Snowden should be punished Free Essay Example, 1000 words

Security agents from C. I.A do not buy this kind of argument, they insist he went to the mentioned countries to leak sensitive information and in return seek amnesty. However, their arguments do not hold water because, Hong Kong, is a state in China that has no freedom of speech. On the other hand, even if that was true, why then did he run to Russia rather than stay in China? This would imply the possibility of threats from the government to obtain valuable information from him, and him being forced to run yet again because he could not risk that. Then the question arising would be, why Russia? The general feeling of those opposed to his heroism is that he ran to Russia because he knew that they are opposed to U. S. Another argument that has been presented for his heroism is the fact that he had the people of America at heart and their need to protect their rights and by so doing, he presented Americans a reminder on a matter of importance to them, security. Other people argue that by reporting the NSA he was putting himself at risk, and he knew this could hurt him but did it anyway, quoting him saying that he is willing to go to the extent of sacrifice due to his conscience. We will write a custom essay sample on Snowden should be punished or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now He adds that his conscience would not allow him to watch the government demean their privacy and the internet freedoms of people while doing nothing about it. However, Snowmen’s story is not really believable, so much that even the journalists who were conducting the interview did not believe him. Having told them of his intentions, the reporter asks him, displaying unbelief, what would possibly make him leave his home and comfortable life behind, stating the amount of money he makes. If his interest had indeed been the rights of the American people, why would he feel a need to also disclose information about Russia, China and Germany as he did? Also, how could a man that could not be trusted to think about his family before running away be trusted to care about the nation? Lastly, the information he released, rather than help the country frustrated relations such as with the Russians and the Brazillian government. Not all people were thrille d at his releasing the news and this goes to further prove him as a traitor. Ralph Cossa was presented telling a CNN affiliate that Snowden has a ‘mother Teresa gene’ that could be described as excessively active that caused him to think he was saving America whereas he was only doing a foolish act. He points out that even though the Americans expect their privacy to be honored, they also expect to be protected from terrorist attacks.

Factors Affecting Financial Management Of Public Secondary...

FACTORS AFFECTING FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN MARANI DISTRICT, KENYA A ThesisSubmitted to the Department of Management School of Business University of Eastern Africa, Baraton In Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Business Administration (Finance) Esther MoraaOndieki July,2015 DECLARATION SHEET This thesis is my original work and to the best of my knowledge this work has not been published and/or presented to any University for an award of a degree. __________________ _________________ Esther MoraaOndieki Date DECLARATION BY THE SUPERVISORS This thesis has been submitted for examination with our approval as University supervisors. ______________ _____________ Dr Allen Monta Date ________________ _______________ Prof. Abraham Idowu Date Abstract This study pursued to find out the factors affecting the financial management of public secondary schools in Marani District, Kenya. The study engaged descriptive study design. In the district there are 28 schools and 16 was chosen randomly to participate in the study. Respondents were bursars/accounts clerk, principals and BOG. Questionnaire was used to acquire data from the respondents. Furthermore someShow MoreRelatedTrends Of College Admissions : Katherine O Malley. Arizona State University1510 Words   |  7 Pages Trends in College Admissions Katherine O’Malley Arizona State University One of the key components in higher education enrollment management in a public, four-year university is the admissions process. With encouragement from many sources such as friends, family, and college marketing materials, high school juniors and seniors apply and enroll in college by the thousands each year (McDonough, 1994). 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Sutter Case Analysis Essay Example For Students

Sutter Case Analysis Essay An increasing issue within the health care field is the inability to collect debt from the growing population of uninsured or underinsured patients. Healthcare organizations may be struggling to meet operational margins because the industry has never treated its customers like other retail-oriented sectors of the economy. A McKinsy and Company report states that hospitals incur sixty billion dollars in bad debt annually because they typically collect only ten to twenty percent of a total uninsured patient balance after service. MacKenzie, 2009) This is due to a number of reasons, including poor accounting practices or a lack of patient information. This paper will discuss how one hospital, California’s Sutter Health, has taken steps to correct this issue. It will analyze the accounting practices put into place by Sutter Health and the success of this practice. This author will also provide an alternate solution to the issue of debt collection for self-pay patients as well as a n opinion concerning the actions taken by Sutter Health. First it is important to provide background information pertaining to California’s Sutter Health Hospitals. Sutter Health is a non-profit network of community-based healthcare providers. This organization provides care to more than one hundred Northern California communities. (Souza McCarty, 2007) Sutter Health is composed of hospitals, physician organizations and other health care service providers that share resources and expertise to advance health care quality. While the variety of providers is beneficial to the communities served, it posed an operating issue for the organization. (Hummel, 2004) One of the key problems that Sutter Health was experiencing was that each facility acted as an independent â€Å"island† of information. Due to the numerous operating and accounting systems it was impossible to obtain data and reports in the same format from every location. There were no common practices within the organization. (Hummel, 2004) Each facility followed different admitting and billing procedures. This resulted in a few facilities having accounts receivable days in the range of one hundred twenty, while others had fewer than sixty days. The lack of standardized revenue collection and integrated management reporting tools was adversely affecting the financial performance of Sutter Health. Hummel, 2004) In 2003, during their effort to standardize the operating systems, Sutter Health performed an analysis of the organizations revenue management cycle. The analysis results proved that Sutter’s current information systems were costly to maintain and did not provide the real time information that was needed. (Anonymous, 2005) The analysis provided Sutter with information that was valuable in determining k ey issues that were affecting their ability to collect debt and lower the facilities account receivable days. Most of the issues arose from the inability to access real time information which in turn affected the actual methods of collection that were being employed. The lack of real time information greatly hindered Sutter Health’s ability to collect debt from patients once a service had been provided. Since the needed information was not immediately available, managers had to wait until the end of the month to set benchmarks, track progress, or make decisions. This delay in information prevented account representatives from being able to prioritize and effectively work on their cases. Souza McCarty, 2007) This had a negative impact on the number of receivable days that each facility incurred. Due to the lack of information, Sutter Health had difficulty collecting on patient accounts. Sutter’s collection method focused on the back end staff- the central business office and collectors- rather than the front-end staff member to collect payments. (Souza McCarty, 2007) Patients were not being asked for their payment in a timely manner. Important information, such as the patient’s portion of responsibility and the verification of the insurer’s responsibility, was delayed due to the systems that were in place. Once the account representatives were provided with the information they needed patients had already received care and been released. It became more challenging to collect debt after a significant amount of time had passed between the date of service and the date of collection attempt. Reimbursement is reduced by forty percent post-service. (Anonymous, 2010) This resulted in an increase of account receivable days. After examining the information obtained from the analysis and realizing the importance of standardization throughout the organization, Sutter developed a solution that best fit their current situation. First on the agenda was to develop a standardized system within the entire Sutter Health organization. The organization chose a program based on the criteria that the program met or exceeded existing functionality, be easy to use, be cost effective and represent advanced and/or adaptive technology. (Anonymous, 2005) Sutter Health chose to use the MedSeries4 (MS4) throughout all of their facilities. This program has helped to standardize the organization’s patient accounting processes. The staff of Sutter Health is now able to prioritize and follow up on financial counseling, third-party payer billing and collection activities through an automated collection system. This system also has the capability of producing daily work list based on manager-defined account receivable criteria. Each facility is able to track accounts from the moment of pre-admittance through the time of potential assignment with an outside collection agency. (Hummel, 2004) This has also resulted in the facilities being able to provide data and reports in the same format. Another aspect of Sutter’s solution was to alter their collection method. Two Strong and Brave Women EssayNinety-seven percent of hospitals surveyed in the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA) 2009 study, The Changing Face of Self-Payment in Hospitals, have experienced an increase in self-pay accounts receivable compared with the prior fiscal year. In nearly thirty-three percent of respondent hospitals, receivables are growing faster than patient revenue. (Koeing, 2010) Sutter Health took the necessary steps to reduce their number account receivable days. By standardizing their operational systems throughout the organization, Sutter was able ensure that each facility was able to provide and access data in an equivalent format. Sutter also implemented a front-end collection method. This helped to lower the account receivable days as well as increase the revenue of the organization. While I believe that Sutter adapted the most effective solution, there are other alternative to addressing the same issue. One alternative is receivable segmentation. This method instructs hospitals to determine a patient’s likeliness to pay their debt. The patients â€Å"collectability† status is based on several factors, including credit and income. Receivable segmentation provides healthcare providers with the opportunity to increase self-pay collections, decrease cost to collect, and improve self-pay account receivable days. Despite which method health care organizations use, it seems as though any measures taken may reduce uncollectable accounts and increase revenue. References Anonymous. (2005, October 19). Sutter Health Selects EPSis Solutions to Achieve System-wide Cost Standards and Performance Management . PR Newswire,1. Retrieved July 29, 2010, from ProQuest Database (Document ID: 913887581). Anonymous. 2010, June 05). MedAssets; Sutter Health Selects MedAssets Patient Bill Estimation Solution to Improve Collections and Help Consumers Understand Their Out-of-pocket Cost. Retrieved August 04, 2010, from ProQuest Database. Boehler, A. Hansal, J. (2006, January 01). Innovative strategies for self-pay segmentation . Healthcare Financial Management. Retrieved July 29, 2010, from http://www. allbusiness. com/banking-finance/ banking-lending-credit/10579823-1. html. Edmonds, T. , Olds, P. , McNair, F. , Tsay, B. (2010). Survey of Accounting (2nd ed. ). New York: McGraw-Hill Irwin. Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA). (2010). Managing the Self-Pay Cycle. Retrieved July 29, 2010, from http://www. emdeon. com/eNewsletters/Compass/Spring10/Managing%20the%20Self%20Pay%20Cycle%20HFM%20March%202010. pdf. Hummel, J. (2004). Financial Finesse . Health Management Technology, 25(2), 52-55. Retrieved July 29, 2010, from ProQuest Database (Document ID 538867911). Koeing, S. (2010, March 29). Five Strategies for Strategic Debt Recovery of Self-Pay Patient Accounts. Retrieved July 30, 2010, from http://www. healthleadersmedia. com/content/FIN-248700/Five-Strategies-for-Stra

