What is Schizophrenia

Table of Contents Introduction What is Schizophrenia Studies on the Disorder Treatment Options The Success of Treatment Options Conclusion Reference List Introduction Many different psychological disorders that have been discovered in the medical world tend to afflict human beings thus affecting their day-to-day activities. Psychological disorders come in different ways. At the same time, they are tackled in different ways that can be described as the best in the present-day world of medicine.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on What is Schizophrenia? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Some psychological disorders can be described as acquired while some can be described as genetic depending on their manifestation in the human beings. The treatment and management of these disorders also vary, with some of the disorders being treatable and eliminated completely while some can only be controlled but not elimi nated. Different approaches are employed when dealing with psychological disorders. In fact, although different people can be diagnosed with the same disorder, they will show different signs individually and hence the conclusion that psychological disorders show different indicators that make up a certain disorder when put together. As the study reveals, one such disorder that can be described as complex is schizophrenia because of the different ways it manifests in human being as well as the different forms it afflicts its victims. What is Schizophrenia Schizophrenia as a disease or mental disorder has been in existence for a very long time, as long as humans have existed. Previously, the classification of mental illnesses was so poor that almost all mental illnesses were lumped together without trying to sort them out (Sullivan, 2003, p. 1187). Way back in the year 1911, a Swiss doctor called Eugene Blair coined the name schizophrenia from two Greek words, ‘schizo’, m eaning split, and the word ‘phrene’, meaning mind, and hence the term schizophrenia that means a disconnected mind. The disease comes in different forms by exhibiting different characteristics specific to an individual case. In most cases, an individual would exhibit one or more of the following characteristics, which are pointers to the disease. They include delusions, which are strange and unrealistic beliefs that go on in an individual’s mind in that they tend to see things that other people are not seeing (Lilienfeld et al. 2010). The signs also include hearing of sounds other people cannot hear, and some strange beliefs that something is going to happen to the victims. The mind of the individual makes them have abnormal a feeling about their surrounding environment. They also have hallucinations, which will make them have a reaction of the presence of things that are actually not there. In this case, people will hear voices that are just in their minds, smel l things that are not there, and/or have different tastes from what is expected (Sullivan, 2003, p. 1189).Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More The individuals will also exhibit strange behavior when viewed by normal people. The behavior that can be described as uncanny. In some cases, the individuals will have a very unsystematic dialogue in that a mature individual will not be able to make a sensible statement due to his or her mixing of different words. The speech of a mature person in this case can be described as that of a small child who is learning to talk. Some forms of schizophrenia come with disjointed and severely diminished cognitive abilities in that victims lose most of their mental faculties (Lilienfeld et al. 2010). In fact, they cannot therefore do any constructive thing. In some cases, the individual will not be in a position to do anything without being instruc ted on what do and how to do it. In case the victims have taken the initiative to do something, they will omit some steps, which make whatever they are doing appear odd (McGlashan, 1988, p. 516). Signs vary from one individual to the other as well as severity of the condition. Some persons can be described as being in a permanent state of the condition while others will oscillate between being fully normal and suffering from bouts of the disease. Schizophrenia strikes its victims in their late adolescence or in their early stages of adulthood although it is also known to strike anytime of an individual’s lifetime. The real cause of schizophrenia has never been pinpointed to date. However, experts are working on a theory that points it to be a result between biological predispositions, which are genetic in nature and the environment in which one grows up (Daly, 2013, p. 716). This claim is the line of research that researchers are slowly developing with the belief that it will give answers to the question of its origin. Another cause for schizophrenia can be drug abuse. Effects of drug abuse can lead to the impairment of the cognitive functions of the brain in that the victim will start behaving abnormally due to hallucinations and delusions. Pregnancy has also been listed as another cause of schizophrenia, with different elements during a woman’s pregnancy acting as a trigger for the same. Schizophrenia comes in different levels such that some types of schizophrenia can be described as acute while others can be described as mild (Sullivan, 2003, p. 1189). People with schizophrenia can have lucid moments in that sometimes they are fully normal with their mental functions being performed in order. However, in some other times, they are very schizophrenic.Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on What is Schizophrenia? specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Studies on the Disorder Sci entists have conducted different major studies across the world as they try to find the main causes of schizophrenia as well as solutions to the problem. The biggest challenge that many studies have faced has been the inability to pin point exactly what causes the problem because finding the cause would lead to better solutions to the problem. The manifestation of the disease is what makes it a big challenge to researchers who are trying to find its exact cause. One of the challenges is that schizophrenia has so many different symptoms. In this case, only when they are put together that the person can be rightly diagnosed as suffering from the disease (Meltzer, 2002, p. 280). Therefore, research in the field of schizophrenia is wide due to the width with which the schizophrenia problem comes. Each research has been narrowed down to a specific problem that the researchers think is the cause or they think might lead them to a solution. Broad Institute of Harvard, the MIT, and the Mass achusetts General Hospital have conducted one of the major studies on schizophrenia under the leadership of Mark Daly. The aim of the study was to find the genetic difference between people suffering from schizophrenia, bipolar disease, and other unaffected people. The study involved over 10000 people suffering from schizophrenia, 7000 people suffering from bipolar, and a large number of unaffected people. The study was meant to narrow down genetic differences between the three groups as a way of pin pointing the genetic traits associated with schizophrenia. The study discovered 10 genetic risk factors that are highly associated with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Besides, it also discovered three specific genes that are suspected to be the cause of the two diseases (Daly, 2013, p.730). The study was meant to find a common link between schizophrenia and genes, which are usually transferable from one offspring to the other. Another study on schizophrenia, which is one of the man y studies on the same disease, was to find out the relationship between the disease, genetic traits, and the environment. The study found that the heritability liability of schizophrenia was 81%, which means that schizophrenia is a highly heritable disease arising due to genetic traits that can be inherited. 11% of the problem in victims was attributed to common and shared environment. The study came out with a conclusion that schizophrenia is highly influenced by genes and the environment although it does not show the cause of the disease. The study simply reinforces previous theories that point the origins of schizophrenia to both genes and the environment (Daly, 2013, p. 735). Another study by McGlashan (1988) found that schizophrenia, as a mental disease can be chronic to the extent that its effects become worse in relation to those of other known major mental illnesses.Advertising Looking for research paper on psychology? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More In these findings, schizophrenia can lead to increased risks of suicide in its victims, instances of physical health, and cases of mortality. According to McGlashan (1988), the disease comes out in the open after a period of between 5-10 years after its manifestation meaning that it can remain unnoticed in an individual for some time, as it develops before it comes out evidently (p. 520). The study finds that long-term studies on the disease so far have not come up with any conclusion on the history of treatment of the disease, meaning that the treatment of the disease has not been concluded as effective. Studies on the disorder can be described as continuous because no authoritatively conclusive study has been made so far. Different theories on the disease continue to be studied while new theories also come up at the same time to try to find a solution. Therefore, any information so far being used in the field cannot be described as conclusive, but as part of a continuous study. Tr eatment Options One factor that underlies schizophrenia treatment is that it is a disease whose cause is not yet known and that it comes in different manifestations. This case therefore complicates the treatment regime that any physician has to offer because it is a trial and error at the end of the day. Every single schizophrenic case has to be approached individually because different victims have different symptoms besides having different combinations of symptoms (Meltzer, 2002, p. 280). This complication therefore restricts the physician to observe case by case in an effort to administer drugs according to their opinion on the individual case. The treatment methods commonly in the application are based on a clinical research that has been conducted on the disease as well as on the experience of the physician on the treatment of the disease. Usually, the approach that the physician will employ will depend on the ability of the strategy to reduce the effects and symptoms of the d isease as well as an approach that is believed will reduce the chances of the disease coming back. Treatment for the condition happens in two ways: medical treatment or psychosocial treatment (Sullivan, 2003, p. 1188). Medical treatment of the disease usually involves the use of antipsychotic medicine, which has been available since 1950s. These drugs are not known to cure the problem. Rather, they are known to reduce psychotic symptoms to allow the individual to behave like a normal person. So far, this treatment has been identified as the most effective. An experienced physician who specializes in mental cases can administer it. The choices of drugs and dosage are the prerogative of the physician because treatment is done on a case-by-case basis. Many schizophrenic cases as explained above differ in symptoms and intensity. Although psychotic medication has been known to work well for schizophrenic cases, it sometimes does not work in others in that patients may fail completely to respond to the drug thus making it useless to administer the said drug on them (Sullivan, 2003, p. 1189). Some patients will mildly respond to the drugs being administered. This case would require higher doses of the drug for them to be effective. Although it is effective in treating and managing schizophrenia, almost all anti psychotic drugs have negative side effects that might not be pleasant at all to the patient. Some of the commonly used drugs include Clozapine, which is registered as Clozaril. It has been touted as the best antipsychotic drug ever to be used. However, its use comes with severe side effects to the user of the drug with the development of agronulocytocis, which is a condition that diminishes white blood cells thus reducing the individual’s immunity. Risperidone is another drug that can be used to treat psychosis, which in this case is schizophrenia. The drug has fewer side effects compared to Clozapine. However, it is not as effective as Clozapine. Olaza pine is another antipsychotic drug that works like Risperidone but not as effective as Clozapine (Meltzer, 2002, p. 280). Many other drugs are still being developed. Thus, they are not yet in the market. On the other hand, other drugs that can be used in treating schizophrenia have been found to treat specific symptoms. Hence, they cannot be counted upon to treat other symptoms. This makes them less effective. Psychotherapy can also be used as treatment for schizophrenia in some cases through rehabilitation of the individual, family education, individual psychotherapy, and self-help groups. The use of psychotherapy can only be applicable in cases where the individuals respond to the treatment. The physician can only determine this treatment. Psychosocial therapy is mostly applied when the individual seems to have developed schizophrenia due to environmental influences. The Success of Treatment Options The success of treatment options for schizophrenia can only be stated in relative terms due to the manner in which the disease manifests itself and the stage the treatment for the disease has reached. So far, there is no cure for schizophrenia. The only available solution has been to tame the situation as the patient continues to use drugs. Many patients who have been diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia have had to live with the condition for the rest of their lives because it is not curable (Sullivan, 2003, p. 1191). The only solution that most of them have had with this condition is that some cases have been able to have the condition suppressed for a longtime without them relapsing. This far is the closest to cure to which patients with schizophrenia can come close. The biggest challenge that remains is that the disease comes in many different forms with either individual symptoms or a combination of symptoms. This case is a challenge because the psychiatrist has to deal with individual symptoms as they try to sort them because each symptom has its own d rug. A mixture of some of the drugs used can be dangerous to the patient. Therefore, in most cases, the patient is treated for one condition at a time. The use of more effective drugs such as Clozapine has other devastating effects on the patient. The drug is overly effective in its application. However, its side effects are dangerous as well. For instance, patients under Clozapine need to have their blood tested very often to check the white blood cells count because the drug tends to diminish the white cells (Meltzer, 2002, p. 280). Inadequate white cells mean that the body’s immune system will be lowered because they are responsible for the immune system of the body. Success in treatment options can be described as successful in individual cases where the patient has responded positively to the treatment. This varies with individual cases because there are those patients who will respond positively to the therapy while there are those who will not respond at all. Treatment of schizophrenia starts with a trial-and-error mode as the physician tries out different treatment plans for the individual. It takes some time before the physician figures out the exact plan for an individual patient. At the end of the day, the plan might work or fail (Daly, 2013, p. 750). Treatment options offered so far can be deemed successful as far as offering the best they can because that is the best that the industry can offer. They have been known to control the disease in an individual successfully. The only point that should be noted is that the disease never goes away and that the patient has to be on the lookout in case they relapse. This will force them to go back to treatment. On the other hand, some patients might have to be fully dependent on the drugs for them to behave normally because they might not look properly wired without the drugs. Whereas treatment has worked in some cases, it has failed completely to work for some patients in some other cases (Meltzer, 2002, p. 280). In these instances, patients have had to be confined in facilities that will allow them to be taken care of, or they have to be heavily sedated as a way of keeping them calm. These two methods can be punitive to the patient. However, at the same time, they can be the only available solutions to them. Conclusion Schizophrenia as a mental disorder continues to pose challenges to the medical world on the best solutions that can be found to take care of it. The challenge of finding its main cause remains large because there is still no solution ahead with the present-day technology. The complexity of the problem has made it worse by complicating its description in that it cannot be described by one or two words. So far, the only hope of finding the main cause of the problem lies with finding the exact genetic connection as well as the environmental connection to the problem. Reference List Daly, M. (2013). Genetics connection In Schizophrenia. Nature Genetics, 45(7), 715- 841. Lilienfeld, S. et al. (2010). Psychology: A Framework for Everyday Thinking. London: Pearson Publishers. McGlashan, T. (1988). A Selective Review of North American Follow Up Studies of Schizophrenia. Schizophrenia Bullettin, 14(4), 515-542. Meltzer, H. (2002). Suicidality in Schizophrenia: A Review of the Evidence for Risk Factors Treatment Options. Current Psychiatry Reports, 4(4), 279-283. Sullivan, P. (2003). Schizophrenia as a Complex Trait Evidence from a Meta-Analysis of Twin. Jama Psychiatry, 60(12), 1187-1192. This research paper on What is Schizophrenia? was written and submitted by user Duncan Mccall to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Total Quality Management In Construction

