The History Of Quipu Essays - Inca, Knots, Numerals, Proto-writing

The History Of Quipu Quipu is a set of cords and knots tied together, most of them were made of cotton and dyed in one or more colors. Each of the pendants and the knots tied on it represented numbers and the colors had their own representatives. It was invented by Incas for the purpose of recording and accounting. The following paragraphs will cover the positive and negative aspects of quipu and the difference between the communication systems of the western civilization, for example writing. Some of the positive aspects of quipu are, firstly, they were used to store information, for example, the output of gold mines *1*, the amount and kinds of tribute gave by other tribes or the result of a census were all recorded on quipus. Secondly, they can be read in horizontal direction therefore they have timeliness of before and after. They can be read vertically so terms like below and above can also apply. Thirdly, Cords on quipu can be moved until the last knot is fixed into position, so they are flexible to adjust mistakes. Fourthly, they are easy to preserve, as they wont wear out as easy as paper. Fifthly, they are in three-dimensional form, which means the making of the quipu involves greater tactile sensitivity *2* than other kind of communications for example writing. Lastly, as it may be the most important aspect of quipu, they predated and help created the coming of the civilization of Incas. There are some negative aspects of quipu too. Firstly they have limitation in meanings, which means the cords and knots represent numbers only, they cannot be used to convey complex thoughts. Secondly, the making of quipus is complicated compared to writing. They need specific skills and also take a while to train of quipumaker as there are hundreds of color vocabulary and different styles of knotting. Thirdly, quipu cannot record things as fast as writings. Compared to modern writing by brush, pencil or pen, quipus take a period of time to complete as a whole record. *1* Crowley D. Heyer P. 1999 Communication in History page 30 *2* Crowley D. Heyer P. 1999 Communication in History page 35 The differences between writing and quipu are, firstly, writings are in two-dimensional form, they are recorded on planar surfaces *3*. Quipus are recorded in construction, which are in three-dimensional form. As already analyzed above, they involve a sense of touch in a greater degree. Secondly, the purposes of these two forms of communications are different, writing is a system of graphic symbols that can be used to express and convey any or all thought. They are often used for propaganda *4*, recording, predicting, identifying and accounting purposes while quipu has limitation in conveying meanings as it is only a form of counting and recording. Thirdly, writing involved filling the space continuously in the direction from left to right or up to down *5*, they are to say in a linear composition. In contrast, quipu was nonlinear. It had no definite direction and space when connecting, but when the strings were attached, the space became defined. Lastly, writing is a more convenient form of communication than quipu as space can be expanded by adding more papers or sheets if needed, mistakes can be adjusted easier by rubbing out the unwanted words and they are lighter and easier to carry. Writing as a modern way of communication is a more advanced and convenient way to exchange thoughts. The invention of writing brought the human civilization into a higher state which makes quipu a unfamiliar term to people as no one use them anymore. *3* Crowley D. Heyer P. 1999 Communication in History page 35 *4* Crowley D. Heyer P. 1999 Communication in History page 37~40 *5* Crowley D. Heyer P. 1999 Communication in History page 35 History Essays

Tuojiangosaurus - Facts and Figures

Tuojiangosaurus - Facts and Figures Name: Tuojiangosaurus (Greek for Tuo river lizard); pronounced TOO-oh-jee-ANG-oh-SORE-us Habitat: Woodlands of Asia Historical Period: Late Jurassic (160-150 million years ago) Size and Weight: About 25 feet long and four tons Diet: Plants Distinguishing Characteristics: Long, low skull; four spikes on tail About Tuojiangosaurus Paleontologists believe stegosaursthe spiked, plated, elephant-sized herbivorous dinosaursoriginated in Asia, then crossed over to North America during the late Jurassic period. Tuojiangosaurus, a near-complete fossil of which was found in China in 1973, appears to be one of the most primitive stegosaurs yet known, with anatomical features (lack of tall vertebral spines toward its rear end, teeth in the front of its mouth) not seen in later members of this breed. However, Tuojiangosaurus did retain one very characteristic stegosaur feature: the four paired spines at the end its tail, which it presumably used to inflict damage on the hungry tyrannosaurs and large theropods of its Asian habitat.

Is Nationalism best understood as a rational phenomenon Essay

Is Nationalism best understood as a rational phenomenon - Essay Example The specificity of nationalism, that which distinguishes nationality from other types of identity, derives from the fact that nationalism locates the source of individual identity within a â€Å"people†, which for its part has been acknowledged as the bearer of sovereignty, the central object of loyalty, and the basis of collective solidarity. The foundation of nationalism, argued Liah Greenfeld (1992), without which no nationalism is possible, is an idea; nationalism is a particular perspective or a style of thought and that the idea of the nation lies in it core. (p. 3-4) Scholars are at odds as to when did nationalism emerge. However, they are in unison in saying that it started in Europe. For instance, there are those who argue that nationalism came out of Britain in the sixteenth century. There are those who believe such as Andrew Vincent (2002), that nationalism’s groundwork was established during the French and American revolutions. (p. 46) Nonetheless, the concept has signified the beginning of modernity, corresponding with the growth and modernization of states. This does not mean, however, that there were no instances of group loyalty and allegiance in the past. They were not simply considered nationalist as we understand the term today. The membership of an individual in a country is not a voluntary issue, though some times it is said to be voluntary. Nationalism is involuntary when a member of a country is born in a particular nation. It was not a choice to be born there, so it is involuntary. People who decide to change their citizenship and get that of another country are voluntarily members of their country of choice. This argument has become significant when we talk about ability to consider and choose between alternatives, which â€Å"entitle one to decide what was best for oneself and was the basis for the recognition of the autonomy

Zara case company analysis report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5250 words