Strategic Entrepreneurship within the Current Market Dynamics

Summary The business sector continues to undergo tremendous developments in the 21st century. With numerous technological advancements, wider market bases, higher consumer purchasing powers, and market liberalizations in many parts of the world, entrepreneurs and businesspersons continue to enjoy high profits margins from their investments.Advertising We will write a custom report sample on Strategic Entrepreneurship within the Current Market Dynamics specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Despite these advancements, the resulting business environment becomes competitive with increased risks, inadequate forecasting abilities, emerging structural systems, and fluid firms as well as industrial boundaries. All these factors compel management teams in business firms and franchises to engage in innovative ideas that can withstand the new business landscape intertwined in dynamism, complexity, chaos, and contradictions. Formulation of plans p lays an imperative role in effective management of business opportunities. It is from these strategic management plans that leadership structures in any business entity develop the ways of maximizing the opportunities, while reducing the risks associated with the threats and weaknesses evident in the venture. Plans and objectives offer the engaged workforce clear goals and expectations within given periods, thus creating a hard-working labor force. This increases the chances of high productivity, hence earning more profits to the business. Strategic planning, proper management, adequate entrepreneurial skills, and efficient workforce provide the grounds for successful business set-up with the ability to enjoy competitive advantage over the rivals in the market. Key Learning Points Strategic management is a process that guides the day-to-day activities in a business entity; it helps in continuous renewal and growth of business by providing contexts essential for development and imple mentation of business operations. Business entities formulate such plans by developing missions, achievable objectives, strategies, as well as setting policy guidelines (Schendel Hofer, 1978). Qualcomm Corporate entrepreneurship program remains a successful story for the company given its acquisition of talented and innovative labor force. The company created an avenue for all employees to engage consumers in market analysis before the introduction of a telecommunication gadget in the market. This strategy has benefited the company through increased sales. Qualcomm commands a competitive advantage over rivals, which develop telecommunication gadgets and impose them on consumers (Dess, 2012). Entrepreneurship entails the process of creating wealth through a sequence of commitment by persons who take significant risks in business, and work towards providing products and services to accessible markets. Value additions and innovations play a vital task in the success of many entreprene urs.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More For this reason, most entrepreneurs invest more in innovative ideas of the already existing products and services to win the hearts of the vibrant customers; it is the entrepreneurs’ innovative ideas that continue to revolutionize the business behavior in the current dynamic markets. As Ireland et al. (2003) put it, entrepreneurial and strategic actions in the current business environments majorly target ways of finding new markets and creating competitive space for wealth creation and business success. Relevant Statements to the Session Even though strategy and entrepreneurship in business are independent constructs, strategic entrepreneurship remains intertwined between these two concepts with an aim of ensuring business success (Schendel Hitt, 2007). The creativity, imagination, and opportunities that come handy with strategic entrepreneurship are fundamental to all markets. The UAE market, for instance, continues to attract global attention due to liberalization and international trades; these are significant results from strategic entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship plays an integral role in creating employment, as well as growing the economy of a country. Markedly, in case entrepreneurs gain ground in UAE, several individuals will gain access to the job structures that the system will create. On the same note, one aim of strategic entrepreneurship revolves around creating geographic entities in business. For this reason, motivation and support of entrepreneurial activities in the UAE provides a sufficient strategy for advancing the level of economic growth and development not only to the Middles East trading block but also to the wider Arab common market (Schendel Hitt, 2007). Critical Analysis and Implementation Companies implementing strategic entrepreneurship within their ranks enjoy great profits since innovative skills trickle continuously into their systems, thus ensuring maintenance of competitive advantage in markets. Therefore, the need to adopt strategic management and entrepreneurship skills in the production sector of business entities is indispensable. Initiation and implantation of these facets of management involve a series of consultation and consensus among all stakeholders involved in business managements. Different ways of implementing such a program in an organization are discussed below. Emphasizing Ethical Behavior and Value Based Decisions In order to develop a strong workforce base grounded on integrity and hard work, the process of recruiting new employees must emphasize the need for value-based individuals in the production sector. This ensures that the new staffs join the production force with a vast array of creative ideas in production, thus increasing the chances of maintaining competitive advantage in the market (Rommel, 1995).Advertising We w ill write a custom report sample on Strategic Entrepreneurship within the Current Market Dynamics specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Develop Clear Goals Formulating goals and objectives remain vital in ensuring success of any organization. It is imperative for management teams in any business entity to develop clear goals, and defines strategies for achieving such goals. This ensures that all employees in the organization engage in effective production towards a common goal. Similarly, management teams must develop strong expectations from the defined goals to ensure that each individual performs his/her function with maximum benefits. Practical Implications Smallbone (2010) argues that for an upcoming business organization, proper mechanisms are necessary to exploit the global market using available technologies. Proprietors of the new business entity must develop sustainable ways of improving on the available products and services to win the already competitive customer base. Most businesses fail because many aspiring businesspersons venture into the field using â€Å"trial and error† methods. However, effective strategic planning, management, and entrepreneurship provide liberal market feasibility program by pinpointing specific zones of inevitable success, as well as establishing viable ways of maintaining a competitive advantage in an industry. A well-stated and clearly defined strategic entrepreneurship structures enable employees to direct innovation behaviors towards a common goal, thus reducing instances of business failure. Learning Reflections Adoption of a dynamic competitive mind is necessary for profitability in the market. In order to institute this, management teams in an organization must recruit a flexible and speedy workforce full of innovative minds. In the interviews and recruitment sessions, it is necessary to hire an individual with adequate strategic leadership qualities to ensure dy namism in production (Rommel, 1995). On the same note, proper mechanism of exploiting individual brilliance and efforts are necessary. Incentives and rewards for exemplary performances among the employees play an important role in employee motivation. Supporting Evidence The current world market is flooded with several businesspersons. At the same time, consumer satisfaction plays a key role in the success of businesses. Innovative ideas and value addition mechanisms remain paramount in the struggle towards consolidating market bases. From these aspects, strategic entrepreneurship remains an important initiative that business entities strive to develop their styles of operation to cope up with the market competitions. Educational segment of business and international trade plays an integral role in imparting the necessary skills and knowledge needed for business survival in the dynamic market.Advertising Looking for report on business economics? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More References Dess, G. G. (2012). Strategic management: text and cases.New York: McGraw-Hill/Irwin. Ireland, R.D., Hitt, M.A., Sirmon, D.G. (2003). A model of strategic entrepreneurship: The construct and its dimensions. Journal of Management, 29(6), 963–989. Rommel, G. (1995). Simplicity wins: how Germany’s mid-sized industrial companies succeed. Boston, Mass.: Harvard Business School Press. Schendel, D. Hitt, M. (2007). Strategy versus entrepreneurship. Strategic Entrepreneurship Journal, 1(1), 25-36. Schendel, D. Hofer, C. (1978). Strategic management: A new view of business policy and planning. Boston: Little Brown and Company. Smallbone, D. (2010). Entrepreneurship and public policy. Cheltenham, UK: Elgar Research Collection. This report on Strategic Entrepreneurship within the Current Market Dynamics was written and submitted by user Houston Hendricks to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Free Essays on The Ford Motor Company

Like most great enterprises, Ford’s beginnings were modest. The company had anxious moments in its infancy, balancing precariously on the edge of bankruptcy. But one month after incorporation a ray of hope shone when the first car was sold to a Chicago dentist named Penning. A worried group of stockholders, skeptically eyeing a bank balance that had dwindled to $223.65, breathed easier, and a young For Motor Company had taken its first step. During the first five years, young Henry Ford, as chief engineer and later as president, directed a development and production program which started in a converted wagon factory on Mack Avenue in Detroit and later moved to a larger building at Piquette and Beaubien Streets. In the first 15 months 1,700 Model of cars chugged out of the old wagon factory. Between 1903 and 1908, Henry Ford and his engineers used the first 19 letters of the alphabet to assign their creations, although some of the cars were experimental and never reached the public. The most successful of the early production cars was the model (N), a small, light, four-cylinder machine that went on the market at $500.00. The model (K), a $2,500.00, six-cylinder, luxury car, sold poorly. The model K’s failure, along with Mr. Ford’s insistence that the company’s future lay in the production of inexpensive cars for a mass market, caused increasing friction between Mr. Ford and Alexander Malcomson, a Detroit coal dealer who had been instrumental in raising the original $28,000.00. As a result, Mr. Malcomson left t he company and Mr. Ford acquired enough of his stock to increase his holdings to 58.5 percent. He became president in 1906, replacing John S. Gray, a Detroit banker. Quarrel among the stockholders did not threaten the young company’s future, as seriously as a man named George Selden did. Mr. Selden had a patent on â€Å"road locomotives† powered by internal combustion engines. To protect his patent, he formed a power... Free Essays on The Ford Motor Company Free Essays on The Ford Motor Company Like most great enterprises, Ford’s beginnings were modest. The company had anxious moments in its infancy, balancing precariously on the edge of bankruptcy. But one month after incorporation a ray of hope shone when the first car was sold to a Chicago dentist named Penning. A worried group of stockholders, skeptically eyeing a bank balance that had dwindled to $223.65, breathed easier, and a young For Motor Company had taken its first step. During the first five years, young Henry Ford, as chief engineer and later as president, directed a development and production program which started in a converted wagon factory on Mack Avenue in Detroit and later moved to a larger building at Piquette and Beaubien Streets. In the first 15 months 1,700 Model of cars chugged out of the old wagon factory. Between 1903 and 1908, Henry Ford and his engineers used the first 19 letters of the alphabet to assign their creations, although some of the cars were experimental and never reached the public. The most successful of the early production cars was the model (N), a small, light, four-cylinder machine that went on the market at $500.00. The model (K), a $2,500.00, six-cylinder, luxury car, sold poorly. The model K’s failure, along with Mr. Ford’s insistence that the company’s future lay in the production of inexpensive cars for a mass market, caused increasing friction between Mr. Ford and Alexander Malcomson, a Detroit coal dealer who had been instrumental in raising the original $28,000.00. As a result, Mr. Malcomson left t he company and Mr. Ford acquired enough of his stock to increase his holdings to 58.5 percent. He became president in 1906, replacing John S. Gray, a Detroit banker. Quarrel among the stockholders did not threaten the young company’s future, as seriously as a man named George Selden did. Mr. Selden had a patent on â€Å"road locomotives† powered by internal combustion engines. To protect his patent, he formed a power...

