Rebbecca Skloot Henrietta Lacks

In Rebecca Skloot’s â€Å"The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks,† the ethical issue of the hospital taking Henrietta Lack’s cells seems be a very major deal and plays an important role throughout the entire book. The books starts off telling you of Mrs. Lacks’ life struggles which helps build an emotional appeal to her. Rebecca Skloot painted a vivid picture of Henrietta’s life to help give the readers a greater of how immoral the doctors were when they took her cells without her permission. Henrietta was a part of a very poor family.The book describes how they didn’t have very much money so they left their home in Roanoke, VA to go to MD for a better job opportunity for her husband, David Lacks, which was also her 1st cousin. The doctors at John Hopkins typically felt like they had the right to take certain things from their patients who were in the public ward since they were a giving away a costly service for free. They felt like they were entitled to some kind of payment so taking cells from unaware patients was a justified trade-off in their eyes.Henrietta had six children, so it safe to say that it was hard just living off of her David’s salary. The book described that several things were wrong with Henrietta, besides the cervical cancer. Henrietta also had syphilis and gonorrhea. Henrietta wasn’t the only person in her household that had medical problems either. Henrietta’s daughter, Elsie, was simple and Henrietta also had a couple of very young children. Her medical problems and her children’s medical needs were very costly, so as it was common for poor folk, they just ignored them.Henrietta’s family were too poor to afford health care and would continue to be to poor enough to afford health care after the doctors began to sell her cells without her permission and well after her death, even up to the point that this book was being written. Henrietta’s cells were her prop erty and no had the right to make a profit of it without her permission. Henrietta’s cells were taken against her will, so they were stolen! Her cells great impacted medical research. They have been used to find cures for cancer and AIDs, to test human’s sensitivity to certain products, gene mapping, and were used to test vaccines for polio.Henrietta’s cells were very instrumental for the production of modern medicine and also very profitable as well. They greatly impacted the lives of people all over the world, but it seems like they almost did nothing for Henrietta and her family. Henrietta’s cells were used to help advance medical research, but still Henrietta’s family still couldn’t afford health care. Her family wasn’t informed that her cells had been taken until almost 20 years after her death in the 70s. Henrietta’s family just struggled through life like they hadn’t changed medical research for ever.Henriettaâ₠¬â„¢s cells were the first â€Å"immortal cells†, yet it was horribly immoral for the scientists and doctors to steal it from her and then use to them to make millions, while her family barely made it by day to day. The HeLa cells, the cells from Henrietta Lacks, were used to grow tons and tons of cells. The cells, though token wrongly, were used to do very positive things. The people in public wards were used wrongly as guinea pigs. The doctors had no right to steal from them and test on them, just because they couldn’t afford health care. They had rights!They were human beings! They deserved the right to be notified and they deserved the right to be asked for their permission of whether or not they wanted to give small parts of their body to be researched on, no matter how miniscule. They belonged to the patients and therefore they had the upmost right to be informed and given some type of payment for their contributions. If I own some land and my neighbor decides he wants to grow some crops on it without my permission, because he felt like I wasn’t using it and he grows one of the most successful batch of wheat or corn.Do I not deserve some of the credit or some of the proceeds? Yes, it was his seeds that he used and his labor and also his tools, but my neighbor also used my land and therefore my neighbor is indeed indebted to me and owes me a portion of what he received. This is the exact same for Henrietta Lacks situation. Their tools were used to grow the HeLa cells, but they still took cells from Henrietta and her family was definitely entitled to gaining something.I completely agree with Rebecca Skloot’s position on this problem and she was definitely depicted this story in a very well delivered way and I believe that she did indeed address this ethical issue and even went into it a little more when she mentioned the Tuskegee experiment with syphilis. All in all, Ms. Skloot did a very excellent making this story very underst andable and very attractive. She delivered an amazing story on how the health system betrayed one of their patients and took advantage of her and treated public ward patients immorally wrong.

Aztec religion Essay

The U. S has the highest murder rate of any industrialized country in the world. Does this surprise you? Well, although it is a fact, and most people would think this is unethical. This should also be true for Aztec society. Which deserves the Greater Emphasis? Human Sacrifice, or Aztec Agriculture? I believe historians should focus more on human sacrifice because, even though the Aztecs were resourceful and well organized in agriculture, they were barbaric when it came to human sacrifice. They killed off 2,300 men who were prisoners of war (Doc.D). We have to take into consideration that these sacrifices had families and lives and people who cared about them that were cruelly ripped away from them. The Aztecs could’ve showed the love and dedication for their gods another less violent way. What the Aztec did to the sacrifices was in-humane. When they killed the sacrifices, they would rip of their hearts, throw the hearts to the shrine dedicated to the gods and let the dead bodies roll down the temple steps bathed in its own blood. Even though other groups of people did human sacrifice, the Aztec were ruthless and held no remorse for their victims. Aztecs sometimes just went to war with another group of people just to capture people and make them sacrifices, called â€Å"flower wars† (Doc. D). What the Aztec did was just horrible and I think historians should focus more on human sacrifice than agriculture. There was a humungous scale of sacrifices, as well as spiritual importance, and they surprisingly didn’t kill these people with evil eyes or hatred. The Aztecs hade feeling toward sacrifices. The Aztec sacrificed a huge scale of people! In one day they would sacrifice 2,300 prisoners (Doc. D). That is the same population of an average school! Not only did they sacrifice so much of population, they also gave up resources and the best people to sacrifice! If this wasn’t a factor, could you imagine how much more advanced the Aztec agriculture could become?

Motivation, Stress, and Communication Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Motivation, Stress, and Communication - Essay Example The goal-setting theory is applicable in the process of motivating my performance. In fact, this theory was established by Edwin Locke in the 1960s and deals with the formulation of goals and objectives (Lunenburg, 2001). On the other hand, the theory explains particular challenges, objectives and a feedback system that are applicable in supporting the improvement of performance. In this case, I will apply goals as guidance to determine efforts needed to achieve these objectives. Moreover, these objectives will increase my motivation to work, thus leading to increased productivity. However, there is the need for clarification of various issues that can be regarded as complex objectives and motivating factors in order to reduce chances of formulating vague or basic goals. Nevertheless, I will focus on setting realistic and challenging objectives, which can promote a feeling of pride and triumph after these objectives have been met. Therefore, challenging goals are a crucial reward, and there is a passion associated with achieving them. Despite this, there will be the need for appropriate feedback, which will guide my behaviors and contribute to increased performance. Seeking clarification, regulation of difficulties and attaining reputation are the purposes of feedback, and these will motivate me to work in a way that facilitates job satisfaction. Moreover, this offers a basis for evaluation in order to determine the extent to which objectives have been achieved and those that are yet to be achieved. ... On the other hand, the theory explains particular challenges, objectives and a feedback system that are applicable in supporting improvement of performance. In this case, I will apply goals as guidance to determine efforts needed to achieve these objectives. Moreover, these objectives will increase my motivation to work, thus leading to increased productivity. However, there is the need for clarification of various issues that can be regarded as complex objectives and motivating factors in order to reduce chances of formulating vague or basic goals. Therefore, the clarification in objectives contributes to an increased performance, and these goals are coupled with deadlines for completion in order to avoid delays and misunderstanding. Nevertheless, I will focus on setting realistic and challenging objectives, which can promote a feeling of pride and triumph after these objectives have been met. Therefore, challenging goals are a crucial reward, and there is a passion associated with achieving them. Despite this, there will be the need for appropriate feedback, which will guide my behaviors and contribute to increased performance. Seeking clarification, regulation of difficulties and attaining reputation are the purposes of feedback, and these will motivate me to work in a way that facilitates job satisfaction. Moreover, this offers a basis for evaluation in order to determine the extent to which objectives have been achieved and those that are yet to be achieved. I will also focus on reinforcing performance by facilitating sustenance of desired behaviors. In this case, there is the need for borrowing ideas from the reinforcement theory of motivation that was

Sports Celebrities Endorsements and Consumers' Purchase Intentions Dissertation

Sports Celebrities Endorsements and Consumers' Purchase Intentions - Dissertation Example Sports occupy a larger portion of the importance of a human being’s life and its social existence. With the increasing global reach of the individuals and with the rising degree of influence of different nation over the others, a number of types of sports get included into the vast kinds of sports. Also, with the ever increasing consciousness of the individuals regarding their health and ways to secure good health rising number of people are resorting to adopting the ‘sporting habit’. Sport has become one of the most interesting activities of the recent times and in a similar way the sports persons have become increasingly popular with the public. The extent of popularity and influence of the sportspersons have given them the stature of stars and celebrities. Cashmore (2002) explains the concept of celebrities as someone who has a very prominent public profile which has a certain degree of public fascination and even which influences the day-to-day media. Celebrit y is someone who enjoys huge public attention and who has a greater influence on the public lives. The popularity among the public makes them a great medium through which communication with perfect agenda could be delivered. Thus they become great mediums for advertising the products and services, because it adds credibility to it. This research paper makes a detailed study about the impact of sports celebrities’ endorsements on consumer purchasing behavior. 1.2: Research Aim This particular research paper was decided upon with the aim of studying the impact of sports celebrities’ endorsements on the purchasing intentions of the consumers in Singapore. Such an aim was specifically chosen because of the increasing popularity of the sportsperson and even due to the increasing popularity of a wide number of sports. The fact that the sportsperson have a larger appeal to the public makes it all the more important to assume that their endorsements will also be purchased by t he public. 1.3: Research Objectives The following are the set of objectives decided for this paper: To discover how motivated Singaporean consumers are buying products that are celebrity-endorsed compared to products that are advertised using other advertising tools To examine which gender are more influenced by celebrity-endorsed products To examine whether the impact on purchase intention of celebrity-endorsed products varies across age groups To examine the likelihood of Singaporean consumers boycotting a celebrity-endorsed product because of socially unacceptable behaviors engaged by the celebrity. 1.4: Research Questions The research questions are as follow: 1. What is the impact of sports celebrities’ endorsements on the buying behaviour of consumers in Singapore? 2. What is the impact of sports celebrities endorsements compared to other advertisements methods? 1.5: Summary The very first chapter of this research paper of this research paper introduces the topic, marks its relevance in the present market scenario and highlights its importance. The aims and objectives of this research paper are being clearly mentioned in the very first chapter. The next chapter presents an analysis of the relevant literature that will further help in achieving the proposed research objectives

Read the requirement carefully Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 1

