Ethics and Risk Assessment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3750 words

Ethics and Risk Assessment - Essay Example 2), the form will be submitted to the appropriate Programme Administrator. Specific deadlines may apply: check on the School student intranet or with the Programme Administrator. After submission of the form, students may still change the title of their project with the agreement of their supervisor. If a change to title has ethical or risk implications however then the form should be resubmitted, this should also be indicated. Family Name First name(s) Registration Number Programme/Degree Name of Supervisor or Course-unit Leader Section 1. Confirmation of Title and Description of Project Title Child Abuse in the Catholic Church: Interview with an abused Attach a separate sheet with a description of your proposed project, max. 500 words. This should not be a theoretical or intellectual rationale, nor a detailed methodology. It should specify the location(s) and duration of your project and describe, as far as possible, who you will work with and what your interactions with research p articipants will consist of (i.e. what you will actually do with them and in what contexts) and what kind of data you will collect. Section 2. Risk Assessment Please tick (?) one box (there is no need to print out or submit a copy of the generic assessments): The proposed research does not involve any fieldwork but complies with the School Generic Risk Assessment C: On Campus Working. I confirm I have read and understood this assessment. The proposed research does include a period of fieldwork, but complies with the School Generic Risk Assessment A: Off Campus work in the UK. I confirm I have read and understood this assessment. ? The proposed research does include a period of fieldwork, but complies with the School Generic Risk Assessment B: Off Campus work overseas. I confirm I have read and understood this assessment. The proposed research does include a period of fieldwork, but falls outside of the School’s Generic Risk Assessments and therefore I have completed and attac hed a full risk assessment for approval. Section 3. Ethical Considerations Question 1 YES NO Will the research for your project involve you in gathering or holding data from living human participants in any form (i.e. interviews, surveys, observation)? Yes or No, please tick (?) one box ? If you answered No to Question 1, then you are free to undertake your research, but if your research alters at any time before submission to involve the gathering of information from or holding of data from living human participants then you must recomplete and resubmit this form. If you answered Yes to Question 1, please continue onto Question 2 Question 2 Please confirm that you have read and understood the School’s template for Ethics Approval for Student Research Projects with Consenting Adults and that your project falls within the parameters described in the template. Yes or No, please tick (?) one box YES NO ? If you answered Yes to Question 2 then you are free to undertake your resea rch providing you abide by the following conditions. You must work to the information contained in the School’s template for Ethics Approval for Student Research Projects with Consenting Adults, regarding use of participant consent forms and participant information forms, and regarding the safe collection, storage and handling of data. If your research alters at any time before submission to depart from the School’s template for Ethics Approval for Student Research Projects with Consenting Adults, then this approval is revoked and you must speak immediately to your supervisor. You must complete and submit with this form a sample participant infor

Hospital Quality Improvement Essay Example for Free

Hospital Quality Improvement Essay Kausch and as a member of the quality improvement council. Corporate influences to assist in the hospital efforts consisted of providing staffing for QIP. The mentor was provided by headquarters staff, and in the case of WFRMC was Dr. Batalden (p. 525). The corporate headquarters also rovided a means for WFRMC to work with one of the other HCA hospitals to focus and develop self-assessment tools for department heads (McLaughlin Kaluzny, The impact of the programs that would be instilled in WFRMC can be 2006). measured through departmental quality improvement assessments. The scoring matrix of the self-assessment focused on approach, deployment (implementation), and effects ((McLaughlin Kaluzny, 2006). The approach includes the eight dimensions: leadership constancy, employee mindedness, customer mindedness, process focused, statistical thinking, PDCA driven, innovativeness, and regulatory proactiveness (p. 30). The implementation assessment was focused around the depth of deployment; the awareness, knowledge, understanding, and application of the plan (McLaughlin Kaluzny, 2006). The effects were assessed on the overall quality of measureable results. For example, CQI team for charting showed favorable results form quality improvement plans in that patient report availability was improved, and there were fewer phone calls [with regards to errors] (p. 537). Implementation programs. The obstetric department utilized a consultant to evaluate quality. The result of this was that it became clear that there was a demand for a system in hich a family-centered birth experience could occur (p. 541). This development ofa new family-centered system was based on the need to center its services on the customer preferences rather then a forced routine (McLaughlin Kaluzny, 2006). In order to implement a new system Ms. Cynthia Ayres, an administrative director, was assigned to implement this new concept. The result was that Ms. Ayres decided to use the CQI process to develop a new charge process and to evaluate the cost and resource consumption of the service (p. 541). In the evaluation all processes of a delivery were under analysis. Another tactical program that was supported with TQM was that of pharmacy. This was conducted as a result of the concern of the rapidly rising costs of inpatient drugs, especially antibiotics, which were costing the hospital about $1. 3 million per year (p. 543). A CQI team was formed and evaluated the process of how physicians selected antibiotics for treatment (McLaughlin Kaluzny, 2006). The end result of the CQI process was the recommendation that antibiotics be listed in order of increasing cost per average daily dose (McLaughlin Kaluzny, 2006)

Harry Potter Essays -- essays research papers

Harry Potter and The Sorcerers Stone   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The book I read was called Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s stone. The author of this book was a woman by the name of J.K. Rowling. This book has two settings, in the beginning, when Harry is living with his Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia; he is at # 4 privet drive. After he is sent off to Hogwarts, the setting is at the gigantic school for wizards and witches.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The main character in the book I read was Harry Potter. He is rather skinny, has dark brown hair and bight green eyes and glasses. He also has a scar in the middle of his forehead in the shape of a lightning bolt. Ron Weasly, Harry’s friend, has red hair and brown eyes big lips and is slightly larger than Harry, especially in the middle. Hermonie Granger is another friend of Harry’s; she has long light brown hair that is a little poofy. She has dark brown eyes and thick eyebrows. In the beginning, Harry was dropped off at his aunt’s and uncle’s by a giant and a warlock. He had 12 long years of being beat up by his spoiled cousin and his gang. One day, letters came down the chimney, shaking the whole house. This caused his uncle to propose a vacation. When they got to their destination, Harry remembered that it was his birthday. That night, Harry drew a cake in the sand on the floor and watched the clock strike midnight. Then a giant pushed down the door. The giant had an argument with Harry’s uncle about whether or not ...

Psychology and New Technology Program Essay

ABC Corporation has made a decision to purchase a new technology program for their employees. Because this technology program is new, employees ranging from age 17- 70 needs to be train. Training must be complete with six months. Before training is implement, four fundamental principles of adult education, including psychological, sociocultural, biological, and cognitive must be analyze. Because of the age range it would feasible to divide the employee into two groups. First group is Young learners (YL) age group 17-25 and the second group is Adult learners (AL) age group 26-71. The AL group will require multiple sessions because of the number of employee in this group. Before training begins, both groups must prepare for learning, therefore an open discussion regarding the new technology program, training plan process and how it will affect the employees will be discuss, this discussion will gain support and full participation from the employees. After analyzing both groups, the biological factor for the YL group will not have a strong impact. Most young learner between the ages of 17-25 is computer knowledgeable and is familiar with the 21st century social media and is open for change with new technology. YL group would benefit from Web-Based Training (WBT) instead of the traditional classroom forum. Many young leaners prefer a teaching method that would keep them engaged, and eager. WBT is the delivery method for the YL group. The adult learners (AL) ages 26-70 may not be a computer literate and would benefit from the traditional classroom approach. The AL group would require the adult educator to have patience, slow lecturing, plenty of hands on exercise, and frequent breaks. Hands on exercise are a memory factor that would benefit the AL group two months after been train. Most adults learners tend to forget what they have learned. Information that goes into adult leaner memory is memorize if the learner practices remembering the information soon after he or she learns it. Psychological factors deals with individuals’ way of thinking and learning. Separating the groups would allow the employees to learn and collaborate within their age group. Developing two groups will allow the learners to relate to each other, and feel comfortable learning. Training both groups together would be challenging for the adult educator as well as the employees. The possibility of redundant questions would slow down the class, which could result in less participation. Cognitive factor is the process of obtaining knowledge through experiences. The Adult learner (AL) is in charge of their own learning. They focus on what will advance their career and life circumstances. The Young learners (YL) rely on others to tell them what they should learn. Both groups learning environment has an impact on how well they comprehend the new technology program. The YL group would benefit from a self pace, web base training module or a stimulation module with active interaction of practical and theory scenarios. Each module will require an assessment and a passing score of 90% or higher to advance to the next module. This learning style would allow the YL group to continue to make use of 21st technology. The AL group would not benefit from web base training. Most adult learners are not comfortable learning new technology, in this case the employees does not have an option. The AL group who is not adaptive to change would find it challenging to learn a new technology program via a computer; this would be an internal factor that may take time to overcome. The job of the trainer is to make the learner apart of the learning process, by asking for volunteers, or asking experiences related questions. The AL groups are concern with why and how to apply this new technology. Sociocultural deals with how adults deal with individual learning and how learning takes place. Dividing employees into separate groups will be beneficial at the end of training. Both groups can relate to their own learning team. The YL group want experience classroom group interaction with their team. Web-based training (WBT) is similar to distance learning. There will be online discussion, and e-mail dialogue. The AL group will build possibly new relationships, interact more, discuss challenges, and success. In conclusion, in order for the ABC Company to be effective with the new technology program, the recommendation is to divide the employees into separate groups, and categorize them as Adult Learner (AL), Young Learners (YL). This approach would be beneficial from the adult learner perspective and applying the four fundamental principles, simplifies the training plan and the assurance that training will be complete successfully within six months. Afterward employees will be able to apply the new concepts, and best practices of the new technology program.

