learning process. Disorganization, nagging and the inability to leave whatever you have going on at national, at home can cause the classroom surroundings to feel unsafe and chaotic (Building Classroom Discipline, 11th edition, 2014).Using a combination of strategies from authorities on classroom management can assistance with these hindrances to education. First knowing what you want your classroom to look and feel like I a huge help in getting and staying organized. Often times teachers become disorganized because they have lost control of the classroom. By establishing your authority in the classroom as suggested by Seganti, you are less likely to lose control and if this does happen it should be easier to regain. Constant nagging of students over trivial matters of work habits or behavior are not helpful. In the long run you are not taken seriously. Students must know how to behave in the classroom. Ensuring as suggested by Wong that students are crystalclear on expectations and procedures, teachers will spend a great deal less time nagging and more time teaching.Lastly when teachers are unable to leave their home life separate from their classroom the results can disrupt and devastate a classroom. Teachers must before anything else, know their role. As a teacher you are there to provide a safe learning environment for your students. When your personal life interferes with that, learning outcomes and student-teacher relationships are compromised. In my classroom I imagine that by establishing an initial foundation of authority based on my acknowledgement of my role as teacher and educator, I will be able to create safe, fun and effective learning environment. By creating my classroom management style, revisiting it when required and setting up rules and procedures from day one, I will have the freedom to teach without disruptions and my students will be able to achieve all of the learning outcomes that have been set for them.Reference Page1. C. M. Charles Building Classroom Discipline, Eleventh Edition, 2014

Black&Decker Corporation Essay

inexorable & Decker was incorporated in 1910. Begun by Duncan dismal and Alonzo Decker, benighted & Deckers counter labyrinthine sense personnel besidesl was an electric practise in 1916. They went on to develop and offer the first portable screwdriver, electric hammer, as well as finishing sanders and jigsaws all the way up to the tremendously successful dust buster in 1978. Over the adjacent 70 years, the comp both established itself as dominant name in power tool and accessories, first in the United States and then accros a broad global front but particularly in europe. Growth was achieved by adding to its lineup of power tools and accessories and by increasing its penetration of more(prenominal) and more foreign martsSymptons, Issues and ProblemsIssues in this case is diversification system runned by dusky & Decker breadbasket. As a diversified global manu eventurer and marketer of household, commercial, and industrial product, wispy & Decker need to develop and c hoose the right strategy for diversification.This case particularly discuss diversification of downhearted & Decker corporation during late 1980s to early 1990s, where relentless & Decker which is established as dominant name in power tools and accessories, began to pursue diversification. It is because the continuing maturity of its core power tools tune.During the 1980s Black and Decker had established themselves as a leader in the power tool industry. However, they were feels that the market for such tools was maturing to the point where expansion inwardly the industry would take into account little or no special revenues so they clear-cut to diversify.Black and Decker began their expansion operation by acquiring General Electrics housewares business, the leader in the industry, for $300 one million million in 1984. The success of the GE deal, and the reorganization efforts of their new chief operating officer Nolan Archibald, led Black and Decker to continue on this pa th of sciences and diversification in other areas. Then, motley acquisitions and acquisition attemp make by Black & Decker in their strategy to diversified. just the biggest and most noticed was the acquisition of Emrat Corporation, a diversified manufacturer of industrial product, for a $2.8 billion in March 1988. This steps is considered to be very bad decisions made by Black & Decker.AnalysisChange in strategyIn the mid 1980s, Black & Decker feels that the power tool market had matured to the point where there is no much room for further harvest-festival. Black & Decker then decided to change their corporate strategy from single business firm into diversified company.In 1984 they began to diversify. First they attempt to get into the small household appliance market. Rather than create their own line, Black & Decker decided to ingest General Electrics unit of household appliances for $300 million. Although it was a small part of GEs company, it held more market share than o ther houseware distributors (25 percent of the market and the leadership position). That acquisition gives an additional $500 million a year in revenue for Black & Decker because it was able to offer products wish well irons, coffee makers and toasterswhich.This began a trend of acquisitions by Black and Decker expanding into various related and unrelated markets with varying levels of success. This various acquisitions allowed Black & Decker to offer even more new products such as portable woodworking tools and watertighter drill bits. After all the new changes, Black & Decker Manufacturing Company also changed its name to Black & Decker Corporation to supporter market those changesThe successful story of GEs household appliance division acquisition in 1988, has triggered Black & Decker to tried again. Only this time the company of interest was American measure Inc. American Standard had an impressive $127 million profit in 1987, which towered above the mere $70 million for Blac k & Decker. But then, the acquisition was unsuccessful.The Emhart acquisitionsThe failed attempts by Black & Decker in 1988 did not stop Black & Decker moves to acquiring other company. In 1989, Black & Decker acquiring Emhart for the price of $2.8 billion, a price that 33% reward everywhere Emharts preannouncement value. This acquisition whitethorn not have been the best move for Black & Decker because its stock price dropped 15 points later on the announcement of the acquisition. After difficult negotiation of exactly how the acquisition would occur, Black & Decker decided to pay for Emhart for the next 48 years.The deal put down over $2 billion in goodwill on Black & Deckers books and increased debt to over $4 billion just before the credit markets were about to keep down severely. With the exception of a few businesses like Price Pfister faucets and Kwikset locks, which represented just $600 million in sales, Emhart made no sense for Black & Decker. Several of its subsidia ries were quickly placed on the block.But then curtly the economy became sluggish and the market slowed down, Black & Decker stock slumped from a pre-acquisition $25 to $8 per share. Archibald (Black & Deckers CEO at that time) had to scramble to keep the company solvent. Archibalds plan was to sell off about $1.8 billion of Emhart assets to pay down debt while merging the companys line of Kwikset locks and Price Pfister Inc. plumbing fixtures with Black & Deckers offerings. According to Archibald, the plan would have been successful