Monday, September 30, 2019

A study of anatomy and physiology of movement of upper limb

The procedure in lifting the hand to drink water is a complex one which involves a huge amount of technology inter-transfer between the brain and the eventual skeletal muscle.There is initiation of the movement at the brain which is transmitted via specialized white fibre tracts to the hip flexors via the intermediate spinal cord, involving a very complex mechanism at the cellular levelThe initiation of the   process is at the motor cortex (Ms I) of the brain. The primary motor area is located at the precentral gyrus of the frontal lobe. The area controlling the motion of the lower limbs lies towards the superior surface of the brain. Within this area lies the cell body of the primary neuron. These neurons are known as upper motor neurons (UMN).These UMNs receive modulating impulse from the inputs from the cerebellum and the basal ganglia via the extrapyramidal pathways. These tracts modulate the gross movement initiated at the frontal cortex. In turn these areas are modulated by a fferent signals from ascending spino cerebellar, and spino-thalamic pathways.   The signal initiated at the nucleus of the cell body is transmitted electronically via the axon of the myelinated neuron via the mode of salutatory conduction.The myelin sheath which surrounds the axon of nerves that involve fast transport, breaks at intermediate regions known as Nodes of Ranvier. The electrical impulse moves in   a jumping manner at these nodes nerve transmission as a neural impulse, generated by the formation of a nerve action potential. Like all excitable tissue, nerves maintain a resting membrane potential that is the difference of voltage across the membrane of the neuron. In neurons this value is   – 70 mV.This voltage difference is maintained by the Na/K pump on the membranes. This impulse generated at the axon hillock is transmitted via the depolarizing phase which allows sodium ions ingress into cells via opening of the Na channels. This entry of Na in one portion a llows activation of other Na channels, causing depolarization of the adjacent region of the neuron. Subsequently repolarization occurs via the opening of K channels, which restores the membrane potential.Thus this process continues which allows the transmission of impulse. Many such nerves together descend as the descending cortico spinal tract in the pyramidal system, which travels through the midbrain into the spinal cord, decussating at the level of midbrain( 90% of the fibres decussating and forming the lateral spinothalamic tract) and again at the level of spinal cord ( the other 10%, forming the anterior spinothalamic tract) .It is the former which is responsible for the upper limb movements. The cortico-spinal tract travels in the anterior horn cell of the spinal cord till the brachial plexus where they synapse with the spinal ventral root neuron (lower motor neuron). A single post-synaptic neuron receives signals from many neurons. At the axon terminal, the propagation of im pulses leads to release of neurotransmitters, which are stored in specialized vesicles.The released Ach diffuses into the synaptic cleft and binds with receptors on the post synaptic membrane to produce excitatory post synaptic potentials. This leads to generation and propagation of impulse in nerves which are destined to innervate the neuro-muscular junction. At the neuro-muscular junction, Ach is released, which diffuses into the synovial cleft and binds to receptors in the motor end plate, and triggers a muscle action potential.The released Ach is destroyed by the acetylcholinestrase. At the level of the sarcolemma of the muscles, the muscle AP travels along T-tubules, opening Ca release channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum. Ca binds to troponin-tropomysin complex, which releases the myosin heads, these then bind to the actin thin filaments, and draws them closer to the M line. Meanwhile bringing the Z disc closer.This leads to muscle fibre contraction. This is a self propagati ng sequence eventually leading to the contraction muscles involved in the movement. Each nerve fibre innervates many musle fibres ( about 150). This is the motor unit.The greater the number of motor units recruited by the nerve action potential, the greater the force of contraction of the muscles. In the spinal cord, nerve impulse travels along the brachial plexus (C5 – T1) to innervate the Pectoralis major (Arm adduction and flexion – reaching out to hold the glass), Flexor digitorum superficialis and profundii of all fingers, the interossei and the lumbricals of all digits, opponens pollicis, flexor pollicis brevis , adducor pollicis and abductor pollicis brevis ( gripping of the glass by the fingers flexion at metacarpophalangeal.Proximal interphalangeal and the distal interphalangeal joint of the fingers; the carpometqcarpal joint, metacarpophalangeal and the interphalangeal joint of the thumb); then contraction of the biceps brachii ( elbow flexion) and the supina tor ( supination at the elbow joint); finally the contraction of the triceps muscle ( elbow extension, to put the glass back).This excitatory impulse is also associated with the production of inhibitory action potential ( hyperpolarizing impulse) in the antagonists (eg triceps during elbow flexion, and biceps during elbow extension)   

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Legalize Steroids in Sports

Ben Johnson was one of the first superstar athletes to be caught using steroids and was stripped of his 100m gold medal at the 1988 Olympics. He was eventually banned for life in 1993 for testing positive again (Richardson 2010). Performance enhancing drugs have become widely used since the 1970’s and have only increased in the numbers of athletes using the drugs to up their endurance and perform to their greatest potential. Professionals such as Barry Bonds, Jose Canseco, and Hulk Hogan have all been humiliated and are now seen as cheaters after being caught using steroids.It is too late to stop these sports fuelled on drugs because of the large number of athletes using, so why not consider drug use as a way to level the playing field? The only way to stop the â€Å"cheating† in sports is to open up the gates and drop all performance-enhancing drug laws throughout the sports. We should stop all the hypocrisy and allow pro athletes to take whatever performance drugs the y please. In 1995 Bob Goldman, a Chicago physician, asked 198 Olympic U. S. athletes whether they would take a banned substance if they were guaranteed to win; 195 of those athletes said yes (Richardson 2011).Professionals know the risks of steroids, but if you offered an athlete a drug that would guarantee him glory and riches, but knock ten years off his life, most would take it (Madden 2011). The health risks caused by steroids have been broadly exaggerated. The athletes using these drugs want to become bigger, leaner, and faster. For example, a male athlete injecting testosterone into their body will gain better adaptations to training and better performance. This is because testosterone enhances muscle power and promotes recovery from tough workouts.The testosterone has a high anabolic effect, strengthening muscle cells, and repairing and toughening bones. Steroids allow the athletes to maximize their performance on field, which is their main objective in the sport. Allowing th e use of steroids would make sports safer as there would be less pressure on athletes to take unsafe enhancers and more pressure to develop new safe steroids for the athletes to use. People who believe the health risks are the reason these drugs should be banned need to look at Major League Baseball’s tolerance of chewing tobacco during games, and to the NFL’s glorification of hard tackles (Nathaniel 2010).For example, chewing tobacco is allowed and it can cause mouth cancer. The tackles in the NFL can cause major concussions and lead to long-term brain injuries. These are all detrimental to the health of the athletes. If steroids were taken under the care of a team physician, then it would allow for the regulation of dosage and the team physician can keep track of the overall health of the athlete, which will maximize their physical performance. Athletes are always trying to improve and be the best they can be. Steroids can take a regular athlete and turn them into an elite athlete.Most research studies that have demonstrated improved performance with steroids used experienced weight lifters who were capable of training with heavier weight, and when exposed to steroids increased their strength incredibly (Fahey 1998). Improved strength is just another factor in being an improved athlete, they still need the skill to hit that home run or throw a football. Almost all athletes that used steroids feel that they would not have been as successful without steroids (Fahey 1998). If professional sports allowed their athletes to use enhancers there would be certain effects that would occur right away.First, there would be more studies on the benefits and risks of these different drugs because the sports associations will want the safest and best steroids for the athletes. Second, the athlete’s physicians would prescribe the drugs and the effects on the athletes would be watched very closely. And third, the drug manufacturing would be taken out whic h means the black market on these steroids would die out (Nathaniel 2010). The legalization of the steroids would start a movement in the sports leagues where new records will be broken just as they were made to be.It is time for the government to legalize steroids. Because so many athletes are using, legalizing is the only way to get a level playing field like the sports associations want. Every athlete would have the option legally to use steroids. Morally and physically, each athlete would have that certain choice to make also. The situation would be out in the open though and drugs can finally be regulated in sports. Performance enhancers in sports have been used illegally throughout the history of sports; it’s time for pro sports to legalize steroids and similar substances.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

Case Study Fast Fashion Essay Example for Free

Case Study Fast Fashion Essay After two decades of fast fashion popularity, retailers and consumers have come to realize one of its biggest issues, its impact on the environment. Can fast fashion and sustainability work together? The affordability of Fast Fashion is one of the main reasons for its high demand. Lack of authenticity or Intellectual Property. Fast Fashion has forced retailers to desire low cost and flexibility in design. Lack of quality in production Rapid production prevents consumers to get an idea of what’s to expect. (Forecasting) Excess of production. Wastes of these products from the retailers and consumer harm the environment. Reveals what is exposed in runways and fashion shows ahead of time. Fast fashion exploits the young consumer by incentivizing impulse behavior. Consumers are getting used to buying more frequent. Due to such rapid turnover, there’s a lack of exclusivity. Step 3 1. Higher quality, lower quantity. Pros Better option for repair: The customer will rather repair a good quality garment than can last than an inexpensive low quality one. Customer satisfaction: Consumers will be happier with a better value product. Long life: Products that are of better quality will definitely last longer so the consumer wont be forced to dispose. For the retailer, there is a great possibility they may attract a variety of new consumers that do appreciate superior quality. As a result of lower quantity, garments will stand out by look fresher and spacious on the sales floor. Cons Retailers may suffer fewer sales. There is a possibility they may lose some of their usual customers. Fewer options, now that there is a lower quantity. Higher quality means it wont be as affordable for the consumer as it used to be. Companies may have to reinvent themselves and state the fact that they are now enhancing the quality of their products. Consumer will be unwilling to compromise on price. Pros Consumer will be satisfied with having a say in the creation of its particular product. This idea will attract and motivate many more consumers. It’s innovative and fun for the consumer. The design will be personalized and the consumer will want to keep. Cons May require more shopping time for the consumer Products may not be as inexpensive now that the retailer will cater to every individuals needs. Consumers of fast fashion may be disappointed that there will now be less variety. Consumers may not adapt to this idea and reject it. 2. No more wasting, get compensated! Recycle and Reuse. The system involves customers bringing all the used items back to the stores and getting compensated with either a discount or a minimal refund. This is to incentive the customer to care more instead of wasting and harming the eco-system. Pros Companies will be take back used garments and send them off to countries in need. Companies will be able to reuse and reproduce them. Customer’s ability to help other in need is facilitated by the companies they have purchased from. Customers get an incentive to bring items back after knowing they also get a discount/store credit/ refund. Case Study Fast Fashion. (2018, Oct 15).

