Sunday, December 29, 2019

A Devastative Gulf War - Free Essay Example

Sample details Pages: 3 Words: 970 Downloads: 9 Date added: 2019/05/17 Category History Essay Level High school Tags: Iraq War Essay War Essay Did you like this example? The Iran-Iraq war, also known as the Gulf War lasting from 1980 until 1988 caused a lot of devastation for all countries involved. There were over 500,000 causalities combined. It was the beginning of chemical weapons being used in the middle east. This war embraced western intervention and encouraged foreign policy change. The conflict began when Iraq was greedy for more oil, and wanted to take over the oil industry in the middle east. Iraq wanted to conquer more territory in order to have easier access to the gulf. Therefore, they decided to attempt to neutralize Iran, their neighbor. Iraqs president at this time was Sadaam hussein . He lacked military experience, he did not use strong sustainable military tactics, executed many generals, and over estimated the power and strength of his army. Iraq invaded Iran in seven different areas, all areas strategically decided. The tacts that Iraq used were successful in smaller areas, but proved to be not as successful in large citifies. Iraq invaded Iran with a five to one military power ratio and used very advanced weapons at first. After just 48 hours, Iran began to fight back. Don’t waste time! Our writers will create an original "A Devastative Gulf War" essay for you Create order This attack was shortly after the Iranian revolution. This is one reason that Iraq decided to attack Iran. Unfortunately for Iraq, Iran was stronger than ever after the revolution, and people came together to fight against their countrys enemy. Iran used local civilian resistance at first, and did not rely on advanced weaponry. Iranians began a self sacrifice war. Citizens of all ages joined the military, and although they lacked training, their love for the country proved to be enough. Irans president was Hewhemi Rafsajani. This man was recruited from the military and had gained a lot of respect during and after the revolution. Rafsanjani could n to only simplify complex military tactics, but he was also thought to be a genius. In 1985, the war of cities began. The war of cities consisted on both Iran and Iraq firing missiles into each others population, and on August 12, 1986, Iraq bombed Irans oil-loading facilities. After only a short period of time Iraq realized that Iran was begging to win. In order for Iraq to retain its pride it voluntarily backed out of the territories it had conquered on January 6, 1987. This was not carried through, and Iraqs president was proven guilty for the same thing that he executed many generals for. Fake claims and lies. After this, the war only got more bloody. Iraq became desperate and started using chemical weapons. This was not only a shock to Iran, but also to the rest of the entire World. No-one could comprehend the amount of devastation these weapons could bring, and were scared of the future with them. The chemicals that were used in this deadly attack were soon after found to be made in Iraq, being overseen by the president himself. These chemical weapons were extremely deadly, the most devastating was the skull missile that was brought from Russia, this one devastated over 350 miles after being fired, along with over 5,000 people in some instances from a singular bombing. Many people all over the World were shocked at the use of these deadly weapons. Iraq not only used them against their enemies ruthlessly, but these weapons also killed Iraqs own people in the process. This war began affecting civilians areas and land almost more than just warfare areas. Civilians fled from all over to find safe places for their families. Thousands of civilians on both sides were killed and injured. Towards the middle of the war is when Kurdistan got involved. Kurdistan is a place in Northern Iran. Iran supplied the Kurdish with supplies to fight against Iraq, also their long time enemy. Iran used the Guerrilla groups to fight against Iraq, and this was very impactful for Iran against Iraq . The war in the North against the Kurds was solely about Oil for Iraq. Iraq wanted complete control of the industry, and to take over any competitors. The United States got involved as soon as they saw the industry being put in jeopardy. Not only does the United States rely heavily on the Middle Eastern Oil Industry, but so does Russia. Both the United States and the Soviet Union have strong militaries and a reason to step in to the War. Ronald Reagan, the United States President at the time announced action to protect the oil shipping through the gulf. The United States did not want the soviets to have control of the Oil Industry, and therefore stepped in to help Iraq. The United States rena med and rebranded the Kuratt ships. This signaled to Iran that their previous advantage in the war was soon to be over. The Americans made effort to sink Iranian ships, and the war soon began to be solely in the Gulf. A mass casualty occurred when Iran accidentally fired a missile at a passenger jet carrying over 290 civilians. There were no survivors. Sadam Hussein announced victory to his people using over 100 billion dollars in weaponry and parading it through streets. On July 20th, 2988, the UN Security Council unanimously voted for a cease-fire, known as Resolution 598. After nearly two years of continuing conflicts, on August 15, Hussein offered a peace settlement to Iran. This ended the devastation that had lasted eight years. In conclusion, long lasting war between many different powerful countries did not end with victory, but with loss. With civilian and military deaths on all sides involved, all countries were left worse off than they were before the fighting began. The world was shocked not only from the use of chemical weapons and mass casualties, but also from the amount of carelessness and lack of respect for human life. At the end of the war, the United States prepared for the unknown unexpected, and for the dreaded continuation of the gulf war.

Friday, December 20, 2019

The On The Constitution, Is It Possible For Individuals

5 Paragraph Argument Essay Outline Based on the Constitution, is it possible for individuals in society to achieve quality? Introduction paragraph a. Hook: Creative Opening (quote, rhetorical question, historical event) There has been a lot talk on equality,How can we achieve equality as society together? b. Overview of your issue: What is your stance (give a brief summary) I believe that we can achieve equality as a society. Equality is something we should all have, equality is the state of being equal,especially is status,rights and opportunities. c. Explain how there is convincing evidence that equality is possible- use historical video Literature readings and†¦show more content†¦Yes we can achieve equality because we are advancing in every way, for example in schools we are giving children the right to express themselves, and other people are standing up for them. Women can vote now and our president has given them the right to get paid more. We are advancing in equality. Body Paragraph #1: Argue your claim using the first area of evidence. a. Topic Sentence: relates to your thesis For a very long time, women were not allowed to vote because they were just women, they were not â€Å"capable† for the things men could do. b. Concrete Detail #1: from a source to back you up Amendment 19th gives the right to women to vote. Before women could not vote just because they were women. It is not equality! Now that the 19th amendment is established it gives rights to women so they have some sort of equality. c. Commentary/Explanation #1: How did the detail prove your point? Think about how if no women could the population of men voting. We probably wouldn’t even have the presidents we do now (after the amendment was established) . Women give a whole new meaning, we also have the right to do what most men do. We would most likely not get the paid th same we do, we would be less than everyone else as least as the men. d. Commentary/Explanation #2: How did the detail prove your point? It proved my point by the world/ the untied states wouldn’t be the same. Everything would change that would have to do with equality and women