Zara case company analysis report - Essay Example It further looks at the PR of the company and the major crises that have been facing the company over the years. A comprehensive analysis of the company’s strategy is done to establish the root of the company’s success. Lastly, the paper gives suggestions on how the company can improve its operations in the global scene.Zara is the leading brand of Spanish Fashion Group Inditex and a well- established Fashion Company in the global scene (Zara, 2012). The company was established in 1975 in La Coruna and since then, its growth has been sterling. It had opened branches in major fashion cities including Paris and New York by the year 1990. It was because of their tremendous reputation that Zara Home was opened in the year 2003. In 2007, Zara established their first online shop that specialises in the sale of home products (Inditex, 2012). At the moment, the company operates 1830 stores in different parts of the world. According to recent financial statements, it contributes to more than 64% of Inditex’s revenue (Inditex, 2011). The company distinguishes itself as fast fashion trademark and offers high fashion clothing to reach the public at affordable prices. Zara’s success has been impressive over the years and this paper analyses its external environment, value chain, leadership, strategies and challenges facing the brand name. External Environment Analysis The fashion industry is ever changing due to contribution of companies like Topshop, HandM and Zara (London Business School, 2008). Consequently, factors affecting the clothing industry will influence trends in the high fashion world. In the clothing industry, customers’ preferences vary according to their ages and body types (Keane and te Velde, 2008). Furthermore, the demand for clothing is affected by population size and patterns. For example, an increase in the proportion of pregnant women and birth rate will increase demand for maternity and baby clothes (Suttle, 2011:45 ). It is important to note that demographic trends are the driving force in the fashion industry. The PESTLE analysis will be used to study the macro- environment and the Porter five forces model to evaluate the micro- environment. PESTEL analysis The fashion industry is characterised by high levels of competition among the top fashion brand names and frequent changes in the customers’ tastes and preferences. PESTEL analysis is used to identify factors that affect the demand of goods produced with regards to the external environment. Political Aspects In terms of the political framework in the clothing industry, workers’ rights and employment regulations are mandatory in the creation of a legal environment in the manufacturing

Estimate Request and Fact Sheet Form Coursework

Estimate Request and Fact Sheet Form - Coursework Example She is the founder of Global Market Millionaires, a capital ventures firm that invests in ideas of people and assists them in funding. She has served as a columnist in the New York Times with articles focusing on financial planning and investment. She holds a doctoral degree in Financial Management from Harvard University. A number of books exist in the market that addresses financial management. Authors such as Robert Kiyosaki have produced many books sold in the market that address financial management issues. The books in the market handle the topic from a storyline perspective. This book however, approaches it from an educational perspective blending in financial principles and other investor options that are applicable. The book aims at using the financial knowledge and experience of the author in the generation of sound and unique ideas that may propel the reader to an endless climb up the financial ladder Readers can be able to request for review copies of the book and the specified author’s information obtained from the individual imprints. Interested parties are urged to send emails to the appropriated addresses stated below. Unfortunately, emails cannot be forward to the book author nor can the author’s postal or email address be revealed. However, those interested can contact Random House Publishers authors’ and editors through letter or email. Random House Publishers will handle all the queries via their email address at publishers@randomhouse.com [These trim sizes are standard sizes adopted by all printers. The trim size chosen allows for the enrollment of expanded distribution at amazon.com and other e-stores. It will be eligible for bookstores and other online retailers in the expanded distribution channel. This size also gives an allowance of .125† inches that is beyond the final trim size from top, bottom and outer edges for accommodation of the full bleed area.] [Coloured diagrammatic