Instinct and circumstance

Buber believes, that then â€Å"I† of the human is double, and relative to the relationships into which it enters. The â€Å"I† that replies to â€Å"Thou† is vastly different from the â€Å"I† that replies to â€Å"It†. Every act of saying I is an act of being I in one of these ways. I-It is any being as experience, analytic, I-Thou is the being as a relationship, synthetic. There is nothing in particular to be known about the Thou, it can only be understood in its wholeness and not known. We see it clearly and yet cannot tell the details.I-Thou comes before I-It, it is the basic â€Å"main word†. It is the first comprehension of the Other. But I-Thou is doomed to be come I-It as we familiarize ourselves with it and find a utilitarian approach to the Other. And yet I-It may become I-Thou if the scrutinizing man chooses to further the relationship and not look at the details of the one with who he is interacting, but at its essence. Still, it is impossible to live in the I-Thou mode constantly, for it is being only in the present and paying attention only to the present.Deep and essential it may be, and yet fickle and does not bode well for survival. As Buber puts it, â€Å"The human being cannot live without the It. But the one who lives only with the It is not a human being†, as these few fickle moments are the most direct manifestation of what makes us human – our ability to dialog directly. A growing civilization means a growing world of It, because each new civilization gathers within itself the â€Å"It† of the previous culture.It is usually falsely called a growth of spiritual life, but this is not true: spiritual life is the domain of the I-Thou, a response to the Absolute, while the growth of cognitive capacity generally diminishes the capability for having a true Relationship. The I-It word is nothing bad, unless it attempts to take the place of its rightful counterpart, as one is useless without the other. If one divides the â€Å"spheres of interest† of the Thou and It, he will get communities with nothing in common on one hand and feelings without substance on the other, a divided and sad existence.Buber speaks of two opposite pairs: of freedom and destiny and of necessity and fate. The first belong to I-Thou, the second to I-It. Destiny is a measure of self-actualization: only the person who has achieved freedom and understood what he is and what he truly desires can find his destiny. On the other hand, he who gives in to the laws of necessity and causality and does not act from the very depths of his being discounting causality meets the jaws of fate as his form of existence.He is the toy of the forces beyond him, while the man who follows his destiny rides the waves. Any culture generally starts on the impulse of I-Thou and declines on I-It, as does the human being. Buber differentiates between the Will and the self-will. The first is the grand impulse t o meet with one's destiny, to participate in the dialog. The second is merely the fickle desires of the limited human being, the lesser will controlled by instinct and circumstance. It is up to every human to choose what path he will take.This is the difference between individuality and personality, between learning one's boundaries by creating more of them or by destroying them – the result, in the end, is one and the same, but how different the experience! It is the choice between living in a mortal world or of mingling – even but momentarily – with Eternity itself. By relating the boundaries of the I-Thou one shapes them, as well, and creates them in a living response to outside circumstance, in dialog with it.By putting up walls in the I-It relationship, one distances oneself from the world, and is unable to react to any situation at hand, he may merely remember and try to act according to experience. There is no external difference between how the men in I- Thou and in I-It live. Both interact with the outside world, the man in I-Thou does not stop seeing the differences between things, lost in dialog. The difference is internal. For the man in I-Thou it is all a part of one living dialog. For the man in I-It, things are separate and only vaguely related.The man in I-Thou is interdependent on his dialog with the Absolute, but the Absolute is dependent on him, as well. The man in I-It thinks himself free but is dependent upon a thousand things. These two states are strangely interrelated. The stronger the It takes its hold on the I, the stronger the epiphanies the personal relationship of the I-Thou variety brings. Only through the greatest darkness will there be the greatest light, only through the loss of the word – dialog, only by going to the edges of fate can we know freedom, and through causality we learn the ways of destiny. Such are the cycles of the world in its eternal revolution.

Comparative Analysis Essay Example

Comparative Analysis Essay Example Comparative Analysis Paper Comparative Analysis Paper 0906 Writing May 30, 2011 Comparative Analysis The poem â€Å"Against Idleness and Mischief† written by Isaac Watts and the poem â€Å"How Doth the Little Crocodile† written by Lewis Carroll are two pieces of work that are always being compared and contrasted. The two poems are written by different poets in different times, however, they are very similar with each other in perspectives like the form, writing style, subject. Comparing to Carroll’s poem, â€Å"Against Idleness and Mischief† is more positive, educational and more suitable for children. There are a lot of similarities between two poems, such as form, structure and writing style. However, the two poems differ from each other in other sides. For instance, the length of two poems and purposes to write two poems are different. Therefore, it is worth analyzing Watts and Carroll’s works together to find what the similarities and differences are. One of the most obvious similarities is the form of two poems. Both of the two poets choose animals as subjects, for Watts chooses bees and Carroll chooses crocodile. They are also short poems and belong to poems that are written for children. Another conspicuous thing that the two poems have in common is that the writing structure. The rhyme scheme using in poems are very similar in Watts and Carroll’s works. For instance, both of two poems using alternate rhymes. In Watts’ poem, like the sentence â€Å"in works of labor or of skill, I would be busy too; for Satan finds some mischief still, for idle hands to do†, words like â€Å"skill† and â€Å"still†, â€Å"too† and â€Å"do† shows the using of alternate rhymes. It is the same in Carroll’s poem. In the sentence â€Å"How cheerfully he seems to grin, how neatly spreads his claws, and welcome the little fish in, with gentle smiling jaws†, â€Å"grin†, â€Å"in†, â€Å"claws† and â€Å"jaws† are groups of words that have same rhyme scheme. Moreover, both of the two poems use some rhetorical devices, like exclamation and personification. In the two poems, there are several exclamatory sentences starting with â€Å"How† to enrich the emotion, like the sentences â€Å"How skillfully she builds her cell! † and â€Å"How doth the little crocodile†. Personification is also discernible in the two poems through the usage of personal pronouns like â€Å"she† and â€Å"his† and some personified behaviors. For example, like the action of the little crocodile, â€Å"welcome the little fish in, with gentle smiling jaws! † vividly describes a personified image in front of readers. However, differences still exist between the two poems. First point is that the two poems are written in different times. Isaac Watts is a hymn writer and was born nearly two hundred years earlier than Lewis Carroll. Therefore, there exists possibility that Lewis Carroll imitates the writing style of Watts’. What’s more, themes of two poems are different. Watts’ poem mainly conveys a clear massage that is against idleness and mischief by praising the labor of those lovely bees. On the contrary, Carroll’s poem emphasizes on greed and the predatory nature by depicting the cunning image of crocodile. What the two poems similar and different causes the different purpose of the two poems. Carroll’s poem offers readers an image of a fierce, cunning image of crocodile. He uses sentences which have an irony sense, which wants to warn readers to be conscious of the predatory nature and against selfishness, but it may be a little harsh for children. Comparing to Carroll, Watts conveys a more positive massage that labor should be praised by praising the busy life of bees. Watts’ poem can play a better role in educating children because the poem is of a kind and soft style, which is easily accepted by children. For example, the gender of bees can improve that. In Watts’ poem, the bees is considered as females, thus they will bring a feeling of softness and kindness and an emotion of love, and that is why this poem is more interesting to children. In a conclusion, both of Watts and Carroll’s poems are very similar in some aspects. However, each of the two poems has points that are unique and different from the other. Watts’ work is more suitable for children and positive comparing to Carroll’s poem and can play an better role in educating children and that’s why it is recommended.

Single-Parent Children Behavior

Single-Parent Children Behavior SINGLE-PARENT CHILDREN BEHAVIOR Based on census information, the number of children being raised in a single-parent home is on the rise. It always causes negative implications for children. When children have both parents, they tend to have better educational and financial advantages. Many people dont even realize how much a childs behavior is impacted when it comes to being raised in a single-parent home. Find out more by reading below. Impact on Academics Many single-parent homes are run by mothers. Beyond not having a father, there is also the chance that household income will be lower for these single-parent households. When you combine all of this together, it tends to increase the chance that the children are going to end up performing badly in school. Because many fathers arent providing financial support to the children, it makes mothers work harder to make ends meet. Working harder takes mothers a lot of time. As a result, Â  they have no time for their children. In turn, children dont have a parent readily available to assist them with completing their homework. If the other parent sent money to the single parent raising the child, it would help free up time for that parent to spend it with children. When the children have the emotional support of the non-custodial parent, they often end up doing better in school when compared to children who dont have contact with the other parent. You may also be interested in: Perspiration Is Nothing without a Little Bit of Inspiration Junk Food in School The Bright Sides of Academic Intellectuals We Call Nerds Relieving Students School-Related Stress Developing Students Creativity and Self-Expression through Crayons Impact on Emotions When there is only one person in the house earning an income, it puts the family at risk of being below the poverty level. Families that live in poverty tend to be more stressed. This can carry over to the children and cause them to struggle with low self-esteem, frustration, anger and even violent tendencies. Some children feel as if they are the one to blame for the other parent leaving. They act out on their peers because of their anger at the other parent. Beyond all of the financial struggles, many children end up feeling sad, lonely and abandoned. They struggle to form relationships with other children and connect with them emotionally. While the effects are going to vary from one child to the next, it doesnt get any easier when there is only one parent in the household supporting the family. Impact on Social Life Many children from single-parent households end up withdrawing socially. They tend to dive into a state of depression and loneliness. This often occurs because the one parent is always working and has no time for children. Because the children are often alone, they tend to feel that they arent wanted or that the parent doesnt care. When the children enter the state of loneliness, they end up turning away from their peers and spend most of their time in their bedroom alone. This can cause a number of problems for children. Everything you do in life involves communicating with someone at some point. This is why it is so important for children to feel like they can come to their parent and talk about how they are feeling and what they need help with. Otherwise, it is only going to end up causing them, even more, problems later on in life when they try to get a job or even find a mate. Even though it isnt all that easy to be a single parent. Spend more time communicating with children and make sure that they have everything they need to succeed in life. In time, you will be able to work your way through the whole ordeal and grow to form a long-lasting bond.