Total Quality Management In Construction Free Online Research Papers The major new element in world market competition is quality. During the 1970?s and 1980?s, the Japanese and their U.S. companies demonstrated that high quality is achievable at lower costs and greater customer satisfaction. It was the result of using the management principles of total quality management (TQM). More and more U.S. companies have demonstrated that such achievements are possible Using TQM as a new way to manage. Such companies also found that they were recognized with everyone pulling in the same direction.Improvement had become a way of live. Improving competitive position and profit has always been the responsibility of management. Before the 1980?s, U.S. management was broadly successful. Until then the dominant management model was that of the autocrat.Management, primly senior management, decided how the business was to operate, including what the policies and objectives were; how it was organized; what jobs were established; and how should they be done. It was an unquestioned axiom that if everyone did what the upper management required, the business would be successful. Organizations are composed of the people in them and the managers who lead them. People respond strongly to leadership expectations and rewards. If they are given little power in their jobs, they have little interest in improving them. If leaders exhort the members for better output but reward (promotions, bonuses, recognition) for mostly higher output, they get the behavior they reward. Quantity over quality has been a common management philosophy in the United States. The first step in implementing TQM requires the an upper-management change in both philosophy and behavior. Managers must adopt the objectives of customer satisfaction and continuous improvement. They must implement the change to achieve these objectives through their personal and continuous involvement and in the reeducation of everyone in the organization in TQM principles and practices. The past philosophy of management can work reasonably well if a company dominates world markets. When markets become complex and worldwide with more and stronger competitors, a new model is needed. Asian companies and some in the United States have demonstrated that there is a more effective way to manage, quite different from the autocratic model: It is employee involvement in quality improvement. These companies also introduce high quality at lower cost as a competitive element, thereby changing the competitive equation for everyone. TQM is a way to continuously improve performance at every level of operation, in every functional area of an organization, using all available human and capital resources. Improvement is addressed toward satisfying board goals such as cost, quality, market share, schedule, and growth. It demands commitment and discipline, and an ongoing effort. The quality management process includes the integration of all employees, suppliers, and customers, within the corporate environment. It embraces two underlying tenets: Quality management is a capability which inherent in your employees. Quality management is a controllable process, not an accidental one. The idea of an integrated, human-orientated systems approach to management was successfully used by W. Edwards Deming in the 1950?s. Deming told the Japanese that they could become world-class leaders if they followed his advice and they did. He lectured top Japanese business leaders on statistical quality control. He proposed a system that would change the approach to management in many ways. Today, this system is the pillar of TQM philosophy. These components make up the strategic portion of the quality pyramid (figure. 1). There are mainly eight functional elements from which other concepts flow. These are: 1.Organizational vision Organizational vision provides the frame work that guides a firm?s believes and values. The gist of the corporate vision should be a simple, one sentence guide or motto that every employee knows, and more important, believes. If well crafted, the vision statement can serve through a torrent of change in product and service technology. T he strategic vision needs to consider both the external customer and the employees, but should lack a defining or differentiating phrase between them. For example, General Motors provides all employees a card with its strategic vision, including a cause-effect diagram that indicates the importance of team work (figure 2). Simply stating a vision is not enough. It needs to be demonstrated by the actions of the executives, managers , superiors, foremen, and individuals. It should be done continuously in all their actions and initiatives. Moreover, deliberation must be exercised in developing these goals and strategies. They must reflect the values and culture of the work force. While top-management commitment is essential, managers should realize when to lead and when to get out of the way. In a sense quality management is management from the bottom up. An atmosphere of responsibility must be created toward the customer for whatever product is produced or service is rendered (fig.3, below). Figure 3 Strategies in Successful Vision Implementation Demonstrate commitment. Inform suppliers. Maintain a constancy of purpose. Take a long-term view. Create more leaders. Establish meaningful goals. Examine your mission. Discuss TQM with peers. Behavior and action must be consistent with goal. Build awareness. 2. Barrier Removal It is inevitable that change will be resisted. In fact, a great deal of effort in quality management is expended in overcoming such resistance, usually by allowing change to come from individuals directly involved, rather from management. The whole idea of continuous improvement leads to continuous change. Some of these barriers are: ?. We know what they really want (without asking them). ?. Quality is not a major factor in decisions-low initial cost mentality prevails. ?. Creative accounting can increase corporate performance. ?. Can?t manufacture competitively at the low end. ?. The job of senior management is strategy, not operations. ?. Success is good, failure is bad. ?. If it isn?t broke, don?t fix it. ?. The key disciplines from which to draw senior management are finance and marketing. ?. Increase in quality means increase in cost. ?. Thinking that time, quality, cost are the worst mutuality exclusive, at best we can only choose two out of three. The following are the steps to barrier removal: I. Identify barrier. As seen above some of these barriers may apply effecting progress. II. Place into categories. Related barriers and their systemic causes may now be analyzed. Categorization may be facilitated by using either cause-effect diagrams or quality function deployment. III. Establish priority. An objective process that is not influenced by management or hidden agenda must be developed. At this stage barriers are judged on their validity in accordance with the severity of the problem. IV. Problem solve. This means more than symptoms removal. Sick organizations do not recover for the long term if the symptoms are masked. It is vital to address the root of the problem. The elimination of one barrier may solve many problems for example poor communication between management and staff. Keep in mind that analyzing the problem should include estimates of resources required for it solution. V. Goals and strategies for resolution. Resolution of problems may entail goals over a period of months or years. Goals should be realistic and attainable with the given resources. Strategies ensure that goals can be accomplished. Bear in mind that numerical goals as such may not be what is required. Numerical goals may also limit the amount of growth, particularly in organizations used to working up to an average. 3.Communication Communication is the glue that binds all the techniques, practices, philosophies, and tools. Communication may be written, verbal, or nonverbal. Understanding and refining skills for each main type communication is an ongoing process for everyone. All forms of communication involve four elements: the sender, the receiver, the message, and the medium. The medium is the method of delivery, and can effect the message. It was said that the medium is the message, referring in part to the filtering effects that can happen to the message and how personality factors may influence our understanding (figure. 4). VI. Written Communication. Office memos and reports are the result of hundreds of hours (studies indicate anywhere from 21% to 70% of office workers? time is spent in manipulating written information) of work, and their final form should be worthy of spending some time to get words right. The use of white space and graphical elements such as charts and figures enhances the readability of any written piece. Given the vast amount of time spent on reading and creating memos, letters, proposals, and the like, the byword on written communication should be more is better, and the less is permanent (memos sent electronically, faxes, hand notes on the bottom of the letters, rather than typed, recorded reply) the better. VII. Verbal. Verbal communication takes place in many different settings, and the form of the communication will vary. One sort of vocabulary may be used to address shareholders and a different idiom may be used altogether when chatting with construction workers. The skills principally lacking in verbal communication are public speaking and small group interactions. Public speaking scares people to death. This fear may be overcome by training(organizing and practice), videotaping the presentation (to review latter), and practice(on small group to build confidence). Small group interactions are essential to buildup comfort and ease among the group. It will provide a sense of team work and it is vital to have small talk among the team. VIII. Nonverbal. Humans infer a great deal of information from nonverbal clues. This non verbal clues includes body language as well as things as dress for success. Psychologists believe that nonverbal clues lead to gut feels about how to interact with another person. Despite the similarities of nonverbal communication, there are cultural differences, and is probably most important to understand these, rather than reading individuals body language. It is easy to fall into the trap of overanalyzing nonverbal clues and infusing them with meaning, when, for example, someone may be hard of hearing or near/far-sighted rather than being inattentive (or too attentive). 