Friday, September 27, 2019

English American Wedding Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

English American Wedding - Essay Example Devine replied with a smile. She said, "It used to be one to two months, but nowadays people are getting busier. They usually go for a two-week honeymoon, three weeks at the most. The couple cannot leave their jobs too long and have to get back to work immediately." With a slight doubt, the grey-colored eye Devine guesses, "I think that traditionally, the man would go down on his knees and propose to the woman he loved with a diamond ring. But time changes although some men still do it. Men start to get more creative in proposing to women." Devine said that wedding reception usually takes place in a hotel or a garden. It serves as a token of gratitude. The couple party with their family and friends. Delicacies and finest foods are served, toasts of wishes for the couple, and a dance. After I laid my final question, the whole class started to get noisier and louder. I was having a lot of fun talking to Devine when Mr. Wonderful stood up in front of the class and told us to stop the discussions. During the reception, the groom and the bride will cut the cake together with a knife and eat it together. The cakes are usually very large and tall stacked in multiple layers. Maybe this shows that Americans love to eat cake and the abundance of the cake represents luck of the couple's marriage that they will always have enough food. Today, the white wedding is considered semi-formal way of uniting ... She greeted me back nicely, "It was nice to talk to you, Dian." It was a great way for me in learning the American wedding culture from my partner, Devine. I thought she was cheerful and friendly. If she will be marrying in the future, I hope she will have a great wedding ceremony. Commentary The term "white wedding" refers to the theme and the color of the wedding dress. The color white symbolizes purity of the heart and the innocence of childhood. According to White also signifies virginity. Maybe the "white wedding" theme has some connection with Christianity. During the reception, the groom and the bride will cut the cake together with a knife and eat it together. The cakes are usually very large and tall stacked in multiple layers. Maybe this shows that Americans love to eat cake and the abundance of the cake represents luck of the couple's marriage that they will always have enough food. The white wedding was first performed by Queen Victoria who wore a white lace dress at her wedding. It is popular today that maybe it shows how Americans are fond of the royal life. Today, the white wedding is considered semi-formal way of uniting a couple. Even so I think that this wedding ceremony is simple. Maybe this has to do with the busy life of American people. Their jobs who keep them busy drive American couples to have a simple and uncomplicated wedding ceremony like the white wedding. Almost a decade had passed; the American wedding traditions have become a lot more liberal. Also, American wedding ceremonies vary according to religion and culture. There are no strict guidelines in celebrating wedding. Narration I am fifteen minutes late when I arrived at my good friend's wedding ceremony held in a Catholic

Thursday, September 26, 2019

Supply and Demand Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Supply and Demand - Essay Example Rent control, the worst planning by governments lacking courage and vision, has been spearheaded by upstate lawmakers such as Assemblyman The consequences of price control on apartments are that entrepreneurs who see inadequate return on their investment are not motivated to invest in rental housing; landlords whose rent do not cover cost of operations stop maintain units or abandon them; despite rent controls, New York City renters pay the higher average rents in the country; demand for excessive space remains high because rents are artificially low; and rent control does not provide affordable housing for low to moderate income tenants. Rent control, like all other government-mandated price controls, is a law placing a maximum price, or a "rent ceiling," on what landlords may charge tenants. To have any effect, the rent level must be set at a rate below that which would otherwise have prevailed. And if rents are established at less than their equilibrium levels, demand will necessarily exceed supply, and rent control will lead to a shortage of dwelling spaces. In the absence of controls on prices, the amount of a commodity or service demanded is larger than the amount supplied, prices rise to eliminate the shortage (by both bringing forth new supply and by reducing the amount demanded). But controls prevent rents from attaining market-clearing levels and shortages result. Existi

International Commercial Disputes Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words

International Commercial Disputes - Essay Example (Armstrong, K; Fire of Asia; Allied Publication; 2004; page 98) Commercial dispute arbitration on an international scale would entail interesting specifics. The Encyclopaedia Britannica would state that the art of international arbitration began between the United States and Great Britain approximately in the year 1794 in order for America to build a sound national economy and ensure commercial prosperity. The pursuit of international negotiations led to the creation of the Jay Treaty. This treaty, regardless of its extremely controversial nature and the nation's outrage, passed the senate at President Washington's urging. Commercial dispute arbitration, as can be seen just in early American developments, would in fact bring interesting considerations to light. The evolution of commercial dispute arbitration has in fact become something of an incredible undertaking. This would be undeniable in light of the vast number of often daily changes involved in international business relations and political and social contexts worldwide. In the realm of judgments managed in arbitral situations the International Law Association, which was founded in 1873 utilizes definitions of public policy including international public policy and public policy. Public policy would be those moral, social or economic considerations which would in fact be applied by various courts as grounds for refusal to enforce arbitral awards whether they are domestic or foreign. International public policy would in fact be public policy applied by state courts in regard to foreign awards in place of domestic awards. This is a much narrower focus than public policy would be. Yet again, there is reason to clarify that international public policy should not be confused with what i s known as transnational public policy. (Gower, N D and Banerjee, S; Good Governance: a Look into the Future of International balance; Alliance Publishers; 2004; page 12) Transnational, or in most cases, truly international public policy would be those principles that represent international consensus in regard to universal standards and includes accepted norms of conduct which must always apply. Transnational public policy comprises the fundamental rules of law, jus cogens in public international law, the principles of universal justice, and the general principles of morality accepted by those nations referred to as "civilised." The various conventions in regard to international law would be the New York Convention of 1958, the Geneva Convention of 1927, the Panama Convention of 1975, the Riyadh Convention in 1983, and the 1965 Washington Convention. There have been various national laws to affect arbitration including the UNCITRAL Model Law, the OHADA Uniform Act, and state legislation. The UNCITRAL Model Law would owe its origins to a request the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee made in 1977. The reasoning behind the development of UNCITRAL would be a consideration by the Asian-African Legal Consultative Committee which maintained there was a lack of uniformity in national courts approaches to award enforcement. This is where harmonisation of enforcement practices was necessary in States enforcement practices. The committee also concluded that there must be judicial control of the

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Managment class Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Managment class - Essay Example The most prominent scenes where the episodes when the colonel Nicholson was ready to die and scarify the lives of the British officers to state his position about Geneva Convention, article 27 which stated that the officers shall not be forced to work. Even after his has been sent to the punishment cell, the colonel Nicholson was sure that only one person can win and he should not go for comprise even though the officers and soldiers would have better conditions. The colonel Saito has managed to avoid a conflict when the colonel Nicholson offered a new plan of the bridge construction. By saying that the commands have been already given in response to Nicholson’s’ new plan, Saito has shown an intention to â€Å"ignore a conflict† (219). The first bit of this stage took place when the colonel Saito invited Nicholson for a dinner in order to negotiate the way of cooperation so that he could achieve the goal set. This stage implies that â€Å"there is no clear winner or loser† (219). When both colonels understood that building of the bridge did have certain benefits to both parties, they have accepted the solution that â€Å"provided incomplete satisfaction of both parties’ concerns† (219). Both parties have lost something: the colonel Nicolson – his ideology and officer’s duty, where the colonel Seito – his leadership, authority, and control over the bridge construction process. Collaborating stage took place on the moment when construction of the bridge was over and the colonel Nicholson has found a mine around the bridge. Both parties where interested in the final result – railroad path through the bridge as lots of efforts have been put to achieve this goal. Both Nicholson and Seito went together down to the river to find the problem and secure the bridge. Based on the film scenes it is possible to state that both leaders Saito and Nicholson have absolutely different

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Based on What you choose in Proverb list Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Based on What you choose in Proverb list - Essay Example Besides, the Bible has for generation been awarded the characteristic of being a holy book, which was written by people inspired by God. In the Bible, Solomon considerably is the wisest man alive. This being considered, it is only logical that the principles he articulates in the book about business are fundamental to any person who undertakes business ventures. In the book of proverbs, there are elements about business that touches on the various ideologies. These elements are such as money, how to conduct oneself in business and trade, the offering and accepting of bribes and the view of work. Solomon has denoted each of this work as being vital for one to experience success in business and has to be taken under keen consideration at all times. Apart from these elements, there are more principles that all are based on the ethics that any businessperson should consider when dealing with fellow businesspersons and customers. Money is the item that one exchanges for the benefit that could be a service or good. This element is vital in trade as it considerably determines what amount of services one gets or how many goods one could successfully purchase. In the book of proverbs, there are several ideologies from the verses about money according to Solomon. In the book of proverbs (17:16), Solomon articulates that money can be good and there are ways it could be a source of problems. Under this statement, Solomon has a vital point that comes across to any person that could want to establish business to earn some money. Money has the ability to end people’s problems in the sense that, using money, one could acquire whatever commodity he feels he is in need of, thus ending the sense of yearning for it. From the same statement, he denotes that money could also be the source of problems, shows that, money could land the same person who enjoys its benefits of it in trouble. The same verse in proverbs goes further stating that it is only when one is wise