Thursday, December 12, 2019

Taxation - Theory - Practice & Law Capital Gain

Question: Discuss about theTaxation,Theory,Practice Lawfor Capital Gain. Answer: Introduction The report centers on the detail analysis of Freds overall net capital gain covering the various related transactions, noted after his involvement in the purchase of his holiday house. The study basically denotes the importance of learning the required laws of calculation in order to understand the concepts of overall net gain and net loss. Fred, the example of study in this report, demands the understanding of law as the home functions, development, and renovation comes under the Australians law of government strategies which even includes other taxation laws as per the Income Tax Assessment Act of 1977. This is done to make computation (Mertens, 1942). Concerning with the net capital gain or loss of Fred, the report personally evaluates and analyses the various facts and figures relating to the explanation to set the capital loss/gain method. Here it is important to note that, there are transactions that do not follow the computational method of capital research. The term computati on is imperative to understand as the concepts of net capital gain/loss and superannuation adopts the computation functionality (Graetz Schenk, 2009). Every layout is basically based on the computation tool. Computation definition hence is described by various tax and law scholars with each definition carrying specific application for different purposes and situation. Superannuation is the process of accumulating or gathering funds from the people to give them at the time retirement (Cronin et al., 2013). Calculation of Capital Gain for Fred Computation Of Capital Gain For FRED For The Year Ended On 30 June Particulars Amount (in$) Total Amount (in $) Add: #Proceeds of selling holiday home in the current year 800,000.00 Less: Cost Base of holiday home in 1987 100,000.00 700,000.00 Less: Total legal fees 2100.00 697900.00 Add: Cost base of garage 20,000 717900.00 Less: Cost of garage after indexation 20000*123.4/71.3 34,614.30 683,285.70 Less: Agent commission 9900.00) 673,385.70 Less: Stamp duty payable on acquisition (2000.00) 671,385.70 Less: Previous Year Capital Loss Deduction (10,000.00) Total capital gain 661,385.70 Less: 50% discount for using property for more than 12 months (330692.85) Net capital gain 330692.85 Exceptions and Exemptions: As mentioned above, there are certain values or transactions that do not obey the capital gain or capital loss concept. So, here various examples are quoted in order to the get a clear idea of what are these values. Examples like reimbursement requested for any specific illness or injury, assets that are required before 20 September 1985, people having personal asset of $ 10,000. These examples are the values or the asset that are considered disdain if implemented. Cars, vehicles or motorcycle, again cannot be included in the capital profit/loss category and is disdained if owned for 10,000 or less (Bittker Rahdert, 1976). Other examples like the collection of items like painting worth $500 or less is not counted under the computation, various items like family homes that are detached from the original housing. What will be the answer if there is a sale of an antique vase? What about the answer if the loss is resulted from the sale of an antique vase. Well, if my analysis is concerned, Fred faces an utter loss because of his selling of the antique vase (Musgrave, 1969). This conclusion is deriving from the subtraction of the loss received by the sale of shares, which Fred intended for his personal or private use and hence his net capital is more than $ 10,000. An Overall Analysis on the Fringe Benefits and Fringe Benefits Tax It is now a known fact that the tax is a resultant of fringe benefit which indeed sets the introduction and importance of fringe benefit analysis. This report gives a detail account of the fringe benefit and fringe benefit tax including various context and discussions by different scholars. Fringe benefits cover the additional benefit that increases the employees salary. Subsidized meal, company car, health insurance and more are the distinct examples. Fringe Benefit anyway is described with various point of analysis (Vickrey, 1947). As per the employer point of view, Fringe benefit is considered as a free partner and contractor resting between two employees where in certain cases the tax is let off. These are few examples of fringe benefit under the taxation sanction (Bittker Rahdert, 1976). The fair market cost is included for all those receive fringe benefit tax, in that year. Fringe Benefit also gives advantage to the employee, their family and the acquaintances (Rowley, Tolliso n Tullock, 2013). This extra amount is added to the wage package or salary. Fringe benefit, unlike the income tax, is assessed every year from 1st April to 31st March. The fringe benefits tax (FBT), in Australia, is regulated by the Australian Fringe Benefit Tax Act, 1988. The FBT anyways, in the recent few years is classified into different sections, mentioned below: Expense payment fringe benefits Debt waiver fringe benefits Housing fringe benefits Loan fringe benefits Car parking fringe benefits Board fringe benefits Living away from home allowance fringe benefits Residual fringe benefits Property fringe benefits including the goods, property or shares Living Away From Home Fringe Benefits Living away from home, shortly addressed as LAFTA, is the allowances provided for living away from the original residence. The employer, in this case, gives the employee some benefit for staying away from the home for his personal duties. But the strategy sometime encounters disadvantages (Musgrave, 1969). Property Fringe Benefits In this type of benefit, the employee receives a discounted property from the employer, which is clearly seen in the case of Emma. Emma purchases a bathtub of cost $1300 whose actual market value is $2600. By this, she gets a discount of 50% from the company (Willis, Pennell Postlewaite, 2006). Board Fringe Benefits In Board Fringe Benefit, the employees are given with the permission relating to the two required meal of the day and accommodation (Blum Kalven, 1978). Housing Fringe Benefits In this type of benefit, the employee is provided with the right over the accommodation and rents or even license. The employee attains the residential rights, as the strategy grants the unit as a whole (Blum Kalven, 1978). Debt Waiver Fringe Benefits In this type of benefit, the employer lets off the employee from paying the debt. Car Parking Fringe Benefit Well, the application and utility of this benefit can arise in different situations like: if a car is parked in the area of the employer or if car parking exceeds the time frame like 7am to 7pm, in case if the car is parked in the employees place of work, if employment considered for granting a parking, is there is a commercial area available within 1 km radius of the employee work area or if the employee manages the car (Bittker Rahdert, 1976). Car Fringe Benefit In case of car fringe benefit, the employee receives a car either he has rented for his personal use or of his own asset. Expense Fringe Benefit In this type of benefit, the employer gives a certain amount to the employee to pay it to the third party and if not made, this will make the employee answerable or else the employee will recompense the expanses met in the end. Emma receives the advantage from the fringe benefit from the compensation for the vehicle and hence qualifies the expenses from it Loan Fringe Benefits Here the employee gets a loan that is at less interest rate that that of existing banks. For Emma, she got a loan of $500000 at 4.5% interest which is not like that accrued by existing banks. As FBT is taken, this is 47% rate (Friedman et al, 2000). FBT Consequences for the Company Car receives the fringe benefit and is given to Emma for her personal use according to the provision of FBTA, s 7. Depending on the cost basis strategies and other additional information, the constitutional methods are used here: Taxable value = (0.2 * $33,000 x 330/365) = $5,967 Base value = cost of the car Number of days car provided as fringe benefit = 330 (car listed for annual repairs and the car is unavailable for personal use. Accessibility of the car until Emma gives it to her employee, parked at airport. Emma receives no recipient for the reimbursement for the expenses. Repayment of Emmas motor vehicle expenses This is excused under FTBA, s 53 but is adapted for the expense payment fringe. Loan of $500,000 Provision of the loan is a loan fringe benefit: FBTAA, Div 4 Taxable value = $500,000 x (5.95% - 4.45%) x (212/365) = $4,356 NB: As Emma does not use loan for earning assessable income, no reduction is attained for tax under deductible rule. Purchase of bathtub for $1,300 Bathtubs are sold under the ordinary business plan of Periwinkle: FBTA, Division 11 as bathtub are considered as house fringe property. The taxable value of the bathtub is reduced by $1, 3000 for recipients payment of $650. Bathtubs are manufactured and distributed by Periwinkle to the public in the ordinary course business, hence the taxable cost= 75% x $2,600, which is in fact the lowest price sold to the public which equal to $1,950. Since the bathtub belongs to the house fringe benefit, the taxable value is decreased below s 62 FTBA considering as no other in-house advantage to the Emma in that year. After subtracting the taxable value from each fringe benefit, it is important to find out the Type/Type2 declaration of the fringe benefit. Car = Type 1 fringe benefit (as the amount is GST comprehensive and supposition is done about Periwinkle being unrestricted to input tax credits) Loan = Type 2 fringe benefit (it is a financial supply; therefore no GST is applicable) Assume that taxable value of bathtub is reduced to 0. Fringe benefits taxable amount = ($5,967x 2.0802) + ($4,356x 1.8868) = $12,413+ $8,219 = $20,632. Fringe benefits tax liability = 47% x $20,632 = $9,697 Therefore, Periwinkle must pay FBT of $9,697 in relation to the above items. What will be the Answer if Emma Purchases the Shares by Herself? The variation in the answer is expected. If Emma buys all the shares by herself by the means of $50,000 loan amount, then the cost will be used to produce income. It is because they take the dividends from the organization that is profitable and gets the amount of deduction from the equivalent interest rate. Loan fringe benefit, in this case gets lower by 10% ($50,000/$ 50,000) according to the deductible rule proposed under s 19 of the FBT Act. Conclusion and Suggestions After reading the study, it must be clear by now that the analysis of the case of the Periwinkle Company and Emma, the benefits received by Emma comes from the company. It has to pay under benefit tax which is directly exposed according to this advantage. Well, it quite evident that Fringe benefit has offered standard jobs to the employer. But it is matter of fact that the workers will certainly perform well if motivated properly, thoroughly, and continually (Bittker Rahdert, 1976). This why FBT must not anyway discourage the employees as it has a direct effect on their psychology and performance. FBT stress results in the discouragement of the employee affecting the work and leading to quitting of job and absenteeism. This will have a greater affect on the overall countrys economic condition and low income availability over the tax. As productivity encouragement persuades productivity, fringe benefit is given in order to motivate and encourage the employees to carefully allow the e mployee to keep good price at hand (Bittker Rahdert, 1976). This conceptual analysis on the case has resulted in the clear conclusion of the understanding of the term of capital gain/loss. The examples quoted are an attempt to make the basics apt and clear. The readers must correlate with the set examples and situations, to perform and adopt the meaning of the terms productively. References Areeda, P., Kaplow, L. and Edlin, A.S., 1988.Antitrust Analysis: problems, text, cases(p. 160). Boston: Little, Brown. Bittker, B.I. and Rahdert, G.K., 1976. The exemption of nonprofit organizations from federal income taxation.The Yale Law Journal,85(3), pp.299-358. Blum, W.J. and Kalven, H., 1978.The uneasy case for progressive taxation. University of Chicago Press. Friedman, E., Johnson, S., Kaufmann, D. and Zoido-Lobaton, P., 2000. Dodging the grabbing hand: the determinants of unofficial activity in 69 countries.Journal of public economics,76(3), pp.459-493. Graetz, M.J. and Schenk, D.H., 2009.Federal Income Taxation: Principles and Policies. Foundation Press. Handler, J., 1978. Social movements and the legal system.New York: Academic. Hogg, P.W., 2007.Constitutional law of Canada. Thomson Carswell. Kerwin, C.M. and Furlong, S.R., 1994.Rulemaking: How government agencies write law and make policy(Vol. 999). CQ Press. Mertens, J., 1942.Law of Federal Income Taxation(Vol. 10). Callaghan. Musgrave, P.B., 1969.United States taxation of foreign investment income: Issues and arguments. Harvard Univ Harvard Law School. Paul, R.E., 1954.Taxation in the United States. Rowley, C., Tollison, R.D. and Tullock, G. eds., 2013.The political economy of rent-seeking(Vol. 1). Springer Science Business Media. Surrey, S.S. ed., 1972.Federal income taxation: cases and materials(Vol. 1). Foundation Press. Vickrey, W.S., 1947.Agenda for progressive taxation. The Ronald Press Company. Willis, A.B., Pennell, J.S. and Postlewaite, P.F., 2006.Partnership taxation. Wright, C.A., 1970.Handbook of the Law of Federal Courts. West Pub. Co..

