Governance and Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 5000 words

Governance and Ethics - Essay Example Business corporation managers are required to manage business activities on behalf of the owners, while governors are required to ensure that the business is managed properly. Therefore, governors are custodians of the stakeholders. As a result, companies need to disclose corporate governance issues in their annual reports and ensure that they comply with principles of corporate governance. In UK, the principles and provisions of corporate governance are provided in the UK Corporate Governance Code 2012 (Financial Reporting Council, 2014). Companies listed in FTSE need to comply with these principles and provisions, and disclose their corporate governance activities. As custodians of the shareholders’ interests, governors should behave ethically and call for managers to act ethically as well (Crane & Matten, 2010). This leads to the concept of ethical governance which involves doing the right thing in order to fulfill the interests of a wide range of stakeholders. One of the FTSE companies is Barclays Plc is a multinational corporation offering financial services in 50 countries, with core business operations in South Africa, UK, and USA. The company operates under the regulatory standards of local and global markets. It employs 132,300 people and 732 senior managers globally. The company’s profits after tax have been declining from  £4,499 in 2010 to  £845 in 2014 (Barclays Plc, 2014). This is attributed to the sovereign debt and economic crisis that affected European countries since 2011. The economy is now in recovery and is expected to improve. In its annual report, Barclays discloses information about its corporate governance, stakeholders and ethics. This report provides an analysis of the corporate governance and ethics of Barclays Bank using the company’s annual report of 2014 and other research information about the company that is relevant to the concept of corporate governance and ethics.

Costs of Workplace Conflicts Essay Example for Free

Costs of Workplace Conflicts Essay Not all cost factors are relevant to every conflict, but every conflict incurs several of these costs. 1. Lost work time Managers’ Time: Studies show that 42% of a managers time is spent on conflict related negotiations among employees. Over 65% of performance problems result from strained relationships between employees, not from deficits in individual employees skill or motivation. Individuals’ Time: Studies show that 52% of employees have lost work time worrying about how they have been treated. 22% have deliberately slowed down their work in response to rude or insensitive behavior. Tension and stress reduce motivation and disturb concentration. A loss of 25% (doing things other than work related activities, such as discussing the dispute, playing computer games, finding reasons to get out of the area) reduces an average work week to fewer than 20 hours. 2. Absenteeism and Illness Absenteeism has been shown to correlate with job stress, especially the stress associated with anger toward co-workers. Science has determined that nearly every physical illness and injury, from viral infections to  cancer to workplace accidents, is partially psychogenic. That is, caused in part by psychological or emotional conditions. 3. Heath costs It is estimated that 75 – 90% of all visits to primary care physicians are for stress related problems. Since the rate of claims affects the premium paid by an employer to its insurer, insurance is an indirect cost of workplace conflict. An estimated 16% of employees feel that poor interpersonal relations are a source of stress at work. The total value of lost work time due to stress is estimated to be $1.7 billion. Workplace stress and work-related conflict are among the top eight reasons why employees request counseling assistance. 4. Reduced decision quality Decisions made under conditions of conflict are inferior to decisions made when cooperation prevails. The best decision-making happens when there is a free-flowing of information. When there is a conflict, it is not uncommon for information to be withheld or distorted. If conflict is present between people who share decision-making authority, as in the case of team-based decisions, the resulting decisions are likely to be contaminated by the power struggles between those people. 5. Restructuring Often, design of workflow is altered in an attempt to reduce the amount of interaction required between employees in conflict. Often the restructured work is less efficient than the original design. 6. Loss of skilled employees Studies show that 12% of employees have quit a job to avoid a rude co-worker. Seventy five percent of people who felt they have been bullied at work have left their jobs to make the bullying go away. Chronic unresolved conflict acts as a decisive factor in at least 50% of departures. 7. Cost to replace employee Conflict accounts for up to 90% of involuntary departures, with the possible exception of staff reductions due to downsizing and restructuring. It’s estimated that the real cost of turnover is equivalent to one full years pay (finding and training replacements, customer satisfaction and retention, lowered efficiency for all who work with new hire). 8. Sabotage/theft/damage Studies reveal a direct correlation between prevalence of employee conflict and the amount of damage and theft of inventory and equipment. Often covert sabotage of work processes and of management’s efforts occurs when employees are angry at their employer. 9. Lower morale From time to time, most employees experience erosion of job motivation due to the stress of trying to get along with a difficult person. To figure the financial cost, as a baseline figure, use the productivity that would have occurred had no conflict occurred. Then, estimate a percentage decline of that productivity. Multiply that percentage times the dollar value of the total compensation of the person(s) affected. 10. Legal costs Corporations that have developed collaborative conflict management systems report significant litigation cost savings: Brown and Root reported an 80% reduction in outside litigation costs, Motorola reported a 75% reduction over a period of six years, NCR reported a 50% reduction and a drop of pending lawsuits from 263 in 1984 to 28 in 1993. 11. Other? Conflict is a good example of how harm can be produced in the workplace and of how this harm spills over into families and communities. Such harm includes both inner-directed harm (suicidal behavior, recklessness, agitated depression and abuse of alcohol, drugs) and outer-directed expressions (threatening behavior, emotional and/or verbal abuse, bullying, harassment, assault, domestic violence, road rage). Summary Workplace stress costs US industry $300 billion a year in absenteeism, turnover, diminished productivity, medical, legal and insurance fees.xv The greatest stresses come from interpersonal conflicts.

Economics of Marriage :: essays research papers

Economics of Marriage Nowadays, marriage is hardly a new subject of discussion and is found in every human society. Any marriage involves two individuals each of whom has their own experience of that marriage. Nowadays, the roles and expectations that the families have to fulfill are distributed evenly among the members of the family. What this means is that mothers, who were identified in the past as household wives (since they were responsible with cleaning, cooking and raising children) are granted with more rights such as the right to participate in a voting process or the right to get a job. As oppose to mothers, fathers have always been mainly responsible with working hard to support their families because in most of the situations, they were the main financial providers. As a result, they had to bring money to their families by any means even if that meant getting more than one job. This situation became much more problematic when children appeared in the families. As we all know, children had and will always play an extremely important role and raising them is a big responsibility for thei r parents. Having children and only one member of the family (for instance the father) working is a familiar situation for most families. In this case, the father has to be more realistic than ever that his family relies on his financial support. He has to make sure that his family has the necessary supplies to survive. If this situation is not being resolved due to various reasons such as the husband does not earn enough money or just simply refuses to contribute financially, conflicts and issues may arise which often lead to family separations, and thus, poor living conditions and even death from malnutrition. This is exactly the situation that parents have to avoid. They have to be more responsible and realistic of their own actions, and take the decisions that are in the best interest of the family, the right decisions. These types of marriages are called emotional and financial support marriages. Another type of marriages that are very common nowadays and very numerous on a wide scale are the economic marriages. Economic marriages are essentially those kind of marriages in which money play a tremendous role in the lives of one or more couples. This is often a situation in which one or even both individuals involved in marriage have an unconditional desire and hunger for money.

Project Appraisal And Risk

PROJECT APPRAISAL AND RISKQ1. Risk & Uncertainty is an important part to be considered before any projects investment appraisal. Select the appropriate option which relates to either Risk or Uncertainty. (HA)It is Quantifiable RISK UNCERTAINTYIncreases as the projects life increases RISK UNCERTAINTYIt is difficult to assign probabilities RISK UNCERTAINTYIncreases as the variability of returns increases RISK UNCERTAINTY(2 marks) Q2. Cipher Co. plans to buy a new machine which will produce expected sales of 110,000 units per year. Each unit can be sold for $15 per unit. The project is expected to last for five years. The project NPV is $1780. The company profit tax one year in arrears at an annual rate of 30% per year. Calculate the sensitivity of the new machine to a change in selling price using the cost of capital of 11%.4%4.4%4.7%5%(2 marks) Q3. Calculate the sensitivity of selling price? The following information to be used:Investment in Year 0 $30,000, Sales volume 200 units per annum each costing $200, Variable cost $50/unit & Total Fixed cost $6000 per annum. The project life is estimated to be three years with the cost of capital of 10%. (MCQ)30.5%29.8%25%15%(2 marks) Q4. Select the appropriate strength & weaknesses for sensitivity analysis according to the statements. (HA)It identifies crucial areas for the success of the project STRENGTH WEAKNESSIt provides information which allows management to make subjective judgments STRENGTH WEAKNESSIt is not an optimizing technique STRENGTH WEAKNESSIt assumes that changes to variables can be made independently STRENGTH WEAKNESS(2 marks) Q5. Calculate the sensitivity of contribution? The following information to be used:Investment in Year 0 $60,000, Sales volume 600 units per annum each costing $125, Variable cost $10/unit & Total Fixed cost $4000 per annum, the Tax rate is 20% will only be applicable on taxable cash flows & capital allowances are to be ignored. The project life is estimated to be two years with the cost of capital of 8%. (MCQ)45.4%41.8%33.2%30.6%(2 marks) Q6. Dmitri is contemplating purchasing a machine for $275,000 which he will use to produce 50,000 units per year for five years. These products selling price is $10/unit and variable costs are expected to be $6/unit. Incremental fixed costs will be $70,000 every year for production & $25,000 every year for selling and distribution. Petra has a required rate of return of 10% per annum. By how many units must the estimate of production and sale volume fall for the project to be regarded as not worthwhile? (MCQ)2,8756,4658,11512,315(2 marks) Q7. Zulu Co. is considering to invest in a project costing $20,000, the amount is payable at the start of the first year of operation. The estimated future cash flows & its probabilities are given below: Year 1 The present value of cash flow ($) Probabilities17,500 0.7211,700 0.2(5,000) 0.08Year 2The present value of cash flow ($) Probabilities23,000 0.65(3,500) 0.35Calculate the total expected value? (MCQ) $23,700$14,540$13,725$8,265(2 marks) Q8. An individual uses expected value on the assumption to (MCQ)Reduce risk for a given level of returnMaximize return for a given level of riskReduce risk irrespective of the level of returnMaximize return irrespective of the level of risk(2 marks) Q9. Which of the following TWO are disadvantages of Expected value? (MRQ)Relatively simple calculationIgnores variability of payoffsDeals with multiple outcomesThe answer is only a long-run average (2 marks) Q10. â€Å"Using mathematical models, it produces a distribution of the possible outcomes from the project using multiple uncertain variables.† Choose the appropriate Technique. (MCQ)SimulationRisk-adjusted discount ratesAdjusted paybackExpected value(2 marks)PROJECT APPRAISAL AND RISK (ANSWERS)Q1. It is Quantifiable RISK Increases as the projects life increases UNCERTAINTYIt is difficult to assign probabilities UNCERTAINTYIncreases as the variability of returns increases RISK Q2. ASelling Price = 110,000 Ãâ€" $15 = $165, 0000Annuity Factor 11% (1 – 5 years) = 3.696Annuity Factor 11% (1 – 6 years) = 4.231Discount Factor 11% (Year 1) = 0.901Annuity Factor 11% (2 – 6 years) = 4.231 – 0.901 = 3.33Year 1-5 Tax rate Year 2-6 Cash flow 1650,000 Ãâ€" 30% 495,000 Ãâ€" Ãâ€" Annuity 3.696 3.33 Selling Price after tax 6098,400 – 164,8350 445,0050Sensitivity = (1,780 à · 445, 50050) Ãâ€" 100 = 4% Q3. Years Cash flow ($) Discount Factor (10%) Present value ($)Investment 0 (30,000) 1 (30,000)Sales Revenue 1-3 40,000 2.487 99,480Variable Cost 1-3 (10,000) 2.487 (24,870)Fixed Cost 1-3 (6,000) 2.487 (14,922)NPV 29,688Selling Price = (29,688 à · 99,480) Ãâ€" 100 = 29.8% Q4. It identifies crucial areas for the success of the project STRENGTH It provides information which allows management to make subjective judgments STRENGTH It is not an optimizing technique WEAKNESSIt assumes that changes to variables can be made independently WEAKNESSInformation will be presented to management in a form which facilitates subjective judgment to decide the likelihood of the various possible outcomes considered.It is not an optimizing technique. It does not point directly to the correct decision.It assumes that changes to variables can be made independently, e.g. raw material costs will change independently of other variables. This is highly unlikely. Q5. CYears Cash flow ($) Discount Factor (8%) Present value ($) After Tax Present value ($) Investment 0 (60,000) 1 (60,000) (60,000)Sales Revenue 1-2 75,000 1.783 133,725 106,980Variable Cost 1-2 (6,000) 1.783 (10,698) (8,558)Fixed Cost 1-2 (4,000) 1.783 (7,132) (5,706)NPV 55,895 32,716Contribution = (32,716 à · [106,980 – 8,558]) Ãâ€" 100 = 33.2% Q6. CYear Cash flow ($) Discount factor (10%) Present Value ($)Machine 0 (275,000) 1 (275,000)Contribution 1-5 200,000 3.791 758,200Fixed cost 1-5 (95,000) 3.791 (360,145)NPV 123,055PV of contribution must fall by $123,055 Sales volume must fall by $123,055 à · 758,200 = 16.23% Fall in sales volume = 0.1623 Ãâ€" 50,000 = 8,115 Q7. DYear 1 Present value of cash flow ($) Probabilities Expected value ($)17,500 0.72 12,60011,700 0.2 2,340(5,000) 0.08 (400)14,540Year 2The present value of cash flow ($) Probabilities Expected value ($)23,000 0.65 14,950(3,500) 0.35 (1,225)13,725(14,540 + 13,725) – 20,000 = 8,265 Q8. DThe Expected Value is the weighted average of all the possible outcomes, with the weightings based on the probability estimates. This is specifically used to maximize the shareholder's wealth exclusive of any risk assumptions. Q9.Relatively simple calculation (Advantage)Ignores variability of payoffs (Disadvantage)Deals with multiple outcomes (Advantage)The answer is only a long-run average (Disadvantage) Q10. AThe simulation uses a mathematical model, it produces a distribution of the possible outcomes from the project using multiple uncertain variables.