4.Continuous Evaluation Feedback is essential to continuous improvement. How else would we know if our goals are being reached?. These feedback mechanisms may be simple oral or written reports, information systems, or complex automated statistical analyses integrated with our expert systems. The key is to receive the information in time to allow initiating corrective action. For example, in construction feedback from engineers, subcontractors and so forth can help us as managers to find new ways to reduce cost and schedule. Feedback may also help architects to find the best way to construct a building and therefore effecting the design. We also should understand and separate assessable causes from chance causes. Assessable causes have distinct reasons for there existence, while chance causes are those causes that we have no control over. 5.Continuous Improvement Unlike innovation, which require great resources, and no small amount of serendipity, continuous improvement is easier to manage and utilize everyone?s talent. Japanese companies have used this idea for some time, and call thisapproach kaizen. This idea fits hand in hand with team building approach. Kaizen and innovation are compared in figure 5 below. Figure 5. Improvement versus Innovation Continuous Improvement Innovation Effect long term and long lasting but undramatic. Shot term, but dramatic. PaceTime frame Small steps.Continuous and incremental. Big steps.Intermittent and nonincremental. Change InvolvementApproach Gradual and constant.Everybody.Collectivism, group efforts, systems approach. Abrupt and volatile.Select few champions.Rugged individualism, individual ideas and efforts. Mode Maintenance and improvement. Scrap and rebuild. Spark Conventional know-how and state of the art. Technological breakthroughs, new inventions, new theories. Practical requirements. Requires little investment but great effort to maintain it. Requires large investment but little effort to maintain it. Effort orientationEvaluation criteria People.Process and efforts for better results. Technology.Result for profit. Advantage Works well in slow-growth economy. Better suited to fast-growth economy. To reduce cost and time and increase productivity, in any industry, the focus must be projected on the process that produces the product. Improving the process in construction, for example, reduced or may eliminate costly change orders and therefore reduced complexity and time. Through inspection and analysis of the process, everyone shares a common learning experience and the accumulated knowledge and understanding of the process become the basis for improving it. Precepts of Quality Improvement ?. Quality leadership must begin with top management. ?. The most important aspect of quality is identifying the activities within the organization that effect quality. ?. Written procedure are one of the necessary communication media by which the management functions of directing and controlling are exercised. ?. One of the most critical activities in quality improvement is preparing a clear, concise description of the services to be acquired. ?. The cost, time, and effort devoted to evaluating and selecting suppliers must be commensurate with the importance of the goods and services to be procured. ?. Quality audits must determine the adequacy of, and compliance with, established policies, procedures, instructions, specifications, codes, standard and contractual requirements. Quality audits must also assess the effectiveness of their implementation. ?. The simple objective of most quality audits is to gather enough reliable data through inspectio n, observation, and inquiry to make reasonable assessment of the quality of the activity being audited. ?. the foundation of quality control is having timely and accurate information so that systems that are not capable of producing consistent quality can be identified and improved. ?. An effective quality cost program can help the management team to allocate strategic resources for improving quality and reducing costs. ?. Productivity, profit, and quality are the ultimate measure of success of the production system. 6.Customer/Vendor Relationship The hearing the voice of the customer has become a key phrase in the past few years. This would seem to be a obvious point but it?s not. After world war II, The United States was the only major country that did not have a devastated economic infrastructure. Therefore, it was able to produce items of any quality and sell them. Industries were internally driven and not customer driven. As the glob markets grow, new competitors with new technologies approached these markets providing better quality products and involving the customers. This approach worked miracles for these new industries and valuable lessons should be learned from this. Here are some strategies for improving customer and vendor relation: ?. Link organizational vision to customer satisfaction. ?. Reward suppliers. ?. Move to a single source. ?. Minimize the overall number of vendors. ?. Identify the internal and external customers. Identify end users and distributors. ?. Establish routine dialogue with customers. ?. Involve the customer in planning and development. Keep in mind that vendors must be qualified and have policies that are compatible with yours. Viewing these vendors as partners, rather than adversaries leads to the ability to implement successfully such cost-saving measures as just-in-time, whereby materials arrive as needed to the construction site. 7.Empowering The Worker Empowering the worker means enabling the worker to achieve his or her highest potential. For most American companies, this is new, and may be the most powerful and useful concept in quality management. Allowing and facilitating workers to achieve their highest potential may seem obvious or impossible, but in fact it is neither. Empowering requires turning the organizations chart upside down, recognizing that management is in a place to aid the worker in overcoming problems they encounter, not to place new roadblocks on the way. Empowering strategies may include: I. Ownership. A key strategy in empowering employees is to allow them ownership of tasking,project, or division. Ownership implies trust and requires a delegation of authority commensurate with the responsibility of the task. Ownership can also be granted to a team. Ownership also demands that the final resolution of the tasking be in the hands of the owner. II. Value all contributions. Whether or not we appreciate them, it is important to enhance self-esteem of the contributor to accept their contribution and evaluate it. III. Every one has a value. If they didn?t why would they be employed? Treat everyone with respect. All work has dignity to it. IV. Teams must own problem. Teams are a waste of time if management vetoes or substantially changes their recommendation. If management is unable to trust the recommendations that come from the team, then management fear rules, and will spiral to lower and lower productivity. V. Delegate authority to the lowest possible organizational level. Constantly ask: why should I do this? If you have hired competent people, let them do there job. No one knows about the job than the person directly involved with it. 8.Training The outcome of training is modified behavior. It may be enhanced interpersonal skills or specific manual skills, but there is a direct, identifiable modification. Training need not consist solely of traditional classroom instruction. Employees can train other employees very effectively. A company-wide curriculum should be developed that address the needs of each department. Courses should be just long enough to be effective. Anything over three or four days is unlikely to immediately be absorbed into daily work habits. Immediate reinforcement of the training is necessary to be effective. Bibliography 1. R. Stein, The Next Phase of Total Quality Management., Macel Dekker, Inc.,1994. 2. T. Cartin, Principles and Practices of TQM., ASQC Quality Press.,1993. 1. W. Schmidt and J. Finnigan, TQManager., Jossey-Bass Publishers., 1993. 1. B.Brocka and S. Brocka, Quality Management: Implementing The Best Ideas Of the Masters. Irwin, Inc.,1992. 2. H. Kerzner, Project Managment., Van Nostrand Reinhold.,1992. The Catholic University of America Total Quality Management In Construction Research Papers on Total Quality Management In ConstructionThe Project Managment Office SystemAnalysis of Ebay Expanding into AsiaDefinition of Export QuotasOpen Architechture a white paperBionic Assembly System: A New Concept of SelfMarketing of Lifeboy Soap A Unilever ProductIncorporating Risk and Uncertainty Factor in CapitalPETSTEL analysis of IndiaInfluences of Socio-Economic Status of Married MalesTwilight of the UAW

