Rational Decision-Making Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Rational Decision-Making Model - Essay Example According to the research findings, rational decision creation model is a cognitive progression which requires that each step must be followed in a logical manner and in an organized manner. The cognitive process of rational decision-making model requires thinking and evaluating the alternatives for attaining the best possible result. There are various rational models available all of which have various steps involved and the steps which are inter-related also differ in different models. Some people are of the opinion that rational decision creation is comparable to trouble solving. It is evident that some resolutions are not dilemma oriented and does require telling the common delineation of a rational representation. Rational decision making is considered a multi-step procedure which requires logical and sound decisions to be made executed in an orderly manner starting from problem initiation through a solution. The entire process starts with a formulation of goal, identification o f criteria for decision making and then working on the alternatives for making analysis and making the finalized decision. The other area of rational decision-making model requires management to make some vital assumptions about a particular decision. Hence it requires that the person should have complete and precise information available about the selected preference which has been made. Moreover, the person should have cognitive ability and time for weighing every choice available to them which will allow them in making an efficient decision. However, it can be asserted that rational decision making is completely designed using scientifically collected data which allows making informed decision making. Once the data is carefully selected and analyzed it helps in reducing the chances of errors and misrepresentation. The assumptions and conjecture combined with subjectivity are all considered as the leading causes for poor and inequitable judgments. The biggest advantage is that inf ormation and knowledge are all based on performance which must be consistent, reliable and of high quality. It helps greatly in reducing risks and uncertainties associated with the concerned resolution. The rational decision-making model instills a proper strategy for making decisions which must be disciplined, consistent and logical in manner. As it is a step by step methodology which requires that problem must be defined clearly before taking any decision and action. Once the problem is precisely defined and particular decisions are identified using weights.

International Monetary Economics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

International Monetary Economics - Essay Example One of the main fields of research which has attracted the attention of the researchers worldwide is the exchange rate and the trade balance relationship (Liew, Lim & Hussain, 2003, p.1). The elasticity model which is one of the most important models of balance of trade throws light on the prevalence of theoretical relationship between trade balance and rates of exchange of a nation (Stucka, 2004, p.22). There are a number of ways in which exchange rates can influence the trade balance of nations which provides valuable inputs to the nation’s policy makers to undertake exchange rate policies like devaluation policies etc in order to being about balance in the nation’s foreign trade. Devaluation increases the prices of foreign currencies making imports more expensive in the home nation till the foreign suppliers reduce their prices in order to compensate (International monetary economics-a, n.d., p.4). The reason why countries devaluates is to attain a competitive positi on in comparison to its competitors through the reduction of prices of goods produced domestically below the level which is compatible with the purchasing power parity (International monetary economics-b, n.d., p.5). ... This would be followed by a critical analysis through the presentation of a critical literature on the above aspects through which it tries to present the impacts of exchange rates adjustments on the balance of payments of nations. The monetary approach This approach is based on the fact that the disequilibrium in the balance of payments is based on the monetary disequilibrium which is the difference between the amount of money that individuals want to hold and the amount of money that the monetary authorities supply. In case the people want to hold more money, which exceeds the amount supplied by the Central Bank, then this would be met by a greater money inflow from abroad (Malik, 2006, p.2). The elasticity approach As per the views of Marshall, trade deficits lead to devaluation. Exports become more attractive in other nations. On the other hand the imports are made costlier in the domestic nation and this leads to the squeezing of the import bills. Trade deficits are thus elimina ted in the process (Sharan, 2011, p.121). The traditional approach The traditional approach deals more with the current account or the trade balance of nations. However, the approach does not consider the other components of the international accounts other than the current account. The balance of payments goes up along with the current account. However, since 1960s and the 1970s the traditional views have changed after studies emphasizing on factors determining the capital account flows (Arize, 2000, p.35). Critical Analysis Previous research reveals the importance of exchange rate fluctuations as a tool for international monetary regime. The comparison for seven of the largest non

The Importance Of Imaginary Places

The Importance Of Imaginary Places Id like to begin my essay from one quotation that helped me to understand the main direction of this work discussion. This quotation explains the main content of the notion imaginary places and their meaning for people. Lets look at it attentively and analyze how the World Trade Center site in New York City is now an imaginary place. Leonard Mcclure stated that Such sites are, of course, actual places. We can go there today, stand, look, and know we are in the place. Yet, at the same time, these actual places are mythic because they embody meanings far beyond the scope of the events that happened and even beyond the limits of the physical locations themselves. In that sense, they are imaginary places. (Leonard Mcclure, 2003) I want to mention in this paragraph that such imaginary places are very important for 21st century Americans. In our consciousness the notion imaginary place can be interpret as a place that exists only in imagination, it can be imagination of one person or it can be imagination of group of people, who are interested in one problem or question; also imaginary place is a place said to exist in fictional or religious writings. In our case it is one taken website that reflects events that had a place in American society several years ago. The date of awful catastrophe will never be forgotten by people who lost there their relatives and I think that the whole country will never forget that tragedy. Saying about the World Trade Center (WTC) we can say that it was a complex in Lower Manhattan in New York City. In 2001 in the September 11 the World Trade Centers seven buildings were destroyed by terrorist attacks. The site is at present being rebuilt with six new skyscrapers and a memorial to the casualties of the terrorist attacks. Now this website considered an imaginary place that exists as a part of memory for people who know this place and for people who will never see beloved people. It will be very honest answer to say that people should remember their history and visiting imaginary places all people receive such possibility. Young people need to know how the place that they can see every day looked like several years ago and they should know its history. Old people can visit this place in their imagination and remember some events from their past life. Imaginary places are important part of todays life, because everyday we are looking for something new and sometimes even forget about historical places and people who were connected with these places. It is a good idea to create imaginary places and it is also a good idea of creation of imaginary communities. Im not promoting against real places and real communities, but in my opinion people should have a chance to talk about their memories with people with the same interest and our past is the wonderful base for our future success and happiness. Id like to talk about imaginary communities in this paragraph as a component connected with the notion imaginary places. Famous American researcher Benedict Anderson named nations the  «imaginary associations ».  «Imaginary » as their representatives, not knowing the most compatriots, even never meeting them; however feel the involvement to them. By other words,  «imaginary associations » exist in imagination of their members. Like imaginary places we cant visit in real life and touch to its things and ground where they based. Imagination is a really interesting notion, because it allows us to create something new and important, or unimportant, but pleasantà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ it depends from our necessities and wishes. Role of imagination in the process of creative cognition it is possible to define as one of methods of the use of present for a man knowledge. The functions of imagination are probed in-process on row procedures of scientific cognition: hypothesis, evident des ign, and mental experiment. The purpose of imagination is ability to create new appearances. It gives birth from necessities to correlate accessible to the man with that it is not given to him straight. It is understandable that for research of cognitive role of imagination it is necessary to find out its features. Complication of exposure of specific of imagination is conditioned that it closely interlaces with all types of cognition. This circumstance is reason of origin of tendency to the denial of existence of imagination as the special form of reflection. To decide this problem, it is necessary to expose actual nature of imagination. From all above stated determinations evidently, that the substantial sign of imagination is consider ability of subject to create new appearances. But it is not enough, because it is impossible then to conduct distinctions between imagination and thought. Creation of new knowledge and concepts in the field of logical thought can take place and with out participation of imagination. Thus, we should take into account circumstance that imagination is creation of new appearances, and transformation of past experience, and what transformation is accomplished at organic unity perceptible and rational. I think that imagination as a main aspect of imaginary places creation should be discussed with more details. We will consider specific forms of activity that is revealed in which perceptible reflection of reality, and also that role which execute feeling in the processes of forming of appearances. Very often feelings examined straight as valuable appearance of reality. Feelings primary appearances of certain properties of reality straight or indirectly join in forming of all (including generalized) mental appearances. Imagination, creating evident appearances, absorbs in itself feelings. But at it imagination leans against their semantic moment. Therefore, imagination physiological does not depend on activity of sense-organs. Imagination is product of transformation foremost of functional descriptions reflections. Perception is appearance of object on the whole, in it already very full semantic descriptions of subjectivity open up. During perception a subject is able to construct whole complexes directly not these parameters of object. The elements of imagination find out itself in a perceptible reflection only then, when along with ability functionally to finish building appearances these objects ability of man to expose is clearly revealed on your own functional meaningfulness of the perceived objects and to do this meaningfulness by the article of the special consideration and special procedures. Circumstance that in perception of persons capable from data separate to finish building elements the failings sides of object, see unit at to the real availability only its parts, testifies to development of subjective and active descriptions of perceptible appearances. Complexity such appearances, included in them experience individual and collective there is a display of nascent imagination activity. Essence of imagination consists in that appearances of imagination are consciously produced by a man. Thus, by a basic line which distinguishes imagination from different forms of activity in a perceptible reflection, there is original realized by the subject of imagination of human (social, cultural and other) grounds of this activity. The outer world comes forward the financial base of process of imagination in everything riches of its relations, from which the new impressions are dipped out and new images are created. Imagination can be examined and as a process (form) and as a result of (table of contents) reflection of objective to reality. It executes functions: heuristic, anticipatory, practical, cognitive, aesthetic and others. Imagination is capable to transform the whole world without an exception. Imagination it one of capabilities man to product new images. By the feature of imagination as facilities transfer of knowledge from one area there is an original alloy on other perceptible and rational. Analyzing information about imagination as a form of our mind work we should emphasize that imagination is the specific reflection of reality and serves by the mean of its cognition. Activity of imagination necessarily flows in evident plan. It necessarily destroys a subject outside available situations, forms appearances, not having a direct original in to reality. Thus, based on our research data we can conclude that imaginary places allow people to be involved in imaginary activity and it also allows Americans to be involved in the history of their country, because it is necessary for all people remember what had happened in their country and I believe that such imaginary place also can help to avoid some catastrophes in future.