Socio-Cultural Factors in Banking Adverts

Socio-Cultural Factors in Banking Adverts This paper formulates a foundation using various variables to gauge advertising in ethical respect. It describes ethics as a way of formulating a certain behavior accentuating fairness in all deals regarding personal and external environments. The argument that has been raised in this research was whether ethical advertising is followed by Consumer banking institutes while advertising credit cards or not. Its effects on the consumer perception and the limitations under which the consumer perceives them are shown light upon. In the theoretical framework the factors that might influence ethical advertising are stated namely legal, social, environmental, personal/individual, situational, social, economic and consumer trend. The research was conducted in 5 banks in Lahore, through survey method. Questionnaires were floated amongst a sample size of 30 professionals related to the field of advertising in each banking institute. Once the date was collected and referred through facts from th e conducted interviews it was found out that all the above mentioned independent variable indeed did affect the dependant variable of ethical advertising. Introduction to Advertising The two basic functions of advertising are to inform and to persuade. It can be defined as a form of communication used to influence a certain target audience to purchase products, services or ideas. Advertising has diversified to being personal as well as a non personal way of approaching an audience. It has evolved into various types covering indoor and outdoor advertising. The major ways of deliverance are newspapers, magazines, television, radio, billboards or direct mail (internet). Advertising is no longer restricted to commercials promoting products or services, it has advanced to deliver public service adverting, on behalf of various institutions, programs and causes and also political advertising in the interests of parties and candidates. Advertising is a complex process which differs for various audiences from form to form conveying information to keep them indulged. However cultures and standards of living differ from person to person or country to country and so does advertising. This holds true as far as ethical aspect is concerned too, something that maybe considered ethical in one community might not be the same for another, for example advertising alcohol. Background The advertising business first discussed the need for a professional code of ethics in the years from 1900 to 1917, often called the Progressive Era. During that period individual practitioners in the Midwest formed the first national advertising organization, the Associated Advertising Clubs of America, for the explicit purpose of making the business a profession. What is the difference between unethical and ethical advertising? Unethical advertising uses falsehood to deceive the public, while ethical advertising us truth to deceive the public. Vilhjalmur Stefansson, anthropologist (1870-1962). Ethical advertising is such a vast terminology that it cannot be defined in a definite statement. One of the key issues here is that ethical is a subjective term- what is ethical to one person may not be to another. Moreover the concept of what is ethical is not fixed- for example it used to be thought ethical to advertise cigarettes but not condoms, however these days the position has completely reversed. In actuality ethical is not an absolute term and the word ethics, strictly speaking merely means the moral code by which someone decides right from wrong and is therefore highly personal. The term ethical has acquired a specific meaning over the recent past. When the word ethical is used it usually means an activity that does no harm. For example the term ethical advertising implies that money will not be invested in those advertisements that cause harm to people, animals or the environment. In this sense ethics really come down to respect for the world and the consequences of ones actions. Every advertisement should be prepared with a due sense of social responsibility and should conform to the principles of fair competition, as generally accepted in business. All the advertising should be legal, decent, honest and truthful. Decency Advertisements should not contain statements or visual presentations which offend prevailing standards of decency. Honesty Advertising should be framed such that it does not abuse the trust of consumers or exploit their lack of experience or knowledge. Social Responsibility Advertisements should not condone any form of discrimination, including that based upon race, national origin, religion, sex or age nor should they undermine human dignity. Advertisements should not appear to disregard or incite violence or unlawful behavior. Truthful presentation Advertisements should not contain any statement or visual presentation which directly or by implication, omission, ambiguity or exaggerated claim is likely to mislead the consumer in particular with regard to: The value of the product and the total price actually to be paid Delivery, exchange, return, repair and maintenance Terms or guarantee Copyright and industrial property right Social aspects of advertising Advertising as a part of the firms marketing efforts operates in the society for which it should follow social norms. Key areas of debate regarding society and advertising are: Deception Manipulation Taste Deception: it refers not only to the information content in advertising but may also arise from misplaced emphasis in presentations. Advertising as a whole must not create any sort of misleading impression although every statement, separately considered may be literally truthful. Manipulation: the freedom of choice for consumers is restricted by the power of advertising since doing so can manipulate buyers into making against their will or interest. Manipulations are usually done through emotional appeal. Taste: sometimes ads are offensive, tasteless, irritating, boring and so on. Deceptive Advertising Key area of debate regarding ethics and advertising is the truth in the advertising which involves deception and puffery (commercial exaggeration). Deception: deception exists when an advertisement differs from the reality of the situation and it affects the buying behavior of the consumer Puffery: this takes two general forms the first is the advertisement of opinion about a services quality using terms such as best or greatest. The second form of puffery is an exaggeration extended to a point of outright spoof that is entirely not true. In these case words such as perfect and amazing are regarded as mere puffing. For example the consumer banks advertising credit cards, now these adverts show the attributes that would get the audience to buy it. However certain details like the fact that credit will be putting consumers in heavy debts is held off from the consumer Significance of the Study The significance of our study is to determine the widespread issues regarding ethical advertising in consumer banking relating to credit cards adverts. There are certain ethical codes in our society and this study will help gauge if the banks follow on those codes. The dependent and independent variables defined in this study help establish a relationship between such advertising and the environment in general. It goes on to explain the ethical norms and the degree to which consumers rely on these norms to make their purchasing decisions regarding a commodity or service. Study Objectives Distinctively, our study objective is to identify and develop certain questions and then to find the answers to justify those questions. To study whether ethical codes being followed in general? To study whether consumer banking sector is following the ethical codes. To determine the independent variables of ethical advertising and its effects on morality. To determine whether these variables are interlinked and their combined effect on the organizations environment. How much are consumers relying on ethical norms or perceived consequences in forming a specific ethical judgment about their buying behavior? Theoretical framework ENVIORNMENTAL FACTORS SOCIAL FACTORS LEGAL FACTORS ETHICAL ADVERTISING PROFESSIONAL FACTORS CONSUMER DEMAND ECONOMIC FACTORS PERSONAL AND INDIVIDUAL FACTORS SITUATIONAL FACTORS Variables affecting Ethical Advertising Social factors Environmental factors Professional Environment Situational Environment Legal Environment Personal and Individual Factors Consumer Trends Economic factors Dependent Variable Ethical advertising Independent Variables Social factors Social factors are associated to the values and the beliefs about how a society operates. Regarding the organizational environment, it signals to the characteristics of work in that organization. These characteristics tell us how the employees perform a certain given set of tasks and what factors do they keep in mind while perceiving ethic. This in turn affects the organizational environment that determines what is considered ethical or unethical in performing organizational assignments. Environmental factors Environmental factors include the values and behavior determined by the cultural environment of an institution originating from the moral intentions of the policy makers. Moral intention is the probability of an organization to engage in a certain behavior which tells us about the moral values which determine the basic convictions that underline the conduct and dealing of that organization. Professional factors This deals with the top management policies, the codes of conduct followed by the society in general, the corporate organization in particular. Its the moral reasoning through which they determine whats right and whats wrong. Basically outlining the organizational regulations that determine what is to be regarded as ethical and what not. Situational factors They deal with stages of development of moral values and determinants of moral attitudes. Moral values are the convictions underlying decision making process regarding ethics. Moral attitudes are the result of an evaluation of moral behavior while moral behavior is