Battle of Jonesboro - Atlanta Campaign - Civil War - William Sherman

Battle of Jonesboro - Atlanta Campaign - Civil War - William Sherman Battle of Jonesboro - Conflict Dates: The Battle of Jonesboro was fought August 31-September 1, 1864, during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Armies Commanders Union Major General William T. ShermanMajor General Oliver O. HowardMajor General George H. Thomas6 corps Confederates General John Bell HoodLieutenant General William Hardee2 corps Battle of Jonesboro - Background: Advancing south from Chattanooga in May 1864, Major General William T. Sherman sought to capture the vital Confederate rail hub at Atlanta, GA. Opposed by Confederate forces, he reached the city in July after a protracted campaign in northern Georgia. Defending Atlanta, General John Bell Hood fought three battles with Sherman late in the month at Peachtree Creek,  Atlanta, and  Ezra Church, before retiring into the citys fortifications. Unwilling to launch frontal assaults against prepared defenses, Shermans forces assumed positions west, north, and east of the city and worked to cut it off from resupply. This perceived inaction, along with Lieutenant General Ulysses S. Grant being stalled at Petersburg, began to damage Union morale and led some to fear that President Abraham Lincoln could be defeated in the November election. Assessing the situation, Sherman decided to make efforts to sever the sole remaining railroad into Atlanta, the Macon Western. Departing the city, the Macon Western Railroad ran south to Eastpoint where the Atlanta West Point Railroad split off while the main line continued to and through Jonesboro (Jonesborough). Battle of Jonesboro - The Union Plan: To accomplish this goal, Sherman directed the majority of his forces to pull out of their positions and move around Atlanta to the west before falling upon the Macon Western south of the city. Only Major General Henry Slocums XX Corps was to remain north of Atlanta with orders to guard the railroad bridge over the Chattahoochee River and protect the Union lines of communication. The massive Union movement began on August 25 and saw Major General Oliver O. Howards Army of the Tennessee march with orders to strike the railroad at Jonesboro (Map). Battle of Jonesboro - Hood Responds: As Howards men moved out, Major General George H. Thomas Army of the Cumberland and Major General John Schofields Army of the Ohio were tasked with cutting the railroad farther north. On August 26, Hood was surprised to find the majority of the Union entrenchments around Atlanta empty. Two days later, Union troops reached the Atlanta West Point and began pulling up the tracks. Initially believing this to be a diversion, Hood disregarded the Union efforts until reports began to reach him of a sizable Union force south of the city. As Hood sought to clarify the situation, Howards men reached the Flint River near Jonesboro. Brushing aside a force of Confederate cavalry, they crossed the river and assumed a strong position on heights overlooking the Macon Western Railroad. Surprised by the speed of his advance, Howard halted his command to consolidate and allow his men to rest. Receiving reports of the Howards position, Hood immediately ordered Lieutenant General William Hardee to take his corps and that of Lieutenant General Stephen D. Lee south to Jonesboro to dislodge the Union troops and protect the railroad. Battle of Jonesboro - The Fighting Begins: Arriving through the night of August 31, Union interference along the railroad prevented Hardee from being ready to attack until around 3:30 PM. Opposing the Confederate commander were Major General John Logans XV Corps which faced east and Major General Thomas Ransoms XVI Corps which angled back from the Union right. Due to the delays in the Confederate advance, both Union corps had time to fortify their positions. For the assault, Hardee directed Lee to attack Logans line while Major General Patrick Cleburne led his corps against Ransom. Pressing forward, Cleburnes force advanced on Ransom but the attack began to stall when his lead division came under fire from Union cavalry led by Brigadier General Judson Kilpatrick. Regaining some momentum, Cleburne had some success and captured two Union guns before being forced to halt. To the north, Lees Corps moved forward against Logans earthworks. While some units attacked and took heavy losses before being repulsed, others, knowing the near-futility of assaulting fortifications directly, failed to fully join in the effort. Battle of Jonesboro - The Confederate Defeat: Forced to pull back, Hardees command suffered around 2,200 casualties while Union losses numbered only 172. As Hardee was being repulsed at Jonesboro, the Union XXIII, IV, and XIV Corps reached the railroad north of Jonesboro and south of Rough and Ready. As they severed the railroad and telegraph wires, Hood realized his only remaining option was to evacuate Atlanta. Planning to depart after dark on September 1, Hood ordered Lees Corps to return to the city to protect against a Union attack from the south. Left at Jonesboro, Hardee was to hold out and cover the retreat of the army. Assuming a defensive position near the town, Hardees line faced west while his right flank bent back toward to the east. On September 1, Sherman directed Major General David Stanley to take IV Corps south along the railroad, unite with Major General Jefferson C. Davis XIV Corps, and together aid Logan in crushing Hardee. Initially both were to destroy the railroad as they progressed but upon learning that Lee had departed, Sherman directed them to advance as quickly as possible. Arriving on the battlefield, Davis corps assumed as position on Logans left. Directing operations, Sherman ordered Davis to attack around 4:00 PM even through Stanleys men were still arriving. Though an initial attack was turned back, subsequent assaults by Davis men opened a breach in the Confederate lines. As Sherman did not order Howards Army of the Tennessee to attack, Hardee was able to shift troops to seal this gap and prevent IV Corps from turning his flank. Desperately holding out until nightfall, Hardee withdrew south towards Lovejoys Station. Battle of Jonesboro - Aftermath: The Battle of Jonesboro cost Confederate forces around 3,000 casualties while Union losses numbered around 1,149. As Hood had evacuated the city during the night, Slocums XX Corps was able to enter Atlanta on September 2. Pursuing Hardee south to Lovejoys, Sherman learned of the citys fall the next day. Unwilling to attack the strong position that Hardee had prepared, Union troops returned to Atlanta. Telegraphing Washington, Sherman stated, Atlanta is ours, and fairly won. The fall of Atlanta provided a massive boost to Northern morale and played a key role in ensuring the reelection of Abraham Lincoln. Beaten, Hood embarked on a campaign into Tennessee that fall which saw his army effectively destroyed at the Battles of Franklin and Nashville. Having secured Atlanta, Sherman embarked upon his March to the Sea which saw him capture Savannah on December 21. Selected Sources History of War: Battle of JonesboroughCWSAC Battle Summaries: Battle of Jonesborough North Georgia: Battle of Jonesboro

The role of self in the workplace relationships Essay

The role of self in the workplace relationships - Essay Example Social psychology represents a blend of sociology and psychology in its investigation of attitudes and behavior in groups (Bellevue Community College, 2006). Social psychology studies the behavior of individuals in social setting. An individual's thoughts, actions, and even the conceptualization of the self are influenced by external factors, such as people within the immediate surroundings, friends, family, and location. This paper takes a look at a work in which both the protagonist and the work setting are considered. Through this dual integration (in relation to workplace, and self) this paper will achieve a broader and deeper understanding of how an individual's thoughts, actions, and even the conceptualization of the self are influenced by others. Individuals found in a happy and entertaining atmosphere tend to be more creative and involved than in places where they face admonishment and pressure. Research claims that individuals who 'feel good' are prone to a cognitive process that instigates a more flexible, fluent, and original thinking. This can have a positive influence on other individuals around them. When effective laws, rules and regulations, financial incentives or penalties, and social pressure leave little room for personal values become weak, do personal factors influence an individual's behavior. And because a variety of factors influence an individual's behavior, creative approaches involving multiple influences on behavior offer the greatest potential for change (Stern P.C, 2005). There are quite a few environmentally significant behaviors attributed to an individual. In the context of this dissertation however, the following situations address the subject of workplace relationships and its effect on self, co-workers and the work environment. The first type of behavior is committed activism; the second is non-activist; and the third relates to the influence of individuals on the environment in which they work, affecting the actions of the organization. An individual can be categorized to be under committed activism, if, he or she is involved actively in organizational and political demonstrations supporting public policies that affect the work environment. Non-activist on the other hand, indirectly affects the environment in which they work, such as the financial contributors to organizations. The above two classes of individual

