Business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 4000 words - 1

Business - Essay Example This paper aims at analysing, identifying as well as evaluating the strategies that Ryanair pursues in order for it to maintain its market leadership position. The main focus will be on the strategic management practices that the airline’s management has developed and adopted over time to overcome market challenges as well as stiff competition from its closest rivals for example British Airways. Ryanair is an airline that was founded in 1985 and at its start it concentrated it travel from Waterford to London. The airline has come a long way since then and today it ranks one of the biggest carriers in Europe. The company’s growth is heavily attributed to the management’s decision from its onset to plough back its earnings in expansion programs that have reaped a great deal of benefits to date. In this regard it emerged to be the big airline it is today (Carol & Julian 2000). To elaborate further on its growth trend, the airline started operations with only one aircraft which had 15 seats. In 1986 the company added two more aircrafts and by 1987 it already had a jet aircraft that made it possible for the airline to expand on its route. The company grew rapidly from this time but in 1990 it made a massive loss due to heightened competition from British airways and Aer Lingus. This phenomenon caused the management to embark on a major restructuring exercise. This saw the airline branded as a low fares one; a stance that saw its tribulations turn round as the number of passengers increased enormously after the first low fares announcements. By 1992 passenger traffic had grown by 45 percent due to the steady policy of providing good service at low cost; this translated to 945,000 passengers (Charles & Gareth 2009). The 1990s were the years of steady growth where more and more routes in Europe has been conquered and airlines like British Airways were not in

Pharmacy Law & Ethics Coursework Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Pharmacy Law & Ethics Coursework - Essay Example The consequence of this to the pharmacy profession in Great Britain is significant considering that its governing body is a dual function entity – both performing regulatory role and professional leadership function. The present set up of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain (RPSGB hereafter) therefore, runs counter to the Government’s present thrust which is to make health professional regulatory bodies totally independent to be credible to the public. In line with this, the RSPGB is set to demerge its two functions through the creation of a separate regulatory body to be called General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC hereafter) and a separate new professional body, both to take place in 2010 (About the Society 2009). The need to establish a separate regulatory body for the pharmacy profession demerged from the present RPSGB structure was underpinned by Lord Carter of Coles, who headed the Working Party on Professional Regulation and Leadership in Pharmacy in early 2007. In the foreword of the Party’s Report at the conclusion of its review, he said that the justification of a new and separate regulatory body for the profession was keeping in step with the shift in the functional direction of pharmacists from its original â€Å"‘product-focused service’ to a truly clinical profession, directly caring for patients and the public† (MPI 2007 p 4). Subsequently, the Health and Care Act 2008 paved the way for the creation of the GPhC (s 5,  § (2) (1A), Schedule 8). At present, consultations are being undertaken for draft Pharmacy Order 2009, a secondary legislation which will lay down the details of the establishment of the GPhC (DH 2009). In addition, an independent group, called the Pharmacy Regulation and Leadership Oversight Group (PRLOG) chaired by Ken Jarrold CBE, was created to render advice to Ministers in the setting up of the

Right to Die Legislation Cases

Right to Die Legislation Cases Fermin Flores The Declaration of Independence gave us the freedom of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Now there are some times when these freedoms are placed into the hands of another for example a judge. A policy that brought the attention of Americans in the late 1900’s. Various court cases have been brought about to the public of several people who were in critical conditions and may not make it or could not recover, one of which where a man with locked-in syndrome, which paralyzed one’s muscles and brainstem, wanted to end his life. The right to die is a case where one chooses to die whether they were told that they had a certain amount of time left to live. Also, if they are in critical danger and someone chooses that choice for that person who can’t do it themselves. Choosing when one must die or live goes against the 14th amendment which gave every American the full and equal benefits of the laws. Having the choice of choosing whether someone lives or not ties in with abortion. One mother choosing over if a baby should live or not. The right to die is an issue which some still discuss today through if one has a choice or not. Society today has been leaning more towards helping those who are severely ill and cannot recover to give them the choice of ending it. Back then this was different, Americans and government did not acknowledge the right to die choice. The Supreme Court declared that the constitution did not mentioned â€Å"suicide† and plenty of Americans were uncomfortable. (http://www.economist.com/blogs/democracyinamerica/2014/10/right-die). At least 20% of Americans who attend church believe that one must not suffer from a serious condition with irreversible effects. The reason why we think this way is because some may have experienced this first hand or have thought of the feeling of being in critical condition not being able to do almost anything without the help of a machine or someone else. Oregon voters passed a law in 1994 and went into effect into 1997 that gave anyone the option to end their life through medication. This was called the Death-With-Dignity law which allowed mentally competent, terminally ill adults to hasten their end which later Washington and Vermont adopted. (http://www.deathwithdignity.org/access-acts) In 1983, a woman by the name of Nancy Beth Cruzan was gravely injured from an automobile accident (http://www.oyez.org/cases/1980-1989/1989/1989_88_1503). She was taken to the hospital where she had to be sustained by artificial feedings. Her parents, whom saw no other possible way of recovery for their daughter, wanted to terminate her life-support system. The hospital declined their attempt without the approval of a judge. The Missouri Supreme Court declared that there had to be â€Å"clear and convincing† evidence to which the patient wanted a decision like this to be made. Nancy’s co-workers were brought together by her parents and they all announced that she would not want to be sustained in a disabled condition. The Supreme Court took this as evidence and let Nancy go. Back in 1975, 21 year old Karen Ann Quinlan collapsed and fell into a coma (http://www.ncll.org/liberty-centers/center-for-life-defense/cld-articles/57-how-the-right-to-die-came-to-america) and was placed into the hospital with a ventilator. She was unable to eat nor breathe on her own to the point where her parents wanted to remove her from the artificial life support. As a hospital’s policy, they denied their request and later was taken into court which they ruled in favor of Ann’s parents. Karen was removed from her ventilator in 1976 but miraculously started breathing on her own again. Choosing the right to die for someone else who is in critical condition will be difficult for the hospital and the family. In order for one to make a life or death choice for someone in critical condition, some requirements must be met: The patient must no longer be competent to make the choice themselves, meaning they have no knowledge of what’s happening. Also, the patientâ⠂¬â„¢s conditions must be that he or she cannot recover. Another case of the right to die, 57 year old Paul Lamb was caught in a car accident 23 years ago which paralyzed him from his neck down. With the help of his daughter and the wife of a previous paralyzed man named Tony (who fought to end his life but the court didn’t allow him) Paul, followed Tony’s legacy, and took his battle to the court just to end up losing on July 30th, 2013. The court did allow, however, for a third man to appeal for the right to die, but the law did not make it clear whether the doctor or nurse will be prosecuted by the government if they helped in the procedure. In one of the most recent news, a woman by the name of Brittany Maynard was diagnosed with brain cancer which gave her only six months to live. She thought of ways to give herself and her family the least amount of pain possible. After researching, she found Death-with-Dignity and moved to Oregon, one of five states that allow Death-With-Dignity. (http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/07/opinion/maynard-assisted-suicide-cancer-dignity/) Within the news, she mentioned â€Å"I do not want to die. But I am dying. And I want to die on my own terms,† she wanted the choice to die in peace and surrounded by her loved ones than to die in pain, alone in a hospital. One must consider how painful it would be to stay in the bed for the rest of their life due to a serious accident. Letting the people you love the most go with the consent of the judge is one of the most heartbreaking event a relative can experience. In the year 1947, only 37% of the citizens felt that doctors should be legally permitted to end a patient’s life if there was no way for them to get cured. Fast forwarding 55 years later, the government placed the same poll again hoping for different results. (http://www.gallup.com/poll/6265/right-die-dead-rights.aspx) That year, in 2002, 72% of Americans now felt that doctors should help end a patient’s life. Without a doubt, one should cherish every single moment they spend with a certain person like as if it’s the last time you may see them. Whether you think nothing will happen wrong or that they are safe from any harm, live your life out. You don’t know if one may get diagnosed with a serious life-threate ning or get attacked until it happens. With all said, if all of the states decide to adopt the Death with Dignity law, new opportunity will be open to those who are severely ill. This can have two results, one of which will result in new arguments. It will open the gate for those with suicidal thoughts and may think they have a chance to get a law passed to allow those who feel â€Å"alone† to end their life. On the other hand, it gives those with severe issues to have their easy, unpainful way out.

American Indian Studies :: Free Essay Writer

American Indian Studies AIS Why do Indian college students have high dropout rates? Why do Indian college students have hard times in college, and university atmospheres? Why do Indian college students have difficult times when it comes to making good grades? Maybe it’s because they have no role models in the home. Maybe they can’t relate to individuals with different cultures and backgrounds? Perhaps it is something simple as having poor study habits. The answers could Possibly be that Indian college students are just uncomfortable in a college environment, and don’t have an Indian studies program to go to, as in Reyhner’s essay. Whatever the reason may be Indian college students are scarce within the college scene, just as Indian people are in the United States of America. Native American Studies departments, according to Jon Reyhner, â€Å"are critical to providing a positive university environment for Native students†¦(NAS) help keep Indian students in school by providing them with a university home†(Reyhner 106). I don’t believe that American Indian Studies programs will keep Indian students in college. I believe, the desire of wanting to achieve and excel in academics for what it has to offer, will keep Indian college students in college. I believe that Jon Reyhner gives excellent points in defining the reasons for Indian students dropping out of college, but I have to disagree about his ideals on keeping them in. It seems Reyhner feels that Indian Studies Programs will give Indian students a place to show their truest identity, in turn giving them enough comfort to strive through and finish a college degree. Native college and university students, just as any other student in higher education, have distinct backgrounds and dif ferent ways of thinking. Although many Indian people come from similar histories of assimilation, cultural disappearance, slaughter, and sacrifice, the adaptability of an Indian person within college depends upon their perspective, attitude, and envolvment, in such environments. I wish American Indian Studies departments in colleges and universities could keep Indian Students from quitting, but the reality of the matter is that Indian people have little to relate to in the college world. Colleges and Universities, in a way, are businesses selling financial stable futures. There are many futures to buy, some a little more expensive than others, but in all, with a college degree, individuals have the chance and opportunity to achieve certain success.