Language in Dante’s Inferno Essay -- Divine Comedy Inferno Essays

Language in Dante’s Inferno What happens to language in hell? In Dante’s Inferno, the journeying pilgrim explores language’s variations and nuances as he attempts to communicate with hell’s pitiable and sordid inhabitants, despite multiple language barriers and relentless cacophonies. Dante thematically unifies language’s inconsistencies in hell; that is, he associates the pilgrim’s abortive attempts to communicate with particular shades, and the incomprehensible languages and sounds that beleaguer him, with a symbol from Christian mythology: the Tower of Babel. Dante juxtaposes this Christian myth with Virgil’s symbolic association with elevated speech in the Inferno. Virgil functions as the pilgrim’s guide and poetic inspiration, and despite his position in hell as a pagan, Virgil still transmits divinely-inspired language to his pupil. Thus, notwithstanding his amorphous physicality as a shade in hell, Virgil represents lucidity and focused thought, which comf orts the pilgrim and provides a reprieve from hell’s dissonant sounds. Ultimately, the pilgrim’s relationship to language is multifarious: it enables the pilgrim to connect with Virgil and discover his place in the tradition of famous poets through divinely-inspired and intimate speech; yet, it isolates and horrifies him when it is incomprehensible, amplifying his individual suffering; thus, ultimately drawing him closer to his understanding of the shades’ own torture. Virgil’s enlightened language spawns partially from Beatrice, a divine inhabitant of heaven, who worries about the well-being of the pilgrim, and partially from his status in a long tradition of famous poets, beginning with Homer. Yet, despite Virgil’s association with enlightened and elevated ... ... His relationship to Virgil is enriched by their similar relationship to language as poets, and by the challenge of creating a poetic legacy on earth that counters the legacy of the tower of Babel in hell. Ultimately, the pilgrim’s desire reflects the reality of Dante’s own legacy, one that is immeasurably influential. Works Cited Alighieri, Dante. The Inferno. Vol 1. Trans. Robert M. Durling. New York: Oxford UP, 1996. Barolini, Teodolinda. Dante’s Poets: Textuality and Truth in the Comedy. Princeton: Princeton UP, 1984. Dronke, Peter. Dante and Medieval Latin Traditions. Cambridge: Cambridge UP, 1986. Durling, Robert M., Ronald L. Martinez. Notes. The Inferno. Vol 1. By Dante Alighieri. Trans. Robert M. Durling. New York: Oxford UP, 1996. Eco, Umberto. Art and Beauty in the Middle Ages. Trans. Hugh Bredin. New Haven, CT.: Yale UP, 1986.

Emotions Research and Theories

Emotion is a feeling that causes physical and psychological changes as well as, influence thought and behavior. Like motivation emotion is categorized into three separate categories: neurological, physiological, and cognitive. Emotionality is associated with a range of psychological phenomena including temperament, personality, mood, and motivation (Cherry, 2010). Emotion is both an intrinsic and extrinsic source of motivation. The emotions that we feel internally drive us like an instinct. Externally what we experience teaches us how to react in the future. The James-Lange theory was an early theory individually discovered by two scientists in the 20th century, William James and Carl Lange. The James-Lange theory states that emotions happen because of physiological reactions to events. For example; you are walking down the street and see a person who wronged you in the past; your teeth clench and you nostrils flare. The William-Lange theory proposes that you will interpret your physical reactions and conclude what emotion you feel. â€Å"My face tightened therefore I am angry. ) The Cannon- Bard theory sought to dispel the William-Lange theory and stated that we feel emotions and experience physiological reactions such as, trembling, sweating, and muscle tension simultaneously. Example- the toddler sees a doctor with a needle and is scared so she cries. The cognitive arousal theory focuses on the interaction between the two arousal and cognition. The first experiment for this theory was created by Schachter& Singer in 1962. This theory focuses on two dimensions of emotion the quality and intensity. They believed that emotion was produced with psychological arousal. When someone is aroused psychologically this can produce a variety of feelings. For example, anger, fear, happiness, anxiety, or sadness depending on the intensity some kind of action will be produced behind these emotions. For instance, a student that lives in a dorm room alone she is just watching television then suddenly hears a struggle to get her door open. Immediately she feels fear and anxiety her next action will be determine by the intensity of her emotions. The arousal in this case would be everything she is thinking is it a burglary, she can get hurt in the process, or is someone there to hurt her. The first thing she grabs is a knife and some mace her father gave her before leaving for college. Her second move would be to call 911. Therefore this scenario proves this theory is correct if there were not any psychological arousal there would not been any action (DeckersL. 2010). Category analysis is a way of analyzing emotion with the study of words associated with that emotion (Deckers, 2010). Category analysis assumes that the development of words happened to describe the emotional experiences of individuals (Deckers,2010), â€Å"in other words, the reason for words such as love, hate, sad, happy, afraid, and angry is because each labels a distinctly unique feeling in a particular situation† (Deckers, 2010. p. 317). These words exist because people have experienced a specific feeling and associated that word to that feeling. To understand the different ways a person express his or her emotions Johnson-Laird and Oatley did a study of 590 English words meanings to classify each word into an emotion category, and words with similar meanings are classified together (Deckers, 2010). One concern with their study was determining if a â€Å"word† used to describe a feeling was subjective. Though their research the results were; categories of five basic emotions, which are happiness, fear, sadness, disgust, and anger. Happiness, fear, sadness, disgust, and anger are words describe basic emotions (Deckers, 2010) Facial expressions are another research method used for uncover basic emotions. The thought in reference to facial expressions is that basic emotions have facial expressions is in accord with that emotion, such as a frown coincides with sadness (Deckers, 2010). Ekman and Izard reported, â€Å"If there is no distinctive facial expression, then the corresponding subjective state should not be considered an emotion facial expression† (Deckers, 2010, p. 18). Ekman along with Izard discovered that facial expressions together with emotions were precisely identifiable by people of differing cultures worldwide, which inspired Ekman’s proposal of the six basic emotions along with the matching facial expressions. The six basic emotions that have recognizable facial expressions are surprise, happiness, fear, sadness, disgust, and anger. The more dramatic the facial expression, the strong er the emotion is for the individual. Lopatovska and Arapakis (2010), â€Å"facial expressions, are the result of facial muscle contractions, which induce movements of the facial skin and temporary deformations of the facial features, such as eyebrows, nose, and mouth† (p. 5). For example, an individual usually expresses sadness through his or her eyes, eyebrows, and mouth regions. Ekman asserts that â€Å"in sadness, the inner corners of brows are drawn up, skin below the eyebrow is triangulated with the inner corner up, upper eyelid inner corner is raised, corners of lips are down or the lip is trembling† (as cited in Lopatovska & Arapakis, 2010, p. 5). Facial expressions are a channel for emotions associated with the effect of the emotions, and serve as a universal language, which enriches the interactions between humans. Many studies of Facial Feedback Hypothesis simply say facial expression is the emotional responds to a person’s emotional feelings. One does not cause the other, but both are in response to an emotion stimulus (Buck, 1984, 1985). Viewing cartoons evokes smiles, laughs, and feelings of amusement (Decker, 1994). Unpleasant scenes such as traffic accidents and ritual suicides however evoke facial expression indicating that the feelings induced are unpleasant (Zuckerman et al. 1981). All are affects from an emotional stimulus but one does not have an effect on the other. The more intensified the stimulus the more intensified the facial expression. For example, if you find something funny you may just smile but, the funnier the situation the smile will eventually turn into laughter. The Event-Appraisal-Emotion Sequence can be broken up into four different emotion-inducing situations: (1) different appraisal of different events can produce different emotions. 2) the same appraisal of different events can produce the same emotion (3) the outcome of the appraisal process elicits the involuntary unfolding of emotion (4) appraisal can happen both above and below the level of awareness (Deckers, 2005). This simple says that first an emotion is introduced. Then that emotion is predetermining which way it should go, either negative or positive. After the emotion determines which way to go it starts to see which personal scheme, attitudes, or need it wants to display. Last but not least the emotion is transformed in and affect which is a physiological response, expression, and or a behavior. In conclusion, emotion is something that we all have, some emotions are more noticeable than others and some are hidden, it can be physical and psychological, and influences behavior, emotions are a strong set of feelings that can change rapidly from person to person, emotions influence motivation and cause people to do what they do. There are many theories and hypothesis that try to explain emotion and try to understand why people feed off of three emotions.