Thursday, December 5, 2019

TAROM Romanian Air Transport

Question: Discuss about theTAROM Romanian Air Transport. Answer: Process for Online Booking Summary Specifications There are seven steps involved in the booking of the TAROM airline ticket. The first step includes the selection of the various attributes such as departure date, departure and arrival destinations which may be single or multiple, return date, type of trip, mode of payment, number of passengers, flight type and service class. Once these selections are made, next step includes the selection of flight and pricing method with an option to check the price. The matching details are then retrieved and displayed followed by the requirement to fill in the traveler details which include demographic and contact details. There is an option to select the seats as well followed by final purchase of the tickets. The tickets can be purchases instantly or within a period of 48 hours (in case of cash payments) and the reservation is required to be confirmed through the email sent on the registered email id. In case of instant payment, mode of payment is required to be selected such as debit card or c redit card and the details are required to be filled out. Once the booking is completed, a unique reservation number is generated to manage and modify the bookings later. The process exists to allow the users to book their flight tickets from any location and at any point of time. There are various options that are provided to the users in terms of their mode of payment, time of payment, choice of seats, choice of flight type and likewise. The automated process has been incorporated to ensure that the users can avail the services offered by TAROM with complete ease and avoid the repercussions of long queues at the ticket counters. The Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN) of the entire process depicts the entire online booking process in the form of a map which is similar to the flowchart. BPMN map represents the various paths that can be followed to achieve the final goal that is the booking of an airline ticket [1]. For instance, there may be one user who may want to book a flight ticket in the economy class with mode of payment as debit card. On the other hand, there may be user who may want to book a return ticket through credit card. The BPMN map shows the various options and paths that are available for the users as per their preferences. Also, it brings out the usability of the entire process to ensure that maximum customer satisfaction is attained through the same [2]. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) There are a number of KPIs that shall provide a clear picture of effectiveness of the entire process to achieve the business objectives. Hourly, Daily, Weekly, Quarterly, Monthly and Annual Bookings: The number of bookings that are done by the users through the online booking system will provide a picture of the ability to achieve the business objectives of the booking process. The primary objective of the online booking system would be to ensure that there is maximum number of sales that is maximum number of bookings done through the entire process; therefore a higher number will reflect better results. The same can be easily calculated with the automated online booking process that will reflect the orders completed at the required interval of time. There can also be partial and complete orders that can be retrieved from the system [3]. Site Traffic: There may be users who may not book the tickets online but check the flight frequency or price through the system. The higher the site traffic, the better will be the results in terms of the business objectives. The site traffic will be an essential KPI and can be calculated through a number of automated website analysis tools. These tools will also provide customized and automated reports on the type of site traffic and frequency of the same [4]. New Customer Order versus returning customers: There will be two types of customers on the site viz. new customers and returning customers. Every customer will be identified by a unique email id and the same shall be used to identify the number of new and returning customers over a period of time. This KPI will provide the picture on the customer engagement and popularity of the site in the market which are the two prime business objectives. The same can be calculated easily through the sales data of the automated online booking system. IT Based Process The example of online booking of airline tickets is an IT based process as it involved the use of Information Technology and Information Systems in the entire process and sub-processes that are associated with the same. There is an automated system that has been deployed that includes the automated code for various activities that are involved in the booking of an online ticket. For instance, the system sends an automated email to the registered email id of the customer as soon as the purchase is made. Also, the system retrieves the customer details in case of a returning customer and provides an option to modify the bookings through a unique reservation number [5]. Automated sub-processes like these have been deployed and implemented in the booking system which makes the entire process as an example of an IT based process. There is a front end and a back end that is present in the system wherein the front end of the system provides a graphical interface to the users to perform vario us activities involved in the booking of the ticket. On the other hand, the back end of the system is a database in which the entire information is stored and can be retrieved as and when required by the system. The presence of the front end and back end along with various interfaces to integrate them results in the overall functioning of the system. It is with the use of IT tools and equipment that automated system has been designed, developed and deployed to allow the users to make use of the same [6]. References Kazemzadeh Y, Milton S, Johnson L. Process Chain Network (PCN) and Business Process Modeling Notation (BPMN): A Comparison of Concepts. 2015.https://www.sciedu.ca/journal/index.php/jms/article/view/6494 (accessed 3 Mar 2017). Russo V. A Business Process Model for Integrated Home Care. 2015.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1877050915024825 (accessed 3 Mar 2017). MUNTEAN M, TARNAVEANU D, ION A. E-Commerce Performance. Shopping Cart Key Performance Indicators. Informatica Economica 2016;20:62-71. doi:10.12948/issn14531305/20.1.2016.06 Tsai YCheng Y. Analyzing key performance indicators (KPIs) for E-commerce and Internet marketing of elderly products: A review. 2012.https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0167494311001464 (accessed 3 Mar 2017). Bermdez G, Rojas L, Bustelo C et al. Model Innovation of Process Based on the Standard e-commerce International GS1. Ijimai.org. 2012.https://www.ijimai.org/journal/node/372 (accessed 3 Mar 2017). Aldin N. Business development with electronic commerce: refinement and repositioning: Business Process Management Journal: Vol 10, No 1. Emeraldinsight.com. 2017.https://www.emeraldinsight.com/doi/abs/10.1108/14637150410518329 (accessed 3 Mar 2017).