Fast Facts About George Bernard Shaws Life and Plays

Fast Facts About George Bernard Shaws Life and Plays George Bernard Shaw is a model to all struggling writers. Throughout his 30s, he wrote five novels – all of them failed. Yet, he did not let that deter him. It was not until 1894, at the age of 38, that his dramatic work made its professional debut. Even then, it took some time before his plays became popular. Although he wrote mostly comedies, Shaw greatly admired the natural realism of Henrik Ibsen. Shaw felt that plays could be used to influence the general population. And since he was filled with ideas, George Bernard Shaw spent the rest of his life writing for the stage, creating over sixty plays. He won a Nobel Prize for Literature for his play The Apple Cart. His cinematic adaptation of Pygmalion also earned him an Academy Award. Born: July 26, 1856Died: November 2nd, 1950 Major Plays: Mrs. Warren’s Profession Man and Superman Major Barbara Saint Joan Pygmalion Heartbreak House Shaw’s most financially successful play was Pygmalion, which was adapted into a popular 1938 motion picture, and then into a Broadway musical smash: My Fair Lady. His plays touch upon a wide variety of social issues: government, oppression, history, war, marriage, women’s rights. It’s hard to say which among his plays is  the most profound. Shaw’s Childhood: Although he spent most of his life in England, George Bernard Shaw was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. His father was an unsuccessful corn merchant (someone who buys the corn wholesale and then sells the product to retailers). His mother, Lucinda Elizabeth Shaw, was a singer. During Shaw’s adolescence, his mother began an affair with her music teacher, Vandeleur Lee. By many accounts, it seems that the playwright’s father, George Carr Shaw, was ambivalent about his wife’s adultery and her subsequent departure to England. This unusual situation of a sexually magnetic man and woman interacting with an â€Å"odd-man-out† male figure would become common in Shaw’s plays: Candida, Man and Superman, and Pygmalion. His mother, his sister Lucy, and Vandeleur Lee moved to London when Shaw was sixteen years old. He stayed in Ireland working as a clerk until he moved into his mother’s London home in 1876. Having despised the education system of his youth, Shaw took a different academic path – a self-guided one. During his early years in London, he spent hours on end reading books in the citys libraries and museums. George Bernard Shaw: Critic and Social Reformist In the 1880s, Shaw began his career as a professional art and music critic. Writing reviews of operas and symphonies eventually led to his new and more satisfying role as a theater critic. His reviews of London’s plays were witty, insightful, and sometimes painful to playwrights, directors, and actors who did not meet Shaw’s high standards. In addition to the arts, George Bernard Shaw was passionate about politics. He was a member of the Fabian Society, a group in favor of socialist ideals such as socialized health care, minimum wage reform, and the protection of the impoverished masses. Instead of attaining their goals through revolution (violent or otherwise), the Fabian Society sought gradual change from within the existing system of government. Many of the protagonists in Shaw’s plays serve as a mouth-piece for the precepts of the Fabian Society. Shaw’s Love Life: For a good portion of his life, Shaw was a bachelor, much like some of his more comical characters: Jack Tanner and Henry Higgins, in particular. Based on his letters (he wrote thousands of friends, colleagues, and fellow theater-lovers), it seems that Shaw had a devout passion for actresses. He maintained a long, flirtatious correspondence with actress Ellen Terry. It seems that their relationship never evolved beyond mutual fondness. During a serious ailment, Shaw married a wealthy heiress named Charlotte Payne-Townshend. Reportedly, the two were good friends but not sexual partners. Charlotte did not want to have children. Rumor has it, the couple never consummated the relationship. Even after marriage, Shaw continued to have relationships with other women. The most famous of his romances was between him and Beatrice Stella Tanner, one of England’s most popular actresses better known by her married name: Mrs. Patrick Campbell. She starred in several of his plays, including Pygmalion. Their affection for one another is evident in their letters (now published, like many of his other correspondences). The physical nature of their relationship is still up for debate. Shaw’s Corner: If you are ever in England’s small town of Ayot St. Lawrence, be certain to visit Shaw’s Corner. This beautiful manor became the final home of Shaw and his wife. Upon the grounds, you will find a cozy (or should we  say cramped) cottage just big enough for one ambitious writer. In this tiny room, which was designed to rotate to capture as much sunlight as possible, George Bernard Shaw wrote many plays and countless letters. His last major success was In Good King Charles Golden Days, written in 1939, but Shaw kept writing into his 90s. He was full of vitality until the age of 94 when he fractured his leg after falling off a ladder. The injury led to other problems, including a failing bladder and kidney. Finally, Shaw did not seem as interested in staying alive anymore if he could not stay active. When an actress named Eileen OCasey visited him, Shaw discussed his impending death: Well, it will be a new experience, anyway. He died the following day.

ILO conventions in Malaysia and Indonesia Essay

ILO conventions in Malaysia and Indonesia - Essay Example Perhaps the foremost social responsibility levied upon private and public organisation in recent decades is the adoption of fair and just employment practices. This responsibility is being increasingly codified in law and various governmental orders. Its influence is becoming increasingly pervasive through a constant series of federal court decisions as well as steady enlargement in the size and scope of administering agencies. Despite the unjust pressure from the International agencies and Governments of the developed nations it will neither fruitful for the economy of the developing countries nor for the labour of these countries to implement these principles in shape of the social clause of WTO or the ILO directives. The developed nations argue that the ILO standards are not intended to fix a uniform wage level or to establish universal employment conditions but are intended to making the conditions of the labour better all over the world. If the Governments of the developed countries are not intended to protect their job market shocks and really want to provide the labour all over the world they can achieve their goals by providing these countries with technological and financial support. This will automatically lead to the prosperous economies of these countries in turn bettering the living standards of the labour all over the world. ILO: International Labour Organisation is an international agency, which take care of the rights of the labour all over the world. ILO presents the guidelines, which allow the workers to form their organisation in order to help them to bargain and to safeguard their rights, settled a universal standard

Writing Journal for the chapters 8&9 Assignment

Writing Journal for the chapters 8 - Assignment Example During renaissance, borrowing was not favored since the stranger the words the more the objection from people (Baugh & Cable, 2001, p. 202). III. Adaptation: These are words that entered or still existed in the English language that were used to express new concepts. English did not only adopt new words to express concepts but also used its own word (Baugh & Cable, 2001, p. 209). The chapter Renaissance, 1500-1650 describes new factors that added up to the development of English language such as the printing press, education, communication and various forms of self-consciousness about language. As I read through the chapter, several questions arose. They include; a. The authors write, â€Å"Although English, along with the other vernaculars, had attained an established position as the language of popular literature, a strong tradition still sanctioned the use of Latin in all the fields of knowledge.†(Baugh & Cable, 2001, p. 190). Why was Latin language favored instead of English language? d. Humanism is a renaissance era intellectual movement. How did they increase the understanding of the world as they studied the culture of Rome and Greece? What was their focus on worldly things and not religious views help? I. â€Å"In the Modern English period, the beginning of which is conveniently placed at 1500, certain of these new conditions come into play, conditions that previously either had not existed at all or were present in only a limited way, and they cause English to develop along somewhat different lines from those that had characterized its history in the Middle Ages.†(Baugh & Cable, 2001, p. 187). II. â€Å"None of the other modern languages of Europe had had to endure the consequences of a foreign conquest that temporarily imposed an outside tongue upon the dominant social class and left the native speech chiefly in the hands of the lower social classes.† (Baugh &

Legal Professional Conduct Hypothetical Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Legal Professional Conduct Hypothetical - Essay Example This breach attracts a penalty of 50 units. If the receipt is related to financial service, then Warren Robinson’s act of diverting Peter’s money will be a default relating to financial services or investments under section 373 of the said Act. Warren Robinson is also deemed to have breached section 34 of the Legal Profession Regulation 2007 (hereafter, the Regulation) governing receipt of trust money. In the absence of any information to this effect, there is a breach of section 34 (2) (4) & (5) of the Regulation. (Legal Profession Regulation, 2007). How the situation should have been handled. Warren should have deposited the money of Peter into the General Trust Account. Mitigation Warren can interpret the money received as a fee for financial service and which he need not have deposited into the trust account. Law society may be addressed as mentioned in section 239 of the Act for giving necessary directions and interpretations. 2. Susan is asked by George, the solic itor employee of Warren Robinson law firm, to pay $1,200 for the specific purpose of covering cost of medical reports. This will become a controlled money when received from Susan in terms of section 237 (1) defining the controlled money. By depositing the first part payment of $ 750 given by Susan into the general trust account, the firm breaches section 251 (1) of the Act which requires deposit of controlled money in a controlled money account held by an Authorized Deposit taking Institution (ADI).. Failure to deposit attracts a maximum penalty of 50 points. . The firm has breached Section 48 of the Regulation which requires a law firm to maintain a single controlled money receipt system and issue receipts accordingly. The office employee Mary has issued a trust account receipt instead of a controlled money receipt as directed by George, the solicitor employee of the firm. The firm has breached section 50 of the Regulation by issuing a cheque for $ 940 to the doctor on Susanâ€⠄¢s account by having it signed by George, who is not authorized to withdraw controlled money. Section 50 (1) of the Regulation stipulates that controlled money can only be withdrawn by an authorized principal of the law practice or an authorized legal practitioner associate or an authorized legal practitioner holding an unrestricted practicing certificate authorizing the receipt of trust money. It is not known whether George holds such a certificate. Warren issues a trust account cheque for $ 450 towards payment of the physiotherapist report without actually receiving funds from Susan thus apparently diverting somebody’s else’s money from the trust account. This is in violation of section 259 (1) of the Act, subsection (a) of which prohibits causing of a deficiency in any trust account or trust ledger account without a reasonable excuse. It attracts a maximum penalty of 200 units (legal Profession Act, 2007) and (Trust Accounting Guide, 2009). How the situation should have been handled The practice should have deposited in a controlled money account held by an (ADI). Mitigation Since a written direction is necessary to open a controlled money account, a defense may be available to the law firm for depositing it into general trust account in the absence of a written direction 3. Katrina, another solicitor employee of the law firm Robinson Associates, transfers $ 400 from the trust