denoted by action taken. After moral attitudes, moral reasoning results in moral judgments which are decisions regarding whether a certain alternative is morally good or bad. Legal factors Legal factors are of great importance since these are the first barrier that advertising needs to cross in terms to reach its target audience. Legal clearance in other words ensures that the advert is based on principles of ethical conduct and highlights rules and regulations regarding ethical decision making. Personal and individual factors Individual factors are the individual attributes which include personal goals, the motivation, experiences, personality, and demographics. While personal factors are influenced by the company we keep and the social class that we associate with. These factors are linked together via moral perception, knowledge and moral evaluation. Moral perception is when ethical problems are perceived and the amount of knowledge people hold regarding their moral standards. Specific knowledge about these standards then lead to moral evaluation which is the final decision making determining ethical or unethical conduct Consumer Demand (trend) The trend in what the consumer wants and if the offered product is catering to those changing trends, affects the sales of the product immensely. Without d demand, any product, however much advertised will not be able to attract the target market. Economic factors These include the trends in inflation or economic stability and growth that in return affect the buying power and patterns of the consumers. These are the major determinants of demand for a certain product. Research Hypotheses On the basis of theoretical framework the following hypotheses are formulated: H0 : The social factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1 : The social factors will significantly affect ethical advertising H0 : The environmental factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1 : The environmental factors will significantly affect ethical advertising H0 : The professional environment will not significantly affect ethics in advertising H1 : The professional environment will significantly affect ethics in advertising H0 : The situational factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1 : The situational factors will significantly affect ethical advertising H0 : The legal environment will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1 : The legal environment will significantly affect ethical advertising H0 : The personal and individual factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1 : The personal and individual factors will significantly affect ethical advertising H0 : The consumer trends will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1 : The consumer trends will significantly affect ethical advertising H0 : The economic factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1 : The economic factors will significantly affect ethical advertising LITERATURE REVIEW JudithÂÂ  W.ÂÂ  Spain, in Ethics and Geography -Impact of Geographical Cultural Differences on Students Ethical Decisions, conducts an exploratory survey to determine if there are differences in ethical decisions by business students based upon cultural backgrounds. Students responses to a vignette concerning advertising of cigar products in a variety of different media provided evidence of significant cultural differences between three groups of students from different geographical locations within the United States. This article suggests that the presumption that an individuals ethical beliefs and behaviors do not change after childhood may be in error. In Ethical Dimensions of Advertising Executions, Nebenzuhl and D.Jaffe determined the ethicality of disguised advertising presented to consumers under the assumption that itll gain potential benefits for the organization. For evidential proof a consumer survey was conducted in which exposure to the object message is followed by unaided recall and recognition tests. The results, however, unearthed the fact that conspicuous approach to advertising is not only unethical but also the gains to the sponsors of such advertising could not outweigh the losses to independence and privacy of the large number of consumers exposed. ScottÂÂ  J.ÂÂ  Vitell, in his paper, The effects of culture on ethical decision-making: An application of Hofstedes typology addresses a significant gap in the conceptualization of business ethics within different cultural influences. Though theoretical models of business ethics have recognized the importance of culture in ethical decision-making, few have examined how this influences ethical decision-making. Therefore, this paper develops propositions concerning the influence of various cultural dimensions on ethical decision-making using Hofstedes typology. Over the last decade, the topic of social responsibility and ethics in business has been made the focus of just a few studies, even though existing theoretical models recognize the importance of this factor. Great emphasis is laid on the importance of the role of culture in ethics decision-making identifying cultural factors such as values and customs, religion, law, respect for individuality, national identity and loy alty (or patriotism), and rights of property as influencing ethics. Kennedy and Lawton (1993) in the article Ethics and Services marketing states that marketing lacks an important component for ethical decision making while identifying the conceptual marketing approaches to the field of marketing ethics. This field consists of component such as the inter-organizational variables including professional environment, individual attributes and legal environment. Furthermore, while defining ethical behavior in a broader term a behavioral model of ethical and unethical decision making related to organizations has been presented. It links the inter-organizational relationships and ethics in terms of power, dependence and uncertainty and what effects these inter-organizational factors have on ethics. Ethical advertising: How ethical business is good business practice by Mike Catherall stresses on how any businesses should be accountable, transparent and responsible to their clients, suppliers and employees alike to characterize it as good business practice. He moves on further describing how a business must be true to its word since this acts as the hallmark for good business practice, and consequently ethical business. The article analyzes that in recent years, social-consciousness has become a buzzword, and ethical business practices more lip service than a philosophy. Legislations, regulations and self regulations was information that I came across on the website of Pakistan Advertising association which helped me gauge a few aspects to what really accounts as code of ethics here in Pakistan. The article states that although there is not any one specific law or piece of legislation that encompasses all aspects of advertising, there are codified pieces of legislation and frame wares. These include the Pakistan Advertising Associations (PAA) code of ethics. The article goes on to say that the advertising codes, although generate broad and comprehensive in nature; have suffered from a lack of effective implementation and a new specific focus. The majority of codes with respect to content are based on widely accepted concepts of social and moral decency. The occasionally vague and non specific nature of the regulations has often led to problems, where specific parties or social groupings take it upon themselves to exclude what is moral and what is not . Likewise Wenling Chen and Mei-Chyi Lui (1998) in the article Agency Practitioners Perceptions of Professional Ethics in Taiwan conducted a survey on the advertising practitioners in Taiwan concerning their experiences of ethical challenges at work. The study made use of a semi structured questionnaire which combined both quantitative and qualitative approaches to collect relevant information attempting for satisfying interpretations from the collected data. Among 120 respondents, 67.5 percent admitted that ethical problem was a commonplace at work. According to these respondents, the most frequently mentioned ethical problems area representing unethical products or services, the message of advertisements, agency-client relationship, the creditability of research, under table rebate, and the quality of service. Due to its preliminary nature, the present study should be considered exploratory and descriptive rather than conclusive, with the hope to inspire more research on advertising ethics in Taiwan as well as in other countries in the world. Candy A. Bianco and Susan M. Bosco in their article Ethical issues in credit card solicitation of college students, states how credit card companies aggressively solicit college students, without regard for the consequences of high credit card debt for these customers. The ethical conflict of the sale of easy credit to college students too often results in hazardous outcomes. This paper will investigate the dangers that credit card use presents to the young customer, the unethical manner in which the companies that issue these cards promote their products to this audience, and the role of institutions of higher education. A majority of students are not only using credit unwisely (average balances of over $1000 regardless of who reports the data) but are paying overpriced interest (18%-22%). The credit card companies call this responsible use. They are collecting enough interest and fees to more than cover losses resulting from bankruptcy. They use a variety of marketing techniques to lure college students glitzy MTV type shows, free prizes and gifts, special interest rate offers, and now they can pretend through Educational services to explain to college students why credit cards are important. This Paper investigates current solicitation policies of colleges and universities are also. Bank Credit Cards: Not-Illegal Does Not Equal Ethical by Charles H. Green strongly criticizes banks for deceiving the consumers where credit offerings through credit cards is concerned. The article talks about how for organizational profits