War on Coal

War on Coal â€Å"President Obama is responsible entirely for the closure of that mine and the loses of these jobs†, Robert Murray CEO of Murray Energy Corporation told CNN after 239 men were laid off because an Ohio mine had closed. The current war on coal is not one of just and fair reasons. Coal has several positive benefits that greatly outweigh the negative environmental effects that some say it causes. The main benefit of coal is the hundreds of thousands it employs annually. However, with the strict regulations being put on coal mines these days the tradition of coal mining may be one our children will never know.It is our responsibility as Americans to beat the Obama Administration and win the war on coal. Coal was first found in America in 1742 in what is now Boone County, West Virginia. Since then mining it has been a job that employs thousands and those thousands don’t get near the praise they deserve. Every time the man-trip goes under, the people on it risk their lives to provide us with the main source for energy and heat. The Merle Travis lyricâ€Å"Where the dangers are double and the troubles are few† completely captures the atmosphere of a coal mine.Slag falls, explosions, fires, and above all cave –ins and roof falls are just a few of the dangers miners face every day, yet people still feel the need to condemn these men for the job they do. The Obama administration could care less about the many jobs they are doing away with from the coal industry. â€Å"The many regulations the he (President Obama), and his radical appointees and the U. S. EPA haves put on the use of coal have closed 175 power plants† (Murray 2). Assume those 175 power plants employed 100 men that is 17,500 people who are out of work.How can Obama say he is for the working class when he is taking the working class’s jobs? Josh Mandel, Ohio state treasurer told Congress â€Å" I think the Obama administration should be ashamed for pu tting middle class coal miners out of work across the country. Coal miners and their families live in some of the poorest areas of the country and the Obama war on coal is killing jobs in the parts of America that can least afford it. †. Mandel is right. Obama and his administration are killing jobs and small mining towns all across the country and it must be stopped before they are gone.While running in his 2008 campaign, Obama told the San Francisco Chronicle that the â€Å"notion of no coal†¦is an illusion†, but he added that he favored the Cap and Trade system. He then went on to say â€Å"so if someone wants to build a coal powered plant, it’s just that it will bankrupt them because they are going to be charged a huge sum for all the greenhouse gas that is being emitted†(Trinko 3) This statement sounds like someone who wasn’t in the slightest bit worried about the 385,105 miners who were directly employed by coal at the time. Trinko 2) thi s number didn’t include truck drivers, mine inspectors, power plant workers, railroad workers, or and other jobs that are affected by the coal industry. The Obama Administration has done everything it can possibly do to destroy the American coal industry. We have gone from producing 1. 2 billion tons of coal a year to producing somewhere in the neighborhood of 800 million tons (Trinko 3). It is disingenuous at best for Obama to say he supports the coal industry when we have lost about one third of our production.Joe Biden told gist. com that he didn’t see much of a role for clean energy in America, but then added that he wanted to help China clean their coal plants (Trinko 3). For the past 4 years, Obama and his administration have tried to end coal in America and it is time we take it back. Ryan Williams, Mitt Romany’s spokesman said â€Å"Obama has waged a war on coal that has devastated the middle class and American Workers† This is completely true. No , coal is not the way of life in Washington, D.C, but if the Obama Administration would look at the big picture, they would see that in America as a whole country, coal is a way of life in many states. Some of these states are Colorado, Wyoming, and every state in Appalachia. As election time draws near, the Romney Campaign is looking for ways to appeal to the coal miners, coal truck drivers, railroad workers, and others affected by the coal industry. â€Å"it is a narrow group of voters you’re looking at, but in those areas it is a big deal because it affects entire communities.It really is their whole livelihood. People who work in the coal industry and their family and friends will become single-issue voters this year†, says Kristen Kukowski, secretary for the Republican National Committee. She is right. The coal industry is a livelihood, and had been bringing people together for centuries. Coal towns stick together, so if Romney gets in good with one small coal tow n, other towns are sure to follow. His approach to attract miners has had a positive effect and will continue to do so as long as Obama pushes his strict regulations.Jason Hayes, communications director for the American Coal Council says â€Å"the industry over the past few decades had invested over $100 billion in cleaning up emissions and it’s already been effective. All of the important noxious pollutants have decreased markedly over the last 30 to 40 years. We’ve been doing all of this on top of dealing with everything else. † Coal may not be green, but it is a source of energy American needs. It is cheap and efficient. Without coal, America wouldn’t be anywhere near where it is today. The coal mined here isn’t just used for energy.America’s coal makes steel. Steel is used for thousands of things. If coal is gone, not only will our electric and heat bills increase, but the price of steel with be outrageous. â€Å"The environmental benef its that we’re hearing about are questionable, but the job losses are real and they are happening to thousands right now† Hayes adds. It is up to us to change the way things in America are going. This is our country, Not Washington’s. So in the 2012 Presidential Election, vote for the working class, vote for coal, vote for Romney! You could be the one vote it takes to make coal win.

Brief Notes on Karl Marx Essay

â€Å"Workers of the world unite, you have nothing to lose but your chains† Karl Marx, a 19th century sociologist, philosopher and political economist who suggested a theory explaining the conflict between capital and labour, and the role of classes in the state, has had a profound influence on political thinking all over the world. Karl Marx was born on May 5, 1818, in Prussia. His family was Jewish, but later converted to Protestanism. Marx read law at university, majoring in history and philosophy. He concluded his university course in 1841. A revolutionary, he upset too many governments on the continent and eventually settled in London, where he died in 1883. â€Å"ACCORDING TO MARX, human civilization has manifested itself in a series of organizational structures, each determined by its primary mode of production, particularly the division of labor that dominates in each stage. â€Å"Ideology functions as the superstructure of a civilization: the conventions and culture that make up the dominant ideas of a society. The â€Å"ruling ideas† of a given epoch are, however, those of the ruling class: â€Å"The ruling ideas are nothing more than the ideal expression of the dominant material relationships, the dominant material relationships grasped as ideas; hence of the relationships which make the one class the ruling one, therefore, the ideas of their dominance†. Since one goal of ideology is to legitimize those forces in a position of hegemony, it tends to obfuscate the violence and exploitation that often keep a disempowered group in its place (from slaves in tribal society to the peasantry in feudal society to the proletariat in capitalist society). The obfuscation necessarily leads to logical contradictions in the dominant ideology, which Marxism works to uncover by returning to the material conditions of a society: a society’s mode o f production. â€Å"The material conditions existing at a given time period Marx refers to as  the means of production. Any given time period’s ideology is most clearly revealed by uncovering the material conditions of production: the means of production, as well as the relations of production (the ways the society structures the relations between individuals, particularly through the division of labor), which together make up the mode of production: â€Å"life involves before everything else eating and drinking, a habitation, clothing and many other things. The first historical act is thus the production of the means to satisfy these needs, the production of material life itself† (48). For Marx, it is the materiality of human production that directly influences ideology: â€Å"Life is not determined by consciousness, but consciousness by life†. Felluga, Dino. (2003) â€Å"Modules on Marx, Introductory Guide to Critical Theory† . 17 Mar 2004 Marx states that Capitalist society is formed of the Owning Class (Borgoisie), those who own and control the economic functions of society and who can thus shape society to suit themselves; and the Working Class (Proletariat), the workers. These classes have nothing in common; they are antagonistic and in conflict with each other. This struggle will ultimately lead to revolution and the establishment of a single class society. All relationships are based upon Economics – even family relationships – economics is the fundamental driving force, surpassing even religion which he described as the Opium of the People. Understanding economic relationships is a crucial step if one wishes to gain control of them.

