Tuesday, November 26, 2019

Strategy and international management Honda motors The WritePass Journal

Strategy and international management Honda motors Introduction Strategy and international management Honda motors IntroductionReferences:Related Introduction This essay is about the potential objective of the multinational company of entry in to the new market for expanding business and maximizing profit in new explored market, and will highlights possible insinuation of a global company in host country economy. In this essay Auto car manufacturing Company will be critically highlighted that why multinational auto manufacturing company expands business to other regions and discover new market places and what are the grounds behind that step. The chosen company for this critical essay is Honda Motors. Before discussing Honda motors foreign direct investment (FDI), its motives of investing abroad from its home country, and the home country policies regarding FDI. It is vital to provide company background first and its history. Honda is sustaining a global point of view, and is devoted in supplying products of the uppermost excellence keeping in view a reasonable price for worldwide buyer’s satisfaction. Honda Motor Company Limited is possibly best branded as an auto maker. Among the car manufacturing companies in Japan Honda is second and fifth biggest and successful car manufacturing company in the world. Today Honda is renowned for its innovation, excellence, well-built and advanced engineering which combine to get the best possible output in auto market and that is the reason why Honda has strong image among leading car manufacturing companies. Honda is a Japan based company, which has made its name in the manufacturing of cars in very short period of time. Honda Motor Company was founded by Soichiro Honda and his partner, Takeo Fujisawa (Source, www.honda.com). Innovative strength of mind is obvious in the absolute name of their business, which is  Honda  Technology Research Institute Compan y Limited. Honda is considered to be the primary producer of engines across the world in terms of the complete volume of the engines it manufactures annually. Honda endeavoured into the Japanese  car industry  after 1960 with the T360 (Source, www.honda.com). In this essay I will focus Honda Motors investment in Pakistan. Honda Atlas Cars Pakistan Limited is a mutual enterprise between Honda Japan Motors and the Atlas Group Pakistan. Honda Company was established in 1992 and combined agreement was signed in 1993. The inauguration ceremony was held on 17th of April 1993 and within a very small time of 11 months, construction and erection of machinery was completed. Honda invested in Pakistan because of numerous reasons which can be called the perfect location for investment. As per Dunning the location, owner specific and internalisation advantages are three basic fundamentals for multinational company to invest across the border. Pakistan got strategic importance because of its prominent geography. Indian Ocean on one side and very close of Persian Gulf which is very significant for trade import and export purpose. Pakistan is like a gate way for Middle East, for Central Asia to China and India. Pakistan is at number 9 with a population of 140 million, so it is clear that Pakistan has got a vast market and around 40 million hard working cheap labour. Road and rail infrastructure of Pakistan is reasonable well dev eloped and it is developing time by time. Because of its link with Persian and Arabian Sea export processing zone is working from 1980 and because of large demand three more export processing zones have started working in Sialkot, Risalpur and Saindak. Honda invested in Pakistan because Pakistani economy usually showed sensitivity and possible aptitude to convene exogenous blows and minimize risk (Source:- www.unescap.com). Pakistan got very strategic place in term of foreign direct investment (FDI) as per economic survey of Pakistan FDI is increasing from 2006-2007 from 6 billion US dollar which is almost 48% higher than last year. According to figures there are around 3.9 million auto cars on the roads of Pakistan, and the demands for vehicles individually and combined are increasing rapidly, and prominent figure is calculated of 300,000 as an annual demand. Multinational companies from Japan, Europe and Korea have invested around 1.5 billion dollars in Auto industry of Pakistan (Source:- www.unescap.com). It is the matter of fact that developed markets drench with the passage of time, keeping this point companies still want to preserve expansion. Honda