Monday, September 23, 2019

Lizardo versus Denny Inc Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Lizardo versus Denny Inc - Research Paper Example Moreover, the restaurant staff allowed him to return to the restaurant. Though it is impossible for the court to find whether the person exhibited disruptive conduct inside the restaurant as there is no complaint from the restaurant manager, it is clear that after the brawl the management had no problem allowing him to enter the restaurant even though the white patron had tried to grab the security officer’s gun. Â  Admittedly, the role of security guard had a great effect in the case. First of all, security effectively proved the absence of racial discrimination by not taking part in the brawl outside the restaurant and calling 911 instead. Secondly, it is common for security guards to escort people out. So, Lizardo, evidently drunk, lost the right to claim racial discrimination as it was done by the security and as it was done inside the restaurant. Thirdly, the presence of police and the non-interference of the restaurant security was sufficient to prove that the plaintiffs were in an inebriated condition and extremely violent to allow entry into the restaurant. Â  Evidently, the decision by the court was good considering the absence of solid evidence for race discrimination. First of all, though the defendants failed to greet the plaintiffs on their coming, that evidence is not sufficient ground to prove that the intention was racial discrimination. Secondly, it was accepted that there were other Asian Americans and African Americans getting served in the restaurant. Again, the plaintiffs lose the chance to show that there was discrimination based on race. Â  Furthermore, it is evident that the restaurant staff was not involved in the brawl outside the restaurant.

Saturday, September 21, 2019

United States Economic and Foreign Policies Towards Latin America Essay Example for Free

United States Economic and Foreign Policies Towards Latin America Essay United States and Latin America need each other by the virtue of sharing common boundary hence the importance of the economic policies which favor these countries for mutual benefit. Latin America is one of the United State export market, for example in 1992 export exceeded $ 100 billion to this region . According to Fryer 1993, Latin American economic association with United States resulted to negative effect. Latin America eternal debts in 1992 was approximately $330 billion United States lending institution getting the largest amount of monthly servicing of this debt about 2 percent . This resulted to Latin American contributing to deficit in the United State budget hence the importance of better economic and foreign policy for mutual benefit . Latin America due to it geographical position to United States is inextricably dependent on the United States economy and on the other hand United States economy benefit a lot from trade. After accusation of neglect of Latin America, United States authorities have changed tune time of cold war perception that Latin America was a threat to an important economic partner . United States and Latin America have been having historical imbalances economically and in foreign policies. Overtime, policies to change this trend have been put in place due to realization that these countries are important to United States equally like northern partners (Vasquez). This means, policies favoring healthy relationship designed by United States would help in ensuring these countries enjoy mutual benefit. To Latin American, Economic and foreign policies are important since they are dependent of the United States economy. If the economic well being of United States is affected for example by recession this duplicates to their economies. Relationship of most government from south and United States economic policies has been unhealthy characterized by opposition to various policies. In the history, Latin countries foreign policies have been designed in opposition to the United States policies . This is due to United States authorities trying to interfere and meddling with the internal affair of these countries. A good example to this is the influence which Russia was able to influence most of the Latin Government to adopt communism policies against United States capitalism policies. According to Rabe 1988, Latin Americans in history have bitter to various United States policies mostly economic and foreign. A good example to this argument is the episode which transpired to Vice President Nixon being stoned in May 1958 in his tour to South America in attempt to smug confidence on foreign and economic policies . This was under leadership of Eisenhower and his foreign and economic policies of anti-communism. In 50s and 60s, Southern economy was growing in a sluggish manner since price of produce from these countries continued to decay yet United State imported 70 percent of their produce . United States showed no interest in stabilizing prices making Latin American countries to suffer economically. This made the socialism ideology to take centre stage in the policies of most of Latin American country protesting against U. S economic and foreign policies. This resulted to counter policies by United States against the communism and economic sanction which harmed economic status of southern countries. This trend continued to the cold war period until fall of Soviet Union and it communism policies. Current foreign and economic policies toward Latin America have been designed to amend bitter past relationship and forge for healthy foreign and economic policies for mutual benefit. There has been a major progress since the collapse of the Berlin wall in 1989, hence falls of Soviet union resulting to change of various administrative policies in South America. From 1990, Latin America has experienced major changes which include giving way to democratic governance, adoption of free market economy model, regulating on protectionism policies, giving way to privatization and adjusting on their trade regime. This gave way to future relationship of United States which was initially forged by former President George Bush, under Enterprise for the Americas Initiative umbrella. This was marking end to U. S. cold war policies which were obstacle to social, political and economic progress in Latin America countries . United States foreign policies employed to third world countries since cold war period are confrontation or engagement. Allies of U. S. have been subjected to engagement policy which meant that, they would get economic and military support. On the other hand, they were expected to adopt an environment favorable to United States policies . On the Latin America, United State has been persuading Latin American countries toward the policy of engagement without a major success hence subjecting these countries to U. S foreign policy of confrontation. Policy of confrontation was employed to countries against U. S policies of capitalism and interests. United States use it economic, military as well as political mighty to convert countries to support their interests during cold war period. This policy was employed to Latin America although in most instances it failed . Turn around of the U. S relationship with Latin America has resulted to Latin countries embracing American economic policies. For example Mexico has been in fore front of Latin America region in ditching inefficient protectionism polices, adopting privatization, debt reduction and foreign investment all which are under United States economic policies for south. United States economic policies have shown major effect in Mexico with North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) helping this country to economic reformation. Mexico approval by NAFT is a major test for post cold war relationship among Latin American countries and success of failure having a direct impact to rest of the Southerners . United States economic policies on free trade advised to be employed in Latin America and in operation in Mexico does not automatic translates to a well-distributed economic growth overnight. Also, it does not convert ailing economies as it is purported to be. Latin American economy is comprised of very little wealthy class of people consisting of ruling elite. Their middle categories of people consist of very few individuals with the majority of the population living in poverty like any other third world countries . United States trying to duplicating its economic policies to Latin America may be misplaced due to the fact that if wealth distribution structure is different from that of third world countries. This gets us to quagmire of whether the economic policies advanced by Unites States to Latin America can reduce current economic injustice . Some scholars have for argued that the policy of laissez faire capitalism results to wide gap between poor and rich in the community, questioning rationality of employing it in Latin America . There is a contradiction of capitalism and socialist theory not able to give the right answer to the eradication of poverty in the third world countries economies. Communism tried to employed idea of supporting every one towards equality by ignored the human fundamental drive i. e. incentive system which have been key to economic growth under capitalism economic policies . On the other hand, capitalism policies and liberalization of the economy which a key economic policies advanced by U. S. to Latin America may fail. For example opening up market by Australian Authority resulted to loss of employment and fall of production sector resulting to increased imports against export. This gets to the question whether this may duplicate to the economies of Latin America countries since case of western capitalism contains it own contradiction. Various studies indicate that unregulated markets lead to economic exploitation and injustice which may be experience in Latin American after adopting U. S. economic policies. If the economic policies advanced by United States to Latin America fail, bitter rivalry which has been in existence before the cold war might escalate again and blame game of United States sabotaging Latin America economy may be renewed . To ensure United States economic and foreign policies succeed on Latin America, policies geared toward bridging the economic diversity within this region are important. This is because some countries have adopted the United States economic policies while others are about or implementing them. For example Mexico and Chile economic policy implementation has lead to economic growth . On the other hand countries like Argentina are not yet stable economically stable. Argentina recorded economic deterioration in 2000 and 2001. For Latin America to benefit from United States economic and foreign policies there should be a defined categorization according to economic differences since needs may be different . Economic policies to nurture growth of private sector and improve productivity are of great importance. These policies lead to enhanced economic growth, a right answer to poverty eradication in Southern hemisphere. United state economic and foreign policies should put emphasis on productivity through partnering with institution like Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and other financial partners . This will be inconsistent with President Bush policies i. e. investing in people, ruling justly and opening doors for economic freedom. Meaning that a major emphasis on development of human capital through improving education system and employment of new technologies for high productivity. Ruling justly help attaining of increased productivity as corruption and protection of contracts may attract private investment which is key to increased productivity. Therefore, United States economic policies should focus on the area of productivity and apply it categorically according to economic needs of different Latin American countries. Bibliography: Feldstein, Martin S. (1988): The United States in the World Economy: National Bureau of Economic Research. ISBN 0226240789, 9780226240787; University of Chicago Press. Fryer Wesley A. (1993): Defining and Refocusing US Policy Toward Latin America. Retrieved on 17th November 2008 from; http://www. wesfryer. com/uslapolicy. html. Garcia, Enrique 2005: Magazine article; The Quest for Development in Latin America Rabe Stephen G. (1988): Eisenhower and Latin America: The Foreign Policy of Anticommunism. ISBN 0807842044, 9780807842041; UNC Press Krueger, Anne O. 1993: Economic Policies at Cross-purposes: The United States and Developing Countries. ISBN 0815750536, 978081575053 6Brookings Institution Press Mishkin Frederic S. and Savastano Miguel A. 2002: Monetary Policy Strategies for Emerging Market Countries: Lessons from Latin America Journal article; Comparative Economic Studies Paulo Sotero (2005): Democracy in Latin America: Alive but Not Well Magazine article; Foreign Policy Taylor John B. 2002: United States Economic Policy Toward Latin America and the Role of the International Financial Institutions. Retrieve on 17th November 2008 from; http://www. stanford. edu/~johntayl/taylorspeeches/United%20States%20Ec