Culture, Values and Communications

We live in the humanity of demanding worldwide rations. We comprise the aptitude to communicate with the populace thousands miles apart at the flicker of an eye. Though this looks and is, to nearly all, a splendid supremacy to be appreciated, it can be for a few a world bewilderment and aggravation started by their own observations and values. These obstacles to culture assortment subsist because of the ways in which dissimilar cultures ease acuity and values concerning other and themselves.Culture can be depicted as the arrangement through which communication can be invented and sporadic. Culture pacts with the manner people live. Culture is well-read through perception that is shaped in a variety of ways, where we are born and hoisted, the language we study, the people and the surroundings with which we exist and the psychosomatic spur we stumble upon. Reasonably, with the intention of successfully converse with other customs, we should first see the sights to which we pledge to re cognize the ways that we present obstacles distinguish culture variations.Culture usually refers to guides of human bustle and the figurative arrangements that give such actions significance and magnitude. Cultures can be â€Å"understood as classifications of signs and gist that even their maker’s challenge that is short of preset limits, that are continuously in fluctuation, and that interrelate and contend with one another† Culture can be cleared as all the ways of life as well as arts, beliefs and institutions of a inhabitants those are approved down from generation to generation.Culture has been called â€Å"the manner of life for a whole civilization. † As such, it comprises rules of etiquettes, outfit, language, religious conviction, customs, and games, norms of behavior such as law and ethics, and schemes of belief as well as the art. Great societies often have subcultures, or factions of group with separate sets of manners and beliefs that distinguish t hem from a larger culture of which they are a component. The subculture may be idiosyncratic because of the age of its members, or by their race, traditions, class, or sexual category.The traits that establish a subculture as divergent may be artistic, spiritual, professional, opinionated, sexual or a mixture of these factors. Local cultures of the world arise equally by realm and ethnic group and more largely, by bigger regional distinctions. Resemblances in culture frequently happen in geologically close by peoples. Many regional cultures have been prejudiced by get in touch with with others, such as by colonization, trade, migration, mass media, and religion. Culture is vibrant and changes over time.In doing so, cultures attract external influences and amend to altering surroundings and technologies. Thus, culture is reliant on communication. Local cultures alter swiftly with new communications and transportation technologies that permit for better movement of people and thoughts among cultures. An individual and cultural worth is a relative ethic value, a supposition upon which execution can be extrapolated. A value system is a set of constant values and procedures. A standard value is a base upon which other principles and procedures of honesty are based.Values are considered slanted and differ across people and cultures. Types of values comprise ethical/moral norms, doctrinal/ideological (political, religious) values, communal values, and artistic values. It is debated whether some values are inherent. Individual principles develop from conditions with the external world and can alter over time. His reliability in the application of values refers to its permanence; persons have reliability if they relate their values fittingly regardless of arguments or negative fortification from others.Values are applied suitably when they are practical in the correct area. For example, it would be suitable to concern religious values in times of contentment and in tim es of desolation. Personal values developed early in life perhaps opposed to modify. They may be derivative from those of meticulous groups or systems, such as customs, religion, and political party. Nevertheless, personal standards are not widespread; one's relations, inhabitants, generation and chronological surroundings help settle on one's personal values.This is not to utter that the value perceptions themselves are not collective, simply that each individual have a sole origin of them i. e. an individual acquaintance of the suitable values for their individual genes, manners and skills. Values are linked to the customs of a civilization, but they are more broad and conceptual than norms. Norms are set of laws for deeds in particular circumstances, whereas values recognize what should be umpired as fine or awful. Flying the national flag on a festival is a custom, but it reveals the value of loyalty.Wearing dark clothing and emerging somber are normative behaviors at an interme nt. They imitate the values of reverence and sustain of associates and relatives. Communication is the procedure of stabbing to pass on information from a dispatcher to a recipient with the use of a means. Communication entails that all parties have a region of forthcoming harmony. There are aural means, such as speaking, singing and at times tenor of voice, and nonverbal, substantial way, such as body language, sign lingo, paralanguage, touch, eye contact, or the use of testing.Communication is cleared as a procedure by which we allocate and express sense in an effort to generate communal accepting. This procedure needs an enormous inventory of talents in intrapersonal and interpersonal dispensation, listening, examining, communicating, inquiring, investigating, and assessing. Use of these processes is developmental and moves to all areas of life residence, school, society, employment, and afar. It is through communication that association and assistance arise.

Gene Therapy Essay Example

Gene Therapy Essay Example Gene Therapy Essay Gene Therapy Essay Gene Therapy What is it? If genes dont produce the right protein or dont produce it correctly a person can have a genetic disorder. Gene therapy is an experimental technique that involves the transfer of a working copy of a gene into a cell to repair or replace a faulty gene so it is able to produce functioning proteins again. There are several approaches. The most common one is to insert a normal gene to replace the non-functional gene. Another approach is to swap a non-functional gene with a normal gene or the faulty ene could be repaired through selective mutations. Also genes can be switched on and off to a certain degree. How does gene therapy work? A carrier gene, called a Vector brings the normal gene into the target cell. Currently a virus is commonly used for that. The virus infects the target area with the healthy gene and so the cells can produce functioning proteins again. The genes can also be directly introduced to the target cells; this can only used in some tissues though. Also an artificial sphere, called Liposome, can be used which carries the DNA and is capable of passing the DNA through the target cells membrane. Another way is to chemically link the DNA to a molecule that will bind to specific cell receptors. Then the DNA will be passed into the target cell. This though seems to be less effective than other options. Advantages: has the potential to restore health to many who are suffering with the disease Disadvantages: controversy surrounding the medical treatment relative newness of the technology :

Names Epicene and Otherwise

Names Epicene and Otherwise Names Epicene and Otherwise Names Epicene and Otherwise By Maeve Maddox Until very recently, the only context I knew for the word epicene was a T. S. Eliot poem: Along the garden-wall the bees†¨ With hairy bellies pass between†¨ The staminate and pistilate,†¨ Blest office of the epicene. T.S. Eliot’s Mr. Eliot’s Sunday Morning Service I thought the word was just one of Eliots intriguing but impractically arcane terms until I came across it in a mainstream context: a Wikipedia article about naming practices: A unisex name, also known as an epicene name, is a given name that is often given to either a boy or a girl. Cody, Cory, Jodan, and Morgan are epicene names. Epicene entered English around 1450 as a grammatical term for nouns that can denote either masculine or feminine gender. An example in English would be horse, as contrasted with gender-specific stallion or mare. The meaning expanded to mean characteristic of both sexes (1601). It is sometimes used with the meaning of effeminate. It would seem that naming ones child would be a choice left to parents, but some countries have or had until recently, laws to limit names to an approved list. France had such a law until 1992 and that countrys current naming laws make it difficult for people to change a given name once they have it. Since banning Muslim girls from wearing headscarves at school, French authorities find themselves having to deal with a surge in requests from young people with North African roots to change European names like Nadine and Jacques to names like Zoubida and Abdel. French authorities see these requests as a rejection of French culture. Germany requires parents to give children a gender-specific name. If the child has two given names, one may be gender-neutral, but the other must be gender-specific. A girl may not be given a boys name, and vice versa. The only exception is the name Maria which may be used with boys, ex. Rainer Maria Rilke. The name must not be a product name, the name of an object, or any other name perceived as absurd or degrading. In September 2007 Venezuelan lawmakers were considering a law to limit parents to an approved list of 100 or so government-chosen names. Exceptions would be made for Venezuelan Indians and foreigners. Of particular concern was the banning of names that generate doubt about the bearers gender. New Zealand has a law that bans names that may cause offence or lead to bullying, but it doesnt seem to be too stringently enforced. One child got to be eleven years old before a judge stepped in and changed her name. Her parents had named her Talula Does the Hula From Hawaii (ABA Journal). The law did prevent another New Zealand couple from naming their baby 4real. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Dialogue Dos and Don'ts41 Words That Are Better Than GoodHow to Punctuate Introductory Phrases