keeps a strong point of expanding their business to areas which are less saturated. Most of the certain saturated markets may welcome variety from other developed economies and companies attempt to invest in those markets to capture market share. Pakis tan government has eased up the investment policy environment foreign private investment. For welcoming and encouraging foreign direct investment in export-oriented industries, an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) is set up in Karachi. The government of Pakistan has also ratify a wide set of investment incentives including credit facilities, fiscal incentives, and visa policy. Foreign controlled manufacturing companies exporting 50% or more of their production can now borrow working capital without any limit. Other foreign-controlled manufacturing companies including those not exporting and selling in the domestic market can borrow rupee loans equal to their equity without prior permission of the State Bank of Pakistan. Foreign investment in Pakistan is sheltered through the Constitution (Article 24) as well as through specific laws. Section 8 of the Protection of Economic Reforms Act 1992 provides legal cover to foreign investment in Pakistan. Honda established its unit in Pakistan due to several factors which they believe that will maximise their profit by investment abroad like abundant low cost land and natural resources, vast cheap and technical working people, increasing local market, reasonably developed infrastructure and important and critical location. As According to Dunning (2008) company invest abroad because of suitable climate, proximity to relevant markets, availability of raw materials and minerals, and availability of low cost advantages such as cheap labour. Honda invests overseas to lessen revelation to one market. This gives Honda international diversification and leads to benefits for Honda. As the global economy changes over the time and recession is affecting one area some time another economy in different region is practicing a boom, so operating in different countries instability can be less experienced by companies. According to Dunning (2008), It has to be more gainful for the company to develop its resources in overseas, rather than in domestic, locations. Honda chose site in Lahore, Honda current location in Lahore Pakistan is near to Allama Iqbal International Airport Lahore which can be easily and affordably accessed adding to this it can be easily access from motorway which connect main cities of Pakistan and nearly 90 km from Faisalabad international dry port.   Honda is enjoying economical delivery of cars with its well managed delivery set-up all over Pakistan. Pakistan government policies are very much in favour for investors of auto makers to invest in Pakistan. Honda invested huge amount of investment in Pakistani market so that to get more benefit and capturing more international reputation from the cheapest cost of production in Pakistan economy, as there is availability of cheap and skilled labour as it is fact that companies with labour intensive production processes have a larger incentive to invest overseas and thus benefit from these cost efficiencies. T his gives host country many advantages like increase in export, boost in economy and linkage with other countries. According to Lipsey (2002), FDI has a great influence on any host country economy and increases the interaction of countries and export from the host country increases as well. Customers who are interested in new models are manufactured in the local country (Japan) and as well as manufactures in Pakistan, is another, verdict weighty factor and gives a extra advantage to Honda FDI policy. Dunning (2000), said that market seeking factor is appropriate in the FDI decision making process. One of the reasons why Honda invests abroad is diversification. By diversifying, it reduces risk and by diversifying worldwide, one can reduce the risk further. International investing provides investors the opportunity to spread risks over more than one market. Due to rise in oil prices that increases transportation cost of vehicles from one country to other country so the prices of impor ted vehicles are normally are very high than the cars which are manufactured and assembled in home country. Honda is enjoying this case by establishing its manufacturing and assembling unit in host country as to maximise its markets shares and reduce risk. High import duties make imported cars prices higher and unaffordable. Market saturation and increased competition at home have lead automakers to