the banks not only use unethical advertising as a tool but also neglect the distinction between illegal and unethical. The article goes on to say that most people can intuitively understand the difference between ethical and legal, and between unethical and illegal. Most of us want to live in a society where laws are ultimately derived from a sense of ethics-not the other way around. Just because something is not illegal hardly implies it is ethical. The article Opportunities vs. ethics by White, Phillip D points out how, in the area of fee income, bank marketing officers are being increasingly called upon to do two things the first being to assist the bank in identifying more fee income opportunities while the second states how to help the bank optimize or maximize fee income performance through the refinement of existing pricing strategies. The purpose of this article is to briefly review how bankers involved in marketing analysis and decision making should be aware of arguments and developments regarding potential ethical issues. Ethical standards in advertising: a worldwide perspective by Maria Cecilia talks about a study that was conducted that indicates how close advertisers from all the continents have been from the natural law and other fundamental moral principles. The ethical problems have not been equated with objectivity and the realist approach is appointed as a solution. The paper moves on explaining how there have been comments about the difficult practicability of ethically behaving in the advertising world due to problems faced by private companies, marketing research and advertising agencies, media and government. In many western countries, conflicts between ethical/moral and social/economic values can be observed. Many professionals see themselves disoriented concerning the correct attitude to take when facing the dynamic and diversified possibilities of their advertising campaigns. The objective of the paper was to call the attention of academicians and professionals who deal with advertising and to their responsibility toward the market. The intention is to encourage them to consider the values implicit in the campaigns they develop, guiding them toward the common good, helping them to find a wise and sensible way of acting rather than acquiring ways that misguide and mislead their consumers. Laczniak and Inderrieden (1987) in the article The Influence of stated organizational concern upon ethical decision making did the experimental study and evaluated the influence of stated organizational concern for ethical conduct upon employee behavior at managerial levels. A sample was tested on scenarios suggesting illegal conduct and others suggesting only unethical behavior. Only in the case of suggested illegal behavior tempered by high organizational concern were managers influenced by organizational policy to modify the morality of their actions. However the responses to the illegal scenarios were significantly more ethical than the reactions given to the unethical (but not illegal) situations. This particular study adopts an in-basket framework in order to investigate the influence of various levels of organizational sanctions upon ethical decision making. Methodology The methodology I will implement has two aspects and is going to be based on survey strategy: Questionnaires will cover the general trends in responses from the bankers also keeping in mind to structure them to be able to gauge some consumer trends. Interviews, of the bankers, will further help evaluate results gathered from the questionnaires The sample for this research will be the banks that offer consumer banking I will attempt to cover as many banks as I can since credit card issuance is foreign to none keeping in mind the growing trend. The sampling frame would be all the banks in Lahore City. The sample size would be 30 people from consumer banking sector involved in advertising credit card facility. The Research Study would start off from the questionnaire and thereafter statistical measures will be applied on the results to obtain analysis by using computer software SPSS. Analysis Q1. Do you think that the ethical codes of advertising are being followed? Q2. Do you think that the government is concerned with the censorship of advertisement through different mediums? HYPOTHSIS: H0- The legal factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1- The legal factors will significantly affect ethical advertising Analysis We know from the data analyzed using SPSS that our degree of freedom is 28 and I have supposed the confidence interval 95% (0.95), hence using the T-Table and determining the T-critical value against Degree of Freedom 28 and Confidence Interval of 95% (0.95), the value comes out to be 2.048, which is less than the T-stat of 4. 436. Since this proves my T-stat to be greater than my T-critical, the H0- The legal factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising is rejected. Q3. Has your business increased over the recent years in credit card financing? HYPOTHSIS H0- The consumer demand trends will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1- The consumer demand trends will significantly affect ethical advertising Analysis We know from the data analyzed using SPSS that our degree of freedom is 28 and I have supposed the confidence interval 95% (0.95), hence using the T-Table and determining the T-critical value against Degree of Freedom 28 and Confidence Interval of 95% (0.95), the value comes out to be 2.048, which is less than the T-stat of 4.254. Since this proves my T-stat to be greater than my T-critical, the H0- The consumer demand trends will not significantly affect ethical advertising, is rejected. Q4. Do you think that the rules and regulations of the bank affect moral reasoning determining the ethical behavior of advertising? HYPOTHSIS H0- The professional factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1- The professional factors will significantly affect ethical advertising Analysis We know from the data analyzed using SPSS that our degree of freedom is 28 and I have supposed the confidence interval 95% (0.95), hence using the T-Table and determining the T-critical value against Degree of Freedom 28 and Confidence Interval of 95% (0.95), the value comes out to be 2.048, which is less than the T-stat of 5.737. Since this proves my T-stat to be greater than my T-critical, the H0- The professional factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising, is rejected. Q.5 The culture of a bank determines the behavior of employees regarding corporate social responsibility. HYPOTHSIS H0- The environmental factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1- The environmental factors will significantly affect ethical advertising Analysis We know from the data analyzed using SPSS that our degree of freedom is 28 and I have supposed the confidence interval 95% (0.95), hence using the T-Table and determining the T-critical value against Degree of Freedom 28 and Confidence Interval of 95% (0.95), the value comes out to be 2.048, which is less than the T-stat of 6.343. Since this proves my T-stat to be greater than my T-critical, the H0- The environmental factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising, is rejected. Q.6 Do you think economic factors are a major determinant for the demand of your product (credit cards)? HYPOTHSIS H0- The economic factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1- The economic factors will significantly affect ethical advertising Analysis We know from the data analyzed using SPSS that our degree of freedom is 28 and I have supposed the confidence interval 95% (0.95), hence using the T-Table and determining the T-critical value against Degree of Freedom 28 and Confidence Interval of 95% (0.95), the value comes out to be 2.048, which is less than the T-stat of 5.125. Since this proves my T-stat to be greater than my T-critical, the H0- The economic factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising, is rejected. Q.7 Corporate social responsibility is an important factor in ethical advertising HYPOTHSIS H0- The social factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1- The social factors will significantly affect ethical advertising Analysis We know from the data analyzed using SPSS that our degree of freedom is 28 and I have supposed the confidence interval 95% (0.95), hence using the T-Table and determining the T-critical value against Degree of Freedom 28 and Confidence Interval of 95% (0.95), the value comes out to be 2.048, which is less than the T-stat of 4.938. Since this proves my T-stat to be greater than my T-critical, the H0- social factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising, is rejected. Q.8 Do individual attributes such as personal goals, life experiences and education determine the perception of the consumer regarding advertising? HYPOTHSIS H0- The personal and individual factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1- The personal and individual factors will significantly affect ethical advertising Analysis We know from the data analyzed using SPSS that our degree of freedom is 28 and I have supposed the confidence interval 95% (0.95), hence using the T-Table and determining the T-critical value against Degree of Freedom 28 and Confidence Interval of 95% (0.95), the value comes out to be 2.048, which is less than the T-stat of 7.408. Since this proves my T-stat to be greater than my T-critical, the H0- personal and individual factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising, is rejected. Q.9 Does your bank tends to suppress pertinent information about your services from consumers? HYPOTHSIS H0- The situational factors will not significantly affect ethical advertising H1- The situational and individual factors will significantly affect ethical advertising Analysis We know from the data analyzed using SPSS that our degree of freedom is 28 and I have supposed the confidence interval 95% (0.95), hence using the T-Table and determining the T-critical value against Degree of Freedom 28 and Confidence Interval of 95% (0.95), the value comes out to be 2.048, which is less than the T-stat of 8.773. Since