enough under normal economic conditions. However, he failed to sell the Emhart businesses for the set prices leaving a long term debt of a hefty $3 billon and yearbook interest payments of more than $300 million.Black & Decker initially sold $1 billion in Emhart assets to pull down the interest costs. It met this demand by selling whole divisions of Emhart and also by selling equipment and other assets. By 1991, Black & Decker reduced the debt acquir ed by more than 25%. From 1993 to 1996, Black & Decker sold off tether segments of Emhart that did not prove to be strategic parts of the acquisition. By 1997, Black & Decker was able to meet its liquidity requirements and precaution chose to amortize the costs on a straight-line basis for the next 40 years.This shows that the acquisition of Emhart Corporation is a Black & Deckers bad move. Black & Deckers decision to acquire a company that was larger than $2.3 billion (revenues) Black & Decker itself, (the Emhart Corporation were $2.7 billion in revenues), was too risky and apparently Archibald didnt too conscious(predicate) about it.The purchase and acquisition of Emhart had proven a lack in the synergism inevitable to make such purchases profitable. Also the company had not been able to reduce its amount of debt (primarily from the purchase of Emhart) over the subsequent 10 years. Archibald made poor decisions in the Emhart acquisition, which impacted its profit margin, low ered its competitive advantage, and killed any chance of creating above-average returns.There are things that has to be done in order to ascertain whether the acquisition may create value for the shareholders, which is the CEOs primary responsibility. Effort should have concentrated on three essential tests The attractiveness test.The industries chosen for diversification must be structurally attractive or overt of being made attractive. The cost-of-entry test.The cost of entry must not capitalize all the future profits. The better-off test. either the new unit must gain competitive advantage from its link with the corporation or vice-versa. admit the point that the purchase provided some benefits, such as increased market share and well-known consumer brands, the cost-ofentry and better-off tests provide evidence that the Emhart purchase was very risky.Black & Decker SWOT AnalysisStrengths Brand recognition is a strong attribute for Black and Decker. Black and Decker has a reputa tion for producing electrical engines, power tools and appliances. Black and Decker produce a variety of products in its respected industry, and it is involved in constant research and development (e.g., developing cordless appliances and tools, rechargeable batteries that are compatible with both tools and small appliances). Black and Decker have penetrated the market causing it to dwarf market share in the industry.Weaknesses Black and Deckers reputation for quality tools and appliances has been decreasing. This was likely due to the fact that Black and Decker was busy dealing with its non-strategic businesses.Opportunities Opportunities to gain more market share by sponsoring home advancement shows. Gain more market share with industrial market, by offering quantity-based deals and advertising the quality of its products.Threats Sears is the strongest rival in the power tools division with 13.4 percent of the US market share. Black and Decker needs to be aware of new items tha t theconsumer can use and develop them before their competitors.Conclusion and RecommendationWhen an industry became mature and not offered enough room for further outgrowth, it is important for a company to change their strategy to keep festering continuously. This is what Black & Decker did, although being a dominant player in power tools and accessories for many years, Black & Decker realize the industry is being mature, so they decided to change their strategy into a diversified company.To be successful, a diversified company should have a portfolio of product with different growth rates and different market shares. The portfolio composition is a function of the balance between cash flows. High-growth product, that important for company to keep growth in the future, need lot of cash inputs. Low-growth product, product that already in maturity growth, should generate cash. How to balance between this two is the most important things in managing multi-business (diversified) com pany.The Emhart acquisitions is an example of bad acquisitions from Black & Decker in their strategy to diversified. There can be many reasons that an acquisition strategy fails to earn its cost of capital. An acquirer may have no real strategy to begin with and thus pay an unjustified acquisition premium right from the beginning. Or there may be a complete failure in capital punishment a fundamentally sound strategy. One major risk in acquisitions is the failure to close the happy chance that may exist between the strategic objectives and organizational design of the new organization and those of the old. Issues such as new information systems and channels, management succession, new decision rights, and incentive systems must be planned guardedly in light of where competitive performance gains are expected to result.This case is also an example of the problems where mismanaged growth can bring diversification away from core businesses and core competencies rarely creates value for the shareholders. High leveraged acquisitions put the firm at high financial risks, particularly when the firms products depend on business cycles. Shocks to the economy may result in insolvency and possible failure. The company may have to sell assets at low prices to meet debt obligations. As financial markets become more and more sophisticated, investors may diversify more easily, thereby making corporate diversification less attractive. Firms must continue to strengthen their core competencies and save their competitive advantages.In conclusion, the fundamental reason for the failed acquisition is due to lack of long term planning, divination and predicting of the return on investment relative to cost. The highly leveraged acquisition of Emhart placed Black & Decker at higher financial risks, primarily when the firms products depended on business cycles. As result of the inherited debt and the unforeseen market fluctuations and weak economy may result in collapse or poss ible bankruptcy of the corporation. Black & Decker Executives lack of strategic direction and poor application of funds may lead the corporation to sell of assets at low prices or lay off employee to meet debt obligations.Our recommendation for this case is, Black & Decker should stick with its original vision that includes the consolidation of their portfolio. The company should continue in investing in, and strengthening, its core products indoors its existing portfolio, so that these products will generate cash flow that will enable the company to stake upon expansion opportunities.In the future, Black & Decker should consider international companies with strong recognition in the countries that they plan on expanding into, considering either acquisition, merger, or creating a joint venture. The affiliation between Black & Decker and these companies must create synergy in order to justify such deliberate moves and expansions. These planned executive decisions and actions will h elp Black & Decker to obtain competitive advantages which will result in aboveaverage returns, leading to greater investor wealth and value to its employees.