Read the requirement carefully - Essay Example An increased number of public as well as private sector firms in the period of 1980s started the utilization of teams for task completion. Soon after a decade, this trend spread rapidly as small manufacturing enterprises started developing effective and strong managerial and production teams in order to yield better performance and enhanced job satisfaction. It appears that the usage of teams has disseminated to the extent that now the mechanistic and bureaucratic organizational designs have become an exception instead of being a norm. This paper attempts to explore the impact of deployment of teams rather than individual employees for organizational task accomplishments over the organizational success. Moreover, the factors that may hinder in the effective performance of a team will be assessed as well as the ways to overcome such issues will be sorted (Maxwell, 2002). Team Defined A team may be defined in terms of work groups that are appointed with the accomplishment of a performa nce job that necessitates joint cooperation. Thus teams are distinguished from other group types as it emphasized collective performance instead of focusing on individual learning outcomes that may be acquired while working in groups (Ryan, 2012). Levels of a team In order to accomplish desired level of performance, teams are assessed at various levels. These are individual member level, issue or content level, psychological or interaction level, procedure or method level and the outside relation level. Individual member level is an affair of individual perceptions, personalities, ideas and concepts, emotions, behaviours and intentions. Content level focuses on the content of the task undertaken by the team; the psychological level focuses on the mutual group members’ attitudes as well as the state of affair between them, roles, behaviour pattern as well as the observed climate. Method level ails problem solving techniques such as decision methodologies, rules or regulations within team analysis and creativity skills. The outside group relations deals with the relations or contacts as well as information cultivated with the other members of organization taking into consideration the deputizing rules (Harvey, Millett & Smith, 1998). Relevancy of Teams in an Organization Teams are relevant to organizations in various situations such as when competing organizations are utilizing teams, when organization is required to be flattened, when improving quality is the main focus of organization, when teams are needed or desired by employees, when in order to provide quick response to organization flexibility is needed and when the tasks needed to be completed require diverse knowledge and skills (Guzzo & Dickson, 1996). Working in a collaborative manner as team now proves to be catalyst that accelerates the process of realization of the complete potential of an organization. So being such a driver for growth, progress and development in the organization, the proc ess of team building is strategically imperative. Developing teamwork is based upon facilitating a dedication to working together on the objectives of the company and adjusting the opportunity and circumstances for employees to bestow their best (Katzenbach & Smith, 1993). But in order to efficiently perform the team must be developed keeping into considera

Article Reviews Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

Article Reviews - Essay Example He brought with him a young boy and though it was too late, the judge allowed him to be sworn in to stand up for Good. The boy said he had seen it himself. The accuser had lied about the knife mysteriously breaking. The accuser was in trouble for lying to the judge. But Sarah Good , the alleged witch, was still sentenced to death. This became the start of something strange: a witch hunt. All people who seemed to be able to conduct something â€Å"magical† were hunted and it was throughout all of the New England states in America. An author Cotton Mather, had seen the effects of the people who were afflicted with this witchcraft. Blistered with fire, pins stuck into their flesh by invisible hands, convulsions, and scalded with hot water; these were just some of the claims of accounts afflicted upon people who said that they were affected by the witchcraft. Peoples only escape from conviction was to tell the truth, which was actually sometimes a lie. Many people died because they were found to be suspicious people; people of the devil. The author wrote this article to tell about the trials and oddities surrounding the Salem Witch Trials. It was a narrative telling about particular instances in trials and tribulations that described what it was like in New England during the time when everyone was out to chase and destroy whomever they thought practiced witchcraft, magic labeling them witches. This article was written as a news story that appeared in the area newspaper in Baltimore, Maryland in the mid 1800s to tell the story of how the hunt and execution of witches came to begin. The article originally began with the narration of the story of Sarah Good. But in this article, she was merely an example of what others had to expect if they were suspicioned of conducting witchcraft. The author barely touched on all of the occurrences during the

Importance of 1963 and 1964 in the History of the US Essay

Importance of 1963 and 1964 in the History of the US - Essay Example 1963 was a year that was characterized by civil rights demonstrations and grand civil unrest. The national outrage was fuelled by wide media coverage of police brutality and actions against African-Americans in Birmingham, Alabama. The police were using fire hoses and canines against protestors, many of whom were very young. The riots in Birmingham, Alabama on the 11th of May 1963, where bombing occurred, compelled President John F Kennedy to release troops who gravely harassed the protestors. On the 19th of June the same year, the president forwarded an all-inclusive Civil Rights bill to the Congress for consideration. The massive support for this pending bill is what led to the March on Washington on the 28th of August, probably the largest mass action that the nation’s capital has ever witnessed. It was attended by more than three hundred thousand people, organized by Martin Luther King, Jr. alongside other activists. The demands stated during the demonstration paved the wa y for the meaningful legislation of civil rights. In addition, the matching led to the elimination of segregation based on race in public schools, the safeguarding of protestors against police brutality, the passage of a law forbidding racial prejudice in the public and private sectors and finally a program that provided jobs equally to both the blacks and whites. All these featured in the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which was passed after the assassination of President John F Kennedy and are still functional to date.

Ethics and Communications in Organizations Essay

Ethics and Communications in Organizations - Essay Example Thus, ethics maintain great significance in everyday human life, where their importance multiplies within the organizational behavior during the course of offering one’s services in one way or the other. Professional ethics also suggest the personnel in respect of developing pleasant and amicable relationships with the management, colleagues, subordinates, clients and the general public at large, through an adequate communication system, which is vehemently important for climbing the ladder of success and growth in one’s career for the future years to come. The contemporary era has made imperative alterations in all fields of human life. The world’s turning into a global village has established such type of business environment, where the individuals belonging to divergent ethnic, racial, regional, religious and family backgrounds as well as obtaining variant educational qualifications, occupational skills, different socioeconomic positions and divergent sexual o rientations work under one roof and under the command of one single administration, during which they have to come across several awkward and unpleasant incidents because of the behaviors of others. Somehow, commitment to one’s cause and dedication to one’s responsibilities serve as the core concepts of climbing the ladder of professional growth and financial stability. It is not specific to one occupation only; rather, the same is applied to all the existing professions of contemporary times at large. â€Å"Values and ethics are central to any organization; those operating in the national security arena are no exception. Both are extremely broad terms, and we need to focus in on the aspects most relevant for strategic leaders and decision makers.† (National Defense University) Ethics in Organizations: One of the most formidable ethics the professionals must apply is their sense of responsibilities towards the workplace. A professional is the representative of h is organization, which offers him job opportunity, respectable place, and financial compensation, along with protecting him from becoming the prey to unemployment, idleness and mental disturbance created because of joblessness. It is, therefore, the professional must render his services to the organization diligently and actively without displaying any reluctance and non-compliance with the duties and obligations he has been hired to accomplish. Additionally, it is also the ethical responsibility of the professional not to let the name, fame, and reputation of his organization go to the dashes, because of his misbehave or negligence towards the customers and clients. Moreover, the professional must check the working of his colleagues, co-workers, and subordinates in order to assure their performance for the best interest of the organization. The professional must also interact with the superiors time and again, and if they are in need of his support at any matter, he must accomplish the same within the appropriate time and without any deliberate delays.  

Hills Like White Elephants Essay Essay Example for Free

Hills Like White Elephants Essay Essay 1. I believe â€Å"the American and the girl with him† were talking about having an abortion, and how it would change their relationship if they were to have a baby. He was saying that it is the only thing â€Å"bothering† them and making them â€Å"unhappy.† The girl appears undecided, and scared of losing the man. 2. Nothing really happens, except a rehashing of their relationship, which seems to consist of looking â€Å"at things and try[ing] new drinks.† 3. Their relationship is not about communication, but about the girl following everything the man says   because she doesn’t care about herself. She just wants him to love her. He tries to manipulate the girl to agree to the abortion, saying that things between them will not have to change, and that â€Å"things will be like they were,† when she felt he loved her.   He keeps speaking about â€Å"letting the air in,† which makes me think that he wants there to be â€Å"air† in the relationship, and that the non-operation would make him—not them happy again. He feels stifled, and this pressure is reflected in the hot day. The relationship is â€Å"airy† and superficial, without direct communication, because the man does not truly care about her and is concerned only with his interests, and the girl doesn’t care about herself, so she decides to want to do what he thinks is best. 4. The conflict of the story is resolved when the girl decides to have the abortion. The climax is when Hemmingway uses the adjective â€Å"reasonably,† when describing the people waiting for the train. It is a commentary that the man was thinking â€Å"reasonably,† but not from love, even though he says he is. He made his decision out of reason, and she out of emotion. 5. The hills are described as very fertile and the opposite landscape as very barren, and it seems to represent the barrenness of their relationship, as well as the discussion about abortion. 6. I would like to know why the girl said, â€Å"’I’ll scream.’†

The Mexican Crisis Anticipation Essay Example for Free

The Mexican Crisis Anticipation Essay The reading â€Å"The Mexican Crisis Anticipation At Micro-Level deals with the emergence of crisis into Mexico and how it was anticipated by the firms at the micro level through making adjustments into their capital structure. The writer(s) is of the view that the Mexico mad rapid economic growth during the period of late 1980s and early 1900s as the trade as well as financial liberalization has allowed the growth to take place at more robust pace. The Writer(s) has successfully demonstrated the fact that with the financial liberalization, the credit supply to the economy increased the exposure of banks to potentially risky projects as due to availability of easy credit, the quality of credit was compromised for earning more and more as banks started to shift their focus to being more market oriented rather than risk oriented. However, as the political conflict in the country started to begin, the economy of the country started to feel the heat too as due to widening the external current account deficit as well as political instability forced economic conditions to take a U-turn as most of the economic indicators started to show adverse trends. The basic assumptions of the writer(s) are based on the studies which indicated that the crisis was not anticipated by most of the economic entities such as policy makers, banks and economic analysts who often based their analysis on the macroeconomic changes that took place during the period. However, most of the studies done so far on the issue dealt with the macroeconomic aspect of the crisis and failed to integrate the anticipating of crisis at the firm level. The writer(s) attempted to fill that gap by focusing on the anticipation of the crisis at the micro level by the firm through changes into their capital structure to reflect the economic changes taking place within the economy. While concluding the study, writer(s) argued that most of the firms did not anticipate such economic downturn, and it was something unexpected for them. At the micro level, there were not so many changes to reflect the changing attitude of the firms to reflect more fully the prevalent economic conditions therefore they did not try to change their capital structure. Three Questions One of the fundamental questions which need to ask is whether the firm at micro level can anticipate such an economic change or not? Since Mexican economy was largely dependent upon the external flows therefore the reliance of the economy on the local firms was less. Further due to the size of the firms, it was practically impossible for such firms to typically assess the impacts of changing economic trends due to lack of expertise in predicting such a behavior. The nature of SMEs indicates that at their individual level, they are nothing more than the expertise and skill of their owners. Therefore, if the owners are not well versed with the skill of assessing the change in the economic variables than it becomes more difficult to determine whether the firms have the ability to anticipate such changes? Lastly, authors have completely failed to assess the anticipation of such an impact through variables other than capital structure. It may be difficult for firms to change their capital structure within short period of time given the fact that economic conditions were showing declining trends. Therefore, changing capital structure in such times may have added to the overall risk of the firms.