Thursday, November 28, 2019

External Environmental Factors Essay Example

External Environmental Factors Paper In the past, the relation of total quality management (TTS), market orientation, and performance are equivocal. These mixed results may be due to some factors or not to include the environmental factors. This study adopts the Unprepossessing-Output (PIP) concept model to construct all variables research model. The research surveyed samples of 588 and used Structural Equation Model and discriminate analysis for analysis and testing. The results show that TTS positively affects hotel performance. Market orientation positively affects hotel performance. Market orientation has the mediating effect between TTS and hotel performance. External environment factors truly play a moderator between TTS, market orientation and hotel performance, especially when external environment factors greater changes are going to help to build relationship with customer, to enhance hotel performance and further to gain chance of hotels survival. Crown Copyright 0 2011 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Keywords: Total quality management Market orientation Hotel performance External environmental factors Structural Equation Model 1 . Introduction Total quality management (TTS) is a widely recognized management philosophy, and has become the key slogan as organizations strive for competitive advantage in markets (Surcharged et al. , 2001 TTS focuses on continuous process improvement within organizations to provide superior customer value and meet customer needs. Meeting customer needs involves company operations focused on understanding, sharing, and responding to customers through marketing concept. Firms adopting and implementing the marketing concept are said to display a market orientation Lamb et al. , 2005). We will write a custom essay sample on External Environmental Factors specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on External Environmental Factors specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on External Environmental Factors specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Market-oriented firms have been demonstrated to be successful at maintaining a strong competitive position (Walker et al. , 2006). Therefore, TTS and market orientation can constitute a valuable firm strategy and provide a competitive advantage to respond to the competitive business environment. Studies have claimed that marketing and TTS are complementary business philosophies (Longboat et al. , 2000; Mohr Jackson, 1 AAA,b). However, departments responsible for implementing T KM policy may consider increasing sales through higher quality products or service needs rather than marketing. Poor coordination among departments, or even rivalries and distrust, are not * Corresponding author at: 396 Changing Rd. , Sec. 1, Sway Jean, Taiwan 71101, Taiwan, ROCCO. Tell. : +886 8 7338241. E-mail address: [emailprotected] Path. Gob. Two (S. -C. Chin). Unusual. Moreover, partial enterprises that have conducted TTS have not considered their attributes or properly used them in marketing, preventing top managers from understanding marketing topics. Therefore one-third of TTS-adopting enterprises continue to exhibit prejudice (Hitcher, 1 995), or have failed in TTS implementation. These factors cause many organizations o have little or no to complement to TTS and market orientation together. However, even when both are linked in hotel performance effect, the empirical findings are mixed, and homogeneous results regarding their relationships are lacking. Furthermore, scholars have also argued that relationships among TTS, market orientation and organization performance often vary considerably in terms of magnitude, or when improving performance, generating mixed and controversial results. Additionally, the hotel industry suffers a lack of information regarding TTS or barriers to developing market orientation (Gray et al. 2000; Harris and Watkins, 1998; Lazars and Counterproposal, 2007); few studies have addressed this lack of information or the existence of such barriers in the Taiwanese hotel industry. In the competitive market environment, quality is considered the basic consuming condition. Hotels seeking to improve their performance cannot simply rely on quality, but must also design inducements to attract customers. Long and Cox (1997) and House et al. 1996) addressed the PIP (Input-processing-output) model of TTS, which displays the relationships between the TTS system and participants. This model defines input to enlarge the process and involve both internal and external environments. Process improvement and products are designed to focus on present 0278-4319/$ -? see front matter. Crown Copyright C) 2011 published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Doily. 1 016/j. Jim. 2011. 03. 013 120 C. -H. Wang et al. / International Journal of Hospitality Management 31 (2012) 119-129 and future customer needs. Output describes the way in which participant quality is enhanced to ensure profitability and custom satisfaction. To gain competence of hotels faster than competitors and create superior customer alee strategically within conflicts and interest of inter-departments are critical for hotel survival. This study adopted the PIP concept model of TTS to develop a research model and further probed the relationship between TTS and market orientation to understand its influence on hotel performance. Environmental uncertainty arises from organizational ability to make environmental forecasts (Milliken, 1987). As a result, organizational decision making is influenced by environmental complexity and volatility (May et al. , 2000). Organization attempting to ignore environmental factors or that effuses to respond to such factors create trouble for themselves and placing themselves at a competitive disadvantage. On the contrary, understanding and responsiveness can contribute to hotel effectiveness and benefits. Several studies have argued that market and technological turbulence and competitive intensity may moderate the relationship between market orientation and performance (Circa et al. 2005; Qua and New, 2003; Rose and Shame, 2002; Subliminal et al. , 2009), or that this relationship does not moderate effects (Aziza and Haskins, 201 0; Gasworks and Kohl, 1993; Slater and Nearer, 1994; Subliminal and Espaliering, 2001). TTS is an open system that interacts with the surrounding environment (Steel and Jennings, 1992). However, scholars have argued that TTS does not adapt to dynamic situations (Dooley and Floor, 1998). Business environment is complicated by the dynamics of change and competition producing a degree of uncertainty such that the results after TTS implementing are unclear (Months et al. 2003). Moreover, prior scholars have studied the influence of external environmental factors on the hotel performance effect; most studies have probed legal, political, social, economic, cultural, and technological dimensions. New advanced technologies and a changing market environment have provided quality and marketing concepts with a new dimension. Empirical studies have largely overlooked external environmental factors (for example, market and technological turbulence, and competitive intensity) related to hotel performance. This study incorporates these factors to examine and fill the gaps in the literature. The maturing of the hotel industry has seen competition gradually intensify and customers become increasingly sophisticated. To compete, hotels require a breadth of resources to transform them into more flexible forms to meet the needs of the changing toll industry marketplace. This study simplifies the complex reality of the hotel industry, in which hotels examine their performance using TTS, market orientation, and the moderating effects of external environmental factors. This study tested the research model using data gathered from hotels using a questionnaire survey method, and used the Structural Equation Model and discriminate analysis for analysis and testing. This paper is organized as follows. A literature review discusses four variables and establishes the study hypotheses. Subsequent sections then describe the methodology, results, ND analysis. Finally, the last section discusses conclusions and presents limitations and recommendations. Literature review 2. 1 Total quality management From Seraph et al. 1 989), many studies have attempted to develop an appropriate set of critical quality management constructs to represent an integrated approach to TTS implementation in a business unit (Rehire et al. , AAA,b; Anderson et al. , 1995; Flynn et al. , 1995; Grandson and Greenhorns, 1998; Rah et al. , 1999). Months et al. (2003) synthesized and induced their works to classify five generic constructs: (1) managerial leadership and Mom- mitten; (2) human resources management; (3) the relationship between customers and suppliers; (4) internal organizational culture; and (5) process management. Subsequent studies have relied on these works to assess TTS program effectiveness. TTS is widely recognized as a management philosophy. Numerous controversies exist regarding the elements proposed by different researchers and professionals in relation to TTS. These elements do not fully coincide, and not all such fundamentals that compose the TTS theoretical framework can be called TTS without management factors being implemented in the organizations where they are based (Months et al. , 2003). TTS is largely not applied because executives have not contended with it or consider it unnecessary in the hotel industry (Lazar I and Counterproposal, 2007). The TTS system accords to the PIP (Input-processing-output) concept model to display the relationships between the TTS system and participants (Long and Cox, 1 997; House et al. , 1996). Input is defined as that which enlarges the process and involves both internal and external environments. Processing is focused on both present and future customer needs until top management just combine input with organizational ability to achieve desired goals. Output is defined as all participants (that is, organization members and departments, suppliers and customers) delivering designed services as reliably and economically as possible to ensure profitability and customer satisfaction. Hotels thus satisfy customer needs not only through contain souse improvement (Dale and Plunked, 1990), but also through process management in preventing problems from recurring. Cooperation between internal and external elements is critical for successful TTS implementation. Such successful implementation enhances the morale of employee lifetime, increasing hotel efficiency (Lazars and Counterproposal, 2007). Leadership and guest focus are the principles most commonly incorporated into TTS programs of hotels (Beerier and Balloonist, 1998; Lie et al. , 2007). Learning involves company-wide training that acquires a strategic value for hotels (Boudoirs et al. , 2001 ; Claver et al. , 2006; Thinly et al. , 2000) and enhances both staff skill level and service commitment (Costa, 2004; Haynes and Fryer, 2000). This study finds that TTS-adopting hotels focus on customer focus, continuous improvement, leadership, internal/external operation, employee fulfillment, learning and process management. This study adopted the constructs of TTS stated by Grandson and Greenhorns (1998). Studies have assessed hotel performance using the lodging index (Wassermann and Stafford, 1991), revenue growth rates (Van Doreen and Gusset, 1982), both objective and perceptual (Huber and Richer, 2005), or financial and non- financial performance (Banker et al. , 2000, 2005). Objective is measured by occupancy rate per room, gross operating profit, and gross operating profit per available room per day. Perceptual contains competitive performance and stakeholder satisfaction. Any organization needs finance support. To maximize long-term performance businesses must build and maintain mutually beneficial relationships with buyers (Nearer and Slater, 1990). Therefore, this paper adopts that Norman and Rust (1999) and Nervier and Slater (1990) developed measures Of hotel performance that included financial and customer-based performance. Some studies have suggested that TTS-adopting firms enjoy a competitive advantage over non-TTS (Brash et 2002; Powell, 1995). Furthermore, studies have variously reported that TTS and organizational performance are positively related (Demurrage et al. AAA; Fen et al. 2006), or no effect of T KM on various performance measures (Hair, 1993; Selenga and Faze, 1995), or that TTS is negatively related with organizational performance (McCabe and Wilkinson, 1998; Young and Chain, 1998), which may result from different measures of TTS, ineffective implementation, or a lack of management support, among other reasons (Atari et al. , 121 2010). However, hotel industry has identified outperforming in TTS committed hotels (Claver-Courts et al. , 2008; Lange, 1997) and T KM is likely to improve customer satisfaction, and ultimately financial performance (Gags t al. 2000; Claver-Courts et al. , 2008). This study proposes that hotel adoption of TTS may improve hotel performance. Therefore: Hypothesis 1 . TTS positively affects hotel performance. 2. 2. Market orientation T KM stresses viewing employees as internal clients who deserve special attention (Skilled and Dullard, 2000), aiming to achieve organizations objectives. Satisfaction of external clients is central to the marketing concept (Santos-Vaginal and ?leaver-Gong;leg, 2009). Firms that adopt and implement marketing concepts are said to be market oriented (Lamb et al. , 2005). Market orientation is defined differently within different parts of the research community (Deckhands et al. , 1993; Kohl and Gasworks, 1990; Nearer and Slater, 1990). However, the basic concept still involves generating disseminating, sharing information, and responding appropriately to changing market needs to achieve organizational goals and satisfy customer needs and wants whilst simultaneously considering the interests of all company stakeholders. Several scales exist for measuring market orientation. Kohl et al. (1993) developed a valid measure that includes intelligence generation, dissemination and responsiveness. Furthermore, Gray et al. (1998) proposed a parsimonious model of market orientation based on the work of Eden and Dart (1 994), Gasworks and Kohl (1993), and Nearer and Slater (1990) comprising five dimensions: customer orientation, competitor orientation, inter-functional coordination, responsiveness, and profit emphasis. Additionally, Onward (2008) determined that market orientation should include customer focus, competitive focus, environmental scanning, strategy implementation, and new service development. Different firms may adopt different strategies. This study believes that market orientation is better suited to data collection, including information generation and dissemination, shared interpretation, and organization responsiveness. Previous studies have investigated the antecedents and consequences of market orientation. Viral (2010) used Brazilian Meta- Analysis and International Mega-Analysis to determine that interdepartmental connectedness, interdepartmental environment, and rules for job execution significantly and positively influence market orientation, displaying consequences in improved performance, organization commitment, innovation, and learning. Market orientation is positively related to firm reference (Kara et al. , 2005; Lie et al. , 2008; Chou et al. , 2005). Similarly, Han et al. (1998), Harris (2001), Unhook (2008), and Perry and Shah (2002) failed to find a direct relationship between market orientation and firm performance, even hotel performance (Sergeant and Mohammad, 1999). However, Sin et al. (2005) found market orientation to be critical to hotel performance. These references show that empirical findings related to market orientation have yielded complex and mixed results (Voss and Voss, 2000). Effective information acquisition and dissemination produced high market orientation hat is essential for creating and managing closer customer relationships and requires a solid understanding of customer wants (Rehire et al. , 1 AAA). A market-oriented hotel can afford enhanced product or service quality based on consumer data to boost customer satisfaction. Satisfied customers increase sales and market share through more frequent purchases. This study thus hypothesizes that: Hypothesis 2. Menace. Market orientation positively affects hotel perform- Numerous similarities exist between the concepts of TTS and market orientation (Morgan, 1992). However, partial researchers have thought that TTS implementation is an important mediator helping strengthen the association between market orientation and performance (Demurrage et al. , Bibb); market orientation is statistically significantly associated with quality orientation (Alai, 2003; Mozart and Hyssop, 2009); TTS directly and positively affects market orientation (Santos-Vaginal and ?Aviary-Gong;leg, 2009; Yam et 2005). TTS also benefits market orientation (Maraschino, Bibb). Despite the clear relationship between TTS and market orientation, the empirical findings are mixed and has failed to obtain homogeneous results about their relationship. Marketing practices are important in improving firm performance (Santos-Vaginal et al. , 2005). Market orientation means the implementation of marketing concepts (Kohl and Gasworks, 1990), borrows from the management and strategy domains to avoid an isolationist perspective (Dobbin and Alfalfa, 2003; Storehouse and Van Iraqi, 2004), and depends on other constructs to strengthen its relationship with performance (Menage and AAU, 2006). These constructs may arise in relation to where the influences that may determine market orientation originate (Balloonist and Signoras, 1997). TTS is considered fundamental to the successful application f the marketing concept and is considered a means of increasing marketing preponderance (Santos-Vaginal and Olivarez-Gong;leg, 2009). These show mutual need for TTS and market orientation. TTS involves ongoing monitoring of market forces by implementing organizational processes, and engages all departments of a firm to develop the right market response, all of which are also hallmarks of operative market orientation (Kohl and Gasworks, 1990). Restated, TTS promotes the generation and dissemination of market information to enable firms to consistently and rapidly respond to changing market conditions (Rehire et al. AAA). TTS thus positively affects market orientation. Hypothesis 3 thus is proposed. TTS linked activities to help the development of distinctive competencies which is a mediating variable in the relationship between TTS and performance (Tenant et al. , 2001). Thus, TTS and market orientation are complementary. TTS encourages competencies of adept at generating and sharing market knowledge to enhance customer value and satisfaction, a prerequisite for longtime success (Kerri et al. , 2006). Market orientation positively impacts firm effectiveness and boost market share in TTS (Wang and Wee, 2005). Market orientation mediates the effect of quality orientation on competitive superiority, and competitive superiority drives business performance (Raja and Leonia, 2002; Strangulation and Hart, 2004). Quality orientation originates from TTS (Mozart and Hyssop, 2009). Based on the above literature, this study proposes that hotels link TTS and market orientation. TTS will be help for effective and efficient of implementing market orientation, in turn enhancing performance. TTS- adopting hotels on performance might be channeled through market orientation. Hypothesis 4 thus is proposed. Hypothesis 3. TTS positively effects market orientation. Hypothesis 4. Market orientation has the mediating effect on the relationship between TTS and hotel performance. . 3. Moderating effect of external environmental factors Different organizations are affected by different numbers of environmental factors. External environmental factors change rapidly, are uncertain, and complex, and also create problems for organizations. Any organization ignoring or being unresponsive environmental factors is creating trouble for inviting trouble. Hotel external environment affects the relationship between strategic planning and performance (Phillips, 1999). Competition is a key characteristic of the external environment. Within their com- 122 petition environment hoteliers tend to understand the strengths, weaknesses, and performance associated with providing specific products or services when seeking information about customers and modifying their offerings based on customer data. Market turbulence describes the rate of change in customer composition and customer preferences (Kohl and Gasworks, 1990; Slater and Nearer, 1 994; Subliminal and Espaliering, 2001). As the pace of change accelerates, the need for managers to change their products and services grows. Technological turbulence describes technological change (Kohl and Gasworks, 1990). Technologically advanced organizations can Stay ahead through continuing product and service improvement or advanced process management. When market and technological turbulence and competitive intensity are low, organizations can concentrate on competitive advantage by focusing on customer satisfaction (Subliminal et al. , 2009). Nevertheless, as market turbulence, competitive intensity, and technological turbulence increase, firms must move away from existing customer needs and seek to satisfy latent needs to maintain a nominative advantage (Slater and Nearer, 1998). Several researchers have argued that links between market orientation and performance depend on organizational environment Auroras and Kohl, 1993); for example, the relationship between market orientation and performance may be moderated by market and technological turbulence and competitive intensity (Circa et al. , 2005; Qua and New, 2003; Rose and Shame, 2002; Subliminal et al. 2009), or such a relationship has not moderating effects (Aziza and Haskins, 2010; Gasworks and Kohl, 1993; Slater and Nearer, 1994; Subliminal and Espaliering, 2001). TTS is based on the system respective as a method of managing change in situations involving organizations that are open systems interacting with the environment (Steel and Jennings, 1992). For example, managers should relate changes in consumer perception and competitor activity to management commitment by inspiring and motivating staff and obtaining feedback to improve hotel performance (Aziza and Haskins, 2010). Changes in technology, such as computerizing and e-commerce, can create a quantum leap in work communication, process management, and product and service innovation. Therefore, TTS can flexibly create an environment where organizations are omitted to customer satisfaction through continuous improvement (Barrater et al. , 2008) and external impacts customer satisfaction through the market (Atari et al. , 2010). However, scholars have argued that TTS is not adaptable to dynamic situations (Dooley and Floor, 1998). Business environment is complicated by dynamics of change and competitive, producing a degree of uncertainty such that the nature Of the improvement of results after TTS implementation is unclear (Months et al. , 2003). TTS stresses systematic angles to solve management problems, and stresses external environmental changes in organizational operations. Market orientation depends on changes in external demand to respond to customer needs. External environmental factors significantly impact business strategies in the hospitality industry (Operand et al. 2009). Environmental variables can moderate the effect of management strategies (Attenuate-Gimp, 1995). This study adopts external environmental factors based on the concept of Gasworks and Kohl (1 993), including market and technological turbulence and competitive intensity. External environmental factors are inferred to exert moderating efforts on TTS, market orientation, and hotel performance. This study thus hypothesizes: Hypothesis 5. The effect of TTS on hotel performance is moderated through external environmental factors. Hypothesis 6. The effect of market orientation on hotel performance is moderated through external environmental factors. Fig. 1. Research model. 3. Methodology 3. 1 . Questionnaire development and pilot test Fig. 1 depicts a path diagram for the research model, and is based on a literature review. The main method used in this study was a survey research. To do so, a questionnaire was designed. First, the authors met several times with the managing directors of three hotels to determine which questions should be included in the survey. This process obtained three main conclusions. First, the questions had to reflect features necessary for hotels and which respondents can feel. Second, the questions had to help hotels outperform their competitors in the changing marketplace. Third, the survey had to be concise. Based on the above conclusions, all the focal constructs of the model were measured using multiple items based on validated scales derived from Grandson and Greenhorns (1998), Huber (1991 Gasworks and Kohl (1 993), Kohl t al. (1993), Norman and Rust (1 999), and Nearer and Slater (1990). Table 1 lists the constructs, definitions and sources of scales. The questionnaire was first developed in English, but as the survey was conducted in Chinese, hotel management directors and academics helped with the translation. The wording and interpretation of items, and the extent to which respondents felt they possessed the knowledge required to respond appropriately were considered until a final draft of the questionnaire was obtained. Following the development of the draft questionnaire, used respondent anonymity, meaning anonymity of the measurement items and pilot-tested by 60 hotels managing directors to correct possible defects and doubts.

