Churchill, Hitler, and the unncessary war Essay

Churchill, Hitler, and the unncessary war - Essay Example The Treaty of Versailles, and the punitive damages enforced against Germany, should stnad for nothing. Patrick Buchanan's book does its best to dismiss this complacency and show how British policymakers committed a number of blunders which led to the possibility of war becoming much more likely. One of the chief culprits of those blunders was Winston Churchill, largely lionized today. Throughout this insightful and instructive book, Buchanan takes on conventional wisdom and scores point after point. Buchanan is best known as a conservative commentator in the United States. He has also run for president previously. He represents a Washingtonian wing of the Republican party, one which holds to the first president's most famous line: â€Å"Avoid foreign entanglements.† Buchanan is an ardent critic of American wars overseas and believes many of the conflicts which the U.S. has been involved in in the 20th century have been largely avoidable and unnecessarily costly. As such, he is known as an isolationist, and this book confirms that fact. Buchanan draws on a wide reading of historical documents to make his point in this book. In his view, World War I was unnecessary, and partly caused by the British government's haughty behaviour towards to the Kaiser (Buchanan, 10). Likewise, the Second World War was unnecessary. ... Buchanan takes an unconventional view on both the Kaiser and Hitler, but especially on Churchill who is often seen today as a secular saint. Much of the Churchill worship focuses on his oratory during the attacks on the United Kingdom. There can be little doubt that these were stirring performances and that the man was an articulate and excellent speaker. For example, one of his most famous radio addresses went as follows: We shall go on to the end, we shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our Island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender, and even if, which I do not for a moment believe, this Island or a large part of it were subjugated and starving, then our Empire beyond the seas, armed and guarded by the British Fleet, would carry on the struggle, until, in God's good time, the New World, with all its power and might, steps forth to the rescue and the liberation of the old (Churchill) This is stirring stuff. It inspired millions of Britons not to give up and to continue fighting in the Battle of Britain. It is clear that the man who had ordered the senseless slaughter at Gallipoli in the First World War, was a fine speaker. But strategically he was a poor thinker. He had wanted war for a long time and thought of himself as a warrior (Buchanan, 281). As Buchanan makes clear, he lead Britain into a disastrous war with Germany. By the end of the Second World War, Britain was so bankrupt it had to give up much of

Consumer Products Report Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Consumer Products Report - Research Paper Example I hope that you are going to find this report satisfactory and up to your required standards. Sincerely yours, Name Faculty. Address Enclosures. Contents Letter of Transmittal 2 Contents 3 Introduction 4 Background to the Study 4 Research Aim 6 Significance of the Study 6 Methodology Applied 6 Findings 7 Primary Findings: Interview with a User 7 Primary Findings: Interview with a Sales Person 8 Primary Findings: Interview with a Technician 8 Secondary Findings 9 Summary of the Findings 10 Conclusion and Recommendation 10 References 11 Appendix-1: Interview Guideline for User 13 Appendix-2: Interview Guideline for Sales Person 14 Appendix-2: Interview Guideline for Technician 15 Introduction This research study is aimed at comparing a model of Sony TV with that of Samsung and Toshiba in order to facilitate the buying decisions needed to be made by the customers. For this reason, the researcher will utilize an interview guideline to conduct primary research and would take help from sec ondary sources to affirm the findings of the primary research. Background to the Study The development in technology and the globalization of resources and businesses has urged organizations to align t heir operational activities with that of pace of other businesses. This is because, to stay alive in the market place, organizations need to provide technologically driven and up to dated solutions to the requirements of customer, so that they stay loyal to the businesses. In this scenario, organizations engage themselves in business processes which ensures that every now and than, business come up with a new and innovative product idea, which outmatches the products of same product category of competitors (Herrick, 2007). In case of electronic appliance and gadget manufacturers, need for innovation and creativity increases as these manufacturers are perceived to be providing high quality technological gadgets that make customers’ life easier. Televisions were first introduced into the commercial market in late 1920s and since than, they have transformed into many forms, i.e. from simple cathode ray tube device to LCDs and than to LEDs. Televisions are undoubtedly the most purchased and utilized electronic device in the world and are used for communicating with the world through moving images (Bellis, 2012). The changing dynamics of consumer demands and preferences, along with the changing dynamics of the television manufacturing industry, has proved to be working as a catalyst in speeding up the process of introducing new and innovative television sets to the market. Additionally, the rapid changes in technological aspects of television manufacturing and industry structure makes television manufacturers face enormous challenges in the integration of their value chain activities. Moreover, the bigger challenge arises on customers’ sides that are looking for more facilitating solutions to fulfill their requirement to stay connected to the rest of th e world through television, and at the same time, looking for television that provide them real time image and provide picture quality that makes them feel if they are being a part of the scene they see on televisions (Gage & Pizzi, 2010). A number of quality television manufacturers dominate world’s television market. Among these manufacturer