Zheng Hes Treasure Ships of the Ming Dynasty

Zheng Hes Treasure Ships of the Ming Dynasty Between 1405 and 1433, Ming China under the rule of Zhu Di, sent out enormous armadas of ships into the Indian Ocean commanded by the eunuch admiral Zheng He. The flagship and other largest treasure junks dwarfed European ships of that century; even  Christopher Columbuss flagship, the Santa Maria, was between 1/4 and 1/5 the size of Zheng Hes. Drastically changing the face of Indian Ocean trade and power, these fleets embarked on seven epic voyages under Zheng Hes guidance, resulting in a rapid expansion of Ming Chinas control in the region, but also of their struggle to maintain it in years to come due to the financial burden of such endeavors. Sizes According to Ming Chinese Measurements All of the measurements in the remaining Ming Chinese records of the Treasure Fleet are in a unit called zhang, which is made up of ten chi or Chinese feet. Although the exact length of a zhang and chi has varied over time, the Ming chi was probably about 12.2 inches (31.1 centimeters) according to Edward Dreyer. For ease of comparison, the measurements below are given in English feet. One English foot is equivalent to 30.48 centimeters. Incredibly, the largest ships in the fleet (called baoshan, or treasure ships) were likely between 440 and 538 feet long by 210 feet wide. The 4-decked baoshan had an estimated displacement of 20-30,000 tons, roughly 1/3 to 1/2 the displacement of modern American aircraft carriers. Each had nine masts on its deck, rigged with square sails that could be adjusted in series to maximize efficiency in different wind conditions. The Yongle Emperor ordered the construction of an amazing 62 or 63 such ships for Zheng Hes first voyage, in 1405. Extant records show that another 48 were ordered in 1408, plus 41 more in 1419, along with 185 smaller ships throughout that time. Zheng Hes Smaller Ships Along with dozens of baoshan, each armada included hundreds of smaller ships. The eight-masted ships, called machuan or horse ships, were about 2/3 the size of the baoshan  measuring approximately 340 feet by 138 feet. As indicated by the name, the machuan carried horses along with timber for repairs and tribute goods. Seven-masted liangchuan or grain ships carried rice and other food for the crew and soldiers in the fleet. Liangchuan was about 257 feet by 115 feet in size. The next ships in descending order of size were the zuochuan, or troopships, at 220 by 84 feet with each transport ship having six masts. Finally, the small, five-masted warships or zhanchuan, each about 165 feet long, were designed to be maneuverable in battle. Though tiny compared with the baochuan, the zhanchuan were more than twice as long as Christopher Columbuss flagship, the Santa Maria. The Treasure Fleets Crew Why did Zheng He need so many huge ships? One reason, of course, was shock and awe. The sight of these enormous ships appearing on the horizon one by one must have been truly incredible for the people all along the Indian Oceans rim and would have enhanced Ming Chinas prestige immeasurably. The other reason was that Zheng He traveled with an estimated 27,000 to 28,000 sailors, marines, translators and other crew members. Along with their horses, rice, drinking water, and trade goods, that number of people required a staggering amount of room aboard the ship. In addition, they had to make space for the emissaries, tribute goods and wild animals that went back to China.

Service Quality in University Education Literature review

Service Quality in University Education - Literature review Example 1994, 45). The Literature review attempts to illuminate the available pool of knowledge pertinent to the contemporary Graduate Employability discipline, analyze the works, and identify existing gaps with special emphasis on a University setup. The identification of such gaps could motivate the study to enhance the availability of knowledge on Graduate Employment (Jean, W. 2010, 311). Conceptual Framework The fundamental variables of the study include the students, employers and the University, including the student link and the university lecturers. In particular, the study is predominantly projected to focus on the disparity between what graduates primarily consider fundamental for employment and what employers believe the students actually need (Page, B. 2010, 117). This implies that there is also a lack in correspondence between the skills offered by the University and the actual skills required by the learners. The literature review, therefore, illuminates the 7P’s of qual ity services, the SERVQUAL, GAPs, and the HEDPERF versus SERVPERF Models of Service Quality based on a wide range of both recent and early professional studies associated with Graduate employability and employee-employer interest disparity (Real, S. 2009, 56). Graduate Employability The concept of Graduate Employability virtually alludes to the graduates’ practicality and probability of getting suitable jobs based on the conflict between the skills and knowledge acquired in class and the expectations of the employers. The 7P’s of quality services, the SERVQUAL, GAPs, and the HEDPERF versus SERVPERF Models of Service Quality expansively address the concern (Ray, W. 2009, 47). A series of articles have been reviewed as discussed below. In most establishments today, marketing authorities make use of a business tool known as the marketing mix to limit a product’s offer. This tool incorporates the 7Ps of quality service namely promotion, place, product, price, people , process and physical evidence (Zeal, C. 2009, 118). According to Jalan (2005), a product is any tangible or intangible commodity that meets the needs of a consumer. All products trail a common life progress incorporating the growth, maturity and sale decline stages. To this end, marketing professionals ought to carry out adequate research on the period a particular product would take to reach the decline stage. Similarly, in a University setup, the administrators who are the service-providers in the context must scrutinize all services they provide to ensure that the students, who are the customers in the context, have their demands satisfied. In this realization, all services that appear to be of lower quality than is expected must be dismissed and appropriately replaced by suitable programs. On the other hand, Hoffman and John (2009) suggest that every marketer should take client perceived worth of a product into consideration before setting any price. In this perspective, the u niversity must set service prices including tutorial fees depending on the students’ perception of the services or courses in particular. In addition, the text also encourages effective promotion and distribution (place) of the products. The process of service

Operation manegement (term paper) Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Operation manegement ( ) - Term Paper Example Though, services are not as fruitful for businesses and as fulfilling for customers as they could be. In addition, the business services encompass a design issue. Business professionals in the service region require recognizing that they are concerned in design as well as utilize service design to enhance it. Services have exclusive characteristics. They are not substantial, are not able to be owned or stored, utilization takes place instantly as productions as well as they are a difficult understandings that occur with the passage of time. As a result, designing services necessitates special concerns. Additionally, the service design is able to tackle the unique contests that the service financial system is experiencing. However, design is not simply crafting features of products any further. On the other hand, it is an area that designs difficult and interactive procedures, experiences as well as systems. Thus, it engages skills and professionals from the related areas and clients in the design procedures. It utilizes unique procedures, techniques and tools for service design (Mortiz, 2010). This paper presents a detailed analysis of some of the prime aspects of the service design. This paper presents a historical development in this area, after that it will analyze the companies that are applying the service design for its better assessment. ... le, a hotel can choose to encompass a service design agency transforms the means and its list of options is defined, or modify the outline of the hotel to develop customer's experience. Additionally, the customers are able to involve paying clients, however as well are able to be inside a business, on stipulation that they are the direct beneficiaries of a service. For instance a business establishes a novel payroll interface intended for its employees - so the workers are able to efficiently handle and manage 'customers' as well as payroll interface. However, to carry out this activity, service design methodologies are employed to prepare and systematize arrangement, people, and communication and material mechanism employed in a service. On the other hand, the rising significance and size of the service sector, together in terms of people engaged and financial significance necessitates services to be precisely planned sequentially for service suppliers to hang about competitive as w ell as to persist to attract diverse clients (Saco & Goncalves, 2008), (Tatum, 2010), (Shostack, 1982), (Shostack G. L., 1984) and (Mortiz, 2010). Historical Development In our daily activities we are surrounded by services. There are services those have been for us for centuries and the ancient Romans and Greek had servants and even before them those services were offered and as well paid for. Yet, we are responsive that a number of things have altered radically in the previous 25 years. In the 19th century the large industrial units, new discoveries and techniques pushed a collection of less costly commodities in the marketplace. The business revolution shaped an ocean of less costly as well as enhanced products in developed nations. Nowadays, the industrial revolution has changed society

Unaccustomed Earth Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Unaccustomed Earth - Essay Example It is a dazzling masterful work of a writer at the hit the highest point of her prowess. Lahiri investigates the life of immigrants deeply. However, immigrants are the wok’s protagonists, their insecurities, doubts, heartbreaks, and losses belong to us all. Lahiri has explored the secrets of the heart of a human being perfect. Lahiri's gift for the reader of this story is dazzling prose that confers greatness on the mundane events of life. However, it is her exploration of lost love that grants her the stories, as well as emotional exactitude writers, could hope to match. Jhumpa’s characters are immigrants of India and their children reared in America. They are exiles that bestride two countries, double cultures and gain neither. They have used too much freedom that they fail to acknowledge the conventions and rituals of home. At the same time, they are steeped to embrace American fully in

Strategic Marketing Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Strategic Marketing - Assignment Example Nike’s strategy has always been to develop their brand with global perspective by creating a motivational consumer base for the company. Nike tries to influence the brand perception of the consumers and can sustain it by adding materialistic benefits in marketing strategy. In order to sustain in the competitive scenario, it is recommended to the company that enhancing their business into the motor sports segments will create a bigger market place for the Nike. Also they can develop their connection with the consumers if Nike endorses athletes who are close to their consumers or local athletes. Marketing concepts and strategies are evolving rapidly with the growing competition in the corporate sector. New forms of marketing such as viral marketing, guerilla marketing, etc. are now forming exclusive segments of the marketing process of the business houses. As defined by Beard (2008), strategic marketing helps the firms to align their business objectives with the market demands and creates consumer awareness. Grà ¶nroos (2010) added that the primary objective of a strategic marketing process is to help the business develop a long-term sustainable competitive advantage. Combining the above two definitions it can be observed that strategic marketing helps in developing a competitive advantage by allying the business objectives with market requirements. Nike is known to be one of the pioneers of the modern day marketing process. They have established themselves as one of the leading brands in the sportswear industry (Anderson and Narus, 2007). The strategic marketing concept o f Nike will be analysed in context to the role of services in marketing and factors that can be included to boost the marketing effectiveness of the company. The researcher will try to evaluate the gaps in the marketing strategy of Nike in terms of the service marking strategy and provide