A business analysis project for Amazon.com

A business analysis project for Amazon.com INTRODUCTION Business analysis, a process of finding the needs and problems in business and generating solutions to cater to those problems. These Solutions should focus to achieve improvements in the process, incorporation of organisational change, planning and development to set a system of operation that is result oriented and effective. There are numerous tools and techniques used depending on the situation and requirement; few are PESTEL, PORTERs model, SWOT analysis, HEPTALYSIS, MOST, CATWOE, DeBonos six thinking hats, MoSCoW, five whys, VPEC-T and more; however only few of the above tools are used, very frequently in critical analysis at the initial stages. ABSTRACT In this case we analyze as how Amazon.com has been performing off late, using the tools mentioned above. The advantages and disadvantages Amazon.com has over their competitors, where they have been lagging, their financial performance and strategic approach. Critical analysis will be done on their business environment and strategic approach to highlight any possible shortfalls and to provide with appropriate recommendations for improvements. Internal and external analysis will be undertaken to determine their marketing strategy, their response to global e-retailing industry. COMPANY PROFILE Amazon.com based in Washington and found by Jeff Bezos in 1994 is global leader in e-commerce and it was the first company to introduce the concept of selling goods on the Internet. Initially Amazon.com started as an online bookstore and its success led Amazon to diversify into other products such as gifts, music, electronics, groceries, toys and many more. Probably today there is no product that Amazon.com doesnt sell. Amazon.com has developed different internet portal sites for different countries such as Canada, UK, Germany, France, China and Japan. Amazon.com was named after worlds largest river Amazon and was assigned with a logo of an arrow starting from A to Z representing the customer satisfaction as the highest priority and fill their store houses with every product in the alphabet. Amazon.com was open for trading under NASDAQ with a symbol AMZN for the first time on 15 may, 1997 by issuing initial public offering at a price of US $ 18/share. Amazon.com in its early stages was not very successful and did not produce any profits, which made investors rethink about their portfolio, major business and process restructuring was required; they had to cut down their costs to increase the profits and were tied up from diversifying into more products, however Amazon.com survived the dot com bubble in 2000 which was the core reason for many e- businesses to close down and this was the turning point for Amazon.com after which they finally in the fourth quarter, 2001 they made their first profit which generated revenues of more than a billion$ and $ 5million profits in just 1 quarter. This led Amazon.com to prove to the world that their business model was profitable and also they popularized online shopping which was recognized by time magazine and awarded Jeff as the business person of the year. 1.3. MISSION VISION STATEMENTS Amazon.com vision: Our vision is to be earths most customer centric company; to build a place where people can come to find and discover anything they might want to buy online. (Amazon.com, 2010) Above statement reflects that amazon.com wants to be global leader in e-retailing business by providing the quality products at affordable price using latest technology to build the customer database and gain their loyalty towards the brand; thereby catering to the stakeholders interests and generating profits to the company. Expand themselves all over and build a virtual market place where customers can shop comfortably from at home. ANALYSIS 2.1. EXERNAL ANALYSIS The external environment also referred to as the macro-environment, plays a very important role in the operations of any business. Key environmental factors such as political, economical, social, technological, legal, etc. affect the organisations at various levels. It has become the need of the hour to consider the potential impact of the external factors on the individual organisations. (Johnson et al, 2006). 2.1.1 PESTEL analysis PESTEL analysis is conducted to determine current and future trends in political, economical, social, legal, environmental and technological environments, might influence the performance of business and what measures to be taken to avoid any shortfalls. PESTEL Factors Key Points Relevance to Amazon.com Political Government policies incorporate competition and promotion by liberalizing telecom and e-commerce legislation Increase in affordability and internet usage. Investing in national ICT infrastructures by government (Euro monitor) Reliable, faster and better internet usage for the national users. Relaxation of competition policies in industry as compared to heavy industries in EU and North American regions Expansion of markets at greater a pace by mergers and acquisitions. Economic To control inflation, interest rates varied which slows down the consumer spending in UK. Off late spending has seen a downfall in US and rise in Asian markets due to economic growth; main reason being the credit crunch and tightening the housing loan (The Times online, 2008) Opens the gates to other global markets to such as India and china. Between 2006 and 2011 e-retailing grows tremendously by rising sales over 100%. This growth is backed by increase in the number of internet users in US, which has increased approximately by 85% after 2000. (Euromonitor International from national statistics) Increase in potential customers for Amazon.com The annual disposable income exceeds US$5,000. by 2011 covering around 620 million households; of these majority will be in Asia- Pacific next to western Europe. (Euro monitor International from national statistics) Increase in potential customers for Amazon.com leading to the concept of globalization. Social Popularity and increased use of online social networking. Added advantage to market the product and the website Interface available for users to shop and the increase in number of products lead to drop in online shopping. Has to come up with a solution to reduce the security and financial risks to users. Growth of internet from 2002 to 2011 is 288.7%. 28.9% of world population use the internet (Internet World Stats, 2009) Huge market available to exploit and establish. Technological Innovation of latest technologies increased broadcasting, internet access at cheaper cost. Increase in number of users of technical devices such as mobile, iPods, TV, led for increase in internet access for online shopping. Innovations and development of high-speed internet services (broadband) has increased usage rich media applications. Rich media applications are easily available to shoppers on internet. Environmental Awareness about pollution and global warming. Reduced travel and more shopping online. Corporate social responsibility and global pressure to go green. Can incorporate concept of green within postage and packaging, methods. Legal No standard regulations governing e-retailing covering entire globe. Eg. Federal trade commission in USA and data protection act in UK. Should be well aware of both domestic and international legal laws. European E-retailing directive Could impact the cross continental growth of e-retailing considering strict regulations (Jacobson, 2008 as cited in Zugelder et al, 1999). The invention of electronic signatures Law. Removes traditional legal methodologies and instate more secure and transparent legal environment. Summary of PESTEL PESTEL factors indicate attractive global market to be exploited by Amazon.com. Asian markets have reflected tremendous growth opportunities in recent past. Advancement and usage of internet for social networking has led to new opportunities to be exploited. Amazon.com should support environment friendly actions as increased importance is been given to environment these days, also to be a true global company Amazon.com has to incorporate single global strategy which involves legalities common to all of the globe. 2.1.2 Industry competitor analysis (PORTERs Model) For any organisation the industry and competitor analysis is important as it comes handy for businesses to understand the competitive forces, market status, factors influencing, competitive strategic implementations. Porters Five Forces analysis is used to assess the attractiveness of different industries, and therefore, it can help in illustrating the sources of competition in a particular industry (Johnson et al, 2006). Porters five forces High Low Power of suppliers Suppliers retain the control as few brands and special products increase the cost down the network. For example Harry Potter books are exclusive from publisher which is an advantage for Amazon.com E- Retailing sets a stage and makes it much easier for businesses to sell products directly to consumers without any third party in-between. Power of suppliers rise if the control of certain type of products rests with one supplier than fragmented. Products available easily pose low power to suppliers and they have to act to a mower margin. Wider the market, wider is the scope for suppliers thereby increasing number of suppliers. Power of buyer Increased market competition has increased the power of buyers. Increase in number of online stores and comparison sites makes e-retailing business even more difficult. Threat of new entrants Initial capital required for such a business is very low as it doesnt involve any inventory and storage costs and will only need to implement technology Strong brand image incorporates good customer relations and trust. Since the competition is very tight the suppliers who emphasize on economies of scale and consider business turnover over profits make more business and profits in the long run Leaders in the online retail industry hold the advantage of customer loyalty and database while giving edge over the cost. Threat of Substitutes Latest marketing factors such as feel, touch, hear physical stores; makes an effect. One of the major threats to Amazon.com is online rentals instead of purchase as posed by texbookflix.com, bookrenter.com which reduces cost and pile of trash to a major extent. Internet is a global marketplace where consumers can get information and products which are much better in quality and from overseas online for no or very little cost. E-libraries, $ and pound shops mark greater threat nowadays. Mail orders, network marketing, catalogues although not very popular and effective yet pose threat to online buying Competitive Rivalry Search engine plays a major role at the consumer end for it acts as interface between seller and buyer which generates opportunities and PR to other e-retailers. Due to low initial investment costs there are a numerous affiliate online stores which are smaller still increase the competition. Summary of key findings from Porters Five Forces The competition in e-retailing industry is intense. There are number of small organizations adding frequently making the situation even worse. Main competitors to Amazon.com are BN and E-bay. The threat posed by small players and new entrants who can equally compete directly with Amazon.com is very low. When consumers consider prices of goods they also consider brand image and if they are reliable, most of customers expect quality service than just quantity and lower priced service. 2.1.3 Competitor analysis / Benchmarking Amazon.com has a wide product range and equally wide number of websites that compete with Amazon.com. Most of the e-retailers concentrate on introducing variety of products in the current available market or entering the new markets across the globe or both in order to maintain economies of scale which helps catch up with the pace of e-commerce industry. If we consider how diversified the product line is and the geographical markets catered, eBay poses direct competition to Amazon.com. However Amazon.com is the market leader in current trend and they have immediate urgency to expand both their product line and geographical reach to remain as leaders. As we can notice in the above graph, in 2006 Amazon.coms growth rate as compared to that of walmart was very low because walmart was a strong brand by then and had advantages of cross channel synergies and in-store pick up. In 2007 we observe the amazon getting closer to walmarts growth rateas they diversified into products such as music, cds, dvds, mp3 players and more; due to increased competition from these players walmart has been losing its market share continuously and however once can see that by 2008 Amazon.com is almost overtaken the walmart by providing with various offers such as free delivery and customer reviews. (Source: Data monitor) The above table shows position of Amazon.com but they are more diversified into the product line and geographically well spread. Companies like apple, hp, and dell do online retailing only for focussed group of products. However store based companies grew very strongly in 2008, but due to economical, hit not too many companies was able to survive. Amazon.com did by lowering delivery charges and provided with best offers. They also introduced ad-free TV and own download service and film streaming service in 2008 to outplay all of their competitors. Through competitor analysis it can be concluded that BN.com is the leading competitor to Amazon in lifestyle goods and books. However, Amazon has a diversified product range. Wal-Mart.com has almost similar prices as compared to Amazon but they have better product range such as pharmacy, photo printing and etc. Ebay.com also has a wider product range and better geographical reach but their concept is different to Amazon.com More competitive threat posed by Tesco, Wal-Mart as they have physical stores and eBay has better geographical reach, but however Amazon.com has option to develop the strategic alliances as they did in Japan with Lawson to capture the market. Amazon.com has to design its strategies to address these competitive threats. 