The Plague in Athens - Thucydides Peloponnesian War

The Plague in Athens - Thucydides' Peloponnesian War During wartime, Plague was the worst enemy.... The Plague - Thucydides Peloponnesian War Book II Chapter VII Second Year of the War - The Plague of Athens - Position and Policy of Pericles - Fall of Potidaea From Internet Classics Archive Such was the funeral that took place during this winter, with which the first year of the war came to an end. In the first days of summer the Lacedaemonians and their allies, with two-thirds of their forces as before, invaded Attica, under the command of Archidamus, son of Zeuxidamus, King of Lacedaemon, and sat down and laid waste the country. Not many days after their arrival in Attica the plague first began to show itself among the Athenians. It was said that it had broken out in many places previously in the neighbourhood of Lemnos and elsewhere; but a pestilence of such extent and mortality was nowhere remembered. Neither were the physicians at first of any service, ignorant as they were of the proper way to treat it, but they died themselves the most thickly, as they visited the sick most often; nor did any human art succeed any better. Supplications in the temples, divinations, and so forth were found equally futile, till the overwhelming nature of the disaster at last put a s top to them altogether. It first began, it is said, in the parts of Ethiopia above Egypt, and thence descended into Egypt and Libya and into most of the Kings country. Suddenly falling upon Athens, it first attacked the population in Piraeus- which was the occasion of their saying that the Peloponnesians had poisoned the reservoirs, there being as yet no wells there- and afterwards appeared in the upper city, when the deaths became much more frequent. All speculation as to its origin and its causes, if causes can be found adequate to produce so great a disturbance, I leave to other writers, whether lay or professional; for myself, I shall simply set down its nature, and explain the symptoms by which perhaps it may be recognized by the student, if it should ever break out again. This I can the better do, as I had the disease myself, and watched its operation in the case of others. That year then is admitted to have been otherwise unprecedentedly free from sickness; and such few cases as occurred all determined in this. As a rule, however, there was no ostensible cause; but people in good health were all of a sudden attacked by violent heats in the head, and redness and inflammation in the eyes, the inward parts, such as the throat or tongue, becoming bloody and emitting an unnatural and fetid breath. These symptoms were followed by sneezing and hoarseness, after which the pain soon reached the chest, and produced a hard cough. When it fixed in the stomach, it upset it; and discharges of bile of every kind named by physicians ensued, accompanied by very great distress. In most cases also an ineffectual retching followed, producing violent spasms, which in some cases ceased soon after, in others much later. Externally the body was not very hot to the touch, nor pale in its appearance, but reddish, livid, and breaking out into small pustules and ulcers. But inter nally it burned so that the patient could not bear to have on him clothing or linen even of the very lightest description; or indeed to be otherwise than stark naked. What they would have liked best would have been to throw themselves into cold water; as indeed was done by some of the neglected sick, who plunged into the rain-tanks in their agonies of unquenchable thirst; though it made no difference whether they drank little or much. Besides this, the miserable feeling of not being able to rest or sleep never ceased to torment them. The body meanwhile did not waste away so long as the distemper was at its height, but held out to a marvel against its ravages; so that when they succumbed, as in most cases, on the seventh or eighth day to the internal inflammation, they had still some strength in them. But if they passed this stage, and the disease descended further into the bowels, inducing a violent ulceration there accompanied by severe diarrhoea, this brought on a weakness which was generally fatal. For the disorder first settled in the head, ran its course from thence through the whole of the body, and, even where it did not prove mortal, it s till left its mark on the extremities; for it settled in the privy parts, the fingers and the toes, and many escaped with the loss of these, some too with that of their eyes. Others again were seized with an entire loss of memory on their first recovery, and did not know either themselves or their friends. But while the nature of the distemper was such as to baffle all description, and its attacks almost too grievous for human nature to endure, it was still in the following circumstance that its difference from all ordinary disorders was most clearly shown. All the birds and beasts that prey upon human bodies, either abstained from touching them (though there were many lying unburied), or died after tasting them. In proof of this, it was noticed that birds of this kind actually disappeared; they were not about the bodies, or indeed to be seen at all. But of course the effects which I have mentioned could best be studied in a domestic animal like the dog. Such then, if we pass over the varieties of particular cases which were many and peculiar, were the general features of the distemper. Meanwhile the town enjoyed an immunity from all the ordinary disorders; or if any case occurred, it ended in this. Some died in neglect, others in the midst of every attention. No remedy was found that could be used as a specific; for what did good in one case, did harm in another. Strong and weak constitutions proved equally incapable of resistance, all alike being swept away, although dieted with the utmost precaution. By far the most terrible feature in the malady was the dejection which ensued when any one felt himself sickening, for the despair into which they instantly fell took away their power of resistance, and left them a much easier prey to the disorder; besides which, there was the awful spectacle of men dying like sheep, through having caught the infection in nursing each other. This caused the greatest mortality. On the one hand, if they were afraid to visit each other, they perished from neglect; indeed many houses were emptied of their inmates for want of a nurse: on the other, if they ventured to do so, death was the consequence. This was especially the case with such as made any pretensions to goodness: honour made them unsparing of themselves in their attendance in their friends houses, where even the members of the family were at last worn out by the moans of the dying, and succumbed to the force of the disaster. Yet it was with those who had recovered from the disease that the sick and the dying found most compassion. These knew what it was from experience, and had now no fear for themselves; for the same man was never attacked twice- never at least fatally. And such persons not only received the congratulations of others, but themselves also, in the elation of the moment, half entertained the vain hope that they were for the future safe from any disease whatsoever. An aggravation of the existing calamity was the influx from the country into the city, and this was especially felt by the new arrivals. As there were no houses to receive them, they had to be lodged at the hot season of the year in stifling cabins, where the mortality raged without restraint. The bodies of dying men lay one upon another, and half-dead creatures reeled about the streets and gathered round all the fountains in their longing for water. The sacred places also in which they had quartered themselves were full of corpses of persons that had died there, just as they were; for as the disaster passed all bounds, men, not knowing what was to become of them, became utterly careless of everything, whether sacred or profane. All the burial rites before in use were entirely upset, and they buried the bodies as best they could. Many from want of the proper appliances, through so many of their friends having died already, had recourse to the most shameless sepultures: sometimes gett ing the start of those who had raised a pile, they threw their own dead body upon the strangers pyre and ignited it; sometimes they tossed the corpse which they were carrying on the top of another that was burning, and so went off. Nor was this the only form of lawless extravagance which owed its origin to the plague. Men now coolly ventured on what they had formerly done in a corner, and not just as they pleased, seeing the rapid transitions produced by persons in prosperity suddenly dying and those who before had nothing succeeding to their property. So they resolved to spend quickly and enjoy themselves, regarding their lives and riches as alike things of a day. Perseverance in what men called honour was popular with none, it was so uncertain whether they would be spared to attain the object; but it was settled that present enjoyment, and all that contributed to it, was both honourable and useful. Fear of gods or law of man there was none to restrain them. As for the first, they judged it to be just the same whether they worshipped them or not, as they saw all alike perishing; and for the last, no one expected to live to be brought to trial for his offences, but each felt that a far severer sentence had been already passed upon them all and hung ever over their heads, and before this fell it was only reasonable to enjoy life a little. Such was the nature of the calamity, and heavily did it weigh on the Athenians; death raging within the city and devastation without. Among other things which they remembered in their distress was, very naturally, the following verse which the old men said had long ago been uttered: A Dorian war shall come and with it death. So a dispute arose as to whether dearth and not death had not been the word in the verse; but at the present juncture, it was of course decided in favour of the latter; for the people made their recollection fit in with their sufferings. I fancy, however, that if another Dorian war should ever afterwards come upon us, and a dearth should happen to accompany it, the verse will probably be read accordingly. The oracle also which had been given to the Lacedaemonians was now remembered by those who knew of it. When the god was asked whether they should go to war, he answered that if they put their might into it, victory would be theirs, and that he would himself be with them. With this oracle events were supposed to tally. For the plague broke out as soon as the Peloponnesians invaded Attica, and never entering Peloponnese (not at least to an extent worth noticing), committed its worst ravages at Athens, and next to Athens, at the most populous of the other towns. Such was the history of the plague. For more from Thucydides, see Pericles Funeral Oration. Also see resources on ancient medicine, including:Â   Types of Greek MedicineThe Four HumorsThe Hippocratic OathThe Hippocratic Writings

Diabetic Macular Edema Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends And Forecast, 2013 2019 Essays

Diabetic Macular Edema Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends And Forecast, 2013 2019 Essays Diabetic Macular Edema Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends And Forecast, 2013 2019 Essay Diabetic Macular Edema Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends And Forecast, 2013 2019 Essay Diabetic Macular Edema Market Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends And Forecast, 2013 2019 Macular edema is the condition when the fluid and proteins start collecting on or under the macula of the eye thereby resulting in swelling. Due to such swelling, a person’s central eye vision gets distorted. Macular edema is classified into two types namely cystoids macular edema (CME) and diabetic macular edema (DME).Visit Complete Report Here: marketresearchreports.biz/analysis-details/diabetic-macular-edema-market-global-industry-analysis-size-share-growth-trends-and-forecast-2013-2019 Diabetic macular edema is the major reason for loss of vision in patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes patient are reported to have a 10% risk of developing this condition during their lifetime. On the basis of the cause of disease, DME is classified into two types:Diffuse macular edema: due to abnormalities in dilated capillaries present in the retina.Focal macular edema: due to abnormalities in microaneurysmsFor diagnosing diabetic macular edema, an ophthalmologist checks the retina for symptoms of the disease including leaking blood vessel, retinal swelling, damaged nerve tissues and pale, fatty deposits on the retina. For further confirmation, comprehensive eye examination such as visual acuity test, dilated exam test and tonometry are performed.During the initial stages of DME, no treatment is needed unless the patients efficiently control their blood sugar levels. If the condition becomes severe, the standard treatment for diabetic macular edema is laser photocoagulation. This procedure utilizes laser to reduce edema byapplying a pattern of burnsor bycauterizing leaky blood vessels. For avoiding the side-effects of this treatment, retinal specialists apply injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factorcorticosteroids along with laser photocoagulation. Currently, there are only two approved drugs available