Sales of Goods Act 1979

Under the Sales of Goods Act 1979 a company has to follow rules and regulations by law; this gives customers certain legal rights such as the right to return an item that may be faulty, if they want a refund or if they want to exchange the item for something else.All customers are entitled to goods that are:As described. Of satisfactory quality. Fit for the purpose.Companies have to abide by the rules and regulations of this law; for example if Tesco were to sell a product that was not of satisfactory quality and not as described this would affect their company as they may face a penalty and/or loose customers.The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008Some companies use misleading methods of advertisement and sales tactics to increase their sales of their products and/or services; therefore the law and rules for consumer protection from unfair trading regulations were implemented to stop companies from using misleading/unethical ways of advertisement. The law protec ts consumers from unfair trading practices, such as:Pressure selling. Misleading product offers. False limited offer notices. Aggressive sales tacticsThis law affects companies as they cannot use misleading ways of advertisement; for example if Tesco used unethical ways of advertising to mislead customers into buying a product of theirs it would be illegal with consequences such as penalties or getting a bad name for their company.Consumer Credit Acts 1974 and 2006The Consumer Credit Acts 1974 and 2006 gives consumers protection when purchasing goods and/or services on credit. If there is an error in the agreement during such purchases consumers will be able to seek legal help. Error during the sale of good and/or services can be prevented; the sales person by law must provide all the important information relating to the sale in order to prevent errors or the company can lose their license through the Office of Fair Trading.This law affects companies such as Tesco as they have to d isclose all important information relating to the sale of goods and/or services they offer and cannot leave out anything during the sale of the goods and/or services – failure to do so may result in them loosing their license through the Office of Fair Trading.Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) RegulationsThis act was implemented in order to protect consumers that purchase goods and/or services over the internet such as; VPN’s, file storage, merchandise and so on; when a consumer purchases such products or services it can be through the following ways:Email Fax Telephone Internet shopping Mail order.This law also protects consumers when getting into a contract with a distance company as they may not get what is expected of the company; customers were given such protection due to not being able to meet with or speak to the supplier/company face-to-face and being unable to see the goods they may be buying. This law effects companies that make long distance selling as they have to be very specific about goods and services they offer or the consumer could claim under the Consumer Protection Regulations for providing wrong or not ‘described as’ goods or services which could cost the company by having to make calls, courier charges to return and refund a customer or legal fees.For example if a company that sells their products online such as ASOS clothing were to show an image of how their product looks and when someone purchases it and it arrives but is different they will have to accept the items return by law if the customer request to return it as it was not as described – this affects ASOS as they have to pay courier charges to accept the returns and then refund the customer so it also becomes time consuming.Data Protection Act 1998The Data Protection Act 1998 is a law designed to protect the personal information of people and also to give people the right to know about information stored about them, however some organisati ons CAN withhold information and doesn’t have to disclose their reason if it is about :The prevention, detection or investigation of a crime. National security or the armed forces. The assessment or collection of tax. Judicial or ministerial appointments.The act controls how personal information about people is used by the government, organisations and businesses. The law does not just apply to government, organisations and businesses; everyone is who is responsible for the collection of personal data has to make sure it is: Used fairly and lawfully.Used for limited, specifically stated purposes. Used in a way that is adequate, relevant and not excessive. Kept for no longer than is absolutely necessary. Handled according to people’s data protection rights. Kept safe and secure. Not transferred outside the UK without adequate protection. However more protection must be used on information such as: The ethnic background of an individual. The religious beliefs of an indiv idual. The health of an individual. The criminal records of an individual.This would affect a company such as Tesco as they cannot just share information about their customers without their permission, which they would need to first obtain so this could become time consuming and cost the Tesco to contact each one of their customers to seek permission to share their information with their partners possibly.Voluntary constraintsCode of Advertising Practice and Advertising Standards Authority; Pressure groups and consumerism; Acceptable languageCode of Advertising Practice and Advertising Standards AuthorityThe ASA is the United Kingdom’s regulator across all advertisement throughout the United Kingdom, however they are a non-statutory organisation and they cannot enforce law on advertisements but their code of advertising practice usually is in line with legislation. The main objective of the ASA is to  make sure all advertisements are legal, decent (not explicit) and truthfu l by implementing their code of advertising practice for companies that make adverts to display their products and services – eg a company cannot make a broadband advert saying you will get this speed when you actually won’t as that would be misleading to consumers.This affects companies such as BT broadband in multiple ways as they cannot just make adverts where they say this is what you’re going to get without being able to back up their advert with evidence or inform consumers that for example speeds may differ depending on areas when advertising broadband.For example if a company such as BT broadband were to make an misleading advertisement about their broadband and it was misleading as it didn’t match their description provided, they would loose customers and also get a bad reputation with people and the ASA.Pressure groups and consumerismPressure groups are known as an ‘interest groups’ or lobby and are an organised group of like-minded individuals that seek to influence government legislation and public policy regarding concerns and priorities they may have; this could be :To promote an interest. To voice consumer concerns. To push for broad policies – e.g. environmental protection.This can affect companies, public policy and government as pressure groups are able to put immense pressure on them if they aren’t happy with their policies, legislations or for a company the way they operate or even treat their customers/staff and so on. Therefore, companies and governments could come under immense pressure to make changes if a pressure group believes there should be changes.For example when Tesco mislead customers into buying horse meat which they  told their customers was chicken, it lead to pressure groups telling people to shop somewhere else instead – this would affect Tesco as they would be loosing customers.Acceptable languageIn companies all staff should use appropriate language no matte r what their audience may be, this could be when making a commercial for T.V, speaking to customers or colleagues; appropriate language could be byAvoiding slang when speaking. Avoiding biased or derogatory comments – e.g. jokes or comments that perpetuate negative stereotypes as this could be found offensive. Being polite – being polite in business is very important as it can build up better relationships between co-workers, colleagues and customers which will be good for business.Failure to use appropriate language in advertisements or by colleagues may reflect against the company giving it a bad image/name and also could create a loss of customers or even the possibility of fines if they offend anyone.For example if Tesco made a T.V commercial that had foul language it would affect their business as it would be unprofessional of them and lead to them getting a bad name for their business; it could also cause them to loose customers as some may find a advert with fou l language offensive.

American Gods - Character essays

American Gods - Character essays The main character of American Gods, Shadow, is first introduced while he is in prison. He is described as a large quiet man of an unknown race. The audience is not given details of his features, or insight into the inner workings of his mind. After he is released from prison, he starts out on a pre-destined path that whisks him across the nation in preparation for a war of the gods. Through all of the unexplainable, he watches and says nothing. He rarely questions the actuality of events he witnesses, and never tries to run from the adventures. There are only a few times the audience is allowed to see that Shadow is somewhat bitter about all that he has seen. Shadow himself admits that he is numb to life after becoming aware his wife was unfaithful, anyway nothings really surprised me since Laura...since I learned she was screwing Robbie...that one hurt...everything else just sits on the surface (344). Neil Gaiman intentionally does not describe Shadow very much. He uses Shadows vagueness to draw the reader in, and help them relate to the main character. When Shadow takes on the character of Mike Ainsel, he expresses his pleasure at being able to put his past behind him for a brief moment, Mike Ainsel had none of the problems that Shadow had...Ainsel had never been married...Mike Ainsel had never been interrogated on a freight train by Mr. Wood and Mr. Stone...televisions did not speak to Mike Ainsel (270). This is one of the only times the audience is made aware that part of Shadow is angry for the problems he has fallen into. For the most part, Shadow appears to be willing to follow along behind Wednesday. It does seem Shadow does not believe all of it at first. The buffalo man comes to Shadow in a dream and asks him if he believes yet, and Shadow says he does not know. Shadow asks the buffalo man if he is real, and the buffalo man has a one word answer, belie...