2.1.4 Global internet trends Internet Usage: china, US, Germany, India, Brazil, Japan are amongst the top 5 countries where internet is used the most; Amazon.com has made its impact in all the above countries except for India. This implies and directs Amazon.com to exploit hidden opportunity in Asian market and huge business potential for future. Graph below shows the popularity of internet in the 21st century, which indicates the future of e-commerce as trends keep changing. C:UsersWELCOMEDesktoptop202010.jpeg (Source: Worldinternetstats.com) The graph below shows the dominance of Amazon.com sector wise. The balloon shows of all the business done by amazon.com majority has been in internet retailing; direct selling, vending and home shopping is almost void. This reflects the influence of internet on the business of Amazon.com. It is also seen below emerging markets and present markets where currently Amazon.com has its presence. Of all the retail sales value Amazon.com holds a very small share but then future trends look brighter as the CAGR expected is highest in India by 2011. This lays a pathway to Amazon.com as to establish themselves without any delay in India. (Source: Data monitor) (Source: Data monitor) 2.2. INTERNAL ANALYSIS Internal analysis can be conducted to determine relationship between the organizations available resources and its application to generate value proposition to the customer, it can also be used to determine the limitations, advantages and disadvantages within the organizations. 2.2.1 The Value Chain The value chain analysis helps determining the effectiveness of actions that makes organizations standout from their competitors and take a lead; i.e. activities that are difficult to duplicate. Applying the framework laid by Amit and Zott (2001) analytical objective of value chain is attaining of transaction cost economies value creation. Amazon.com focuses on reducing the costs in creating unique value to its customers. Support Activities Value creation Firm Infrastructure All of the business units are provided with central customer data warehouse; and planning functions from headquarters. Human Resource Management Amazon.com employees enjoy benefits such as stock grants, relocation allowances, paid Time off medical. Such an approach invites warehouses to be in cheaper locations yet attract skilled labour. Technology Development Amazon.com implements latest technology to leverage opportunities in digital sales such as videos, music, eBooks (The Economist, August 2006) Being able to digitize media for online download or for Search inside the book service. Usage of hardware systems to reduce cost of maintenance and compatibility Procurement Using the SBU-Book bank to maintain inventory of digital copies of books so as to make it available readily for customers on-demand and reduce time of delivery (The Economist, August 2008). Usage of recyclable cardboards for packaging. Primary Activities Inbound logistics Robust forecasting technology ensures no or very returns of goods to suppliers. Collection of customer feedback and experiences to defragment inventory and delivery controls. Operations Secure and fast online payment systems. Employ 24/7 warehouse services to meet consumer demands. Outbound logistics Built in close proximity of a robust transport system e.g. Bedfordshire fulfillment centre located next to M1. Ability to collate orders from around same locations. Marketing Sales Live customer interaction to offer suitable products at discounted prices and product mix, leaving customer feel more valued. Robust shipping price calculation and shipping all the products for the price of one. Service Free consumer friendly returns policy within 30 days on unsatisfaction, inviting consumers to try more new products. Provision to select between old and new products with price comparison 2.2.2 Financial analysis In Q4 2009, Amazon reported 42%, $9.52b rise in sales as compared to worldwide sales of previous year which was $24.51b, a mere 28% rise under the economic pressure; they also benefitted from the investments into customer services in Q3; however rise in their revenues all over the world doesnt imply high profit margins. As compared to the consistent rise in sales, the profits have been fluctuating, however their margins are very low as compared to the turnover, reason being the economies of scale and competition. (Source: GMID) Amazon.com did see a drastic rise in number of active customers in latter half of 2009, in the final quarter the average revenue/ customer rise more than $90, a mere 63% hike as compared to previous quarters. However rise in sales and number of active customers also rise their expenses significantly except for technology costs. $274m, 84% more as compared to previous quarter was spent on marketing activities. They invested money on paid search engine marketing, search engine optimization and content development. Also they entered into price war with their competitors to tie-up consumers by reducing their prices of electronic goods persuading consumers to buy from them which raised the revenues and number of customers. Amazon Global Revenue and Active Customers 2009 (www.365daysofretail.com) Amazon 2009 Expenses: Fulfillment, Technology, and Marketing (www.365daysofretail.com) Below shows a summary of balance sheet and income statements for 10 years, as we can observe amazon.com has been adding value to its stakeholders year on year where EPS has rised to 2.04 from 1.49 previous year. Amazon.com has been very consistent ear on tear however between 2005-2006 their EBIT dropped because they had high budget on marketing and investment in systems which allowed them to stay ahead of competitors. C:UsersWELCOMEDesktop11.bmp C:UsersWELCOMEDesktop12.bmp (www.msnfinance.com) Debt, Capital and gearing ratio indicates the ratio of debt to capital invested. 82% of the finance was from borrowing in 2005 which reduced to 68% in 2006 and has further reduced dramatically. Debts lead to the interest payments decreasing the profit margin, however if the cost of debt is less than capital cost then one can opt for debt, but Amazon has been continuously reducing their debt cost year o year and is just $109m in 2009. New projects has to be financed which emphasizes amazon.com to borrow, this can be justified by the data where interest cover has increased regularly concluding amazon.com ability to pay interest by 33.1 times is profitable. Amazon has huge financial reserves and can used for innovative research and development programs and technological implementations where they can incorporate single global strategy and also penetrate more geographic markets to create value to the stakeholders and customers. 2.3 SUMMARY OF ANALYSIS 2.3.1 SWOT analysis From a detailed Internal and external analysis we can conclude and summarize the Amazon.com strengths, weakness, threats and opportunities from the following SWOT analysis. Strengths Globally recognised brand Research and development programmes Geographical presence Customer focussed vision Diversified product line Incorporation of latest technology Amazon.com affiliate and merchant Program Highly skilled employee base Best inventory and logistics. Huge economies of scale Weaknesses No physical stores Lower profit margin due to high competition Low cash flows Lower market share in countries like India and china. Opportunities Tremendous growth in digital downloads Popularity of social networking Increase of online shoppers in Asian markets Open options for expansion via MA. Increase in e sales and growth of e-retailing Advancement of digital technology Rise in consumer spending across the globe Threats Vastly dependent on vendors Huge competition as it requires low capital Applicable Patent regulations. Piracy Concentrated business vision. CONCLUSION RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1 CONCLUSIONS Analysis tool Key point Strategic essence PESTEL Rise in number of internet users. High priority to environmental issues Various government policies aiding now than before. Rise in internet usage opens new markets like china and India. Environmental issues can be utilized to advantage by incorporating proper CSR. Legal and government policies usually are havoc. Porters 5 forces Rise in competition levels taking into consideration the porters five forces. Amazon.com has the competitive advantage and the value proposition. Competition Competition from new entrants and stores are growing at a very high pace and geographically. Amazon.com strategy and diversified business focus leading to innovation should be implemented. Future internet trends USA, China, Japan, Germany, Brazil and India are the top internet users between 2006-2011. Amazon.com has a presence in all these countries except in India. The value chain Amazon.com is equipped with global IT, high investments in technology and systematic logistics with a centralized management. This stands out Amazon.com from other players in the market hence they should hold the competitive advantage of brand image. Resource Based View Biggest asset of Amazon.com is customer base, web personalization and value proposition they offer to their customer. Utilize the available resources, technology and global strategic reach to outplay competitors. Financial Analysis Rise in revenue every year and %CAGR growth has not led to high profits. Manage costs, resources and economies of scale more effectively to generate more profits 3.2 RECOMMENDATIONS Long-term focus Internet retailing presents a challenge to traditional retailing to see increased investments from store based retailers such as wal-mart making it more crucial for amazon.com to maintain a long term vision and invest in innovation, customer experience, diversified product range in spite of profit maximization expectations. Exploit New Markets Amazon.com should consider entering into more new markets especially Asian where the buying power, standard of living and the demand has rised dramatically over past few years as global economic changes take place. Downloads Expansion Amazons core business in future will be digital downloads, although they were latecomer in the field of film, music, TV downloads they have to cater to the demand in a highly competitive market along with their diversified product line. Also they have to concentrate on eBooks media division. Sensitivity to changing variables It is very important for amazon.com to be sensitive to the minor particulars such as changing trends, tastes, preferences of consumers from time to time as the purchasing power and changing lifestyles generate more demand leaving companies like Amazon.com to respond hence such a market research and imagination will be an advantage. Build selling opportunities Amazon.com should seek ways to sell products to customers with less havoc, instantly and securely as they did in text message selling without internet. In order to achieve this they need to have high end technical skills. Recently released kindle can also be used as a tool to increase the download sales.

The Role of Women in Society :: Sociology History Females Gender Essays

The Role of Women in Society   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The role women play in today’s society is a drastic change from the previous role. Women used to be confined to the superiority of the man. Physically, mentally, and emotionally abused, belittled, embarrassed, and silenced. These are just a few examples of the emotion from the isolated treatment of the past. A woman’s role in today’s society is more valued than ever before.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Women have always been essential to society. Fifty to seventy years ago, a woman was no more than a house wife, caregiver, and at their husbands beck and call. Women had no personal opinion, no voice, and no freedom. They were suppressed by the sociable beliefs of man. A woman’s respectable place was always behind the masculine frame of a man. In the past a woman’s inferiority was not voluntary but instilled by elder women, and/or force. Many, would like to know why? Why was a woman such a threat to a man? Was it just about man’s ability to control, and overpower a woman, or was there a serious threat? Well, everyone has there own opinion about the cause of the past oppression of woman, it is currently still a popular argument today.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Thanks to our strong, motivated, committed, dedicated, and determined women: who fought for the valued rights of woman everywhere. Without all the feminist, and woman activist women would probably still be oppress. Thank you to women like Eleanor Smeal, Bonnie Briggs, Maya Angleou, and Ms. Bensedrine, and Sadie Alexander (founder of DST).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Women today have excelled to unreachable heights. Today women are out in the workforce, the professional world, the military, and there are those that are still at home, but by choose. A woman’s value has skyrocketed over these past decades. A woman today can do anything a man can and more.