Biography of Physicist Ernest Rutherford

Biography of Physicist Ernest Rutherford Ernest Rutherford was the first man to split an atom, transmuting one element into another. He performed experiments on radioactivity and is widely regarded as the Father of Nuclear Physics or Father of the Nuclear Age. Here is a brief biography of this important scientist: Born: August 30, 1871, Spring Grove, New Zealand Died: October 19, 1937, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, England Ernest Rutherford Claims To Fame He discovered alpha and beta particles.He coined the terms alpha, beta, and gamma rays.Identified alpha particles as helium nuclei.He demonstrated radioactivity was the spontaneous disintegration of atoms.In 1903, Rutherford and Frederick Soddy  formulated the laws of radioactive decay  and described the disintegration theory of atoms.Rutherford is credited with discovering the radioactive gaseous element radon, while at McGill University in Montreal.Rutherford and Bertram Borden Boltwood (Yale University) proposed a decay series to categorize elements.In 1919, he became the first person to  artificially induce a nuclear reaction in a stable element.In 1920, he hypothesized the existence of the neutron.Lord Rutherford pioneered the orbital theory of the atom with his famous gold foil experiment, through which he discovered Rutherford scattering off the nucleus. This experiment was fundamental to the development of modern chemistry and physics, as it helped describe the nature o f the atomic nucleus. Rutherfords gold foil experiment, also known as the  Geiger–Marsden experiments, was not a single experiment, but a set of experiments conducted by Hans Geiger and Ernest Marsden under Rutherfords supervision, between 1908 and 1913. By measuring how a beam of alpha particles was deflected when striking a thin sheet of gold foil, the scientists determined (a) the nucleus had a positive charge and (b) most of an atoms mass was in the nucleus. This is the Rutherford model of the atom. He is sometimes called the Father of Nuclear Physics. Notable Honors and Awards Nobel Prize in Chemistry (1908)  for his investigations into the disintegration of the elements, and the chemistry of radioactive substances - Affiliated with Victoria University, Manchester, United Kingdom Knighted (1914)Ennobled (1931)President of the Institute of Physics (1931)  After the war, Rutherford succeeded his mentor J. J. Thomson in the Cavendish Professorship at Cambridge  Element 104, rutherfordium, is named in his honorReceived several honorary fellowships and degreesBuried in Westminster Abbey Interesting Rutherford Facts Rutherford was the 4th of 12 children. He was the son of farmer James Rutherford and his wife, Martha. His parents were originally from Hornchurch, Essex, England, but they emigrated to New Zealand to raise flax and start a family.When Rutherfords birth was registered, his name was mistakenly spelled Earnest.After completing his degree at the university in New Zealand, his job was teaching rebellious children.He left teaching because he was awarded a scholarship to study at Cambridge University in England.He became  J. J. Thomsons first graduate student at the Cavendish Laboratory.Rutherfords initial experiments dealt with the transmission of radio waves.Rutherford and Thomson conducted electricity through gases and analyzed the results.He entered the new field of radioactivity research, just discovered by  Becquerel and Pierre and Marie Curie.Rutherford worked with many interesting scientists of the time, including Frederick Soddy, Hans Geiger, Neils Bohr,  H. G. J. Moseley, J ames Chadwick, and of course J. J. Thomson. Under Rutherfords supervision, James Chadwick discovered the neutron in 1932. His work during World War I focused on submarine detection and antisubmarine research.Rutherford was called Crocodile by his colleagues. The name referenced the scientists relentless forward thinking.Ernest Rutherford said he hoped scientists would not learn how to split the atom until  Ã¢â‚¬Å"man was living at peace with his neighbors.† As it turned out, fission was discovered only two years after Rutherfords death and was applied to make nuclear weapons.Rutherfords discoveries were the basis for the design and construction of the  largest, most energetic particle accelerator in the world the Large Hadron Collider or LHC.Rutherford was the first Canandian and Oceanian Nobel laureate. References Ernest Rutherford – Biography. NobelPrize.org.Eve, A. S.; Chadwick, J. (1938). Lord Rutherford 1871–1937. Obituary Notices of Fellows of the Royal Society. 2 (6): 394. doi:10.1098/rsbm.1938.0025Heilbron, J. L. (2003) Ernest Rutherford and the Explosion of Atoms. Oxford: Oxford University Press. pp. 123–124. ISBN 0-19-512378-6.Rutherford, Ernest (1911). The scattering of alpha and beta particles by matter and the structure of the atom. Taylor Francis. p. 688.

Information Management College Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Information Management College - Case Study Example Field representatives used intranet access which effectively limited the coverage area. Analysts had limited access to sales data due to the difficulties in working with the database. Even then, the data may contain discrepancies and errors. For Lexmark, they had no means of responding quickly to the needs of the retail partners. On the other hand, the new system allows retailers, analysts, and sales representatives to easily access the system from remote locations. A centralized database linked with sales information from the retail partners allows almost real-time information management. Tools integrated into the system allow analysts to monitor sales information and respond to the needs of the partners and customers. Information flow within this new system is almost seamless. The new system allows Lexmark to make decisions quickly to respond to the needs of their partners. For one, the inventory tracking integrated into the system allows the company to quickly send out additional items to their retailers. Knowing the sales of particular products also gives the company information on the consumer aspect of sales and can adjust their production quantity and schedule accordingly.

Ethical Businesses Vs Unethical Businesses Research Paper

Ethical Businesses Vs Unethical Businesses - Research Paper Example adership in depth and provides examples of how ethical and unethical behaviours of leaders persist in today’s globally diverse business environment. Increasing business competition, globalization, immigrations and technological advancements have changed the course of business. The way of conducting and managing businesses has been changed dramatically. It has become vital to understand the change required, incorporate it in the plans of business and efficiently implement the change needed. However, the idea of change and maintenance of loyalty among stakeholders is a very complex and complicated task. The increasing diversification around the globe has changed the communication, management and leadership techniques to continue with their effects. Business owners are now required to keep in view the needs of the diverse workforce, customers, suppliers and other stakeholders. Business management and leadership has become a more complex phenomenon to deal with. More ethical and moral concerns are rising with the advancements and changes in business environment. Researchers are taking greater interest than ever in understanding the ethical issues that are continuously increasing. Ethical crisis has been taking more attention than ever knowing its devastating effects not only on the employees but also on customer behaviours, government perceptions and overall performance of businesses. It is important to understand the concept of ethical crisis and its factors in order to resolve or reduce the threats it brings. Where did ethical crisis come from? Who can resolve the issue arising from it? How? What is the public opinion about leaders? How is it affecting businesses? Can leaders help making the situation better? What are some current examples of ethical business operations and decisions made by leaders? The aim of this paper is to answer these questions and include all possible factors to understand the value of ethics in business. The paper also aims to understand

Research Proposal related to crime and prisoners issues

Related to crime and prisoners issues - Research Proposal Example The high demand for prison space has led to a relatively high population, despite the fact that the nation aims to construct new prison beds. This study will focus on prison overcrowding in the United States of America. Inmates’ data over the years will be studied carefully, as this is a concern due to the increased number as days pass by. Moreover, the cost of an inmate will be analyzed, as well as a choice to add new facilities. One particular prison will be selected, whereby the inmates and guards will be the research population. This paper will discuss critically how funding is a vital role in overcrowding and its impact on the prison system. Prison overcrowding impacts all criminal justice agencies. According to statistics, one of the largest prisons in the country is overcrowded and every one out of 99.1 adults is currently in prison. The generation-long growth of inmates’ population is not because of growing crime rates, but of changes in sentencing policy. The s kyrocketed population of American prisons severely strains the criminal justice system logistically and financially. Prison overcrowding has more than a few negative effects upon inmates. Studies have revealed that prison overcrowding leads to competition for limited resources, higher illness rates, increased recidivism, higher suicide rates, and aggression. In addition, the overcrowded conditions are degrading and dehumanizing for the inmates, this is incongruous to the contemporary correctional reforms, which insist on maximizing the opportunities to inmates. There are several ways to reduce prison overcrowding, more comprehensive alternative is house arrest and community service, which are alternatives to incarceration, and new prison buildings. In the year 1980, the number of inmates was roughly 500,000. In the year 2006, the number of inmates was 2,245,189. Currently, this

Law Legal Research and Research Methods Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Law Legal Research and Research Methods - Essay Example Palestinians on the other hand alleged Israel of continuously breaching Palestinian rights. There is nothing like a separate Palestinian people who are different from other Arabs were the conventional Israeli outlook. This was in the least assumed to be historical. The boundaries of historic Palestine and bordering countries were randomly fixed and there are already a number of Arab nations. Consequently it is irrational to stipulate that Israel should have any liability or part in instituting a nation for them. The Israeli Prime Minister (1969-74) Golda Meir in his famous statement summarized as: "There was no such thing as Palestinians ... It was not as though there was a Palestinian people in Palestine considering itself as a Palestinian people and we came and threw them out and took their country away from them. They did not exist." Some Arab leaders also expressed the same views. In addition to this evidence shows that during the British era when restriction on Jewish colonization to Palestine prevailed, unrestricted Arab migration/immigration to Palestine had taken p lace. Many Arabs have backed up and some carry on affirming the formation of a united Arab state covering all Arab peoples which includes Palestine. This would result in the non-existence of a separate Palestinian state. But this view became a minority perspective among Palestinians during the British Mandate, and began to disappear after 1948 However this opinion is still conveyed often in the Arab states outside Palestine particularly in Syria due to its adhesion to the Greater Syria Movement, launched in 1944 to constitute a "Syrian Arab" state which would include Lebanon, Syria, Jordan and Palestine. But this view and its development has become improbable under present political reality. Even those who wanted to favour it in some situations back up an independent Palestinian state as the most

Pro Porn Feminist view of career in Pornography Essay

Pro Porn Feminist view of career in Pornography - Essay Example Pornography has provided female pornography actor with the financial augment they need, especially after becoming a widow or due to the lack of suitable jobs for qualified female pornography actor. Now pornography has turned into one of the biggest and most profitable industry and thus has invited a lot of interest and charm for female pornography actor to turn towards pornography in order to make some quick buck. Before we discuss the various views of female pornography actor working in the porn industry, we should define the definition of pornography. Although this has been a very debated topic too, as various authors find the definition in quite contrasting views. However, a generally accepted definition for "Pornography" is: "Pornography (from Greek pornographia - literally writing about or drawings of harlots) is the representation of the human body or human sexual behaviour with the goal of sexual arousal, similar to, but (according to some) distinct from, erotica."(Wikipedia) It has been arugued that pornography is "degrading" for female pornography actor. However, I believe that degrading is a very vague term. It narrows down to the point where every individual is in the position to define what is "degrading" and what is not. Another thing linked to this debate is that female pornography actor are used as "sex objects" and thus their importance mitigated. If this objection is taken at face value, it is meaningless, as objects do not have sexuality, only beings do. But if we state that female pornography actor are depicted as "sexual beings" would make a poor idiom. Most female sex workers foster the view that pornography should not be restricted, not because they oppose restricting harmful speech, but because they regard pornography as relatively harmless. They identify the harm of pornography as the harm of offense and maintain that the fact that some find certain materials offensive is not a sufficient reason for restricting those materials.( Gittler,2000) However, despite the benefits of porn, there still remains strong advocates of anti-porn. MacKinnon has disagreed that pornography is an action, instead of a form of expression. In her work titled "Only Words" she strongly presents the view that pornography is an illocutionary act of subordination. Another way that MacKinnon tries to augment the view that pornography is an action involves a similarly glaring non sequitur: "Pornography is masturbation material. It is used as sex. It therefore is sex."(Mackinnon 2000) The fact that pornography is used in certain actions, though, does not make it the case that pornography is an action. Finally, MacKinnon asserts that pornography is an action because it causes harmful acts. MacKinnon defends that pornography is causally linked to acts of sexism and violence against female pornography actor. Another important argument raised against female pornographic actors is that pornography entices men to commit rape. Studies and experts have contracted this view and have refused to accept any links between the two things, which they consider as poles apart. To further proof this point, the highly "pro-censorship" Messe Commission Report also agreed to this fact.( Jones,2001) Take the case of Japan, where pornography and