Classic airline and marketing solution Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Classic airline and marketing solution - Essay Example Moreover the management is not able to come to a consensus to resolve the problems. In order to overcome the hazards, this company needs to figure out strategies and plans. Identifying challenges The first step in order to resolve issues is to identify the challenges. One of the main problems faced by this airline is reduction in airline stocks. There is lack of unity among the employees and this has lead to low morale. One of the main problems is that the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Executive Officer of this airline focuses less on marketing and at the same time wants more consumers to use this airlines. Around 20% of the members have stopped using the Classic Reward Frequent Flyer Program. This program is one such programme which recognises the efforts of frequent flyers by allowing them to redeem free tickets on miles. However one of the alarming statistics is that the average number of flights per member has declined to more than 20%. This translates to the fact that Classic Airlines is slowing losing its loyal customers. One of the major challenges which is being faced by all departments is that this company is 15% reduction in costs over the next 18 months. Perspectives of stakeholders and ethical dilemmas The major problems which Classic Airlines is facing are dissatisfied customers, low moral and unity among workers and competition from rival airlines. In order to get this organization back to track urgent strategic decisions need to be formulated with special attention to efficiency, innovation, efficacy and customer service. Classic Airlines expects to provide better quality services at the same airfare and this means that the marketing department needs to extensively and aggressively market the product to attract more customers. Framing the problem Classic airlines must focus on all aspects to ensure that they have better growth and profitability. To achieve this, the organization must be able to forecast market potential and future demand. This can be attained by focusing on long – term marketing goals which can help to reduce challenges. Classic airline must employ internal marketing strategies so that the internal customers are satisfied and work together as a team. Inte rnal marketing suggests that in order to be successful an organization must also emphasise on its internal customers or employees. Service organisations must ensure that the employees have the skill, attitude and commitment needed to meet up with growing customer demands and also sustain loyal customers. In internal marketing employee development is done through training, communication, recruitment, management, coaching and leadership. The company must understand the four elements of services; namely inconsistency, intangibility, inseparability and inventory. These are also known as the four I’s of the services. When discussing the marketing mix of the services the four P’s are important. In order to pursue major marketing goals in the target market, the marketing mix which consists of product, price, promotion and place must be used. The Classic Airlines should offer its customers, competitive prices, invest more on promoting products, improve the quality of the produ cts, enhance the CRM system, and implement new and innovating marketing plans and strategies. The above

Quality of Primary Education in India Essay Example for Free

Quality of Primary Education in India Essay Education in India is provided by the public sector as well as the private sector, with control and funding coming from three levels: central,state, and local. Taxila was the earliest recorded centre of higher learning in India from at least 5th century BCE and it is debatable whether it could be regarded a university or not. The Nalanda University was the oldest university-system of education in the world in the modern sense of university. Western education became ingrained into Indian society with the establishment of the British Raj. Education in India falls under the control of both the Union Government and the states, with some responsibilities lying with the Union and the states having autonomy for others. The various articles of the Indian Constitution provide for education as a fundamental right. Most universities in India are controlled by the Union or the State Government. India has made progress in terms of increasing primary education attendance rate and expanding literacy to approximately two thirds of the population. [3] Indias improved education system is often cited as one of the main contributors to the economic rise of India. [4] Much of the progress, especially in higher education and scientific research, has been credited to various public institutions. The private education market in India is merely 5%[ although in terms of value is estimated to be worth $40 billion in 2008 and will increase to $68–70 billion by 2012. However, India continues to face stern challenges. Despite growing investment in education, 25% of its population is still illiterate; only 15% of Indian students reach high school, and just 7% graduate. The quality of education whether at primary or higher education is significantly poor as compared with major developing nations. As of 2008, Indias post-secondary institutions offer only enough seats for 7% of Indias college-age population, 25% of teaching positions nationwide are vacant, and 57% of college professors lack either a masters or PhD degree As of 2011, there are 1522 degree-granting engineering colleges in India with an annual student intake of 582,000, plus 1,244 polytechnics with an annual intake of 265,000. However, these institutions face shortage of faculty and concerns have been raised over the quality of education. [9] In India education system is not based on pure merit, but its based on caste based reservations. In universities/Colleges/Institutions affiliated to federal government there is minimum 50% of reservations applicable to various castes. At state level it varies. State of Andhra Pradesh has 83. 33% of reservations as on 2012 ,which is highest percentage of reservations in India. So the state is popularly known as the state that killed merit. PRIMARY EDUCATION SYSTEM IN INDIA The Indian government lays emphasis to primary education up to the age of fourteen years (referred to as Elementary Education in India. ) The Indian government has also banned child labour in order to ensure that the children do not enter unsafe working conditions. However, both free education and the ban on child labour are difficult to enforce due to economic disparity and social conditions. 80% of all recognized schools at the Elementary Stage are government run or supported, making it the largest provider of education in the Country. [pic] However, due to shortage of resources and lack of political will, this system suffers from massive gaps including high pupil to teacher ratios, shortage of infrastructure and poor levels of teacher training. Figures released by the Indian government in 2011 show that there were 5,816,673 elementary school teachers in India. As of March 2012 there were 2,127,000 secondary school teachers in India. Education has also been made free] for children for 6 to 14 years of age or up to class VIII under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act 2009. There have been several efforts to enhance quality made by the government. The District Education Revitalization Programme (DERP) was launched in 1994 with an aim to universalize primary education in India by reforming and vitalizing the existing primary education system. 85% of the DERP was funded by the central government and the remaining 15 percent was funded by the state The DERP, which had opened 160000 new schools including 84000 alternative education schools delivering alternative education to approximately 3. 5 million children, was also supported by UNICEF and other international programmes. This primary education scheme has also shown a high Gross Enrollment Ratio of 93–95% for the last three years in some states. Significant improvement in staffing and enrollment of girls has also been made as a part of this scheme. The current scheme for universalization of Education for All is the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan which is one of the largest education initiatives in the world. Enrollment has been enhanced, but the levels of quality remain low. CONCERNS FOR QUALITY EDUCATION As far as the provision of access and coverage is concerned, India today boasts of its educational system being the second largest in the world. It consists of nearly 610 thousand primary and 185 thousand upper primary schools, about a quarter million nonformal education centers, about 1. 87 million teachers and 110 million students study in primary classes in the recognized schools (1997-98). As per 1991 Census estimates there were about 115. 6 million children in primary school going age group in the country2. The latest educational statistics indicate a GER of 89. 7 percent for primary classes (81. 2 percent being for girls and 97. 7 percent for boys). 3 . The number of students in primary  classes in India is larger than the total population of the neighboring Bangladesh THE STATE OF QUALITY OF PRIMARY EDUCATION IN INDIA The key concern about education, in any formal educational system, of all time, has been its quality. Every stake holder, direct or indirect, of education is concerned about its quality. Guardians or parents, irrespective of their socio-economic status, want to educate their children with best quality education which would add better value to the degrees their wards acquire subject to the budget constraints. But what do we mean by ‘quality education? How this quality is being assessed? What is the status of the quality of education in India? This paper seeks to focus on these issues with respect to the quality of primary education in India. There is no universally accepted definition for ‘quality of education’. In education, perception of quality is around students (Mukhopadhyay, 2001). The performance of the students like examination results, learning achievements, ability to apply learned knowledge in practical life exhibit the quality of an education. For some, â€Å"Quality of education† means value addition in education (Feigenbaum 1951); excellence in education (Peters and Waterman 1982); for others, fitness of education outcomes and experience for use (Juran and Gryna 1988). For a society, â€Å"excellence† and â€Å"value† are most appropriate indicators for quality education. A generally accepted definition of quality education does not exist and different end users adopt different criteria for determining the quality of education. In this study we measure the quality of primary education on the basis of student learning achievement (i. e. , ability of read, write and do mathematics). PRIMARY EDUCATION :UNIVERSILITY VS QUALITY: The universal declaration of human rights (1948) considered primary education as the basic human right of all people. Accordingly, all nations prioritized universal access to education. The developed and developing countries have attained universal or near universal access to primary education. Now the focus is on the quality of student learning. The quality concern is not uniform across the nations. The developing and poor nations are still striving for expansion of educational access. It has been established that access to education and its quality are not sequential  elements. At the sub-regional meeting of South Asian Ministers in Katmandu in April 2001, quality education was unanimously identified as a priority area. All participants were in agreement that there was an urgency to develop the quality of education to meet the intermediate target and education for all by 2015. Because how well pupil are taught and how much they learn can have a crucial impact on how long they stay in school and how regularly they attend. Further whether parents send their children to school at all is likely to depend on the judgment they make about the quality of teaching and learning. Based on this perception parents decide whether attending school is worth the time and cost for their children and for themselves. The World Bank (1997) suggested that ‘the best way to improve access is to improve quality which would make coming to school or staying in school a more attractive option from the perspective of parents as well as children. Moreover, efforts to improve quality will tend to increase the efficiency of the public expenditure and will encourage parents to contribute children education’. In the year 1950, when the Constitution of India was adopted, education was recognized as a basic individual right. Directive Principles of State Policy, Article 45, states that â€Å"the state shall endeavour to provide within a period of ten years from the commencement of this Constitution, for free and compulsory education for all children until they complete the age of fourteen years† (The Constitution of India). In line with the commitment of the country to provide elementary education to all children, educational facilities have got tremendously expanded during the post independence period, especially in primary stage. The number of primary school in India has increased from 2. 2 lakhs in 1950-51 to nearly 7 lakhs in 2004-05. In addition, there are at present nearly 3 lakhs non-formal education centres providing primary level education to out-of-school children in the age group 9 to 14. This expansion has definitely helped in making primary level education more easily accessible to a large section of children. As a result, the illiteracy rate and drop-out rate at school stage have come down. The national literacy rate has increased from 52. 21 per cent in 1991 to 64. 84 per cent in 2001. The drop-out rate has also declined from 64. 9 per cent in 1960-61 to 29 per cent in 2004-2005. Although the literacy  rates for both males and females have increased, the latter still continues to lag behind the former. However, there has been a narrowing of the male-female gap in literacy from 24. 8 percentage point in 1991 to 21. 7 percentage point in 2001(Selected Educational Statistics 2004-05). Primary education is the first stage of formal education. The main objective of quality primary education is to inculcate basic knowledge about reading, writing and arithmetic among the children. It is expected that after the successful completion of the primary level of education, a pupil should be able to read, write, and solve simple arithmetic problem. A study conducted by the Teamlease Services has revealed a very disappointing scenario of primary education in India. The study was conducted in primary schools in all the States of India (excluding Union Territories, Mizoram, Sikkim) to measure the learning achievement (quality) of students in language and mathematics. This study found that in India after completion of primary level education, 11 per cent student were not able to recognize anything, 14. 1 per cent can recognize only letters, 14. 9 per cent can read a word, 17 per cent can read a paragraph of a story and only 42. 8 per cent can read the complete story (Table 1). School Children who can read-standard-wise (IV) (in per cent) |State |Nothing |Letters |Word |One-Para of the |Complete story | | | | | |story | | |Andhra Pradesh |8. 8 |10. 5 |15. 6 |17. 7 |47. 35 | |Arunachal Pradesh |7. 2 |13. 5 |21. 6 |13. 3 |44. 4 | |Assam |10. 8 |15. 5 |20. 2 |21. 2 |32. 3 | |Bihar |14. 9 |15. 2 |12. 8 |14. 8 |42. 3 | |Goa |6 |6. 1 |12. 9 |24. 2 |56. 2 | |Gujarat |7. 2 |12. 4 |18. 9 |18. 6 |42. 9 | |Haryana |8. 5 |12. 1 |12. 7 |16. 1 |50. 7 | |Himachal Pradesh |3. 5 |14. 9 |11. 8 |14. 5 |55. 35 | |Jammu Kashmir |3. 4 |10. 2 |26. 5 |20. 8 |39. 1 | |Karnataka |5. 4 |12. 1 |17. 7 |19. 0 |45. 9 | |Kerala |3. 2 |3. 7 |10. 7 |11. 3 |71. 1 | |Madhya Pradesh |15. 7 |15. 3 |15. 5 |17. 1 |36. 5 | |Maharashtra |7 |12. 1 |13. 0 |17. 4 |50. 45 | |Manipur |10. 6 |10. 7 |18. 7 |15. 7 |44. 4 | |Meghalaya |9 |8. 9 |22. 0 |8. 9 |59. 5 | |Nagaland |3. 1 |16. 5 |21. 7 |255. 6 |33. 2 | |Orissa |12. 4 |15. 0 |13. 5 |15. 05 |44. 2 | |Punjab |8. 9 |15. 3 |15. 1 |17. 85 |42. 8 | |Rajasthan |15. 8 |13. 2 |12. 7 |14. 95 |43. 6 | |Tamil Nadu |10. 3 |11. 4 |17. 5 |17. 3 |43. 6 | |Tripura |1. 0 |7. 3 |11. 7 |16. 8 |63. 4 | |Utter Pradesh |16. 8 |19. 2 |14. 6 |14. 8 |34. 6 | |West Bengal |4. 3 |12. 3 |13. 8 |24. 6 |44. 9 | |Chhattisgarh |7. 3 |16. 0 |15. 0 |15. 5 |46. 4 | |Jharkhand |13. 8 |16. 9 |15. 5 |15. 4 |38. 5 | |Uttaranchal |6. 8 |13. 0 |11. 2 |13. 3 |55. 7 | |All India |11. 0 |14. 1 |14. 9 |17. 0 |42. 8 | Source: India Labour Report 2007 The condition of students learning achievement (quality) is extremely poor in mathematics compare to language. This study found that after the successful completion of the primary level education, 18. 6 per cent children could not recognize the numbers, 26. 7 per cent children can recognize the numbers but not able to do addition or subtraction, 23. 9 per cent children only can do subtraction, and only 30. 7 per cent children can do addition, subtraction as well as division. Table 2 contains data relating to mathematical learning achievement (quality) in all Indian states. IMPROVING QUALITY OF PRIMARY EDUCATION For improving quality, the concerned authorities need to emphasis on the following issues,Early childhood education is extremely important and must be universalized. Aelevant curriculum. Accurate assessment of learning outcomes. Participatory management of education system. Engaging local communities,. Using ICT in teaching learning process Training of teachers and administrators of ICT. ,District Institute of Education and Training (DIETs) and State Council of Educational Research and Training (SCERT) need to be more strengthened and undergo structural changes. ,Establishment of a National Primary Education Assessment system like National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) for Higher education. ,Strengthening the teacher training institution. Reform in examination system. Proficiency in English is widely perceived as an important avenue for employment and upward knowledge, which also greatly facilitates the pursuit of higher education. English should be incorporated into the curriculum of primary schools as a language subject. CONCLUSION It appears from the empirical study that quality of primary education has been compromised for its universality in India. Operation Black Board, District Primary Education Project, National Literacy Programme, Sarvha Shiksha Abhiyan—all aim at universalizing. It is time that the nation pays heed to the quality dimension. As it has already been pointed out, quality indirectly helps in making the quantity. As a result, quality improvement programmes need to be devised for all levels—national, state and district.