Invisible Man Essay: Shedding Fear -- Invisible Man Essays

Shedding Fear in Invisible Man      Ã‚  Ã‚   Invisible Man, by Ralph Ellison explores the issues of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness through the protagonist; Invisible Man. Invisible Man is not giving a name.   Ellison explores how unalienable rights cannot be obtained without freedom from the obstacles in life - especially from one's own fears.    Several major characters affect the protagonist. One of the major characters is Dr. Bledsoe, who is the president of the school.   Dr. Bledsoe had a major effect on the main character, because the Protagonist idolizes him.   "He was every thing that I hope to be," (Ellison 99), but the Dr. Bledsoe degrades him when we says "Why, the dumbest black bastard in the cotton patch knows that the only way to please a white man is to tell him a lie" (Emerson 137) and calls him a Nigger.   In addition, the Protagonist grandfather had a major effect on him.      The Protagonist's grandfather last word, "Live in the Lions mouth" (Ellison 16) has a lasting effect on him throughout most of the novel.   Finally and most important, Ras the Destroyer, whom the Protagonist fears whom along with Dr. Bledsoe in a separate encountering calls him "a educated fool" (Ellison 140).      The first encounter of the Protagonist own fears is introduce when his grandfather' s tells the Protagonist to go against the white man by "overcome 'em with yeses" (Emerson 16).   These words haunts the Protagonist when he is kicked out getting kicked out of college.   When Dr. Bledsoe kicks him out of college, the Protagonist reflects on his grandfather last words "undermine 'em with grins, agree 'em to death^"(Emerson 16).   For a moment, the Protagonist wonders if his grandfather might be right.   Howev... ...ld not let him rest.   He states that "I'm an invisible man and it placed me in a hole- or showed me the hole I was in^."(Ellison Epilogue).   This is an effective metaphor, because that is where life left him.   As stated by a German Philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche, "A snake that does not shed its skin will perish".   The Protagonist realized he must shed his metaphorical skin of fear and denial of being a Negro in order to obtain his unalienable which are rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.   The freedom he obtains through shedding his skin is that he knows he is free to be himself without the fear of not being accepted.    Works Cited Ellison, Ralph.   The Invisible Man.   New York, Vintage Books Latu, Susan.   School Web Site.   1998.   Phillips, Elizabeth C.   "Monarch Notes" Ralph Ellison Invisible Man.   New York, Monarch      

Danshui Plant No.2 Essay

Background: Danshui was a contract manufacturer assembling electronic products in southern China. There were many manufacturers like Danshui in China assembling parts for the companies wishing to save labor costs. Apple contracted with Danshui to assemble 2.4 million iPhones in Plant No.2 with the expected high demand of this product in 2010. As a profit center, Plant No.2 was credited for each iPhone produced and shipped. The process of assembling was complex and required almost entirely based on handwork for more than 100 components. Danshui was confident of its workers to adapt the new tasks and extra workers could be hired and trained as needed. The iPhone 4 was the most successful product of Apple as more than 1.7 million units were sold in the first 3 days they were launched. However, the plant was operating at a loss because of the underproduction. Consequently, the controller of this plant considered preparing the new budget showing using a flexible budget system to identify what went wrong in their operations that contribute to the performance problems. Problems and issues: The plant has 2 big problems in terms of budgeting system and labor force. Firstly, they were in unfavorable performance by using standard budgeting system. They were unable to meet the Apple contract, which was shortage 10% from the 200,000 targeted units, resulting in the loss of $672,000 rather than the profit of $100,000. Actually, the plant was using the standard costing system to evaluate their performance, but it was not appropriate because the comparative quantities were different (180,000 and 200,000 units). That means the total standard costs would be overstated compared to the total actual costs. Consequently, the activities under the standard costing system were all overstated efficiency, leading to the unfavorable net income. Secondly, the lack of qualified labor force also contributed to this problem. As the assembly of iPhone 4 was extremely complex, this would be higher chances of errors as the assembly process was handled by different workers with different skills and working styles. This will indirectly cause a lot wastes in term of cost and time due to the carelessness and the lack of skill of the workers. The burden of the supervisors must be increased as they must learn before guiding the workers, who were almost semiskilled.  Although the plant had raised the wages to 30%, they still could not increase the number of labor force needed, which also contributed to the underproduction. On the other hand, as the production line was based on handwork, the damage of 1000 flash memories in installation was unavoidable. Thus, the actual output must be 181,000 units instead of 180,000 units in their report. The replacement of the wastage had increased the cost that had led to the unfavorable variance of $389,000. When the reckless jobs had been done, the workers must use the new tools and supplies, resulting in the increase of the production costs and cause an unfavorable performance. Recommendations: For the short term, I recommend Danshui to change from using the standard costing system to the flexible budget system for performance evaluation purpose. By using the flexible budget will help them to compare results with adjustable budget and the variance analysis will be more accurate. This system also proves the unfavorable performance caused by the variance from variable costs of $1,041,200, which can analyze and evaluate the weaknesses in controlling the variable cost which is flash memories, assembly and packaging expenses. For the long term period, they have to overcome the disadvantages from the labor forces. First of all, the plant should improve their salary policy. I recommend that they should motivate workers by setting a basic salary and offering bonus if they complete their jobs well. Secondly, the plant should provide professional training for labors. Through training, the labors can learn how to handle with care on the parts to avoid the wastage that will happen. This solution also assists managers to place the correct labor at the correct assembly parts to reduce the labor hours but still save the materials. Thirdly, the plant could hire more skilled supervisors who will able to response to the problems arises and know how to motivate the labor to achieve the goal.