Internet Security Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Internet Security - Research Paper Example the computers being used to access the internet, or the user. The subjects pertaining to the security against these threats are internet safety and internet security. There is a slight difference in internet security and internet safety, with the most basic one being that the former focuses more on the direct safety of a computer network from threats that can attack through the internet, such as viruses or data corruption, while internet safety relates more to the security and safety of the user, such as identity fraud, money scams, false information etc. Although both forms of security threats can are important to understand and counter, this paper will concentrate mostly on the more technical aspect of internet security, and will focus on the various threats that are encountered and the preventative measures taken against them. As mentioned, internet security is the necessary measures taken and rules laid out which make the use of the internet more secure for a user in terms of the safety of their computer from various threats. To understand where these threats rise from it is first important to understand the basic working of the internet. ... IP transfers the required bits of data, firs within each individual network, then between secondary levels of networks, starting from the most basic level, and then progressing regionally and then globally, thus allowing the information to reach from one point to another. TCP checks these bits of data, ensuring they are correctly being transferred and offering corrective feedback measures when they aren’t (Reed, 2004). Data threats enter this system of information management when at any of these many levels data is encrypted and corrupted. To prevent this, a number of measures are taken, which include SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), TLS (Transport Layer Security) and IPsec, with the most effective one being the IPsec protocol, which in turn further uses the AH (Authentication Header) and ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) protocols as the mechanism for its protection. AP authenticates the data and then sends it further on, and ESP provides confidentiality. All three protocols ba sically revolve around the same principal of securing communication by authenticating the sender at each level where these protocols are implemented, and by encrypting the data so that in case of unwanted interception, it is not altered. Internet security threats are also widely transferred through email messages. Again, understanding how email messages work greatly explains the reason for this. Email messages can also be considered bits of data that are transferred through the many networks of internet, with the main difference being that users can easily edit and change this data at the various levels it is transmitted to. How email messages basically work is that first a user composes a message. This message is converted into a certain standard form and is transferred to the mail

The Economics of Marriage and Divorce Research Paper

The Economics of Marriage and Divorce - Research Paper Example Going further, the paper shall discuss how economics affects decision making during the married period or the period leading to a divorce. The table above shows the trends in marriage and divorce rates in the US per 1000 people. It clearly shows that marriage rates have gone up and down cyclically while the divorce rates have shown a steady increase. Data in the 60’s show that while divorce rate was 2.5 per thousand, in the 80’s it shot up to 5.2 per 1000. (Friedberg Leora & Stern Steven, 2003) This has now come down and in 2005 it showed 3.6 divorces per thousand people. Data also reveals that in 1880, 75% of married people stayed together with their children which reduced to 41% in 2005. ( Wolfers Justin & Stevenson Betsey, 2007)1 However, the graph does not provide an accurate analysis of the current marriage rate since there has been a significant percentage of live-in relationships that have increased over the past decade. Marriages, unlike live-in relationships, have a contractual obligation that is rendered to the husband and wife by the state or by the priest who is presiding over the occasion. While some marriage functions have limited obligations that are spelled out by the priest, there are others that might require the couple to state what would be their conduct towards each other. Just like a contract, other terms would include how the money would be inherited to either couple in the event of a death or divorce and how much financial support would be provided if there is a child involved. (Dnes Antony & Rowthorn Robert, 2002) Just like in economics, where money plays an important role in making decisions, there are traditions in the Hindu culture of India that promote taking of dowry or the wealth that the bride would bring along when she would be legally wedded to the husband.

Internet Security Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Internet Security - Research Paper Example the computers being used to access the internet, or the user. The subjects pertaining to the security against these threats are internet safety and internet security. There is a slight difference in internet security and internet safety, with the most basic one being that the former focuses more on the direct safety of a computer network from threats that can attack through the internet, such as viruses or data corruption, while internet safety relates more to the security and safety of the user, such as identity fraud, money scams, false information etc. Although both forms of security threats can are important to understand and counter, this paper will concentrate mostly on the more technical aspect of internet security, and will focus on the various threats that are encountered and the preventative measures taken against them. As mentioned, internet security is the necessary measures taken and rules laid out which make the use of the internet more secure for a user in terms of the safety of their computer from various threats. To understand where these threats rise from it is first important to understand the basic working of the internet. ... IP transfers the required bits of data, firs within each individual network, then between secondary levels of networks, starting from the most basic level, and then progressing regionally and then globally, thus allowing the information to reach from one point to another. TCP checks these bits of data, ensuring they are correctly being transferred and offering corrective feedback measures when they aren’t (Reed, 2004). Data threats enter this system of information management when at any of these many levels data is encrypted and corrupted. To prevent this, a number of measures are taken, which include SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), TLS (Transport Layer Security) and IPsec, with the most effective one being the IPsec protocol, which in turn further uses the AH (Authentication Header) and ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) protocols as the mechanism for its protection. AP authenticates the data and then sends it further on, and ESP provides confidentiality. All three protocols ba sically revolve around the same principal of securing communication by authenticating the sender at each level where these protocols are implemented, and by encrypting the data so that in case of unwanted interception, it is not altered. Internet security threats are also widely transferred through email messages. Again, understanding how email messages work greatly explains the reason for this. Email messages can also be considered bits of data that are transferred through the many networks of internet, with the main difference being that users can easily edit and change this data at the various levels it is transmitted to. How email messages basically work is that first a user composes a message. This message is converted into a certain standard form and is transferred to the mail

PHL323 social and cutural theory Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

PHL323 social and cutural theory - Essay Example One can infer from the writings of Benjamin, the idea of language from his point of view. Language was perceived as one of the forms of communication and the idea represented by that language was in no way identifiable with the language itself. To make it simpler, language was considered to be just a medium of communication. It was not a stand-alone system of knowledge as such, but rather a set of symbols that aid in representation of reality. A language was needed to possess inherent meaning. Language, then, became an entity, which existed only if it had a function, in his point of view. One arguable point here was the cases where there were possibilities that a language with grammar, syntax and vocabulary could exist without the function of a desire to communicate. Computer generated poetry and languages were the instances; the question arises whether they can be taken under Benjamin's definition of language without the function of communication or creativity. Computer languages ha d the requisite grammar, syntax and vocabulary and they were used as a set of instructions that were seemingly understood by the computer. Here, there is the case where a live, organic mind communicates with a non-organic entity. Further, the non-organic entity, besides being capable of understanding, was also able to generate the language understandable by an organic entity. Thus, the computer, which was just a box, was able to generate language to communicate. Computers can also communicate with each other, which had been made possible through the advancements in technology. This led to the case where two non-organic entities were able to communicate. In such cases, the meaning and the language were separable. There is also the instance where an organic entity is capable of generating a language without the purpose of communication. It is the uncommunicative language of a mentally ill person. Even though Benjamin clearly stated that language and what was described using a language were not identifiable, it also remained that he believed that language always should communicate something. If something was made, it should have a function and a meaning. If not, it really cannot exist. While considering the circumstance where one language did not make any sense to a person who does not know that language, the purpose of the language to communicate was lost. The language, even though possessed a grammar, syntax and vocabulary, did not mean anything to that person except being conceived as incoherent noise. Language in such cases negotiated with meaninglessness. Benjamin's idea of language extended to include inanimate objects such as lamps too. His idea of language of such objects was their linguistic being, but it was man who could name something other than him. In this context, man was the only entity that possessed the universal language. Thus, man's linguistic being was to name things. But, a language as such did not end with just naming. It was a tool that en abled creation and possession but it in itself was not so. Benjamin finally resorted to the theological ideas such as that of God being the true possessor and so on to arrive at the higher function of language. Many also conceived theology as a means of escape opted by Benjamin when he was not able to go beyond a certain limit about his conception of such mystical thoughts. In one of his works, "On Language as Such and the

The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People Essay Example for Free

The Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People Essay Some people call The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by Stephen Covey, one of the most important self-help books written in the past twenty years. Others say it is one of the best business books written recent history. Regardless of whether it is called a self-help book or a business book, it has been a wildly popular and profitable publication. Seven Habits has sold over fifteen million copies and has been on various bestseller lists almost continuously since its publication in 1989. Indeed, Coveys blockbuster book spent five consecutive years, 1991-1995, as Americas top nonfiction bestseller. Covey has deeply held religious beliefs. He is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, more commonly known as the Mormons, which is reflected in his writings. There is a strong Judeo-Christian work ethic espoused and the concept of an individual taking personal responsibility for his or her own personal development, and the seven habits he refers to in this book bear a strong connection to the Mormon Churchs thirteen fundamental beliefs. Covey believes these seven habits of highly effective people can be learned and, conversely, old habits that promote ineffectiveness can be unlearned. A major issue in learning and adopting the seven habits of highly effective people, Covey opines in Seven Habits, is one of paradigm shifting. A paradigm is defined as a basic mental framework that strongly influences a persons ideas, beliefs and, therefore, actions. A person has paradigms about everything in life: what makes a good marriage, what is a good college, what is acceptable social behavior, and on infinitum. Until a person can shift from one way of looking at a problem, or situation, to another, he or she will be locked into old paradigms that can restrict new understandings and growth. Moving the United States Coast Guard from the Department of Transportation to the newly formed Department of Homeland Security will require certain federal authorities to perform a paradigm shift from how they previously viewed the role and function of the USCG to a new way of thinking. Habitual ways of looking at paradigms create inflexibility in attempts at problem solving, management, an d leadership. Covey divides his seven habits of highly effective people into three interrelated categories; the first are habits of character, the second are habits of outward expression that lead to interdependence with others, and the last habit focusing on sustaining the growth process. This division becomes clear when he lists his habits. Habits of Independence: * Habit #1. Be proactive. Covey writes it is up to the individual to seize the initiative to use his or her resources to work toward goals. He speaks of a circle of influence and a circle of concern and postulates that worrying about things beyond your circle of influence is not productive, but working within your circle of influence is the best way to maximize your effectiveness. * Habit #2. Begin With The End In Mind. Covey illustrates this habit with a rather chilling question: What do you want people to say about you at your funeral? He then adds that you can aid your progress toward achieving your goals if you practice visualization, so when you finally attempt a task, you will have already done it countless times in your imagination. This is a method coaches have taught free throw shooters to practice for decades; visualize your stance, your pre-shot rituals and finally visualize the ball going cleanly through the net. Covey writes, We may be very busy, we may be very efficient, but we will also be truly effective when we begin with the end in mind. * Habit #3. Put First Things First. This is a time management habit and Covey summarizes what he means by writing, Organize and execute around priorities. He develops a matrix where he divides all activities in four categories: In Quadrant I are things that are important and urgent. In Quadrant II are things that are important, but not urgent. In Quadrant III are items that are urgent, but not important. And finally, In Quadrant IV are things that at not important and not urgent. Habit #3, including Coveys matrix about time management, is the Golden Nugget of this book. Covey states that successful people keep most of their activities in Quadrant II because they can plan and prepare for future activities. Those people who constantly find their activities in Quadrant I will eventually burn out with excessive stress and strain because they are in a continuous crisis mode. Those individuals who find most of their activities in Quadrants III and IV are often out of control and dependant on others or institutions to help them live their lives. Covey believes that the term time management is actually a misnomer; that is, the challenge is not how to manage time, but rather how to manage ourselves. One of the central themes of the book is finding the correct P/PC balance. If we cannot manage ourselves, and our time, we will never be able to maintain proper Production. The P refers to production and the PC refers to production capability. He illustrates this P/PC dichotomy by using a machine as an illustration. If you ruin a machine twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year you will get great production initially, but eventually that machine will break down and be ruined or need repair. If, however, you run the machine on a regularly scheduled maintenance basis, you may not achieve the same production numbers as a machine being continuously used, but it will not suffer major breakdowns and over the long run the production will be greater. Habits of Interdependence. * Habit #4. Think Win-Win. This is a habit that encourages you to seek solutions of mutual benefit to all parties concerned, as opposed to win-lose situations where one person wins and the other person loses. Covey illustrates this habit by asserting that a powerful programming agent early in life is athletic competition where students develop a basic paradigm that life is a zero sum game; that is, if someone wins, someone must lose. To be truly successful, Covey writes, a person needs to know how to leverage the strengths of others and that is done not by creating win/lose situations, but rather seeking to create win/win situations. Indeed, he feels no deal is better than a non-win-win deal. * Habit #5. Seek First To Understand, Then To Be Understood. This is a communication habit that focuses on empathic listening skills. He asks how can you create win/win situations if you do not listen to the other person? Physicians diagnose before they prescribe. Top salespeople discover the clients needs before they offer a solution. Likewise, individuals need to exercise empathy; they must seek to first understand the other persons point of view before offering their own solutions * Habit #6. Synergize. Covey defines synergy as meaning the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. He believes we need to value the differences between people and how they view the world and realize their paradigms might not be our paradigms, but they are equally valid for them. Once a person accepts the validity of seeking win-win solution, the habit of synergize or seeking cooperative teamwork becomes apparent. Synergy results from valuing differences and by bringing those differences together in the spirit of mutual respect. * Habit #7. Sharpen The Saw. In self-renewal, Covey cites four areas of our life that require constant attention: physical, mental, emotional-social and spiritual. He wrote that people get too busy producing or sawing and rarely take the time to stop and sharpen their saw or those four aspects of their lives. If they would take the time to stop and sharpen, the time they lost sharpening would be more than compensated by increased production. The example cited to illustrate this point is one of machinery. If a machine runs full throttle 24 hours a day for seven days a week, fifty two weeks a year, without time being set aside for maintenance, it will soon break under the stress and strain. If however, that same machine has a regular maintenance schedule, it could work indefinitely. Covey distinguishes something he calls the Character Ethic from the Personality Ethic. He believes Americans have moved away from embracing character ethics, or broad enduring permanent values such as honesty, loyalty and even the Ten Commandments, and turned towards Personality Ethics, where the emphasis is now on such items as how to dress for success, one-minute solutions and quick fixes. He feels the newer emphasis on personality focuses attention on short-term solutions whereas the attribute associated with the Character Ethic promotes healthier moral long-term solutions. This was my favorite part of the book because America truly has moved away from a Kantian moral absolutism thought process and has fostered more of a moral relativism approach. Seven Habits Of Highly Effective People is a book that cannot be read one time and be fully understood. Each habit contains so much information and wisdom that it is virtually impossible to internalize what Covey is saying without reading and rereading each section. It is impossible to cite one item as the most important as related to leadership because they are inter-related. The one concept explained in this book that had the greatest impact on my life, to date, was Coveys discussion of time management. In high school, when my father first introduced me to this book, I was rather disorganized and somewhat chaotic in ordering my priorities. Although I had never read it, my father explained parts of the book well enough so that I could benefit from some of its knowledge. I distinctly remember filling out the time matrix chart introduced in Habit 3 and discovering most of my activities fell into Quadrant I. It was obvious I was not planning my activities, but rather reacting to events as they occurred to me. Subsequently, I have tried to keep my activities in Quadrant II, with varying degrees of success. As I move from the Academy into the non-academic world I believe Coveys admonition in Habit 5 to seek first to understand and then be understood will gain greater importance in my life. Realizing that my paradigms may not be someone elses paradigms, or my paradigms might have been right at one time, but the passage of time requires me to re-examine the conclusions I have reached, will be a prime requisite to effective leadership. I believe that Seven Habits of Highly Effective Leaders will be one of those books that will stay on my bookshelf for years to come and I will revisit it countless times to reread selected passages, not just to reinforce what I remember Covey saying, but to apply his timeless wisdom to new situations I encounter in whatever career I choose.

How Do Organisations Build Customer Relationships?