6C0X1 CDC Set A Essays

6C0X1 CDC Set A Essays 6C0X1 CDC Set A Paper 6C0X1 CDC Set A Paper What act simplified the procurement of any item estimated at less than $100,000 and addedthe micro-purchase threshold of $2,500? a. Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act. What agencys objective is to provide aid and counseling to small businesses? Small Business Administration. When a government contract is ambiguous, interpretation is normally construes against the government If the government official clarifies an ambiguous contract, the contractor is entitled to rely on the clarification Which is a correct statement concerning sovereign power? It is the supreme, absolute, and uncontrollable power by which any independent state isgoverned. The elements of the government;s dual capacity are proprietary and sovereign. As a general rule, what is the government;s status as a party to a contract? The government has a dual capacity;;that of a party to the contract and as a sovereign. On which type contract can the government be sued? Implied-in-fact and expressed. The government cannot be sued on a claim brought on which type contract? Implied-in-law. State law is generally not applied in federal procurement cases since state courts have no jurisdiction to decide matters of federal procurement. In the principal-agent relationship, which party acts on behalf of another party? Agent Which party is the contractor? Third Party Which party is the contractor? Express and implied. Express actual authority is created by explicit language in writing or orally from the principal to the agent. Which is characteristic of implied authority? It is necessary or incidental to carrying out the express authority. When government personnel make a mistake, the US Supreme Court has stated that rather than adopt a rule that might injure the public, it is better for an individual to occasionally suffer from the mistakes. Who is responsible for ascertaining whether government agents are acting within the bounds of their authority? The contractor. Estoppel means to restrain a person to prevent him from contradicting his own previous assertion. When selecting contracting officers (CO), what does the appointing authority consider? Complexity and dollar value of the acquisition. A contracting officer (CO) appointment must be reviewed at least every five years. Which statement is true concerning the contracting officer;s (CO) appointment or termination? In no event will the termination of a contracting officer (CO) be retroactive. What occurs when someone other than the contracting officer (CO) tries to make an agreement without the authority? Unauthorized commitment. What action may be taken for a nonratifiable commitment? Resolution by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) claim procedures. For a contract to be enforceable, its terms must be clear enough to permit the courts to interpret the duties and obligations to be performed by either party. When no time is stated, how long will an offer continue? Until the expiration of a reasonable time. An offeror;s withdrawal of an offer before acceptance is called a revocation. Which of these is an example of rejecting an offer? Proposing a counter offer. Which statement is true concerning communicating acceptance of a contract? If the time, place, and means of communication are expressed by the offeror, no other time, place, or means will constitute an acceptance. The term ;mutual assent; indicates the parties involved intend that a contract be formed. What is the name given to the exchange of promises? Consideration. What is meant by adequate consideration? The consideration in the exchange is a fair bargain. A promise to do something that one is not legally bound to do constitutes a detriment. Which individual would be considered competent to enter into a contract? A 23-year-old car salesperson. If the competency of a corporation is drawn into question, the contracting officer (CO) should call the Secretary of state where the contractor resides, does business, or is incorporated. As a general rule, a contract that violates a statute is unlawful and void and will not be enforced. Which statement most closely defines categories of contracts that are unenforceable as against public policy? Contracts that go against the common sense conscience of the community. Which position is responsible for managing the socio-economic and other public policy programs? Director of business programs. Which is not a function of the contracting superintendent? Appointment of contracting officers (CO). Why should contracting officer (CO) authority be discussed in every customer education training session? All of the above. To promote and provide for the acquisition of commercial items and to promote full and open competition to the maximum extent possible, contracting officers (CO) must perform acquisition planning and conduct market research. Which organization contains the Defense Acquisition Regulation Council (DAR Council) director? Secretary of Defense. What is meant by implementing the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR)? Providing agency procedures to carry out the prescriptions in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR). By whose order is the Air Force Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (AFFARS) issued? Office of the Secretary of the Air Force. In determining the action to take in a specific case requiring a contract adjustment, the Comptroller General Decisions are referred to and used as precedents. What is the definition of a classified contract? Any contract that requires, or may require, access to classified information by the contractor in the performance of the contract. The requirements of the Defense Industrial Security Program (DISP) would apply to which of the following contracts? Classified. The major determining factor in deciding if information qualifies as contractor bid or proposal information or source selection information is that it contains information that has not previously been made available to the public. Which of these is not an example of contractor bid or proposal information? Cost or technical evaluation of proposals. How is source selection information marked? Mark the cover and each page containing information ;Source Selection Information-See FAR 3.104.; Services of a type offered and sold competitively in substantial quantities in the commercial marketplace for tasks performed under standard commercial terms and conditions can be considered commercial items if they are based on established catalog or market prices for specific tasks performed. For acquisitions estimated below the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), market research must be done when adequate information is not available and the circumstances justify the cost. Simplified acquisition procedures (SAP) may be used for the acquisition of commercial itemsup to a maximum of $5,000,000. What factors affect the amount of market research conducted? Urgency, complexity, estimated dollar value, and past experience. If you determine that the requirement in a purchase request meets the definition of a commercial item and the item is customarily available in the commercial marketplace, what part of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) should you consult for procedures for the solicitation and award? 12 The contracting officer (CO) must always ensure the final description in a purchase request specifies needs using market research in a manner designed to do all of the following except include restrictive provisions or conditions. Who is responsible for the final description of need used in a solicitation? Contracting officer. Supplies and services identified in a purchase request must be stated in terms of functions to be performed, performance required, or essential physical characteristics. All of the following should be included in a ;brand name or equal; purchase description except a request for bid samples of brand name specified. What requirement may be used in place of ;minimum needs of the government; to get the best value for your customer and increase competition? Performance target. Unnecessarily short or difficult delivery schedules tend to restrict competition. The government may recoup some or all of its probable damages caused by delayed delivery or performance of the contractor by invoking the liquidated damages clause. FAR Subpart 4.8 establishes procedures for maintaining contract files to ensure uniformity from one activity to another. Why is this important? Ensure all documents regarding contract actions are kept in conformance with agency regulations for file location and maintenance. Which types of copies of contractual instruments can become part of the official contract file? Original, authenticated copies, and conformed copies. What type of contracting instrument would have the letter ;M; in the ninth position of the procurement instrument identification number (PIIN)? Manual purchase order. What should be done with documents that are attached to the purchase request? Review them to ensure they contain all information required for the acquisition. Which of the following may not be used to develop an independent government cost estimate? Quote developed for the customer by a commercial market vendor. Why must any special packaging, marking, or preservation requirements be included in a customer;s purchase request? So appropriate instructions and applicable provisions and clauses may be included in a solicitation. A special form of written approval by an authorized official that is required by statute or regulation as a prerequisite to taking certain contracting actions is known as a determination and finding. Each determination and finding shall set forth enough facts and circumstances to clearly and convincingly justify the specific determination made. The approval granted by a determination and finding is restricted to proposed contract actions described in that determination and finding. What is the first required source of services for federal agencies? JWOD participating nonprofit agencies. General Services Administration (GSA), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), and the Veterans Affairs (VA) are all examples of what type of supply source? Wholesale. One of the biggest advantages to purchasing items estimated at less than $2,500 from a Government Services Administration (GSA) contract is that the price has already been determined fair and reasonable By establishing an indefinite delivery contract, you are allowing for prepriced deliveries of items under contract. The terms and conditions of an indefinite contract delivery order are established by the terms and conditions of the basic contract. What information may be used to ensure that small business concerns are given opportunities to respond to solicitations issued using simplified acquisition procedures (SAP)? Business status information from the source list. Acquisitions estimated at what dollar amount are reserved exclusively for small business concerns? Exceeding the micro-purchase threshold, but less than the SAT. If the contracting officer receives only one acceptable offer from a responsible small business concern in response to a small business set-aside, what action should the contracting officer take? Award to the responding small business. If the contracting officer suspects, or has information to indicate, that the price received from a contractor on a micro-purchase may not be reasonable, the contracting officer should take actions to verify price reasonableness. For purchases exceeding the micro-purchase threshold, but not exceeding the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), what procedures may the contracting officer elect to use? SAP, sealed bidding, or negotiations. When must contracting officers use the government-wide point of entry (GPE) to solicit? When soliciting purchases exceeding $25,000. When a synopsis is not required, how is the requirement competed? Solicitation of at least three sources. Streamlined synopsis/solicitation procedures may be used for acquisition of commercial items using a written solicitation. The contracting officer may establish a response time of less than 30 days when issuing a synopsis/solicitation for items not expected to exceed the SAT. Public law requires that contracts for the acquisition of commercial items shall, to the maximum extent practicable, include only those clauses required to implement provisions of law or executive orders, or those clauses determined to be consistent with customary commercial practice. Because of the broad range of items acquired by the government, the variations in commercial practices, and the relative volume of the government;s acquisition in specific markets, contracting officers may tailor provisions to adapt to the market conditions for each acquisition. How is tailoring accomplished? By addenda to the solicitation and contract. If only one reply is received in response to a solicitation estimated at less than the simplified acquisition threshold (SAT), what action must the contracting officer take before making the award? Include a statement in the contract file giving the basis of the determination of fair and reasonable price. What may be used in lieu of obtaining individual quotations each time a purchase for the same item is contemplated? Standing price quotation. When, in response to a solicitation for commercial items, a contractor proposes more than one product that will meet a government need, the contracting officer shall evaluate each product as a separate offer. It is not necessary to describe the relative importance of evaluation factors when using simplified acquisition procedures (SAP) of FAR Part 13. If the government issues an order resulting from a quotation, when may the government withdraw, amend, or cancel its offer? At any time before acceptance occurs. ; If a contractor has been excluded from government contracting for a reasonable, specified period of time because of conviction on a criminal offense in connection with obtaining a public contract, that contractor is considered to be debarred. What action should be taken if legal proceedings are not initiated within 12 months after the date of a suspension notice? Terminate the suspension. Micro-purchase is acquisition of supplies and services with a total amount that does not exceed $2,500. You do not need advanced authorization when using the government-wide purchase card (GPC) to purchase basketballs for the base gym. When a government purchase card (GPC) is used as a payment method, who performs the purchase, acceptance, and payment? Cardholder and immediate supervisor or above. When you are making a purchase using the Standard Form 44, Purchase Order;Invoice Voucher (Storage Safeguard Form), all of the following conditions must be satisfied except wartime conditions are present. Responsibility for exercising direction, control, and oversight of purchases using imprest funds rests with the base contracting officer. To the maximum extent possible, purchase orders for commercial items should include only those clauses required to implement provisions of law, or executive order, and those clauses that are determined to be consistent with prevailing commercial practice. Which clause must be included in an unpriced purchase order? Notice to Supplier. Under a blanket purchase agreement, the government is obligated for authorized purchases only. The contracting officer shall ensure that each blanket purchase agreement is reviewed at least annually. It is not mandatory for all blanket purchase agreements to contain an approved price list with specific items. How many days written notice must a contractor give to the government to cancel a blanket purchasing agreement? 30 days. Under fast payment procedures, payment is made before verifying receipt and acceptance but after invoicing. The government can exercise its right to the option period during the current performance period. Options are evaluated by adding the total price for all options to the total price for the basic requirement. What types of contracts are authorized for the acquisition of commercial items? Firm-fixed-price and fixed price contracts with EPA. Which is not an accepted price adjustment type used with a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment? Price averaging. Which type of contract should be used to procure precious metals? fixed-price with economic price adjustment. The contract price of a fixed-price contract with economic price adjustment may be revised a. downward only based on negotiations. upward and downward within the limitations of the clause. A definite-quantity contract may be used when it can be determined in advance that a definite quantity of supplies or services will be required during the contract period and the supplies or services are regularly available or will be available after a short-lead time. When the government cannot predetermine (within stated limits) the precise quantities of supplies or services that will be required during the contract period, the contracting officer would use aindefinite-quantity contract. indefinite-quantity contract. When an indefinite-quantity type contract is being used, performance or deliveries are scheduled by placing an order with the contractor. The contract must clearly define the requirements for the contractor;s control of quality for the supplies or services to be acquired; however, no contract may preclude the government from performing inspections. Unless specifically reserved, responsibility for performing all inspections and tests as required by the contract rests with the contractor. If supplies or services are rejected as nonconforming, notices of rejection shall be promptly furnished to the contractor and will include reasons for rejection. Ordinarily, what option is given to the contractor because of a notice of rejection for nonconformance? Correct or replace any nonconforming supplies at no additional cost to the government. Why are contractors required to mark supplies, or otherwise furnish notice with the supplies, of the existence of the warranty? Inform government personnel who store, stock or use the supplies. The implied warranty of merchantability provides that an item is reasonably fit for the ordinary purposes for which such items are used. The Federal Acquisition Streamlining Act (FASA) requires that contracting officers take advantage of commercial warranties offered to the maximum extent practicable. The principle purpose of a warranty is to delineate the rights and obligations of the contractor and the government for defective items and services and to foster quality performance. A contract action that changes or alters the agreement between the parties of a contract is called a modification. Who has the authority to execute contract modifications on behalf of the government? Contracting officers acting within the scope of their authority. Requests for follow-up should be generated by the requesting activity when the supplies or services have not been received by 1300 hours of the sixth day following the scheduled delivery date. When a contractor has failed to make delivery or cure a delinquency, and has not justified the delay, the contracting officer should take appropriate action to cancel or terminate the order if in the government;s best interest. Which one is not considered an administrative error? Obvious errors in the unit price. If the contractor has yet to deliver or begin performance on an order and you need to make a change not affecting cost of the item or delivery, to what type of agreement should you attempt to have the contractor agree? No cost change to the contract without modification. The two types of contract modifications are unilateral and bilateral. Unilateral modifications are allowed for no cost amended shipping instructions to a unilateral purchase order and for any change made before work begins if the change is within the scope of the original order. Which action should a contracting officer take to accomplish an administrative change? unilateral modification. A contractor has notified the contracting officer of the intent not to accept a unilateral purchase order. In this situation, the contracting officer must proceed with cancellation of the order. The termination of acquisitions of commercial items is covered in Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Part 12, with FAR Part 49 as guidance. The contractor shall be liable to the government for all rights and remedies provided by law if the contract was terminated for cause. Under the Contract Terms and Conditions-Commercial Items clause, the contractor is required to notify the contracting officer of an excusable delay as soon as possible after commencement of an excusable delay. A cure notice notifies the contractor of a specific condition that the government considers to be endangering performance of the contract. When termination is for the government;s convenience, what may a contractor use to demonstrate charges resulting from the termination for which the contractor is entitled to be paid? Records from the contractor;s standard record keeping system. When does the government have the right to terminate a contract for default after issuing a cure notice and the contractor has not corrected the failure? 10 days after receipt of the cure notice. Instead of terminating for default, the contracting officer has several options. This does not include Instead of terminating for default, the contracting officer has several options. This does not include The contracting officer has grounds to terminate a contractor for default when there is an actual failure or fails to progress to perform contractual obligations. When supplies or services are still required after termination for default, the contracting officer should repurchase the same or similar supplies or services against the contractor;s account as soon as possible. Contract files using simplified acquisition procedures are considered closed when the contracting officer receives evidence of receipt of property and final payment. Data transfer, storage, and retrieval procedures must record and reproduce the original document completely, accurately, and clearly. In addition, the procedures must protect the original data from alteration.