Environmental Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Environmental Ethics - Essay Example Ecofeminist has different perspectives and argue on various basic concepts that build up the philosophy. Today, many feminist supports that our environment is apparently a feminist issue. This philosophy has been really popular and many relate the ethics of the environment to feminism and have their contradictions over the patriarchal issue and the biases as well as the dominance that comes in hand with the situation. One needs to understand in depth the basis of this philosophy. "A feminist uses gender analysis as the starting point; gender is the lens through which the initial description and analysis occur." Similarly like feminism, many forms of ecofeminism prevail. Ecofeminism is basically a name given to various feminist practices and philosophical ideas. These various approaches not only represent feminism but also how different forces of nature play and how they can overcome environmental concerns. Some examples of different perspective are liberal, Marxist, black etc. Theref ore various environmental philosophical positions that accept feminine issues and support feminism are generally referred to as ecofeminist positions. "Views which uncritically embrace unified or one stance views of feminine sides of gender dichotomies are not feminist; they are better understood as ecofeminine than ecofeminist. They are, in fact, dangerous views from a genuinely feminist perspective." (Darion, 1999) The question here arises that what does one perceive about ecofeminism? What makes this philosophy so concrete that it stands as a complete concept which deals with its theoretical support or the political movement? Although there are significant differences between ecofeminism and feminism from which it has actually rooted, but all ecofeminist agree about certain things which are prominent in feminism. For instance, there is always a significant link between the dominant forces of nature and women, which is essential to understand three things that is feminism, philoso phy of the environment and environmentalism. The major reason to establish this movement is to highlight the links between nature and women and how dangerous these connections can be at times. Ecofeminist have been successful in identifying eight different sorts of links. The links between these two intriguing forces are at times due to competition, at times they are complementing each other or can also be supportive, all this can eventually sum up to analyze forces of nature and the dominance between the two i.e women and nature. The eight connections are as follows: 1. Historical connection (causal): a link between women and nature can be historical. One of the causals is the historic data that develop and nurture theories which deal with the initialization and connection between the domination of women and nature. This concept is so concrete that Ariel Salleh claim's that ecofeminism is particularly a cent progress in the feministic approach and believes that the recent crisis th at has occurred globally and environmentally is basically because of the prevailing culture of patriarchal. (katz,2000) 2. Concept based Connections: Most of the scholars that study ecofeminism believe that the dominant power between women and nature is because of the causal connection which basically stems from causal links which take their branches from concept based structures of domination that develop and nurture women and nature in a social system which consist of male biases. 3.

Pro Porn Feminist view of career in Pornography Essay

Pro Porn Feminist view of career in Pornography - Essay Example Pornography has provided female pornography actor with the financial augment they need, especially after becoming a widow or due to the lack of suitable jobs for qualified female pornography actor. Now pornography has turned into one of the biggest and most profitable industry and thus has invited a lot of interest and charm for female pornography actor to turn towards pornography in order to make some quick buck. Before we discuss the various views of female pornography actor working in the porn industry, we should define the definition of pornography. Although this has been a very debated topic too, as various authors find the definition in quite contrasting views. However, a generally accepted definition for "Pornography" is: "Pornography (from Greek pornographia - literally writing about or drawings of harlots) is the representation of the human body or human sexual behaviour with the goal of sexual arousal, similar to, but (according to some) distinct from, erotica."(Wikipedia) It has been arugued that pornography is "degrading" for female pornography actor. However, I believe that degrading is a very vague term. It narrows down to the point where every individual is in the position to define what is "degrading" and what is not. Another thing linked to this debate is that female pornography actor are used as "sex objects" and thus their importance mitigated. If this objection is taken at face value, it is meaningless, as objects do not have sexuality, only beings do. But if we state that female pornography actor are depicted as "sexual beings" would make a poor idiom. Most female sex workers foster the view that pornography should not be restricted, not because they oppose restricting harmful speech, but because they regard pornography as relatively harmless. They identify the harm of pornography as the harm of offense and maintain that the fact that some find certain materials offensive is not a sufficient reason for restricting those materials.( Gittler,2000) However, despite the benefits of porn, there still remains strong advocates of anti-porn. MacKinnon has disagreed that pornography is an action, instead of a form of expression. In her work titled "Only Words" she strongly presents the view that pornography is an illocutionary act of subordination. Another way that MacKinnon tries to augment the view that pornography is an action involves a similarly glaring non sequitur: "Pornography is masturbation material. It is used as sex. It therefore is sex."(Mackinnon 2000) The fact that pornography is used in certain actions, though, does not make it the case that pornography is an action. Finally, MacKinnon asserts that pornography is an action because it causes harmful acts. MacKinnon defends that pornography is causally linked to acts of sexism and violence against female pornography actor. Another important argument raised against female pornographic actors is that pornography entices men to commit rape. Studies and experts have contracted this view and have refused to accept any links between the two things, which they consider as poles apart. To further proof this point, the highly "pro-censorship" Messe Commission Report also agreed to this fact.( Jones,2001) Take the case of Japan, where pornography and

Morality of war in Afghanistan and Iraq Essay Example for Free

Morality of war in Afghanistan and Iraq Essay The war in Afghanistan and Iraq are referred by President Bush as wars against terror. They came as a result of the events that happened in the land of America in September 11th 2007. During this time America was attacked by terrorists who bombed the World Trade Center and Washington’s defense unit; the pentagon. These two attacks led to the loss of about 3000 lives. Immediately the US president declared war on Afghanistan which was said to harbor the world’s terrorist Osama bin Laden who masterminded the attacks. Later, he also attacked Iraq after Saddam Hussein said that he also happy to learn that America was attacked though he was not responsible. When both nations were attacked by USA in the name of war against terror, they retaliated. Now the question of morality comes in, who had a right to fight back, is it USA or the so called terrorists? It is this question of morality that will be my main focus on this paper. On 11th September 2001, America was hit by what seemed to be a well coordinated terrorist attack. There were about 19 terrorists who worked in groups of 4 or 5 to execute their plans. They used American jetliners as bombs to hit their two targets that is, the twin towers of the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon which is the USA’s military headquarters at Arlington, Virginia. The other plane which was also hijacked failed to hit its target after the passengers realized what was going on and fought back. It crashed somewhere in rural fields of Pennsylvania. All these acts showed every traits of terrorism. And the 19 men who were involved were Arabs who came from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and other Arab countries. They were all linked to the al-Qaeda network which is an Islamic group headed by Osama bin laden. This organization is dedicated to wage war against USA and their main targets include financial, political and military section. It has never witnessed such deaths since the civil war ended. This is why Bush found it morally right to protect and to fight for he thought it wise to stand up to their bullies. The al-Qaeda network started when Osama bin laden offered himself to support Afghanistan in 1980’s against the occupation by the Union of Soviet Socialist State (USSR). He financed the anti-soviet resistance. After he succeeded in chasing the Soviet out, Osama devoted himself to fight for Muslims in other regions in the world. He was especially angered by the stationing of USA military in Saudi Arabia and the idea of United States for supporting Israel against Palestine in the Arab- Israel war. Osama is an extremist who believed that no US citizen should step in the Muslim land and is totally opposed to the Western influences. Osama bin laden is not an Afghanistan citizen. Afghanistan as an independent nation and it had its every right to fight back USA. Any independent nation should be able to protect its citizens against any external aggression. So, this is one of these obligations that Iraq and Afghanistan were meeting (Press release. 2007 Sept 27) Again, Afghanistan had every right to fight USA back in support of Osama bin laden- the said master minder. This is because a friend in deed is a friend in need. Osama and his al-Qaeda, network saved them from external aggression by the USSR. Now it was their turn to help him. You scratch my back, I scratch yours. By not fighting back was not only a sign of cowardice but also being ungrateful. The Taliban regime depended on Osama’s wealth. He helped to organize and equip all military training camps USA should have used diplomatic strategies to arrest Osama bin laden and bring an end to the operations of the al-Qaeda. According to Martin Luther King junior, you do not pay evil with evil, it will escalate to a very terrible thing. There was no way the attacked nations could have remained quiet. Yes war is not the answer and should be the last option but cannot face your enemy who is armed with open arms. For this reason, I don’t see anything unusual or bad with Iraq and Afghanistan retaliating. Therefore, they were justified to fight back. To the affected Arab nations, the September 11th, 2001 attacks if anything, was a revenge of harms done by USA to the Arab states. USA has been against the Arabs since the Israel Palestine conflict. The US government thought that it must teach these deviant nations a lesson by attacking them. They knew that US is superior to them but they had slow down its move. They were aware that that if you give your enemy an inch, they will take a mile so by fighting back, they were only reducing further military interventions. According to the Muslims (Scott D. M. , 2005) staging a holy war is not morally wrong. Muslims do value holy war or what is called Jihad. To Muslims jihad war should be directed to a visible enemy, against devil inducements and on one’s self aspects. So, by Afghanistan and Iraq fighting back, they were only fulfilling the teachings of Koran. According to them, America fits the description of a foe and it should be shunned from entering in any of the Muslim territories. According to Saddam, it was alright to fight your foe. He was a very strong supporter of this course. In one of his speech that was read by the Information Minister Saeed Al sahaf he said, â€Å"O great warrior nation, O sons our great nation men of arms who uphold the honor of resistance, God’s peace be upon you as you face the aggressors the enemies of God and humanity the passing infidels, with chests filled with faith and love for God. † In his speech he argued people to fight against their enemy, â€Å"The aggressors will flee from what is right and be damned along with their devils. Faith and honor will brighten the faces of Mujahedden (holy fighters), men and women. † He said. Saddam Hussein justified the course he took of fighting Americans and Persians. He died cursing both of them. Before he died he argued all Muslims from all over world to unite and fight their common enemy. By fighting Americans they are only acting according to the Koran’s teachings. After the September 11 attack (Press release. 2007 Sept 27)Saddam was heard saying that the act was heroic though he was not responsible there was no indication that Iraq was responsible for the attack Saddam Hussein celebrated the attacks on USA just a few days after the attack. He said that the attacks were the fruits of the crimes they had committed against humanity. There was no evidence pointing Iraq to the attack so, there was no way they could have allowed USA to attack them. Any move to punish them was resisted by fighting back. America attacked Iraq on allegations that it was involved in the 2001 September 11 attack. What I think prompted US to act against Iraq is the Saddam’s speech after the attack. It should be known that everybody should feel free to express his ideas whenever he feels like. That is why there is freedom of expression. Therefore, Saddam was only exercising his freedom of speech. In Afghanistan, the US government crushed the Taliban government and put another government of their choice. This can be said to be interfering with other states affairs. Taliban was the ruling government before it was ousted by the American troops. Thus, they were fighting back to take their former leadership positions. On the other hand, I think America had all the rights to attack Afghanistan. This is because all the evidence was pointing on Afghanistan. For example in 2007 a videotape was discovered in Afghanistan. It provided insights in Osama’s thinking and ties to the attack. This video was discovered in November 2001 and was conversation between Osama bin laden and the Arab Sheik who had visited Afghanistan. In the tape Osama bin Laden could be heard saying how he premeditated the attacks. He even knew the number of people who would be victims of the attack. Also, because he is a construction engineer, he knew that the best floors to target were three or four because the fine caused by the caused by the gas on the plane would melt all the iron above it and make the while building to collapse. This was enough evidence that linked Osama bin laden, Taliban government and USA attack. Though this tape linked Afghanistan with September eleven attacks, it was not enough evidence to prove that they are the one who did that. May be the tape was recorded by people who wanted to make a name for al-Qaeda? Even before the tape was discovered, USA had already started to revenge on Afghanistan as on 7TH October 2001(Bergen P. , 2006)