Mafia - A History Essay -- essays research papers

Throughout history, crime has existed in many different forms and has been committed by not only individuals, but by groups as well. Crime is something that knows no boundaries; it exists in all cultures, is committed by all races, and has existed in all time periods. Crime exists as a part of the economic institution and is a lifestyle for many people. Crime also exists in both organized and un organized forms. Since the early 1900's, "organized" crime has existed in the United States. The following will show where, when, and why the Mafia came to the United States, who organized it in the United States, and how it differed from its origins in the European mafia. By showing this you will see how this specific type of organized crime has In the ninth century, Arab forces occupied Sicily. The native Sicilians were oppressed and took refuge in the surrounding hills. The Sicilians formed a secret society to unite the natives against the Arab and Norman invaders. This secret so ciety was called Mafia after the Arabic word for refuge. The society's intentions were to create a sense of family based on ancestry and Sicilian heritage. In the 1700's, pictures of a black hand were distributed to the wealthy. This was an unspoken request for an amount of money in return for protection. If the money was not paid, the recipients could expect violence such as kidnappings, bombings, and murder. By the nineteenth century, this society grew larger and more criminally oriented. In 1876, Mafia Don Rafael Palizzolo, ran for political office in Sicily. He forced the voters to vote for him under gunpoint. After being elected into office, he promoted Mafia Don Crispi as Prime Minister. Together the two put Sicily under government control and funneled government funds to the society known as the Mafia. In the 1800's, New Orleans was the largest Mafia site in the United States. It was while investigating the murder of an Italian immigrant that the current Police Chief, David H ennessey discovered the existence of this secret society. Police Chief Hennessey was assassinated before this murder case could go to trial. Twelve men were charged with this assassination but were lynched by a newly formed vigilante group. The Italian Ambassador demanded that the vigilantes be tried. President Harrison who disproved of the vigilantes and gave a large cash settlement to the families ... ...ia consists of a large group of glorified thieves, pickpockets and murderers. Although it began with the adoption of much of the Sicilian heritage it has evolved into an organization that's sole purpose is to make money using any illegal means possible. The members of the American Mafia use extortion, bootlegging, prostitution, gambling, kidnapping, and murder to achieve their ends. The above research has shown that the Mafia has become a wide spread problem. The Mafia has continued to grow and infest our society from the early 1900's. It continues to exploit and destroy the honest citizens of our country. Now, these criminal organizations not only control the adults of our communities but also have begun, through the sale and distribution of narcotics, to control our children. Crime organizations must be stopped however this is a difficult task. They have infiltrated members of our government and law enforcement agencies with the lure of money. Unfortunately, crime does pay in m any instances. It is up to each of us to not look the other way, but be aware that there are really no victimless crimes. One way or another, we all pay either by higher taxes or by a more violent society.

Environmental Health Essay

Overcrowding: Overcrowding in houses can arise from several causes, and the physical and psychological effects on people living in overcrowded conditions can be quite severe. Overcrowding poses serious direct and indirect health risks to all segments of the population, particularly the elderly, young children, and the disabled. Overcrowding results in insufficient ventilation in homes, causing or exacerbating respiratory illness. Susceptibility to disease, the severity of diseases, the spreading of illness, and the mortality due to disease all increase as a result of social and physical overcrowding. Overcrowding physically and emotionally overburdens mothers and other caregivers, increasing health risks of dependents. Lack of space and overcrowding directly impacts on the physical development and psychological wellbeing of disabled residents. Children living in overcrowded and unfit conditions are more likely to experience respiratory problems such as coughing and asthmatic and wheezing. For many children this means losing sleep, restricted physical activity, and missing school. Effects of overcrowding include meningitis, tuberculosis, heart disease, stomach cancer, respiratory disease. Children in overcrowded housing are up to 10 times more likely to contract meningitis than children in general. Meningitis can be life threatening. Long-term effects of the disease include deafness, blindness and behavioural problems. Children in unfit and overcrowded homes miss school more frequently due to illnesses and infections. Overcrowding is linked to delayed cognitive development, and homelessness to delayed development in communication skills. Urbanization: Movement of people from rural to urban areas with population growth equating to urban migration. It is a double edged sword as on one hand it provides people with varied opportunities and scope for economic development and on the other hand it exposes community to new threats. Unplanned urban growth is associated with environmental degradation meaning that population demands that go beyond the environmental service capacity, such as drinking water, sanitation, and waste disposal and treatment. Rapid growth of urban centres has led to substandard housing on marginal land and overcrowding. Outbreaks of diseases transmitted through respiratory and faeco-oral route due to population density. It exacerbates health risks related to insufficient and poor water supply and poor sanitation systems. Lack of privacy leading to depression, anxiety, stress etc. Due to the numbers of motorized vehicles and industries in the cities of the developing world Problems of noise and air pollution arise. Air pollution can affect our health in many ways with both short-term and long-term effects. Short-term air pollution can aggravate medical conditions like asthma and emphysema. Long-term health effects can include chronic respiratory disease, lung cancer, heart disease, and even damage to other vital organs. Water pollution: Water pollution can come from a number of different sources. If the pollution comes from a single source, such as an oil spill, it is called point-source pollution. If the pollution comes from many sources, it is called nonpoint-source pollution. Most types of pollution affect the immediate area surrounding the source. Sometimes the pollution may affect the environment hundreds of miles away from the source, such as nuclear waste, this is called trans boundary pollution. Industrial and agricultural work involves the use of many different chemicals that can run-off into water and pollute it. Metals and solvents from industrial work can pollute rivers and lakes. These are poisonous to many forms of aquatic life and may slow their development, make them infertile or even result in death. Pesticides are used in farming to control weeds, insects and fungi. Run-offs of these pesticides can cause water pollution and poison aquatic life. Subsequently, birds, humans and other animals may be poisoned if they eat infected fish. Petroleum is another form of chemical pollutant that usually contaminates water through oil spills when a ship ruptures. Oil spills usually have only a localized effect on wildlife but can spread for miles. The oil cancause the death of many fish and stick to the feathers of seabirds causing them to lose the ability to fly. Industry is a huge source of water pollution, it produces pollutants that are extremely harmful to people and the environment. Many industrial facilities use freshwater to carry away waste from the plant and into rivers, lakes and oceans. †¢Pollutants from industrial sources include: ? Asbestos – This pollutant is a serious health hazard and carcinogenic. Asbestos fibres can be inhaled and cause illnesses such as asbestosis, mesothelioma, lung cancer, intestinal cancer and liver cancer. ?Lead – This is a metallic element and can cause health and environmental problems. It is a non-biodegradable substance so is hard to clean up once the environment is contaminated. Lead is harmful to the health of many animals, including humans, as it can inhibit the action of bodily enzymes. ?Mercury – This is a metallic element and can cause health and environmental problems. It is a non-biodegradable substance so is hard to clean up once the environment is contaminated. Mercury is also harmful to animal health as it can cause illness through mercury poisoning. ?Nitrates – The increased use of fertilisers means that nitrates are more often being washed from the soil and into rivers and lakes. This can cause eutrophication, which can be very problematic to marine environments. ?Phosphates – The increased use of fertilisers means that phosphates are more often being washed from the soil and into rivers and lakes. This can cause eutrophication, which can be very problematic to marine environments. ?Sulphur – This is a non-metallic substance that is harmful for marine life. ?Oils – Oil does not dissolve in water, instead it forms a thick layer on the water surface. This can stop marine plants receiving enough light for photosynthesis. It is also harmful for fish and marine birds. ?Petrochemicals – This is formed from gas or petrol and can be toxic to marine life. Carbon footprint: Man-made climate change, or global warming, is caused by the release of certain types of gas into the atmosphere. The dominant man-made greenhouse gas is carbon dioxide (CO2), which is emitted whenever we burn fossil fuels in homes, factories or power stations. But other greenhouse gases are also important. Methane (CH4), for example, which is emitted mainly by agriculture and landfill sites, is 25 times more potent per kilogram than CO2. Even more potent but emitted in smaller quantities are nitrous oxide (N2O), which is about 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide and released mainly from industrial processes and farming, and refrigerant gases, which are typically several thousand times more potent than CO2. In the UK, the total impact on the climate breaks down like this: carbon dioxide (86%), methane (7%), nitrous oxide (6%) and refrigerant gases (1%). Given that a single item or activity can cause multiple different greenhouse gases to be emitted, each in different quantities, a carbon footprint if written out in full could get pretty confusing. To avoid this, the convention is to express a carbon footprint in terms of carbon dioxide equivalent or CO2e. This means the total climate change impact of all the greenhouse gases caused by an item or activity rolled into one and expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide that would have the same impact. Loss of biodiversity: Human activities are responsible for most of the loss in biodiversity throughout the world. With an increasing population, we are consuming more and more natural resources.. We do this by driving more, using more energy in our homes, and buying many more products than we need. Biodiversity is important since it provides us with raw materials that we use to make products such as clothes, shoes and paper. And although we use many natural products and materials in our daily lives, we also use many human-made chemicals–cleaners, fertilizers, bug spray, pesticides, and many others. Even though we use them to help us, they have many side effects. Toxins and pollution are very harmful to biodiversity. The chemicals that we use end up in our waterways. Plants and animals are killed by oil spills. Wildlife gets caught in plastic trash.