Honda Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Honda - Assignment Example In spite of the bad timing of its entry, the company’s determination to succeed in the international industry led it to where it is now. Product- In terms of product efficiency 100 % quality is not good enough for the company, the standard is set to120% product quality (â€Å"Aiming for 120%†). This has always been their basis into making their products, in line with the goal of meeting or even exceeding customer satisfaction. Honda is focused on the creation of innovative technologies for the enhancement of safety. It is considered as the most fuel efficient car manufacturer in the US for the year 2010. Price- The versatility of their car models are fit to those who plan to buy a car that is enough with their budget. Americans are busy people that’s why owning a car is definitely important. Considering the quality of vehicles manufactured by Honda and with prices that are not too high to be reached, attracting buyers to purchase their product is not at all hard. Place- Honda’s successful penetration into the US market is something that is now catching the attention of strategic management theorists. Standards of the American people are totally different with those of the Japanese. It is one of the challenging parts of business when a firm decides to put up a branch or expand in an unfamiliar place. Having been able to introduce products with a Japanese approach and with the US market’s favorable reaction, Honda’s decision to launch its first out of the country subsidiary in the US was a success. Promotion- The people’s word of mouth helps in the promotion of a product most especially when it is a positive feedback of what they have experienced upon using it. The satisfaction of the customers is what Honda and its dealers from around the world hope to achieve. That is why in order to gain popularity and a good

Workplace Incivility vs. Organizational Affective Commitment Essay

Workplace Incivility vs. Organizational Affective Commitment - Essay Example Although there is no guarantee that HR can reduce the negative effects of workplace incivility that lead to low employee morale, job satisfaction, stress, health problems, high absenteeism and high turnover at the workplace, certain HR practices such as hiring, orientation and mentoring newly hired employees are developed to control workplace incivility. A fundamental HR practice that enhances affective commitment, on the other hand, would be developing and creating a work environment that discourages workforce incivility and allows workers to be treated with respect and dignity. Workforce incivility refers to a less intense nonstandard behavior pertaining to the breach of workplace norms where the intention of inflicting harm on the other party is unknown (L.M. and C.M. 1999). Incivility at the workplace can manifest itself in forms as subtle as displaying reluctance to work, feeling de energized, demoralized and underappreciated. In short, workforce incivility implies an atmosphere whereby the workforce is faced with rudeness and socially unacceptable behavior at the workplace. More often than not, the cause of workforce incivility is the behavior of co-workers rather than supervisors (Yeung and Gnffin 2008). Several researches have been conducted regarding the relation of workforce incivility to self-esteem and the self-respect of the workforce. Several workplace practices have contributed to workforce incivility; de-layering, downsizing, Business Process Reengineering, cutting budgets, enhancing productivity to name a few (Yeung and Gnffin 2008). According to one research conducted, over 71% of respondents had gone through some acts of workforce incivility in a five year time period (Cortina, et al. 2001). The speed with which advanced communications technology evolves, including advanced cell phones such as Blackberry, has also enhanced the scope of workforce incivility. The instances of mistreatment are no longer limited to the workplace; they have spread to the cyberspace as well. A more inclusive approach towards workforce incivility defines it as the set of explicit (verbal) and implicit (non-verbal) actions that lead to individuals feeling demoralized, de-energized, oppressed, exploited or humiliated in the workplace (Yeung and Gnffin 2008). Furthermore, it has been proven that workforce incivility translates to low employee morale, job satisfaction, stress, health problems, high absenteeism and high turnover at the workplace. Evidence also suggests that if this mistreatment is not rectified, it eventually results in high costs of hiring and training, poor work environment, lower productivity, costs of claims and law suits. According to one author, Sutton’s methodology, the total cost of workforce incivility for Silicon Valley owing to the incivility of one key worker amounts to US$160,000 per year (Yeung and Gnffin 2008). In this study he fully considered the cost of incivility in terms of the victims, management, law as well as human resources. According to research conducted by the U.K Department of Health, the cost of stress induced by workforce incivility amounts to ? 1.3 billion annually (Yeung and Gnffin 2008). Throughout the world, the engagement of employees has been considered as an essential factor in identification of best employers as well as talent. Employee engagement is a holistic construct which is defined in terms of emotional and cognitive commitment. Commitment here is defined as the urge to â€Å"stay† (continue to work in the company), â€Å"strive† (put in extra endeavors to enhance the performance of the company beyond the tasks mentioned in the job description) and â€Å"say† (spread positive word of mouth regarding the organization) (Yeung and Gnffin

Honda Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Honda - Assignment Example In spite of the bad timing of its entry, the company’s determination to succeed in the international industry led it to where it is now. Product- In terms of product efficiency 100 % quality is not good enough for the company, the standard is set to120% product quality (â€Å"Aiming for 120%†). This has always been their basis into making their products, in line with the goal of meeting or even exceeding customer satisfaction. Honda is focused on the creation of innovative technologies for the enhancement of safety. It is considered as the most fuel efficient car manufacturer in the US for the year 2010. Price- The versatility of their car models are fit to those who plan to buy a car that is enough with their budget. Americans are busy people that’s why owning a car is definitely important. Considering the quality of vehicles manufactured by Honda and with prices that are not too high to be reached, attracting buyers to purchase their product is not at all hard. Place- Honda’s successful penetration into the US market is something that is now catching the attention of strategic management theorists. Standards of the American people are totally different with those of the Japanese. It is one of the challenging parts of business when a firm decides to put up a branch or expand in an unfamiliar place. Having been able to introduce products with a Japanese approach and with the US market’s favorable reaction, Honda’s decision to launch its first out of the country subsidiary in the US was a success. Promotion- The people’s word of mouth helps in the promotion of a product most especially when it is a positive feedback of what they have experienced upon using it. The satisfaction of the customers is what Honda and its dealers from around the world hope to achieve. That is why in order to gain popularity and a good