Lone Parents And Poverty

Lone Parents And Poverty I have chosen to focus my essay on lone parents and poverty. Lone parents are a growing group in Great Britain and elsewhere, and one with high rates of poverty and receipt of social assistance. This paper will analyse the current Governments policy objectives and their vision that it is right to expect people to make every effort to get themselves ready for work, as well as raising expectations within society. employment, or employment on low earnings (Millar and Ridge 2001). This means that many lone parents have to rely on state benefits which are often set at low levels. To this list we might also add low rates of receiving child support from ex-partners (the father of any children), and relatively low rates of child support even among those receiving any (Marsh et al 2001). It is widely accepted that poverty is a consequence of lone parenthood. But poverty is itself also a cause of lone parenthood, particularly for single (never-married) lone mothers. In previous years in Britain lone parents with children below the ages of 16 had a right to seek paid work or not without any risk of sanctions from the Government or other Government bodies (Rafferty and Wiggan, 2011). This was further pointed out by by the Freud Review (2007) of the welfare to work provisions as well as the green paper on welfare reform published in the same year In work, better off: next steps to full employment. This was seen as a critical phase in the development of social poilicies within the area, it saw a new social agreement and view that sought to reinforce lone parents oblihations to seek paid work (Department for Work and Pensions 2007). The subsequent December 2007 White Paper, Ready for work: full employment in our generation, while acknowledging that many respondents to the Green Paper did not support the proposal to require lone parents to seek work on the basis that they should be able to choose to stay home to look after their children full-time, pointed towards evidence of the negative long-term effects for parents and children of long-term economic inactivity. Under the old labour Government, lone parents with a child under 16 who were not in full-time work could claim Income Support. However, from November 2008 most lone parents with a youngest child aged 12 or over were no longer eligible for Income Support. Those deemed able to work were instead able to claim Jobseekers Allowance, provided they were available for and actively seeking work. The age threshold for the youngest child was then progressively lowered, so that by October 2010 most lone parents with a youngest child aged seven or over were subject to the JSA regime and this was further extended in the Budget 2010 to those whose whos youngest dependent child being  ¬Ã‚ ve or over (Great Britain, Parliament, Her Majestys Treasury, 2010). The Governments intentions are for those who find work to benefit from higher income and improved wellbeing. They are committed to halving child poverty by 2010-11 and on the way to eradicating it by 2020. Currently there are 2.9 million children living in poverty. In addition to making families better off, paid work has other important benefits including improving the health and well-being and future prospects of both parents and children. There are also fiscal benefits behind the idealisms, with a lower benefit burden the Government estimates that this policy change will affect approximately 100,000 single parents in 2011 and make saving of  £380m between 2011 and 2015 (Tickle, 2010) there is also wider social gains with reduced adult and child poverty through increased employment (DWP, 2008). Lone parents feel that their concerns have been disregarded; that being a parent is a full time job and there are insufficient flexible, family friendly jobs available (Woods, 2011). Gordon (2002) stated that there was an uncertainty about how to get benefits reinstated quickly if a job did not work out well for the lone parent and it was another barrier in the way of seeking employment as well as the loss of Housing Benefit and changes in their Working Tax Credit. This is reinforced by the Policy Studies Institute (1997) which found that many out of work lone parents say they are unable to take paid jobs, even if they could find affordable childcare and the biggest reason given was that their children were too young and needed their mother at home. On 26 October 2009 Gingerbread published a report, Signing on Stepping up? Single parents experience of moving on to Jobseekers Allowance, which presented the findings from a qualitative study based on interviews with 34 lone parents both before and after their move to JSA, carried out between January and August 2009. Before the move, parents expected to feel under considerable pressure to find work once they were on JSA. Once they were on JSA many parents did indeed feel under pressure and some were applying for jobs that would not really be suitable. In general the increase in pressure was not accompanied by more support to find a job; once on JSA many parents said that they had not had any support or advice about job hunting apart from hurried fortnightly sign-on appointments. Many parents said that they felt the Jobseekers Allowance is more stigmatised than Income Support, and parents felt embarrassed about signing on at the Jobcentre. The change to fortnightly payments also was very unpopular and caused problems for many parents. There was evidence that parents are not getting enough clear information about the change to JSA. Some parents did not know well in advance when their benefits would change, others were worried that their JSA might be stopped if they didnt find work, and many did not understand the conditions and flexibilities around JSA. Many of these parents had health conditions or other responsibilities that would make it difficult for them to work, and many had children with health issues or problems at school. Channel 4 News (2011) broadcast this as the new welfare reforms for single parents coming into force, and that lone parents are being set up to fail by the new proposals. (Gingerbread, 2011). Gordon went on to state that older policies that had been pushed through and pursued by the Conservatives in the 80s and 90s had resulted in a large increase in low-income households and families. This only changed when New Labour came to power in 1997 they changed direction and focused their policies on making work pay by creating a liveable minimum wage and a welfare ideology within society, which emphasised the importance of maternal care. They created the making work pay strategy which they hoped would in the long term lower the numbers of people, including lone parents, who were welfare dependant. It was aimed at all groups who were seen as vulnerable and suffering under the older system and was especially helpful to lone parents as it included increased financially supported childcare and a specific New Deal which started after the 1997 election. The deal was a voluntary programme which offered help and support for lone parents who wished to return to work or make an attempt to do so. It included job search support and the training needed, along with personal support, to help lone parents attempt to adjust and prepare for the transition to work however one of the flaws that developed was that there was limited opportunities for the training amongst lone parents. Government policies that are designed to help vulnerable groups, including lone parents, get back into the working environment and reduce the levels of poverty within society could had a profound difference and change the quality of life for lone parent families. (Gregg, Harkness and Smith, 2007) It is obvious that Social Workers must be aware of lone paretns and their daily struggle with poverty and employment. It is a current and big issue within socieity and poverty is a key and defining feature in the lives of many service users. (Cunningham Cunningham, 2008) They go further by statting that sociology is a key component and skill for Social Workers to learn and understand so that they can use it in their practice to under pin the Codes of Practice set forth by the General Social Care Council. The same codes that state that all Social Workers must have appropriate knowledge and skills to provide social care and keep those skills and knowledge up to date. (GSCC, 2002) Reducing welfare dependency for lone parents could result in reduced welfare expenditure and maximised employment rates along with improved socio-political impact for women however the financial incentives for work has to be substantive and sustainable to reduce the risk of in-work poverty. (Knijn, Martin and Millar, 2007). Finch et al (2004) suggested that a lack of good childcare was one of the significant barriers to the governments target to increase the lone parent employment rate to 70 % by 2010. In the budget address of 2010, George Osborne stated that the government expects lone parents to look for work when their youngest child goes to school. These changes were then implemented on 25 October 2010 and affected lone parents claiming income support. The Job Seekers Allowance Regulations 2010 also changed the policy too making it that once children are of full time school age, parents who are able to work and are claiming benefits should be expected to look for paid work to support themselves and their family. Gingerbread, is still calling on the Coalition Government to implement plans to enable all employees to apply for flexible working, to ensure all jobs in the public sector are offered on a part- time or flexible basis and introduce a right to paid parental leave to help parents deal with time off when children are ill. (Ahrends, 2009) Ahrends goes onto state that David Cameron, Gordon Brown and Nick Clegg all pledged to challenge prejudice against single parents in 2010 and the newly elected Coalition Government further stated that it was committed to introducing flexible working for all and launched a taskforce on children and families. Unfortunately 9 months later this same government has scraped regulations and introduced new ones which came into force April 2011 as part of a package of measures to reduce bureaucracy for businesses. It means firms with fewer than 10 employees from all new red tape for three years as it subjects 21,000 pieces of regulation to an audit by the public. (Stratton and Wintour, 2011) This will see a shelving of the right to request flexible working for parents with children under 17 which will apply to all firms, not just small ones. It will also scrap the right to request time for training and education toward continuous professional development. Single parents often want to work, but finding jobs to fit around the school day is very difficult; as is finding and paying for suitable good quality childcare before and after the school day. (Freegard, 2010). It is also important to note that family friendly jobs are still far too rare despite the Government requiring 100,000 single parents to seek work in 2011. (Woods, 2011) There has also been calls for the Government to move faster on plans for flexible working hours for lone parents however business case for flexible working has been proven with most employers agreeing that people work best when they have a work/life balance. (Weir, 2011) However it is important to note that in terms of poverty eradication there has been an improvement. Single parents employment rate has certainly risen, from 40% in the early 1980s to 56.6% in 2009. (Giullari, 2009) For the Governments policies to work, there has to be sustainable, flexible work for lone parents to be employed in. Under this welfare ideology one of the key assumptions is that all adults should be in work even if it means precarious employment. (Lewis and Giullari, 2005) Ahrends debates although successive governments have promoted work as the route out of poverty and that many single parents are better off in paid work this is not always the case: 21% of children whose single parent is in full time work still fall below the poverty line, as do 29 % of children whose single parent is working part time. 4 out of 10 children living in poverty are in a single parent household, and 9 out of 10 of them are mothers. More than 20% of women have persistently low incomes, helping, rather than forcing, these women is the answer. Finch et al (2004) discusses that numerous studies have suggested that Britains parents are failing, children are miserable and have poor moral, social and intellectual upbringing. And it has been said that children from single parent families are worse behaved, children raised by single mothers are twice as likely to misbehave as those born into traditional two-parent families. (Paton, 2011) When a lone parent starts work, there are many changes to daily life. and the lives of their families and other family members. All of this including the social, work, carer and school settings are key elements to work sustainability; this has not yet been systematically explored in research. (Millar and Ridge, 2009) Lone parents are a growing group in Great Britain and elsewhere and now represent one quarter of families with children (Haskey 2002). In the longer term, perhaps one half of British children will pass through a non-intact family at some stage in their childhood. Lone parents have been an important area of social policy study, given their high rates of receipt of social assistance. Their low incomes may be traced to low rates of economic activity, low rates of maintenance receipt, and relatively lower earnings when in paid work. A lot of single parents do want to work and for good reasons such as the sense of financial independence they get but also to set good examples for their children however with the current changes to the social policies surrounding lone parents and their benefits and the forthcoming changes mean that they feel isolated and vulnerable. In conclusion lone parents are facing a changing environment due to the budget cuts and the reduction in services. With the Coalition Government there has been a shift away from supporting lone parents being full time carers at home to an employment-based maternal model. There is a rhetoric focus and direction towards supporting employment and now the move to compulsory work-related requirements. Lone parents with children five years or over are treated the same as any other unemployed claimant. (Woods, 2011) Family-friendly employment with a work/life balance are not now part of the governments policies and without action from both the Government and employers, many single parents will remain in the poverty trap. (Woods, 2011) Word Count: 2508

Essay --

Abraham Lincoln's election in 1860 brought a climax the long debate about the powers of the federal and the state governments, bringing about the Civil War. Though the war itself was long and rough, it didn’t match the problems of the reconstruction of the south. Newly freed African Americans had high hopes for full equality with the 13th, 14th and 15th amendments but because of the Southern white resistance and the withdrawal of supervision, it brought about even more racism by creating segregation and putting them back on plantations, increasing the whites hate and violence. War and Reconstruction changed the social, political and economic landscape in America with the creation of the black codes, racial groups such as KKK, and Civil Rights acts. As soon as the former slave had been freed their freedom was taken away by black codes, restricting most of their newfound rights and bringing back the idea of southern slavery. This changed the social structure because instead of creating equality after the war between African Americans and Whites, it brought back what the Civil War tri...

Social Welfare in Australia

Social Welfare in Australia Social security in Australia is a system of social welfare payments provided by the Commonwealth Government of Australia. These payments are administered by the Department of Human Services. Most benefits are subject to a means test.Payments are made to a variety of groups of people; Indigenous students and New Apprentices, age pension, assistance for isolated children (families with a child who lives a fair distance from school), carers, disability support pension, foster families, maternity payment, people who are looking for employment, parenting payment, special benefit (financial hardship) and youth allowance. 7. 1 million Australians were â€Å"customers† of Centrelink, many of which claimed from child care.The payments are paid for through general taxation. In Australia only citizens may claim these benefits. Centrelink is the agency which manages social security. Australia gives out social welfare payments to ensure more equal dispersion of wealth and to assist the lower socio-economic population. In many people’s view in Australia it is the government’s responsibility to look after the less well off, whereas in other countries, for example China, people might rely on their immediate family, for instance to look after the elderly.Australia is the most â€Å"efficient† at reducing inequality of any rich country. In Europe, the United States and Japan, social security is financed by contributions from employers and employees, with benefits related to past earnings, therefore the higher income workers received more generous benefits if they become unemployed, disabled or retire. The rationale for Australia’s approach is that it reduces poverty more efficiently by concentrating the available resources on the poor and minimises adverse incentives. The extent to which the Australian welfare state redistributes to the poor is determined by the interactions between the tax and social security system s, both in terms of the size of taxes collected and the distribution of these taxes. This is calculated by estimating the level of spending on social security benefits as a percentage of household disposable income and then taking account of how much of this goes to the poorest fifth. The same procedure is used to calculate how much tax is paid by people in that group, which is then subtracted from the benefits received to give â€Å"net redistribution to the poor. †1 â€Å"The main objective of social security systems in most countries is to provide insurance against risks like unemployment, disability and sickness, and to redistribute income across the life cycle. †2 There is also the â€Å"Robin Hood† motive; take from the rich and give to the poor, which Australia is a strong example of because our system relies heavily on income testing and directs a higher share of benefits to lower income groups than any other country. Australia has the most â€Å"target efficient† system of social security benefits. Some examples of social security payments given out are:ABSTUDY is the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Study Assistance Scheme and is for Indigenous Australians undergoing some form of study. All Indigenous students at secondary or tertiary institutions and primary students 14 years and older. The student must be of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent and be a current Australian citizen. The Disability Support Pension provides income support for people who suffer a long-term disability which they will not recover from in the next two years, which will determine them unable to work. The average person will receive $385. 0 monthly. The Parenting Payment is for those who are carers of dependent children under the age of 8. These customers are able to collect this payment until their youngest child turns 16. The Parenting Payment uses an individual and a partner income test to determine the rate of payment. Means and a ssets tests are applied to reduce the incidence of welfare fraud and contain social security spending, so as not to â€Å"rip off† the taxpayers. In 2012-2013 the Australian Government contributed $132 million towards social security and welfare, this made up 34. % of total government expenditure. In Australia, welfare is the largest component of public spending and therefore is the main determinant of how much tax income needs to be collected. Bibliography: Wikipedia, Social Security Australia, 2013, http://en. wikipedia. org/wiki/Social_Security_(Australia), Retrieved 20 February 2013. Whiteford, P. , Inside Story, 2013, http://inside. org. au/how-fair-is-australia’s-welfare-state/, Retrieve 20 February 2013. Riley, T. , 2013, Year 11 Economics, Sydney, Tim Riley Publications.