Operations Analysis: Starbucks

Operations Analysis: Starbucks Starbucks main focus has been on its employees. Starbucks understands that their employees are the driving factor and most important resource of the company. Starbucks provides each employee with a starting wage above minimum wage standards as well as a quality health care and benefits packages. They firmly believe that the welfare of their people, environment and community are linked to their success as a company. These principles provide an established and proven work environment for every staff member throughout every retail store owned or operated by Starbucks. PERFORMANCE OBJECTIVES Speed Starbucks is all about customer experience and the key aspect to that is not keep a customer waiting. Speed is an essential aspect, for the business, because the speed of their processes affects them in many ways. The profitability is affected when the staff keeps the customers waiting and this could cost them dearly, besides, with regard to the product, by being slow the quality of the food and beverage also suffers. One way of reducing time is to have efficient and smooth internal communications, and by keeping an adequate quantity of inventory, especially a well organized kitchen or working space. Quality Quality is probably the main performance objective as it is usually the one factor that differentiates it from its competitors. As mentioned above, as part of the customer experience, quality plays a main role. Quality encompasses a lot factors and a large portion of that depends on the customer perception of it. Quality is primarily affected by the quality of the resources, the time management etc. Starbucks could adopt a TQM approach and even have quality checks. They could take back feedback from customers from time to time to review their performance. Dependability Starbucks needs to be consistent in its performance, and the quality of service or product provided. One way to measure dependability of products is for example a business may look into the records of the amount of warranty claims made against a particular product. Flexibility Speed and Flexibility are related, the faster the processing time the better the chances of processes being adjusted quickly. Flexibility also involves a degree of being up to date and to accommodate the customer needs from time to time. Starbucks RD department would have to identify flavors and new mechanisms that could attract new customers and benefit the company. It also involves understanding the economy they work in, like creating a customized menu for the countries they serve in. Cost Cost affects a large chunk of how the company works, because no matter which company it is they all have a profit maximization objective. Major costs for Starbucks include the acquiring of coffee beans and Starbucks is very specific about the Arabica beans they procure, an example of minimizing cost would be how they have started growing their own coffee beans, which has given them better control over their costs by reducing supplier costs. Another method to do so is to update technology that better uses input and reduces waste. Of the 4 strategic perspectives, Resources applies best to Starbucks Financial resources affect Cost and Quality performance objectives. If quality is high, costs are usually high. However, Starbucks finds the balance between cost quality and provides a good quality product service at minimum cost. Physical resources refer usually to the area where business is carried out and affects the Speed element of the performance objectives. Starbucks all around the world have similar outlet design where to get to the counter; customers have to first pass through the seating area. It would be faster and probably more convenient to customers to have the counter closer to the entrance. Human resources include the knowledge and experience of employees/owner and affect the Dependability variable of the performance objectives. There is a requirement for all Starbucks employees to learn how to make the various drinks and also how to interact with customers. The way Starbucks employees interact with customers is very different from other of their outlets. Also, a drink made in one outlet sometimes doesnt differ at all from the same drink made in others. There lies a very high degree of consistency in the product and service of Starbucks. Technological resources affect the Quality, Speed and Cost variables of performance objectives. With better technology, costs can be reduced, speed may be increased and quality can be consistent. SUPPLY NETWORK The major aspect of Starbucks supply chain is the supply and distribution of the coffee beans. This is a complex process as the coffee and other related products need to be obtained from around the world to be delivered at their retail outlets. Starbucks follow the rule of Plan, Source, Make and Deliver for their supply chain. Their operations begin right from the planting of the coffee to brewing the perfect cup of coffee for their customers. Starbucks supply chain includes everything from planning the raw materials, to the manufacturing of the coffee and last but not the least distribution of this coffee to their retail outlets, and they successfully do this by positioning its own people inside of distribution centers, to keep watch over operations and forge stronger relationships with service providers. (Refer to Appendix 1) CUSTOMER ORDER PROCESS Store Entrance Cashier I Cashier II Payment Specialty Drink NO YES Pickup Counter Cashier Calls Order to the Barista Barista Repeats the order and prepares Products Eg. Coffee Bean Select and purchase supplies, hire and training Seen by Customer Not Seen by Customer Fig: Paryani, K. (2013) Product quality, service reliability and management of operations at Starbucks.International Journal of Engineering, Science and Technology, 3 (7), p.3-14. Available at: http://www.ijest-ng.com/vol3_no7/ijest-ng-vol3-no7-pp1-14.pdf [Accessed: 13 Mar 2013]. (Refer to Appendix 3 4) ORDER PROCESS MAPPING This order process mapping has been divided into three main portions, the customers viewpoint, the cashiers viewpoint and finally the baristas view point. From the customers viewpoint, the order process begins when the customer enters the store and begins to make an order. At this point depending on the speed of the order process, the customer could either wait at the queue or leave it he/she feels like it is time consuming. On reaching the cashier, the customer reads and chooses from the menu available and places an order to the cashier. The cashier then informs the customer about the specialties offered, like a caramel or chocolate topping etc. This is the decision point for both the cashier as well as the customer and the customer could alter the order further. After this point, the customer pays for the drink and proceeds to either in store or maybe wait at the special stools near the checkout counter to the collect the drink and proceed to leave. Next from the cashiers perspecti ve, the process begins with the opening of the store, and it is the responsibility of the cashier to ensure that they have necessary cash to make transactions, by ensuring that they have coins and other cash/notes. The actual order happens, when the customer chooses the drink or food places the order. The cashier then mentions the various options available like choosing a topping or cream etc. The cashier after confirming the order with the customer, then immediately calls out the order to the barista. After this, the cashier tells the customer the amount to be paid and collects the amount, along with a receipt for the order, and tells the customer the approximate time that will be taken for the drink to be prepared. The final approach is that of the barista. When the order is placed by the customer, the cashier calls out the order to the barista. The Barista then follows this up by calling out the order loudly once more. This is the poke-a-yoke approach, as a method of double check ing and ensuring that the right order is placed. After this, the barista proceeds to make the actual drink. At this point it can take two deviations, there could be a fail point and the barista may not make the drink properly, in which case the drink will be made again and the barista completes the drink and places it on the checkout counter or gives in to the customer in his/her seating area. The red arrows signify an interaction between the customer and the staff and how the viewpoint is different in both their terms. The green arrow is the cashier calling out the order to the barista. Fig: Perkins Will. (2012). Research journal. The Impact of an Operational Process on Space. VOL 04.02 (1), p43-44. TRANSFORMATION PROCESS MODEL Inputs Outputs Transformation Process Coffee beans Baristas and other staff Coffee Machine, condiment counter, food freezers and other equipment Coffee Customer Satisfaction Experience Preparation of Coffee Warming of Food Fig : Simple Transformation Model adapted from Shaw, N, 2010, Operating Systems, Performance Objectives and Operations Strategy, Operations Management 1, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh (Refer Appendix 2. ) The transformation process model shown below gives us an insight to the detailed version of the order process of Starbucks. It starts with the environment, which includes the customers of the coffee shop. The transformation process model is constructed keeping in mind the Starbucks customer experience that ensures when a customer leaves the coffee shop they have a smile on their face. Like the traditional transformational process this model also depicts the inputs, the transformation system and the outputs. This model creates a linkage between monitoring and control and the transformation system, which helps in enhancing customer experience and the environment in the shop. Environment Customers Inputs Customer Order Coffee Beans Staff Equipment including coffee machines and so on. Transformation System Preparation of coffee Food warming Output Prepared Coffee Starbucks Experience Monitoring and Control Fig: Detailed Tranformation process of the order process adapted from Operations management: The input/output transformation model. 2013. Operations management: The input/output transformation model. [ONLINE] Available at: http://cnx.org/content/m35439/latest/. [Accessed 13 March 2013]. PROBLEMS FACED Some of the primary problems faced by the company in terms of its operations and performance are as follows. Inadequate seating capacity and power sources. The cleanliness at the condiment counter is another issue. No new beverages options or menu and that not all beverages are available at different stores across the globe. Inconsistency in customer service and inventory. The Wi-Fi ports arent available at all stores. RECOMMENDATIONS A) Increase seating capacity: Starbucks can increase their seating capacity by having a outdoor seating area. They could also use comfortable, space friendly couches and bean bags that can be moved around easily to suit the customers comfort. By increasing the seating capacity of the store, more customers will prefer to dine in-store and this would mean that the order process will be serving a larger number of people at the given time. Staff would have to be on hand at all times. B) Cleanliness of the counters and the coffee desks: Starbucks has a separate condiment counter which hold additional sugar sachets, stirrers, mug holders, tissue napkins etc. Though the staff provides these along with the coffee order, customers can access this if they need any additional. A recommendation that we would suggest is to develop a good roster system that will ensure that staff take turns in keeping an eye on the coffee desks. This is essential to the order process, affecting the level of customer service and satisfaction. This could contribute effectively to improving both the speed and customer satisfaction of the order process, because this is a vital part of the process. C) Customized orders: Though Starbucks boasts of customizing their beverages on the request of the customers, like providing variety in their milk full cream, low fat, skimmed milk, soya milk etc. It was identified that most of the time, the store is out of inventory for the required order and this is a major weakness. This affects the order process, because it confuses the customer and the barista. This will have a direct impact on the order process such that, the staff taking the order will have to be specific in terms of mentioning their specialties available. The customer must be made aware of the choices available, and they should have the respective ingredients available for these options. D) Stores have Wi-Fi ports. Starbucks, like its competitors, provided the policy of free Wi-Fi ports in the store. However, not all stores are consistent in this aspect and many stores dont offer this facility. This will affect the order process, as customer like youngster and business people might actually leave the store due to this reason. E) Switch menu. Customers often feel like the Starbucks menu doesnt switch around much and also that they dont have all their options available in all store. We would advice Starbucks to incorporate the feedbacks from their customers into their menu and this again would directly affect the order process. CONCLUSION This report has effectively analyzed the operations of the Starbucks chain of coffee shops. The study looked into understanding the performance objectives by aligning them to the strategic objectives of the company. Furthermore, we have identified the suitable transformational model of the company and then explained in detail the order process. We chose the order process as the main focus of this paper, because we felt this was one the main operations of the company. We have identified how the order process functions and have also mapped out the entire process from the view point of the customer and the company. Finally, we have identified some functional problems and weaknesses of their operations. One the basis of site study as well as adequate research through company profiles and journals, they study has looked into amending some of these issues. The report has explained our recommendations towards addressing these issues and henceforth makes the operations of the store more bene ficial and profitable to both the company and customers. APPENDIX 1. They set a direction based on three broad action areas: service, cost, and talent. We make 80,000 deliveries per week globally and the store managers and baristas rely on us doing this well for them to be successful. Replenishment to our stores was not setting our stores up for success. We talked to store managers and they were clear that they could not be successful if the reliability and quality of supply was not good enough. 2. The basic model of transformation process indicates the inputs and outputs required by the firm. One of the main procedures of Starbucks is the order process that includes different inputs that are essential for the coffee shop. The inputs being, coffee beans, barista and other staff, the coffee machine, condiment, food freezer and other equipments. The outputs result in the hot and warm coffee and the customer satisfaction and experience. The process that led to the outputs includes the production of coffee and warming the food. 3. Starbucks utilizes an Assemble to Order process (ATO) when dealing with customers. ATO is a mixture of make to order and make to stock. Since customers like to personalize their order, Starbucks has an inventory in every branch to reach customers needs. The product is made when a customer puts in their order yet all the materials are kept at hand for workers to make each order accordingly. Also, they keep certain things made at all times on hand like caffeinated and decaffeinated coffee because its a common order thats expected to sell and can be customized for the specific customer such as adding sugar or milk if theyd like to. (Team 1 Starbucks, 2010) 4. A typical service blueprint of the order process at Starbucks is shown Below. To start the order process, the barista behind the cash register gives friendly service by looking the customer in the eye and then greeting the customer. The customer gives the order. If the order is for an espresso drink, the barista repeats the order, out loud, and states the ingredients in a predefined order (size, type of milk, type of coffee, etc.). The barista behind the espresso bar repeats the drink ingredients in the same order. This simple poka-yoke technique helps to guarantee that the drink will be made correctly the first time. This process is generally observed at in most Starbucks stores, where the barista asks for the customers name and repeats it with the drink order. In the early days, the baristas were trained to ask the customers name. Howard Schultz has brought this step back as another way to differentiate Starbucks from the other coffee shops; this act, in turn, has had a positive impact on improving market share. (Paryani, 2011) Names of team Members Team work (management/co ntribution /attendance of team meetings) Research (contribution to data collection / group discussions /idea generation /literature review) Final Report (report construction /report write up/diagrams/ referencing, etc.) Total contribution towards assignment Athina Abigail Dsilva 1 2 2 5 Callahan Jason Brown 2 1 2 5 Leni Vincent Joseph 2 1 2 5 Nida Saleem Siddiqui 2 2 1 5 Rudy Rosario 2 2 1 5 Vidhya Subramani 1 2 2 5 Total score 10 10 10 30