Collective Effort and Collective Liability Essay

Collective Effort and Collective Liability - Essay Example These intentional misuses of personal information are punishable whether they are carried out by hand, through the conventional postage system, or through electronic means (18 U.S.C. section 1028 (c).   Because the Identity Theft Act of 1998 was deemed an inadequate deterrent, Congress passed the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act in 2004 in order to increase sentences for violators of the 1998 Act (18 U.S.C. 1028A).   Despite these new laws, and the enhanced punishments, identity theft continues to plague individuals (Lahey & Matejkovic, 2001), businesses (Beales, 2002; Collins, 2003), and even powerful and well-resourced governmental organizations (Identity Theft.   Internal Revenue Service, nd; Kahn & Roberds, 2005).   The irony is that the identity theft crime has many enemies, legislation in place to criminalize all acts associated with identity theft, enhanced punishment legislation, and yet the crime is increasing rather than decreasing; clearly, therefore, current responses are inadequate.   Even a cursory examination of the relevant data and statistics is sobering.   From a financial point of view, Collins notes that â€Å"Personal identity theft is a $100-billion perannum industry worldwide; however,†¦the cost of stolen business identities can be expected to be even greater† (2003).   The statistics are similarly disturbing in terms of the sheer number of individuals, businesses, and governmental organizations which have been victimized in some.... As a preliminary matter, identity theft is defined by federal statute. The Identity Theft Act defines identity theft as occurring whenever a person "knowingly and without lawful authority produces an identification document or a false identification document" (18 U.S.C. section 1028(a)(1), 1998) or otherwise possesses, transfers, uses, or creates an identification document or false identification document while knowing that any of these acts are unlawful. (18 U.S.C. sections1028 (a)(2)-(a)(7), 1998). These intentional misuses of personal information are punishable whether they are carried out by hand, through the conventional postage system, or through electronic means (18 U.S.C. section 1028 (c). Because the Identity Theft Act of 1998 was deemed an inadequate deterrent, Congress passed the Identity Theft Penalty Enhancement Act in 2004 in order to increase sentences for violators of the 1998 Act (18 U.S.C. 1028A). Despite these new laws, and the enhanced punishments, identity theft continues to plague individuals (Lahey & Matejkovic, 2001), businesses (Beales, 2002; Collins, 2003), and even powerful and well-resourced governmental organizations (Identity Theft. Internal Revenue Service, nd; Kahn & Roberds, 2005). The irony is that the identity theft crime has many enemies, legislation in place to criminalize all acts associated with identity theft, enhanced punishment legislation, and yet the crime is increasing rather than decreasing; clearly, therefore, current responses are inadequate. Even a cursory examination of the relevant data and statistics is sobering. From a financial point of view, Collins notes that

America Identity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

America Identity - Essay Example   This essay focuses on the evolving nature of the American identity as well as discussing immigration issues, racial equality, diversity, assessing the nation’s failures and successes in these fields. While pursuing my undergraduate level, we were asked by our lecture if we were second generation Americans. The term â€Å"second generation Americans† had never occurred to me in my previous experiences, let alone connect with my individuality before, but it certainly applied to me (Foundation Kelley, 1). I learnt that, apart from out of roughly thirty students in my class only two of us were second generation Americans. The rest of the students were like the parental side of my family. A lot of American people perceive that the American creed as the key of American identity. The American Creed outlines the representation of the principles of liberty, equality, identity, representative government, and private property. Individuality is a complicated matter, particularly because it is such a flawed theory (Foundation Kelley, 1). Personal identities are always fluctuating and unstable as we have past familiarities and mirror upon our past and present circumstances. We do different individualities around different people and it becomes unbearable to agree. For instance, my name varies subject to what the crowd of people I am with. When am with my college friends, they know me with a different name from my High School and work friends. The most critical aspect with regard to my American identity is the fact that, my founding parents were immigrants. However, this has constantly made me feel more American. My founding parents move here from their place of origin have always made the melting pot more factual to me. I’m confident that if they had been immigrants to somewhere else, I would be a much different person compared to now. Growing up hearing, listening and knowing another language

Heroin Crisis Center Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Heroin Crisis Center - Essay Example Long Island has recently seen an increase in heroin use that has ended the lives of some teenagers due to overdose (Cuadra-Fernandez). The options for the addict and the non-addict user seem to be limited to either continuing use or making the huge step in entering rehab. This proposal intends to show that an intermediary facility that can help during times of crisis and will provide a conduit for the user towards rehabilitation without forcing them into treatment. Through offering services that address the needs of the user in order to keep them alive, it is hoped that eventually they will enter rehabilitation and end their addictive behaviors before it results in death. Heroin is a drug that is extracted from poppies, making it a lucrative crop drug for many nations without other resources. There are three forms of the drug, one being a white powder, the other being a brown powder, and the last being a black, sticky product that is referred to as ‘black tar’. Heroin is often diluted with substances that look similar to the type of product that is being sold, such as adding powdered milk to white powder to extend its volume. Sometimes, however, a substance that is toxic such as strychnine will be found in the drug, increasing the harmful effects and possibly leading to a more assured death through drug overdose (Cuadra-Fernandez). The drug is so powerful that anytime an addict is not on heroin, they are suffering from withdrawal, so any day that is spent without the drug is painful and miserable for the user (Rasmussen and Benson 47). According to Moraes, there are two terms that refer to the type of use that a user of heroin will fall into. A ‘chipper’ is an occasional user who uses the drug recreationally and with an addiction that requires a focused attention to the drug. A ‘junkie’ is someone who cannot go without the drug and has behaviors that can be described as associated with addiction. Stephens discusses types o f heroin users and labels them either addicts or the concerned non-addicts. Concerned non-addicts are in jeopardy of becoming an addict and have a concern towards that regard. Non-concerned non-addicts have no fear that they will become addicts. In comparing the types of users, the addict typically is no longer in mainstream life, their lifestyle is more deviant, they are likely to be unemployed, and have a higher rate of other criminal activity to support their habit. The concerned non-addict tend to still be â€Å"bonded to conventional activities. They were more likely to be high school graduates, avoided engaging in illegal activities, and expressed concern about the consequences of heroin use on their job and families’ (Stephans 61). Beyond the influences the use of heroin in its pharmacological effects, are the medical issues that can come from the use of the drug. Because the drug is often administered through hypodermic needle, the risks of blood pathogens being tran smitted are very high. Diseases such as HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B can be a very real outcome to drug use (Cuadra-Fernandez). As well, the social consequences can be higher than expected, especially for a teenager who is unprepared for the permanence that can result when the drug use leads to arrest, overdose, or discovery which will all lead to the behavior being revealed to family and friends, thus placing them in a position of being somewhat of an outcast. The group that the crisis center that is proposed in this paper would address would be primarily made up of ’chippers’ and concerned non-addicts, their use not yet putting them into the downward social and physical spiral that an addict will experience. While the center would certainly