Friday, September 20, 2019

Comparison of UK and Indian Cultures

Comparison of UK and Indian Cultures Introduction In this era of globalization in business environment, companies are expanding their business all over the world, i.e. in different countries and each of them with different cultures. One area in particular of growing importance is intercultural management skills. Culture in international business nowadays is recognized to have a major role to play in the international sales, marketing, recruitment, management and mergers. In short, culture is behind everything we do or say. (www.kwintessential.co.uk) Therefore, in the international and multi-cultural business community, there are very much possibilities of misunderstandings which can have a negative effect on the people which will intern affect the productivity of the organization. This complexity requires a manager to adapt in order to offer modern solutions to these problems. (www.kwintessential.co.uk) Culture is: Something shared by all or almost all members of some social group. Something older members of a group try to pass to younger members. Something (as in the case of morals, laws, and customs) that shapes behavior, or structures ones perception of he world. Therefore culture is all that one needs to know in order to be accepted in a society or an organisation which is a sum total of all the beliefs, values and norms shared by a group of people who have been brought up in a society to think, feel, interpret and react in a particular manner. Or it is a human need of adapting to circumstances and transmitting these skills and knowledge to the next generations. It can also be said as culture as mental programming is also crystallization of history in the hands, minds and hearts of the present generation. (Hofstede, 2001). This essay will talk about the cultural difference between India which is my home culture and UK which is the counterpart. I have chosen UK because I have been to UK for my Supervised Work Experience (SWE) and during my stay in UK I never paid attention towards the UK culture dimensions and would now like to analyze with respect to the different models. But before that lets have a look at some customs or values that are followed in these countries: India Hinduism Social freedom amongst the sexes is not appreciated. Use of first name to address people is avoided. The method of greeting depends on the social status of the person you are meeting i.e. if a son is meeting his father usually he greets him by bowing down and touching his feet. Where as educated people, in business meeting shake hands to welcome or greet each other. If invited for dinner one may only have the dinner with the business partner and not the whole family and do not get upset if you host asks you several times to have some more food. It is Indian custom to make sure that the guest does not get up hungry from the table. Also at the table one should use the right hand in passing food as Indian consider left hand as impure. UK: British people are formal, sophisticated, value privacy and are sensitive. Within UK controlled business environment, maintain decorum and avoid casualness in dress and conversation, loudness and shouting is too taboo. Family names and first name are preferred. British people are good negotiators as they are tolerant and good listeners. Fine manners and good etiquette are expected at all social occasions. Gift giving is not a normal custom in UK. (Harris, 2004 Rodrigues, 2001) Hofstede Model Cross-cultural study to find out the differences in national cultures, this was done by Hofstede across 60 different countries which included matched samples of business employees. These studies together identified four independent dimensions of national culture differences. The dimensions explored were Power distance, Uncertainty Avoidance, Individualism verses collectivism and Masculinity verses femininity. The first of four dimensions discovered by Hofstede is called power distance. Power distance is the extent to which the less powerful member of an organization or an institution accept and expect that the power is distributed unequally (Hofstede, 2001). The basic problem which is prevalent here is to what extent in a culture the degree of inequality between a less powerful individual and a high powerful individual is expected and accepted. India stands at the 10/11 position in the survey with a score of 77 whereas Great Britain is on the 42/44 position with a score of only 35. (see appendices-) For example During my SWE the service operation head of the whole hotel chain was very friendly, who was also the head of my department. I used to share my personal problems with her and even go out for dinner. This example would be further analyzed in the competencies. The second dimension is labeled as uncertainty avoidance (UA). It refers to the extent a culture or organization prepares its members to feel comfortable or uncomfortable in an unstructured situation (Hofstede, 2001). The issue involved here is the level to which a culture or society would accept strict laws and regulations over uncertainty and risk. Countries or cultures scoring high on UA have long history and the population is homogeneous. Risks even calculated are avoided and new ideas and concepts are difficult to introduce whereas countries on low UA scores are completely opposite. Although there is not much of a difference in the ranks given by Hofstede but still India scores a higher rank than Great Britain, also this dimension does not have a major role in the core competencies.( see appendices-) The third is individualism and collectivism which is the degree to which a culture stress on that right of an individual as compared to those of a group. Countries scoring high on individualism live in the I culture and strive for personal goals and achievements. In such countries it is acceptable to pursue personal goals at the expense of other. Whereas a country scoring low in individualism has the we culture. Individual desires and goal could be suppressed for the good of the group. For Example In UK culture people always consider themselves as an Individual, they are more bothered about themselves even if they belong to same family, whereas in India people consider each other as a part of a group and thats the reason joint families still exist in Indian society. The last one is masculinity and femininity which refers to the distribution of role between the two genders i.e. male and female. Countries with high masculinity are observed to have the following characteristics i.e. Priorities in life for people are achievement, wealth and expansion. Usually people settle conflicts through aggressive means.Women and men have different roles in society. OftenProfessionals in these countries work for longer hours and short vacations. Whereas in counties which are low in masculinity the following is observed. Priorities are the family, relationships and quality of life.Conflicts are usually solved though negotiation.Men and women share equal positions in society. Masculinity/Femininity are equally powerful but in respect to Hofstede, 2006 research both India and UK share common Masculinity culture as in both of these cultures social gender roles are clearly distinct.( see appendices) Halls Model The vital distinction is made by the anthropologist Edward Hall between high and low- context cultures and how these contexts have an effect on communication. In High Context cultures high context communication: information is either in the physical context or internalized in the person with little communication in the explicit words or message and on the other hand a low context culture communication most information is contained in explicit codes, such as words (Harris, 2004). High context cultures depend heavily on the external environment, situations, and non-verbal behavior in creating and interpreting communications. In high context cultures when individuals communicate they try to find out how much the listener knows about what is being discussed. People in high context cultures emphasize on interpersonal relationships, also developing trust is very important factor or step which should be made before starting a business. People are collectivist and work on their intuition rather than on reasons and are more indirect as well as formal. India is high context culture. Whereas in Low Context cultures the environment is less important, and non -verbal behavior is often ignored. While communication is going on the listener knows nothing or little and need to be told about what is being discussed. People in low context cultures emphasize legal documents rather than inter personal relationships or trust. People are individualistic and work based on logical reasoning and not on intuition, also they are direct and informal. UK is a low context culture. For example During my SWE I was asked by my colleague to help her with the work load. Instead of saying I can not, I said it would be difficult. The example would be analyzed in the competencies areas. The second concept given by Hall was to do with the how different cultures structure or manage their time i.e. polychronic verses the monochronic time orientation. The polychronic cultures believe in doing many things at one time and the monochronic cultures believe in doing one task at given point of time and time is subordinate to interpersonal relationships. UK belongs to monochromic culture and India is a polychronic culture. Stereotyping Another important factor or variable that the managers in the organization need to keep in mind is stereotyping. Stereotypes are set of attitudes that causes us to attribute qualities and characteristics to a person based on the group to which that individual belongs. (Harris, 2004) It basically involves categorizing and making perceptions about people based on ones experiences and it guides ones behavior towards that group of people in a particular way. Teamwork A team is a number of persons associated in same joint action, while teamwork is described as cooperative or coordinated effort on the part of persons working together towards the actualization of a goal (Harris, 2004). A hotel firm can only survive if the employees are ready to work and produce an effective team. As each and every operation in the hospitality industry is interrelated to each other. For example front office is depended upon housekeeping department for clean rooms and restaurant is dependent on kitchen for cooking food. Thus in order to have a successful multicultural team member should have complimentary skills and should think in favor of the team.( example see appendices-) Communication All activities involve communication. In the global era different managerial activities like motivating, leading, negotiation exchanging information etc are all based on the manager of one culture to communicate effectively and successfully to people of other cultures. Communication can not only verbal or written but also non-verbal i.e. body language, expressions etc (Adler, 1997). In international Hospitality and Tourism industries language plays a very important role, as both of these industries include direct guest contact; good language and communication skills can either make or break the impression of the organization especially hotels.( example see appendices) Conflict and Negotiation   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Conflict- A state of disharmony between incompatible or antithetical persons, ideas, or interests; a clash (www.ANSWER.COM) Causes of conflict communication failure personality conflict value differences goal differences methodological differences substandard performance lack of cooperation differences regarding authority differences regarding responsibility competition over resources non-compliance with rules (www.geocities.com) These are some of the factors which causes conflict in an working environment of an organization which needed to be resolved through various modes and means Force Negotiate Bargain Avoid Accommodation and Appease (Mead 1998:2005) The most important tool is negotiation whichs is used to resolve conflict Negotiation is a process in which two or more entities come together to discuss common and conflicting interests in order to reach an agreement of mutual benefit (Harris, 2004). In international business negotiation, there can be misunderstanding due the difference in the culture to culture in language, cultural conditioning, negotiation style, approach to problem solving etc. Negotiation plays a very important role in Hospitality and Tourism Industries, such as negotiation on room rate with guests and travel agents in different countries etc. As India belongs to polychromic culture, while taking decisions people from India tend to involve other people (colleagues) into the negotiation process which makes the process longer. This also confirms the stereotype associated with them. This also happens as India a collectivist and high PDI country. Whereas UK which is monochromic culture they see time as an asset and quantity to be scheduled, they emphasize on making agendas and finish the work or taking the decision in time. Negotiation can also be effected by the communication style of the country i.e. as explained earlier the concept of high and low context cultures i.e. misunderstanding due to lack of clarity amongst the two cultures thus leading to unsatisfactory results of negotiation. Evaluating myself- Me, As a manager After completing my reflective practice assignment and following up the tasks given to us. After doing the Hofstedes measuring cultural differences approach model or exercise and I found that I measured masculinity more than femininity which clarifies that the job which is given or I undertake is done to get personal sense of accomplishment and I look for new and challenging opportunities for a high success .I would describe my self as low power distance human being as I would like to work with those mangers which makes decision by considering all the employees view points rather making their own personal decision I would focused more on collectivism rather on Individualism as I look for more opportunities to improve upon my skills and develop new skills by adapting to new working conditions ( see appendices- ) Cultures are normally attributed to groups of people but, within group each individual has his/her own individual characters which make the person stand out from others. I would describe my self as a good listener, good observer, cooperative with employees, Flexible and competitive (see appendices-). These individual characteristics make me stand out from other members of different cultures. The results of CCAI indicate that my strongest are is Personal Autonomy and my weakest area is Flexibility/Openness. While scores in Emotional Resilience and Perceptual Activity almost the same.( see appendices-) The area in which I lack the most is communication among different cultures; while I can easily handle situations in which things do not go as per plan or situations and in which stress and tolerance occurs. I lack in area where I am expected to communicate among different cultures, despite of the fact that, I would love to spend some time with people from different cultures. By improvin g my intercultural skills such as communication i.e. how to react on different ideas, people and experiences and I should not focus on what other people are saying and doing rather make my own decisions. This will make me a better person while I am in different culture and in my own culture. Also I should learn to appreciate different people and expenses. In the next six months by following up the action plan I would improve on my communication skill by reading novels and newspapers and also at the same time try interact and discuss on different issues with people in college whom I normally dont interact with, as it will also help me in appreciating different people as well. Completing this exercise would help me in dealing with different people at my future work place and also communicating effectively with them.(see appendices-) Conclusion and Recommendations The main focus of this essay was to analyze similarities and dissimilarities among Indian and UK cultures. This was done though use of two models of cultural analysis done by Hofstede and Hall. It was realized that both the cultures are too different from each other. As hospitality and tourism industry are growing at a rapid scale and due to globalization of the business, the demand for multicultural employees is increasing, but managing employees from totally different cultures like in India or UK would be great challenge faced by the managers in the industry. Also international visitors often expect that service providers should understand and respect their customs, beliefs and cultures, if not it may lead to cross cultural conflicts. Following are the recommendations for UK and India based managers: Cross cultural training should be provided to the employees so that they can adjust in new cultures. Information about other cultures should be provided which will lead to better understanding amongst the employees and enhanced teamwork. While communicating with Britishers, Indian people should use simple words which are grammatically correct should be used and direct communication should take place as British people belong to a low context culture and prefer messages/communication to be structured directly, that they get immediate to the point and state conclusions and bottom line. Proper understanding of other cultures and choosing appropriate negotiation process can produce effective and useful negotiation. A manager must find out the common and the uncommon values of his and counterparts culture in order to conduct effective and successful negotiation. While negotiating between UK and Indian cultures, managers should take care of the body languages, Gestures and use of grammatically correct language for communications should be used also, importance of time should be taken into consideration. Cross cultural training should be provided to the employees so that they can adjust in new cultures. Information about other cultures should be provided which will lead to better understanding amongst the employees and enhanced teamwork. Another consideration for global managers is that they should have/develop good listening skill. Bibliography Adler .N.J, (1997), International Dimensions of Organizational Behavior, 4th Edition, South-Western, United States. Abercrombie.N and Warde .A( 2001), The Contemporary British Society, Black well PublishersLtd, Great Britian. Brislin. W.Richard , ( 1981), Cross Cultural Encounters, Pergamon Press, USA. Brislin.W. Richard and Cushner. K,( 1996), Intercultural Interactions, 2ed , Sage Publications, USA. Barker. C.( 2002) , Making Sense of Cultural Studies , Sage Publications, London. Conflict: Definition, Synonyms, from answers.com ( online) cited on 2 November url: http://www.answers.com/topic/conflict Francesco, A. M. Gold, B. A. (2005) International Organizational Behavior : Texts, cases and exercises Upper Saddle Row, New Jersey, Pearson/Prentice Hall. Grazia. V.(1981), The Cultural Of Content,University of Cambridge , Cambridge Hooker.J,(2003) , Working Across Cultural , Standford University Press, Califonia. Hofstede .G ,(1985) , The Cultural Relativity of Organizational Practises and Theories , London. Harris. P., Robert .T. M Sarah. V. M, 2004, Managing Cultural Differences Global Leadership Strategies for 21st century, 6th Edition, Elsevier, London. Hodgetts. R, Luthans. F, Doh. J, 2006, International Management Culture, Strategy, and Behavior, 6th Edition, Tata McGraw Hill Publishing Company Ltd, New Delhi. Hofstede. G, 2001, Cultures Consequences, 2nd Edition, Sage Publications, London Kwintessential (2008), Intercultural Training (online) cited on 3 December URL: http://www.kwintessential.co.uk/cultural-services/intercultural-training.html Mead, R. 1998 International Management: Cross Cultural Dimensions 2nd edition Cambridge MA. Blackwell Publishers Mead, R. 2005 International Management: Cross Cultural Dimensions 3rd edition Cambridge MA. Blackwell Publishers Rodriguez. C, 2001, International Management A cultural Approach, 2nd Edition, South-Western College Publication, United Kingdom Robinson. M.(1999) , Cultural Conflicts In Tourism Inevitablity and Inequality, CAB Publication, USA Schneider.C.Susan. and Basoux Louis.J,( 1997), Managing Across Cultural , Prentice Hall, Europe. Storry.M and Childs. P.( 1997), British Cultural Identities,Routledge New York Samovar. A .Larry and Porter.E. Richard,( 2003) , Intercultural Communication , 10th edition , Thompson Learning, USA Singh.Y.(2002),Culture Change In India,Rawat Publication, Jaipur. Yahoo: Causes of conflict ( online ) cited on 4 November url: http://geocities.yahoo.com/causes of conflict