Sunday, November 24, 2019

Fiction Writing Tips

Fiction Writing Tips Writing fiction is an art that is learned over time. One learns to write stories by writing and reading all the fiction writing tips that they can find. A good writer tends to be very observant of their surroundings and reads everything they can get their hands on. And most of all, they carve out a designated time every single day to write. Here is some fiction writing tips that any writer needs to know in order to produce a believable fiction that readers will enjoy reading. Fiction Writing Tip #1: Plot and character development. A good story will have a series of events that connect and unfold in a chronological order. Keep it tightly controlled without allowing it to stray off course in order to keep the readers interested. They’ll keep reading to see how all the different points in the story connect at the end. Fiction Writing Tip #2: Create memorable characters. The reader has to actually feel that the character could possibly be an actual person before they can identify with your story. Using dialogue, actions and thoughts to define the character for the readers. The reader should be able to create the image and idea of who your character is through their speech, mannerisms and thoughts rather than have every single detail spelled out for them. Fiction Writing Tip #3: Without proper setting the reader is likely to get lost in the story. The writer needs to be able to weave the setting by using atmosphere, location and mood into the story line. This way the reader stays grounded by knowing where the story is taking place and what the general atmosphere is like. Fiction Writing Tip #4: Make dialogue realistic and close to real life. However, this is one of the trickier fiction writing tip. If dialogue is made to mirror true life too much, it will make for a boring and tedious read. Use dialogue to describe characters, show personality and even to project events. Fiction writing tips show that interesting dialogue will grab a reader and carry them through the story. Don’t try to get too creative with dialect or slang especially with the main characters for this can slow down the story too much. It is good fiction writing tips to show the character by using varying forms of dialogue to show the character but too much of it can slow things down dramatically. Fiction Writing Tip #5: Establish point of view. Decide how the story is going to be told; if it’s going to be in third person or first person, you need to make that decision before you ever set pen to paper. Certain stories have to stay on a certain track depending on how the point of view is determined. First person has to be told strictly from the first person point of view, which means it’s basically all about the main character. Third person allows for the actions of all the characters but limits the narrator from describing the inner thoughts or feelings about them. Fiction Writing Tip #6: Craft your own writing style. It’s basically how the writer decides to tell the story. Short concise sentences that make strong statements are desirable. Avoid getting too wordy and fanatical about the English language. The smoother the story flows, the easier it will be for the reader to read along with it. These fiction writing tips are good for any writer to know and utilize in their craft. By following these simple fiction writing tips, one can create a successful story that everyone will enjoy reading.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Organizational Behavior Concepts in any Organization Essay

Organizational Behavior Concepts in any Organization - Essay Example Through decision making, ideas and procedures are developed, which culminate in to events and eventually give results. From the results, more ideas are developed for more procedures, making the process an endless circle. This is the process that generates change within an organization, to give rise to the organizational culture. However, in some instances, this process may not generate the desired change. There are times when the results culminate in events which are disastrous. This necessitates careful observation and supervision of the processes which are routine in the organization in order to avoid unwarranted circumstances. In order to achieve this, prudent human resource practices need to be employed in decision making. This essay is a critical evaluation of organizational behavior concepts. Starbucks is the organization that has been used to illustrate these concepts. Aspects such as decision making, culture and human resources practices have been discussed. Decision making is a psychological process that culminates in the choice of a particular course of action amid many other alternatives. Innovativeness in organizations is usually realized after un1dergoing the decision making process, which involves need identification, search for possible sources o1f relevant information, evaluation of the information acquired and eventually undertaking a particular action. The outcome is psychological in the sense that decisions are not tangible, but from the ensuing behavior, one can easily tell that a certain decision has been made (Belk, and Askegaard, 2003 p.80). Organizational decision making takes place at different levels. Most of the crucial organizational decisions entail distribution of limited resources in the various departments or segments. They are significant in the identification of the most appropriate way to share resources. In Starbucks, it has

Wednesday, November 20, 2019

Researching Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Researching Politics - Essay Example The purpose of this essay is to examine how relevant the Marshall plan was to Western Europe’s economic recovery. The European continent had been devastated by the War. Most of them were battling with a series of issues. The continent was plagued with so many problems because the Second World War had been more expansive than the First World War. Industrial production was one of the key areas that had been affected by this war. This was largely as a result of the attack that nations had to face from aerial attacks. Some of the most developed cities in the continent urgently needed assistance. Berlin and London were such examples; also, there was an urgent need to look for mechanism of rebuilding other cities like Rotterdam that had been completely destroyed. (Bonds, 2000) Agricultural matters were also exerting a lot of pressure on members of the European continent. After the war, many people could not access food because agriculture had been destroyed. Infrastructure was also another problem owing to the fact that bridges, roads and rails had been air struck thus leading to their overall damage. Also, the war had used up much of the treasures that these European countries had placed in store. Consequently, there was a need to look for a system in which they could deal with some of these problems. It should also be noted that the Second World War had come after the First World War. This latter war led to a serious recession within the European continent. Also the US had played a large role in streamlining some of these problems prior to the Marshall Plan. For instance, it is on record that the US assisted Germany in paying its war reparation through a debt given to them. In the US States Department, Harry Truman became interested in luring very active foreign policy. However, the US Congress was not as enthusiastic as this leader was. In fact, at that time, the US Congress thought that Europe would look for