Margaret Thatcher and Martin Luther King Speech Comparison

Margaret Thatcher and Martin Luther King Speech Comparison With reference to the two speakers Margaret Thatcher and Martin Luther King, compare the way in which English may be used for rhetorical purposes in political and religious speeches. Collins Dictionary defines ‘rhetoric’ as ‘the art or study of using language effectively and persuasively’ and it is no surprise that such a skill is often in evidence with great politicians or religious leaders. The need to actively promote ones message in a good light, especially if it is a controversial decision that will be open to debate, is vital and can mean the difference between success and failure. Indoctrination or persuasion of the masses has, since the very dawn of primitive communication, set opinionated beings against each other and propelled those who are able to work effectively within the recognised techniques of rhetoric into the limelight of society. Indeed, historical figures from Gandhi to Hitler have used vocal stimulus to spread their message and influence the masses, and through various techniques, well constructed rhetorical speeches are effectively ‘audience management devices’ giving their listeners cues, reference po ints and the suggested positions of applause. Within this essay, I will be investigation Thatcher’s and King’s manipulation of such techniques.   Beginning with Margaret Thatcher’s speech to the Conservative Party Bournemouth conference in 1990, it is interesting to note how she begins her speech with an impassioned mention of a former colleague killed in Ireland. Building up to what will later become a key issue in her speech, she utilizes emotive language ‘Before he was murdered by the IRA, Ian taught us how a civilised community should respond to such an outrage’ insinuating the absolute guilt of the IRA and to set a tone of compassion within her rhetoric that must have softened the hearts of her audience and helped gain ‘their approval and support for her and their messages and sentiments.’ However, in Martin Luther Kings 1963 ‘I have a dream’ address to a great wave of protesting civil rights campaigners, the tone is somewhat different. Rather than speaking to a more contained group of political figures, he is responsible for enflaming the hearts of thousands of concerned individuals who may well however have come from all walks of life, and his opening rhetoric seems to reflect this. Rather than Thatcher’s heartfelt vote of sympathy for a colleague presumably known by most within the conference, Luther Kings audiences only common ground is their struggle and desire to take action, and he attempts to arrest the feeling of this need. ‘I am happy to join with you today in what will go down in history as the greatest demonstration for freedom in the history of our nation.’   Here, King is dealing in emotive absolutes, building up the importance of the event, and stirring he crowd into excitement and attentiveness, ready to take in the re st of his great speech. Indeed, religious and civil rights speakers, like Luther King, often depend rather more on verbal eloquence and spontaneous creativity than their political counterparts. In a setting that is less formal and subject to passions rather than cleverly crafted spin, little of these speeches may be scribed in advance and an old African tradition of ‘call and response’ has been noted by the linguistic researchers ‘Keith and Whittenberger Keith (1986.) Indeed, this is evident several times over in Kings speech, firstly as a call to all in the first line, and then again with open comments ‘Let us not wallow in the valley of despair’ and of course, the famous ‘I have a dream’ statement. Both of these lines, and more in the speech besides, showcase this ‘call and response’, while one notes that in Margaret Thatcher’s speech she appears to address and name check ‘Mr President’ when she addresses her audience, offering a more official line of diction. It is also evident that King, in the style of such old African or Pentecostal preachers, uses stark proverbs and a great deal of imagery within his words to ensure that his point is shown starkly to the many different sections of the community, both educated and not, that may be watching him perform. Using metaphor in describing his peoples struggle to being dealt an unfair deal in society, ‘In a sense weve come to our nations capital to cash a check,’ he constructs an entire paragraph around the paradigm of the need for money, a common problem everyone can relate too, and thus brilliantly engages his audience. Thatcher of course has the luxury of a fully engaged audience and prefers to allude to very real policy discussion, and witty asides that a fully educated audience of Conservative members can appreciate, once again proving that targeting ones audience is extremely important in the process of exploiting rhetoric. However, despite these subtle differences, it is noticeable that the arts and techniques of rhetoric, as studied and scribed by the researcher Atkinson, are commonly used in both King’s and Thatcher’s speeches. Obviously, despite being different types of rhetoric, quasi-religious/political and straight political, an underlying need to hold attention and elicit response is needed and so it is unsurprising that the ‘three part list’ is noticeable in both of these speeches. In Thatcher one such example is ‘Theyre quite short speeches. [laughter][fo 9] Monosyllables even. [laughter] Short monosyllables’ and within Kings address ‘We cannot walk alone; and as we walk, we must make the pledge that we shall always march ahead. We cannot turn back.’ Both obviously important moments in the speeches, Thatcher’s to insinuate a sense of party unity and witty aside, while Kings insists unrepentant solidarity and progress, the use of this ‘three point list’, simply a point made via the use of three specific components, is vital in amplifying general ideas and stimulating audience response. Coupled with this, and often obvious within such triplets, is the use of repetition, and to some extent rhyme, that is produced in these speeches. King repeats ‘I have a dream’ at the beginning of eight sentences rising to a feverish crescendo of spoken word politics to amplify and continuously reinforce his message (see end of his speech) and Thatcher uses the device more sparsely to achieve similar results. ‘new jobs. Better jobs. Cleaner jobs.’ Such ‘rhyming’ words coupled with exciting imagery within them (King uses ‘sweltering’ and ‘Oasis’ to compare the contemporary situation and his future vision of the state of Mississippi) can excite an audience and also give them a cue to respond in applause or a ‘holler back’ situation, depending on the nature of the address itself. Of course, we must also remember that these speakers will have used intonation and gesticulation not available in the transcripts of these speeches, but these are also very important in the art of successful rhetoric. The use of contrasts, and occasional symmetrical contrasts are also evident in both of these speeches; both Thatcher and King drawing on failures of others to highlight the superiority of the speaker’s favoured position. ‘I seemed to hear a strange sound emanating from Blackpool. And I thought at first it was seagulls. [laughter] Then I remembered that Labour was holding its annual Conference there’ and ‘And so weve come here today to dramatize a shameful condition.’ Although, of course, the tones of these voices are very different, Thatcher taking a ‘cheap shot’ at the Labour party while King is striving to keep his protest on the ‘high plane of dignity and discipline,’ they both contrast their message with failures of a rival institution or the system as a whole. Cynics could of course dismiss this element of rhetoric as merely a desperate attempt to cover up ones own lurking bad points with those of others, although if ski lfully done, it can help immensely to highlight these problems and bring down the audience perception of what could be seen as a rival problem. So, in conclusion and despite the differing social and political contexts of the situations, Thatcher’s and Kings speeches, although unsurprisingly differently constructed and clearly intended for different audiences, contain many similarities in the type of rhetorical devices they use to get their messages across. Thatcher’s arguably more familiar and amusing speech is certainly more frivolous and snide at times, while Kings ‘I have a dream’ seems more spontaneous and impassioned, but in terms of historical importance, this seems unsurprising. Indeed, even looking at a more modern speech, that of Tony Blair’s 2003 declaration of British war on Iraq, similar techniques can be witnessed. Repetition and rhyme, ‘not why does it matter? But why does it matter so much?’ within a rhetorical question in this case; the use of a three part list ‘What changed his mind? The threat of force. From December †¦What changed his mind? The thre at of force. And what makes him†¦? The imminence of force’; and even an element of media call and response is in evidence ‘And now the world has to learn the lesson all over again.’ Of course, unlike Thatcher, there is no political backstabbing at a rival party, the situation would be deemed to important to go along that route, but he does nevertheless compare the way Saddam Hussain ran Iraq to the way the world should, in his view, progress. Indeed, it seems the art of rhetoric is largely formalized in terms of techniques, but can be used skilfully to push any doctrine in a creative and personal manner by an individual. Bibliography http://www.stanford.edu/dept/english/courses/sites/lunsford/pages/defs.htm http://www.margaretthatcher.com/Speeches/displaydocument.asp?docid=108217doctype=1 http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/Ihaveadream.htm http://politics.guardian.co.uk/foreignaffairs/story/0,11538,916789,00.html Collins English Dictionary (Collins: 2005) Janet Maybin (Editor), Neil Mercer (Editor) From Conversation to Canon (English Language: Past,Present Future) (Taylor Francis: 1996) 130