An Explanation of the Ideal Gas Law

An Explanation of the Ideal Gas Law The Ideal Gas Law is one of the Equations of State. Although the law describes the behavior of an ideal gas, the equation is applicable to real gases under many conditions, so it is a useful equation to learn to use. The Ideal Gas Law may be expressed as: PV NkT where:P absolute pressure in atmospheresV volume (usually in liters)n number of particles of gask Boltzmanns constant (1.38Â ·10−23 JÂ ·K−1)T temperature in Kelvin The Ideal Gas Law may be expressed in SI units where pressure is in pascals, volume is in cubic meters, N becomes n and is expressed as moles, and k is replaced by R, the Gas Constant (8.314 JÂ ·K−1Â ·mol−1): PV nRT Ideal Gases Versus Real Gases The Ideal Gas Law applies to ideal gases. An ideal gas contains molecules of a negligible size that have an average molar kinetic energy that depends only on temperature. Intermolecular forces and molecular size are not considered by the Ideal Gas Law. The Ideal Gas Law applies best to monoatomic gases at low pressure and high temperature. Lower pressure is best because then the average distance between molecules is much greater than the molecular size. Increasing the temperature helps because of the kinetic energy of the molecules increases, making the effect of intermolecular attraction less significant. Derivation of the Ideal Gas Law There are a couple of different ways to derive the Ideal as Law. A simple way to understand the law is to view it as a combination of Avogadros Law and the Combined Gas Law. The Combined Gas Law may be expressed as: PV / T C where C is a constant that is directly proportional to the quantity of the gas or number of moles of gas, n. This is Avogadros Law: C nR where R is the universal gas constant or proportionality factor. Combining the laws: PV / T nRMultiplying both sides by T yields:PV nRT Ideal Gas Law Problems Ideal vs Non-Ideal Gas ProblemsIdeal Gas Law - Constant VolumeIdeal Gas Law - Partial PressureIdeal Gas Law - Calculating MolesIdeal Gas Law - Solving for PressureIdeal Gas Law - Solving for Temperature Ideal Gas Equation for Thermodynamic Processes Process(Constant) KnownRatio P2 V2 T2 Isobaric(P) V2/V1T2/T1 P2=P1P2=P1 V2=V1(V2/V1)V2=V1(T2/T1) T2=T1(V2/V1)T2=T1(T2/T1) Isochoric(V) P2/P1T2/T1 P2=P1(P2/P1)P2=P1(T2/T1) V2=V1V2=V1 T2=T1(P2/P1)T2=T1(T2/T1) Isothermal(T) P2/P1V2/V1 P2=P1(P2/P1)P2=P1/(V2/V1) V2=V1/(P2/P1)V2=V1(V2/V1) T2=T1T2=T1 isoentropicreversibleadiabatic(entropy) P2/P1V2/V1T2/T1 P2=P1(P2/P1)P2=P1(V2/V1)−Î ³P2=P1(T2/T1)ÃŽ ³/(ÃŽ ³ − 1) V2=V1(P2/P1)(−1/ÃŽ ³)V2=V1(V2/V1)V2=V1(T2/T1)1/(1 − ÃŽ ³) T2=T1(P2/P1)(1 − 1/ÃŽ ³)T2=T1(V2/V1)(1 − ÃŽ ³)T2=T1(T2/T1) polytropic(PVn) P2/P1V2/V1T2/T1 P2=P1(P2/P1)P2=P1(V2/V1)−nP2=P1(T2/T1)n/(n − 1) V2=V1(P2/P1)(-1/n)V2=V1(V2/V1)V2=V1(T2/T1)1/(1 − n) T2=T1(P2/P1)(1 - 1/n)T2=T1(V2/V1)(1−n)T2=T1(T2/T1)