Racism in the Movie, Crash :: Racism Crash Film Movie

All through time, the world has been racist and intolerant of people different from themselves. Countless millions have suffered due to the bigotry of people that couldn't understand change or differences among one another. There was a time when any soul that wasn't blue eyed and blonde haired in Germany, anyone with darker skin where immediately classed as inferior and not human. Even now, when you are not aware, racism is still a considerable problem. But sometimes it isn't one person being racist against another, but rather one person being racist against them self. The movie crash shows good examples of how racism against oneself, caused by fear and misunderstanding, is just as malevolent and evil as racism against another person. Fear is what makes people act racist. Farhad is one of many examples in the movie of a person who recognizes his own race an d paralyzes himself through his own fear. Farhad believes that since he is Persian he is immediately being persecuted against and cheated. He flips out at the gun shop when the owner was insulting him which just furthers his fear of Americans. After the events on 9/11, which are referenced a lot in the movie, Farhad thinks that anyone who is Middle Eastern isn't welcome in America. Even after the gun shop owner was rude; his shop was destroyed by racist people who hated him. It is this same fear of being cheated because of his race that makes him very untrusting to people he doesn't know. He calls a lock smith to come fix his door because it won't lock. He immediately thinks that Daniel is trying to cheat him and steal money from him just because of his past endeavors.

Zara: Fast Fashion Case

Create a diagram that illustrates the linkages among Sara's competitive choices. Firstly, everything is connected through centralized hubs. Ezra has its main operations in Spain, but with each expansion into a new country, that country has its own centralized Ezra facility. This allows for local factors to be considered in each market, but gives Ezra an excellent line of communication and ultimate control of all operations. The in-house designs are sourced this way, through representatives in each country bringing forth new fashion concepts for the upcoming season.These incepts are then whittled down by cost, feasibility, and market trends. Then the designs are prototyped and manufactured. The manufacturing is also mostly owned by Sara's parent company, helping reduce costs and lead times. From manufacturing, products are then packaged and labeled back at headquarters for shipping. Most of the shipping is via trucks. Overseas shipping is by air, which meaner the prices are adjusted s o that overseas customers bear this cost. The retail storefronts are setup so that products aren't on the shelves for more than 3 weeks. This along with careful inventory control create the illusion of scarcity.The marketing is also related in that Ezra only places ads twice a year, around the sales seasons. This helps to prevent over-exposure, so that the fashion-forward customers feel trendy. The scarcity factor also helps reduce loss. If a product bombs in one store, it's pulled immediately, to either be sold in another location or discounted to local partners. This meaner that if a product isn't doing well, it doesn't sit forever in the store wasting space that could be used to display a profitable product. 2. How do the distinctive features of Sara's business model affect its operational structure?The interconnectedness of these systems in Sara's operations gives it a hive-like structure. Every employee in every store works together to support the â€Å"queen† central hu b in Spain. Keeping most operations internal allows for very fast response times in each system. The speed meaner mistakes are learned from quickly and corrected. Owning the meaner of production is more cost-effective for Ezra, which allows the firm to maintain reasonable prices for its target market. Ezra also takes care of its employees and is socially responsible, which draws forth enthusiastic loyalty in all interactions. Why might Sahara â€Å"fail†? How sustainable is its competitive advantage? Sara's capable of failing Just like anyone else. I believe if the company loses its cohesion, makes major fashion blunders, raises its prices, begins to make customers or employees feel cheated, missteps in a Joint venture, loses its quick turnaround, or enters a market that is not suited to its business model, it could easily have unrecoverable loss. It's wise for the decision makers at Inedited to maintain the other companies, and not Just focus on Ezra. Ezra: Fast Fashion Case By knish_sass

The Family

In our country, Egypt, work, studies, and family life have a huge impact. In our culture earlier, it was all about family life. Staying with the family, taking care of each other, spend time with each other, work together in the family business. But nowadays studies and work have become a crucial point in our life. People are more focused on their career and less focused on their spending time with their family. People are becoming career conscious and want to achieve more and more in their life and never want to stop dreaming and chasing their goals. Children want good studies so a large number of students are spending a large amount of money to study in different countries because it's very hard to get scholarships from the country. For work, they are spending more time on their work rather than spending some quality time with their friends and family since the work pressure is increasing, so the desire to make money is first and foremost among people. But in reality there should be a total balance of the studies, work and family time, people should complete their studies first so that they can do the work in which they are interested in. along with that, they should spend some quality time with their friends and family. My personal emphasize lies in the study, work, and family life in that order. I want to develop my skills by studying computer science. Education is really important for me. I need to equip myself with competitive computer skills. As a result, I would have a higher chance to get a Promising future. After graduation, I would have more chances for interviews offered by promising companies. As a new student, I got full support from my family. They inspire me to make good use of my time and earn a degree online. I'm thankful for their support and understanding. I might not be spending time with my parent as often as before but they know I've been doing. I won't let them down and do my job well. If I cannot make someone understand what I'm doing, I'll choose to avoid confrontation with that person. Later, when I get some achievements, I will explain them and express my thoughts to them again. In this case, what I said may be more convincing so that they can understand the value of the things that I was doing.