Psychological Theories of Delinquency

In his article, Kelley discusses the Psychology of Mind theory, or POM, which was created using the work of Banks (1983, 1989); Mills (1990); Mills & Pransky (1993); Suarez (1985); Suarez & Mills (1982); and Suarez, Mills, & Stewart (1987), which focuses strongly on original or unconditioned though, which is a though process that takes into account principles and reasoning that is automatic through common sense and positive thought.As well as reactive thought, which requires a deliberate thought process, and is a decision, which is made without taking into account consequences or considering other options (1996). Psychology of the mind theory proposes that the offenders percentages of responsive thinking versus conditioned thinking is that of which determines his or her level of mental health as well as their risk for criminality or delinquency (Kelley, 1996). According to the Psychology of Mind theory, juveniles actions are based off of how conscious they are of their actions.If a j uvenile finds them self in a situation and takes the time to consciously think about their actions, they generally act in a positive way. It is when a juvenile is in a situation where they act without thinking about the consequences where it is possible for a deviant decision can be made (Banks 1983, 1989). Kelley states that one’s level of insecurity directly correlates to their style of thinking. If an offender feels insecure in a situation and thinks reactively, they are more likely to think reactively and engage in deviant or delinquent behavior.Where as if an offender feels insecure in a situation and thinks responsively, they will be less likely to partake in delinquent behavior. Kelley points to the fact that one with a high level of self-esteem will be a lot less likely to make a decision that may lead to a delinquent act than one with a lower level of self-esteem based. This is based on the fact that one who has a higher level of self-esteem naturally wants to mainta in that higher level of self-confidence and will be less likely to partake in an act to jeopardize that level of self-esteem.Where as one with a lower level of self-esteem may be willing to commit a delinquent act to increase their self-confidence (1996). In a separate article, a study performed on one hundred and ninety-nine male participants and ninety female participants, all juveniles of which were incarcerated within a juvenile correction facility, Kerig, Ward, Vanderzee, and Moeddel examined the correlation between Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the juvenile’s delinquency.In a related literature that assesses the effects of PTSD on adolescence, its author, Nader(2008) states, â€Å"Following traumatic experiences, a significant number of children react in ways that substantially disrupt or impair their and their family’s lives, their growth and development, and their abilities to function normally† and thus, unresolved trauma â€Å"may seriously derai l a youth’s life path; task, work, or academic performance; and well-being† (p. 3)According to Ford et al (2006), prolonged exposure to traumatic experiences has the potential to cause a juvenile’s brain exhaustion and a lesser ability to cope with situations. This in turn may lead to problems within a juvenile’s mental development, including lower self-esteem, self-respect, and interpersonal trust. A juvenile may engage in â€Å"survival coping†, which may include acting out, and other defiant acts, in an attempt to hide their inner feelings of despair.Juveniles then may progress to more aggressive forms and a lack of consciousness pertaining to the negative effects of the deviant acts that they are partaking in. According to Landsford et al (2006), after a traumatic exposure, a juvenile may partake in delinquent acts or deviant behavior as a way of numbing their feelings and attempting to get away from the awareness of their stress.The results of the study performed by Kerig, Ward, Vanderzee, and Moeddel (2009) show that juvenile males that were incarcerated reported that prior to incarceration they had experienced community violence, domestic violence, witnessed domestic violence, and had been effected by the death of a loved one. Thirty-six males had claimed to had experienced the death of a loved one, thirty-six other males had experienced community violence, twenty males had experienced domestic violence, and eighteen males had witnessed community violence.The highest reported traumatic experience from females incarcerated at the facility was that of sexual abuse, where nineteen females reported that they had been sexually abused prior to being incarcerated. Sixteen females experienced domestic violence, and eleven females experienced the death of a loved one. According to Wolf et al (2006), many adolescents already display risk taking behaviors and are more likely to partake in the use of substances or delinquent acts, because during this time you are in a transition from youth toward adulthood and are becoming familiar with your self.However, juveniles who have been exposed to traumatic experiences such as domestic violence, sexual assault, or other events that may cause Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, it may be more likely that they will partake in more heinous acts of delinquency or criminality because may have a lesser ability to cope with their feelings and may mask them through these deviant acts.

Twin Studies and Adoption Studies essays

Twin Studies and Adoption Studies essays Studies of identical twins, particularly if the twins are separated at birth, are thought to provide some insight into the nature versus nurture debate. Twins have the same genetic material, but may be brought up in different home environments. There have been some controversial, small studies of twins that show a striking tendency for twins to exhibit the same mental disorders. Critiques of these studies have revealed evidence that sometimes a twin exhibits the behavior of the other twin in sympathy, and even with twins separated at birth there may be controversy as to the definition of the disease in question (Joseph 2002:75). What constitutes Attention Deficit with Hyperactivity disorder versus normal behavior is controversial and often highly subjective, depending on who is diagnosing the individual, and this is of course impossible for the same individual to do so in separated at birth comparisons (Joseph 2002: 76). Also, the culture at large may over- or under-diagnose certain diseases at the same points in historical time. Other studies consider that although genes may have an influence upon behavior, there is always an interaction between genes and the environment. For example, the balance of evidence suggests a modest genetic effect on both normal drinking and alcoholism in men, though similar evidence for women is so far lacking, in other words, genes play a role, and twins are more likely to be alcoholic than random pairs of individuals, but the correlation is not absolute (Murray, Clifford One excellent example of a class of diseases that may seem to run in families but is not genetic are nutritional deficiency disorders, such as pellagra, scurvy, or rickets, caused by malnutrition and poverty. Although to a layperson there might seem to be a genetic correlation, if one twins diet i...

PEST analysis Paraguay Essay

PEST analysis Paraguay Essay PEST analysis Paraguay Essay POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT Paraguay today enjoys stability since the end of the dictatorship. Paraguay is a constitutional democracy not consolidated but is on the way to achieve this goal. There is a disenchantment of the population which translates into an increasingly discredited of the institutions and persons discharging managerial responsibilities of power but this is a tendency both in Paraguay and other Latin American countries where the democratic tradition is relatively new. The perceived degree of corruption also contributes to this feeling. For several years, the index of perception of corruption 'Transparency International' Paraguay ranks as one of the most corrupt countries in Latin America. Faced with this challenge, the government attempted repeatedly his determination to fight corruption, but their success has been limited by various political factors like Disagreements between the legislature and the executive. The main challenges currently facing Paraguay consist of reconciling economic growth and budgetary rigidity, while the rule of law is consolidated and public institutions are strengthened. In the economics and international business Paraguay has started many policies to enhance the international trade in order to: 1. Facilitating the procedures and formalities for export. 2. Establish strategic partnerships that further the conditions for exporters. 3. Establish growth strategies for each sector, supporting businessmen / women in their efforts to increase their sales abroad. 4. Promote national awareness and export competitiveness. 5. Encourage the export of non-traditional items. ECONOMIC ENVIRONMENT Paraguay is part of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) and the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI) and is classified by the International Monetary Fund as a developing country. The Country in the economic sphere can be considered stable but has a limited capacity for improvement. Paraguayan GDP structure is similar to a country with a low level of industrialization 14% of GDP is concentrated on the secondary sector and the 27% of GDP comes from agriculture and exports but services are already experiencing an increasing importance (59%). The main exports in Paraguay are soybeans (35% of total) exports, meat (10%), vegetable oils (8%) and cotton (7%). Uruguay accounts for 15% of Paraguayan exports followed by Brazil (11.4%), Argentina (10.2%) and Chile (8.3%). Moreover, Brazil supply 27.5% of the Paraguayan imports, followed by China (16.9%), USA (15%) and Argentina (14.8%). The main exporters in Paraguay are: SOCIO CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT Paraguay is a young country with a quarter of the population under 10 years (26%) and it holds one of the lowest average age in Latin America (23 years). Despite a high rate of population growth (2.2% annually), is a sparsely populated country, with a density of 15.2 inhabitants per square kilometer, which is also one of the lowest in the region. The population structure testifies to a relatively rural country (43% of the population lives in the countryside), and in which most of its inhabitants are poor (66% of the poor live in rural areas). Access to education have not reached optimal indicators, particularly between 15 to 24 years. The low level of education penalizes the poor population because it is a barrier for the good salaries and it takes from them the possibility to integrate in the modern sectors of the economy.

À poil - French Expression

poil - French Expression Expression:   poil Pronunciation: [a pwal]Meaning: stark naked, in the buffLiteral translation: in hairRegister: familiar Notes: The French expression poil refers to body hair - when you are poil, youre wearing nothing but your own hair. Its equivalent to the English expression in ones birthday suit. ExampleNouvre pas la porte - je suis poil  !Dont open the door - Im completely naked! poil can be used as an adjective or as a command in numerous expressions:à ªtre poil  - to be stark nakedse baigner poil  - to go skinny-dippingse mettre poil  - to strip down to ones birthday suitun mec / une fille poil  - a naked guy / girl poil  !  - Take em off!Synonyms:nu - naked, nudedà ©shabillà © - undresseden costume dAdam/dÈve (old-fashioned) - in ones birthday suiten tenue dAdam/dÈve - in ones birthday suitAttention: the French expression au poil is an informal way to say great! or perfect!