Tourism to Hong Kong

1. 0 Introduction Hong Kong is one of the most important tourism destinations in the Pacific Asia region for its unique landscape and shopping convenience. According to statistics, a total number of 41921310 people visited Hong Kong in 2011, that is 16. 4% more compared to 2010 (Hong Kong Tourism Board 2012). Total tourism expenditure was 263142. 71 million HK dollars and shopping accounts for most of them because it is the main purpose for individual visitors (Hong Kong Tourism Board 2012).Therefore, to sustain tourism prosperity while seeking development in the city, it is necessary to understand its unique geographical features and precisely examine the tourism trends. Meanwhile, analysing factors that have influenced tourism development will also contribute to the study. Besides, eco-tourism and climate issues are discussed as implications for the future. 2. 0 Findings 2. 1 Physical and human geography 2. 1. 1 Location Hong Kong is a mountainous citylocatednearShenzhen, China.The re are four main areas in the city, including Hong Kong Island, Kowloon, New territories and Outlying islands, and their area add up to 1100 square kilometres (Cullinane&Cullinane, 2003). For the reason of its unique landscape, approximately 40% of Hong Kong is built up as country parks (Cullinane&Cullinane, 2003). 2. 1. 2 Demography The city enjoys of a population of 6. 7 million, and it is growing at a rate of one million every ten years (Cullinane&Cullinane, 2003). 2. 1. 3 Political statusFor over 150 years before 1997, Hong Kong had been governed by the British administration, and it became a part of People’s Republic of Chinaonce again on July 1st, 1997 (Cullinane&Cullinane, 2003). This reunification has brought opportunities and enormous changes in Hong Kong. 2. 2 Pattern of tourism 2. 2. 1 Visitor arrivals Figure 1Visitor Arrivals 2007 – 2011 (‘000) Source: (Hong Kong Tourism Board 2008, 2010, 2012) Figure 1 shows the total number of visitors to Hong Kong in every single year from 2007 to 2011.Visitors are divided into three categories, including overnight visitors, same-day in-town visitors, and Cruise-in/Cruise-out Passengers. It is indicated in the figure that overnight visitors occupied most of the visitors. Table 1Visitor Arrivals Details by Country/Territory of Residence 2007 – 2011 (Overnight Visitors – ‘000) Source: (Hong Kong Tourism Board 2012) Table 1 shows that Mainland China has the most visitors to Hong Kong in the past five years, with an annual growth rate of approximately 15%.Besides, Taiwan, Japan, the USA and South Korea are also generating a large number of tourists to Hong Kong, leading to tourism prosperity of the city. 2. 2. 2 Total tourism expenditure Figure 2Total Tourism Expenditure Associated to Inbound Tourism Source: (Hong Kong Tourism Board 2012) Figure 2 shows total tourism expenditure from 2007 to 2011 and the line chart presents an increasing trend. The growth rate is rather high i n 2010 and 2011 as a result of the tourist boom in those years. 2. 3 Factors that have influenced tourism in Hong Kong 2. 3. 1 Outbursts of infectious diseasesIn 2003, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) attacked the city of Hong Kong and led to the devastation of Hong Kong tourism. Originated in southern China, SARS was a mystery to the rest of the world until several people were infected in a hotel in Hong Kong and brought the disease back to their home country. Before understanding the danger and risk that would have been brought by SARS, the World Health Organization (WHO) made a recommendation to the world that Asia, especially areas of Hong Kong, Singapore, Mainland China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Taiwan, were not advisable destinations for tourism (McKercher& Chon 2004; Kuo et al. 008). This unprecedented announcement caused significant panic in the world, tourists were quarantined for no reason after returning to their country, breeding industry was interrupted for disinf ection on chicken farms, and Asians were restricted from traveling elsewhere. The mess finally led to the crackdown of tourism in Asia, with Hong Kong suffering the most (McKercher& Chon 2004). This outburst of SARS uncovered huge hidden dangers in the world tourism system.The governments’ over-reaction tounclear threat was nothing but rational (Mao, Ding & Lee 2010). The crisis was a lesson for the world on the relationship between tourism and crisis management, the government should act more judicious so that diseases could be effectively controlled and meanwhile, tourism does not suffer to a great extent. 2. 3. 2Construction of city infrastructure Since the accelerated development of infrastructure in Hong Kong in the 1990s, the number of tourists has experienced a continued increase (Poon, Yu & Ng 2001).Tourist infrastructure mainly includes apartments or hotels for accommodation and transportation infrastructure, and the latter consists of facilities for planes, trains, ships and other modes of transportation (Gossling 2002; Khadaroo 2007, 2008). Researchers have found that the ability of a city to attract tourists is largely determined by the level of traffic infrastructure in the city (Khadaroo 2007), for the reason that rational city planningand well construction of ports could provide convenience for tourists, which leads to smooth trips.Successful travellers are willing to recommend their tourism destinations to their friends, and this will further lead to lasting prosperity of that destination. Although most facilities in Hong Kong are relatively complete, there remain some incompletion. An example is medical facilities needed for medical tourism. Hospitals in Hong Kong provide high level healthcare services, and the government attempts to boost medical tourism in the city (Heung, Kucukusta& Song 2011). However, the lack of medical resources ends up to be the barrier which prevents tourists with medical needs from cutting edge technologies in Hong Kong.As a result, Hong Kong failed to build its reputation as a medical tourism destination. 2. 3. 3 Outbreaks of financial crises Hong Kong has experienced two major financial crises during past two decades, the Asian financial crisis burst out in 1997 and the world financial crisis in 2008 (Song & Lin 2010). This report mainly focuses on consequences that were brought to tourism in Hong Kong by the latter crisis. Table 1 shows that the USA, UK, Japan and Singapore are among the source markets that generate most tourists to Hong Kong.The high market share of long-haul markets indicates that Hong Kong tourism is vulnerable to world economy and thus would be negatively influenced if something went wrong. In 2008, tourists from long-haul markets such as the USA and European countries declined by 10% and hotel rooms were less occupied than ever before (Song et al. 2011). If the tourists increasing rate before the crisis is taken into consideration, conclusions could be drawn that the financial crisis really affected tourism in Hong Kong to a great extent.Fortunately, tourists from Mainland China were not greatly influenced by this enormous crisis and visitors continued to travel to Hong Kong. This prevented the city from tremendous losses. Nevertheless, the overall expenditures dropped in 2009 which leads to the conclusion that financial crises could impose great threats to tourism in Hong Kong (Song & Lin 2010). 2. 3. 4 Adjustments of policies towards Mainland China After introducing the Individual Visit Scheme on July 28, 2003, citizens of Beijing, Shanghai and Guangdongare allowed to apply for visas and visit Hong Kong on anindividual basis (Wu, Li & Song 2012).The scheme was implemented forthe acceleration of tourism development in two special administrative regions in China, and it is successful according to statistical results. Statistics show that the number of tourists from the source market of Mainland China increased by 24% in 2003 compared to tha t of 2002, and most of the growth was contributed by individual visitors (Hong Kong Tourism Board 2012). As a matter of fact, thousands of Mainlanders have boosted into Hong Kong for the purpose of shopping and Hong Kong has become the paradise for shopping in the eyes of Mainlanders ever since (Wu, Li & Song 2012).In order to guarantee long-term prosperity of businesses, merchants targeting Mainlanders have made adjustments regarding to shopping customs of Chinese consumers and the crucial point of the efforts is to create an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation (Wu, Li & Song 2012). Since tourists from Mainland China occupy approximately 60% of total tourists every year, it is important that policies towards Mainland China remain mild in the coming years to sustain tourism prosperity in Hong Kong (Hong Kong Tourism Board 2012). 2. 4 Implications for the future of tourism 2. 4. Sustainable tourism practices Experience has shown that it is almost impossible to develop tourism while maintaining a clean environment at the same time. However, people have been making efforts to seek some extent of harmony and unity between the two. Hong Kong is a perfect city for the development of eco-tourism for it has a spectacular landscape, including mountains, valleys, coasts and islands (Ng & Li 2000). Hong Kong government has been successful protecting the city’s natural resources, it had the highest percentage of the park area in the worldin 2000 (Ng & Li 2000).Besides, Hong Kong enjoys a large variety of both animal and plant species, some of which cannot be found elsewhere in the world (Ng & Li 2000). Enchanting as the scenery is in Hong Kong, eco-tourism is not a main form of tourism there. The following factors may account for this result. First of all, Hong Kong is in the sub-tropical zone, and the typical summer is so hot that people will feel uncomfortable to visit popular attractions (Ng & Li 2000). Second of all, eco-tourism destinations are usually sensitive to the number of visitors, thus, they normally have a low capacity (Ng & Li 2000).Rational management regulations should be made to balance tourism satisfaction and the necessary visitor limitationneeded for scenic spots. Finally, more experts in guidance have to be trained to provide information of spots (Ng & Li 2000). It seems that there is still a long way to go before eventually launching a successful eco-tourism plan in Hong Kong. 2. 4. 2 Climate change How climate change will affect the pattern of tourism has long been studied. Studies have shown that as climate change will either directly or indirectly influence tourism (Chan & Lai 2012).One of the main results of climate change is the rise in temperature. According to statistics, Hong Kong’s temperature has been surging during the past 15 years, and it is almost 5 degrees Celsius higher than 10 years ago (Chan & Lai 2012). The high temperature will definitely bring uncomforting experiences to tourists,. Thu s, it is likely that potential visitors will change their destinations elsewhere. Besides, although some tourists might not consider the temperature increase itself as a crucial factor in determining their destinations, the change due to this phenomenon, such as increased travel expenses, will affect tourism ehaviour to a great extent (Chan & Lai 2012). While efforts have been made towards lowering the speed of temperature increase, the results turn out not assuring. Although climate change does not affect tourism in Hong Kong as much as that in tourism-oriented island cities, people should deal will this issue seriously before it is too late. 3. 0 Conclusion In conclusion, although Hong Kong has been through some hard times, the city remains potential as a tourism destination.This report discusses the city of Hong Kong from tourism aspect. As an important city in the Pacific Asia region, Hong Kong has enjoyed a fine reputation among tourists. Its unique landscape and special locati on have attracted and are still attracting visitors in large scales. During the past two decades, several financial crises have imposed danger on tourism in the city to a great extent, but a few policy adjustments, especially the policy of opening up to Mainland China individual visitors, saved the industry from collapsing.Eco-tourism could be further developed to balance economic development and environment protection, but several issues need to be solved before concrete implementation. Climate change is also a challenge that needs early planning, thus, effective efforts demand immediate attention. ? References Chan, GKY & Lai, MTH 2012, Understanding Climate Change, Carbon-offsetting and their Impacts on Travel Behaviour, viewed 24 November 2012, . Cullinane, S , K 2003, ‘Hong Kong City Profile’, Cities, Vol. 20, No. 4, pp. 279-288.Gossling, S 2002, ‘Global environmental consequences of tourism’, Global Environmental Change, Vol. 12, No. 4, pp. 283-302. H eung, Vincent CS , Kucukusta, D & Song, H 2011, ‘Medical tourism development in Hong Kong: An assessment of the barriers’, Tourism Management, Vol. 32, No. 5, pp. 995–1005. Hong Kong Tourism Board 2008, A Statistical Review of Hong Kong Tourism 2007, viewed 21 November 2008, ; http://partnernet. hktb. com/filemanager/publication/143330/Default. html;. Hong Kong Tourism Board 2010, A Statistical Review of Hong Kong Tourism 2009, viewed 21 November 2010, ; http://partnernet. ktb. com/filemanager/publication/143332/Default. html;. Hong Kong Tourism Board 2012, A Statistical Review of Hong Kong Tourism 2011, viewed 21 November 2012, . Khadaroo, J , B 2007, ‘Transport infrastructure and tourism development’, Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 34, No. 4, pp. 1021–1032. Kuo, HI, Chen, CC, Tseng, WC, Ju, LF & Huang, BW 2008, ‘Assessing impacts of SARS and Avian Flu on international tourism demand to Asia Original Research Article’, Tourism Management, Vol. 29, No. 5, pp. 917-928.Mao, CK, Ding, CG & Lee, HY 2010, ‘Post-SARS tourist arrival recovery patterns: An analysis based on a catastrophe theory Original Research Article’, Tourism Management, Vol. 31, No. 6, pp. 855-861. McKercher, B & Chon, K 2004, ‘The Over-Reaction to SARS and the Collapse of Asian Tourism’, Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 31, No. 3, pp. 716–719. Ng, CN & Li, Y 2000, Eco-tourism in Hong Kong: its potentials and limitations, Kiskeya Alternative, viewed 23 November 2012, . Poon, CS, Yu, ATW & Ng, LH 2001,‘On-site sorting of construction and demolition waste in Hong Kong’, Resources, Conservation and Recycling, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp. 157–172. Song, H, Lin, S 2010, ‘Impacts of the Financial and Economic Crisis on Tourism in Asia’, Journal of Travel Research, Vol. 49, No. 1, pp. 16-30. Song, H, Lin, S, Witt, SF & Zhang, X 2011, ‘Impact of financial/economic crisis on demand for hote l rooms in Hong Kong’, Tourism Management, Vol. 32, No. 1, pp. 172–186. Wu, DC, Li, G & Song, H 2012, ‘Economic Analysis of Tourism Consumption Dynamics: A Time-varying Parameter Demand System Approach’, Annals of Tourism Research, Vol. 39, No. 2, pp. 667–685.