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

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

Realities Behind Deceiving Appearances Essay Example for Free

Realities Behind Deceiving Appearances Essay According to Alfred Kazin, â€Å"In every great novel of society what counts is the reality behind the appearance† (Kazin, 1981, 297). In other words, he’s saying that the best books are those that include one or more realities behind appearances. The novel first I chose is called Perfect by Ellen Hopkins. This book has four main characters; Cara, Sean, Kendra, and Andre, who are all teens struggling to fit the ideal of perfection, even if it means hurting and lying to themselves and others. The other novel, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain tells a story of a runaway slave named Jim and a young boy Huck, running from the dangers of his father. Together they are trying to get to the North but run into many roadblocks. This adventure includes deceit, danger, excitement and most of all, friendship. Both of these novels show reality behind experiences through its actions, dialogs, and the characters themselves! In the following paragraphs, I will compare and explain the reality behind appearances such as friends or family, disguises and secrets in both novels, Perfect and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Jim, a runaway slave from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn shows many realities behind deceiving appearances. An example of a deceiving appearance is when Huck and the duke paint Jim all blue and dressed him up in King Lear’s outfit before leaving to town. Huck doesn’t want to risk Jim being taken away and sold back into slavery so they disguise him as a â€Å"sick arab-but harmless when not out of his head† (Twain 157) so that he wont have to uncomfortably lay tied up in the wigwam all day. The reality behind this disguise is that Jim is a kind and harmless runaway slave. After a tiring adventure, Jim talks to Huck about his family. When telling stories to Huck, he reveals a reality behind a deceiving appearance about his daughter Elizabeth. When Jim’s daughter was young, she got very sick. When she was better, Jim had told her to shut the door but she just stood there smiling at him. He repeated himself and again, she just smiled at him. Thinking that she was being naughty and a rebel, he smacked her across the head as a punishment. When he slams the door shut and she doesn’t budge, wince, or make any notice of it, Jim realizes â€Å"Oh, she was plumb deef en dumb, Huck, plumb deef en dumb† (Twain 156). The biggest and most important reality behind a deceiving appearance is that along this adventure, Jim was  freed from slavery. After all the trouble Tom put him through, Tom finally fesses that Jim was free because â€Å"Old Miss Watson died two months ago, and she was so ashamed she ever was going to sell him down the river, and said so; and she set him free in her will† (Twain 289). The duke and the king from The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn are very mischievous people. They are full with illusions, lies, and intelligence. The first reality behind appearance Huck saw is their names. On the day they first meet, both men claim they were a king and a duke in order to receive pity and to be spoiled by Jim and Huck. While Huck sees through this appearance, Jim does not. Later on in the story, the king cons the people of a religious camp in order to get some money. He pretends to be a pirate who changed his ways after he was robbed and now is working his way back to the ocean in order to change all pirates. He gives credit to the people of the town to earn their pity and succeeds. â€Å"‘Don’t you thank me, don’t you give me no credit; it all belongs to them dear people in Pokeville camp-meeting, natural brothers and benefactors of the race, and that dear preacher there, the truest friend a pirate ever had’† (Twain 132). The reality behind the king’s appearance is that it was all an act and that he is just a cheater. Even after this silly event, the king and the duke are still greedy for more. When they find out that a man who has a lot of money for a relative has died, they head towards the town. There, they pretended to be the uncle of three girls who are very sweet and innocent. Eventually, the actual heirs to the money show up and start to expose the duke and the king. They have a more authentic english accent and state that the handwritings when compared to an old letter aren’t the same. In my novel, Perfect by Ellen Hopkins, there are four main characters struggling to fit an ideal of perfection. One of the main characters is named Kendra. Kendra is a senior in high school and everything you would want to be. She’s popular, on the cheer team, rich, and most of all, skinny. Kendra’s obsession with perfection comes with dangerous consequences as she is willing to do anything to achieve it. The most deceiving illusion when it comes to Kendra is her appearance itself. Kendra has gone through many plastic surgeries to look as she is now. With a rhinoplasty already  scheduled, she is also hoping to get a boob job which her stepfather refuses to allow. Along with the plastic surgery, in order to lose weight, Kendra eats as little as possible. Kendra believes she is fat, being 5’ 10† and 122 pounds. Though everyone tells her she’s not, she states that the â€Å"stinking mirror doesn’t lie. Everytime I walk by, it shouts out, †˜Hey. Chub. When are you going to lose those fifteen pounds of ugly-ass flab? Do you want to stay size four forever?’† (Hopkins, 23). The reality behind Kendra’s illusion is that she’s already beautiful and dangerously skinny. With every calorie she doesn’t eat, she inches closer and closer to death. One of the reasons why she believes that she’s not beautiful is because her boyfriend Conner left her. She believed he left her because she wasn’t good and pretty enough. The thought of this tortures her because Conner was her first love, the first person whom she gave her heart and soul to. She later finds out that Conner is in the hospital because of an accident. The reality is that Conner didn’t get into an accident, he tried killing himself and he didn’t leave her because he thought she was ugly. He left her because he had fallen in love with someone else. When Kendra leaves her beauty agent for Xavier, she begins to work with a man named Gilles. Xavier tells Kendra that Gilles is one of the â€Å"biggies† and that she needs keep him happy. â€Å"I have to keep Gilles happy. He likes the way I look. Especially naked† (Hopkins 496). Gilles and Xavier claim that they love her but in all honesty, they are taking advantage of her. If they rea lly did love her as she is, they wouldn’t abuse her body with pills, sex and surgeries. The appearance of Gilles loving her for her style and determination masks the reality that in order to do business, she must trade it with her service to him. Another character who has a deceiving appearance in the novel Perfect is a girl named Cara. Cara, like Kendra is also on the cheer team, beautiful, rich, has good grades and a wonderful sexy boyfriend but is she really all the things people make her out to be? Cara has a secret, one that could ruin her reputation; She’s a lesbian. Her boyfriend Sean is just an appearance. An appearance to make her seem straight when in reality, she’s a lesbian. When Sean finds out about her secret after they break up, he exposes her by taking a photo of Cara and her lover making love and sharing it to all of her â€Å"friends†. After this incident, all of Cara’s friends leave her and  began calling her cruel names such as slut and dyke. â€Å"I can’t believe Cara broke up with Sean. Neither can half the senior class They’re chopping her into little pieces: is a slut anyway, always was full of it, serious commitment issues† (Hopkins 306). The comfort and companionship of her friends was all an appearance in which the reality was just to use Cara for their own benefit. Because of this incident, Cara finally decides to tell her parents. â€Å"‘Dani said I should press charges’ Mom’s eyes grew steadily more severe. ‘I think it’s best to let it drop. If this becomes public knowledge, the media will smear it all over the headlines. Our reputation will be ruined. Bad enough we had to deal with all the flak about Conner.’ She straightened her blouse, as if it had been wrinkled by the very idea of her children disgracing her name† (Hopkins 535). The definition of parents is a mother and a father and that’s exactly what Cara’s parents are. A mother and father, nothing more. Though they do provide Cara with materialistic needs, it is all for her mother’s reputation. Her heartless parents with their high expectations are so extreme that it causes her twin brother Conner to kill himself. The idea of loving and supportive parents is just an appearance that the Sykes family create when the cold truth is that they don’t hold any familial bonds with each o ther. In the preceding paragraphs, I have compared and explained the realities behind appearances in both novels, Perfect and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. As Alfred Kazin was saying, realities behind deceiving appearances make a book more interesting to read. It also makes the readers realize that there are many illusions in our daily lives. Through the characters, we can perhaps learn a lesson on how to act, spot, and deal with these realities behind appearances.