Food Journal Analysis #1 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Food Journal Analysis #1 - Essay Example As for the rest of the food, which is only 1 yoo-hoo chocolate and 1 plain milk chocolate- the former is good for the body because it provides calcium, and was also the only dairy product I ate during the day, and the latter belongs to the fats, oils and sweets group, which is permissible to eat occasionally. Seeing as how I only ate one bar, the consumption of it is also alright. B. I did not consume the minimum number of servings for each of the food groups. In fact, that was the case in four of the five groups. I had the perfect amount of fruit, 2 cups per day, and a decent amount of grain, 5.1 oz equivalent, when the recommended amount is 7. However, as far as the vegetable, milk and meat and beans groups, I miserably failed to reach the minimum amount: I had 1.3 cups equivalent of vegetables out of the 3 recommended- a bit less than a half; I had 2.1 oz equivalent out of 6 recommended- about a third; and I had 0.2 cup equivalent of milk out of 3 recommended- one-fifteenth of the recommended portion. The reasons for this are simply because I didnt have enough foods of those groups- I didnt have enough vegetables because I ate a small portion of salad; I needed to consume a little more grain, which I could have done by eating another slice of bread or perhaps a small portion of corn flakes; I didnt nearly have enough dairy products, which I could have solved by drinking another glass or too of yoo-hoo chocolate and maybe eating some cheese with the bread; and I didnt have enough meat and beans, which I could have by eating some chicken or turkey or even more fish, and perhaps some beans too. D. My diet provided a certain variety of foods. I consumed foods from all food groups, but in very different quantities. I needed to consume much more food from the milk food group, the meat and beans group and the vegetable group, as well as having a bit more of the grain group, whereas I had the perfect amount of the fruit group. This could have been solved had I

Answer the two questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Answer the two questions - Essay Example s the executive sword (commander in chief of the country’s armed forces) and the legislature purse (which endorses all the government’s spending measures and tax). The only thing the judiciary possesses is the ability to judge. Because of its weakness, it is protected from the other two branches of the government (the legislature and the executive) by the U.S. Constitution. According to Hamilton, making the judges permanent through the Constitution makes sure that they cannot be changed according to the executive’s or the legislature’s interests (law.jrank.org, 2011). In conclusion, the Federalist 78 aimed at making sure that the judiciary was protected from interests of the executive or the legislature. This is because it was the weakest of the government branches and it did not possess the purse of the legislature and the sword of the executive. The only power left for the judiciary was the ability to judge. In Hamilton’s essay Federalist 78, the judiciary was supposed to be provided with the judicial review power. This is to enable it to declare laws that deemed unconstitutional as not binding (law.jrank.org, 2011). The judicial review power is important for the judiciary since it is the one that is capable of interpreting the law and the constitution. In other words, the judicial review power serves the purpose of protecting the particular privileges or rights of the American people. The purpose of the judicial review power given was to protect the particular privileges or rights of the people as indicated in the Constitution. In order to protect these rights, the judiciary has to be given the judicial review power to declare any law that is unconstitutional null and void. There are other people who claim that the judiciary has been given power superior to that of the executive and the legislature. However, the people’s power is superior to that of the government branches, and the role of the judiciary is to make sure that the legislature does

Workers Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Workers - Essay Example Specialization has become an important feature of complex industrial communities in Canada and worldwide. Division of labor takes place at a number of levels. More often than not there is that perception by consumers that they are making free choice with respect to individual purchases, such view is implausible with production. The first level of production division of labor is between companies. This is in view that one company can only obtain another company’s production product through exchange. Taking the example of steel company and power generating company, production of certain dependent products go hand in hand with the emergence of market by these economic sectors. In division of labor, the process of production in the company is broken down into various sequences of stages, and all workers are assigned to specific stages. It is a fact that increasing the specialization of work might lead to workers with very low overall skills and a lack of enthusiasm for the work they do. Division of labor thus plays an essential part in shaping the individual performance of these firms. Another remarkable level of division of labor exists within the company, and this is between individual workers. Depending on what the company produces, individual workers too can have division of labor. This has been due to the fact that for time workers perform similar tasks repeatedly and become known to them better. The similarities between the two are that in both cases it ignores the tastes and preferences of customers. Notably, in the two levels of division of labor there exist market share. Individuals in the economy require goods and services at all times. Private companies are not the exclusive producers in the economy, but they are also public services and house forms of production. The former avail to the economy roads, hospitals, to individual and the latter avails gardening, house

Michael Hill Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Michael Hill - Assignment Example Furthermore, the report also provides a break-even analysis emphasizing on the cost/price and volume relationship. Lastly, the report examines the control in place in the firm’s operation. Most of the information comes from the firm’s website and financial statements, as well as other reliable secondary sources. The report has four parts: situation analysis, marketing strategy, break-even analysis, and controls. Situation Analysis Market Summary Market Demographics Michael Hill engages in jewellery manufacturing and retailing. The firm sells both men and women watches and diamond jewellery. Essentially, the company operates in the highly priced diamond jewellery market. The firm operates retail outlet stores for watches and jewellery under the major brand name: Michael Hill. Moreover, the firm provides other services, including jewellery inspection, cleaning, and repairing. The firm also offers customized services to its clients by designing the chosen diamonds for jewe llery. Through a chain of 240 jewellery stores, the company and its subsidiary operates in New Zealand, Australia, United States, and Canada. However, the headquarters is in Queensland, Australia (Gray, 2011). The diamond jewellery market is a rather delicate and emotional sector, just like the clients. Clients in the jewellery market have different characteristics. However, all of them are well above the poverty line, as the products and services offered by the company and the market in general are relatively costly (Kotler, Burton, and Keller, 234). In other words, the diamond jewellery market appeals to the elite societal class with a taste for fashion and glamour. Market Needs At the time of establishment, the jewellery market had a stiff and formal atmosphere attached to it. Hill, the entrepreneur, sought to establish a new philosophy in the market that would make jewellery buying more accessible to the entire public and less intimidating. Therefore, Hill introduced a new produ ct mix strategy, subsequently removing the store clutter of giftware such as imported glassware, Chinese ornaments, and cuckoo clocks. The window display of the stores was simple, exhibiting around five enticing items changed regularly. This, combined with the attention-grabbing advertisement, significantly enhanced the attraction towards the stores. What the jewellery industry required at the time was a reconsideration of the service aspect, as the products are largely emotional. Realizing this, Hill quickly designed a marketing strategy that would meet the needs of the customers to their level of enthusiasm and passion (Hill, 2012a). The Market and Trends Based on a 1996 statistic report, New Zealand, the headquarters of Michael Hill, had 550 retailers, 153 wholesalers, and 293 manufacturers operating in the jewellery industry. As with many other New Zealand business settings, these ventures are principally small businesses, privately owned and operated. Among the 293 jewellery ma nufacturers, only three had more than two outlets. The report also shows that fifteen of the major retailers have more than three stores, and only four specialist jewellery chains having more than twenty stores were present at the time. These were Michael Hill, Pascoes the Jeweller, Kleins, and Gemtime Jeweller. Nonetheless, jewellery was also available from a number of other outlets, including fashion and department stores, antique, craft, souvenir, and catalogues shops (Gray, 2011).

YMCA Baseball Team Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

YMCA Baseball Team - Research Paper Example Each of the players of the batting team, take turns hitting at the ball, while at the same time the pitcher’s teammates try to stop them from scoring ‘runs’ through several ways. As a sport, baseball has been linked with the struggle for self-rule and self-preservation; this being exhibited in such countries as South Korea and the state of Cuba: - In the former, against occupational rule by the Japanese, while in the latter against occupation and exploitation under Spanish colonial rule. The film â€Å"YMCA Baseball team† is based on the true historical aspect that ‘played out’ on the pitch in a hotly contested, emotional and captivating game. Through the game, there was a display of the protracted differences between the colonial Japanese masters and the Korean populace at large. In this movie, hitting the breaking ball by Ho-Chang (main character played by Song Gang-Ho) in the situation that Korean national baseball team was two points behind by Japanese national team in the 9th inning expresses the desire toward liberating from Japanese colonial force and protecting our own tradition. In the film, the hitting of the breaking ball by Ho-Chang (role played by Song Gang-Ho), in the situation where the Korean national baseball team was two points behind the Japanese national team in the 9th inning, expressed the desire towards liberation of the Korean people, from Japanese colonial military rule, and in the preservation and protection of their culture and traditionsi. Japan, as part of its 35-years imperialistic expansion, put Korea under it rule, this being in the form of military occupation. Korea as a whole was occupied and subsequently declared a Japanese protectorate in the year 1905 in the Eulsa Treaty; being annexed in the year1910, to form part of Japanese territory, through the enforcement of the annexation treaty. The Treaty was signed by Lee Wan-Yong; then given the General Power of Attorney by the Emperor Meiji of Japan. It should be noted, it is disputed that the Emperor himself actually signed the Treaty, thus ratifying it. Great-protracted disputes have fanned out as to whether this Treaty was actually genuine or not according to Law, this being because it was signed under the combined use of bribery, duress and even threat of force/coercion. The film titled, â€Å"YMCA Baseball Team†; a South Korean comedy film that was released in the year 2002, best illustrated the frustration, will and determination of the Korean People in expressing their desire towards total and sovereign liberation, from the Japanese colonial imperialism, and in the protection and preservation of their Culture/tradition. In this era, was born Korea’s first National Baseball team; named YMCA Baseball Team. It proved to being a great source of ‘Pride and Nationalism’ for the Korean people who, had over the years been humiliated by their forced subservience to the Japanese Empire. The fil m, directed by Kim Hyeon-seok, primarily, was inspired by the very real-life experiences of the Seoul based YMCA baseball teamii. The film’s cast brings out a ‘mature, thrilling; comical and yet politically captivating atmosphere’ in the film, that encapsulated the very nature of the Korean People, in their quest for sovereignty and self-preservation. The lead cast included: -â€Å" Song Kang-ho as ‘Lee Ho-Chang, the son of a Yangban scholar; Kim Hye-su as ‘Min Jong –rim, the Western educated female coach and teacher at the YMCA School; Kim Ju-hyuk , as a Japanese educated member of the team; Hwang Jeong-min as Ryu Kwang-tae, the son of a