the evident termination that future growth will occur in investing abroad where population is more and where the demand of cars is much. Honda motors have domination over its firm specific advantages and can exploit them abroad, ensuing in a higher trivial return or lower trivial cost than its opponents, and thus in more profit. This was said by Cantwell (2000), that advantage in technology might be used to increase international expansion and this can be motivating factor as well for companies. The subsistence of a particular know-how or core ability is an asset that can give rise to ec onomic rents to Honda. These rents are gathering by Honda by licensing the Firm Specific Advantages to another firm, exporting products using Specific Advantages as an input, or amendment subsidiaries abroad. Honda has its unbeaten technological power and innovation in their manufacturing and this makes it the successful car manufacturing company in the competition. There were and still there are competitors for Honda in Pakistan as some companies started well before than Honda in Pakistan, they know how the market and environment is. According to Hymer’s (1966), to compete in the overseas market foreign companies must possess some kind of advantage. Such advantage can be of many different types, but the most obvious is size and market power.  Ã‚  A business intend to build up a firm precise advantage in international market and development tends to be completed in the market because of localisation feature like trading hurdles, expensive carrying costs, company mostly adop t this criteria by investing out from its home country in their own services to a certain extent than through, let take a example of a licensing or agreements. The more insubstantial the company exact advantage is much stronger that propensity would be. To do business with intangible assets are very tricky and difficult to handle. There is some significant argument is that transnational corporation exist because information crossways boundaries can be moved much powerfully in the corporation rather than among independent industry, the reason is not of market collapse. That extracted that in common intangible asset can be taken as a demanded asset, but can rarely be separated from the company itself and it is impossible to be taken as a community good (Source, www.ousest.com). As the oil prices are increasing day by day so to afford heavy cars are getting tougher so trends towards small and local manufactured cars are increasing and that is the reason why Pak Suzuki Motors enjoys a domination in the car market with 40.2% of car market share and Honda has 14.7% of market share and trying its level best by deploying the new and advanced technology to its cars with affordable price (Source:- www.ousest.com). Honda has transferred nearly all its advanced technology to the unit working in Pakistan so that to facilitate the customers with innovation and advance technology with low prices as exporting cars from Japan to Pakistan becomes more expensive and unaffordable for buyers to grab the car of their dream and also buyers tends to buy relative cheap and locally manufactured and assembled cars so to reduce the factor of losing customers Honda makes sure that market must be in hand by investing more in host country. According to Dunning firm must have some owner ship advantages to penetrate in any country and capturing the market through that ownership advantages. Initially Honda was emphasizing on investments in countries where political situation were stable and government policies were in favour of foreign investment to reduce barriers in their investment and returns, Pakistan political matters were never been much stable but the policies and climate are always in a favour of foreign investment, Honda neglected the political factor and invested hugely in Pakistan to capture the uprising car market of Pakistan. This showed the interest of Honda as an active market seeking FDI. Economic prosperity is the main ingredient to the country’s progress and advancement. Foreign investment gives the strong base for economic development.   