Human Nature: a Contested Concept Essay

Are we inherently good or bad? Are we driven by reason or emotions? Are we selfish or altruistic? Is the human mind malleable or predisposed? These questions are highly contested and the answers to them far from clear. This is due not only to the array of different perspectives on human nature, but also to seemingly contradictory evidence. We need only scratch the surface of history to find confirmation that humankind is capable of incredible cruelty and violence. In Ancient Rome, for example, entertainment was provided by forcing people to fight animals and other human beings – often to the death. If this seems barbaric in the extreme, we thankfully also find tales of tremendous bravery and what would seem to be altruism. Today, unsung heroes risk their lives every day to save those of complete strangers. In short, the picture is a mixed one: â€Å"We seem to be part angel, part demon, part rational, part animal, capable of great glory and great tragedy†. 1 Indeed, the notion that human beings are part angel, part demon echoes Aristotle’s (384-322 BCE) conclusion that he who is content with his solitude must be â€Å"Either a beast or a God†. 2 Whether we are by nature good or bad is a central question in the debate on human nature. Philosophical as well as religious and spiritual traditions have answered the question in different ways. Thomas Hobbes (1588-1679) believed that humankind is driven by the passions or instincts linked to self-preservation. 3 Jean-Jacques Rousseau (1712-1778), by contrast, argued that human beings are by nature good and that any vices that they may have are attributable to the corrupting influence of society. What makes human beings distinctly â€Å"human† is their capacity for reason. In the Old Testament, humankind is portrayed as created in the image of God and, thus, inherently good. However, both Jews and Christians are in agreement that human beings fell from grace by failing to refrain from eating from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, which left them adrift, alienated from God and in need of salvation. 4 12 NAYEF R. F. AL-RODHAN Another question that recurs in discussions about human nature is whether we are driven by emotions or rational thought. A major concern here is whether reason plays a role in our moral judgements. If so, do we engage in conscious reasoning before pronouncing a judgement or after the fact? David Hume (1711-1776) was the first modern philosopher to argue that we make moral judgements on the basis of emotional responses to situations or scenarios. Immanuel Kant (1724-1804) held a different opinion. He argued that we make moral judgements through a process of conscious reasoning. 5 In Kant’s view, the evolution of humanity had followed a progression from being motivated by animal instincts to being driven by reason. For Aristotle, too, human beings are capable of living a â€Å"good† life by employing reason. Plato (427-347 BCE) held that human beings are driven by both passion and reason. How can we reconcile these seemingly contradictory faculties? Those who place greater emphasis on passion and survival instincts, such as fear, greed and sympathy, regard our biological heritage as more important than the environment in which we grow up, whereas those who give greater priority to our capacity for reason tend to attribute greater significance to culture and education or innate capacity – those things in the social world that shape the way we think and behave. Whether we are primarily motivated by basic survival instincts or by the environment is central to conflicting views on the question of free will and determinism. The question of how free humanity is to change its nature appears time and again in discussions. According to John Locke (1632-1704), people are free to conduct themselves in accordance with the laws of nature. In this view, nurture is more important than nature in shaping our behaviour. As is mentioned above, Plato occupied the middle ground. While human beings were believed to be the product of their biological heritage, the environment was thought to play a predominant role in influencing behaviour. Existentialists, such as Jean-Paul Sartre (1905-1980), Soren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) and Friedrich Nietzsche (1844-1900) argued that human beings have a radical free will – according to Sartre, â€Å"Man is condemned to be free†. 6 At the other end of the spectrum, Hobbes holds that it is nature that is the driving force. 7 Others would argue, however, that although we may feel as though we are endowed with free will, this is illusory. Proponents of this position argue that because our desires and reactions are not always something that we can control, we cannot be considered truly free. Sigmund Freud’s (1856- EMOTIONAL AMORAL EGOISM 13 1939) theory of pansexuality holds, for instance, that while people may think that they are making conscious choices, they are driven by subconscious motives. 8 Sociobiologists, such as, for example, E. O. Wilson regard human beings as products of evolution. 9 This distinction is important: if we are radically free to choose, we ought to be fully aware of what we are doing. However, if our genetic heritage shapes our mind and behaviour we ought to take this into consideration. 10 How we answer the above questions determines how we answer whether humankind is capable of moral behaviour. In this context, moral behaviour is defined as behaviour consistent with a system of rules of correct conduct. Does true altruism exist or is all altruism based on self-interest? According to Hobbes, human beings are egoists, incapable of acting altruistically. This view would appear to be consistent with situations such as a mugging that takes place in broad daylight where bystanders look on but fail to intervene. This fundamental question has elicited different responses. For Kant, morality is the result of reason. Evolutionary approaches to human psychology and behaviour provide a very different answer. Altruism presents the Darwinian theory of natural selection with a problem, given that this theory is premised on the pressures of competition. Acts of altruism would appear to have no obvious advantage. Prairie dogs, for example, warn others of approaching danger by calling to them, thereby alerting a predator to their own presence and placing themselves at greater risk. 11 How is it possible to watch on television a group of young men being rounded up and summarily shot in the back of the head and take no direct action to bring genocide to a halt? Some sociobiologists, such as Wilson and Frans de Waal, argue that morality has developed from our social instincts. 12 Some evolutionary psychologists, such as Marc Hauser, have gone so far as to argue that human beings have evolved an innate moral instinct. 13 This is interesting because it suggests that some basic moral criteria must be universal across divergent cultures. Yet, it also raises the question of whether, or the extent to which, human beings are deliberating moral agents. 14 1. 1. The Structure and Aims of the Book This book sets out to do two things: first, it strives to reach an understanding of human nature, which ultimately offers the promise of liv- 14 NAYEF R. F. AL-RODHAN ing a â€Å"good† life. Specifically, I ask the following questions: What motivates humankind? What is humankind capable of under certain circumstances? Do human beings possess an innate morality? In so doing, I engage with common points of reference in the debate on human nature. Drawing on insights from philosophy, psychology, sociobiology and evolutionary psychology, I put forward a more comprehensive view of human nature. However, discussions of human nature would be incomplete without considering the findings of neuroscience. I therefore use recent research in this rapidly developing field to go beyond the approaches to human nature in the above disciplines. Second, this book explores some of the global and security implications of human nature as I conceive it. The way in which we approach security issues inevitably contains assumptions about what motivates human beings in particular circumstances, and how we attempt to address these issues is circumscribed by those assumptions. It is essential that we get these assumptions right. The cost of getting them wrong is paid in lives. I therefore set out some ways in which we might better facilitate political and moral cooperation, based on our present knowledge of the neuro-psychological impact of our neurochemistry. In order to set the context for my own theory and to give the reader a sense of the main conceptions that influence thinking on the question of what makes us what we are, we begin by exploring some major theories of human nature. The book first sets out the main approaches to human nature. I refer to theories of human nature in a broad sense that includes philosophical, religious and spiritual, psychological and evolutionary approaches. Here, the main contours of the debate on human nature – are human beings good or bad, driven by passion or reason, constrained or radically free, moral or immoral – are addressed in greater detail. I then present my own theory of human nature, which I call â€Å"Emotional Amoral Egoism†. I argue that the human mind is not a tabula rasa, or a clean slate, as Locke suggested. Instead, the human mind is what I call a predisposed tabula rasa, with predilections stemming from its genetic make-up that later will be influenced by the environment. Humankind’s genetic make-up is essentially a code for survival. Survival instincts are emotionally based and neurochemically mediated. I therefore take issue with those who argue that human beings are primarily motivated by reason. This does not, however, mean EMOTIONAL AMORAL EGOISM 15 that we should favour nature over nurture in the nature/nurture debate, or that we should conceive of human beings as prisoners of their passions. Even though we are in part motivated by our basic survival instincts, our environment – which broadly comprises our personal state of affairs, upbringing, education, and societal, cultural and global state of affairs – plays an important role in shaping our psyche and behaviour. Moreover, what distinguishes humankind from other species is our capacity for reason. We are therefore driven by both basic survival instincts and rational thought, although, alas, less frequently by the latter than we might like to imagine. As is indicated, whether human beings are inherently selfish or capable of altruism is hotly contested. In my view, humankind is neither always moral nor always immoral, but can be either at different times. Human nature is governed by general self-interest and affected by genetic predisposition, which implies that there are likely to be limits to our moral sensitivities. In my view, altruism is in the final analysis driven by survival motives that are emotionally based. In this sense, my approach supports Hume’s thesis. Recent neuroscientific findings confirm that we are primarily driven by our emotions rather than reason. Yet, since the human psyche and human behaviour are also the product of the environment, under the right circumstances and with deliberate effort, we are capable of acting morally, beyond the margins of what our genetic coding has primed us for. In addition to considering who we are, I also briefly consider where we are going. Here, I look at how we can and are likely to be able to modify our psychological and physiological profile through biological and technological means. At some point in the future, we may have to deal with â€Å"the line between the human as a product of nature and the human as a fabrication of technology†. 15 Not surprisingly, this has generated heated debate. â€Å"What distinguishes modern technology from all other types, both pre-modern and non-Western, is its exclusive focus on the perfection of technical procedures and processes that had historically been subordinate to technological norms and standards, usually of a moral, political, and religious nature. †16 Will technological advances alter what it means to be human? Box 1 provides a summary of my general theory of human nature, â€Å"Emotional Amoral Egoism,† and briefly outlines some of its universal security implications. 16 NAYEF R. F. AL-RODHAN Box 1 Summary of â€Å"Emotional Amoral Egoism†: A Neurophilosophical Theory of Human Nature and its Universal Security Implications The enduring assumption that human behaviour is governed by innate morality and reason is at odds with the persistence of human deprivation, inequality, injustice, misery, brutality and conflict. In my theory of human nature, which I have termed â€Å"Emotional Amoral Egoism†, I argue that human behaviour is governed primarily by emotional self-interest focused initially on survival and, once achieved, domination. These facets of human nature are a product of genetically coded survival instincts modified by the totality of our environment and expressed as neurochemically-mediated emotions and actions. Reason, reflection and conscious morality are comparatively rare. The human mind is therefore a predisposed tabula rasa, resulting from both an in-built genetic code for survival and the environment. In my view, most human beings are innately neither moral nor immoral but rather amoral. They are driven by emotional self-interest and have the potential to be either moral or immoral, depending on what their self-interest dictates, and will be influenced in their choices by emotions and socio-cultural contexts. Circumstances will determine the survival value of humankind’s moral compass in that being highly moral in an immoral environment may be detrimental to one’s survival and vice versa. Indeed, our neuronal architecture is pre-programmed to seek gratification and â€Å"feel good† regardless of the reason. All apparently altruistic behaviour serves self-interest at some level. This insight has profound implications for the re-ordering of governance mechanisms at all levels with a strong emphasis on the role of society and the global system in maximising the benefits of what I term measured self-interest, while minimising its excesses, because human beings cannot be left to their own devices to do the â€Å"right thing†. Such reform offers the best chance of facilitating political and moral cooperation through the establishment of stringent normative frameworks and governance structures, that best fulfil the potential of human beings to exist and evolve in peace, security, prosperity and possible serenity. Further, humanity must never be complacent about the virtues of human nature. Therefore, everything must be done at all levels to prevent EMOTIONAL AMORAL EGOISM 17 Box 1 continued alienation, inequality, deprivation, fear, injustice, anarchy and the loss of the rule of law. History has shown repeatedly that humankind is capable of unthinkable brutality and injustice. This is often a result of what I call fear(survival)-induced pre-emptive aggression, which may occur no matter how calm the situation appears, although it is not necessarily inevitable. Moreover, where there is injustice that is perceived as posing a threat to survival, humankind will do whatever necessary to survive and be free. In such instances, â€Å"might† (military or otherwise) may not prevail or be the optimal solution. Human nature as we know it is, nevertheless, malleable and â€Å"manageable†. It may be radically modified as a result of advances in bio-, molecular, nano- and computational technologies. It will therefore be essential to establish a clear code of ethics regulating the use of these technologies sooner rather than later. In 5 to 5. 6, I discuss some of the global and security implications of my theory of human nature. This final part of the book first explores how prominent approaches to International Relations (IR) conceive of human nature and then outlines how my own theory may be situated in relation to them. I explain that my proposed general theory of human nature collapses the nature/nurture and free will/constrained dichotomies that tend to characterise the conceptions of human nature that inform major IR theories. I then discuss the relevance of my own conception of human nature to a number of issues: identity construction and globalisation, xenophobia and ethnocentrism, ethnic conflict, moral cosmopolitanism and governance structures. In the era of globalisation, the transnationalisation of production and finance, as well as the development and spread of new technologies, have helped to bring about changes in collective identities and inter-civilisational relations. There is a growing discrepancy between major collective identities and traditional political and cultural boundaries. 17 Since a main driver of human behaviour is ego – understood as that which negotiates between inner needs and social contexts, making humankind require a positive identity and a sense of belonging – this development has a number of implications. If ego may be considered to be a basic human need,18 then cultural disorientation is likely to negatively affect the human condi- 18 NAYEF R. F. AL-RODHAN tion and human security at various levels. While wide-reaching cultural change as part of globalisation is having positive effects in terms of increased exposure to and awareness of other cultures, as well as better access to knowledge, thereby bringing about a greater degree of interconnectedness, the cultural dimension of globalisation is sometimes perceived as generating cultural homogenisation. In the latter case, people may feel that their traditional culture is in danger of being eroded. Since fear is another central and very powerful driver of human behaviour, responses may take the form of intolerance, xenophobia and extremism. It is therefore important to view the needs for belonging and a positive identity as basic human needs, and to develop appropriate policies and institutional structures to ensure that these needs are met. At the state level, for instance, this means promoting an inclusive society that is underpinned by institutions that make effective representation possible. Globalising processes are also affecting and politicising intercivilisational relations. The increased dispersion of people from diverse cultural contexts, instant connectivity due to new technologies, and the existence of economic and political inequalities mean that issues can be transnationalised more easily than in the past. Some issues may be perceived as an act of aggression against collective identities that define themselves as part of a broader civilisation. This can cause inter-civilisational tension and provide ammunition for those who wish to exploit such fears for their own purposes. Changes in the global political and economic environment in the past few decades have also resulted in new waves of migration as people seek employment and greater opportunities outside their home country. In some regions of the world, the presence of newcomers has generated negative reactions from some factions in society. Exposure to negative stereotyping in the mass media, for example, may increase public support for policies targeted at minority groups in societies and for discrimination against them, which may be subtle or involve physical violence. In Europe, migration has been securitised (i. e. , raised to the level of a security issue) since the mid-1980s, when migration became subsumed in a broader security continuum including other issues such as terrorism and transnational organised crime. The securitisation of migration is sometimes accompanied by xenophobia. Those exposed to xenophobia suffer from a reduction in security and do not enjoy a positive identity, at least in terms of the way in which EMOTIONAL AMORAL EGOISM 19 others define them. This means that a basic human need goes unmet, again with potentially avoidable consequences. 19 Understanding the central dimensions of human nature may contribute to responses to migration that do not feed xenophobic reactions in society. Both the environment and our genetic coding are implicated in xenophobic reactions. Evolutionary approaches to human nature would attribute xenophobia to how we evolved from our ancestors. The argument is that human beings, like animals, have a tendency to be hostile towards strangers. Some argue that xenophobia may be something that people have developed to protect themselves against transmittable disease. A stranger might also represent a threat to a place or hierarchy and, therefore, be treated with hostility and suspicion. In both instances, fear of strangers may allow individuals and groups to thrive genetically. While the emphasis here is on genetics, culture is nonetheless recognised as influencing this genetic predisposition. 20 If we are better equipped to comprehend the drivers of human nature, we might also stand a better chance of preventing and alleviating conflict. Ethnic conflict, for example, is often perceived as the result of timeless hatreds. Viewed in this way, there is little that can be done to alleviate its causes. Preventing ethnic conflict from occurring may seem an impossible task. Thus, considering purely biological factors in a narrow way limits the degree of the possible. While humankind may be weighed down by its biological heritage, and we should not dismiss this out of hand, the environment has an important impact on the human psyche and human behaviour. Fortunately, we are capable of influencing the environment and, therefore, conflict. If we recognise that both our genetic predilections and the environment affect how and whether tension degenerates into violent conflict, we may be able to develop policies to prevent this from happening. A better understanding of human nature may also help humankind to promote cooperation and moral behaviour at the global level. For centuries, politics has been shaped by the concept of state sovereignty, and allegiance to the political unit of the state has been shaped by nationalism. Today, however, national borders are more porous and, for many people, allegiances are not limited to the state. Globalisation is creating a â€Å"transnational social space†. 21 Increased human mobility and interconnectedness mean that many people have to negotiate between multiple identities. The global society that is emerging is composed of great diversity and greater inequality, which 20 NAYEF R. F. AL-RODHAN makes mutual recognition and respect imperative. Moreover, international norms have evolved in such a way that requires moral cosmopolitanism, which assumes that individuals belong to a single moral community. Yet, all too often, there appears to be a disparity between the moral principles we have developed and what we actually do. Biologically inherited behavioural traits may play a role in explaining this apparent gap. 22 We need to find a normative arrangement that will better equip us to address together political, socio-economic and cultural issues. One of the difficulties that evolutionary theories highlight is the difficulty that we may have in acting morally towards â€Å"distant others†. This is by no means to suggest that we wish to justify people’s indifference to difference or the challenges to acting altruistically towards others with whom they have no direct contact. Culture may be able to cultivate a more altruistic attitude towards strangers, which is essential if we are to respect the dignity of others. If, as sociobiologists suggest, there may be limits to our moral sensitivities, then it is important to know about this because it will require a deliberate effort to promote moral cosmopolitanism, rather than assuming that we can rely on individuals to behave in an ethical way. We need to find a common basis on which we can cooperate. Since the human brain is quite malleable, public policies and governance structures can influence the human condition and, as a result, the likelihood of insecurity and instability. What kind of governance structure would be required to enable humanity to prosper and to enhance global stability? Since our survival instincts inform a great deal of our behaviour, it is essential that people’s human rights are vigorously upheld. While there is a general consensus that human beings should not be subjected to torture or degrading treatment, basic human rights ought to extend to basic needs such as shelter and food. This means that human security, which is defined as the freedom from want and fear, ought to be promoted at all levels. Political processes and structures should be inclusive. Multilateral institutions, for example, ought to be more representative so that the evolution of the global order is the result of an inclusive and collective effort. Chapter 6 offers some concluding thoughts on the implications of â€Å"Emotional Amoral Egoism† and makes some policy recommendations based on my general theory of human nature and my specific theory of human motivation contained therein. Some may object to the claims that I make in the text. They may, for a variety of reasons (i. e. , upbringing, experience, education) EMOTIONAL AMORAL EGOISM 21 see themselves or others as more rational, or more moral than my conception of human nature allows. However, my theory is intended to apply to the majority of human beings, not the minority. I have also kept the discussion of neuroscientific and philosophical issues general in order to avoid overwhelming the reader with technical detail and nomenclatures.