Enterprise in events Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Enterprise in events - Essay Example There are also many theories that have come up and they are trying to discuss the real meaning of an entrepreneur. Reasons that have made it difficult to discuss this time is the fact like, why are some people able to start business while others cannot. Also what’s the reason why some businesses succeed while others selling the same products cannot? These are a few of the asked questions when defining who an entrepreneur is. However, this paper will focus on describing what an enterprise is. From the point of what is an enterprise, it will also discuss the possible theories that describing the meaning who is an entrepreneur. Finally this paper will also focus on the real meaning of entrepreneurship as from different literature reviews. Many people are currently managing very big enterprises. Most of these enterprises are successful and they are gaining a lot of profit from them. The main goal of every business is to gain profit. Before we talk about how this businesses are ran, it is important to describe what an enterprise is. From business point of view, enterprise is the measures that are used to encourage people on how to be good entrepreneurs. It also involve spotting ideas and looking for the best ways in which to transform these ideas into reality (King, 2002 p. 23). Therefore, it is important for every enterprise to ensure that profits are maximized. To achieve these goals, all forces of production have to be considered. These goals are achieved through entrepreneurs’ hard work and determination. However, entrepreneurs are the ones who make enterprises run. The big question is, â€Å"who are these entrepreneurs?† To describe who really is an entrepreneur, there are some factors that have to be considered first. There some approaches that can be used to describe an entrepreneur. One of the theories that can be used to describe entrepreneurs is the trait theory. This theory describes

YMCA Baseball Team Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

YMCA Baseball Team - Research Paper Example Each of the players of the batting team, take turns hitting at the ball, while at the same time the pitcher’s teammates try to stop them from scoring ‘runs’ through several ways. As a sport, baseball has been linked with the struggle for self-rule and self-preservation; this being exhibited in such countries as South Korea and the state of Cuba: - In the former, against occupational rule by the Japanese, while in the latter against occupation and exploitation under Spanish colonial rule. The film â€Å"YMCA Baseball team† is based on the true historical aspect that ‘played out’ on the pitch in a hotly contested, emotional and captivating game. Through the game, there was a display of the protracted differences between the colonial Japanese masters and the Korean populace at large. In this movie, hitting the breaking ball by Ho-Chang (main character played by Song Gang-Ho) in the situation that Korean national baseball team was two points behind by Japanese national team in the 9th inning expresses the desire toward liberating from Japanese colonial force and protecting our own tradition. In the film, the hitting of the breaking ball by Ho-Chang (role played by Song Gang-Ho), in the situation where the Korean national baseball team was two points behind the Japanese national team in the 9th inning, expressed the desire towards liberation of the Korean people, from Japanese colonial military rule, and in the preservation and protection of their culture and traditionsi. Japan, as part of its 35-years imperialistic expansion, put Korea under it rule, this being in the form of military occupation. Korea as a whole was occupied and subsequently declared a Japanese protectorate in the year 1905 in the Eulsa Treaty; being annexed in the year1910, to form part of Japanese territory, through the enforcement of the annexation treaty. The Treaty was signed by Lee Wan-Yong; then given the General Power of Attorney by the Emperor Meiji of Japan. It should be noted, it is disputed that the Emperor himself actually signed the Treaty, thus ratifying it. Great-protracted disputes have fanned out as to whether this Treaty was actually genuine or not according to Law, this being because it was signed under the combined use of bribery, duress and even threat of force/coercion. The film titled, â€Å"YMCA Baseball Team†; a South Korean comedy film that was released in the year 2002, best illustrated the frustration, will and determination of the Korean People in expressing their desire towards total and sovereign liberation, from the Japanese colonial imperialism, and in the protection and preservation of their Culture/tradition. In this era, was born Korea’s first National Baseball team; named YMCA Baseball Team. It proved to being a great source of ‘Pride and Nationalism’ for the Korean people who, had over the years been humiliated by their forced subservience to the Japanese Empire. The fil m, directed by Kim Hyeon-seok, primarily, was inspired by the very real-life experiences of the Seoul based YMCA baseball teamii. The film’s cast brings out a ‘mature, thrilling; comical and yet politically captivating atmosphere’ in the film, that encapsulated the very nature of the Korean People, in their quest for sovereignty and self-preservation. The lead cast included: -â€Å" Song Kang-ho as ‘Lee Ho-Chang, the son of a Yangban scholar; Kim Hye-su as ‘Min Jong –rim, the Western educated female coach and teacher at the YMCA School; Kim Ju-hyuk , as a Japanese educated member of the team; Hwang Jeong-min as Ryu Kwang-tae, the son of a

Tit for Tat Essay Example for Free

Tit for Tat Essay Long time ago there lived a merchant named Garib Dass. He lived in a town . He was very rich but unluckily, he fell on bad days, so much so that he became on bankrupt. His business failed and theft accrued in his house not only that, he had to sell his house to pay off the debts. Garib dass was in utter adversity. But some thing had to be done to cope with the adverse conditions. So he thought, â€Å"I must go to some other town and start some work. God may help me and I may prosper again. Garib Dass made preparations to go to another town. One of his old friend’s Janki Dass lived in same town. He was hypocritical person. Garib Dass went to him and intimated him of his decision to leave the town. Hearing Garib’s tale of woe, Janki Dass expressed his sympathy and said, â€Å"Dear friend, but can I do for you? Let me know â€Å". â€Å"My brother, I have got iron bars that never rust. I went to pawn it with you against one hundred rupee. When I will return, I shall clear your debt and have my iron bar back. â€Å"Is that all? It is no problem at all. I shall preserve the bar safely†. Saying so, Janki Dass gave hundred rupees to Garib Dass and took his iron bar. Garib Dass thanked Janki Dass and set up for another town. With one hundred rupees he started a small business. Luck favored him and in few months only his business flourished and he became rich again. Garib Dass return to his home town. He bought a new house and started his old business once again. Soon he came to enjoy his old respect and well as dignity. One day Garib Dass went to Janki Dass’s house. His friend entertained him duly and they exchanged greetings. Then Garib Dass said to Janki Dass, â€Å"Friend! Here are your one hundred rupees. I went to have my iron bar back†. Janki Dass put on a sad face and said,† My brother! I feel very ashamed to tell you that I placed your iron bar safely in a box. God knows how a rat got into the box and nibbled the entire bar.