Monday, November 18, 2019

Abbott and Merck Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Abbott and Merck - Essay Example In the United States, there are several regulatory bodies that such companies would have to deal with. While their financial operations as well as advertising methods are regulated by other bodies, even their basic operations of researching and producing medicine are heavily regulated. The Department of Health and Human Services, Food and Drug Administration, National Institute of Health, Center for Disease Control and even the National Science Foundation can have an impact on how pharmaceutical companies operate (DHHS, 2007). At the same time, some organizations have more regulatory control than others. For example, the FDA is one body which has the most control over regulations that can force pharmaceutical companies to operate one way or the other. The FDA comes under the Department of Health and Human Services which gives the FDA broad guidelines to follow. The FDA is the actual authority which makes the rules that drug companies have to follow. These regulations impact much more than medicine since food, dietary supplements, cosmetics, medicinal products for use in health care as well as medical implements are regulated by the FDA (FDA, 2007). For pharmaceutical companies, the basic regulations start from food and dietary supplements that may be produced by these companies such as Vitamin C tablets or folic acid pills that may not require prescriptions in many cases. However, in many cases these products may be treated as food in which case there is a strong labeling requirement of the FDA which regulates the producers as to what information needs to be on the packaging of the product (FDA, 2007). For example, as an industry regulation, the producers of dietary supplements are allowed to make claims as to the benefits of their products but they cannot make a claim that their supplements can prevent or cure a disease. At the same time, supplements are not heavily regulated and action against the producers of supplements can

Friday, November 15, 2019

Ion Mobility as Explosive Detector

Ion Mobility as Explosive Detector INTRODUCTION Explosives are highly reactive substances which possess large amount of energy (potential energy) that leads to the production of explosions, they are usually accomplish with lighten, heat, sound and pressure when they are suddenly released. Explosive can be classified based on their sensitivity, velocity, composition and physical forms [23]. Ion Mobility Spectrometry is an analytical technique which is widely acknowledge in the area of detection of explosives as a result of it powerful sensitivity using electrophoresis techniques. The use of IMS as an explosive detector is based on the capability of IMS to detect almost any substance which can undergo ionisation and ability of detecting lightest element such as helium, to the most complex mixture and in complete organism [26].IMS is used in the detection of explosive compounds such as trinitrotoluene (TNT),Dinitroluene(DNT),Cyclo-1,3,5-trimethylene-2,4,6,8-tetranitramine(RDX),Pentaerythriol tetranitrate(PETN, Hexafluorobenezene (HFB),TETRYL(2,4,6-Trinitrophenylmethylnitramine), etc. [27]. IMS is widely used has a powerful analytical technique for detection of various explosive warfare chemical agent, trace level of nitro-organic explosives which may be found on hand bags and carry on-luggage’s [22] in various airport all around the world, all this has been made possible by the ionisation sources used and development in the drift tube materials. Most recently produced IMS are cheap and classy making it possible to carry out analysis on samples without pre-treatment [6]. IMS is carried out by allowing analyte which have undergo ionisation to be separated according to their movement in gas phase [1] .IMS also enable the possibilities of this Ionised analytes to be distinguished using parameters such as their masses, size, shapes and charges and it aid separation and identification of the ionised molecule which are in gas phase using their movement in carrier gas [2-4] .In IMS the analytes are converted to ionisable molecule at Atmospheric pressure in a weak electric field leading to the ions separated according to their movement in the gas phase [5] This analytical measurement techniques of an ion mobility spectrometry to detect explosive involve the use of ion mobility spectrometer which is made up of important component such as ion source, ion gate drift tube and the detector plate [21]. IMS is a techniques mostly used in the aspect of detection of explosive as a result of the technique being able to easily detect object by the possibility of screening individuals who might have concealed explosive; a major employment in monitoring of site which might be contaminated with explosive substances or materials also including buried land mile which might have explosive [7]. IMS can detect explosives materials even if it is in small amount or large quantities and used in post offices for the detections of dangerous substances which might be present in mails [8].IMS have been used in the detection of min-explosive devices and expose charges in order to show individuals which might have come in contact with explosive based on the great analytical abilities to detect explosive in limited time, high sensitivity, and resolution power [10].The use IMS has a major detector of explosives, factors such as it been easy to use, low cost of production and maintenance , portability, and low level of detection limits are considered and the ability to hyphenate IMS with other analytical method such as GC,LC and MS so as to improve it sensitivity have been involved as ways of improving the technique and it detection, and most of this analysis are done in seconds [26]. The aim of this research on IMS as an explosive Detector includes; the principles, instrumentations, application, innovation of IMS based on limitation from the first invention to the recent years and possible ways of improving IMS for future application in detection of explosives. HISTORY In 1985,JUNE 23,the Canadian government initiated a trace detector which was as a result of the airplane crash that killed 329 people blown up at 31000 feet at the Atlantic ocean, although in 1987 the government developed a high speed detector that use ion mobility spectrometry to detect explosives[14].Ims has been a major technique of interest especially in the Detection of Explosive based on the high selectivity and Sensitivity with good resolution of the techniques in the detection of explosive without the sample to be detect undergoing any form of Pre-treatment or pre separation (textbook 23).It major use of interest have increased as a result of terrorism in various aviation sectors .In Ims ionisation occurs in gas phase chemistry of explosives in the air which permit part-per-billion(ppb) detection limit for explosive such as nitro-organic explosive[15-18 i.e 77-80 of textbook].Based on the increase in terrorism and crime rate two ion mobility spectrometers were discovered to m ake possible quick, non-invasive screening and this two models are 400 IONSCAN which was from Barringer Research Limited but now called Smith Detection[81 of textbook] and Itemizer which was produced from Ion track ,Inc. also now regarded as GE Interlogix. As a result of this two Models a new interest has been given to IMS and it has been accepted as a technique in analytical measurement [19]. The discovery of IMS became a major point of interest from the formation of ion and the behaviours of this ion when they are in the gas phase at ambient pressure. Researches on IMS were can be divided into two major periods which are the period IMS was discovered and Innovated(1850-1938) also the period IMS was foundational studied (1948-1970)[28]. The development of Ion mobility for the detection of explosive have been improved after the initial design which was described by Eiceman et al [20] in which the experiment were performed with pulse laser ionization (266nm.8nsec pulse ) as the source the use of naphthalene and anthracene as high vapour pressure organic compounds[21].furtherly, same compounds were also studied another source of ionisation called 63Ni which are currently used in explosive detection[1].optimisation of ion mobility in achieving detection of ng for explosive so as to improve sensitivity by improving temperature of the spectrometer cell, high voltage pulse, applied electric field with appropriate resolution in order to obtain different features for various explosive species were carried out on the geometry spectrometer[21].Ion mobility spectrometry as also involved the use of various ionisation source such as electro-spray ionisation[46], thermal ionisation, corona spray and corona discharge ionisation[47, [48]],MALDI laser ionisation [48]. Based on the aspect of the high voltage (dc and pulsed) provided only very small current ( Researches also have shown the discovered of how IMS has been used in the detection of various explosives [22] after the incident in 1985, JUNE 23, when the Canadian government initiated a trace detector which was as a result of the airplane crash that killed 329 people blown up at 31000 feet at the Atlantic ocean, although in 1987 the government developed a high speed detector that use ion mobility spectrometry to detect explosives [14].There is also an increase in the publication of IMS over the past few years and till current date which shows interest in the technique and in its development [29 ] Table 1: history in the Development on IMS 2.3 Application Area of ion mobility Based on the development in ims is the ability to couple ims with other analytical techniques inorder to improve it detection ability The use of IMS as a detection can be for explosive such as 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene(TNT) ,2,4-Dihydro-5-nitro-3H-1,2,4-triazol-3-one (NTO), Pentaerythritol Tetrenitrate (PETN) which are detected at in positive polarity in air at temperature of 150 to 250 degrees[12].Cases where the it required to resolve explosive compounds that are available in the presence of Interferents ,IMS is regarded as a valuable technique when coupled with Gas chromatography[13]. IMS aid in the classification of explosive compounds which is usually by the use of Laser ION Mobility Spectrometry and the process is usually done with the transfer of the ion with Photo-ionised Naphthalene in ambient air and the wavelength of the laser is usually fixed(266nm).Common explosive are GE ,vapour TRACERS ,Smith Sabre 4000 and Russian built M0-2M and M0-8 although companies are coming up with non-radioactive ionisation procedures for IMS in the detection of explosive trace for instances Bruker â€Å"DE-detector including implant services†QS-B220 which can be referred to as the next Innovation of IMS[9]. PRINCIPLE OF IMS IN DETECTION OF EXPLOSIVES THE DIAGRAM OF IMS [45]

Wednesday, November 13, 2019

Drunken Mother :: essays research papers

A Drunken Mother, wow where do I start. This book really gets one to thinking of what it was and, in some cases is like to be a woman. This book was one of which I would never even think to read just cause of the title. The title to me suggests that it is a book by a woman for a woman and is written in a way for mothers to understand. But in fact it’s the opposite it written in a way for all to see the trials her life. Nancy starts off by learning that then man in the house is boss at an early age. Her mother plays a role of big time neglect and spends most of her time out doing other things such as drinking. At an early age she learned that the man of the house was the boss and what he said goes. It was at this time that she began to fall into the â€Å"female role† of doing things the way they were suppose to be done. She also realized that Doctor John was not going to see things her way and that what he wanted was to be. This young female does all that she can to be successful with skating and what does Doc John do he tries to take it away. The more and more I read the more I wanted to read just because it is a true story and it was a story about the past, not to say that it does not happen now. But I’m into history and study of relationship, how they start, finish, grow, and wither. But getting back to the story I found it very interesting that Nancy tries so hard to make things work that she gives up her goals and inspirations in life just to leave one man with problems just for a chance to be better off and herself. As I was reading into the story I imaged every sentence of every page into a movie and was doing in my own little world in my room trying to block out the constant hum of my computer, ticking of my wall clock and every so often my suitemate checking on me to see if I was finish reading. Why was my suitemate checking on me because he wanted me to join him and another friend in drinking while we watched the Boston Celtics play.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Internal public relations action plan Essay