The current business environment

The current business environment is characterized by a considerable level of competitive rivalry and as a result businesses have to constantly reengineer their internal processes in order to develop a sustainable competitive advantage.This is the situation in the airline industry and as a result Air Asia has to develop a sustainable competitive advantage. It is believed that the installation of the e-commerce application will facilitate the implementation of the most important strategy: maximizing access to information.This is one of the most important strengths for the company not only because the company will be in a position to collect more information about its customers, but also because the customers will be able to get more information as well. As a result, this will serve as an advertising tool for the company. In this respect, the company will not be facing any problem because the strategy is being implemented through a joint venture with Microsoft.The airline industry is ch aracterized by a high level of competitive intensity and therefore Air Asia has to constantly reengineer its internal operations in order to build and maintain a competitive edge. In this respect, the strategic focus of the company is cost minimization.uAccording to Michael Porter’s framework for strategy formulation, a business organization has three strategies at its disposal in order to build and maintain a competitive advantage. These are differentiation, cost minimization and focus (cited in Fred, 2006). Although Air Asia might be said to be implementing all three strategies, its focus is on minimizing costs.The company is implementing the strategy of focus by targeting underserved markets while it is implementing the strategy of differentiation by adding value-added services to its repertoire.However the reasoning behind choosing to adopt these strategies has been to locate opportunities for ensuring customer satisfaction through focusing on areas of the market which ha ve not been targeted by competitors. As a result, Air Asia manages to charge lower prices than many of its competitors while maintaining comparable standards of quality.Mobile commerce is an extension of e-commerce according to which computer systems can be accessed through the internet on mobile devices such as PDA, smartphone or a cell phone (cited in Hitt, 2007). Mobil commerce has greater flexibility than e-commerce because it has satellite connectivity.As a result, devices which do not have internet connectivity but which have satellite connectivity can conduct transactions via m-commerce. In this respect, it must be mentioned that m-commerce can conduct video and audio conferencing. Therefore the application of m-commerce leads to greater scope for business-to-business and business-to consumer exchanges.This has become the crucial business model in the current business environment which is characterized by a high level of competitive rivalry. This means that businesses must fo cus on the process of cost minimization. This is facilitated through both e-commerce and m-commerce applications as they facilitate the development of B2B and B2C frameworks. However m-commerce is more convenient because of its greater accessibility.Air Asia’s application of Windows Vista can be extended to m-commerce because Microsoft has already developed operating systems for mobile phones.Therefore Microsoft will be in a position to create interoperability between e-commerce and m-commerce through the Air Asia gadget. Although m-commerce is wirelessly connected, it has the flexibility of being connected through e-commerce as well. This means that any solutions developed for e-commerce can be accessible through m-commerce.This will benefit the consumers because they will not have to be connected to the internet once the Windows Vista application is made compatible in the m-commerce platform. In this respect, the costs of conducting e-commerce applications are higher than m -commerce applications. E-commerce requires connectivity via a personal computer. With m-commerce the same amount of information can be processed through a cell phone.