Buddhism - Religion or Philosophy ? :: essays research papers

Buddhism - Religion or Philosophy ? The Buddha's Words on Kindness This is what should be done Be the one who is skilled in goodness,And who knows the path of peace:Let them be able and upright,Straightforward and gentle in speech.Humble and not conceited,Contented and easily satisfied.Unburned with duties and frugal in their ways.Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful, Not proud and demanding in nature. Let them not do the slightest thing That the wise would later reprove. Wishing: In gladness and in safety, May all beings be at ease. Whatever living beings there may be; Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,The seen and the unseen, Those living near and far away, Those born and to-be-born, May all beings be at ease!  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Let none deceive another, Or despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will Wish harm upon another. Even as a mother protects with her life Her child, her only child, So with a boundless heart Should one cherish all living beings: Radiating kindness over the entire world Spreading upwards to the skies, And downwards to the depths; Outward and unbounded, Freed from hatred and ill-will. Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down Free from drowsiness, One should sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding. By not holding to fixed views, he pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision, Being freed from all sense desires, Is not born again into this world. Coexist with any other religion Buddhism is probably the most tolerant religion of the world, as the teaching can coexist with any other religion. Other religions however, aim to be exclusive and cannot accommodate Buddhism at the same time. The Buddhist teaching on God - in the sense of an ultimate Reality - is neither agnostic (as is sometimes claimed), nor vague, but clear and logical. Whatever Reality may be, it is beyond the conception of the finite intellect, as it follows that attempts at description are misleading, unprofitable, and a waste of time. For these good reasons the Buddha maintained about Reality a noble silence. If there is a Causeless Cause of all Causes, an Ultimate Reality, a Boundless Light, an Eternal Noumenon behind phenomena, it must clearly be infinite, unlimited, unconditioned and without attributes. It follows that we can neither define, describe, nor usefully discuss the nature of THAT which is beyond the comprehension of our finite consciousness. Buddhism - Religion or Philosophy ? :: essays research papers Buddhism - Religion or Philosophy ? The Buddha's Words on Kindness This is what should be done Be the one who is skilled in goodness,And who knows the path of peace:Let them be able and upright,Straightforward and gentle in speech.Humble and not conceited,Contented and easily satisfied.Unburned with duties and frugal in their ways.Peaceful and calm, and wise and skillful, Not proud and demanding in nature. Let them not do the slightest thing That the wise would later reprove. Wishing: In gladness and in safety, May all beings be at ease. Whatever living beings there may be; Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, The great or the mighty, medium, short or small,The seen and the unseen, Those living near and far away, Those born and to-be-born, May all beings be at ease!  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Let none deceive another, Or despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill-will Wish harm upon another. Even as a mother protects with her life Her child, her only child, So with a boundless heart Should one cherish all living beings: Radiating kindness over the entire world Spreading upwards to the skies, And downwards to the depths; Outward and unbounded, Freed from hatred and ill-will. Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down Free from drowsiness, One should sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding. By not holding to fixed views, he pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision, Being freed from all sense desires, Is not born again into this world. Coexist with any other religion Buddhism is probably the most tolerant religion of the world, as the teaching can coexist with any other religion. Other religions however, aim to be exclusive and cannot accommodate Buddhism at the same time. The Buddhist teaching on God - in the sense of an ultimate Reality - is neither agnostic (as is sometimes claimed), nor vague, but clear and logical. Whatever Reality may be, it is beyond the conception of the finite intellect, as it follows that attempts at description are misleading, unprofitable, and a waste of time. For these good reasons the Buddha maintained about Reality a noble silence. If there is a Causeless Cause of all Causes, an Ultimate Reality, a Boundless Light, an Eternal Noumenon behind phenomena, it must clearly be infinite, unlimited, unconditioned and without attributes. It follows that we can neither define, describe, nor usefully discuss the nature of THAT which is beyond the comprehension of our finite consciousness.