Introduction In the fierce competition like happens in the automobile industry, automobile manufacturers are to take strategic decisions in order to ensure that their automobile products match exactly their customers’ needs. This is true as we can learn from several well-known automobile manufacturers, especially high-end ones; that their excellent financial achievement is the result of prolonged customer-oriented strategy that company has implemented for years and also the outcome of customers’ intimacy or retention. The situation suggests that in order to succeed in competition, automobile manufacturers need to develop customer-oriented marketing in order to win customers’ hearts, generate more revenue, and expectedly gain bigger profits. To generate revenue or sales, a company needs to communicate any plans, programs, or events to customers so that they are aware of the company’s program. However, it often happens a misunderstanding when customers complain to a company’s officer regarding a program due to lack of knowledge of the running program or offering. Therefore, communications of products, program, or offering do not only address external entities (customers, dealers, retailers) but also internal entities (employees like security officers, back office people and many others). Concerning the many faces of communication activities, this paper will present a internal public relations plan for products of Burt’s Bees Inc. Prior to providing details of the action plan for Burt’s Bees; I will discuss the elements of creating the communication and the company’s background to obtain the insight about the nature of the company’s business. 2. Communications Plan In order to reach optimum results in marketing a company’s products, the corporation should take into consideration a fundamental procedure of successful communication plan that is developing and implementing a communication plan. This is imperative since customers (external entities) and employees (internal entities) need to be informed about what a company offers to customers. Basically, a communication plan provides complete tools for a company to conduct actions that will support efforts necessary to implement the company communication strategy. In addition, the communication plan also helps the company to reach and understand the target audiences while finding the best approaches to engage them into endless business deals. This is imperative since communicating products to internal executives may be much different from that to employees or customers. For example, internal executives like chief executive officer (CEO) or chief financial officer (CFO) may be interested in seeing revenue and profit that are generated by a program. Meanwhile, customers may be interested in knowing the benefits of the program and pricing plan. Regardless the audiences of internal public relation action plan, generally, it composes of five items; they are Issues, Action, Accountability, Delivery Date, Measurement/Quality Control, and Communication medium. 3. Background of Burt’s Bees Inc. Burt’s Bees was established in 1984 and reside in the cyber world at http://www. burtsbees. com/. The company’s objective is to be a company that manufactures environmentally-friendly products. Roxanne Quimby and a beekeeper named Burt Shavitz are two people behind the birth of Burt’s Bees Inc. The company’s first line products include candles and lip balm, which are made from beeswax and other natural ingredients (â€Å"Burt’s Bees, Inc. Company Profile,† 2005).

Friday, November 8, 2019

declaration of independance essays

declaration of independance essays There are many abstractions in the Declaration of Independence. These abstractions such as: rights, freedom, liberty and happiness have become the foundations of American society and have helped to shape the "American Identity." Power, another abstraction that reoccurs in all the major parts of the Declaration of Independence plays an equally important role in shaping "America identity." One forgets the abstraction of power, because it appears in relation to other institutions: the legislature, the King, the earth, and the military. The abstraction of power sets the tone of the Declaration, and shapes the colonists conception of government and society. Power in the Declaration of Independence flows from distinct bodies within society such as the King, the legislature, the military, The Oxford English Dictionary defines power as, "the ability to do or effect something or anything, or to act upon a person or thing" (OED 2536). Throughout the ages according to the dictionary the word power has connoted similar meanings. In 1470 the word power meant to have strength and the ability to do something, "With all thair strang *poweir" (OED 2536) Nearly three hundred years later in 1785 the word power carried the same meaning of control, strength, and force, "power to produce an effect, supposes power not to produce it; otherwise it is not power but necessity" (OED 2536). This definition explains how the power government or social institutions rests in their ability to command people, rocks, colonies to do something they otherwise would not do. To make the people pay taxes. To make the rocks form into a fence. To make the colonists honor the King. The colonialists adopt this interpretation of power. They see power as a cruel force that has wedded them to a King who has "a history of repeated injuries and usurptions." The framers of the Declaration of ...

Wednesday, November 6, 2019

About our research paper writing company Essays

About our research paper writing company Essays About our research paper writing company Essay About our research paper writing company Essay Meet our research paper writing company. First and foremost, we would like to thank you for visiting this site. If you are looking for a custom research paper company that will never let you down, rest assured that you have found the one. We were incorporated in early 2008. Ever since our incorporation, we have been offering custom research paper writing services mainly to students from the United States, and other English speaking countries including Canada and Australia. Currently, we have a customer satisfaction rate of 90 percent. We admit that we are not perfect and that is why the satisfaction rate is not 100 percent. Many companies that appear on the market would like to get as many customers as they could. Often to get more customers they over praise themselves and this also may lead to dubious actions. People understand that nothing in this world perfect and when company represents itself only from the good side in looks very suspicious. If you want to run a business you have to be honest to yourself and when you realize your weakness it gives you a space for improvement. As we all know everything is relative and knowing you are the best or what kind of problems you actually have based on comparison of companies in specific industry. Most of all we want to satisfy our customers and leave a trail of a company with an excellent reputation and that is why we always follow our competitors to make sure we do our best. However, no matter how good you are there will always be something your competitors are better than you. Despite this gap, which we are always trying to fill, we have several qualities which we are sure you may be interested in knowing. We would like to bring to your attention the fact that we have a team of multitalented research paper writers. Our professional writers are the main investment of our company and we are very proud of the people who work in our team. We do understand that people make the positive reputation of our company so there is always kindly atmosphere between our professionals and the customers they serve. That is why our workers stay in a good mood and that helps them to provide you with the best research papers. We know, and you will agree with us, that research paper writing can be an uphill task; it is simply not a walk in the park. Despite the challenging nature of research paper, we ask you not to despair. We have our custom research paper writers who have excellent academic qualifications and expansive experience. While research paper is not an easy task we understand that it is not an amateurs business and only a true professional can provide our customers with top research paper in concise terms. We always make sure that you receive your research paper long before your deadline day so you could be confident your order will match all your demands. This is a team that you can truly rely on for your custom research paper needs. You may also want to note that we have excellent customer support service. Whether you want to order or make an enquiry, you need not worry about it. Our support team, which is made up of friendly members, will be there to assist you. You do not need to wait long hours to have an opportunity to speak to our customer support service; we have an excellent reply time all day long. Our customer support service can hear the customer and we always understand what is required from us. That conversation between support service expert and our customer is done in a kindly manner and we dont want to offend any of our customers. We understand that if you contact our customer support service you have a problem that has to be solved and it becomes a priority for us. Your paper work is literally your future and we receive your orders with all responsibility as a service provider. We are sure that if anyone would mind to rate customer services offered by custom research paper companies our company would appear top. These are just some of the benefits that you enjoy after choosing us. Trust us with your custom research paper order and you will not regret it.

Monday, November 4, 2019

SWOT Analysis of Shellys Business Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

SWOT Analysis of Shellys Business - Case Study Example Thus, it is true for the people who want to live their dreams and want to rule their own creative world. Clicking few pictures are a negligible part of a photographer’s life, professionalism comes with the thought of creating their own business. There are numerous aspects that need to be addressed when one is looking for setting a successful photography business. It forms a highly competitive market where every individual can own a camera and call themselves photographers. However, it depends on the credibility and acumen of the individual to make themselves different from the others (â€Å"Life through a Lens: How to Start a Successful Photography Business†). Conrad’s Photographer’s Supplies is situated in north end of Winnipeg in Canada. The owner of the business, Shelly Conrad is a photographer who has the desire to devote her time to professional photography by selling the business to the Bingley couple. ... Situation Analysis Shelly’s photography business has been doing well in the Canadian market since inception. Irrespective of that the owner is eager to sell the business so that she can continue her career as a professional photographer. She is willing to sell the business to Bingleys, who are interested to start a photography business. The Bingleys are quite impressed with the operation of Shelly’s business. They are happy with the type of equipments and fixtures that are owned by Shelly. But a SWOT analysis of the business will help the Bingleys to take the decision of purchasing the business from Shelly effectively. SWOT Analysis of Shelly’s business SWOT analysis is conducted in order to identify the state of the business. Strength The main strength of Conrad’s Photographer’s Supplies is the customer base. Shelly, the owner of the business has maintained a good relation with the customers so they naturally trust her with their photographs. The b usiness has got well acquainted in the community. Weakness The main weakness of the business is that it is taking much more time to run than expected by the owner. Thus, the business needs new improved ways for attracting customers. The business is operating from a shop which is taken in lease for three years. After the purchase of the business, if it fails to perform then the burden of the lease will be a problem for the Bingleys. Opportunity More and more people are getting into the photography profession which is making it more competitive with time. With the inception of digital cameras, the industry is expanding at a remarkable rate. Thus, there is opportunity for Conrad’s