According to the article and answer the question Assignment - 1

According to the article and answer the question - Assignment Example Furthermore, the assertion that Sifaka have different colors is true. This is because on closer examination of these animals, it is possible to denote that they portray patches of black, gray, white and a gold colored fur. Furthermore, the author accurately describes the physical appearance of the Sifaka. In the description, the Sifaka have a slightly bugged out eyes, long limbs, and special characteristics that enables them to groom themselves (Kappeler, 21). This includes possessing a toilet claw, found in their second toe. It is important to denote that these are the characteristics of the family of Indriidae, and specifically, the genus of Lemur. It is further important to denote that Lemur is vegetarian in nature, and this makes the Sifaka to be vegetarians. On this basis, the writer is correct through the article which asserts that the diet of the Sifaka involves flowers, fruits, leaves, and the bark of a tree. Kappeler (31) also supports the fact that Sifaka likes sunbathing. This is a luxury to them, and it normally occurs when they are not looking for food. On this note, the information given by the author concerning this behavior is correct. Furthermore, the description of the author regarding the gestation period of the female Sifaka is correct. All Lemurs normally have a gestation period of between four to five months. The only shortcoming in this article is the inability of the writer to give information concerning the growth and development of the young

Survey Data analysis Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Survey Data analysis - Coursework Example A large majority (94%) of the students work and of these, 83% were sponsored by their organizations to study at the college. The level in an organization at which most of these worked at can be defined in the following graph. Of these working students, 9% have worked 0 years in HR, 17% have worked 1-1.5 years, 18% worked 2-2.5 years, 13% worked 3-3.5 years, 6% worked 4-4.5 years while 35% have worked 5 years and more. This shows an equal distribution in the work experience of the students. 8% of the people work in organizations that employ 50 employees or less, 17% in organizations with employees between 50 and 200 while a large majority of 66% works in organizations that employs more than 500 employees. This shows greater orientation of larger organization employees to join HR courses at ARU. Furthermore, 49% of the working students are employed in organizations with HR departments that have 10 or less employees. 34% of the working students are in organizations with HR employees between 11 and 50 and 14% are in organizations with more than 50 HR employees. 3 respondents did not answer the question. 57% of the working students work for the private sector, 35% in the public sector, 7% for non-profits and 1% for university. 35% of the working students study less than 5 hours per week while 57% study 5 hours or more. The students were also questioned about when they study. Majority of the students studied on weekends and the second most popular time was study in the evenings. The following figure displays the common responses and their frequency. Students were also questioned about what library timings they preferred. 22% wanted the timing on the weekends to be extended, 37% wanted the 24 hour model while 31% were satisfied with the original timings. This shows that the majority wanted more flexibility with regard to their study timings in the library. Students

Preventive measures Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Preventive measures - Assignment Example The company offers or provides the employees with adequate and quality training to enable them to transform their visions into reality. The company in question owns and also operates the Sizzler restaurants. The worldwide Restaurant Concept Inc was anciently known as Sizzler International Inc but later the name was changed to the worldwide Restaurant Concept Inc. However the worldwide concept inc. like many other companies around the globe has also been facing legal challenges due to a series of factors. There are main challenges that have become a menace to the World-wide restaurant concept Inc financial prosperity. The challenges are as follows. The main Legal issues/challenges facing the World-Wide Concepts, Inc. Company The first and the most head aching issue is the issue of disgruntled workers. This is greatly becoming a major head aching legal issues to the worldwide concept Inc. this is in the sense that, the employees have been granted by its law more freedom than in other c ompanies and business firms. The freedom in particular is in the form of; they are allowed to form unions the unions fight for wrongful termination from this company. This has made it very difficult for the employers to fire the underperforming individuals in the company in order to avoid facing the law. This is because of the stiff laws set to defend the employees. For example there is a law that states that, if an employer terminates or fires an employee, he/she should make sure that the employee has signed the regal documents which have been cautiously drafted by an attorney upon the termination of the employee to make the terms for termination very clear. If an employee is terminated without the signing of the document, it leaves the door open or rather paves away for a legal action against the employer in of the firm. The second and also one of the fears issue is the issue of discrimination and harassment cases. The company in question has been facing these challenges for a lon g period of time, it seems that the more the company ventures into different nations, the problems grows bigger and bigger. These discriminations of all kinds from the sex, age or even age and many others have lead to very serious legal problems. The company’s CEOs have been arrested due to such related cases and have also lead to loss of money through the court fines. The companies should make sure that their human resources and also the legal team is well prepared to be able to handle these issues if in any case they occur. For the period of the hiring procedure, the firm’s CEO should ensure that he/she is prepared for all applicants resumes incase discrimination cases arise, this is in order to make sure that they hire the best and also the most qualified individuals in regardless of their gender, their ethnicity or even their age. The sufferers of pestering and discrimination likely have drawn attention from the media which in turn have tarnishes the companies†™ reputation as well as draining their legal budgets. The third issue is the copyright and also the patent issue. This has greatly affected the designing field and partners of worldwide restaurant concept Inc who are based in Russia and India. The companies are often faced with aggressive patent legal action. This has lead to loss of m

Do we posses free will and are we ever morally responisble Essay

Do we posses free will and are we ever morally responisble - Essay Example Furthermore, the denial of free will leads to the fact that morality as a science of human responsibility and freedom of ethical choice loses its value. Not having the freedom of will, a person cannot take a free moral choice. Consequently, regardless of human actions including bad ones no one can punish a person because in this case the man is not morally responsible. From my point of view, these two arguments in favor of the existence of free will are sufficiently convincing. Nevertheless, opponents of the idea of free will can bring two rather serious counterarguments that have scientific and ethical character. According to the first scientific counterargument, human free will cannot exist for one simple reason. Every human act can be explained on the basis of the reason, which leads to its implementation. Specialists who deny free will demonstrate that regardless of what people do one can find reasons for their behavior and actions. Not by chance that many philosophers who had the opportunity to conduct scientific studies have concluded that human life, actions, and even thoughts are deterministic, since they have a cause. Therefore, free will cannot exist because determinism defines human life. For example, in addressing the issue of the relationship between free will and determinism, a well-known English philosopher Thomas Hobbes emerged as an opponent of the doctrine of free will (Duncan). Hobbes defined the will as the desire stemming from the preceding act of deliberation. The will is not arbitrary, said Hobbes, thus Hobbes denied any free will. Hobbes consistently and persistently p ursued the idea that the will itself is caused by other factors that do not depend on it. Therefore, all voluntary actions are caused by necessary reasons and are compelled. This logic may seem to be rather convincing and able to justify the denial of the existence of freedom. Nevertheless, if one continues to

Governance Regulation and Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Governance Regulation and Ethics - Essay Example The main conflict which is presented in the film is based on consumer protection, specifically in relation to the environment. This occurs first when the families file a claim about the company putting toxic waste into the environment, specifically which leads to leukemia and other health problems among the consumers. As the story line continues, the problems with health from the waste and lack of environmental concern continue to increase. The issues relate to several problems and questions of what the stand point should be with the company as well as what is required in terms of responsibility and obligation to potential consumers through the environmental concerns that are approached. The concept of relationships with consumers is the first problem which is related to the film. The consumers are unaware of the health problems and there is not disclosure of what is occurring with the environmental concerns or health, leaving each of the individuals susceptible to becoming ill. The right to know is followed by questions of moral responsibility, corporate obligation and the commercial context, all which are violated. The lack of morality is based on the known factors which attribute to the toxic waste and how this will affect those in the region. This is followed by corporate obligations that are not followed, specifically which are inclusive of corporate social responsibility which is ignored with the only focus on production and money that needs to be made within the environment. The commercial context follows this with the advertising of the company becoming negative as well as unfair consumer contracts based on misleading concepts of the rules and regulations being followed within the company (Nelson, 2005: 96). The concept of consumer protection within the business as well as other legalities relate to this impact the business and consumers in several ways with the expectations with the business. In any business, the marketing and advertising, as well as t he brand identity, is expected to have a specific perception and attitude about the company. The advertisements, which represent a positive identity with the consumers, are furthered with an understanding that the business acts in specific ways within society. When the context is broken, consumers, stakeholders and others believe that there is a violation of the relationship which has been created. Since this is communicated as a promise from the company, specifically in relation to the strategies and implementation within the company, it causes the relationships to not be protected and leads to false pretenses with the business. The corporate responsibility and consumer protection then intertwine with the understanding that the relationship is built on the corporation having the responsibility to care about the consumer (Werther, Chandler, 2011: 105). The concept of consumer protection and false advertising is followed by other barriers that are often created with consumer relation ships. This is related to the stakeholder agreements, investments and other negotiations that have taken places with businesses. Often, these lead to more profits as well as expectations which are taken. If the communication and relationships with others involved in the

International business strategy Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