The Lend-Lease Act in World War II

The Lend-Lease Act in World War II The Lend-Lease Act, formally known as the An Act to Promote the Defense of the United States, was passed March 11, 1941. Championed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the legislation allowed military aid and supplies to be offered other nations. Passed before the United States entered World War II, the Lend-Lease Program effectively ended American neutrality and offered a means for directly supporting Britains war against Germany and Chinas conflict with Japan. Following the American entry into World War II, Lend-Lease was expanded to include the Soviet Union. During the course of the conflict, around $50.1 billion worth of materials were supplied on the premise that it would be paid for or returned. Background With the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, the United States assumed a neutral stance. As Nazi Germany began winning a long string of victories in Europe, the administration of President Franklin Roosevelt began seeking ways to aid Great Britain while remaining free of the conflict. Initially constrained by the Neutrality Acts which limited arms sales to cash and carry purchases by belligerents, Roosevelt declared large amounts of American weapons and ammunition surplus and authorized their shipment to Britain in mid-1940. He also entered into negotiations with Prime Minister Winston Churchill to secure leases for naval bases and airfields in British possessions across the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic coast of Canada. These talks ultimately produced the Destroyers for Bases Agreement in September 1940. This agreement saw 50 surplus American destroyers transferred to the Royal Navy and Royal Canadian Navy in exchange for rent-free, 99-year leases on various military installations. Though they succeeded in repelling the Germans during the Battle of Britain, the British remained hard-pressed by the enemy on multiple fronts. Royal Navy and U.S. Navy sailors inspect depth charges aboard Wickes-class destroyers, in 1940 before their transfer to the Royal Navy. Library of Congress The Lend-Lease Act of 1941 Seeking to move the nation towards a more active role in the conflict, Roosevelt wished to provide Britain with all possible aid short of war. As such, British warships were permitted to make repairs in American ports and training facilities for British servicemen were constructed in the U.S. To ease Britains shortage of war materials, Roosevelt pushed for the creation of the Lend-Lease Program. Officially titled An Act Further to Promote the Defense of the United States, the Lend-Lease Act was signed into law on March 11, 1941. This act empowered the president to sell, transfer title to, exchange, lease, lend, or otherwise dispose of, to any such government [whose defense the President deems vital to the defense of the United States] any defense article. In effect, it allowed Roosevelt to authorize the transfer of military materials to Britain with the understanding that they would ultimately be paid for or returned if they were not destroyed. To administer the program, Roosevelt created the Office of Lend-Lease Administration under the leadership of former steel industry executive Edward R. Stettinius. In selling the program to a skeptical and still somewhat isolationist American public, Roosevelt compared it to loaning a hose to a neighbor whose house was on fire. What do I do in such a crisis? the president asked the press. I dont say... Neighbor, my garden hose cost me $15; you have to pay me $15 for it - I dont want $15 - I want my garden hose back after the fire is over. In April, he expanded the program by offering lend-lease aid to China for their war against the Japanese. Taking swift advantage of the program, the British received over $1 billion in aid through October 1941. An American light tank is unloaded at a central ordnance depot in England, part of a lend-lease shipment from the United States. Library of Congress Effects of Lend-Lease Lend-Lease continued after the American entry into the war following the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. As the American military mobilized for war, Lend-Lease materials in the form of vehicles, aircraft, weapons, etc. were shipped to other Allied nations who were actively fighting the Axis Powers. With the alliance of the United States and the Soviet Union in 1942, the program was expanded to allow their participation with large amounts of supplies passing through the Arctic Convoys, Persian Corridor, and the Alaska-Siberia Air Route. As the war progressed, most of the Allied nations proved capable of manufacturing sufficient frontline weapons for their troops, however, this led to a drastic reduction in the production other needed items. Materials from Lend-Lease filled this void in the form of munitions, food, transport aircraft, trucks, and rolling stock. The Red Army, in particular, took advantage of the program and by wars end, approximately two-thirds of its trucks were American-built Dodges and Studebakers. Also, the Soviets received around 2,000 locomotives for supplying its forces at the front. Reverse Lend-Lease While Lend-Lease generally saw goods being provided to the Allies, a Reverse Lend-Lease scheme also existed where goods and services were given to the United States. As American forces began arriving in Europe, Britain provided material assistance such as the use of Supermarine Spitfire fighters. Additionally, Commonwealth nations often provided food, bases, and other logistical support. Other Lead-Lease items included patrol boats and De Havilland Mosquito aircraft. Through the course of the war, the United States received around $7.8 billion in Reverse Lend-Lease aid with $6.8 of it coming from Britain and the Commonwealth nations. End of Lend-Lease A critical program for winning the war, Lend-Lease came to an abrupt end with its conclusion. As Britain needed to retain much of the Lend-Lease equipment for postwar use, the Anglo-American Loan was signed through which the British agreed to purchase the items for approximately ten cents on the dollar. The total value of the loan was around  £1,075 million. The final payment on the loan was made in 2006. All told, Lend-Lease provided $50.1 billion worth of supplies to the Allies during the conflict, with $31.4 billion to Britain, $11.3 billion to the Soviet Union, $3.2 billion to France and $1.6 billion to China.