FDI added notably in the human resources development, capital formation, and organizational and managerial skills of the people in the country. One of the positive spillover effects was that the occurrence of foreign firm helps in enlargement infrastructure facilities, which makes it easier and profitable for local firms to crowd-in (Lemi, 2004). In developing countries like Pakistan FDI is helpful to narrow down the Saving-Investment gap. The economic benefits of FDI were extensive ranging, it unlock new opportunities of knowledge, transfer of technology, training of manpower, market networking and externalities in the host countries. The potential advantages of the FDI on the host economy are it facilitates the use and utilization of local raw materials, it bring in modern techniques of management and marketing, it eases the access to new technologies, Foreign inflows could be used for financing current account deficits, it increases the stock of human capital via on the job training. The local ventures are able to learn by watching if the economic structure is suitable (Bhagwati, 1994) also it stimulates the investment in RD (Calvo and Robles, 2003). Although there is huge positive impact of FDI on host country economy there is some negative implication that results due to FDI. Often seen that host country faces problems with FDI, government has less control over the foreign companies which are operating in the country and this results in not adopting the economic policies of the host country. Defence of the country has to face some risk due to incoming foreign investment. Foreign firms deploy its home country policies in the host country firm which sometimes are not suitable for the workers of the host country. Inflation rate increases in a considerable amount in host country. One of the main negative impacts of FDI is that the economically backward section of the host country is always inconvenienced when the stream of foreign direct investment is negatively affected (Source:- economywatch). Honda is providing advanced and innovated cars to the its customers mostly in affordable price and playing important role in the economy of the country as well. Honda investment resulted not only in maximizing their profit but resulted in opening of thousands of jobs and also pays taxes to the government. Honda successful investment and increase in profit motivated other companies to invest in Pakistan which will be again beneficial to locals and to government. But going to the depth of Honda investment, Honda is getting more than their investment but Honda is still not able to provide more employment opportunities by expanding their units to other cities in Pakistan. Although the unit is fully working in Pakistan but still car prices are not in a range of middle class community which could be in affordable price if Honda management reduces a small percentage from their profit. Highly technical staffs are still called from Japan and avoiding local technical staffs to remain where the y are, Honda must send host country technical staff to trainings abroad so that human resource of host country can go further up in the company making more opportunity for others. This will in return reduces Honda cost and will be helpful for host country human resource. References: Bhagwati, J.N. (1994), â€Å"Free trade: Old and new challenges†, Economic Journal, 104, pp.231-246. Cantwell. J. (2000). A survey of theories of international production:   the Nature of the transitional firm, London: Routledge. Dunning, J.H. (2000). â€Å"The Eclectic Paradigm as an Envelope for Economic and Business Theories of MNE Activity†, International Business Review,9, pp. 163-190. Dunning electic paradigm, information available ousest.com/internalis, accessed on 4th March 2011. Hymer, H. (1979). The Multinational Corporation: a Radical approach, New York: Press Syndicate of the University of Cambridge. Information available on www.ousest.com, website accessed on 21st April 2011. Information available on www.honda.com, website accessed on 2nd March 2011. Information available on   adb.org, website accessed on 22ndFebuary 2011 Information available on www.dawn.com, website accessed on 1st March 2011. Information available on www.honda.com.pk, website accessed on 2nd March 2011. Information available on www.economywatch.com, accessed on 5th March 2011. Investment Policy, Information available on www.sbp.gov.pk, accessed on 5th March 2011.  ·Ã‚  Information available on www.unescap.org/tid/publication/part_two2223_pak.pdf, accessed on 7th April 2011.  ·Ã‚  Information available on ousest.com/transact.html, accessed on 7th April 2011. Lemi, A. (2004).â€Å"Foreign Direct Investment, Host country productivity and export: The case of US and Japanese multinational affiliates†, Journal of Economic Development, 29. Lipsey, R. E. (2002). â€Å"Home and Host country effects of FDI†, NBER Working Paper No W92923, available on www.ssrn,com, accessed on 27thFebuary 2011. Pakistan Research Repository, information available on www.eprints.hec.gov.pk, accessed on 1st March 2011. .