International business strategy - Case Study Example UK-based multinational telecommunications company with headquarters in London, is the world’s second largest mobile telecommunication organization in terms of subscribers and recent revenues. It owns and operates networks in over 20 countries as well as has operations through partner networks in over 40 countries. As part of its international strategy, Vodafone expanded its resources through mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures. When viewed from contrary perspective, Vodafone started building its resources, particularly its physical and technological resources in the form of network infrastructure, through the above-mentioned three modes and thereby strengthened its international strategy further. â€Å"By 2013, it had established a significant presence in Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and the USA through mergers and acquisitions, international joint ventures, and other forms of foreign direct investment† (Case Study). As Vodafone mainly targeted successful or potential local players for acquisition, mergers, and JVs, during their foreign entries, they are able to garner optimal resources. For example, during its entry into India, Vodafone acquired Hutchinson Essar for a sizable sum and that led to the garnering of strong existing physical and technological resources, which it further optimized. The other key technological resource gained by Vodafone as part of its international strategy is wireless spectrums through auctions, which has increased its competitive advantage further. Normally, governments of various countries would auction 2G, 3G, and even 4G spectrums to telecommunication companies through a competitive bidding process thereby earning good revenue. In that direction, Vodafone has won many auctions in many countries and has got hold of sizable spectrums. After Vodafone has gained these spectrum allocations, they are able to introduce or provide more features to its customers in its foreign operations and that will natura lly lead to its

Governance Regulation and Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2750 words

Governance Regulation and Ethics - Essay Example The main conflict which is presented in the film is based on consumer protection, specifically in relation to the environment. This occurs first when the families file a claim about the company putting toxic waste into the environment, specifically which leads to leukemia and other health problems among the consumers. As the story line continues, the problems with health from the waste and lack of environmental concern continue to increase. The issues relate to several problems and questions of what the stand point should be with the company as well as what is required in terms of responsibility and obligation to potential consumers through the environmental concerns that are approached. The concept of relationships with consumers is the first problem which is related to the film. The consumers are unaware of the health problems and there is not disclosure of what is occurring with the environmental concerns or health, leaving each of the individuals susceptible to becoming ill. The right to know is followed by questions of moral responsibility, corporate obligation and the commercial context, all which are violated. The lack of morality is based on the known factors which attribute to the toxic waste and how this will affect those in the region. This is followed by corporate obligations that are not followed, specifically which are inclusive of corporate social responsibility which is ignored with the only focus on production and money that needs to be made within the environment. The commercial context follows this with the advertising of the company becoming negative as well as unfair consumer contracts based on misleading concepts of the rules and regulations being followed within the company (Nelson, 2005: 96). The concept of consumer protection within the business as well as other legalities relate to this impact the business and consumers in several ways with the expectations with the business. In any business, the marketing and advertising, as well as t he brand identity, is expected to have a specific perception and attitude about the company. The advertisements, which represent a positive identity with the consumers, are furthered with an understanding that the business acts in specific ways within society. When the context is broken, consumers, stakeholders and others believe that there is a violation of the relationship which has been created. Since this is communicated as a promise from the company, specifically in relation to the strategies and implementation within the company, it causes the relationships to not be protected and leads to false pretenses with the business. The corporate responsibility and consumer protection then intertwine with the understanding that the relationship is built on the corporation having the responsibility to care about the consumer (Werther, Chandler, 2011: 105). The concept of consumer protection and false advertising is followed by other barriers that are often created with consumer relation ships. This is related to the stakeholder agreements, investments and other negotiations that have taken places with businesses. Often, these lead to more profits as well as expectations which are taken. If the communication and relationships with others involved in the

Compare Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Essay Example for Free

Compare Malcolm X and Martin Luther King Jr. Essay In the 1960’s there was an uprising of sorts. The â€Å"black† communities were beginning to realize their constitutional rights†¦or the lack there of. There were a few bold souls that decided to take a stand, no matter what the consequences. Many know of Rosa Parks, the woman who decided to take a stand (no pun intended) on a local bus, refusing to give up her seat near the front and move to the back. Others participated at â€Å"sit in’s† inside diners labeled â€Å"whites only†. For every attempt of expressing their desire and need for equality, all efforts were shot down. There was no unity, no one to rally the hearts and minds of blacks and whites alike. But then a pastor from Montgomery Alabama leaded the largest civil rights boycott against busses to date. Through his soothing voice and outstanding charisma, Martin Luther King Jr. was one of the strongest and most influential civil rights activists. But he was not alone in his drive for equality. There were others fighting for the same cause. One of those zealots was a man named Malcolm Little (later ditched his â€Å"slave name† and picked up X to signify his lost tribal name). Both men were similar in many ways, but yet at the same time were very, very different. in his speeches Malcolm refers to himself and his followers as Black Nationalist Freedom Fighter. He viewed the â€Å"white supremacists† as enemies. In his speeches he talks about how the white politicians hired black and white promoters to go into the black neighborhoods to press the flesh for them promising false promises. His belief of Black Nationalism is that they stay away from their enemy. Create their own community and have their own politicians who have the communities’ interests at heart. If you can take notice in his speeches he is not trying to get the blacks to beg for equality or ask to end segregation. He is saying that blacks should unite together and fight against their common enemy. The philosophy of Black Nationalism can be enforced no matter what your religion, he makes points that they don’t hang you because you are Lutheran, Christian, or Muslim, they ha ng you because you are black. He states in several other occasions that these sit in’s cannot accomplish anything. They must take action to affect the crackers. He refers to the Revolution war, how the little tea boycott did not work, how the Americans were tired of being taxed and oppressed and compares it to the struggle for black rights. These are just a few points that Malcolm makes in his speeches. On the flip side, The man, Martin Luther King Jr. gives several  speeches concerning the freedom and the relief from oppression of the black people. For example, in his â€Å"I Have A Dream† Speech, 200 Thousand people, black and white, have gathered to hear the inspiring wordsof Martin Luther King Jr. He asks those gathered to ask the government for their constitutional right to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Then he assures that there will be no rest until the blacks are granted and guaranteed civil rights. This next sentence, it is one of the biggest differences between MX and MLKJr. He said: â€Å"Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred†. That statement is the biggest divider between the beliefs of Mr. X and Mr. King. â€Å"I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: We hold th ese truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal. I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at a table of brotherhood. I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a desert state, sweltering with the heat of injustice and oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice. I have a dream that my four children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. I have a dream today.† Is there a alternative motive in the eyes of Mr. King? I think not. In the eyes of Mr. X? I believe there is. If Black Nationalism had evolved, it would have resulted in a war. Not a war of words or of silent hate†¦but a violent war of death and destruction. All that Mr. King wanted was his constitutional rights for him and everyone across the globe. Before he was assassinated, Mr. King won the Nobel Peace Prize and an award of $54 ,000, which he promptly donated to his civil rights movement. So through comparing the ideals and lives of both these great and influential men, we can see that they both have a same idea†¦.but methods and desires for change are much different. Mr. King wanted to have a peace full protest, to open the eyes of the public, white or black; Whereas Mr. X wanted change, and he wanted it now.