Advertising Light Beer Essay

Our group decided to focus on light beer that is targeted to mainly college students. Since our clients are college students, we wanted to relate to their preferences of mainly inexpensive beer. We agreed to focus on competitors such as Bud Light, Miller Lite, and Coors Light, who all target mainly college students. According to an online article â€Å"Social Media Overview of Coors light, Bud Light, and Dogfish Head Brewery† Coors Light beer is one of the most popular beer brands in North America. Coors Light’s target demographic appears to be college students. After researching Coors Light’s social media we have learned that they do not update their Twitter page on a regular basis. In fact, their first â€Å"tweet† on Twitter was back in October 2009 that wrote, â€Å"Coors light BC is now on Twitter! This is your home base for the most up to date Coors Light Information, check here for event info and more.† Also, the only official Coors Light Twi tter account is named @CoorsLightBC, created from British Columbia and Canada. The article explains that since the creation of the Coors Light account, the company has only achieved a few over four hundred followers, and only having forty nine tweets. When searching, Coors Light on Facebook, the Canadian website appears, which only has a little over one hundred â€Å"likes† and only posted one picture that did not have an explanation beneath it describing the picture. Coors Light makes it difficult for its company to build brand awareness and drive customer engagement, which social media is greatly used to do. Coors Light’s Facebook page is bare and not informative. Since Coors Light targets their beer towards mainly college students, which most college students have Facebook pages, we feel that this puts Coors Light at a disadvantage. Since they are not updating statuses on Facebook or interacting with Facebook friends, they are not building brand awareness or driving customer engagement through this medium. Bud Light is the â€Å"number one selling beer† in the United States, according to an online article from Social Media Overview. Before researching, our group thought that Bud Light and Coors would be heavily involved with social media. However, we were surprised to see that the two large industries do not rely on social media. Bud Light does not have a Twitter account, however Budweiser does. Although Bud Light does not rely on Twitter to promote its beer, Bud Light is active on Facebook. Our group likes the updated format and timeline that Bud Light’s Facebook page has to offer. The pictures are appealing and they have over thousands of â€Å"likes.† The official website offers a place where you can watch the video ads for Bud Light, which was a good thing to include in the site. It also states at the top of the page that it is the official sponsor of the NFL. In addition, Bud Light Platinum has its own page, which it gives descriptions and other interesting information. For example, Bud Light’s well developed page offers Facebook friends chances to win contests along with other promotions. Our group enjoyed reading status updates on Bud Light’s page that tries to engage conversation with Facebook friends. In addition to Bud Light using Facebook frequently, Miller Lite plays an active role using Facebook to communicate with customers. Miller Lite uses its Facebook page to advertise its products, celebrity endorsements, videos, along with contests also. Miller’s Facebook page is easily accessed through visiting Miller Lite’s home website page. When looking for Miller Lite on Twitter, Miller Lite MX and Miller Lite Panama are the first two to appear, which both are in mostly Spanish. However, both Miller Lite Twitter accounts have over one thousand followers, and tweet consistently on a daily basis. We found it confusing trying to find Miller Lite’s U.S. Twitter page, since the other two accounts were in Spanish we did not find Twitter to be very useful to learn about Miller Lite. The Miller Lite website uses celebrity endorsements such as NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski and there is a button to follow Brad on Twitter. There is also a Miller Lite shop where you can purchase hats, t-shirts, etc online. We liked how they had a place on the website where you can find stores that sell Miller Lite near you and locate them. There was also a video blog with the Miller Lite commercials. Our group has learned that many popular and profitable companies do not frequently update their Facebook or Twitter page. However, being involved with social media can benefit companies greatly by giving them the opportunities to build brand awareness and drive customer engagement Works Cited http://patperdue.com/social-media-overview-of-coors-light-budlight-and-dogfish-head-brewery/ http://www.facebook.com/#!/miller.lite3 http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/BUD-Light-Platinum/270969619613664 http://millerlite.com/ http://www.budlight.com/age_gate.php http://www.coorslight.com/AgeGate/

Movie Trailers Essay Example

Movie Trailers Essay Example Movie Trailers Essay Movie Trailers Essay We studied a number of film trailers and came to the following conclusions about their conventions. Each one of them has the common features that I have discovered. At the start of every movie trailer, there is a production company logo and name. This is very important in every trailer because it notifies the audience that the movie was made by this particular company. Each company has its own logo brand and copyright name/logo, as it has been used for many years, on different types of movies. I have also noticed that a company can make and supports a certain type of genre film. There are many different production companies that have been around for many years; 20th Century Fox, Pathà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½, DreamWorks, Universal, Miramax Films, Walts Disney, Paramount, Warner Brothers etc. These companies have made so many different films which people would now recognize in a flash, even without looking at the name of the company. This is because the company is so familiar and we see it in everyday life, all around us. After a trailer has shown the production company (which only takes about two to three seconds), the film shows a very brief number of clips/images taken from the movie but only the most exciting moments. These clips and images inform the audience about the genre of the film, it also gives us the some idea of the film, whether its genre is action, comedy, sci-fi, horror, romance etc. The clips show a number of different exciting or interesting moments to try and persuade the audience that this film is a winner. They do this by showing images from all over the movie in swift cuts so that we dont know what we are seeing in a one second clip, but when the whole trailer has ended, the exciting moments remain in our heads. There are swift cuts to help keep the audience entertained and interested in the trailer, so that once the trailer has ended it makes you want to go and see the movie. Some trailers start off slow and build up the impact and some shots lasts longer than others this is t o add more affect to the trailer it all depends on the genre of the movie. Film trailers inform the audience about the genre of the film and also give the audience the idea of the film, plus the opportunity to see what type of film it is. It gives them the idea of the film in the way the trailer is presented. If the movie is an action film, the trailer would be a fast paced one with hard hitting music, which can get your attention in seconds. If the movie is a romantic film, the trailer would have slow and calm type music with slow cuts, but with a longer shot than an action trailer would. These trailers are usually set in the same format. If you want your movie to be a big and a winning movie, you have to have a known actor, actress or director, producer to be part of the film. If a new film was just released with the actors, actress or director, producer that is unknown around the world, the film wouldnt do as well as a film with a known character or cast. A production company knows that a big star in a film they support will make them profit. All stars are unknown at first. They get to the top by either working with a bigger star or by starting in a winning movie. For example, the film Gladiator was an Oscar winning movie all around the world, but the actor who played a main role, Russell Crowe, was unknown before the movie. But because the film was an epic, action-drama, animation movie he is now known. Also the production company of this film was a joint production film also helping to make it a big movie. The main thing that tells you about a movie is the title. The title can informs us what type of genre the movie is. For example, if the title was Galaxy, you would know the movie would have something to do with space and this goes for sci-fi as well. Many people think that, if the title is eye catching the movie will have an impact on them, so all movie titles have to be eye catching and simple. The title would be presented in the way of the genre of the movie. For example, if the movies genre is to do with History, the title could be in a shape of a rock. Or the title could be in a simple text, but the background picture would have something to do with History. Either way the poster of the movie will have something to do with the genre of the movie, weather its the title or the background. In a film trailer, they use music also for impact and to get your attention. The music played would go along with the genre of the film. For example, if the genre was action, a fast paced music will be played. Without music, all trailers wouldnt look interesting and wouldnt have an impact at the audience. Some movies use their own soundtrack to the movie. These soundtracks are songs from the movies (music played in the film), and this is another way to promote the film. For example, Celion Dion sang a song for the film titanic, and in the video to this song, it had motion pictures taken from the film. Some trailers have music in the background, whilst a voiceover in front. Another word for this is called Portentous Voice, which sounds like a warning type voice, which is deep and which can get your attention. The voice informs the audience who made the film, who acted in the film, if it had won any awards, what is the releasing date and the production company that helped make the film. I think this is a better way to present a trailer instead of reading the text yourself, because the voiceover can give more information and is clear to understand. For example, you can watch the screen and listen at the same time, which gives you more to take in. As part of learning about trailers, we analysed twelve different trailers and picked out four which are all different genres. The first trailer I have chosen to write about is Paramounts Mission Impossible 2.Mission Impossible 2 is a sequel to Mission Impossible 1. The title relates to the genre of the movie, action. Like most action trailers, it starts off at a medium pace, and then builds up to a fast pace, with loud music pace music and a voice-over. It has swift cuts in between each frame as the genre is action, and also the movie uses the same soundtrack from the previous movie (Mission Impossible 1), but with a bit of adjustment to it. This time the soundtrack sounds more like rock, while for Mission Impossible 1 it sounded more acoustic. The second trailer I have chosen is X-Men. The production company for this film is 20th Century Fox. The genre of this movie is a mixture of action and sci-fi, and we get an early clue of this in the first few seconds of the trailer when the trailer shows a sci-fi fighting clip. The soundtrack to the film is the same soundtrack used in the cartoon X-Men, but there was no voice-over. At the end of the trailers it showed the release date with the website below it. Also the trailer showed us a slogan that relates to the genre of the movie, We are not we seem? a sci-fi meaning. The third trailer I have chosen is an award winning movie, Gladiator. This film has a joint production company, Universal and DreamWorks, making this film a big movie. The genre of this film is a mixture of action and history. The music in the background is a mixture of people shouting and heroes welcome music. Like most action trailers this too starts off at in a medium pace and then buildings up to fast pace trailer, showing clips in swift cuts. At the end of the trailer, it shows us the website of the movie and its slogan. The trailer also had a voice over explaining that the movie had won an award and was recommended by newspapers. The fourth and final trailers I have chosen is Pokà ¯Ã‚ ¿Ã‚ ½mon, and the production company is Warner Brothers. The genre of the movie is a mixture of action and animation cartoon. It uses its cartoon theme tune for the soundtrack, and as the soundtrack is playing in the background there is a voice-over. We hear the main characters say a few lines, and we also see the release date. The release date is shown at the end of the trailer saying, Coming This Summer, because the cartoon is aimed at children and summer is the time when children have their holiday and so is part of the marketing strategy. The trailers also showed the films website to promote the film. Summary The common feature for all these movie trailers depends on the genre of the movie. If the genre is action, then most action movie trailers will be in the same format. For example, the trailer starts of in a medium pace then ends up being fast, with hard hitting music. If the genre is romance, the format would be different compare to action trailers, but the format would be similar with all romance trailers. For example, the genre of the romance trailer would be slow, calm music in background, love story etc. But there are a few things that all movie trailers share. They all have one of the following; Voice-over, website, release date, music and Production Company. Most of the trailers use music from the movies soundtrack and most use the same soundtrack in the movies and its sequence but edit it like we see in Mission Impossible. This is done to give the audience a new taste to the new movie showing that it isnt the same as the previous film, but better. Overall all trailers try to k eep their message understandable, entertaining and short. Treatment The basic idea of the film is about a fourteen-year-old boy whose rebellious behaviour has him expelled by the headmaster of Shady Glen School. After taking his sister to class one day, the boy sneaks into the basement to set up one last prank before heading back to his dad who is waiting in the car. But there, the boy discovers that the school security consultant has taken a successful Entrepreneur, the headmasters daughter hostage. She is also a Shady Glen student. The boy decides to go back and tell his father, who is a police officer about what is happening, but he too is taken hostage. At this point the mastermind, who is behind the hostage-taking (the leader/boss), orders his men to capture the whole school and to hold them hostage. The father who has been waiting in the car for almost twenty minutes decides to find his son. As the front entrance is closed, he heads through a back entrance. He is then just about to enter the main hall, when he peeks through a small window on the door. To his shock, he sees the whole school, including his children and teachers on their knees with rifles pointing towards them. The father then becomes a hero as he fights the men using his gun as well as everything and anything to fight the men and saves the whole school.