Saturday, November 23, 2019

Turabian Method

Turabian Method Edited by the University of Chicago Press, the Turabian method of style has become universal. Its descriptions of and instructions for solid writing have enamored students young and old. Replete with examples for easy understanding, the Turabian method has become a standardized version of modern writing. The Freedom of Turabian When it comes to citations, fewer styles give the freedom that the Turabian method does. You can choose from a more formal note-based version of documentation, or you can opt for parenthetical citations. Both include a reference list at the end of the document, alphabetized by authors surnames. Recently, the University of Chicago has reissued the Turabian style guide. In fact, it now comes filled with current answers for the modern writer. Integrating technology into its proper place in the writing field, the Turabian manual has become even more valuable for writers today. Certain companies have adapted this Turabian method into their software. The result is a stunning, easy-to-use interface that makes citations and style more accessible. With a few clicks of your mouse, you can begin writing in Turabian style.

Thursday, November 21, 2019

Sri Lankan travellers needs and expectations about airline websites Literature review

Sri Lankan travellers needs and expectations about airline websites - Literature review Example Increasing demands of the customers have forced almost every business to have their own website. Similarly the airline industry has also been actively participating in this race and many airlines now maintain very attractive and eye catching websites (Weeks and Crouch, 1999; Morrison et al., 1999). The recent years have seen many studies and researches in the field of website assessment (Liu, 2000, Olsina, 1999 and Barnes and Vidgeon, 2001). Although there is a great deal of variation in the website design and content amongst different industries nonetheless quite a few assessment tools with precise excellence criterion have been made (Kim, Shaw and Schneider, 2003). The flowchart regarding the website evaluation is given below: Figure: 1 Website Evaluation Flowchart (Park and Gretzel, 2007, p.48). Website evaluation methods used by different authors As the internet has developed very rapidly there has been a number of websites available now. This vastness of information and types of websites makes it a necessity there must be some sort of criteria for the evaluation of these websites so that a proper level of quality can be maintained and junk material could be avoided (Seoyoung and Jinwoo, 2004). In order to carry out this evaluation a study was carried out and the characteristics were collected and analyzed. The contents were divided in to a number of categories so that it becomes easy to evaluate each one. The 4 Ps category division by McCarthy (1976) was adapted as the initial division criterion These 4 Ps were â€Å"product, price, promotion and point-of-sale†. It has been argued by some researchers that the above mentioned 4 Ps fit properly with the internet related stuff especially websites (Chaffey et al., 2003) however some other authors recommend total substitution of these 4 Ps (Constantinides, 2002; Kotler, 1998). A model for the adaptation of internet commerce has been developed by Burgess and Cooper (1999). The model is composed of 3 point s i.e. endorsement that relates knowledge regarding the corporation provision regarding interaction dispensation linked to online communication Ho (1997) uses an approach for website evaluation that is based upon the approach of phases. According to him the structure of the evaluation criterion is based upon 2 dimensional matrixes. First dimension is of â€Å"purpose† which is divided into 3 further categories i.e. Promotion i.e. data regarding the services and products provided to the clients Provision i.e. presence of information in order to attain the exposure, good will, and credibility. Processing i.e. commerce dealings. The 2nd dimension is called ‘value-created’’. This dimension is also divided into further categories named i.e. well-timed worth, custom significance, logistic worth and amazing value. Wan (2002) projected a tool for evaluating and ranking the international websites for tourists. He used 3 categories i.e. diversity of knowledge, user interface ease, and online reservation facility. â€Å"Airline Site Evaluation Framework (ASEF)† The website analysis of an air line usually address the requirement for ASEF i.e. a â€Å"client-oriented Airline Site Evaluation Framework (ASEF)† in which the assessment techniques and instrumentation methods developed previously were used with particular

Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Cultural Similarities and Differences of Hip-hop in the U.S. and Essay

Cultural Similarities and Differences of Hip-hop in the U.S. and France - Essay Example Price added that Hip Hop is a thought-provoking music contained therein is the culture and sentiments of the displaced minorities. Considering the emergence of Hip Hop in various Western countries, this paper focuses on the Hip Hop culture in the U.S. and France. Accordingly, this paper contends that the fundamental similarity of Hip Hop culture in both countries lies in the representation and ways of expression of the minorities, regardless of the range of differences, which lies in the different ways in which the displaced minorities attempt to reconstruct themselves. Similarities Primarily, the Hip Hop culture in the U.S. and France is a product of the Liberation Movement that attempts to emancipate minority groups from social and cultural displacement, particularly the Afro-Americans. Relatively, the Afrocentric themes of the American and French Hip Hop create the relatedness of the American and French Hip Hop. Hip Hop develops in the U.S. and France in the same time frame, which is during the 1970s-1980s, and the said music genre serves as a medium of expression for the displaced minorities and immigrants, particularly the youth in their attempts at social integration (Marshall 570). The movement aims to integrate cultural minorities, such as Afro-Americans and Latinos, with the mainstream society without prejudice (Price 1).