Thursday, September 19, 2019

An Alliance in Distress Essay -- Foreign Policy

It is almost too hard to fathom that only 70 years ago the United States possessed such strong feelings of hatred and fear towards Japan in the wake of the devastating Pearl Harbor attacks. The federal government even went as far as to unjustly imprison 110,000 Japanese-Americans. Also, the Japanese felt much animosity and held an inhumane view of Americans following their surrender in WWII after two U.S. atomic bombs killed an estimated 240,000 people. However, from the midst of this painful and dark history has risen one of the most peaceful and powerful alliances of the twenty-first century. The United States rose to be a political superpower with the most technologically advanced military and largest economy in the world. Japan also rose to be a technological superpower with the second largest economy in the world, although it was recently surpassed by China in late 2010. The mutual growth of the two countries stemmed from the Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security (TMCS) betw een the United States and Japan that was signed on January 19,1960. The TMCS helped foster the mutual and prosperous trade between the two countries, while also setting forth an agreement of security assistance to one another in times of conflict. As a result of the treaty, the U.S. was allowed by Japan to place bases on various islands, but primarily on the island of Okinawa for strategic purposes and to aid in the defense of Japan. Over fifty years have passed since this agreement was made by the two nations and now an international debate has risen over complications with this arrangement to a magnitude so large that Japanese citizens now even question the merits of the overall U.S.-Japan alliance. The main question that now stands between the Japan... ...ates. Congress. House. Committee on Armed Services. Japan†¯: Recent Security Developments†¯: Committee on Armed Services, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, Second Session, Hearing Held July 27, 2010. Washington: U.S. G.P.O.†¯:, 2010. Print. United States. Congress. House. Committee on Foreign Affairs. Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment. U.S.-Japan Relations [microform]†¯: Enduring Ties, Recent Developments†¯: Hearing Before the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives, One Hundred Eleventh Congress, Second Session, March 17, 2010. Washington: U.S. G.P.O., 2010. Print. Sato, Ikenberry, G. John, and Yoichiro Inoguchi, Takashi. U.S.-Japan Security Alliance: Regional Multilateralism. Gordonsville, VA, USA: Palgrave Macmillan, 2011. Print.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Athens-Greece Essays -- Ancient Greece Essays

Athens - Greece   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  During the fifth century of Ancient Greece the city-states of Athens and Sparta represented two very different forms of living. Spartans directed their time towards their military capabilities while the Athenians were interested in comfort and culture. Sparta’s and Athens’ political and environmental differences along with their different views on women caused the two city-states to be very dissimilar.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Two major forms of government existed during Ancient Greece: oligarchy and democracy. The government in Sparta was controlled by an oligarchy in which the power was held by a group of five men called ephors. Working below the ephors was the Council of Elders and an Assembly. Male citizens over age sixty could serve on the Council while anyone, male or female, over the age of twenty could be a member of the Assembly.1 Though the citizens had little say in the decisions made by the government, the system worked effectively. It was the oligarchy in Sparta that put a war-like attitude as its first priority in the city-state. Every man in the army fought with a great deal of passion for his country. The beliefs of Sparta were oriented around the state. The individual lived and died for the state. The government in Athens followed a very different course than that of Sparta. Upper class male citizens over the age of thirty were the only Athenians who held any right to v ote. The democracy in Athens consiste...