The Environmental Factor Impacting On Mcdonalds Commerce Essay

The Environmental Factor Impacting On Mcdonalds Commerce Essay McDonalds Corporation is the worlds leading food service organization. The corporation started out as a small drive-through in 1948 by two brothers, Dick and Mac McDonald. Raymond Albert Kroc, a salesman, saw a great opportunity in this market and advised Dick and Mac to expand their operation and open new restaurants. In 1961 Kroc bought out the McDonald brothers. By 1967 McDonalds expanded its operations to countries outside the U.S.A. This unyielding expansion led the Corporation to open 23,000 McDonalds restaurants in 110 countries in 1994, producing $3.4 bn in annual revenues. In addition, McDonalds opens a new restaurant every three hours. Also, McDonalds has twice the market share of its closest U.S. competitor, Burger King, representing 7% of total U.S. eating-out sales. Similarly, McDonalds serves about 1% of the worlds population on any given day through its 23,000 restaurants internationally. Big Mac, the worlds most sold hamburger was developed by Jim Delligutti in 1967 t o feed construction workers. Big Mac is the biggest attraction and backbone of the corporation. Moreover, McDonalds maintains its competitive advantage by constantly creating new items to add onto its menu. This shows us that McDonalds practices an analyzer type of strategy, introducing new items and defending its existing ones. McDonalds Corporation (NYSE:  MCD) is the worlds largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving nearly 47 million customers daily. At one time it was the largest global restaurant chain, but it has since been surpassed by multi-brand operator Yum! Brands (KFC, Taco Bell and others) and sandwich chain Subway. In addition to its signature restaurant chain, McDonalds Corporation held a minority interest in Pret A Manger until 2008, and owned the Chipotle Mexican Grill until 2006 and the restaurant chain Boston Market until 2007. The company has also expanded the McDonalds menu in recent decades to include alternative meal options, such as salads and snack wraps, in order to capitalize on growing consumer interest in health and wellness. A McDonalds restaurant is operated by either a franchisee, an affiliate, or the corporation itself. The corporations revenues come from the rent, royalties and fees paid by the franchisees, as well as sales in company-operated restaurants. McDonalds revenues grew 27% over the three years ending in 2007 to $22.8 billion, and 9% growth in operating income to $3.9 billion. McDonalds primarily sells hamburgers, cheeseburgers, chicken products, french fries, breakfast items, soft drinks, milkshakes, and desserts. In response to obesity trends in Western nations and in the face of criticism over the healthiness of its products, the company has modified its menu to include such healthier alternatives as salads, wraps and fruit. McDonalds MISSION AND VISION: They serve people with good quality food, fast and at low cost. McDonalds vision is to dominate the global food-service industry. Global dominance means, setting the performance standard for customer satisfaction and increases market share and profitability through successfully implementing our convenience, value and execution strategies. McDonalds brand mission is to be our customers favorite place and way to eat. Our worldwide operations have been aligned around a global strategy called the Plan to Win centering on the five basics of an exceptional customer experience People, Products, Place, Price and Promotion. We are committed to improving our operations and enhancing our customers experience. Main Body Analysis: Environmental Factor Impacting upon MacDonalds: The impact of environmental factors is far-reaching upon the Macdonalds which is being discussed below followed by environmental factor. Environmental Factor: The notion of environment in general systems thinking is a wild, all-embracing and woolly concept. Everything is in the environment. The environment is all yet we are interested in specifics. It is people who decide what is significant in the environment and what is not what the forces are that must (imperative language) be attended to. Thus prevailing pictures of what the environment is are socially constructed. Various definitions and concerns assume the characteristics of propaganda. They are not necessarily neutral definitions and the nature of the elements that supposedly are acting on us in the environment, are difficult to define and measure. Similarly environmental events have to be interpreted and we will often refer to environmental forces of various kinds in our post hoc rational and justification of the decisions we have made. We blame the environment for action we have taken and the results of that action. Finally people e.g. government and powerful decision-makers in business organizations, may intervene to influence and shape events in the environment to their own advantage e.g. speak to the press, lobby for a change, buy up a rival, try to tickle the equities market up and even cooperate with others to ensure that information on the environment is accurate rather than uninformed and misguiding decisions by others than can affect the companys position (vested interests). John Childs concept of strategic choice, and its manifestation in terms of managerial behavior, is significant in this regard. So environment is not what it may seem. Certainly if we here the green lobby speak about environment, they will hold particular values and positions dear to their hearts, some of which others might accept but some of which others might also rebut. However a typical, neutral and managerial description of environmental factors and pressures would cover the following areas (and more). Environmental factors include social-cultural, technological, economic and financial and political-legal events and possibilities. These are often referred to by the mnemonics S.T.E.P. (social, technical, economic and political factors) also PEST or S.T.E.E.P.L.E (social/demographic, technical, economic, environmental (natural), political, legal and ethical factors) The biological and adaptive metaphor comes into play when we argue for business change. Typically, if the business cannot respond to the pressures and influences of its environment then it may not survive. It has to adapt. If it serves the needs of clients or stakeholders and satisfies for example its market mission then it may prosper. A dominant theme in the study of business is that of competition in the market-place. A businesss relationship with its environment is typically founded on its service to key customers and their satisfaction with its performance revealed by buying patterns, new legislation, party conferences, annual general meetings and stock market prices. Learning and adaptation occurs in response to stimulus across organizational boundaries. Any organization that is too inward looking becomes atrophied and can stagnate. In the language of general systems theory any system is subject to the process of entropy. Environmental factors can be political, social, ecological, cultural, technological and ethical in nature. Any organization that develops a product or service that they want to market domestically or globally must consider what the impact each of these factors may have for them. Not considering these factors can result in the failed attempt to market a product, which may be successful domestically, in other countries where there is a significant market potential. Impacting upon MacDonalds: Mainly there are 2 types of factors affecting international business like MacDonalds. 1) Internal factors 2) External factors. 1) Internal factors:- Internal factors of international business include political parties, suppliers, buyers, competitors and consumer of respective country. 2) External factors: External factors of international business are those where you need to examine the whole criteria these are political environment, legal environment, socio-cultural environment, demographic conditions of respective country. Figure: Environmental Factor Analysis the environmental factors impacting upon MacDonalds: To have a clear picture of McDonalds corporation we need to look at its Task Environment, which includes its: .Customers .Competitors .Strategic Allies .Suppliers .Regulators CUSTOMERS: Customers are those who pay money to acquire an organizations goods or services. For many years McDonalds mostly targeted the young people, however this has changed in this decade; McDonalds has turned towards a more general market. By doing this McDonalds concentrates on the family, targeting a diverse market which includes consumers ranging from children to elderly people, using products such as the happy Meal for children and Egg McMuffin for the elderly. McDonalds also realized the changing world we live in and the need for healthier food, since there is an ever changing demographic group, who demand fast, top quality food that is low in calories. McDonalds responded to this opportunity and introduced a new and innovative product. This new product was a regular hamburger that tasted like the real thing but was made of plant material like Soya beans. This same product also targets another demographic group, vegetarians. McDonalds mostly uses psychographic segmentation targeting th e working and middle classes. These are the people that are more susceptible to enter a fast food restaurant, since these are the people that lead a fast moving life and thus require a fast meal. In brief McDonalds customers are of all classes, but largely working and middle classes, and people of all ages. COMPETITORS: A competitor is an organization that competes with other organizations for resources. In our findings, McDonalds has two types of competitors in the Lebanese market: Indirect Competitors: Indirect refers to firms producing one or two products that compete with McDonalds products and therefore be a threat to the company. We have identified four indirect competitors: Henry J. Beans, T.G.I. Friday, K. F. C. and Popeyes. Henry J. Beans offers hamburgers and fries on its menu, therefore competing with McDonalds for customers of these products. However, Henry J. Beans also known as Hanks is a more of a bar restaurant and therefore a hang out place, as a result charging more money for its products. Hanks targets middle to upper class customers, so where most of these customers overlap are in the middle class. T.G.I Friday is another indirect competitor reflecting the same characteristics as Henry J. Beans. Other indirect competitors are K. F. C. and Popeyes, both competing for the chicken nuggets and fries customers. In brief, Hanks and T.G.I. Fridays competes with McDonalds by offering hamburgers and fries, whereas K. F. C. and Popeyes compete with McDonalds by offering chi cken nuggets and fries. Direct Competitors: Direct competitors refer to firms producing the same products or services as McDonalds does. Here we found that McDonalds has three direct competitors: Burger King, Wendys and Hardees. McDonalds closest rival is Burger King, which operates a total of 9644 restaurants in 110 countries. Wendys is McDonalds second largest rival, which is also in the fast food business, where Wendys operates 6776 restaurants in 32 countries. Hardees, McDonalds third largest rival is also in the fast food business and is the only direct competitor apart from Juicy Burger in the Lebanese market. Hardees operates 3080 restaurants in 20 countries. As we have illustrated McDonalds faces stiff competition from three major competitors, Burger King, Wendys and Hardees. Suppliers: Suppliers are an organization that provides resources for other organizations. McDonalds has practiced a backward vertical integration, by replacing most of its suppliers. It has done so for two reasons, 1) To reduce costs, and 2) To ensure that its products are of top quality. These supplies include beef and milk to be used in its products, which it gets from its farms. Other suppliers include local grocery stores that supply McDonalds with fresh vegetables. Soft drinks are supplied exclusively by Coca-Cola, which is also its ally. McDonalds supplies also include raw material such as flour, sugar, yeast, etc.,. Strategic Allies: A strategic ally is an organization working together with one or more other organizations is a joint venture or a similar arrangement. McDonalds has formed a strategic alliance with: Walmart, Chevron, Amoco, Disney and Coca-Cola. Walmart, which is a large shopping mall chain in the U..S. and several neighboring countries, is allied with McDonalds, which offers great opportunities for both companies. McDonalds has restaurants in each Walmart, offering its customers conveniences and excellent fast food at a low cost ease of accessibility. McDonalds corporation describes it best in this scenario: Imagine a busy shopping day at your local Walmart and having the ability to sit down with the kids and enjoy many of our McDonalds favorites, like Big Mac sandwiches, world famous fries and kids favorite Happy Meal. McDonalds understands your busy lifestyles and the demands on your time. Thats why we are making it easier for you to do more things in less time. McDonalds is engaged in an allianc e with two petrol companies, Chevron and Amoco. This alliance represents the ultimate in convenience. At these locations, one finds a full-menu McDonalds restaurant with dining room service. Nothing can be more convenient, because one can fill up the car with gas and get a meal all in one stop. Another important alliance that McDonalds has is with Disney. Here McDonalds has the sole right to sell fast food in Disneys theme parks around the U.S., and other Disney operations in the world. Under the terms of the agreement, McDonalds will operate restaurants and Disney will promote its films through McDonalds. Regulators: Regulators are groups or governmental agencies that can control and influence the organizations policies and practices. An example is Lebanon a few years ago when the U..S. government banned all U..S. citizens and organizations to come or operate in Lebanon. Another good example would be the embargo imposed on Iran where U..S. organizations were banned to operate in this country. Another group of regulators called interest groups can and have influenced McDonalds to treat its animals (cow and chickens) in a much more humane manner, which resulted in the restructuring of McDonalds farms throughout its operations around the world. The summary of the task environment which is by definition a specific organizations or groups that affect the organization, which includes competitors, suppliers, customers, strategic allies and regulators. Here we described the task environments importance to McDonalds, where McDonalds faces both opportunities and has threats in its environment. Emphasis on the key driver of MacDonalds: We shall also explore McDonalds Workforce Diversity and its Total Quality Management to emphasis on the key drivers. These are given below: Workforce Diversity: Diversity exists in a group or organization when its members differ from one another along one or more important dimensions such as age, gender, and ethnicity. Diversity is very important for McDonalds. Here millions of teens start out by working at McDonalds. Here some of the teenagers move on to get various jobs such as movie stars, skilled workers, famous athletes, management positions and other educated positions in society. At McDonalds two thirds of middle and upper management started out as crewmembers in a McDonalds restaurant. There are opportunities for everybody in McDonalds from teenagers to elderly workers, and from people just entering or reentering the job market. Moreover, McDonalds offers special jobs for people who have disabilities, such as people who are in wheel chairs and those who must use crutches permanently. Furthermore, McDonalds offers their workers flexible working hours. For example, hours for people seeking just a few hours of work per week and those wh o seek full time positions. The work force at McDonalds also have some say in their working hours, such as if they prefer the morning, mid-day, or evening shifts in the restaurant. So, McDonalds uses diversity to create a good atmosphere in their work places among workers and management. Here they offer work to all kinds of people without discrimination and the workers have flexible hours that provides customer satisfaction. Top Quality Management: Quality is the entirety of features and distinctiveness of a product or service that stand on its ability to satisfy stated or implied needs. For McDonalds, total quality management (TQM) involves that the employees are at work on time, are neatly dressed, and are clean. The employees must make sure that the customers constantly receive safe food, which implies that the employees must wash their hands often to remain clean. Moreover, the employees must follow certain Standard Operational Procedures, so the customers always receive exceptional quality and service. This includes the employees using plastic gloves when they prepare the food, that the meat and fries are properly fried, and that the vegetables are thoroughly washed when used in the food. Another TQM is that the employees rely on teamwork and high energy to get the job done, so that the customers do not have to wait long for their food. Furthermore, McDonalds management emphasizes that their restaurants should be clean. Th is involves that the restaurants are tidy, sparkling and spotlessly clean. As McDonalds illustrates the quality is that the employees delivers fast, accurate and friendly service with a smile. External and Internal Factors Affecting McDonalds The purpose of this paper is to discuss external and internal factors affecting McDonalds management functions. This will be accomplished by explaining how McDonalds deals with each of the external and internal factors. There were three factors that were chosen to outline the success of McDonalds corporation. The first factor is globalization, which is define as closer contact between different parts of the world, with increasing possibilities of personal exchange, mutual understanding and friendship between world citizens. Diversity, the difference among people and cultures, is the second factor discussed in the paper. The final factor is ethics, which can be defined as a set of principles of right conduct. This paper explains how the McDonald Corporations uses the factors to conduct business around the world. In todays society, corporations and enterprises are expanding their businesses in the global markets. Globalization is necessary for success and survival in the worldwide market; however, global competition is not easy (Bateman Scott, 2004). By the end of the twentieth century, the list of Fortune 500 companies was no longer only United States corporations due to an increase in international companies joining the list (Global Capitalism, 2005). As a leading food service retailer, McDonalds joins those corporations with restaurants in 119 countries (McDonalds, 2004). Important strategic decisions are a key factor to their success with consideration for both internal and external factors. When considering the foreign market, companies need to consider there are risks. There must be local marketing to appeal to the local consumers and also to build relationships and trust (Bateman Scott, 2004). Therefore, the strategic planning for marketing has to be effective. McDonalds caters its m enu in other countries to the cultures of the regions. For example, in India, the non-vegetarian menu includes chicken and fish items only (Welcome, n.d.). Beef is not on the menu in India because are considered sacred. Global marketing decisions are no different than those made domestically but the decisions are unique to each country (Sister Sister, 2005). Furthermore, operating on a global scale allows a companys employees to experience working in different cultural environments. This is a good marketing strategy for recruiting employees. McDonalds has a global core curriculum for its restaurant management (McDonalds, 2004). Paula Doherty, a general manager states, Ive had incredible experience in different countries andà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦culturesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦as a trainee manager from Poland to Israel to the Philippines and more. Doing the job successfully has given me a real sense of achievement This business strategy speaks to their commitment to a diverse workforce. McDonalds commitment to diversity is established on the foundational belief that diversity is not just a moral and ethical issue, but also a business issue (McDonalds, 2005). Due to the global expanse of McDonalds business, diversity has become an integral part of the internal company culture. McDonalds has over 30,000 restaurants around the world, which means franchise owner/operators, employees, and customers represent just about every culture, religion or ethnicity on earth. In addition, McDonalds promotes the use of local suppliers and based on their policies of diversity, expects and retains suppliers that have a similar diversity culture. Knowing and understanding the local customs and traditions of the communities where McDonalds has established businesses, integrating people from these communities into the company, and adapting locally to the tastes and cuisines of the community, has made McDonalds the leader in their industry. In the United States alone, McDonalds has won numerous awards and received national recognition for diversity. According to McDonalds website, www.mcdonlads.com, awards include; PUSH-Excel Corporate Partner Award, Corporate Achievement and Image Award, Nullities Corporate Award, Corporate Vision Award, and the Circle of Inclusion Award. These awards and recognitions are not the result of a surface attempt to appease the critics. They are the result of McDonalds embracing and integrating diversity into their company ethos as an asset and an ally. McDonalds realizes that having diversity as an asset greatly enhances the profitability of the company. Diversity is a direct reflection of a companys interpersonal relationships. These relationships, if positive, result in a rewarding venture. Conversely, if the relationships are negative, the companys morale declines and if not addressed, leads to the deterioration of the company. This deterioration directly impacts the companys income and the communitys acceptance of the business. However, McDonalds leadership encourages diversity through their policies and programs. McDonalds proven success with leveraging the advantages of diversity can be attributed to their core value of ethics. McDonalds success is built on the foundation of personal and professional integrity (www.mcdonalds). From the beginning, McDonalds has based its reputation on trust and dependability, and their commitment to the community made them a household name. Founder Ray Kroc, believed in giving something back to the community in order to make the world a better place. Throughout the 1970s, McDonalds became involved with a lot of charity work. In 1974 established a charity called Ronald McDonald House. The purpose of this program was to provide temporary housing for the families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals. Since the 70s, more than 10 million families around the world benefited from the comfort provided by Ronald McDonald Houses (www.rhmc). In addition to their community involvement, McDonalds has a long-standing commitment to environmental protection. Restaurants around the world have innovative programs for recycling, resource conservation, and waste reduction. The environmental achievements of this corporation have been recognized by organizations such as the Audubon Society, Conservation International, Keep America Beautiful, the National Recycling Coalition, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (www.mcdonalds). McDonalds is also an equal opportunity employer. As an equal opportunity employer McDonalds ensures that employees and job applicants are selected, trained, and promoted without discrimination to race, gender, sexual orientation, age or disability. The company promotes their employees based on their relevant skill, talents, and performance. In support of this McDonalds promotes and sustains a working environment, which is free from unlawful discrimination, harassment and bullying. Employees are regarded as members of a team where everyones opinion is valued and respected. The Human Resources department monitors the effectiveness of the discrimination policies at regular intervals and takes corrective action as necessary to ensure that they being complied with (www.mcdonalds). Employees who feel that they have been treated unfairly are encouraged to use the remedies outlined in the Companys handbooks. McDonalds ethical standards, as well as their strategies for globalization and diver sity are instrumental to the overall success of the company. The purpose of this paper was to discuss external and internal factors that have affected McDonalds. This was achieved by explaining what the factors are where and how McDonalds dealt with each of the external and internal factors. The factors discussed were globalization, diversity, and ethics. The paper illustrates how globalization is necessary for success and survival of McDonalds in the worldwide market. The paper also shows how diversity integrated people from different communities into the company, and adapted tastes and cuisines of the community. McDonalds showed ethics by being an active leader in the communities. There are many different values to the dollar around the world, many issues that have occurred in many of those regions/websites, and about 119 countries served by McDonalds that rely on the functions of management to succeed. Critical Evolution the current strategy of MacDonalds: The current strategy involve of SWOT analysis as well as SWOT matrix or strategies which is given below accordingly. SWOT Analysis Framework Environmental Scan   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  / Internal Analysis  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  External Analysis /   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  / Strengths  Ã‚  Ã‚  Weaknesses  Ã‚  Ã‚     Ã‚  Ã‚  Opportunities  Ã‚  Ã‚  Threats | SWOT Matrix Figure: SWOT Analysis Framework SWOT Strategies of Macdonalds: The SWOT Matrix A firm should not necessarily pursue the more lucrative opportunities. Rather, it may have a better chance at developing a competitive advantage by identifying a fit between the firms strengths and upcoming opportunities. In some cases, the firm can overcome a weakness in order to prepare itself to pursue a compelling opportunity. To develop strategies that take into account the SWOT profile, a matrix of these factors can be constructed. The SWOT matrix (also known as a TOWS Matrix) is shown below: SWOT / TOWS Matrix Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities S-O strategies W-O strategies Threats S-T strategies W-T strategies Figure: SWOT / TOWS Matrix S-O strategies: S-O strategies pursue opportunities that are a good fit to the companys strengths. As like MacDonalds expands their Chinese market and increasing advertising and restaurant location because Chinese population is increasing day by day .In addition their car ownership is growing rapidly which is another opportunity for MacDonalds to expand their market development. Horizontal integration is the another opportunity which is tuned into strength for MacDonalds because by acquiring Krispy Kren Corporation they captured the market of them .As well as the advantages of horizontal integration is expansion of a firm within an industry in which it is already active for the purpose of increasing its share of the market for a particular product or service. Cost minimization, raw material availability, quick delivery and others factors are the advantage of horizontal integration which is adopting MacDonalds as a current strategy. It can adapt to the needs of the societies and undergo an innovative product line which might be the good opportunity for MacDonalds to transform into strength. It would be the remarkable opportunities to turn in to strength. Researching green energies and green packaging solutions and incorporating these findings as a part of their marketing strategy and advertisements which would be another opportunity to transfer into strength. Create new product offerings. Continue to use technology to influence revenue strategy: possibly use text messages to deliver specials offers to individuals who sign up for such services .These also might treated as opportunity which can be concerted in to strength. W-O strategies: W-O strategies overcome weaknesses to pursue opportunities. As MacDonalds weakness is lack of menu development so they have to work hard with this strategy and currently they are working with that as well which is being convert to pursue opportunity. They are currently doing menu development as well as product development of healthy lifestyle and Hispanic food lines which were weakness of them. In addition MacDonalds has several weakness which might be tune in to pursue opportunity if they overcome that weakness.Like- It uses advertising that mostly targets children. High employee turn-over. It has yet to accomplish going on the trend of organic food. Price competition with the competitors resulting in low revenue. Lack of innovative products. S-T strategies: S-T strategies identify ways that the firm can use its strengths to reduce its vulnerability to external threats. Macdonalds are increasing their number of restaurant as well advertisement in the Disney and Ocean Park as well as key markets to avoid the external threat of competitors like Burger King, Starbucks, Wendys Taco Bell, and KFC. Moreover there are numerous strength which can use its strengths to reduce its vulnerability to external threats. . It takes steps in adjusting the Ingredients and product offerings in order to comply with the upgraded health standards deemed necessary by the USDA. Its recognized as one of the worldss most recognized logos.It has branded menu items i-e Big Mac, Chicken McNuggets, which further promote McDonalds. Active Childrens Charity: The Ronald McDonald House. It is recognized as a socially responsible and community oriented firm. Globalization: 31,000 restaurants serving 120 countries. Of the 31,000 restaurants at least14, 000 restaurants in the US. It has located itself in major airports, cities, highways, tourist locations, theme parks. Earns revenue not merely by fast food sales, but also as a property investor, a franchiser of restaurants. It earns revenue by fast food sales as well as a property investor and a franchiser of restaurants. W-T strategies: W-T strategies establish a defensive plan to prevent the firms weaknesses from making it highly susceptible to external threats. As Macdonalds concentrate their development of product and redesign of website which is being user friendly. In addition they are increasing their sales promotion and advertisement to reduce external threat.