Factors Affecting Consumers

Factors Affecting Consumers The topic of this study, namely factors affecting consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars in Malaysia. Hybrid cars are developed to reduce the level of gas emissions into the air and increase fuel economy. As fuel prices rise to the point where many consumers can no longer afford to drive as much as they once have, automobile manufacturers have been faced with many new challenges. Hybrid car are very similar to the gasoline powered automobile most people drive today, the difference is the hybrid cars on the road right now are gasoline-electric hybrids. Many gas powered hybrids are and will be in the available in market today and some that will be coming to Malaysia, that include Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Insight, Toyota Prius, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid and etc. However, there are very few hybrid cars is to be seen in Malaysia. Only 327 hybrid cars were sold in 2010 (Ahmad, 2011) and 297 total units sold in the whole 2009 (Mahalingam, 2011). BACKGROUND OF STUDY To investigate the relation between independent variables which are price, design, excise duty, fuel economy, consumers environmental consciousness and dependent variable which is consumers purchasing behavior in purchasing a hybrid car. This research study is to examine the association of the independent variables that impulse buying behavior of consumers on purchasing a hybrid car in Malaysia. RESEARCH PROBLEM The innovation of the fuel efficient and environmental friendly hybrid vehicles is becoming popular nowadays. Today, many consumers include Malaysians are becoming more sensitive to rising oil prices and becoming more environmentally friendly, Malaysians are considering the option to buying hybrid vehicles which that can saves them money and make a positive impact on our environment. A research is conducted to find out the consumer behavior of Malaysians and to investigate the factors affecting the consumers purchasing decision of hybrid cars. The questions arise are: Will customers consider hybrid cars are actually worth the money they spend? Will the rising of oil prices leads them to pay more attention to a cars fuel economy? Does the design of the hybrid cars affect their purchasing decision? Does the removal of excise duty for hybrid cars affect their purchasing decision? Or will their environmental consciousness suggest the purchasing of a hybrid car. RESEARCH OBJECTIVE The main objective is to find out the factors that affect consumers purchasing decision of hybrid cars in Malaysia. Through the application of many new and innovative technologies, the hybrid is an extremely efficient vehicle that also significantly reduces emissions. As a result, hybrid vehicles have been gaining in popularity because they are cheaper and consumer enjoys numerous incentives for purchasing a hybrid vehicle. However, the prices of hybrid vehicles in Malaysia are far more expensive compared to the prices in other foreign countries. RESEARCH QUESTION This study is only going to focus on the determinants of consumers purchasing decision of hybrid car in Malaysia. How price of the hybrid cars influence consumers purchasing decisions? What is the relationship between the design of the car and the influence it posses to consumers during decision making to purchase? Does excise duty on hybrid cars affects consumers purchasing decision? How a cars fuel economy will influence the purchasing decisions of consumers? Will a consumers environmental consciousness plays a role in their decision making to purchase a hybrid car? 1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF STUDY Our study focused on the factors that affect consumers purchasing decision of hybrid cars. This study will determine whether price, design, excise duty, fuel economy, and environmental consciousness will affect consumers decision to purchase hybrid cars. It is important to find out how a consumer is willing to pay for a hybrid car and to know will the design; fuel efficiency and the removal of excise duty on hybrid car influence their purchase decision. There are consumer who will buy a hybrid car because it can save fuel and money, but there are consumers who are not willing to pay a high price for the hybrid car as well. It is crucial to determine the perspective of consumers since they are the end users of products and services. Hence, this study is important to analyse the various factors that influences consumers idea on purchasing, so that it is easy for manufacturers to take vital decisions to fulfill the demand of the consumers. 1.7 SCOPE OF STUDY This study will be focusing on the factors affecting consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars in Malaysia. The study also focuses mainly on the automobile manufacturers such as Toyota and Honda. Nowadays, vehicles serve as a very important role in our current society where everyone needed transportation to continue their daily lives. Acquiring a car nowadays is considered a necessity, compared to the past where it was considered a luxury (CorpeduCar, 2010). At present time, a car has become our need for easier and faster transportation and to be on time with our daily activities (Harvey, 2011). Surveys have been done by individuals as it is always a best and direct way to obtain opinions from the consumers. This research will be focusing on generation X and Y. Survey questions to understand more about consumers behavior on purchasing a hybrid car will be distributed to consumers from generation X and Y. Generation X and Y were born between the years in 1960 till around 2000 according to Mark Winburn (2010) (as cited in White, 2010, p.4). This study carries out for respondents who are living in Peninsular Malaysia. Consumers from generation X and Y, being the largest generational demography is more concern about the looks and price of the vehicles. Full of gleaming sports cars and eco-friendly vehicles aimed at consumers from generation X and Y. (White, 2010) 1.8 ORGANISATION OF REPORT Chapter 1 This chapter shows the definition of the topic which is about hybrid cars. The factors affecting consumers purchasing decision of hybrid car is examined by using the independent variable that are price, design, excise duty, fuel economy and environmental consciousness. We tend to understand the problems before we conduct our research. After understanding the research problem, we conduct 5 objectives to study on. Chapter 2 We focus on literature review for this chapter. We define the terms of our research variables and also describe further about how and why is these variables related to this research. Chapter 3 For this chapter we are focusing on research methodology. Operational definition of research variable is done in this chapter. Besides that, we did some hypothesis in this research and also the description of the sources use in the research data. After that we describe about the sampling design of our research and also defining the instrument and measurement used in the research. Lastly is to explain how data is analyzed. Chapter 4 This chapter shows the results of the research. In this chapter we include descriptive analysis or demographic analysis and mean analysis. After that we did the normative test to every research variable. Then, we test hypothesis we did earlier end finally, we end up by doing the regression analysis. Chapter 5 This chapter shows some discussion and conclusion of the research. Besides that it shows the suggestion for future, limitation of study and etc. 1.9 SUMMARY In this introduction, a brief overview is given about hybrid cars. This chapter has also identified the research problem and research objectives for this study. The independent variables and research questions are stated for this study. The next chapter gives a more detailed explanation and a literature review for the topic. Chapter 2 Literature Review 2.1 INTRODUCTION This study finds out factors that influence consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars. Through this research, there are five variables that influence consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars which are pricing, design, excise duty, fuel economy, and environmental consciousness. The purpose of this study is to determine the factors that affect consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars. In this chapter, literatures from past researchers are cited to support and explain the given variables in this study. 2.2 OVERVIEW OF LITERATURE This chapter will provide a description of the literature relevant to this study. This research seeks to examine the influence of price, design, excise duty, fuel economy, and environmental consciousness on consumers purchasing decisions. A theoretical framework will show the independent variables and dependent variables that is explained through this chapter as well as giving an overview of what has been reviewed by past researchers. 2.3 THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK Figure 2.1 Factors that affects consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars Independent Variable Dependent Variable Price Purchasing Decision H1 Design H2 Excise Duty H3 Fuel Economy H4 Environmental Consciousness H5 Source: Adapted for this study 2.4 INDEPENDENT VARIABLES Price Price is one of the variables in this research. Product price are demonstrated to be the variables affecting consumers decisions. According to Chang (2009), price plays several roles in consumers purchasing decision making. For example, price can be an indicator of the degree of perceived sacrifice needed to purchase a product and an indicator of the level of quality. A higher perceived price leads to higher perceived quality and consequently to a greater willingness to buy. At the same time, the higher perceived price represents a monetary measure of what must be sacrificed to purchase the product, leading to a reduced willingness to buy. Consumers purchase decision are affected by price, a particular product may seem too expensive at its regular price, but a good value when it is discounted. Similarly, consumers will be motivated to shift to another brand or use a product less with an increase in price (Litman, 2004). Consumers make their choice, based on the information regarding all the products available on the market and price is an important factor of decision making (KazaKevitch, Torlina Hendricks, 2005). Price is always an important attribute in the decision-making process (Hermann et al., 2007; Lalwani Monroe, 2005; Chang, 2009; Webb, 2011). Playing a more complex role than often attributed to it, price has been a determining factor in consumer choice (Monroe, 1990; Chang, 2009). Consumers remembered information on past and present price and are able to acquire complete information on the attributes of products being considered as options, the objectives of which are to minimize the price paid (Chang, 2009). Progressive Insurance and NADA conducted a poll shows 46% respondents stated that price is still number one concern in their most important new-car attributes ranking (Bryant, 2006). In an interview showed that car buyers indeed consider price an important factor in their purchase decisions (Herrmann, Xia, Monroe Huber, 2007, p.51). In an analy sis of consumers willingness to buy a hybrid car, the purchase price would influence the willingness to buy according to (Tanaka et al.) as cited in (Kishi Satoh, 2005). A study published in UK found as many as 71% of customer said that price was the most important factor that influences car purchase (Bikash, Pravat Sreekumar, 2010, p.51). In a survey of 1,524 adults by the Japanese motoring organization JAF, 61% said it was important that the car was economical (JAF, as cited in Okamura Cairns, 2003). Consumers in Generation Y are concerned with price and getting a good value (Wolf, Carpenter Petrela, 2005). Most of the interviewees in the study conducted by Webb (2011) are very price conscious and that price is an extremely important factor and is the bottom-line when purchasing a product. The biggest concerning factor for purchasing a product was determined to be price (Webb, 2011). Hence, it is reasonable to suggest that price is one important component in influencing consum ers purchasing decisions taken by all age groups, including young adults on hybrid cars. By referencing the existing literature on price, it is hypothesised that: H0: There is no relationship between the price of hybrid car and consumers purchasing decision. H1: There is a relationship between the price of hybrid car and consumers purchasing decision. Design Design is one of the variables in this research. Consumers have expectations when buying a product. Through what consumers have acquired from their cultural environment, consumers motivation to buy and even to pay a high price is based on a value judgment, like and dislikes of a sociological and psychological nature. In Webb (2011) studies, majority of respondent in strongly agree (UK-31%, US-39%, Other-38%) and agree (UK-48%, US-46%, Other-46%) that the design of the product is a considering factor when buying. According to Jung et al. (2010), it is known from consumer surveys that the design of cars greatly influences on consumers affection and therefore leads to their purchasing decisions. Additionally, Jung et al. (2010) study provides a basis of understanding underlying consumers affection in terms of user-centered design. In order to improve consumers affection and influencing their purchase decisions as consumer spends more and more time in cars, manufactures are developing in terior design requirements to achieve positive results (Cho, 2005; Jung et al., 2010). There are hundreds of designs available on the market and it is difficult for consumers to choose one that catches their interest. Therefore, a cars body design plays a very influential factor (Hagemann, 2011). Dull and ugly cars do not sell, consumers will not be attracted to design that just does not look particularly good at all (Cato, 2009). Designs have a certain positive causal relationship with purchase intention indirectly and are important factors affecting purchase decision. Therefore, automobile manufacturers should consider designing heterogeneously and individually for vehicles to satisfy consumers fashion and individual needs on the basis of the quality assurance (Wang Li, 2010). In Nielsen (2010) online survey, the Nielsen Company looked at the factors most important to consumers when choosing new cars in the current economy. Surprisingly, 85% will consider buying if the new car we re available now and met the key requirements such as design, dependability and durability. 