VESTMENTS IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH :: Essays Papers

VESTMENTS IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH An important aspect of the Catholic Church is its vestments. The Church is always beautifully decorated and holy people beautifully dressed. These decorations have changed very much since the beginning of time. Although we don’t always realize it, there is much symbolism in the colors that priests, bishops, cardinals and even the Pope wears. There are also strict guidelines that these people must follow when dressing. This paper will tell of the history of this clothing. EARLY CHRISTIANS To study the history of the Church in the first century, we have to rely on the writings of the Early Christians, mainly the New Testament. At this time, Christians were waiting for the second coming of Christ, which they expected very soon. Since they thought that Christ would come again in their lifetime, they didn’t feel the need to really formalize their religion or create any clothing that was specifically Christian. In 64 in Rome, St. Peter and St. Paul were executed. Right after the executions of these men, Nero began to execute other Christians. At this time it would have been dangerous for Christians to wear distinctive clothing. As these persecutions began, people began to realize that the Church would outlast the lives of the men who had actually known Jesus Christ. After these persecutions ended, there was peace until 95 when Diocletian, a ruler, began taking action against the aristocratic Christians in Rome. In Asia at the same time there were persecutions of bot h Jews and Christians. After this, a few general Christians adopted a few general styles of clothing. First was the tunic, worn by St. Augustine. This came out of Rome and was an indoor garment. During worship, it was required that it was clean and white, which may be why Christians shied away from the traditional Roman wool tunic. Wool fades to yellow after time so Christians began wearing linen tunics because the more linen is washed, the whiter it becomes. It has been said that St. Peter wore a pallium with his tunic. It was wrapped around the body in a simple way. It was a plain garment, except that it had embroidery in each of it’s four corners. Apparently Jesus and His apostles had also worn palliums and so they became part of the ornamental dress of Christians. Christians also wore the paenula. It was a hooded garment and was worn by Christians in worship starting in the second century.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Project: South African Aluminum Essay

At the beginning of 1994, Alusaf was considering building the world’s largest greenfield primary aluminum smelter, a 466,000-ton-per-year smelter at Richard’s Bay, a deepwater port on the east coast of South Africa’s province of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Alusaf was the sole primary aluminum producer in South Africa, operating 170,000 tpy of capacity at the existing â€Å"Bayside† facility at Richard’s Bay. Alusaf’s 1993 revenues were $220. 2 million, up 1% from 1992. Income was $8. 6 million, up 122% from 1992. A feasibility study for the proposed â€Å"Hillside† smelter had been completed over the past two years. During this time, South Africa’s political regime had undergone a dramatic transformation with the 1993 passing of the Transitional Executive Council (TEC) Bill. This bill removed absolute power from the hands of whites and created a multi-racial body that would share responsibility for organizing and overseeing the general elections to be held in April 1994. Within days, Nelson Mandela, leader of the African National Congress party, addressed the UN Special Committee Against Apartheid in New York, calling on the international community to lift sanctions against South Africa. The European Union, the Organization of African Unity, Canada, China, Sweden, Singapore, India, and the United States all responded quickly with announcements that they would begin the process of restoring normal economic relations with South Africa. Aluminum prices had fallen dramatically since the feasibility study was begun, as Russian aluminum continued to flood the market. Now, with aluminum prices near their all-time low in real terms in early 1994, Alusaf had to decide whether to embark on this massive project. The South African Aluminum Industry The South African aluminum industry’s origins could be traced to investments made by Alcan in the 1940s. As part of its efforts to create demand for its ingot, Alcan built semifabrication capacity in South Africa to serve the local market. A government-coordinated development effort at the port of Richard’s Bay, together with a desire to reduce dependence on imported ingot, led to construction of South Africa’s first primary production facility nearly 25 years later. The original Bayside plant came onstream in 1972 with ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Professor Kenneth S. Corts prepared this case as the basis for class discussion rather than to illustrate either effective or ineffective handling of an administrative situation. Copyright  © 2002 President and Fellows of Harvard College. To order copies or request permission to reproduce materials, call 1-800-545-7685, write Harvard Business School Publishing, Boston, MA 02163, or go to http://www. hbsp. harvard. edu. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, used in a spreadsheet, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without the permission of Harvard Business School. This document is authorized for use only in PGDM 1st Year – 1007 by Rakhi Singh at IILM Institute for Business and Management, Gurgaon (IILM-IBM, Gurgaon) from October 2013 to April 2014. 799-130 Aluminum Smelting in South Africa: Alusaf’s Hillside Project capacity of approximately 85,000 tpy. Less than a quarter of Bayside’s production was exported. Ten years later, the Bayside plant was expanded through the relocation to Richard’s Bay of a similarly sized plant in Niigata, Japan, that had been shut down due to escalating energy costs. Over three quarters of the new plant’s production was exported as ingot. In 1989, South African mining and metals giant Gencor acquired a controlling interest in Alusaf. The other primary shareholders were Swiss aluminum producer Alusuisse and South Africa’s quasigovernmental Industrial Development Corporation (IDC). Gencor was founded in 1980 by the merger of two major mining companies, each founded in the late nineteenth century. Since that merger, Gencor had been a diversified financial, mining and industrial conglomerate. In May 1993, Gencor announced it was spinning off its financial and industrial interests in order to refocus on its mining, metals, and minerals businesses. In addition to Alusaf, the companies retained in the â€Å"unbundled† Gencor included the world’s third-largest gold producer, the world’s second-largest platinum producer, the world’s largest producer of ferroalloys, and the world’s largest supplier of titanium dioxide feedstock. Basic financial results for Gencor are given in Table A. Table Aduction of secondary aluminum had held relatively steady at about 30,000 tpy since 1980. Together with primary production, this brought total domestic production to about 200,000 tpy (see Exhibit 1). In 1994, semifabrication in South Africa remained primarily focused on domestic demand. South African aluminum exports totaled approximately 100,000 tpy, of which 20,000 tpy were semifabricated products and 80,000 tpy were ingot. Domestic consumption totaled about 130,000 tpy, of which about 30,000 was imported products (see Exhibit 2). The Hillside Project Escom, South Africa’s electrical power utility, initiated discussion of the Hillside project with Alusaf in mid-1991. With aluminum prices around $1,300 per ton, Alusaf had suggested to Escom that the Bayside smelter was not economically viable given market conditions and might be shut down. Escom responded with an offer to reduce power rates dramatically if Bayside were kept open and an additional facility at Richard’s Bay constructed. Escom offered to supply the smelter’s approximately 680 Mw electricity requirements under an unusual long-term contract. About half the world’s smelters operated under contracts guaranteeing discounted electricity for multiple years; often these contracts tied the price of electricity to the price 2 This document is authorized for use only in PGDM 1st Year – 1007 by Rakhi Singh at IILM Institute for Business and Management, Gurgaon (IILM-IBM, Gurgaon) from October 2013 to April 2014. Aluminum Smelting in South Africa: Alusaf’s Hillside Project 799-130 of aluminum and employed complicated formulas that imposed caps and floors on prices. The 25year Escom/Alusaf contract was unique in its simplicity: Alusaf would pay Escom 16% of the per-ton price of aluminum for every ton of aluminum produced, assuming the plant produced at its designed efficiency. While the contract did contain provisions protecting Escom from inefficient production, it did not protect Escom against fluctuations in the price of aluminum. Escom and Alusaf were also discussing whether Escom might take an equity stake in the facility. As a result of high growth projections in the 1970s, Escom had built enormous generating capacity of 38,000 Mw, of which 8,000 Mw now stood idle. Rob Barbour, managing director of Alusaf, claimed that the high energy requirements of aluminum production made aluminum essentially â€Å"frozen energy† and that therefore Alusaf â€Å"will become an exporter of South African energy with i high value-added. † For provision of all the basic engineering and technology for the plant, Alusaf planned to contract with Pechiney, the French firm whose technology had been used in over three quarters of all recent smelter projects. Lacking bauxite and alumina operations, Alusaf intended to import the full 900,000 tpy alumina requirement of the new smelter and had negotiated a tentative alumina supply agreement with Alcoa of Australia and Billiton (a subsidiary of Royal Dutch Shell). This contract tied the price of alumina to the price of aluminum, a common contracting practice employed by about half the world’s smelters. For the Hillside plant, this contract ensured that per-ton alumina and power costs would always amount to 41% of the price of aluminum. Estimates for other operating costs at Hillside are given in Table B. Capital costs were estimated to total $2 billion. Table B Hillside’s Projected Operating Costs ($ per ton) Other raw materials $143 Plant power and fuel 17 Consumables 32 Maintenance Labor Freight 38 68 40 General and administrative 32 Before the feasibility study was complete, Barbour announced that he believed there was a â€Å"high probability† the smelter would be approved. â€Å"In the meantime we hope to deter others from thinking about aluminum smelter projects,† he added. â€Å"We want to frighten them off by convincing ii them that this one is unstoppable. † The Decision In early 1994, tentative contracts for power, alumina, and the smelting technology were all in place, and willing investors had been lined up. The financing plan called for $1. 9 billion of new capital to be raised, about $830 million of it in equity. Gencor was to contribute $340 million in 3 This document is authorized for use only in PGDM 1st Year – 1007 by Rakhi Singh at IILM Institute for Business and Management, Gurgaon (IILM-IBM, Gurgaon) from October 2013 to April 2014. 799-130 Aluminum Smelting in South Africa: Alusaf’s Hillside Project equity, the IDC $270 million in equity, other local institutions $140 million in equity, and Escom $80 million in convertible debt. Three new smelters using the Pechiney technology had been completed in recent months. Now, Hillside was the only planned smelter project, and a number of other proposed projects had been cancelled. Equipment suppliers were quoting Alusaf prices 20% to 30% below those supplied for the feasibility study, and the capital cost of the new plant was now projected to total only $1. 6 billion. At the beginning of 1994, aluminum prices stood at $1,110. Aluminum-producing countries had scheduled meetings in the coming months to address the world glut of aluminum, but it was unclear whether prices would recover anytime soon. Barbour wondered whether he should commit to this enormous and ambitious project in the face of these uncertain industry conditions. 4 This document is authorized for use only in PGDM 1st Year – 1007 by Rakhi Singh at IILM Institute for Business and Management, Gurgaon (IILM-IBM, Gurgaon) from October 2013 to April 2014.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Overview of Martin Luther’s Christian Liberty Essay