Censorship of the Internet :: Argumentative Persuasive Essays

Censorship of the Internet The censorship of the Internet is a big argument today in the world of computer technology. The government is trying to control something that is to many people an extension of the First Amendment Right, Freedom of Speech. Just this one point should be a slap in the face of every American anywhere, because the government is trying to take something away that has no right to be taken away. The Bill of Rights is the foundation that our country is based and built on and now the government that was created to protect that Bill of Rights, that piece that declares our rights and freedoms, is trying to change one of those twelve rights to make some conservative people more happy about how our country is and how it is run. The world is so concerned today with the petty things that are being done that they do not look to the larger picture of what is actually happening. The government is trying to censor something that they created over thirty years ago to possible send information much more harmful to humanity than pornographic materials or information on how to create bombs that do not work. The Internet was created over thirty years ago by the military for a alternative means of communications other than telephones communications in case of a nuclear strike by the Russians that rendered our great country basically helpless, this previous Internet went under such names as ARPANET, MILNET, and other acronyms similar to these. This great idea by scholars was next adopted by very well known colleges of the United States to provide a quick means of communications and data transfer, such as research information transfer or transcript transfer, between the students and college professors of diff erent city and state colleges. Some of the first colleges that took that great step into this new unknown frontier were CALTECH, MIT, Harvard, and other great prestigious colleges of the United States. During this time period of the Internet the government had no problem at all with what was happening. The colleges were putting large amounts of information on the Internet so other scholars could observe and comment on ongoing experiments, and the government was happy with the large computer network they created for their own personal dastardly deeds.