How Do Organisations Build Customer Relationships? Why do organisations seek to build relationships with customers and how do they successfully develop such relationships? Terms of Reference In the pursuit of my studies for a degree in â€Å"Business Studies and Marketing,† and to aid my chosen career development and progression in the future, I have selected a specific area of marketing as the topic for this dissertation, this relating to the concept of customer relationships development and, in particular, the determination of why this is so important to organisations and what comprises a successful marketing strategy to achieve these ends. There has been a considerable amount of literature related to the issue of customer relationships and its management, which covers areas including the use of branding and brand loyalty as part of the market strategy needed to create such relationships. In addition, although almost as a separate issue, other empirical researches have been undertaken into the study of the consumer practical and psychological buying determinants. However, as Jerry Zaltman (2003) states in introducing his consumer research â€Å"too many marketers don’t understand how their own and their customers minds interact.† The purpose of this dissertation is to take a closer look at the level of interaction that should exist between the two areas of research and endeavour to determine how a greater level of research and understanding of the consumer buying determinants can be used to enhance the successful creation of the consumer relationship management strategy objectives of the firm. In order to provide a greater understanding of this subject, the dissertation will focus on the following objectives: Provide an understanding of customer buying determinates Define the term â€Å"customer relationship† and the benefits that building such relationships provide for the corporation Identify how an understanding can assist in the development of a firm’s customer relationship strategy and management. Literature Review As Zaltman (2003) and Evans et al (2006) suggest, understanding consumer psychology and buying determinates should be a pre-requisite for building successful brand strategies that lead to the building and managing of successful customer relationships, although this is not always deemed to be the case. Therefore, the literature review for this dissertation will concentrate upon three main aspects of this subject, this being consumer behavioural determinates, branding and consumer loyalty and retention, and customer relationship management and the tools used Consumer behaviour determinates Consumer behaviour is driven, consciously or sub-consciously, by a combinations of emotional, physical and psychological elements. This includes experience created memories, both past and present, which are used to judge the quality and appropriateness of a purchase to the consumers needs and satisfaction, as Bagozzi et al (2002), Zaltman et al (2002) and Evans et al (2006) explain at length in their studies. As this research further stresses, the memory element is an important element of the study as it creates the perception that consumers associate with the product or service. The involvement of habit, peer pressure and demographics are other important consumer determinants that organisations need to consider. For example, being subjected to family influences, following the pack, a peer pressure that is particularly relevant to the younger age group, are all parts of the consumer decision-making process. As Zaltman (2003) and Evans et al (2006) discovered, evidence of the successful integration of these determinates to entice consumers to products can be found in the adoption of nostalgic advertising and â€Å"fad† promotion using celebrity endorsement. These also help to retain the consumer’s custom in the case of new products (Arnold 1992). Demographics, in the form of targeting, determines which customer segment or group of segments is most likely to need or desire the product (Arnold 1992 and Stroud 2005), for example, dividing the consumer into age groups of appropriate value to the product being marketed. However, it has also been sugge sted that there is, within the consumer determinant, the need to consider the impact that emotional attachment to the product can have upon the consumer decision-making process and loyalty (Durgee 1999, Shrimp and Madden 198 and Thomson et al 2005). The study and researching of all these determinants, together with the issues of trust and confidence, are important if an organisation wants to create a successful relationship strategy with the consumer because, as (Kelly 2005) states, the purchase is only confirming that these have been met in the mind of the consumer. Branding and loyalty Commercial organisations attract consumers to their products by the method known as Branding, endeavouring to create an automatic and lasting consumer reaction in terms of perception and association, as found with McDonalds equating to burgers, (Haig 2004). The art and purpose of branding can therefore be seen to have two main purposes. The first of these relates to quality, standard and reputation (Kolter 2002), which is important to repeat purchase (Kolter 2002 and Kracklauer et al 2003), and the second is to achieve a dominant market position (Buttle 2004 and Bruhn 2006). Experts are of the opinion that there are two important aspect to focus upon when developing a branding strategy within CRM, the first of which is its usage in the process of targeting and forming a connection with the consumer, which is need to create a foundation for a relationship that can be nurtured over time. An essential part of the targeting process is research into demographics and segmentation, a task by which the marketer is able to closely identify which customer segment or group of segments is most likely to be attracted to the product because of need, desire, emotional attachment or financial capability. Arnold (1992 and Stoud (2005) have suggested that, with many marketers, some segments, such as the older age groups are overlooked, irrespective of the recorded increase in their disposable incomes. The second aspect when developing branding strategy is related to longevity. As the downfall of Marks and Spencer PLC in the late 1990’s and early 2000’s evidenced, brands have a short life and need undated to retain their relevance, both in terms of physical appearance and connection with the changes in consumer needs and perceptions (Floor 2006 and Haig 2004). Loyalty and retention Floor’s (2006) research states, â€Å"as long as the†¦ experience matches the brand identity, the consumer will come back.† This is known as the loyalty factor. Customer loyalty can be achieved in a number of ways. This includes the traditional methods of special offers, saver and store cards (Kracklauer 2003: 5; Buttle 2004: 10 and Bruhn 2006: 15). The concept here is that, whilst the customer derives benefit the store itself benefits from constant contact with the customer, as a result of these services, it acquires a considerable amount of research data about the customer. This is essential if a business wants to improve and better manage the customer relationship management system. Customer Relationship Management The potential conclusion from the above is that the marketer has to incorporate consumer determinants, branding and loyalty into a customer relationship designed to achieve the business objectives of increased product sales (Zaltman 2003). The crux of customer relationship management is the importance of every customer, recognising that a lost customer costs (Kracklauer et al 2003 and Buttle 2004). Therefore it is important to build a relationship and bond with each consumer (Kelly 2005 and Bruhn 2006). However, to ensure that this relationship building is approached in the correct manner, it is important to ensure that the firm and its marketers are fully cognisant of the factors that need to form the foundation of their research. As can be observed from the explanations given earlier this includes consumer behaviour and loyalty, but also the effect that â€Å"brand love† has upon this element of the relationship. CRM Tools There are a number of Branding and Loyalty tools that the CRM process can use to continue developing the relationship between organisations and customers. Loyalty cards are one possibility for data collection, which is essential in CRM (Buttle 2004). This data can be used to aid understanding of changing consumer needs and desires, directing them to purchase other products and as a basis for designing future promotional and marketing campaigns (Bruhn 2006 and Kracklauer 2006). If the relationship is close, the customer will also recommend the business, thus helping increase market share. Data Sources It was decided that the data sources being used for this dissertations will be a combination of a qualitative and quantitative nature. The reason for this is that the secondary data can be used as a means of comparison and evaluation of the primary data. Primary Data The intention is to collect primary data using a process of structured questionnaires. The questions will be designed around a combination of the â€Å"closed† and â€Å"open† format with the intention of these being directed to the areas that require an affirmative or negative response in terms of the former and a multiple choice option for the latter. It is also intended to provide additional spacing within which the interviewees can add personal comments if considered appropriate. The intention, time and resources permitting, is to distribute around 150 questionnaires and interviews, of which 25 will be directed to employees at all levels within the retailing industry and the remainder to consumers across a wide range of age and lifestyle segmentations. This mode of distribution has been chosen for two purposes. The first is to test the comment about lack of connection of minds between consumers and marketers mention by Zaltman (2003) and the second is to provide practical evidence of the consumer buying determinates used within the decision-making process. Clear definition of the reason for the questionnaire and the purposes for which it will be used will be included in explanatory notes. Space will also be provided with each answer to allow for comments that the respondents may wish to add. In addition, and in order to comply with data and identity protection, there will be no identifying questions included apart from age, occupation and other non-personally descriptive issues. Secondary data From a practical viewpoint, and in particular to be utilised for comparative purposes in respect of the authors own qualitative research, data from newspapers and periodicals, as well as the results of previously relevant surveys will be researched and included. The benefit of the gathering of extensive secondary data is that it can be useful for the purpose of cross referencing and evaluation of accuracy and compatibility. Methodology The methodology being used for this research can be summarised as follows. The initial period of time allocated to the research will be utilised in the gathering of data from external sources and analysing the relevance to the subject matter. This will additionally be useful in the preparation of the questionnaire to be used for the collection of primary data. Once this data has been collected, the draft and final questionnaires will be prepared and distributed. During the time required for the return of completed questionnaires, work will be commenced on areas of the dissertation, such as the literature review. Once the questionnaires have been returned and analysed using the Excel programme, these will be introduced to the dissertation to enable the analysis of the responses and findings. It is anticipated that, during the preparation of the study, additional secondary data may be required. Where this is appropriate, it will be collected and added to the existing references indicated at the closure of this proposal. Project Framework Although during the course of the dissertations preparation the final project framework may be subject to change the current intention, in order to create a logical and sequential progression for the study, is to base the project around the following breakdown of chapters: Chapter 1. Introduction In order to provide the reader with a clear understanding of the purpose and direction of the dissertation, this chapter will serve as an introduction to the subject matter. It will therefore include a brief definition of the term customer buying determinants and how this theory fits within the wider concept of consumer relationship management. In addition, a brief overview of the aims and objectives of the research will be included. Within this chapter a clear hypothesis for the research will also be set. Chapter 2. Literature Review In research of this nature it is important that the findings be founded, set against, and compared with existing literature relating to the subject. Therefore, a critical review of literature will be conducted in this chapter, which is intended to cover the research into all aspects of consumer behavioural determinates, branding and consumer loyalty and retention and customer relationship management. Chapter 3. Methodology In a step-by-step process, chapter three will be used to explain the methods used for the preparation and execution of the dissertation. This will include my reasoning for the data collection methods, which relates to both primary and secondary sources, the origination of the data and the methods by which it was to be analysed and assimilated into the final study. Furthermore, the limitations of my research will also be included within this chapter. Chapter 4. Results and Findings In chapter four it is intended to analyse the results of my findings into the areas that have been studied, in a manner that will the reader with an understanding and explanation of the basis upon which the conclusions of the research has been derived. For ease of understanding and explanation statistical and graphical diagrams will be used where appropriate, particular in explaining the results of the primary research. Chapter 5. Analysis and discussion Using the findings form the primary and secondary sources outlined in chapter 4, this chapter will further analyse those results and discuss the affect that these have upon the interrelationship between consumer determinants, branding, brand loyalty and the commercial CRM strategy process in general. Furthermore, the discussion will outline the commercial benefits of combining these two disciplines for the purpose of marketing strategy. Chapter 6. Conclusion Chapter six brings the research to a conclusion. This section will convey to the reader whether the research conducted has proved or disproved the hypothesis presented in the introduction. In addition, recommendations in respect of further area of research required and actions that corporations should take as a result of the findings will also be outlined within this concluding chapter. Other comments The intention of this dissertation is to add value to the existing research that has been conducted into the fields of consumer determinants and customer relationship management (CRM), in particular in respect of identifying the beneficial impact that building relationships with customers has for the corporations, together with the practical ways that the result of consumer determinants research can be added to the practical elements of marketing research into branding, consumer relationship and loyalty can be used as a further tool to enhance the success of their promotional strategy in this area. References   Arnold D (1992). The Handbook of Brand Management. Century Business: The Economist Books. London, UK. Bagozzi, Richard P. Gurhan-Canli, Zeynep and Priester, Joseph R (2002). The Social Pyschology of Consumer Behaviour. Open University Press. Buckingham, UK. Bailey, Craig (2005). Unlocking the Value of Your Customer Satisfaction Surveys. CRM Today, May 2005. Bruhn, Manfred (2006). Service Marketing: Managing the Service Value Chain. Pearson Education. Harlow, UK. Buttle, Francis (2004). Customer Relationship Managements. Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann. Oxford, UK Durgee, J.F. (1999). Deep soulful satisfaction. Journal of Consumer Satisfaction, Dissatisfaction and Complaining Behaviour, 12, 53 – 63. Evans, Martin. Jamal, Ahmed and Foxall, Gordon (2006). Consumer Behaviour. John Wiley Sons Ltd. Chichester, UK. Floor, Ko (2006). Branding a Store: How to Build Successful Retail Brands in a Changing Marketplace. Kogan Page Ltd. London, UK. Fournier, S. (1998). Consumers and their brands: developing relationship theory in consumer research. Journal of Consumer Research. Vol. 24. pp.343 – 373. Haig, Matt (2004) Brand Failures: The Truth about the 100 Biggest Branding Mistakes of All Time. Kogan Page Ltd. London, UK. Kelly, Sean. (2005). Customer intelligence From Data to Dialogue. John Wiley Sons Ltd. Chichester, UK. Kolter, Phillip (2002). Marketing Management. 11th edition. FT Prentice Hall. London. UK. Kracklauer, Alexander H., Mills, Daniel, Q and Seifert (2003). Collaborative Customer Relationship Management: Taking CRM to the Next Level. Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg. New York, US Oliver, R.L. (1999). Whence consumer loyalty? Journal of Marketing, 63 (Special Issue), pp.33 – 44. Oliver, R.L., Rust, R.T., Varki, S. (1997). Customer delight: foundations, findings, and managerial insight. Journal of Retailing, 73, 311 – 36. Reichheld, F. and Sasser, W. (1990) Zero defects: quality comes to services. Harvard Business Review, Sept-Oct, 1990, pp 105-111 Shimp, T.A., Madden, T.J. (1988). Consumer-object relations: a conceptual framework based analogously on Stermberg’s triangular theory of love. In: Houston M.J. (ed), Advances in consumer research, Provo, UT: Association for Consumer Research, vol. 15 pp. 163 – 168. Stroud, Dick. (2005) The 50 Plus Market: Why the Future is Age-neutral when it comes to Marketing and Branding Strategies. Kogan Page Ltd. Chichester, UK Thomson, M., McGinnis, D.J., Park, C.W. (2005). The ties that bind: measuring the strength of consumer’s emotional attachment to brands. Journal of Consumer Psychology, 15, 77 – 91. Zaltman, Jerry (2003) How Customers Think. Essential Insights into the mind of the market. Harvard Business School Press. Massachusetts, US.

Radar in the Modern World :: essays research papers fc

Research Paper  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Radar in the Modern World   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Radar is usually taken for granted in these days of modern technology. Many people do not know how radar is really used, how it works, or why we need it. People are familiar with several uses of radar like police enforcement radar guns and radar that measures how fast a baseball is pitched in a major league game. These are only a few of the many uses radar has to offer. Radar can determine several properties of an object from a distance, such as its position, speed, direction of travel, and shape; it can also detect objects out of the range of sight in all weather conditions, making it a fundamental utility for many industries.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The term radar actually came from the acronym representing RAdio Detection And Ranging. Radar is a detection system used to locate and identify objects. Simply put, radar is the process in which radio waves are emitted from the source of the system; those waves ricochet off objects in their path, and the radar system detects the echoes of signals that return.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã¢â‚¬Å"One would think that so important a contribution to the world’s technology would be chronicled with great care at every step†¦This, unfortunately, is not the case, and for reasons quite understandable† (Page 14). Sometimes history can be hard to distinguish from truth and legend, the history of radar is no exception. Many contributions have been made to the development of radar over the years. For many years prior and during the Second World War, radar was considered a top-secret military tool. Once it was made public, people used the existing information about radar to come up with their own variations for different applications. As a result, the true origin of radar has become blurred within conflicting claims.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Radar can be traced back as far as 1832 when British physicist Michael Faraday suggested the existence of an electromagnetic field between certain objects from his scientific observations. Working from these ideas, British physicist James Clerk Maxwell predicted mathematically the existence and behavior of radio waves in 1873. In 1886, physicist Heinrich Hertz from Germany and Elihu Thomson from America confirmed the existence of radio waves with demonstrations showing examples of reflection, refraction, and direction finding of radio waves. By 1904, Christian Hulsmeyer, a German inventor, applied for a patent for a device that used radio waves in a collision-avoidance device for ships.