Martin Luther’s pamphlet, Christian Liberty, describes his feelings towards the Church. He did not agree with what the Church did. For example, the church had too many restrictions. Meaning that you could not practice another religion. Also, the Church had indulgences, which are supposed to be where if someone sinned, they would go to the church and pray, and have the church forgive you. But the idea of indulgences to the Catholic Church was if you sinned, then you were to pay a certain amount of money and then your sin would have been forgotten. Luther thought the Church should be about faith, not all about power and money. In the pamphlet, Luther believes that faith nurtures the body and soul. He believed that the Church did not believe in that. Luther eventually broke away from the Church for several reasons. Some reasons were how the Church made people pay for their indulgences, how that they had too many restrictions, and how the Church had so much power and how they abused it. Luther stated in his pamphlet, â€Å"From this anyone can clearly see how a Christian is free from all things and over all things so that he needs no works to make him righteous and save him, since faith alone abundantly confers all these things.† Luther in this sentence is saying how things such as indulgences are not needed to make him a better Christian, but if a man has enough faith, it alone will do the job. Luther also states that for preachers not to preach only about repentance, but also about the faith of the religion. The criticism that Luther has towards the preachers was that they abused authority that they don’t preach commandments and promises, and they don’t work solely out of serving one’s neighbor; they do it seeking their own profit. Luther was also angry with priests who use the word of Christ to make people dislike Jews. He believes that they should pray for the people and teach the people by example. Martin Luther’s solutions took the middle course and faced up too how, â€Å"They want to show that they are free men and Christians only by despising and finding fault with ceremonies†. What Luther meant by this was that the religious ceremonies done was not how they used to be; now they entail only the power that the Church has among the people. Luther believed that you should join a church and do as they say not to gain righteousness, but out  of respect for them. He said this by, â€Å"I will fast, pray, do this and that as men command, not because it is necessary to my righteousness or salvation; but that I may show due respect to the pope, the bishop, the community, a magistrate, or my neighbor.† Martin Luther believed of three powers or benefits of faith. One was that Christians are free from the land. If we honor God, he will honor us. He will see us as righteous and truthful people. Faith writes the soul with Christ. Christian soul therefore has all the good characteristics of Christ. Also Luther believes that faith gives us freedom. He states this by writing, â€Å"It is clear, then, that a Christian has all he needs in faith and needs no works to justify him; and if he needs no need of works, he has no need of the law; and if he has no need of the law, surely he is free from the law.† Since we are not perfect on earth, works help keep us moving towards our goal of perfection. Do works freely, only to please God. This is said by, â€Å"however, we are not wholly recreated, and our faith and love are not yet perfect, these are to be increased, not by external works, however but of themselves†. Through work, think only to benefit others. Faith is active through love. Luther stated this by, â€Å"we should devote all our works to the welfare of others.† â€Å"But works, being inanimate things, cannot glorify God, although they can, if faith is present, be done to the glory of God.† What Luther is stating here is if you have enough faith, then you can make the presence of God true. Because works don’t lead to righteousness, but with faith works can be done to the glory of God.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Churches do to become a better reflection of Christianity

We must acknowledge that as a church, we need to become better. Unless we admit that we need to improve, we will never strive to be a better reflection of Christianity. As a church, we should help each other point out what is causing our weaknesses and shortcomings in unity and in humility. Never be content. Seek for improvement on a regular basis. As a diverse group with collective beliefs, how can we work as united Christians? What can we do to be a better brother or sister to our fellow church members? How can we help our neighbors? What can we do for our community?How can we show non-believers that the Christian life Is the life they should follow? How can we be a better reflection of our church and of Christianity? These are some questions that we should ask together and seek the answers, together. When outsiders and non-believers see that we are united, they too shall witness God's love that binds us Christians as one big church, one big family. ) â€Å"Sadly, without the atmo sphere of revival, many Christians lapse into something inferior to the Christian norm. Christian culture declines. (Towns, peg 131) Towns pointed out that with the absence of the atmosphere of revival, Christians fall out of the Christian path. My question is: why must revival end? This is a common mistake most churches do. As soon as the mission was fulfilled, we walk away thinking that what we had started/had Just revived will flourish on its own. My challenge, therefore, is continuous revival. Pursue revival not only to the outsiders, non-believers and the nest that have left the Christian path, but also within the people of our church.When a farmer plants his crops, he does not leave it to tend on its own, he will continue visiting his crops, trim the weeds that surround it, water the plants, and make sure that it has what it needs to grow and thrive. We are like the farmer, and our church is our crop, we are responsible for the growth and progress of our Christian community. W e should never cease reviving our church or our community. If we keep that light burning, we will be able to keep our church inspired in working together to be better Christians and followers of Jesus Christ.

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Appeals Against Assessment Decisions

Appeals against assessment decisions It is the intention of XXX that the assessment process will be transparent fair and just for all learners. All learners have the right to appeal against any assessment decision. Any learner may appeal against an assessment decision if they feel: * Unfairly treated * The assessment decision to be wrong or invalid * The assessment process to be unfair or wrongly carried out * The assessment or teaching methods to be inappropriate * The assessment process to be unreliable or inconsistent * The course work and content did not meet the course outlineA copy of this policy will be publicly displayed. A copy of this policy will be provided to all learners and discussed during induction. Written records will be kept of all appeals. At any stage any learner can seek the support of an advocate or friend to assist them to deal with their appeal. The stages of the process will follow: Stage 1. In the first instance concerns should be discussed with tutor. The tutor will reply to concerns within five working days. The concern will be given both verbally and in writing. Stage 2.If the concern is unresolved informally, the appeal or complaint can then be made in writing to the Programme Manager (Regional Volunteer Coordinator) at XXX. The appeal will be investigated, assessed and a decision will be given in writing within 14 days. Stage 3. If still not satisfied with the result of appeal a request for the appeal to be forwarded to an Appeals Committee will be granted. The committee will consist of the organisations Deputy Director, a member of the projects Steering Committee and another network member. The committee will respond to your appeal in writing within 4 weeks. The result of the Appeals Committee is final.

Friday, September 13, 2019

Events [in his life and around him] that shaped Glenn Gould's adult Research Paper

Events [in his life and around him] that shaped Glenn Gould's adult life - Research Paper Example In 1939, when he was 7 years old, he started to go in the Toronto Symphony concerts. Between 1940 and 1944, Gould went through all exams from Grade 3 to Grade 10 in the Toronto Conservatory of Music in which he studied piano. After Grade 10, Gould started to study theory until 1947. He won many medals from that conservatory for the next 10 years, and also performed in many functions meanwhile. Between 1948 and 1950, Gould discovered the Schoenberg music through Guerrero. From this time onwards, he became a champion of the Schoenberg music for the rest of his life. In July 1951, Gould made an honoring speech for late Schoenberg. From 1952 onwards, he spent most of his time with his family. He gave himself time to prepare himself as an adult musician. In 1957, Gould released his last â€Å"Radio Canada International transcription disc (Programme 140): Brahms's Piano Quintet, with the Montreal String Quartet† (Bazzana). Soon after that, Gould stopped playing piano aggressively. à ¢â‚¬Å"He was the James Dean of classical music† (Page cited in Clarkson). Works Cited: Bazzana, Kevin. â€Å"Timeline.† 2011. Web. 1 Apr. 2011. . Clarkson, Michael. â€Å"The secret life of Glenn Gould.† 25 Aug. 2007. Web. 1 Apr. 2011. .

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Modern System Of Policing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Modern System Of Policing - Essay Example Scholars looked as if they were busy discussing the politics of police reform. Researching of the causes of modern policing was considered in a superficial manner, more often presumed than proved. Cities switched unavoidably to modern policing as a result of increasing degree s of crime and disorder in a period of phenomenal growth as well as intense social change (Schneider 1980 p 54). During the above mentioned period London was plagued via crime as well as the safety of a lot of citizens was doubtful. Pick pocketing, gambling and robbery were ordinary amongst the crimes that took place. An essential factor in Sir Robert Peel's plan was the division of policing as well as the judiciary. Peel believed that police should be accountable for one side of the law, it was called the examination phase (Hurd 2007). Even till today, this idea remains almost unchanged. Until 1829, law enforcement had been dramatically lacking in organization. As London expanded during the 18th and 19th centuries, maintaining law and order had become a priority and also a matter of public concern. The policing system was seen as ineffective and failing dismally to restore and maintain peace and order. Previous systems were i... Overall it was counterproductive and inefficient. Victims of crime became reluctant to prosecute, as did the jury with regards to conviction. In spite of its early plausibility, the concept that the police were formed in the reaction to a crime wave is dull and wrong. Moreover, it is not a very valid o explanation. It presumes that "when crime increases to a particular level it is only a 'natural' social response to make a modern police force. This obliviously is not a clarification but a statement of a natural law apart from this it yields very little proof. We cannot leave out the possibility that the revolts of slave, rebellion, and other such examples of collective violence resulted in the creation of modern police, however we must keep in mind that neither crime nor disorder were not uncommon in the cities of the nineteenth-century, and thus cannot in any way be responsible for a change similar to the development of such a institution. Violent mobs were in power of a lot of parts of London throughout the summer of 1780; however the modern Police did not emerge till 1829. Getting drunk in Public was a severe problem in the early 1775, however a modern police force did not emerge till 1838.3 therefore the crime-and-disorder theory is unsuccessful in providing reasons as to why earlier waves of crime didn't create modern police.Bowling (1999) researched the decrease in the rate of homicide in New York and believes that belligerent policing is only one factor which contributes to the decline of homicide. He states that the most persuasiv e argument for the increase and decrease of murder in New York is the increase and decrease of the crack cocaine sale which, as he believes to be reciprocal. Another reason