Brain-Imaging Techniques for Cognitive Functions Analysis

Brain-Imaging Techniques for Cognitive Functions Analysis Using examples of fMRI, explain how researchers use brain-imaging techniques and discuss what, if anything, these techniques can tell us about cognitive functions. Here is introduced the method of fMRI, how imaging data is gained and at what cost is involved in getting it. Further to this the experimental designs are discussed and how these might add to the toolbox available to the experimental psychologist. A study will be looked at, which has used fMRI imaging to add to the existing knowledge and psychological theories that exist around memory. Last of all some areas of concern are looked at as the structure-function data will continue to grow and expand. Before the use of imaging methods, such as that of fMRI and PET scanning, as Naish (2010) points out, it was possible to discover whether certain parts of the brain were responsible for certain cognitive functions. There were problems with this, often relying on accidental legions meant the more than one function could be damaged or it produced inconsistent findings. Lack of clear resolution resulted in the patient being tested through their life to only discover the underlying neurological damage after death. Kaye (2010) highlights a common critique that the current use of imaging techniques does not provide cognitive psychologists with much. The simple structure-to-function mapping does not improve our understanding of cognitive theories. This has been challenged in Henson’s (2005) review of Tulving (1985) ‘remember’ or ‘know’ memory experiment with the use of fMRI methods. Still, it is important to explore the way that imaging methods work for cont inuing psychological understanding. MRI and to an extent also PET imaging works based on the idea that when a cognitive task is being undertaken both glucose and oxygen will be carried to those area(s) of the brain, which requires it significantly over than that of resting or less activate areas (Johnsrude and Hauk 2010). The imaging technique is sensitive to that increased blood flow and that according to Johnsrude and Hauk (2010) this is used to study the functioning of the brain. This is often known as regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF): alongside this the level of oxygen that is left in blood can also be looked at known as the blood oxygen level dependent (BOLD) contrast, as deoxyhaemoglobin and oxyhaemoglobin produce different magnetic fields (Johnsrude and Hauk, 2010). Although there are some methodological problems with this, such as the lag between neural processing and increased blood flow, it is argued that with the correct design and computer analysis such problems can be dealt with (Henson, 2005). Function al MRI over PET is less intrusive in the sense that more participants can be involved, be studied over a longer time and it is generally easier to maintain. This is due to PET requiring the participant being injected with a radioactive substance which because of health issues rules out who can take part and how many times each participant can undergo PET imaging (Johnsrude and Hauk, 2010). Functional MRI has become the choice of many experimental psychologists. Johnsrude and Hauk (2010) also highlight other issues that make fMRI difficult, but not impossible, the first that the machine itself makes a lot of noise to the extent it can cause hearing damage, it can be constricting and participants cannot move their heads while imaging is taking place. Those with anxiety issues, for example, will find fMRI studies very difficult to take part in but when participants move their heads computers can adjust the images to match up with earlier ones and ear plugs can be worn. Johnsrude and Hauk (2010) present two types of experimental design. Subtractive designs such as that used by Klein et al (1995, cited and explored by Johnsrude and Hauk 2010) is based on the assumption that [cognitive] tasks can be broken down and by adding an additional task between two tasks, the extra load can be subtracted from the two tasks. This allows the extra task to be measured and Klein et al (1995) followed this design. Using native English speakers who later in life learned French, these participants were asked in either language to either repeat the heard word or create a synonym for that word. Speech perception and production would always have to be used, but when asked to create a synonym it would also involve semantic association and word retrieval (cited by Johnsrude and Hauk, 2010). Klein et al (1995) subtracted speech perception and production, allowing them to solely study semantic association and retrieval. They found activation in the prefrontal cortex, perhaps indicating the importance of this region in processing word meaning and response selection. Further to this activation in the basal ganglia in the French synonym task which is linked to motor action a previous known process. The second type of design is that of correlations which Johnsrude and Hauk (2010) highlight as examining the relationship between a presented stimulus or behavioural response along with the associated brain activity. They are relatively simpler than subtractive designs avoiding the interpretation or subtraction of tasks. For example, cognitive states can be examined so signal change in one area can be predictive of activity somewhere else in the brain. If the two areas correlate it could be assumed they are part of the same neural network for the cognitive function either directly or through another region. In this case it is not simple structure-to-function but rather exploring the areas of the brain that are required to perform one cognitive task. Adding or reducing theoretical components to such cognitive tasks. It could be argued that subtractive designs look for differences within known theoretical connected functions, whereas correlational designs look for explorative patterns without assuming such a strong known function-to-structure relationship. Henson (2005) distinguishes between two types of imaging inferences the first function-to-structure deduction and the other structure-to-function induction. The first inference is that of deduction, if one condition activates area one and the second condition activates area two it would be possible to assume that these two different conditions activate different areas within the brain. It does not matter which areas of the brain are activated only that there is a qualitative difference. In terms of function-structure mapping at the psychological function level according to Henson (2005) the only assumption is that the same psychological function (or task) will not give rise to different activation patterns within the brain. For function-to-structure induction the areas of the brain activated are important for each presented condition. Henson (2005) goes on to explain for each presented condition the same area of the brain is activated which can lead to experiments which conditions use the same area of the brain to explain that a certain area of the brain has more than one function but can operate differently depending on the processing task. Rather than there being a disassociation that you would find in deduction there is an association, Henson (2005) argues that in most cases the null hypothesis, therefore has to be accepted, although at the same time this could suggest the abilities and/or limitations of that area of the brain thus results in limitations of that cognitive ability and task. Through psychological manipulations it can be shown that there is a reliable regional dissociations (Henson, 2005). One experiment as mentioned above is that of the remember/know memory experiment that also uses function-structure deduction. The importance of this fMRI study is that it takes psychological theory and determines what the processes are occurring. This experiment presented by Henson (2005) and others is based around the argument that there is either a single-process model such as that presented by Donaldson (1996, cited by Henson, 2005) or a dual-process. Using Tulving (1985, cited by Henson, 2005) participants are asked to indicate if they have seen a stimulus previously and whether they think this because they remember the encounter (remember) or they just think the stimulus seems familiar (know). It was found that within the remember condition the left hemisphere was more responsive while the in the know condition other regions such as the right prefrontal cortex were more activated. The conclusion is that the imaging data support a dual-processing model over the single-process model. Functional MRI imaging was helpful here as behavioural findings could not agree and the debate was in part helped by imaging data. Both deduction and induction results in the function-structure mapping according to Henson (2005). It is important to follow the logic of Henson that imaging data is useful within itself for providing another dependent variable, such is the case if reaction time is being recorded alongside imaging data, that imaging data would provide additional information such as right/left activation of the motor cortex (Henson, 2005). This might not be relevant in all contexts, still it can provide information which could be necessary to the research if that research included or required such information. This is described as function-structure mapping. Henson (2005) argues that the systematic function-structure is an assumption, for deductive areas of the brain to perform certain functions whereas for induction a strong sense of systematicity is necessary. In this case there may be a function that depends on co-activation with at least one, perhaps more regions. In this case a network is what is being observed activated within a condition. Through subtraction analysis, it allows for this test of a ‘neural network’ and McIntosh (1999, cited in Henson, 2005) the function of the area or region of the brain depends on its interaction with other regions (Henson, 2005, referred to this as hot-wiring). Adding to this there might be an activation of a region or area which does produce suppression of other areas or regions. Nelson (2005) calls for the redundancy of networks, to summarize this within a brain damaged patient, it might be that although the function-structure mapping is incorrect for this person. There might be a d ifferent function-structure mapping present. Henson (2005) counter-argues for this position to say that if through trial to trial or from many experiments, it would not be observed that there are reliable or reproducible activations. Most psychologists are also content with the idea that there is a hierarchy of abstraction of functions. For example, visual perception occurs within a region which is divisible into sub-functions. Where colour, form perception and motion perception can occur (Nelson, 2005). However, there is agreement that there needs to be a one-to-one mapping or function-mapping before one can infer structure to function. Henson (2005) calls this the structure-to-function induction, the usefulness of this approach or paradigm will have to stand up by its success or failure. Henson (2005) further argues the fMRI is a recent invention, the computer mapping even so, with such new areas of technology it has to prove itself to be of benefit. So even if mapping critics have a point it will perhaps be years before the value of imaging technique come to be very useful. Currently they can be useful, though by using existing completing cognitive theories which can be settled using imaging data with caution. For Henson (2005) imaging data simply comprise another dependent variable along with behavioural data that can be used to test competing theories. Imaging can determine the circumstance under which a tactile stimulus produces activity in the visual cortex give clues about the mechanisms of sensory integration that are not provided by behavioural data alone (Henson, 2005). There are criticisms of using imaging data, one produced by Coltheart (2004, cited in Henson, 2005) that understanding the hardware does not mean that we then reach an understanding of the neuro software. Henson (2005) argues that it does provide information on performance and on the distribution of the processes while the software is performing. To finally say that once you have the performance data, through behavioural data, the knowledge of the hardware this then can tell you something about software (Henson, 2005). Henson (2005) argues that neuroimaging data can be informative to the experimental psychologist, although there is perhaps too much excitement around such data. No other technique comes close to this ideal of measuring brain activity, if we assume that ideal is measuring activity simultaneously the activity of many individual neurons, we currently are not there but MRI is the best that we currently have. This is still a developing technology, it may in future years wit h advances it can become something quite special. Functional MRI is a relatively safe method and it can be used to replace the more traditional method in the Neuropsychology of relying on accidental brain legions to discover the link between psychological function and structure. The two methods mentioned above, that of subtractive and correlational designs allows for the more traditional dissociations along with associations of areas or regions of the brain. Although fMRI does not study the neural activity directly it is currently one of the best methods for studying activity at levels of relatively high resolution. Still fMRI is relatively new and the computing software more so, so it is likely that in years to come these technologies will improve. This is not to say that such imaging should be a replacement for more traditional methods, above the example of the Remember/Know experiment imaging extends or made clear the already present psychological models. The mainstay of cognitive psychology is behavioural data and imaging should be used alongside. To what Henson argued that imaging data as another dependent variable. This is to say that it won’t always be appropriate to use imaging data still there is excitement about imaging data and as it improves it will become yet another useful tool in the experimental psychologist toolbox. Word count: 2204 References: Naish, P. (2010) Perceptual Processed in: Kaye (2010) ‘Cognitive psychology’ ed, The Open University, Milton Keynes Kaye, H. (2010) Foundations of cognitive psychology in Kaye (2010) ‘Cognitive Psychology’ ed, The Open University, Milton Keynes. Johnsrude, I. S. and Hauk, O. (2010) Neuroimaging: techniques for examining human brain function, ed in: Kaye (2010) ‘Cognitive psychology: methods companion, The Open University, Milton Keynes. Henson, R. (2005) What can functional neuroimaging tell us the experimental psychologist? The quarterly journal of experimental psychology, Issue 58A, pp. 193-233 Lewis Karl Flood