12% of the respondents will consider buying the hybrid car if it had a unique design that set apart from existing car models. Design adds value to the product, giving it distinction to attract consumers who are more focused on the design and brand name. By far, price is a big indicating factor within any demographic group for buying products, alongside with the design of the product itself (Webb, 2011). Marketers should design the brand or product to match the way consumers understand, utilise, and emotionally connect themselves to a product. Hence, it is reasonable to suggest that design is one of the important factors in influencing consumers purchasing decisions. By referencing the existing literature on design, it is hypothesised that: H0: There is no relationship between the design of a hybrid car and consumers purchasing decision. H2: There is a relationship between the design of a hybrid car and consumers purchasing decision. Excise Duty Excise duty is a tax or sometimes called duty in its simplest form and it is defined as levy and collection of duty on manufacture of goods (Kanak, 2002). Excise is imposed on consumption that is discouraged by the government such as alcohol and cigarettes, the production or sale of certain goods, normally luxury items as well as on gasoline and other fuels. On the other hand, excise is considered an indirect tax, meaning that the producer or seller who pays the tax to the government try to recover the tax by raising the price paid by the buyer. The Websters New International Dictionary, as mentioned in Kanak (2002), excise duty is any duty, toll, tax or an inland duty or impost levied upon the manufacture or sale or consumption of commodities within the country or tax upon pursuit of certain sports, trades, or occupations usually taking this in the form of fees or licenses. In Malaysia, excise duty is imposed on automobiles. Cost is a major barrier to adoption. For example, a Toyota Prius is priced slightly under RM 180,000 before excise duty exemption. As cars are more of a necessity these days, overpriced cars are inhibitive for consumers. Before the exemption of excise duty, hybrid cars are considered expensive. Although they dont cost as much as a sports car but they are by no means cheap for consumers. In Malaysia, existing taxes on cars, particularly excise duties are high. Excise duties should be exempted by the government for all hybrid cars if they are serious about encouraging hybrids (Yeoh, 2010). The government decision to grant full excise duty exemptions on hybrid vehicles below 2,000cc until year end that had been announced during the tabling of Budget 2011 in October 2010 had lower the prices of hybrid cars. Public awareness of the benefits of hybrid cars has picked up considerably with lower price after excise duty waiver, and with that, sales of such cars has increased (Mahalingam, 2011). Toyota Prius is priced at RM 139,900 in Peninsular Mal aysia after full exemption of excise duty which lasts till the end of 2011, makes it an attractive proposition for Malaysian drivers (Standing a hybrid apart, 2011). Excise duty exemption on hybrid cars is like a shot in the arm to this vehicle segment (Mahalingam, 2011). The spike in demand for hybrids has been fuelled primarily by the Governments decision under Budget 2011 to grant full excise duty exemptions on hybrid cars below 2,000cc unti Dec 31, 2011. Representative from UMW Toyota stated that the company had received over 470 bookings for Toyota Prius and 946 bookings for the Honda Insight since the Governments budget announcement (Mahalingam, 2011). Since the Government announced the exemption of excise duties (at Budget 2011) last year, demand for hybrid cars have shot up, said MAA President Datuk Aishah Ahmad in Mahalingam (2011) news article. The sales of hybrid cars had risen and consumers in Malaysia are more aware of the benefits of hybrid cars since the exemption of excise duty. Hence, it is reasonable to suggest that exemption of excise duty on hybrid cars is one of the important factors in influencing consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars. By referencing the existing literature on excise duty, it is hypothesised that: H0: There is no relationship between excise duty and consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars. H3: There is a relationship between excise duty and consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars. Fuel Economy Fuel economy refers to the fuel efficiency relationship between distance travelled by an automobile and the amount of fuel consumed. Fuel economy indicates how far a vehicle travels on a unit of fuel. Fuel economy is one of the variables in this study. When it comes to making their final decision about which vehicle to buy, fuel economy is one of the factors that consumers focus on. Fuel economy is the number one factor driving consumer decisions about green vehicles (named by 57% of respondents) and more respondents in China and the U.S. pointed to fuel economy (Dixit et al., 2009). According to the 2008 Advanced Automotive Features Study, it is reveals that some 38% respondents indicate that they would sacrifice vehicle performance for better fuel economy (Fuel economy, 2008). Eighty percent of consumers surveyed by the latest research from ExchangeandMart.com.uk in Fuel efficiency (2011) article said that a cars fuel efficiency directly affects their purchasing decision. Consumer Reports, 2009 in Jeffrey Gonder (2011) article found that prospective vehicle buyers listed fuel economy as a top factor of interest. Power Asia Pacific, (2010) found improved customer satisfaction with auto dealers in cases where those dealers provided advice for maximizing fuel economy when driving (Jeffrey Gonder, 2011). This further supports the thesis that consumers have some interest in fuel economy with the right encouragement. Increasing fuel economy standards encourages greater automobile use by reducing the cost per kilometre travelled (Thorpe, 1997; Agostini, 2010). Due to fuel price increases, consumers purchase more fuel efficient vehicles (Litman, 2004). A report comes from Market Intelligence research performed by the online arm of Kelley Blue Book reports that fuel economy has become a much more important part of the criteria buyers use to select their next vehicle (Bain, 2011). In the midst of escalating concerns about the dangers of greenhouse gas emissions, enviro nmentalists hailed the superior fuel economy and wide range of the hybrid-electric engine as a critical breakthrough that could help save the environment without inconveniencing consumers (Thatchenkery, 2008). According to a survey by the Consumer Federation of America, fuel economy ranks near the top in consumer priorities in general (Zhuang, 2009). The survey found that 76% of customers intend to buy a vehicle with fuel economy averaging five miles per gallon greater than the mileage of their current vehicle. Hence, it is reasonable to suggest that fuel economy is one of the important factors in influencing consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars. By referencing the existing literature on excise duty, it is hypothesised that: H0: There is no relationship between fuel economy and consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars. H4: There is a relationship between fuel economy and consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars. Environmental Consciousness Environmental conscious can be known as affective traits that can signify an individuals likings, dislikes, worries and consideration about the environment (Yeung, 2004; Sinappan Rahman, 2011). The consumers spending pattern and preference has been growing and changing over time. People nowadays are more aware of the environmental issues. Generally, consumers tend to have a positive attitude towards green purchasing when they are aware of the environmental issues (Sinappan and Rahman, 2011). According to Soonthonsmais study in (Sinappan Rahman, 2011), a green consumer is defined as consumers who are conscious of and interested in ecological issues. All products and services that have environmental impact are put into their considerations and these consumers initiative is to reduce them to the minimum. As mentioned in Sinappan Rahman (2011), few studies were done on environmental consciouness (Barr et al., 2003; Milfont and Duckitt, 2004). The study done by Lee as cited in (Sinappa n Rahman, 2011) among Hong Kongs young consumers revealed that environmental consciousness is the 2nd top predictor of green purchasing behaviour. This result is consistent with Sinappan Rahman (2011) study where environmental consciousness is the 3rd top predictor of green purchasing behaviour. Consumers who have high concern on the environment often consider on how the quality of the environment can be improved and they would definitely engage themselves in buying environmentally friendly products, such as a hybrid car. According to KÃ ¶szeghy, (2004), a study performed in the United States levels of consumers environmental consciousness was identified. There are the true-blue greens who are firmly environmentally conscious persons, exhibiting this in their actions. They crisply refuse products of firms having doubtful environmental performance and give preference to environment friendly products. Greenback greens are the youngest and best educated people who support environmen talism with money rather than with any action or their time. These are wealthy people, ready to pay extra cost for environment friendly products. Demand for environment friendly products appears among environmental conscious consumers. The quality of the environment is important, which is taken into considerations in their purchase decision. Firms should take segments formed by the level of consumers environmental consciousness into account in their decision making process (KÃ ¶szeghy, 2004). Business today had changed, they are acknowledging that being environmentally conscious is being competitive and green products provide competitive advantage (Introduction to Environmental, 2006). Hence, it is reasonable to suggest that environmental consciousness is one of the important factors in influencing consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars. By referencing the existing literature on environmental consciousness, it is hypothesised that: H0: There is no relationship between environmental consciousness and consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars. H5: There is a relationship between environmental consciousness and consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars. 2.5 DEPENDENT VARIABLES Purchasing Decision The purchasing decision process is a stage that a buyer passes through in making decisions about which product or service to buy. Every day consumers are faced with purchasing decision. A better understanding of how consumers decide what to purchase is critical to the success of a product. Purchase decision occurs when the consumer actually makes the purchase. It includes the product, method of payment, package, location of purchase and all other factors that are associated with purchasing the product (Wolf, n.d). It is insufficient to understand how consumers arrive at their purchase decision because there are personal, psychological and social factors that influence the purchase decision. Understanding of these factors is essential to effectively market products. In this study, we focused on five variables, which are price, design, excise duty, fuel economy, and environmental consciousness as the factors that affect consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars. As mentioned in the literature review, these five factors are reviewed and explained on how they affect consumers purchasing decision. This is important to marketers and they need to understand clearly about their consumer to be able to market their product with a good understanding of these purchasing decision processes. 2.6 ITEMS OF MEASUREMENTS 2.6.1 Price 2.6 SUMMARY OF LITERATURE Table 2.1 Summary of literature Dimension Authors Price Chang, 2009; Litman,2004; KazaKevitch, Torlina Hendricks, 2005; Hermann et al., 2007; Lalwani and Monroe, 2005; Webb, 2011; Monroe, 1990; Bryant, 2006; Herrmann, Xia, Monroe Huber, 2007; Kishi Satoh, 2005; Bikash, Pravat Sreekumar, 2010; Okamura Cairns, 2003; Wolf, Carpenter Petrela, 2005 Design Webb, 2011; Jung et al., 2010; Hagemann, 2011; Cato, 2009; Wang Li, 2010; Nielsen, 2010 Excise Duty Kanak, 2002; Yeoh, 2010; Mahalingam, 2011; Ahmad, 2011 Fuel Economy Dixit et al., 2009; Jeffrey Gonder, 2011; Agostini, 2010; Litman, 2004; Bain, 2011; Thatchenkery, 2008; Zhuang, 2009 Environmental consciousness Yeung, 2004; Sinappan and Rahman, 2011; Barr et al., 2003; Milfont and Duckitt, 2004; KÃ ¶szeghy, 2004; Lee, 2008 Source: Adapted for this study 2.7 SUMMARY The five variables, which are, price, design, excise duty, fuel economy, and environmental consciousness plays an important role in consumers purchase decision. This study explored the five variables, which are, price, design, excise duty, fuel economy, and environmental consciousness by referencing the existing literature on how they affect consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars. On the previous research, price plays an important role in purchasing an automobile. Price is always an important attribute in the decision-making process. Designs have a certain positive causal relationship with purchase intention indirectly and are important factors affecting purchase decision. It is known from consumer surveys that the design of cars greatly influences on consumers affection and therefore leads to their purchasing decisions. With a lower price after excise duty waiver, public awareness of the benefits of hybrid cars has picked up considerably and leads to more sales. Fuel economy h as become a much more important part of the criteria buyers use to select their next vehicle. In business today, environmentally conscious is being competitive and it provides competitive advantage. The quality of the environment is important, which is taken into considerations in consumers purchasing decision. Chapter 3 Methodology 3.1 INTRODUCTION The main objective of this research was to determine the factors affecting consumers purchasing decision on hybrid cars in Malaysia. In this chapter, various topics was discussed includes hypotheses development, research design, sampling technique, sources of data, scales and measurement, questionnaire design, data collection method, and statistical data analysis. After identifying the various independent variables, a hypothesis to test the validity of the relationship with dependent variable was developed. Next, the research design and sources of data were also elaborated. As this study was using the survey method of questionnaires, therefore the sampling technique, questionnaire design and measurement was in explained detailed. Finally, data collection method and statistical data analysis was also explained. 3.2 RESEARCH DESIGN AND PROCEDURE 3.2.1 Type of study This study will take place in urban areas in Malaysia where transportation is a necessity for consumers to travel around from place to place. Consumers like working adults who need vehicle to go to work and travelling in the urban area are more concern about the vehicles they drive. 3.2.2 Nature of study This study found that design was positively correlated with price. Consumers have expectations when buying a product. Consumers motivation to buy and even to pay a high price for a product is based on value judgment. Value can and has been added in several different ways. For example, through recognizable mark or signature of the designer that can add value to the product. Another way to adding value is through symbolic capital, which refers to the enhancement or the power that emanates from the designers name, which in turn evolves into a signature, mark or brand of the designer or manufacturer. Design adds value to the product, give it distinction. As a result, consumers are willing to pay a premium for the product. Independent variables in this study which are price, design, excise duty, fuel economy, and environmental consciousness are all positively correlated to the dependent variable, which is purchasing decision. Consumers concern of the price and whether the product is worth what they paid for. This brings a positive relation that influenced consumers p