Microsoft Internet Marketing Strategies and Competitive Advantage

Microsoft Internet Marketing Strategies and Competitive Advantage Introduction Internet technology inspired a business and commerce revolution not witnessed before. Once used for military purposes, internet communication nowadays provides an important platform for business to business, and business to customer interaction. Company websites have become primary tools where potential customers source for information on particular corporate products before making the actual purchase.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Microsoft Internet Marketing Strategies and Competitive Advantage specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Besides, websites have become important cost-effective marketing platforms where businesses launch products and display crucial marketing information for the end users (Arnold, J. et al, 2011, p. 56). Despite the unmistakable advantage however, the rise of the internet and other online technologies have led to creation of security loopholes that, when maliciously explo ited, negatively exposes the concerned businesses (Garfinkel Spafford, 2002, p. 48). This discussion will focus on internet technology, marketing and security from the perspective of Microsoft, a leading US software development firm whose products like windows have become a household name. Specifically, the discussion will concentrate on description and evaluation of Microsoft’s website in terms of product information, corporate contact information, tailoring of products for customers based on their taste and provision of customer information at purchase. Additionally, there will be an analysis and evaluation of Microsoft’s privacy and security policies as well as the envisaged corporate response to a security breach. In this regard, there will be special emphasis on a security breach on the company’s website and system sometime on October this year, which caused a scare among customers and prompted a quick reaction from Microsoft’s security team. Furthe rmore, the discussion will tackle the company’s internet marketing strategies and the competitive advantage that its website offers. Finally, there will be recommendations on two tools that the author feels are necessary in the firm to ensure greater security for its customers.Advertising Looking for research paper on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Microsoft Website A corporate website is a business’s online window and a vital gateway to online business success (Catalano Smith, 2000, p. 118). While a â€Å"good† corporate website is relative, web content in any credible website must identify specific problems to which they extend solutions to customers as well as the important goals they help customers attain. Additionally, web content must establish credibility and also present a call to action that nudges the customer to take the next step in buying the product or service. In Microsoftâ⠂¬â„¢s case, the website home page conspicuously displays the tabs linking to product information. Though a bit cluttered, the respective pages provide a somewhat brief explanation of the products under software, business software and hardware and entertainment categories. The approach the company has undertaken in dispensing its product information is understandable given the large portfolio of the products they offer under every category. The layout through the product information arrangement in the pages displays a subtle acknowledgement of the size of the product portfolio hence the efforts to balance the information available. In a nutshell, Microsoft’s website offers precise product information that is necessary and enough to help a potential customer make an informed decision. On a face value, the company’s website has not given any special emphasis on the contact information. The website displays the â€Å"contact us† tab in the traditional way that is c haracteristic of most corporate and private websites. The â€Å"contact us† link however leads to a detailed page that offers e-mail, chat and telephone links through which to reach the company. The above three links further have sub links that easily enable a prospective customer to access the required information with more precision. It is necessary however, to enhance the â€Å"contact us† link on the home page in a way that enhances a â€Å"good† customer service perception.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on Microsoft Internet Marketing Strategies and Competitive Advantage specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More There is a concerted effort to develop products to the specific needs of customers. Given the dynamic and varying nature of corporate needs, Microsoft’s website has done well in expounding the basic meaning of products, where they suit and where they best fit. One of the stren gths the website displays concerning customization of products for customers is avoidance of blanket statements that tend to lure customers with the belief that the company can sort their software problems â€Å"no matter what they are†. Microsoft’s website lacks an online portal that will enable customers place online orders, perhaps due to the complexity and specificity of the company’s products. It is apparent that the company relies on the contact information â€Å"further assistance† and possibly for provision of customer information on purchase. As a result, there is an acute lack of customer purchase information in the website. Despite the links however, it is a strategic failure for the website not to avail such information even in the most general terms. Microsoft Internet Marketing Strategies and Competitive Advantage Initially, Microsoft’s resources and innovation helped it to enjoy some sort of monopoly status in internet and software d evelopment market. However, the company nowadays is facing stiff completion from counterfeits and other rising companies such as Google and Apple (Boone Kurtz, 2011, p. 175). The company has in place a marketing strategy that places emphasis on internet marketing. Some of the internet strategies include, collaboration with social networking sites especially aimed at promoting its search engine Bing, placing ads in rival search engines and promoting offers through their main website (Beyazitoglu, 2010, p. 98). While the above strategies are likely to pay dividends, they are part of the traditional internet marketing strategies whose effectiveness is likely to face limitation. However, social networking sites are yet to give their full potential in terms of marketing, hence it is a smart strategy which the company needs to improve and concentrate on in order to stay competitive.Advertising Looking for research paper on it? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More According to McDaniel Gitman (2008, p. 108), competitive advantage is largely based on a company’s ability to outdo competitors by doing what they do better or by doing it in a completely different way. While Microsoft’s website is up to date, it offers little competitive advantage compared to its rivals. The only competitive advantage perhaps the website provides is the fact that is offers the company’s flagship products like Windows which have almost become a necessity for all computer users. Privacy/ Security Policy and Response to Security Breach In the backdrop of increased corporate espionage, web security has become a top priority in many organizations (Mackey, 2003, p. 78). Microsoft has an elaborate privacy policy that clearly stipulates the kind of information the company collects from the website and what it uses it for. According to the policy, the company clarifies that it collects personal information with a customer’s consent, explains the uses of the personal information, gives information on how to contact it in case of any issue regarding privacy and also highlights on a customer’s choices and options concerning promotional communication from the company. Generally, the policy is comprehensive and addresses most of the concerns an average Microsoft website users would be interested in regarding privacy. It is important to note that Microsoft has one of the most elaborate cyber security systems in the corporate world (Ratliff Ballard, 2006, p. 24). Despite assurance of security of personal information in the website, an attack on the website in October this year cast doubt on the company’s ability to detect and repulse hackers out to siphon information. In the attack, hackers remotely transferred source codes from the Microsoft website by sending passwords to an external e-mail account in Russia. The attack that according to the company lasted for 12 days used the QAZ Trojan malware which gained acce ss to the company system through an employee e-mail. It is possible that Microsoft did not secure their network’s access points effectively exposing their remote access system that resulted in security breakdown. The company’s response to the breach included invitation of FBI Computer Analysis Response Team that examined the company’s PC’s and including a review of network logs whose sole aim was to detect traceable fingerprints of the intruder. Additionally, Microsoft blocked and in some cases limited access of some of its employees to its network outside their office. By this action, Microsoft prevented a return of any hacker to its network. Security Recommendations In light of the above security breach it is important that the company beefs up its virus scanning/protection as well as network access point protection. The above attack may have happened due to a breakdown of virus and access point protection systems. Logging systems also have become some of the most vulnerable security points in any network system (Bhasin, 2003, p. 67). It is also important that the company disables unused ports besides initiating close monitoring of the logging system. Conclusion Given its ability to help businesses slash costs like in the case of Dell, the internet’s potential in business and commerce is yet to reach its epitome. Besides e-commerce, there are still more innovative applications that corporations are yet to exploit. Growing global access to the internet, especially by previously unreached populations especially in Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe offer a great marketing opportunity. However, the threat from illegal intrusion is also growing by the day. It is therefore prudent for corporations to invest in secure internet technologies through research and development in order to ensure safe internet transactions, while guarding against data theft. References Arnold, J. et al. (2011). Web Marketing All-in-One Desk Reference For Dummies. New York: Springer Verlag. Beyazitoglu, F. (2010). Business Marketing the Case of Microsoft. New York: John Wiley Sons. Bhasin, S. (2003). Web security basics. London: Sage Publications. Boone, L.E. Kurtz, L.D. (2011). Contemporary Marketing. New York: Springer. Catalano, F. Smith, B.E. (2000). Internet marketing for dummies. NJ: Infobase Publishers. Garfinkel, S. Spafford, G. (2002). Web security, privacy and commerce. London: McGraw-Hill. Mackey, D. (2003). Web security: for network and system administrators. New York: Routledge. McDaniel, C. Gitman, L.J. (2008).The Future of Business: The Essentials. London: Cengage Learning. Ratliff, B. Ballard, J. (2006). Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2004. Chicago: Cengage Learning.