Bodyshop Brand and Branding Essay

1.Brand Overview The Body Shop is famously known for its ethical approach to business, fair trade, 100% vegetarian products and being against animal testing (thebodyshop.co.uk, n.d.). The company believes in following their five core values which are: to support community fair trade – using small medium sized suppliers, defend human rights – create an awareness of domestic dispute and child abuse, against animal testing, activate self-esteem – looking after their customers and their employees and lastly protecting the planet – reducing CO2 levels, electricity, gas and water (thebodyshop.co.uk, n.d). The Body Shop has also created their own charity, The Body Shop foundation that was launched in 1990, emphasising on their 5 core values. 1.1. Brand History Anita Roddick, a human rights activist and environmentalist founded the company in the United Kingdom in 1976. The first store was opened in Brighton; the store was on a small scale and only sold 25 different products. A spirit of environmental friendliness dominated the brand by encouraging its customers to recycle; this philosophy would remain its motto till present (thebodyshop.co.uk, n.d.). The Body Shop experienced rapid growth early on and its first overseas store was introduced in Belgium in 1978, by 1982 its growth increased to a rate of two stores opening per month. In 1984 the company entered the stock market and its shares grew in value at a very high rate, being nicknamed â€Å"The shares that defy gravity† (Entine J, 2007). In 1985 the company sponsored posters for Greenpeace, starting its own campaign â€Å"save the wale† a year later also for Greenpeace. In 1990 The Body Shop Foundation was introduced that funded human rights and environmental groups (The Body Shop International plc, 2012). These activities went to further establish its reputation as an environmentally conscious company, already cemented by its prohibition of animal testing on its products and successfully making animal testing illegal in the UK in 1998. By 1990 the company first opened in the United States, it had already expanded to 39 countries and had 2500 applications for a franchise. In 1994 the company launched its direct selling section, The Body Shop at home, expanding to other territories in later years. In 2006 the company was purchased by L’Oreal for  £652.3 million, the company was no longer independent, but managed to maintain its operation independently from the company. (The Body Shop International plc, 2012). 1.2.Product category The Body Shop sells a collection of 900 natural beauty products with the â€Å"inspired by nature† slogan (The Body Shop, n.d.). The Body Shop has a range of products, meeting various demands of customers. Products, which make up this range for women are, skincare, make-up, hair products, fragrance and body care, i.e. body butters. Men’s products consist of body care, skincare, fragrance, shaving and deodorant. The following report will be focusing on The Body Shop’s body butter, as some may regard the brand for being most famous for there body butters. The product category, which most suits The Body Shop as a brand, is health and beauty. A reason why The Body Shop gained such huge success in the health and beauty market since it began could be the reasoning of 100% vegetarian products that are free from animal testing (thebodyshop.co.uk, n.d). Other products, which are included in their portfolio, are seasonal products, for example, winter make-up products and limited addition Christmas body butters which carry fragrances such as ginger and cranberry. The brands online store indicates that the body butters are among their ‘best sellers’ (thebodyshop.co.uk, n.d). The Body Shop is classified as a high street retailer rather than a luxury brand retailer locating their stores in town centers, along with other high street retailers in beauty and cosmetics such as Boots, Superdrug and The perfume Shop. Competitors that pose a direct threat to The Body Shop are brands that promote environmental values such as, Origins, L’Occitane, Space, Molton Brown and Lush. 2.Brand Owning Organization The Body Shop was sold to L’Oreal in 2006 for an estimated sum of  £625 million (BBC, 2007), The Body Shop would directly work with the chairman of L’Oreal himself. Annual financial reports and forecasts would be presented as part of the L’Oreal annual reports alongside other businesses that the company owns. By L’Oreal having ownership of The Body Shop it has questioned the brands identity on the basis of their values, and this has affected the performance of The Body Shop which has been evidenced in L’Oreal’s 2012 annual report, In June The Body Shop had a total of 2,781 stores across the world; this had consisted of stores operating in Western Europe, North America and new markets (loreal-finance.com, 2012). Looking into the sales that The Body Shop have made in 2012, in the first half of 2012 they had made â‚ ¬373.9 million, however in the second half they have performed substantially lower that previous, totaling to â‚ ¬193.5 million (loreal-finance.com, 2012). The operating Profit of The Body Shop has come to a total sum of â‚ ¬11.6 million in 2012 (loreal-finance.com, 2012). Having shown the overall financial performance of The Body Shop from the previous year to the present, The Body Shop has shown some indication of lack of performance with a decreased sum of sales and profits. 3. Brand Value Proposition The Body Shop’s strategy has remained intact since the L’Oreal take over in 2006; unexpectedly considering L’Oreal is not associated with strong natural credentials. The Body Shop adopts a multi channel strategy which spans across stores, online and direct selling, prides itself on being â€Å"Green† and has five core values, against animal testing, using community fair trade, to activate self-esteem, defend human rights and protect the planet (thebodyshop.co.uk, n.d.). The Body Shop’s customers are more biased to women and to the under 25’s and the 45 – 54’s, who seek natural and healthy products. (Mintel.co.uk, 2008) Body care products such as the famous Body Butters are promoted to give functional benefits such as 24-hour hydration, leaving skin softer and smoother and providing a scent for the skin. Benefits of using their products on an emotional level could be your input to helping the environment, supporting communities in third world countries, moisturizing your skin with natural ingredients, which are good for the skin, and the idea of using a product, which is more exclusive than a brand such as Nivea. The overall perceived brand value of The Body Shop however differs from their brand identity, if you consider The Body Shop’s competitor Origins, they use potent plants, organic ingredients and 100% natural oils (Origins.co.uk, n.d.). L’Occitane uses ingredients sourced from local farming communities and sustainable development programs and uses packaging materials, which are the least polluting or already recycled (L’Occitane.com, n.d.). Lush’s green message seems ingrained in everything the company does, reflected in the minimizing packaging (Guardian.co.uk, 2011). This research shows that the body shop is not doing anything its competitors aren’t, the packaging the company uses is not recycled and the products are not as natural as they make out with artificial smelling scents and packaging which has not previously been recycled. The body shop is an established brand, being the first company to introduce fair trade to the beauty industry and prohibit testing on animals and has retained many of its loyal customers. The Body Shop doesn’t undertake huge advertising campaigns and promotions are narrowed to the retail outlets and online. The Body Shop’s essence or aura could be defined as beauty with a heart; they pride themselves on their values being at the heart of everything they do. (Bodyshop.co.uk, n.d.) The word ‘ethical’ would describe what The Body Shop stands for as it represents the brands values and identity. 4. Brand Communications Audit The Body Shop in relation to its body butter product line currently makes use of a number of communications channels, which are both internal and external in nature. The audit will now list the key communications with an indication of the detailed considerations underpinning the methods used: Corporate Website * The main internal communication for the body butter range may be seen as the corporate website. Here the communications are aimed at driving web-based sales as well as providing product information to both external customers and internal staff. Key information includes the features and benefits of the product; ingredients used and tips to maximising the benefits of the product. The website also allows customers to communicate with one another sharing reviews and tips. In addition, the website also features a number of key marketing â€Å"campaigns† which are aimed at driving awareness of the brands ethical values and policies as opposed to sales revenue. (thebodyshop.co.uk, n.d). Social Media Communications * One of the core communications to be used by The Body Shop in recent years is those, which take place through social media communication channels. In this case The Body Shop makes use of four major channels including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Tumbler. Product communities launched within Facebook have provided significant communications of the brands underlying values associated with ethical sourcing and production. In addition, the method also encourages electronic word of mouth communications (EWOM) to take place (Belch and Belch, 2012), with consumers being able to share reviews and information about key product lines such as the body butter range. In this case, again the communications method used may be seen as adopting an integrated approach to communications (Yeshin, 2006) with social media channels being linked to the company’s website and vice versa. Television Advertising * To date, Body Shop has maintained a policy of minimising television advertising, partly due to the underlying beliefs of the founder of the business who believed that such advertising came into conflict with the ethical message of the brand (Rusch, 2012, Marketing Week, 2010). This may however be an element, which changes in the future since the acquisition of the Body Shop on the behalf of L’Oreal, a company that uses significant levels of television advertising. Key communication campaigns have seen the use of an integrated approach to marketing with the use of a mixture of in store advertising material and outdoor printed materials such as poster hoardings and billboards. Such communications mix was adopted in the recent â€Å"love your body† campaign, which aimed to tap into the public debate on the issue of female self esteem and the perception of the physical body. In this case, the underlying message was designed to encourage consumers to enjoy life regardless of physical appearance (Thumped, 2012). 5. Product Category Audit The table above shows the market value sales of body care within UK. As you can see from the chart above the market for body care has declined since 2010 and a further decrease is expected in 2012 by 2.1%, which makes it  £326m equal to 2009 figures (Mintel, 2011). However the prediction for the market is bright as you can see the sale figures are due to increase by 2017 reaching  £346million. The weakening sales of the body care market could be due to difficult economy and slowing of spending, it also seems as though consumers would substitute spending on body care for beauty products seen as more essential such as facial care, hair care and especially make up (Mintel, 2012). The Body shop is a specialist cosmetic and toiletries brand and the market share for body shop within this market is 6.4% which makes them fourth largest within the market behind Superdrug, The Perfume Shop and Savers H&B. The Body shop is not only a body care brand, so within the 6.4% of the market share they offer many different kinds of products such as hair care, facial care, fragrances and more. The latest method The Body Shop used in an aim to increase their market share was partnering with Sephora in order to increase brand awareness within the market. (Mintel, 2011) Since L’Oreal took over The Body Shop as a brand, it has shown no growth within the market, suggesting L’Oreal fails to show any devotion to make The Body Shop a leading or major player within the health and beauty market. The Lily Cole Cruelty Free Makeup Collection is one of the latest developments of The Body Shop, which they are hoping can give them an edge over their competitors. The Body Shop has also recently introduced a loyalty card scheme in order to maintain their competitiveness in the market. The increase in ethical consumerism has resulted in rising environmentally friendly brands entering market; therefore customers are expecting more from companies who are ethical. The change that may affect the market in coming years is technology because companies such as Boots are already adapting to the changes for example a â€Å"Click and Collect† where the customer can purchase a product online and collect it from a store of there choice free of charge (Boots.co.uk,n.d.).