Loss and Isolation Themes of Frankenstein

Loss and Isolation Themes of Frankenstein Isolation is a common human tendency that society uses to deal with a stressful situation. In the timeless novel "Frankenstein", by Mary Shelly, there is a constant theme of isolation, leading to loss and tragedy. Consequently, this theme becomes exponential as the loss and tragedy lead to more isolation. The cycle continues throughout the story, up to the point where both Victor Frankenstein and his creature die near the North Pole. The creature and Doctor Frankenstein are constantly repulsed by each other keeping their cycle of loss and isolation in motion.The first presentation of isolation in the novel is that of Victor Frankenstein. In the isolation of the town Ingolstadt he searches for knowledge on the secrets of life. However, Victor only uses the secrets he has uncovered to reanimate a dead body and create a monster. Victor describes his situation, "I had worked hard for nearly two years, for the sole purpose of infusing life into an inanimate body.Manuscript page from Frank enstein by Mary ShelleyI had desired it with an ardour that far exceeded moderation; but now that I had finished, the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled my heart" (Shelly 48-49). Frankenstein has shown the first example of how isolation leads to his tragedy. He stays in his apartment alone, obsessing over creating life, not thinking of consequences of his actions. This traumatic event causes Frankenstein to flee his apartment, leaving his creation alone.This action however leaves Victor's creature in isolation and confusion. Now the cycle continues and the creature must try to survive on his own, in seclusion. The creature comes across humans, but they only see him as a monster and attack him without any reason besides his appearance. The creature is extremely lonely and confused as he tries to make sense...

Buddhism and Its Cultural Impact Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Buddhism and Its Cultural Impact - Essay Example The dissemination of such ideas and beliefs from one culture to another was facilitated through trade, migration, and warfare in the historic times. Throughout the post-classical periods, many groups of nomadic missionaries contributed to this cultural diffusion process. From such, groups, Buddhist missionaries more commonly referred to as priests or monks succeeded in inculcating the Buddhist way of life across much of the Asian region. Although Buddhism has its many forms across the Asian continent, the core belief system is reflected in all forms being practiced in countries as India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, Nepal, China and Japan. These core beliefs have contributed to the unique cultural aspects and practices that can be observed within these cultures. In order to discuss cultural manifestations resulting from religeious teachings, it is important to define what culture denotes. Culture according to Boas, â€Å"embrace all the manifestations of social habits of a community, the reactions of the individual as affected by the habits of the group in which he lives, and the products of human activities as determined by these habits† (Boas, 1930) Thus, it is important to understand the underpinning, belief systems and religious teachings which manifest in the form of distinct cultural characteristics, ideas and technologies. Considering the Asian countries, which influenced by, Buddhism, the cultures are rich with history, heritage, religious practices and philosophies. Buddhist way of life seeks to achieve morality and well being of life through harmony and self-moderation. Buddhists are motivated by the need of wanting to break the cycle of life referred to as â€Å"Samsara†, which is perceived as a sorrowful journey eve n at its most luxurious state of living.  

Margaret Fuller Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Margaret Fuller - Essay Example However, a reflective analysis of the works and writings of this journalist, critic and women's rights activist of the American transcendental movement confirms that she is not a feminist in the true sense. Labeling Margaret Fuller as a feminist will be a mistake and, therefore, she should not be labeled as a feminist, but as a strong American woman, a spokesperson for education, proponent for not only women's rights but rights for all mankind. One of the most significant explanations of this idea can be found in Annette Kolodny's "Inventing a Feminist Discourse: Rhetoric and Resistance in Margaret Fuller's Woman in the Ninteenth Century", where the author indicates how Margaret Fuller deviated from the general category of feminists, through her writings. "By rejecting persuasion as a tactic for feminist discourse, in effect, Fuller dispensed with those organizing principles that had come to be associated with most public advocacy in her day. As a result, despite the chronological ar rangement of her 'signs of the times,' and despite Fuller's demonstrated command of formal logic and her employment of both inductive and deductive modes of reasoning, she opened herself to the charge that she was aimlessly amassing miscellaneous evidence In other words, because Fuller did not order her treatise in the conventional manner, critics dismissed the whole as the by-product of stereotypically uncontrolled female talkativeness transferred to the printed page." (Kolodny, 159-60) These criticisms, however, assume importance in the wider perspective of her writings as feminist writings and there is no real intension from the author, especially in her Woman in the Ninteenth Century, to come up with a strong voice of an ardent feminist. She is more interested in reflecting her ideas as a strong American woman, a spokesperson for education, proponent for the rights for all mankind, along with women's rights. Therefore, a profound analysis of the works and writings of Margaret Fu ller confirms that she cannot be called a feminist in true essence, though she was an inspiration for women, as well as any group that has been oppressed or repressed. One of the regular mistakes among the scholars who study the works of Margaret Fuller, especially the contemporary feminist writers, is that they often tend to associate her with feminism and consider her as one of the earliest feminists. Although she was an important figure of the New England Transcendentalist movement, along with Ralph Waldo Emerson and others, it is not completely justifiable to consider Margaret Fuller as a feminist who has contributed to the earliest movements of the feminists in American literature. Her uniquely important place in 19th century history of American literature can be realized in the background of her works and writings at a time when the role of women in her society was severely limited. Thus, she was an important champion of the rights of women in her period and upheld the importance of education for women. Through her contributions to the development of the New England Transcendentalist movement, she proved her major concerns which are for the g ood of the society as a whole. Fuller was the editor of The Dial, the magazine of the transcendentalists, for two years in the early 1840s and she established her ideologies concerning the plight of women as well as the society in general. The enduring eminence of this great human being should be realized in her works as a