Sunday, November 17, 2019

Specific threats Essay Example for Free

Specific threats Essay 1. Air pollution This event could affect students and staff who are susceptible to respiratory problems. The following principles should be observed. a. A file of students and staff who have or are susceptible to respiratory problems. The file should contain data on the location of such persons at different times during the day. b. When notified from district via news media of a smog advisory, the principal shall inform all staff and notify those individuals in file to stay indoors and minimize physical activity. c. Cancel all athletic competitions and practices and any other activities which require strenuous physical activity such as marching band, etc. d. Cancel any events, which require the use of vehicles. 2. Bomb threats In the event that the university receives a bomb threat, by letter or telephone, the following procedures will be accomplished. a. If the bomb threat is in the form of a letter, note the manner in which it was delivered, who found it and where it was found. Take care while handling the message by immediately placing it in an envelope so that possible fingerprints may be detected. b. If the bomb threat is a telephone call, keep the caller on the line. Delay the caller with statements such as I am sorry, I did not understand you. What did you say? Note the time the call was received, manner of caller, background noises and what the caller is saying. Use the following guidelines that follow to assist you. Immediately notify the police and fire departments (or designee) (call 911). If the caller is still on the phone, call the phone company to trace the call. Instruct staff and students to turn off any pagers, cellular phones or two-way radios. Do not use these devices during this threat. Caution students against picking up or touching any strange objects or packages. If the suspected bomb is in a corridor, modify evacuation routes to bypass the corridor. Evacuate students using primary and alternate routes. Take emergency backpack and student kits. Check to be sure all students have left the building. Upon arrival at the designated safe site, take roll. Notify the designee and emergency response personnel of any missing students. Does not return to the building until emergency response officials determine it is safe. 3. Chemical accident Chemical accidents of a disaster magnitude could result from a transportation accident or an industrial accident. Should any such accidents endanger the students or staff, the following will be accomplished. An alert message will be broadcast over the â€Å"school weather Radio† and the safety siren may be heard. The following should be observed; Have all students report to nearest designated building. Close all doors and windows, shut off ventilation, and listen to the radio (shelter-in-place). Take roll. Notify designee of any missing students. If necessary, use tape, rags, clothing or any other available material of seal air leaks. Continue to shelter in the place unless advised to do otherwise. Monitor and radio station for further instructions. If you believe that gas is entering the building, protect everyone with a wet cloth or towel over the mouth and nose. Have everyone breathe in short, quick shallow breaths. If evacuation orders are received, proceed with evacuation plan. Evacuate students. A check should be performed to be sure all students have been evacuated. 4. Threat of explosion This incident could be the result of spilled cleaning chemicals within the school building, in the university lab, a material a student brings to university, or a broken gas main. Should any such accidents endanger the students or staff, take the following actions; Determine if evacuation is required. Notify appropriate local authorities of incident (call 911). If necessary, proceed with evacuation procedure using primary or alternate routes, avoiding exposure to the chemical fumes. Evacuate students from the building using primary and/or alternate fire routes (p.14). Check to be sure all students have left the building. Students are to remain quiet during evacuation. Upon arrival at evacuation site, take roll and report attendance to designee immediately. Notify emergency response personnel of any missing students. Do not return to the building until emergency response personnel have determined it is safe. 5. Fire This incident could occur if the school building is on fire; should any such event endanger the students or staff, the following will be accomplished. Notify the fire Department (call 911). Proceed to evacuate the school using the primary or alternate fire routes. An inspection will be performed to be sure all students and personnel have left the building. Evacuate students from the building using primary or alternate fire routes. Take emergency backpack and student kits. Maintain  Control of the students a safe distance from the fire and fire fighting equipment. Report any missing students to the designee and emergency response personnel. Do not return to the building until the Fire Department determines it is safe. 6. Earthquake If indoors: †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Stay inside, move away from windows, shelves, heavy objects or furniture which may fall over. Take cover under a table or desk. Instruct the students to DUCK-COVER-HOLD. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In halls, stairways, or other areas where cover is not available, move to an interior wall. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In library, immediately move away from windows and bookshelves. Take appropriate cover. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In laboratories, all burners should be extinguished (if possible) before taking cover. Stay clear of hazardous chemicals, which may spill. †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the multi-use room, take cover under the tables or move close to the interior walls away from windows. If outdoors: †¢Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Move to an open space, away from buildings and overhead power lines. Lie down or crouch low to the ground (legs will not be steady). Keep looking around to be aware of dangers, which may demand movement. 7. Tornado Severe weather can be accompanied by high winds. If this type of weather poses any risk to the staff or students the following shall be accomplished. An alert message will be broadcast over the weather radio (WTTS, 92.3 FM is the local Emergency Alert System station for Bartholomew, Brown, Decatur, Jackson, Lawrence and Monroe Counties.)Staff and students should take cover in the shielded areas within the building. Stay away from windows. Close all blinds and curtains. Avoid auditoriums, gymnasiums and other structures with large roof spans. Monitor weather radio and AM radio station. Notify utility companies of any break or suspected break in utility lines. 8. Threatening individual This incident could occur if a belligerent person or armed person appeared at the school site. Should such an individual threaten the safety of students or staff, the following shall be accomplished.