Learning Styles and Competencies

Especially when the instructor give exactly what they want out of you when learning room them, like precise instructions, directions, and they give the tools needed to complete their course. My three highest results on the competency spectrum are researching, applying expertise, and logical thinking. Researchers learn new task and retains the Information quickly. Also they demonstrate an Immediate understanding of newly presented Information. A researcher supports good decision making due to well done research. Second was applying expertise this is using technology to achieve goals.Demonstrates an understanding of a variety of different things. Third s logical thinking which is using all sources available to complete a task. Logical thinkers have a great understanding of problems and thinks of ways to solve them. Also they think about the future and the action we make today will affect us in the future and to make wise choices. I believe I am a great researcher and I always I am usua lly the one looking up everything and researching everything to know before making decisions. Second is applying expertise which I also agree that I am good at . My friends and family always ask me for my expertise.I am open too variety of different things. Third is logical thinking I believe that is also pretty true about myself. I understand problems and can always come up with a solution that everyone Is happy with. These results did not surprise me. And competencies as determined by these activities. I don't think there are any major alterations to my study techniques to take advantage of my abilities. My study habits and competencies match well with my results.. I strategies my week with what I need to learn and study. I think logically and deduce answers by making rational judgments.I analyze information to find out what it means and how it works. How can knowing your abilities and competencies from the My Career Plan help you prepare for professional environments? I would uti lize my strengths, abilities, and skills that I have to market myself better in a professional environment. I believe there is a place in any company that you work at to make yourself shine above the others by applying your strengths to the best of your abilities. I am quick learner and I research anything I don't know and absorb that knowledge for the future when needed.I coped well with pressure, so anything expected from me in a working environment, I will not falter. I know myself as an individual. I know what my strengths are, and it will benefit me moving forward to prepare me in any professional environment. How would you approach collaborative work in the future given what you now understand about your competencies and abilities? I think by best approach is asking questions with students, teachers, and professional who is already working in the field I am studying in. What is the relationship between your competencies identified in My Career Plan and your results on the pers onality spectrum profile?My three highest results on the rationality spectrum are researching, applying expertise, and logical thinking. My personality was musical and interpersonal . What can you do to Improve on the competencies needed for your career goal? Review the competency development tips for assistance with improving competencies. Improve my personal competencies by evaluating my strengths and weaknesses. Make a commitment to add skills that can improve my quality of life. Take classes on line or in physical classrooms to enhance competencies which is what I'm doing now . Look for ways to improve work-life strategically by expanding my skill-set.

Concert Review

Despite slavery legally ending in 1 865, African Americans still didn't have the same rights as white Americans. â€Å"Jazz was music that both black and white people could enjoy. By the 1 sass, jazz was growing in popularity and included influences from Europe as well as Africa† (Washington post). The Jazz Band featured a series of special guests such as Johnny Gonzales (Saxophone), Dennis Dotson (Trumpet), and Bobby Guess (Bass Trombone). High's Blues is a tune that was composed by Jeff Jarvis.The primary instrumentalists were Jeff Lam with he Vibes, Kali Pinions with the Alto Sax, Ray Hills with the Piano, Ashley Flowers with the Trumpet, and Jimmy Banks with the Guitar. This piece's dynamic or volume was fortissimo and/or very loud. The melody seemed to have been fairly conjunct with metered rhythm. The texture was apparently homophobic with a thick texture. Cantaloupe Island is a tune that was composed by Hancock. The primary instrumentalists were Each Outlander with the Trumpet and Tory Zimmerman with the Fullerton. The Fullerton is defined as a brass musical instrument like a cornet but with a mellower tone.The use of the Fullerton in this piece demonstrated the wide dynamic range the ensemble had. The dynamics or volume was fortissimo and/or very loud. Candy Dancer is a tune that was composed by Jeff Jarvis. The primary instrumentalists were Marcel Primes with the Bass, Michael Williams with the Piano, Kali Pinions with the Alto Sax, Ashley Flowers with the Trumpet, and Jimmy Banks with the Guitar. Horn of Pungent is a tune that was composed by Goodwin. The primary instrumentalist was Ashley Mowers with the Trumpet. This was one of the first solo performances that the band completed.The trumpet, being a brass musical instrument with a flared bell and a bright, penetrating tone, influenced the dynamic or volume of the piece to be fortissimo or very loud. The rhythm was also metered and the Timbre or quality of sound was very clear. Another piece t hat essentially managed to do the same thing was Top Dog. Top Dog is a tune that was composed by Yeastiness. The primary instrumentalist was Each Outlander with the Trumpet. Both solos demonstrated both virtuosity and expression, along with some humorous moments. Solo's serve to highlight performers' ability to playOff each other, while allowing his or her individual strength to shine through. Aaron's Blues is a tune that was composed by Chip McNeill. The primary instrumentalists were Michael Williams with the Piano, Eel Baker, with the Alto Sax, Bobby Guess with the Bass Trombone, and Denny Willie with the Trumpet. This piece contained a strong melody with a Forte or loud dynamic. Magellan is a tune that was composed by Strongmen. The primary instrumentalists were Michael Williams with the Piano, Dennis Dotson with the Trumpet, and Bob Peel with the Tenor Sax.This piece seemed to be a bit distinct or â€Å"jumping all over the place† because of the unusual instruments that w ere combined. For the most part, this piece's dynamic was fortissimo or very loud while the timbre or quality of sound was clear. Jeannine is a tune that was arranged by Taylor. The primary instrumentalists were Dennis Dotson with the Trumpet and Johnny Goggles with the Sax. This piece reminded me of â€Å"Hot Jazz† that was played in Jazz Houses by imitators of New Orleans. There's Only So Much Oil in the Ground is a tune that was arranged by Tomato.The primary instrumentalists were Johnny Goggles with the Sax and Michael Williams with the Top Organ sounds. This piece seemed to be fortissimo or very loud. It seemed to be Polyphonic by containing multiple melodic lines of equal importance. Finally, Rock This Town is a tune that was arranged by Dave Wolfe. The primary instrumentalists Were Dennis Dotson with the Trumpet and Johnny Goggles with the Sax. This piece was fortissimo or very loud. This piece also reminded me of the â€Å"swing† era where music was performed i n order to encourage dance. They called this era the â€Å"binge band RA†.