Paradise by Toni Morrison Essay examples -- Papers Paradise Toni Morri

Paradise by Toni Morrison Throughout many of Toni Morrison?s novels, the plot is built around some conflict for her characters to overcome. Paradise, in particular, uses the relationships between women as a means of reaching this desired end. Paradise, a novel centered around the destruction of a convent and the women in it, supports this idea by showing how this building serves as a haven for dejected women (Smith). The bulk of the novel takes place during and after WWII and focuses on an all black town in Oklahoma. It is through the course of the novel that we see Morrison weave the bonds of women into the text as a means of healing the scars inflicted upon her characters in their respective societies. Paradise deals with the lives of dejected women and the support group the women form for each other. Morrison draws attention to this key issue by removing the element of race from the novel, a heavy contrast to her earlier works, by not allowing the reader to know the races of the women. Thus the relationships present throughout the work can be seen strictly through the contrast between the abusive and damaging relationships found outside of the convent to the supportive and loving ones in the convent. This removal of race also allows us to see the bigger picture, which is not dictated by race (Smith). By examining the relationships in the novel, we see two distinct arenas dealing with identity and the women, which is the world outside of the convent, and the convent. Before reaching the convent, identity for the women is a broken notion in which the men they associate with dictate. The first woman we are introduced to is Mavis. Her relationship with her husband is an example of the type of subservience c... ...998 Nelson, Bredin. Women?s Friendships. http://hss.fullerton.edu/womens/bredin/spring99/fr Online. 16. November. 1999. Radicalesbians. ?The Woman Identified Woman.? http://scriptorium.lib.duke.edu/wlm/womid/ Online. 16. November. 1999. Shorter-Gooden, Kamea & Washington, N. Shenell. ?Young Black and Female: The Challenge of weaving an identity.? Journal of Adolescents July 1995 19. 466. Smith, Dinitia. ?Not Categorizing Characters by Race? http://englishlit.about.com/arts/englishlit/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.nytimes.com/books/98/01/11/home/morrison.html Online. 16. November. 1999. Toni Morrison Chat http://www.pathfinder.com/time/community/transcripts/chattr012198.html Online. 16. November. 1999. Traustadottir, Rannveig. Gender patterns in friendships. http://web.syr.edu/~thechp/genpat.htm Online. 16. November. 1999.

The Cold Embrace Essay -- Creative Writing Essays

The Cold Embrace The night in the city was going to be especially cold tonight. The sky had been overcast for almost the entire day, leading to a brief although torrential downpour in the mid-afternoon. The streets of the Bronx outside the third-story apartment window that Leonard Jefferson Bennings now looked out were saturated from the July rainstorm and shone with a glimmer he remembered seeing from his bedroom window in Massachusetts many years ago. He wondered if he would ever get to see his childhood home again, and, if he did, would the world of his youth still exist even there? Like the final beams of sunlight of the day, his hope was growing faint as he looked out on what had once been the metropolitan heart of his country. Leonard turned away from the window, looking back into his temporary residence. It was a simple apartment, three rooms, furnished with trappings of a world that now existed only in memory. Strewn about the living room were such memorabilia as a 1946 Bing Crosby Christmas album, a chess set that looked to be a family heirloom, an assortment of furniture and coffee tables, and a 1939 globe, showing the way the world had looked in simpler times. Leonard could easily identify each country on the globe, a skill greatly useful to a high school geography teacher, and could just as easily identify how few of those countries still existed. South America was still correct north of Brazil, and most of North America was still as the sphere portrayed it. Europe, Asia, and Africa, however, would require the globe to be completely redone. Leonard had studied the globe many times in his short stay in this house, and it never failed to bring him almost to tears. From the couch on the wall far... ...ump. And then, the infinite fall, broken only by the cold embrace of the Atlantic. Nineteen minutes since they had left the ammunition room. Leonard floated alone in the water. The other sister had been hit in the shoulder during the jump and had sunk when she hit the water. He was sure he had heard a small explosion on the deck as he fell; Christina was dead, as was everyone else by now. Leonard would join them soon. He could do little more than float with the wound in his side. If the explosion happened, he would be too close to escape. If it didn't, he would drown when he got too tired to float. He looked up at the ship one last time. As he did, a pillar of fire erupted out of it. In the light it cast, he could see the sky had cleared. The morning would have sunlight. He took one last, gasping breath, and sank beneath the waves forever.

Icloud Technology Essay

Cloud computing is not necessarily a new technology, but it is one that has become much more popular in the past few years. It is a technology that has been improved upon and more companies are relying on cloud computing for their hardware, software, and storage needs. What is Cloud Computing? There are several definitions of what exactly cloud computing is. The simplest explanation is that cloud computing is a means of renting computers, storage, and network capacity on an hourly basis from a company that already has these resources in its own data center and can make them available to you and your customers via the Internet (Smith, 2009). Cloud computing comes in three main formats: Infrastructure-as-a-service, platform-as-a-service, and software-as-a-service (SaaS) (Howarth, 2009). Infrastructure-as-a-service provides access to server hardware, storage and bandwidth (2009). Platform-as-a-service provides basic operating software and may also include services such as database access, user interface, message queues, and application servers (2009). The last model is software-as-a-service (SaaS), which provides customers with access to complete software applications that are often integrated with other users to prove greater functionality for the customer (2009). Positive Aspects of Cloud Computing Prior to cloud computing, there were related services that offered certain or limited services, but not all the services were combined, as they are with cloud computing. Small- and mid-size businesses are signing up for cloud computing, as their goal is to eliminate as much internal IT services as possible (Shacklett, 2011). Cloud computing allows a company to use the services that they see fit for their needs and use as much computing power as them deem necessary on an hourly basis (Smith, 2009). As the demand for internal or external users shrinks or expands, the necessary software, hardware, storage, and network capacity can be added or subtracted as needed (Smith, 2009). The equipment is not kept at the company using the cloud computing service. It does not require upgrades to the electrical system, modifications of the cooling system, additional floor space, or expansion of the IT staff (Smith, 2009). The cloud computing company handles the storage and service of the equipment needed. The last advantage is that there are competing providers for cloud computing services (Smith, 2009). If you are not happy with the current company, you have the choice to move your business to a different company that offers the services that you need. Disadvantages of Cloud Computing The biggest concern or disadvantage of cloud computing is security. The geographical location of the data in a cloud computing environment will have a significant impact on the legal requirements for protection and handling of the data (Bowen, 2011). The laws of the host country apply to the data on the machines (Smith, 2009). Most businesses are hesitant to allow their internal data to be stored on a computer that is outside of their own company and could potentially be stored with another company’s application (Smith, 2009). To date, there has been no breach of client-to-client data, which could be due to sufficient security or because there has been no value in this type of breach (Smith, 2009). There have also been variations of performance when running applications on the cloud (Smith, 2009). Cloud computing services have crashed and become unavailable for several hours or days. When this happens, all your services are off-line until the problem is corrected (Smith, 2009). It may appear as if cloud computing has an unlimited amount of computers and storage disks to meet the needs of customers. As cloud computing becomes more popular and widely used the amount of computers and storage disks may become somewhat limited. Relation of cloud computing to a Biblical Ethical Worldview When a business uses cloud computing they are putting their trust into another company with their personal and business information. The cloud computer company must protect the information as if it were their own. Recommendation of Cloud Computing I believe I would use cloud computing if I were starting or operating a small- to mid-size business. To have access to the hardware, software, and storage capacity of the changing and growing computer industry, it is a good alternative to actually purchasing the equipment or software. Projections of Cloud Computing Cloud computing will continue to grow in popularity. As more businesses look for ways to cut cost, cloud computing will eliminate the need to have the storage space, money needed to purchase and upgrade equipment and to have the technical knowledge to handle problems that arise. Conclusion The popularity of mobile devices is growing rapidly in the business world. To be able to have the software needed downloaded on the mobile devices, as needed, will be a huge benefit to businesses. Cloud computing will also help companies that have several different locations throughout the world connect to the same network, using the same software, when needed. Security will always be a concern, whether the data is stored in-house or at an off-site location. Reputable companies are quickly joining the cloud computing business and although there still may be breaches, the more reputable the company, the better the consumer feels about storing their data off-site. Cloud computing will be a huge benefit to businesses as technology continues to change and grow.