A Summary of Durkheims Division of Labor in Society

A Summary of Durkheim's 'Division of Labor in Society' French philosopher Emile Durkheims book The Division of Labor in Society (or De la Division du Travail Social) debuted in 1893. It was Durkheim’s first major published work, and it is the one in which he introduced the concept of anomie or the breakdown of the influence of social norms on individuals within a society. At the time, The Division of Labor in Society was influential in advancing sociological theories and thought. The Division of Labors Major Themes In the book, Durkheim discusses how the division of labor- the establishment of specified jobs for specific people- benefits society because it increases the reproductive capacity of a process and the skill set of the workmen. It also creates a feeling of solidarity among people who share those jobs. But, Durkheim says, the division of labor goes beyond economic interests: In the process, it also establishes social and moral order within a society. The division of labor can be effectuated only among members of an already constituted society, he argues. To Durkheim, the division of labor is in direct proportion to the moral density of a society. Density can happen in three ways: through an increase of the spatial concentration of people, through the growth of towns, or through an increase in the number and efficacy of the means of communication. When one or more of these things happen, says Durkheim, labor begins to become divided, and jobs become more specialized. At the same time, because tasks grow more complex, the struggle for meaningful existence becomes more strenuous. A major theme of the book is the difference between developing and advanced civilizations and how they perceive social solidarity. Another focus is how each type of society defines the role of law in resolving breaches in that social solidarity. Social Solidarity Durkheim argues that two kinds of social solidarity exist: mechanical solidarity and organic solidarity. Mechanical solidarity connects the individual to society without any intermediary. That is, society is organized collectively and all members of the group share the same set of tasks and core beliefs. What binds the individual to society is what Durkheim calls the collective consciousness, sometimes translated as conscience collective, meaning a shared belief system. With organic solidarity, on the other hand, society is more complex, a system of different functions united by definite relationships. Each individual must have a distinct job or task and a personality that is his own. Here, Durkheim was speaking specifically about men. Of women, the philosopher said: Today, among cultivated people, the woman leads a completely different existence from that of man. One might say that the two great functions of the psychic life are thus dissociated, that one of the sexes takes care of the effective functions and the other of intellectual functions. Framing individuals as men, Durkheim argued that individuality grows as parts of society grow more complex. Thus, society becomes more efficient at moving in sync, yet at the same time, each of its parts has more movements that are distinctly individual. According to Durkheim, the more primitive a society is, the more it is characterized by mechanical solidarity. The members of an agrarian society, for example, are more likely to resemble each other and share the same beliefs and morals. As societies become more advanced and civilized, the individual members of those societies become more distinguishable from one another. People are managers or laborers, philosophers or farmers. Solidarity becomes more organic as those societies develop their divisions of labor. The Role of Law Durkheim also discusses law extensively in this book. For him, the laws of a society are the most visible symbol of social solidarity and the organization of social life in its most precise and stable form. Law plays a part in a society that is analogous to the nervous system in organisms, according to Durkheim. The nervous system regulates various bodily functions so they work together in harmony. Likewise, the legal system regulates all the parts of society so that they work together in agreement. Two types of law are present in human societies and each corresponds to the type of social solidarity those societies use. Repressive law corresponds to the center of common consciousness and everyone participates in judging and punishing the perpetrator. The severity of a crime is not measured necessarily as the damage incurred to an individual victim, but rather gauged as the damage it caused the society or the social order as a whole. Punishments for crimes against the collective are typically harsh. Repressive law, says Durkheim, is practiced in mechanical forms of society. Restitutive Law as Restoration The second type of law is restitutive law, which instead focuses on the victim since there are no commonly shared beliefs about what damages society. Restitutive law corresponds to the organic state of society and works through the more specialized bodies of society, such as the courts and lawyers. This also means that repressive law and restitutory law vary directly with the degree of a society’s development. Durkheim believed that repressive law is common in primitive, or mechanical, societies where sanctions for crimes are typically made and agreed upon by the whole community. In these lower societies, crimes against the individual do occur, but in terms of seriousness, those are placed on the lower end of the penal ladder. Crimes against the community take priority in such societies, according to Durkheim, because the evolution of the collective conscious is widespread and strong while the division of labor has not yet happened. The more a society becomes civilized and the division of labor is introduced, the more restitutory law takes place. Historical Context Durkheim wrote his book at the height of the industrial age. Then, how people fit into Frances new social order surfaced as a principal source of trouble for the rapidly industrial society. The pre-industrial social groups comprised family and neighbors, but as the Industrial Revolution continued, people found new cohorts at their jobs, creating new social groups with coworkers. Dividing society into small labor-defined groups, says Durkheim, required an increasingly centralized authority to regulate relations between the different groups. As a visible extension of that state, law codes needed to evolve as well, to maintain the orderly operation of social relations by conciliation and civil law rather than by penal sanctions. Durkheim based his discussion of organic solidarity on a dispute he had with Herbert Spencer, who claimed that industrial solidarity is spontaneous and that there is no need for a coercive body to create or maintain it. Spencer believed that social harmony is simply established by itself, an idea with which Durkheim disagreed. Much of this book, then, involves Durkheim arguing with Spencer’s stance and pleading his own views on the topic. Criticism Durkheims primary objective was to evaluate the social changes related to industrialization and to better understand its ills. But British legal philosopher Michael Clarke argues that Durkheim fell short by lumping a variety of societies into two groups: industrialized and non-industrialized. Durkheim didnt see or acknowledge the wide range of non-industrialized societies, instead imagining industrialization as the historical watershed that separated goats from sheep. American scholar Eliot Freidson pointed out that theories about industrialization tend to define labor in terms of the material world of technology and production. Freidson says that such divisions are created by an administrative authority without consideration of the social interaction of its participants. American sociologist Robert Merton noted that as a positivist, Durkheim adopted the methods and criteria of the physical sciences to examine the social laws that arose during industrialization. But physical sciences, rooted in nature, simply cant explain the laws that have arisen from mechanization. The Division of Labor also has a gender problem, according to American sociologist Jennifer Lehman. She argued that Durkheims book contains sexist contradictions. Durkheim conceptualizes individuals as men but women as separate and non-social beings. By using this framework, the philosopher entirely missed out on the role of women have played in both industrial and pre-industrial societies. Sources Clarke, Michael. Durkheims Sociology of Law. British Journal of Law and Society 3.2 (1976): 246–55. Print.Durkheim, Emile. On the Division of Labor in Society. Trans. Simpson, George. New York: The MacMillan Company, 1933. Print.Freidson, Eliot. The Division of Labor as Social Interaction. Social Problems 23.3 (1976): 304–13. Print.Gehlke, C. E. Rev. . Columbia Law Review 35.4 (1935): 643–44. Print.of On the Division of Labor in Society, Emile Durkheim, George SimpsonJones, Robert Alun. Ambivalent Cartesians: Durkheim, Montesquieu, and Method. American Journal of Sociology 100.1 (1994): 1–39. Print.Kemper, Theodore D. The Division of Labor: A Post–Durkheimian Analytical View. American Sociological Review 37.6 (1972): 739–53. Print.Lehmann, Jennifer M. Durkheims Theories of Deviance and Suicide: A Feminist Reconsideration. American Journal of Sociology 100.4 (1995): 904–30. Print.Merton, Robert K. Durkheims Division of Labor in Society. American Journal of Sociology 40.3 (1934): 319–28. Print.

Continuing Academic Success Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Continuing Academic Success - Essay Example of objective formulation in education can be metaphorically represented by a destination which without, an individual may find the purpose of travelling thus would consider either going back home or wonder aimlessly. In this program, my goal is to get a†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. grade, which will be a significant improvement from the previous term’s†¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦Ã¢â‚¬ ¦. grade. Setting up an objective does not end by a merely stated idea. However, the essentiality of the set goal will only be marked when proper measures and schedules are structured to act as a guide for achieving the set goal. In this light, the measures that I consider essential in meeting up my goal of improving my grade are to spend more time in the library. Spending more time will not mean going to relax in the library; rather it will mean spending more time for personal studies as well as more research on the units I am undertaking. Initiating effective consultations is also important as it will allow me to engage more with the teachers at an individual level and get help in key academic areas that may prove a challenge in attaining the set target. Knowing and keeping to the identified style of learning would not only help me in my academic achievements, but will also be of significance to my future career pursuits. This will be in line with my ability to do personal work without supervision hence enhancing my productivity at the workplace. I consider the writing process very important in the advancement of my education as well as in my career advancement. The scope of applying effective writing is very wide, and is mainly associated with the need for effective communication. In my educational program, writing marks the main mechanisms through which my development is evaluated in relation to the progress that I make towards my career dreams. Effective communication through writing up my papers enables the teachers to determine how well I am growing and provides the foundation through which they can offer advice

Exercise and sport Genetics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Exercise and sport Genetics - Essay Example lear families provided the earliest data to on the heritability of variations in fitness-related traits (Bouchard, Leon, Rao, Skinner, Wilmore, & Gagnon, 1995). In these studies, 130 two-generation families were monitored for different responses to an aerobic exercise program implemented for twenty weeks. Oxygen uptake, stroke volume, cardiac output, and exercise heart rate response to training were found to be heritable. Genetics was also found to influence other variables such as skeletal muscle strength and performance, muscle adaptation to endurance exercise, explosive power, muscle strength, and their response to training. Segregation analysis showed that mostly single genes are responsible for phenotypic variation in some traits like oxygen uptake at the ventilator threshold (Feitosa, et al., 2002). These findings have resulted in the identification of polymorphisms and genetic loci that contribute to human physical performance. Genome-wide linkage analyses and genetic associations identified cardiorespiratory and skeletal muscle performance genes. Studies using the HERITAGE family cohort (Bouchard et al. 1995) identified linkage peaks associated with genetic variation in maximal oxygen uptake, power output, exercise stroke volume, blood pressure, body fat distribution, glucose and insulin metabolism (MacArthur & North, 2005). Association studies have further identified three candidate genes involved with cardiorespiratory function. The first was CKMM, which encodes for the cytosolic muscle isoform of creatine kinase, is responsible for the rapid regeneration of ATP during intensive muscle contraction. This gene was associated with exercise performance (Rivera, et al., 1997). Second was the angiotensinogen gene, AGT, M235T missense polymorphism, which has positive association with several measures of cardiorespiratory performance (McCole, et al., 2002). Missense polymorphisms in the ADRB2 gene for the ÃŽ ²2 -adrenergic receptor were also found to be associated