Friday, November 1, 2019

Referee Report for investment class Research Paper

Referee Report for investment class - Research Paper Example I have stated in the comments below are some other issue I would like the author to address. Basing on my analysis, I cannot recommend this paper until it undergoes major revisions by the author to address its shortcomings. I believe with major revisions the paper can make enough a contribution to warrant its publication in the Journal of Banking and Finance. I thank you for the opportunity to review this paper for the Journal and I am always happy to provide referee support. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or need further clarification Sincerely A Comment on Enduring Effects of Demography on Retirement Planning Background Literature and Hypothesis Development The author has made some good efforts to establish the rising effects of demography as attributed to the entry of the baby-boom. But while I appreciate the work I would like to raise concerns after careful scrutiny to give you the totality of your presentation. In the opening paragraph, the author fails to point out the great impact demography has on stock prices. The author should have pointed out the standing issues of demography in quantitative terms in determining how important demographic factors are in relation to other factors that influence assets price. To flow the paper the author should have added the supporting factors in table 1 and 2 to make a good case. In the same paragraph the author needs to state the reasons as to why demography attracts a lot of attention in the financial press and what the link is between the age structure of the population, the asset price and the demand for the asset. Data and variables The author’s analysis conducted independently was one, to outline the various demographic effects where the variables- financial and macroeconomics- were still linked to stock returns and two, it was meant to look at how are the financial and macroeconomics indicators varying stock returns as compared to the various demographics. I identified some impo rtant variables such as retirement age that was left out in the research and this could lead to wrong projections when stating the effects and size of demographics been investigated. The author aside from retirement age could also focus on other factors such as the number of stock market and the series of effect on multivariable regression on equity prices. In spite of the standard pinpoints and careful specification in regression, some constraints of the scrutiny remain. I did not see the selection criteria of the variables which the author mentions in this section. What signify the facet of the economy that happen to be vital and makes the stock market move thus influence the demographic variables which in return affects stock returns. I find that the author has a dwarf measurement on table 3 and this data could mislead the public on retirement performance if used as a source. The short measurement is about the horizons used to determine an investment choice that yields the best r eturns as drawn in table three. The author needs to explain the source of primary data used in the table to clearly differentiate between corporate bonds and government bonds. Demography and Asset Valuation I find the analysis of the impact of demographics and microeconomics and financial factors on

Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Gay Marriage Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Gay Marriage - Research Paper Example It also questions various ethical, social, cultural, and in fact, physical or naturally-occurring norms. In the longer run, these problems and conceptual disagreement may pose great negative impacts on the generations to come. The cynical effects of allowing gay marriages are so diverse that it will not be appropriate to overlook them. This paper is an attempt to unveil those significant matters, conceptual deviations and complications that this issue entails. To derive a fair conclusion, the thesis will be evaluated on numerous notable aspects affiliated with homosexuality. Gay marriage is an unnatural union: Michael Levin, a renowned author and professor of psychology at City University of New York, stated that â€Å"Homosexual activists are partial to genetic explanations and hostile to Freudian environmentalism† (Levin 235). The point cannot be denied that the relationship shared by gays is unnatural and defies the laws of nature to procreate, which produces profound impac t on their family and a question mark on socially accepted gender roles. Gay Marriage refers to the union of two homosexual males who are unsure about their sexual orientation and decide to receive social acceptance for their relationship through a legal agreement. The unsettlement or uncertainty of their sexual orientation is caused by numerous factors such as biological, but societal interferences and early-childhood experiences greatly influence a person's sexual preferences afterwards. Hence, it can be stated that not all homosexuals are born with this sort of inclination, and it is not always genetic. (Barlow and Durand 351) Furthermore, even if it is genetic, it is curable through modern therapeutic techniques. â€Å"Clinicians evidently agree that it is possible for a person to be homosexual at one period of his life and heterosexual at another," revealed Levin (235). What makes the homosexual urge unnatural is that procreation is the main task God created mankind for, and o nly that process can be termed as natural which functions the way it has been designed for (McDowell 1201). If homosexuality prevails, encouraged and promoted in society, then the very essence of life gets betrayed, and the world will be exempt of life in no time. Moreover, homosexuality cannot be included in the natural category since it upholds personal pleasure, and homosexuals can be referred to as people caring less about society and only about their satisfaction. Patrick Buchanan rightly proclaims that â€Å"the poor homosexuals- they have declared war upon nature, and now nature is exacting an awful retribution† (Wells 259). Moreover, unlike lesbians, gays cannot even utilize artificial methods for the sake of procreation. Ryan Normandin, editor of The Tech, researched about this aspect and concluded that â€Å"Same-sex couples are unable to procreate, meaning that there is no compelling interest to subsidize their marriages† (5). There is an important point for governments to understand in this statement. That is, when supporters of homosexuality propagate that attainment of â€Å"enhanced happiness† should be the central focus of allowing gay marriage; it gives rise to the debate on subsidizing everything that promotes happiness. It can be anything, from a simple item like chocolate to human-pet marriage, incest, abortion or even brother-sister marriage. Homosexuality is a psychological

Monday, October 28, 2019

Videogames Persuasive Speech Essay Example for Free

Videogames Persuasive Speech Essay SAT Scores You can send your SAT scores to CSUMentor by using the SAT institution code 3594. Listing 3594 will send your score to all CSU campuses for one price. CSUMentor will then store your scores for ALL CSU campuses to utilize. If you have not yet sent your scores to either a CSU campus or to CSUMentor, you can request this at www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/reg.html. ACT Scores| You have no ACT Scores reported to CSUMentor| If you took an ACT Test not listed above, your scores from that test date were not reported to CSUMentor or were reported using different identifying information. To request such scores to be reported, you will need to request an Additional Score Report from ACT.| Transfer applicants: You are not required to supply SAT or ACT information if you will have 60 or more transferrable college semester units (90 or more quarter units). I certify under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of California that I have provided complete and accurate responses to all the items on this application. I further certify all official documents submitted in support of this application are authentic and unaltered records that pertain to me. I authorize the California State University to release any information submitted by me in this application for admission and any application for financial aid to any person, firm, corporation, association, or government agency to verify or explain the information I have provided to obtain other information necessary for my application for admission and any application for administration of financial aid and in connection with perjury proceedings. My signature certifies the accuracy and completeness of the information provided. I understand that any misrepresentation or omission may be cause for denial or cancellation of admission, transfer credit, or enrollment. I certify that so long as I am a student at this institution, I will advise the residence clerk if there is a change in any of the facts affecting my residence.

Saturday, October 26, 2019

Does Life Have a Meaning? Essays -- Philosophy Philosophical Essays

Does Life Have a Meaning? Life, it might be argued, is the distinguishing feature of all organisms and may most usefully be thought of as involving various kinds of complex systems of organization providing individual organisms with the ability to make use of those energy sources available to them for both self maintenance and reproduction. Underlying this deceptively persuasive definition, however, lie those persistent traditional problems inherent in the search for an essential, distinctive substance characteristic of all forms of life. Additionally, as evolution theory makes clear, there is the problem of borderline instances, organisms of which it is not easy to say whether or not they may be defined as being alive. One such case is that of the virus. Viruses are the smallest, simplest living things, smaller than bacteria, and the cause of some of the deadliest diseases known to humanity. They are composed chiefly of nucleic acid wrapped in a coat of protein and are able to multiply only from within living cells. As with all other organisms, the virus depends for its ability to obtain energy and carry out the other processes necessary to sustain life, upon its stock of DNA, the hereditary material that makes up the genes, the "instructions" that determine the traits of every living organism. What is interesting about viruses, however, is that their genetic stock is very meagre indeed, so much so that reliance upon it alone cannot enable them to survive. Nonetheless, viruses do persist from one generation to the next, as if they were alive. How this is managed, as it clearly is in both plants, animals and human beings, bears importantly upon the ways in which "life", at least in the case of viruses, may legitimately b... ... our ability not only to understand our human limitations, but also to appreciate their unimportance in our situation: "If sub specie aeternitatis there is no reason to believe that anything matters, then that doesn't matter either, and we can approach our absurd lives with irony instead of heroism or despair." Bibliography: Brian, Denis Einstein: A Life John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1996 Hanfling, Oswald (ed.) Life and Meaning: A Reader Blackwell F, Open University, 1987 Mill, John Stuart Utilitarianism Dent Dutton (Everyman), 1962 Plato Gorgias trans. Hamilton, W., Penguin, 1960 Russell, Bertrand History of Western Philosophy Allen and Unwin, 1962 Works consulted following initial assessment of essay: Murdoch, Iris The Sovereignty of Good Routledge, 1991 Nagel, Thomas The Possibility of Altruism Princeton Paperback, 1978 Does Life Have a Meaning? Essays -- Philosophy Philosophical Essays Does Life Have a Meaning? Life, it might be argued, is the distinguishing feature of all organisms and may most usefully be thought of as involving various kinds of complex systems of organization providing individual organisms with the ability to make use of those energy sources available to them for both self maintenance and reproduction. Underlying this deceptively persuasive definition, however, lie those persistent traditional problems inherent in the search for an essential, distinctive substance characteristic of all forms of life. Additionally, as evolution theory makes clear, there is the problem of borderline instances, organisms of which it is not easy to say whether or not they may be defined as being alive. One such case is that of the virus. Viruses are the smallest, simplest living things, smaller than bacteria, and the cause of some of the deadliest diseases known to humanity. They are composed chiefly of nucleic acid wrapped in a coat of protein and are able to multiply only from within living cells. As with all other organisms, the virus depends for its ability to obtain energy and carry out the other processes necessary to sustain life, upon its stock of DNA, the hereditary material that makes up the genes, the "instructions" that determine the traits of every living organism. What is interesting about viruses, however, is that their genetic stock is very meagre indeed, so much so that reliance upon it alone cannot enable them to survive. Nonetheless, viruses do persist from one generation to the next, as if they were alive. How this is managed, as it clearly is in both plants, animals and human beings, bears importantly upon the ways in which "life", at least in the case of viruses, may legitimately b... ... our ability not only to understand our human limitations, but also to appreciate their unimportance in our situation: "If sub specie aeternitatis there is no reason to believe that anything matters, then that doesn't matter either, and we can approach our absurd lives with irony instead of heroism or despair." Bibliography: Brian, Denis Einstein: A Life John Wiley and Sons, Inc., 1996 Hanfling, Oswald (ed.) Life and Meaning: A Reader Blackwell F, Open University, 1987 Mill, John Stuart Utilitarianism Dent Dutton (Everyman), 1962 Plato Gorgias trans. Hamilton, W., Penguin, 1960 Russell, Bertrand History of Western Philosophy Allen and Unwin, 1962 Works consulted following initial assessment of essay: Murdoch, Iris The Sovereignty of Good Routledge, 1991 Nagel, Thomas The Possibility of Altruism Princeton Paperback, 1978