Free Essays on Chasing Amy

Being one of my favorite movies and consequently watching it in class I chose the movie â€Å"Chasing Amy† written by Kevin Smith. The two main characters, Holden (Ben Affleck) and Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams), get into a relationship transforming from friends to lovers. I chose this film because the cinematography in it is great. Cinematography- is the technique of making a movie including both the shooting and the development of a film. Cinematography has existed for as long as film has. It can be used in many different forms, artistic expression, political belief's and to types of culture. Chasing Amy follows this pattern of cinematography with showing the relationships of Holden and Alyssa change into a budding romance. This movie is the third installment of Smith's "New Jersey Trilogy". "The New Jersey Trilogy" consists of two other films as well. The critically acclaimed Clerks and the not so critically acclaimed, Mallrats. "Clerks had been over-praised, Mallrats has been over-bashed, third time's the charm," (View Askew.com) Smith said on his website. The movie stars Ben Affleck as Holden McNeel, an aspiring comic book artist who falls in love with another comic book artist, Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams). As the movie goes on, you find out that Alyssa is a lesbian and all the encounters she had with men which led her to make that decision. But in one key moment when Holden admits his feelings to Alyssa, the whole pace of the movie changes. Alyssa decides to take a chance and decides that Holden is the one for her as she throws her whole world upside down to be with him. But in the end, her radical and experimental life style is too much for Holden as he finds out a little to much of her past for his liking and throws it all away. But finding out the hard way of the error of his ways he finds out that it is too late and learns the lesson "it's not who you love, but how." (View Askew.com) Holden's inability to deal with aspects o... Free Essays on Chasing Amy Free Essays on Chasing Amy Being one of my favorite movies and consequently watching it in class I chose the movie â€Å"Chasing Amy† written by Kevin Smith. The two main characters, Holden (Ben Affleck) and Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams), get into a relationship transforming from friends to lovers. I chose this film because the cinematography in it is great. Cinematography- is the technique of making a movie including both the shooting and the development of a film. Cinematography has existed for as long as film has. It can be used in many different forms, artistic expression, political belief's and to types of culture. Chasing Amy follows this pattern of cinematography with showing the relationships of Holden and Alyssa change into a budding romance. This movie is the third installment of Smith's "New Jersey Trilogy". "The New Jersey Trilogy" consists of two other films as well. The critically acclaimed Clerks and the not so critically acclaimed, Mallrats. "Clerks had been over-praised, Mallrats has been over-bashed, third time's the charm," (View Askew.com) Smith said on his website. The movie stars Ben Affleck as Holden McNeel, an aspiring comic book artist who falls in love with another comic book artist, Alyssa Jones (Joey Lauren Adams). As the movie goes on, you find out that Alyssa is a lesbian and all the encounters she had with men which led her to make that decision. But in one key moment when Holden admits his feelings to Alyssa, the whole pace of the movie changes. Alyssa decides to take a chance and decides that Holden is the one for her as she throws her whole world upside down to be with him. But in the end, her radical and experimental life style is too much for Holden as he finds out a little to much of her past for his liking and throws it all away. But finding out the hard way of the error of his ways he finds out that it is too late and learns the lesson "it's not who you love, but how." (View Askew.com) Holden's inability to deal with aspects o...

Analyzing Arguments Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Analyzing Arguments - Essay Example As such students dont necessarily take critical thinking. Based on this reasoning I believe the argument is invalid This is an example of a deductive argument because it products a â€Å"right or wrong answer. The logic is sound in this example insofar as all the premises seem to be true (Or at least seem to be true). Although I would make the argument that there is a degree of a non sequitur. The reasoning behind this is that although supposedly â€Å"All college students study† one could argue that this is not true and it is for this reason that many college students are expelled. So based on this premise and information provided in chapter ten of our book the argument is invalid. This again is an example of deductive reasoning because it does not pull on some degree of probability. However there is a problem with all of the assumptions in that one could argue that all college students do not necessarily attend class (For example distance education students). In the second premise, although it is the case that John attends class he does not necessarily attend college class. Based on these premises being weak I believe that the conclusion is weak and as such the argument is valid but very weak. Chaffee, J. (2009) Thinking Critically, 9th Edition. City University of New York. Chapter 10 & 11 online reading resources available at http://college.cengage.com/english/chaffee/thinking_critically/9e/chapters/chapter10.htm and http://college.cengage.com/english/chaffee/thinking_critically/9e/chapters/chapter11.html Accessed on August 13th

Skip navigation links BFS 3440-07B BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FOR FIRE Essay - 2

Skip navigation links BFS 3440-07B BUILDING CONSTRUCTION FOR FIRE PROTECTION (BFS3440-07B) - Essay Example Bearing walls hold or bears the load of the structure; the load of the structure is transferred to the bearing wall from the floor joists and the roof rafters. Nonbearing walls are non load bearing support elements that serves the function of supporting the weight of itself and they do not bear or hold the load of the structure and they are generally used for partitioning an area in a building. As a result of the function of the bearing wall in a building, its failure can result in the catastrophic collapse of the building it supports, whereas the collapse of the non-bearing wall has little or no effect on the structure of the building as they only support their own weight and do not hold the weight of the building in any form. A fire fighter in fighting a fire must devise a tactic to identify the load-bearing walls and be aware of the dangers that are associated with the failure of the bearing walls (Wallace, 2001). A non-bearing wall is easier to build than bearing walls, a fire fighter must be aware of the fact that non-bearing wall are more likely to be destroyed by fire and could cause the spread of fire; hence they must try to first quench fire from non-bearing walls in the event of an outbreak to prevent the spread of fire and make sure that fire do not spread to the bearing walls as its collapse would bring about a catastrophic destruction of the