Wednesday, September 11, 2019

Causes and Effects of Refugees Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Causes and Effects of Refugees - Essay Example The present research has identified that a conflict in any given area triggers massive migrations of refugees across national borders and towards other countries considered to be safe. This is evident in locations that are prone to civil and social strife such as Afghanistan, the Balkans, Sudan, and Iraq. Generally, it is due to a civil strife in one’s homeland that a person leaves it. Anti-regime rebellions also lead to the emergence of refugees due to persecution. This is in regard to violating human rights, for example, the right to freedom of expression. However, not all governments or leaders welcome the idea of political freedom, as they prefer to silence their people. Ethnic campaigns are also major contributors to the presence of refugees in the world we live in. In spite of the world holding the title â€Å"civilized†, some people still think of their superiority. This is in regard to individuals who incite chaos against people they consider to be inferior to t hem, a practice also called ethnic cleansing. It is such events that, following tribal clashes between the Hutus and Tutsis, led to massive migration of refugees from Rwanda to neighbouring countries. In addition, a refugee situation can be caused by natural disasters within one’s own area of living by virtue of being internally displaced. This is particularly so for populations affected by natural disasters and those living in areas likely to be affected by climate change, as well as people involuntarily resettled due to development projects. According to Salehyan, international conflicts also lead to the rise of the number of refugees, as they are not â€Å"the unfortunate by-products of war, but may serve as catalysts for conflict†. This is seen in cases where refugees move into neighbouring countries, which, in turn, restrict migration. This fosters hostility between countries that may lead to military action and further increase of the number of refugees. One of t he effects of being refugees in a foreign country is the loss of cultural identity. This is in spite of the suppression of their inner mental representations of many aspects of their native culture. As a result, refugees fail to integrate successfully in the society that they move into due to differences in culture and stereotypes posed by the natives of the host country. This leads to discrimination against refugees, which negatively affects the process of cultural adjustment. Health issues accompany refugees in all places they may go to; this is in the form of access to quality health services that may include health records. This is because the information provided by refugees on their health status comes directly from the refugee patient and is, therefore, not a professional viewpoint. This way, refugee agencies are unable to direct health and humanitarian services to enhance awareness and meet population-based needs. Moreover, forced migrations result in severe demographic cons equences in terms of mortality, human suffering, and displacement of populations; they also result in the destruction of social structures that destabilize a society and drive it to the brink of strife. This way, cohesion between and among families is disrupted, and the bond is weakened, resulting in the need to look for one’s way out instead of looking out for the whole society.

Tuesday, September 10, 2019

Safety Plan Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Safety Plan - Essay Example The manager should give details about the operation parameters and design of the air-conditioning system, heating, ventilating in the warehouse. The manager ought to identify the source and quantity of fresh air delivered to each occupant in the breathing zone. The employer should also disclose if there has been any recent renovation of the warehouse that could be a source of impurities or contaminants. The renovation process could comprise of painting, pesticide application, and HVAC system disinfection and ventilation system. Also, the manager should make known of any recent alteration might have taken place in the warehouse such as installation of partitions, repositioning of air intakes or relocation of exhausts. In an interview, both the employer and manager should give all the possible information that will assist to identify the origin of the problem (health, 2013). All workers of the warehouse should be interviewed to give their complaints and disclose the nature of illnesses. They should reveal all the symptoms they are experiencing and tell if the symptoms clear up after leaving the warehouse. They should explain on the occurrence and frequency of the symptoms. The ailing workers should tell whether there is any particular area or event that could have triggered the symptoms. Besides they should disclose of any rendered medical care. In additional, the workers need to reveal their characteristics such as allergies, disabilities, smoking and pre-existing illnesses. In regard to information obtained from the manager and employees, the conduction of walk-around inspection will help a lot to verify this information. It is paramount to note that inadequate ventilation is the major cause of indoor air quality problems. Therefore, the walk-around inspection should be used to examine the ventilation systems. In this respect, the investigation

Monday, September 9, 2019

Biomes and Diversity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Biomes and Diversity - Essay Example The plants and animals of the earth are also important because of the recreational pleasure they provide us with. More people in America spend time watching wildlife than they do watching  movies  or sports†. In a way, people would benefit more in practical ways from the preservation of biodiversity. â€Å"At its heart, rewilding is based on living with the monster under the bed, since the big, scary animals that frightened us in childhood, and still do, are the fierce guardians of biodiversity. Without wolves, wolverines, grizzlies, black bears, mountain lions and jaguars, wild populations shift toward the herbivores, who proceed to eat plants into extinction, taking birds, bees, reptiles, amphibians and rodents with them. A tenet of ecology states that the world is green because carnivores eat herbivores. Yet the big carnivores continue to die out because we fear and hunt them and because they need more room than we preserve and connect.†Ã‚   Re-wilding is then done so that biodiversity survives and can expand to make produce more environmentally healthy habitats. If life a healthy habitat and ecosystem could be developed, the re-growth of natural environments for wildlife can help make a cleaner and healthier world to live in as long as human activities that negate biodiversity are lessened as well. Ganly, S. (2007) The Impact of Wildlife Extinction and the Importance of  Biodiversity. Retrieved from

Essay-developmental experiences Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

-developmental experiences - Essay Example Vygotsky focuses on development across the entire life span rather than development in stages and emphasizes the importance of the social environment within which a person grows as being a factor in development. He believed that the mental development of a human being is in a constantly evolving stage and culture is the primary factor that determines how an individual will develop.(Hahn, No Date). Therefore his theory ascribes a great deal of importance to the support systems that are established for a child to grow and develop; family and society are very important in contributing to the development of the individual. According to Vygotsky, â€Å"Every function in the child’s cultural development appears twice: first, between people (interpsychological) and then inside the child (intrapsychological). This applies equally to voluntary attention, to logical memory and to the formulation of ideas. All the higher functions originate as actual relationships between individuals.† (Vygotsky 1978:57) This highlights the importance that Vygotsky placed upon social interactions and relationships as a factor in both child and adult development. The kind of development that a child will have and the ability that will exist to function effectively as an adult. This is particularly applicable in my life because the person I have become is a reflection of many of the experiences I have had in early adulthood, which have shaped events as they stand now. I had a child at seventeen, was married and then divorced at eighteen. My relationship with my short term husband was a rocky one where there is a constant source of conflict that is generated between us almost all the time. My life remained traumatic after my divorce and was symbolized by constant changes and challenges. I moved into four different houses within the short space of two years, worked at a lot of jobs and had several different relationships during which I fell

Sunday, September 8, 2019

Renewabe Energy Sources Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Renewabe Energy Sources - Research Paper Example Renewable energy sources and the significant opportunities for the energy efficiency exist over a wide geographical area. Deployment of the renewable energy and technological diversification of the energy sources would result in a significant energy security and economic benefits (Johansson, 2007). There are several uncertainties surrounding the future of renewable sources of energy. There are claims that the available sources will be unable meet the demand in the future. In the past, the renewable energy has been terribly expensive to produce and use than fossils fuels. The renewable resources are mainly located in the remote areas, and it is terribly expensive to build the power lines in urban areas where electricity produced is needed. The use of this energy sources is also limited by the fact that they are not always available for use. During the cloudy days, they may be no solar power produced (Tiwari, 2012). When the winds are calm, and there is drought there would be no hydrop ower produced in such a case. The use and production of the renewable sources has grown in the recent years as a result of high prices of gas and natural oil. The use of this energy is expected to continue rising over the next thirty years, although EIA projects will have to continue relying on the non-renewable fuels in order to meet the energy needs. Other sources of energy like the fossils cause an environmental hazard because they contribute in the global warming. The United States is the leading consumer of energy; her energy is expected to rise in the future. Alternative sources will be used; this will ease the burden of importing petroleum products (Fra?ss-Ehrfeld, 2009). Therefore, U.S should be in the front line in developing the energy sources such as the wind and solar power. This will substantially boost the economy, hence reducing global warming and also help their citizen to save money. Unfortunately, oil companies have always been able to influence the department of E nergy to reject proposals on additional sources of energy. It has always been that the decision of the department on the project will depend on the opinions of the oil companies. Few countries have the capabilities of storing the energy for use. This is an exercise which requires funding; this makes it difficult to establish various points where the energy can be stored (Laughton, 2006). Sources like geothermal and water requires funds to implement the project. Lack of knowledge can also be a problem when implementing the project of renewable from of energy. Projects like geothermal and hydropower have to be implemented by electrical engineers, which might be a significant problem while finding one. Solar energy utilizes the infrared radiations to emit energy. This can be used at night and does not require additional resources. Despite requiring, no resources the people implementing must have the required knowledge to implement the project successfully. Energy is a necessary resourc e that is necessary for all industrial societies. Natural sources of energy like fossil fuels pose a risk to the environment. Other sources of energy are not sufficient to meet the demand for energy. These conditions require the United States to find alternative sources of energy. These alternative sources must meet the demands of energy which will reduce the risks of global warming. Th