Podcasting Package Is A Viable Alternative Tool Discussion Education Essay

This chapter presents the surveies treatment. It provides an chance to explicate the significance of the findings and topographic point the research within a broader context.Major findingsAnalysis of the findings provides grounds that the podcasting bundle is a feasible alternate ‘tool ‘ to utilize when back uping kids ‘s literacy development in twelvemonth 2. However the procedure i.e. the activities designed to scaffold the kids to the point of bring forthing a podcast, was the factor that elicited betterments in the kids ‘s speech production and hearing and non the recording of the podcast itself ( the merchandise ) . However it was of import that the kids saw the concluding podcast as the merchandise ; a mark that the activities would take them towards. Findingss from, and analysis of informations confirmed that the merchandise ( the podcast ) was the incentive for the kids instead than an indispensable portion of their acquisition. It provided the kids with a intent. This concurs with DfES ( 2004 ) findings that more positive motive resulted if engineering was focused around the larning instead than used to back up learning. The kids themselves identified that as a top acting group they had fewer chances to entree engineering than less able kids in their category. Therefore another type of engineering could hold motivated this group to make their end ; it can non be generalised that it was the podcast that offered ‘pull ‘ . Nonetheless, though kids ‘s responses about ‘liking ‘ composing would look to belie it, I personally feel ‘voice ‘ and ‘audien ce ‘ would necessitate to be characteristics of the engineering chosen as a word processor type application entirely would non actuate in the same manner.Meaning and importance of the findingsThis research began two old ages ago following a successful command to the TDA for support. The TDA regularly financess e-learning undertakings for instructor preparation suppliers as they recognise the importance of ICT skilled practicians in the workplace ( TDA 2005 [ online ] ) . Two old ages is a life-time in a digital universe but particularly in relation to instruction engineerings. Though the engineering used in this survey was found to be motivational, it still played a important portion in the procedure as without it the kids would hold lost focal point. Therefore in reply to the research inquiry, â€Å" can a Podcasting procedure support Literacy in a Year 2 schoolroom? â€Å" ; yes as portion of a procedure it can. Two old ages ago, Web 2.0 engineering was a ‘twinkle in person ‘s digital oculus ‘ . Now it is the pillar of many digital applications ( Godwin Jones 2005 ) . Although MP3 participants were ab initio sole to Apple Macintosh, new coevals nomadic phones now combine MP3 and other communicating engineerings in one orderly bundle. Huge advancement in a short infinite of clip. As Bull ( 2005, p.25 ) states, â€Å" MP3 participants such as the Apple iPod have become the mechanism for distribution of music for today ‘s young person merely as the Cadmium and vinyl records filled this function for old coevalss. Educational utilizations of podcasting physique on the foundation of this cultural phenomenon † . This presents both challenge and chance. When podcasts are broadcast to the Internet, through Web 2.0 engineering, the ensuing RSS ( Truly Simple Syndication ) ‘feeds ‘ allow kids to lend to each other ‘s work, wherever in the universe they may be. For case some web sites ask kids to add lines to poems, take portion in quizzes or append chapters to partially written on-line books. As Halsey ( 2007 ) asserts kids can convey the universe into the schoolroom ; and take their larning out into the universe with Web 2.0 engineering. Clearly so the potency for podcasting as an educational tool is phenomenal, but non merely in literacy lessons. Nevertheless the study revealed that current engineerings were characteristics in the sample group ‘s places. Attitudes towards a engineering seem to alter with its age hence attitude towards the currency of the motivational tool should besides be considered. So how might kids ‘s attitudes towards podcasting and speech production and hearing as a whole affect their public presentation in this type of exercising? It seems from past tendencies that podcasting itself will hold a ‘shelf life ‘ as todays digital indigens become tomorrows digital immigrants and todays techno ‘must rich persons ‘ become tomorrows digital ‘dinosaurs ‘ . Positive attitudes and motive for podcasting engineering, as it is now, will be lost. Newer technologies appear to be communicating based as Web 2.0 capablenesss move toward an even greater interactivity. This of class will assist keep a positive ‘attitude ‘ to talking and listening, in a ‘virtual ‘ environment, through a combination of networking sites and digital hardware such as webcams. The usage of Embodiments[ 1 ]is one illustration of such a combination. Communication and storytelling have stood the trial of clip and I would expect this will go on but how we do it in the hereafter will alter every bit will the size and nature of the audience. In his proposal to ‘radically ‘ pass the primary course of study, Alexander et Al. ( Primary Cambridge Review, DCSF 2009 [ online ] ) recognises spoken linguistic communication as cardinal to larning, civilization and life, but acknowledges it is much more outstanding in the course of study of many other states ( p24 ) . Possibly this could be the footing for higher accomplishment in other states instead than the ulterior school get downing age frequently identified. Reading and composing, as with other reappraisals ( DfES 2006a ) once more predominate in this reappraisal with speech production and listening one time once more dawdling behind. The authorities ( DfES 2007, DCSF 2009a ) is proclaiming that speech production and hearing are the foundations for all other larning – so why? Why are we still turn toing reading and composing foremost? Writing is simply a method for entering ideas. Ideas can besides be spoken and/or recorded into a podcast. This would be im probably emancipating for those kids who find it hard to compose things down. Podcasting offers equal chances for all ages and abilities ; an inclusive digital tool. In the late 1980 ‘s the National Oracy Project ( National Curriculum Council ; 1992 ) recommended giving speech production and listening a higher profile and yet more than 20 old ages subsequently we are still doing the same errors. I would wish to see this research will hold significance and add force per unit area to this on-going argument nevertheless unchanging fortunes, yesteryear and nowadays, would propose otherwise.Findingss in relation to other surveiesPrensky ( 2001, 2008, 2009 ) , Buckingham ( 2004, 2007 ) and Marsh et Al. ( 2006 ) high spot ours is a digital universe and yet many schools still fail to recognize the significance or importance of ‘skilling ‘ kids to get by with an progressively digital and altering landscape. Technology is going more sophisticated and is increasingly being aimed at and designed for younger consumers. Palmer ( 2007 p.3 ) suggests that, ‘culture has evolved faster than our biological science ‘ and this is ‘ damaging kids ‘s ability to believe, learn and act ‘ . Prensky ( 2009 ) would differ saying that exposure to engineering is altering kids ‘s encephalon construction and demanding a new manner of larning which relies on wisdom. The little size of the cohort used for this research would symbolize that the findings offer no important support of either Prensky ‘s or Palmer ‘s stance. However the podcasting bundle offered kids a blended acquisition environment comprised of group treatments and engineering usage. This would shrive them from harm to their thought, larning and behaviour that Palmer infers can go on. These three subjects are besides recognized benefits of group working ( Baines et al. 2008 ) .The relevancy of the findingsVygotsky ( 1976 ) wrote that speech production and thought are closely linked. The procedure of speech production helps kids to larn through jointing their ideas and therefore developing the constructs needed to understand the u niverse. Communication and understanding improve with pattern. Therefore, the chance to speak is critical in order to develop apprehension. If nil else, promoting and valuing talk conveys the message that communicating is of import ; both hearing and speech production are the foundations for communicating so raising their profile is a good terminal in itself. However though Vygotsky ‘s theory sing communicating is still pertinent he could non hold comprehended how his theory would still use to our of all time germinating digital universe ; to current patterns and the diverse ways of pass oning that societal networking has brought approximately. If we have come this far since Vygotsky, how far will our kids travel and how will they get by with their journey if practicians do non promote them to develop their accomplishments. Participant observations were undertaken to back up the kids ‘s interactions with the hardware and package needed for this research. Clearly there was a demand to scaffold them at this point ; though as in Lewis ‘s instance the more knowing other did non necessitate to be me. The ZPD is the zone in which acquisition is made easier through support by important others ( Whitehead 2004 ) . These others may or may non be physically present but possibly shack in a digital universe. In other words traditional theory still applies to digital experiences but sometimes the important other may be anon. i.e. through hunt engines or ‘friends ‘ on ‘social ‘ networking sites. Vygotsky ‘s reading of the word societal would surely be limited in today ‘s ‘techno ‘ society.The survey ‘s restrictions( Gautreau 2006 ) notes several grounds why there are barriers to utilizing engineering in schools. Unknowingness of engineering ‘s po ssible, clip needed to larn ( larning to utilize new package or hardware and how to incorporate them into the course of study ) , deficiency of support or resources and a deficiency of engineering competency, appropriate preparation or assurance in one ‘s ability to learn with engineerings are his chief concerns. Past instruction experience has indicated that the deficiency of a concluding ‘product ‘ from a ‘lesson ‘ is frequently deemed to be a failure on the portion of the instructor and of the kid. This belief is supported by the coverage and review procedures ; frequently SATs based ( QCDA 2010 [ online ] ) used to measure a schools position through analysis of the kids ‘s consequences. This has lead to the premise that any larning achieved in such lessons should be touchable. There should be something physical to demo. However as this research has shown speech production and hearing are the foundation of other acquisition and the inquiry has to be asked, â€Å" Can we measure this accurately if we are still inquiring kids to compose responses down? † Again personal experience has shown that understanding is non cultivated entirely through authorship or the creative activity of something. These averments are farther supported by findings from this rese arch, gathered during observations of the kids. Listening to kids ‘s treatments revealed far more about their abilities and thought procedures than any piece of composing perchance could. Therefore appraisals, peculiarly those that are SATs based, bespeaking that larning should be evidenced through production of something physical would belie what current and past experience has shown. Of class in a ‘digital ‘ and ‘virtual ‘ universe, ‘physical ‘ grounds could be presented otherwise. Time became a important restriction of this research. Time with the kids was limited due to funding hence some aspects from the planning phase were non carried out. The most frustrating was stage was at the terminal as there was non adequate clip left for the kids to be able to reflect on and measure their podcasting journey. Reflection is an of import portion of the acquisition procedure. By looking back at what they have done kids can derive a deeper apprehension of both the content and the acquisition procedure itself.The hereafterDonaldson ( 1986 ) was brave plenty to oppugn Piaget ‘s experiments and his attendant appraisals of kids ‘s ages, phases and strategies. She alluded to the impression of kids necessitating a ‘familiar context ‘ to be able to execute optimally and build significance from what they were making. But what is a familiar context for kids today? As grownups, are we back uping kids in a context which is ‘comfortable ‘ for us i nstead than familiar to them? Even more significantly are assessment bureaus besides outside their comfort zone? Should they be inquiring for grounds in different formats? Could Podcasting be one of these? ‘Digital ‘ grounds of accomplishment is more suitable to a ‘hi-tech ‘ universe. Sing the distribution and impact of engineerings in the ‘business ‘ universe ( Phelps, Graham & A ; Kerr, 2004 ) ; force per unit area from authorities organic structures ( DCSF 2007a ) and the duty of schools to educate kids for the hereafter ( DCSF 2008 ) , the deficiency of use of digital grounds to inform appraisals in schools is perplexing. Ellis ( 1997, 2004 ) refers to â€Å" emotional auto-ethnography † which may hold the unintended effect of overshadowing what auto-ethnography can be and of befoging the manner in which it may suit into societal enquiry. I would oppugn the usage of 'emotional ‘ here as it implies ‘blackmail ‘ or in research footings bias. I continue to adopt Donaldson ‘s ( 1986 ) ‘familiar context ‘ , which would of class include a research worker ‘s relationship with the kids involved. For me relationship suggests ‘knowing each other ‘ ; a comfy tantrum which leaves emotions ‘outside ‘ research. Emotions would hold skewed the analysis of observation and interview informations whereas the relationship between the kids and myself strengthened it. There are more practical deductions for anyone reproducing this research, or implementing the podcasting bundle. Podium package is expensive and merely necessary if broadcast medium to the World Wide Web. The sample kids were non concerned by the impression of a ‘wider audience ‘ they merely wanted their households and ‘immediate ‘ equals to hear their narrative. The narrative could hold been shared by Cadmium Rom, brassy thrust or the schools intranet entirely. This would hold been more cost effectual ; would hold saved some of the TDA support and therefore allowed excess clip to work with the kids. Evaluations of the kids ‘s speech production and listening abilities followed observations, during the activities, and attendant written texts of the kids ‘s treatments, were assessed against a recognized model. These findings clearly indicated that the podcasting bundle is feasible in footings of raising speech production and hearing degrees. Prensky ( 2005 ) reminded us that life for today ‘s kids may be a batch of things but it ‘s surely non unengaging ; except in school. Children ‘s place experiences with engineering enable instructors to construct on what kids know and can make provided that those peculiar engineerings are besides available in schools. By making so, non merely are we alining pattern to Donaldson ( 1986 ) but besides reflecting Fisher ‘s ( 2007 ) ‘starting from the kid ‘ rule. However in some respects this is where, we as practicians, travel incorrect. Money is to a great extent invested into the latest engineering to give kids the best ‘opportunities ‘ or environments for larning. Synergistic whiteboards ( IWBs ) and visualizers are two such engineerings. The little study revealed that at place kids are utilizing computing machines, nomadic phones, DS Lites and Wii ‘s. Though clearly there are benefits to holding IWBs and visualizers to project and portion images, it seems that the ‘familiar ‘ engineerings, those used daily at place are non utilized within a school environment. Again a instance of ‘teacher comfort ‘ opposed to ‘children ‘s world ‘ . If we are trusting on kids ‘s personal lifes or digital histories as this ‘starting point ‘ for resourcing and be aftering in scenes, puting in ‘unfamiliar ‘ engineerings would look to belie what we should endeavor to make. What does the instructor have to make? Nothing more than utilize a accomplishment that hopefully they are already good at: hearing. Teachers should listen to the podcasts with the kids, and assist the kids decide on the standards for appraisal. Children may hold more sophisticated cognition of new engineerings than their instructors, coercing a pedagogical displacement in the teacher function from expert to facilitator. Therefore go oning professional development has to be an of import characteristic of instructor patterns in a invariably germinating digital environment. In decision integration and using engineerings into a course of study is a complicated issue. Making known the benefits associated with engineering usage whilst besides turn toing the barriers that exist seems cragged. Traditional signifiers of literacy instruction are frequently non adequate for kids today, they need to be adapted to both entreaty and motivate and be relevant to contemporary scholars ( Buckingham 2003 ) . Thus grownups should be fixing kids for their digital hereafter instead than protecting them against it. Leu and Kinzer ( 2000 p117 ) say â€Å" envisionments take topographic point when instructors, kids, and others imagine new possibilities for literacy and acquisition, transform bing engineerings to build this vision, and so portion their work with others. † Envisionment has resulted from the new attack taken with younger kids and the podcasting bundle ; the subsequent bringing of the bundle to ITE pupils who in bend will circulate it to instructors in sc hools. As a research worker I would happen it interesting to test the bundle with even younger kids or in a scene whose ‘digital ‘ position was low in order to see ( i ) how younger kids react ( two ) if the engineering became a job instead than a scaffold.