Minimizing High School Dropouts: Social Perspective Essay

The purpose of this research paper was to record and analyze students’ experiences with dropping out of high school within a social perspective. Discussing the stories of high school dropouts provided valuable information related to the root causes of dropout behaviors in a social influence context. This information could be used to develop programs designed to increase social influence in schools, families, and communities, which can contribute to a decrease in dropout behaviors. High school dropouts are at a new record high in society today, it has been recorded that every second there is a high school student dropping out equaling close to 1000 students a month throughout the USA. What grade should be observed the most to avoid high dropout rates? Who does the high school dropout crisis affect the most? These are just some of the questions we as parents, teachers, administrators, government officials, etc need to really ask ourselves. Because this social problem is only going to keep growing if we as a nation do not start taking the proper steps to improve our school systems and communities. Graduation rates are one of the most troubling concerns, especially in the ninth grade. Meanwhile, the federal government has invested millions of dollars in researching at risk drop out students, which estimated in 2001 to over half a million students leaving before graduation. Unfortunately, this increase in the dropout rate has occurred at a time when there seems such a large emphasis on getting a college degree, much less a high school diploma and being able to compete in a global world (Neild, Balfanz, & Herzog, 2007). The ninth grade students accumulate the highest behavioral issues as well as poor grades, because it is the first time for many students having to earn passing grades in their core courses or even be responsible for their own actions. Researchers have started their target area with the ninth graders because this is a make or break stage in the students’ school years (Smith, Akos, Lim, & Wiley, 2008). With high school graduation requirements increasing throughout the states both involving the ninth grade and the transition from middle school to high school , a lot of data went into viewing the importance of the ninth grade year (Cooney, & Bottoms, 2002). Possible help tactics to ease the transition to high school included developing freshman academics and emphasis on students both before and after ninth grade, which could boost freshman success and possibly reduce high school dropout rates (Fulk, 2003). Challenging high school graduation requirements during the ninth grade year are only one of the many issues that many students face. With this being my 2nd year as an Administrator in high school, I am the individual that works closely to the ninth grade class developing transition skills from middle school to high school. And honestly at this level of high school they are the most challenging because they are still playful, immature, and lack the importance of high school. So implementing programs throughout their whole 9th grade year could help develop them into stronger students as well as individuals. Fulk (2003) mentioned high schools developing freshman academics so this way they are challenging them not making the transition complicating but strengthening them academically. High schools implementing this program could be a great idea however these students need to be motivated and strengthened mentally before expecting them to achieve the highest level of excellence academically. Because this situation is so publicized the school systems need to gather (etc; charter schools, public schools, private schools) to implement social psychological theories to these schools so this issue can start changing. But realistically, the schools can get onboard however if the parents do not drive this into their children it can be quite difficult to change their attitudes on their academic achievement. I would like to see more after school programs focusing on attitude adjustment and academic achievement. Socially, we as a nation need to address this social issue and create interventions for all schools to implement because there should not be that many high school dropouts daily throughout this nation. In addition, students need to have mentors not just their teachers, administrators, etc because this could be a drive that could change this social problem within the school systems. Cultural influences provided an exploration of the effect of neighborhood distress, which includes high poverty levels and crime rates, on the risk of dropping out of school. When all other variables were controlled for, white students were more at risk of dropping out of school than African American students were. In addition, students from families with higher incomes and levels of education were less likely to drop out of school and that household stability reduced the likelihood of dropping out of school. When neighborhood distress was added into the equation, Crowder and South found that African American students from disadvantaged neighborhoods were over twice as likely to drop out of school as white students from similarly disadvantaged neighborhoods, a finding which was independent of individual- and family-level characteristics. This effect was more pronounced for male African American students as the level of neighborhood distress increased, and was exacerbated by living in a single-parent household (Crowder & South). Among white students, females were more likely to drop out of school than males as the level of neighborhood distress increased (Crowder & South). The impact of socioeconomic factors in neighborhoods on the tendency for students to drop out of school was substantial, particularly for African American males in single-parent households and white females. The social influence and dropout behavior for different minority groups focuses on all aspects of social influence, which Latinos have been reported having an unsuccessful academic outcome. This family social influence translates into poor academic achievement because of the lack of community social influence and value placed on the potential of women in Latino society to produce economic wealth (Qian, & Blair, 1999). The purpose of this study was to record and analyze students’ experiences with dropping out of high school within a social perspective. Some of this data was collected over the past 4 yrs at my current high school where I am employed as Assistant Dean of Students; meanwhile, some is more current. As a researcher, I assumed students who have dropped out of school had something important to say about the social components they perceived as being lacking from their educational process and that student views had the potential to enrich discourse about social influence. My experience as an administrator responsible for dealing with students who have attendance problems contributed to my desire to tell the stories of such students. From this study, I examined how the level of social influence in each participant’s life affected the decision each made to drop out of school. Furthermore, I was able to develop a more complete definition of social influence as it relates to dropouts. Through this study, I gave a voice to the high school dropout and provided a context for the improvement of the level of social influence found in families, schools, and communities. The shared experiences of high school dropouts provided insight into the aspects of social capital that may contribute to the decision for the student to leave school. An examination of the stories of dropouts obtained in interviews gave a voice to those who were unable or unwilling to complete high school. In addition, it provided a forum for utilizing social theory to develop a future dialog for reduction of the dropout problem. As part of my experience as Assistant to the Dean of Students, one of my charges has been to implement consistency with our school’s attendance policy and to decrease the school’s dropout rate. During one of our weekly meetings, the school’s Department chairs and I decided to meet with six to eight at-risk students, and, when available, their parents. These meetings focus on determining why each of the students was not coming to school and developing a plan to get each student back on track for graduation. I have heard stories of family problems, academic difficulties, substance abuse, mental illness, and bad habits that shaped students’ perceptions of their realities in school. Participants The potential participants for this study included approximately 30 students, age18 and over, who dropped out of the school during the 2005-2009 school year. Meanwhile, five students were selected from this research study for face-to-face interview time. First, each student must have been a part of the general education population and not have had an Individualized Education Program (IEP) developed for them. Students with disabilities were not included in this study. There are a disproportionate number of dropouts with disabilities (Goldschmidt, 1999). According to a report of findings from the National Longitudinal Transition Study-2, approximately 30% of all students with disabilities dropped out of high school in 2003 (Wagner, Newman, Cameto, & Levine, 2004). The nature of the disability might be a reason for the dropout behaviors and may confound the data. However, further study needs to be conducted for IEP students because from what I have witnessed, their level of motivation is low and they tend to give up. In addition, once all candidates were interviewed, the Department chairs, Dean of Students and I chose our students for further research. Meanwhile, since some data from previous dropouts had already been documented the ethical consent forms were not necessary; however, ones being considered at risk dropouts were given an ethical consent form. Each candidate was informed of the nature of the study and asked of his or her level of willingness to participate. During the study, some questions were asked to guide participant into discussion: 1. Tell me about yourself. 2. Tell me about your high school experience. 3. Describe the ways you were encouraged to stay in high school The questions were intended to elicit stories that would provide information to answer the research questions, meanwhile, these responses were based on the main components of social influence that lead them to dropping out of high school.  Here are some gathered responses from the participants to answer the research question â€Å"Social Perspective on Minimizing Dropout Rates†. 1. Single parent home, does not get along with parents, no family support, illegal drug use, criminal activities, repeated two grade levels. 2. Skipping school and classes, not much desire to be in school besides socially, not involved in school activities, parents not knowledgeable of academics, behavior, etc, no high levels of expectations given by parents. 3.  Had several teachers, administrators riding him giving motivational speeches, encouraging him. Still no family support besides his friends doing nothing with their lives. Future Study The school systems are being held accountable for increasing graduation rates. While they are unable to control access to family and community social influences available to students, they can assist students by teaching them how to identify dysfunctional relationships and how to utilize social influences that is available to them through building positive relationships and seeking mentors. Further research into the development of successful intervention programs to provide support for social attainment throughout a child’s school career may be a proactive way to work with students who exhibit tendencies to drop out of school (Astone, 1991). One major setback encountered by the students was that they had not established long-term goals or had goals that were unrealistic. In this study, the students had difficulty answering questions about their goals and seemed to be unable to imagine prospects beyond the immediate future. Unfortunately, there was a lack of family social influence available to the students in this study. Quantitative studies have clearly identified components of social influence related to the family that are indicators of future dropout behavior (Fontana, 2002). Not many studies were found that analyzed the parental viewpoint on the development of family social influence. A research design study of the parents of dropouts and the stories they tell about their children may add to the future studies. Understanding how aspects of social influence appear in the stories that parents tell could provide information about how family social development breaks down in the lives of dropouts (Epstein, 2002). The theme found throughout this research project was that a lack of family and community social influence in the form of a deficiency in relationships with members of families or communities with the capacity to assist students in their endeavors to complete school might have contributed to dropout behaviors exhibited by students in this study. In addition, access to school social influence did not necessarily enhance the students’ potential to complete school. Developing social influence is a way to remove barriers for students and to build bridges that bring school personnel, community members, and families together to keep youth in school. Social networks among parents, educators, and community members are crucial to the success of each child, in addition to school social influence, family social influence, and community social influence. Nevertheless, it seems that in the cases of these students, school social influence was readily available, but they did not utilize it. To maximize the benefits received, students must understand how to use social influence available to them. School personnel have limited control over the amount of school social influence students may utilize. By increasing available school social influence, students should exhibit decreased dropout tendencies along with increasing community and family social influence, which has been shown to increase student achievement.