Custom Essay - Racial Prejudice and Anti-Semitism in The Merchant of Venice :: Merchant of Venice Essays

Racial Prejudice and Anti-Semitism in The Merchant of Venice  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   William Shakespeare's comedy, The Merchant of Venice, uses satire to present Shakespeare's views on racial prejudice and anti-Semitism. The premise deals with the antagonistic relationship between Shylock, a Jewish moneylender and Antonio, the Christian merchant, who is as generous as Shylock is greedy. This essay will examine how the themes of racial prejudice, and anti-Semitism are presented in The Merchant of Venice.    Shylock is stereotypically described as "costumed in a recognizably Jewish way in a long gown of gabardine, probably black, with a red beard and/or wing like that of Judas, and a hooked putty nose or bottle nose" (Charney, p. 41).   Shylock is a defensive character because society is constantly reminding him he is different in religion, looks, and motivation. He finds solace in the law because he, himself, is an outcast of society. Shylock is an outsider who is not privy to the rights accorded to the citizens of Venice. The Venetians regard Shylock as a capitalist motivated solely by greed, while they saw themselves as Christian paragons of piety.    When Shylock considers taking Antonio's bond using his ships as collateral, his bitterness is evident when he quips, "But ships are but board, sailors but men. There be land rats and water rats, water thieves and land thieves -- I mean pirates -- and then there is the peril of waters, winds, and rocks" (I.iii.25). Shylock believes the Venetians are hypocrites because of their slave ownership. The Venetians justify their practice of slavery by saying simply, "The slaves are ours" (IV.i.98-100). During the trial sequence, Shylock persuasively argues, "You have among you many a purchased slave, which (like your asses and your dogs and mules). You us in abject and in slavish parts, because you bought them, shall I say to you, let them be free, marry them to your heirs... you will answer, `The slaves are ours,' -- so do I answer you: The pound of flesh (which I demand of him) is dearly bought, 'tis mine and I will have it" (IV.i.90-100).    Shakespeare's depiction of the Venetians is paradoxical. They are, too, a capitalist people and readily accept his money, however, shun him personally. Like American society, 16th century Venice sought to solidify their commercial reputation through integration, but at the same time, practiced social exclusion.

Avon’s Dividend Policy Essay

A firm’s decisions about dividends are often mixed up with other financing and investment decisions. Some firms pay low dividends because management is optimistic about the firm’s future and wishes to retain earnings for expansion. Other firms might finance capital expenditures largely by borrowing. All the above are examples of dividend policies which can be defined more precisely as the trade-off between retaining earnings on the one hand and paying out cash and issuing new shares on the other. In order to understand the dividend policy we must understand that this phrase means different things to different people (R.A. Brealey & S.C. Myers, 2003). Avon Products, Inc. announced both a change in its business focus and a reduction of its dividend in June 1988. To offset the likely stock price effect of the dividend reduction, Avon announced at the same time an unusual exchange offer under which it would take up to 25% of its common stock. The case traces the history of Avon from 1979-88. We will evaluate Avon’s efforts at diversification in the early 1980s, and will relate that effort to the company’s dividend history. Moreover we will evaluate Avon’s operating and financial strategies from 1979 to 1988 and the company’s financial condition in mid-1988. PERFORMANCE OF AVON’S STOCK FROM 1978-1988Based on Exhibit 4, Avon’s stock price has declined from $50.75 in 1978 to $24.125 in 1988 (decline equal to 52.5%). At the same time, S&P 500 has increased from $96.11 in 1978 to $266.69 in 1988 (increase equal to 177.5%). This rather poor performance of Avon stock contradicts with the performance of the overall market. Moreover, based on Exhibit 1, ROE decreased from 31% in 1978 to 21% in 1988. This is due to the following factors: Avon in the early 1980 made the major strategic decision to diversify its business by entering the health care field. In order to support its diversification strategy it invested heavily in subsequent acquisitions of Health care companies. It acquired Mallinkdroft in 1982, Foster Medical in 1984, Retirement Inns in 1985 and  Mediplex in 1986. Even though its health care division showed increasing net sales from 1982 till 1984, the situation changed during 1985, with a sudden drop of more than 50% in net sales. The inability of the health care sector to grow at attractive rates worsened in the years to come (largely because of the change in Medicare in 1986) and proved that it was a strategic mistake to go for diversification. Not only did not the market appreciate this decision, but also the firm found itself highly leveraged with a long term dept of $816.4 million in 1987, because of subsequent acquisitions. The heavy borrowing of the Avon obliged it to announce a dividend cut from $3.00 to $2.50 in 1982, and to $2.00 from 1983 till 1987. This dividend cutting policy, which was already expected and negatively perceived by the market from the early 1981 severely influenced Avon stock price (a decline in the share price from $30 to $20.375 immediately after the announcement of the following dividend policy) and contributed largely to its poor performance. This poor performance was also partly due to the disappointing financial results of the Beauty care sector from 1982 till 1985 (Exhibit 2). It was only in 1986 that the Beauty care sector showed again positive signs of improving prospects. The wrong commitment of Avon to its Health care sector together with the demographic shifts of the 1980’s, that decreased both its sales force and customer base are the main reasons for the Beauty Care sector’s disappointing results. EVALUATION OF AVON’ S FINANCIAL CONDITION IN MID-1988Avon in mid-1988 divested its healthcare business and acquired fragrance companies. In that way, Avon has demonstrated renewed commitment to beauty business and continued investment in that business. While its long term debt was only $4.1million in 1979 and its net earnings amounted to $250.7 million, Avon found itself heavily burdened with total long term debt of $816.4 million in 1988 decreasing net earnings of $159 million and just before divesting two of its health care businesses probably at considerable book losses. The decision of the company to finance its acquisitions with debt, starting from 1982, resulted to high interest expense payments every year (Exhibit 1). These high interest expense payments, combined with the decreasing net earnings made it very difficult for Avon to meet successfully its generous dividend payment policy. So the company had to reduce its yearly dividend  payments starting from 1982 and onwards. Under its financial condition in 1988 Avon has no other choice but to go for further reductions in dividends. That way the company will be able to meet its heavy debt obligations and at the same time finance the â€Å"come back† to its core beauty products business. PURPOSE OF THE EXCHANGE OFFERThe purpose of the exchange offer was to avoid having a dividend reduction drive down the stock price and find the â€Å"golden mean† between its own interests and the interests of its 25 large Institutional shareholders. Those shareholders owned 46.5 % of total Avon’s outstanding shares (Exhibit 5) and expected high dividends from them. Some investors, as it is mentioned in the case, have stated that they held Avon stock because it paid high dividends. Hence, a reduction of dividends would most likely have caused investors to sell their stocks and evoke share price delay. Therefore, Morgan Stanley, the financial adviser of Avon offered to exchange one share of a new $2.00 PERCS for each of up to $18 million of Avon’s 7.17 million outstanding common shares. PERCS are mandatory convertibles that work as equity-linked hybrid securities and automatically convert to common stock on a pre-specified date (Yan, A. et al, 2003). The PERCS assured the same dividends ($2.00 a year) until September 1991. The company would also have an option of redeeming the preferred shares for either cash or common shares after that date. In addition, the exchange offer was made in order to support the following four key elements that Avon should have taken into consideration (Ross, S.A., et al 2008):†¢Select Additional capital budgeting projects. Through the capital savings Avon will be able to finance additional projects with positive NPV. †¢Available funds for further acquisitions. To avoid the payment of dividends Avon might use excess cash to acquire another company. With this method the company will be able to support more efficiently its turnaround strategy towards the beauty business. †¢Repurchase shares. Avon will be able to support its market price which has reached the lowest level of approximately $24 by repurchasing shares. At the same time shareholders benefit from the fact that when selling shares they pay lower taxes than when they receive dividends. †¢Personal taxes. Money earned from dividends is considered as personal income so it is taxed. EVALUATION OF THE TRADE-OFFEach decision to go for either the new preferred stock or to keep the common stock has pros and cons. The new PERCS should be appealing to the majority of its institutional investors, since they guarantee to them a stable and relatively high enough quarterly dividend of 50 cents, which is always paid before any other common dividend payment. In this way its large institutional investors can feel certain that they will have a secured return on their investment, without incurring any transaction costs when selling off shares for current consumption. The holders of the new PERCS can also share the benefits of a stock price increase up to $31.5 but also the losses in case of a stock price drop. The great opportunity that the holders of the new PERCS are loosing is in case Avon stock price goes beyond $31.5. Its stock is currently undervalued to approximately $24 and there is a high probability that within the predetermined 3 years its stock price will increase beyond the price of $31.5, as Avon is undergoing a restructuring towards its core beauty care business and the market is expected to react positively to that news. If that will be the case, then they will loose any excess gains incurred beyond the $31.5 stock price. Being a common shareholder, an institutional investor experiences losses in revenues because of the dividend reduction. What is extremely important though is that this implies a policy of retaining earnings to help finance the business, which is currently being restructured. So having a long term perspective an institutional investor can select common stocks and bet on a stock price increase far beyond $31.5. If that will be the case then he will certainly outperform any losses he has experienced so far because of the dividend reduction. In addition, based on Exhibit 5 we can distinguish four types of institutional investors depending on their preferences:†¢Yield. In this case the institutional investors have as a primary objective, the amount of dividends they will receive divided by the purchase price. This is not an accurate measure of total return, since it does not factor in capital gains. (http://www.investorwords.com/5362/yield.html)†¢Turnaround. A speculator may profit from a turnaround if he or she accurately anticipates the improvement of a poorly performing company. (http://financial-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/turnaround)†¢Mixed. An investor with a combination of yield and turnaround incentives. †¢Index. Investors trading index options are essentially betting on the overall movement of the stock market as represented by a basket of stocks. These investors are considered to care a lot about acquiring stocks that help them diversify the risk of their overall portfolio (http://financial-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Index+Option). Concluding we assume that according to investors’ preferences we would have a different selection. The yield investor will probably prefer the PERCS, the turnaround investor would keep its common stocks, the mixed would consider both options and finally the index investor will first look at its entire portfolio and decide to keep the stock or not irrespective of the benefits that PERCS or common stock offer as he mainly cares for risk diversification. REFERENCES †¢Ross, S.A., Westerfield, R.W., Jaffe, J., Jordan, B.D. â€Å"Modern Financial Management†. McGraw-Hill, Eighth Edition, (2008)†¢R.A. Brealey and S.C. Myers, â€Å"Principles of Corporate Finance†, McGraw-Hill, Seventh Edition, (2003). †¢Yan, A., Nandy, D., and Chemmanur, T. â€Å"Why issue mandatory convertibles? Theory and empirical evidence, February (2003) Retrieved on 18.3.2008 (http://ideas.repec.org/p/ecm/nawm04/456.html)†¢http://www.investorwords.com/5362/yield.html. 18/3/2008. †¢http://financial-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/turnaround 18/3/2008. †¢http://financial-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Index+Option 18/3/2008.