CASE STUDY Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 7

CASE STUDY - Essay Example The US industry has endured tough times like the economic crisis of 2009, which forced many of the airline companies to close shop, while others deciding to merge to increase their competitiveness in the competitive industry. Merging perhaps can be one of those approaches that has helped small airline companies to remain in business after they were declared bankrupt. The result of these tough economic times saw the introduction of low-cost carriers that operate from one point to another as opposed to flying to certain particular destinations. The US airline industry has become very competitive in the recent past, with emerging airline companies developing different competitive strategies different from those of companies that have been in the industry for a long time. For instance, the economic crisis made many of the seemingly small companies to be declared bankrupt with formation of mergers being the only approach that would help them regain a substantive market share and consolidate on it (Kowit 7). For instance, The US airways pushed for a merger with American Airlines after realizing that they could not manage the tough business environment. According to this case, the main reason for the many mergers in the industry included the need to reduce excess capacity and reduce the operational costs. Additionally, it would also serve as a perfect strategy for elimination of much duplication in the competitive approaches, thus providing more return on the investments of these airlines. After 2010, many companies stabilized from the effects of the economic crisis, with small companies developing cost-effective competitive strategies that included introduction of low-cost flights among others (Kowit 8). The US airline can be described as having certain strategic groups depending on their competitive approaches. For instance, many of the new entrants in the industry have concentrated

John Nash and paranoid Schizophrenia Essay Example for Free

John Nash and paranoid Schizophrenia Essay Thomas Szasz once said, if you talk to God, you are praying; if God talks to you, you have schizophrenia. It is a terrible disorder that affects many people around the world. Arguably the most famous person with schizophrenia is Nobel Prize (1994) and American Mathematicians Societys Leroy P. Steel Prize for Seminal Contribution to Research (1999) winner, John Nash. Paranoid Schizophrenia can be a crippling illness. Its sufferers may not be able to determine what is real and what is not. According to Dr. Paul Ballas (2006: Internet) of the Department of Psychiatry at Thomas Jefferson University, the individual has feelings of being persecuted or plotted against. Affected individuals may have grandiose (over-the-top) delusions associated with protecting themselves from the perceived plot. The key symptoms are delusions and auditory hallucinations. Paranoid schizophrenia usually does not involve the disorganized speech and behavior that is seen in other types of schizophrenia. Patients with paranoid schizophrenia typically are tense, suspicious, guarded, and reserved. There are no physical tests being used in mainstream medicine as yet to diagnose schizophrenia. However certain tests are performed to eliminate other disorders or illnesses that have similar symptoms. Schizophrenia.com (2007: Internet) states these possible disorders include seizure disorders, metabolic disorders, thyroid dysfunction, brain tumour and drug use. Currently, there is research being performed in various Universities in the United States into new physical tests to confirm schizophrenia. They are experimenting with blood tests, special IQ tests, eye tracking, brain imaging and smell tests. It will be a few more years before the results can be confirmed. For now a Psychiatrist must diagnose a person with schizophrenia. Usually a person suffering from the disorder will exhibit positive (hallucinations), negative (poor social functioning) and cognitive (difficulty concentrating) reactions. To diagnose a person with schizophrenia, a person must display:†¢Characteristic symptoms: Two or more of the following, each present for a significant portion of time during a one-month period (or less, if successfully treated)odelusionsohallucinationsodisorganized speech (e.g., frequent  derailment or incoherence; speaking in abstracts). See thought disorder. ogrossly disorganized behavior (e.g. dressing inappropriately, crying frequently) or catatonic behavioronegative symptoms, i.e., affective flattening (lack or decline in emotional response), alogia (lack or decline in speech), or avolition (lack or decline in motivation). Note: Only one of these symptoms is required if delusions are bizarre or hallucinations consist of hearing one voice participating in a running commentary of the patients actions or of hearing two or more voices conversing with each other. †¢Social/occupational dysfunction: For a significant portion of the time since the onset of the disturbance, one or more major areas of functioning such as work, interpersonal relations, or self-care, are markedly below the level achieved prior to the onset. †¢Duration: Continuous signs of the disturbance persist for at least six months. This six-month period must include at least one month of symptoms (or less, if successfully treated). Additional criteria are also given that exclude the diagnosis; thus schizophrenia cannot be diagnosed if symptoms of mood disorder or pervasive developmental disorder are present, or the symptoms are the direct result of a substance (e.g., abuse of a drug, medication) or a general medical condition. (American Psychiatric Association, 2004).Statistically speaking, the earlier the diagnosis, the better the outcome in the long run, but here in Queensland there is only one registered Early Psychosis Centre, it is located at the University of Queensland, St Lucia campus. Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia have four, six and one centre respectively. Here in Australia there are two websites, one run by the Early Psychosis Prevention and Intervention Centre in Melbourne, www.earlypsychosis.org, and http://auseinet.flinders.edu.au/index.php which is maintained by Flinders University in Adelaide. Also www.Schizophrenia.com has an online early detection test for schizophrenia that is for either family members of those  that might be affected or for individuals who are trying to understand what is happening to them. There are three stages of schizophrenia; they are acute, stabilization and residual. In the acute phase, the patient has a clear break from contact with reality usually displayed by a psychotic episode. This will usually lead to intervention and treatment. The second stage, the stabilization phase, is when the patients symptoms have been brought under control but the treatment must be continued to avoid a relapse. The residual stage, is where the patient is moderately stable and usually kept on anti-psychotic medication however relapses can occur. John Nash first began to show signs of entering the acute stage of schizophrenia in early 1959 when his wife Alicia, was pregnant. †¦as a consequence I resigned my position as a faculty member at M.I.T. and, ultimately, after spending 50 days under observation at the McLean Hospital, traveled to Europe and attempted to gain status there as a refugee (John Nash, 1994). For some time after that he would be in and out of hospitals. At times his involuntary admission to hospitals would last up to eight months. Eventually he began reject his delusions and return to mathematical research. This period of time, John Nash himself refers to as enforced rationality. He may have been thought to be the entering the Residual stage however this would turn out to be incorrect. In truth it can be said he had not completed the Stabilization period. In the late Sixties, he returned to what he described as a dream-like delusional hypothesis, however managed to avoid being admitted to hospital by behaving as normally as he could. This can be said to be his transition into the Residual stage. Although he had a slight relapse, he himself began to understand on an intellectual level that his delusions were exactly that, delusions. He is now thinking rationally and continuing to further his studies in mathematics with the hope that he can provide something useful to the field. Many people, including John Nash himself believe that his schizophrenia in one way or another actually aided his work, thinking outside the box so to speak. John Nash once said: I would not dare to say that there is a direct  relation between mathematics and madness, but there is no doubt that great mathematicians suffer from maniacal characteristics, delirium and symptoms of schizophrenia. It is suggested that the fragmented mind allows and concocts irrational ideas that can become rational solutions. Many great people with great ideas and influences have been affected by the illness. Some of those include Peter Green from Fleetwood Mac, Syd Barrett of Pink Floyd, Vaclav Nijinsky the Russian dancer and Jazz musician and composer, Tom Harrell. Some people even refer to Tom Harrell as the John Forbes Nash, Jr. of Jazz. Treatment for paranoid schizophrenia and other mental disorders has changed greatly in the last Sixty years. In the early Nineteen-fifties, Chlorpromazine was developed. It was a phenothiazine antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar and as an Anti-emetic which is used for vomiting and nausea. The side affects of a phenothiazine based drug include acathisia, which is basically restlessness, tardive dyskinesia, which is a neurological disorder which affects voluntary movement that can continue after treatment has ceased, and weight gain (Wikipedia, 2007). The use of Chlorpromazine has been discontinued however John Nash would almost certainly been treated with it. He was also exposed to insulin shock therapy. This was a method used to induce a coma. He stopped taking drugs in 1970 and recovered slowly without them over the next twenty. According to the World Health Organization, the long term outcomes of schizophrenia are far worse in United States than they are in countries such as India and Nigeria where antipsychotic medication is not as readily available. There is more. In 1987, psychologist Courtenay Harding reported that a third of chronic schizophrenia patients released from Vermont State Hospital in the late 1950s completely recovered. Everyone in this best-outcomes group shared one common factor: All had weaned themselves from antipsychotic medications. The notion that schizophrenics must spend a lifetime on these drugs, she concluded, is a myth (Whitaker, 2002). In 1994, Harvard Medical School researchers found that the outcomes for U.S. schizophrenia patients are no better now than they were about one hundred years ago when they would simply put patients into bathtubs for hours on end. There has also been  reasonable success in Finland where doctors have used counselling, community support and little or no antipsychotic medication. John Nashs recovery is nothing short of remarkable but many people say that his constant occupation with mathematics and the support or rather that he was allowed relative freedom at Princeton aided his recovery without medication. There is has been a shift in mentality towards the treatment of schizophrenia and other mental illnesses. A growing wave of professionals are starting accept that there is merit to the at least partial abandonment of antipsychotic drugs. John Nash may be the figurehead for the movement, but more conclusive research is needed to detect whether the disuse of anti-psychotic is subjective to select patients or can be applied to a more widespread group of sufferers of this mental disorder. Bibliography American Psychiatric Association, 2004, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders DSM-IV-TR (Text Revision). American Psychiatric Association. ISBN 0890420246. DSM-IV DSM-IV-TR Schizophrenia criteriaBallas, Paul, 2006, Schizophrenia, (online), available from: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000936.htm, [6 September 2007]Gulli, L.F., 2007, Schizophrenia, (online), available from: http://www.answers.com/topic/schizophrenia?cat=health, [6 September 2007]. Nash, John, 2004, Autobiography, (online) available from: http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/economics/laureates/1994/nash-autobio.html [6 September 2007]. Schizophrenia Symptoms and Diagnosis, 2004, (online), available from: http://schizophrenia.com/diag.php#diagnosis, [6 September 2007]. Whitaker, R, 2002, Recovery without Drugs, (online), available from: http://www.namiscc.org/newsletters/February02/JohnNashDrugFreeRecovery.htm[6 September 2007]. Wikipedia, 2007, Schizophrenia, (online), available from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schizophrenia, [6 September2007].