Thursday, November 14, 2019

Athens vs. Sparta: Was War Between the Two Inevitable? Essays -- essay

In 480 and the years prior the Athenians and Spartans, banned together to defeat the Persian Army. The Spartans stand at Thermopylae, allowed the Athenians time to prepare, and ultimately allowed the victory. With both of these great city-states located so close together in Hellas, there differences would ultimately lead to dissension. Throughout the course of this paper, I hope to explain the reasoning behind the dissension between Sparta and Athens, made war between these former allies inevitable. Whenever there is an argument or war there is always differences between both parties involved. In order to understand the causes of the Peloponnesian War, we must look at their differences. One of the main differences that the Athenians and the Spartans had was their way of education. Athenian boys were tutored at home until the age of six or seven years old. After seven they were sent to neighborhood schools where they were taught primary education until around the age of fourteen. These neighborhood schools were usually private schools, but the amount of money for tuition was usually affordable enough for the poor to send their children for a few years. During primary school the boys were usually taught calisthenics and how to play certain games. Older boys were taught more militaristic activities such as boxing or wrestling. All ages of Athenian boys read heavily, as well as were taught to sing songs, play instruments, and do mathematics. Athenian boys who could not afford to go to school usually began apprenticeships. No matter what however, at the age of 18 all boys were required to go to military school for two years, after completion of that they were allowed to live however they wanted. Athenian girls were not officially schooled, they were usually taught in the own homes. The purpose of an Athenian education was to train people to be thinkers, people who are well-trained in the arts and sciences (Columbia). The education of the youth establishes a precedent for the differences between the way Spartans and Athenians lead their lives. At age seven, training for the military began for all Spartan boys, they’re forced to leave their homes and go to military schools, where they endure all types of harsh training and discipline. The main lesson was learning to take pride in enduring pain and hardships. During their teenage years they were taught wrestling, ... ...-states that the Athenians were indeed as strong as all would believe, thus the smaller cit-states developed the thought that indeed Athenian attack was inevitable.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  When two great and powerful city-states ban together for a common cause the results will in turn will have great expectations. Those expectations were met when an undermanned Greek army defeated the large Persian Army throughout the course of the Persian War. The problem occurs when each of the city-states’ own ego gets in the way of the cause. They handily defeated the Persians, but the Athenians took the credit for it, and paid homage to themselves, through elaborate celebrations of victory. In their minds, they were at the head of Hellas. The Spartans took exception to this and rightfully so. The credit has to go to them as well, for the large part that they played in the victory over Persia. This dissension in the end had a lot to do with the Peloponnesian War. Never mind the military structures and governments that each set up, which made their differences clear cut. There was no way to avoid the war between these two great powers, it was inevitable, j ust as Thucydides had predicted.

Tuesday, November 12, 2019

Mid-Term Essay Essay

This essay will focus on the influence family background and childhood memories have on writers and the theme of their writings. In both the essays chosen for detailed study here, we see how the authors’ philosophy of life and things that they chose to explore and write about was set way back in their childhood as a result of the traumas they faced. This paper will present an analysis of how the families of Sanders and Maduro shaped the way these authors understand themselves and relate to others. Scott Russell Sanders was the winner of the Mark Twain Award in 2009 and his work A Private History of Awe was nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. Born in Memphis, Tennessee, to a family of cotton farmers, Sanders taught Literature and worked as Professor of English at Indiana University. The main vision behind his writing is the shift in cultures from a consumerist to a care-giving society (Sanders). In his essay, â€Å"Under the Influence: Paying the Price for my Father’s Booze†, Sanders had chronicled the trauma he and his siblings had to endure because of his father’s alcoholism. In this memoir Sander’s recounts the feelings of guilt, shame and helpless that he felt as a child of ten when he saw his father’s unstable and ferocious outbursts after getting drunk. He blamed himself for it and that feeling of guilt hounded him throughout his life. â€Å"I tell myself he drinks to ease [†¦] an ache I must have caused by disappointing him somehow† (Sanders). To atone for his perceived inadequacies as a child Sanders tried to turn to working hard and trying to keep the family together and taking on his father’s responsibilities, â€Å"by vainly seeking to erase through my efforts whatever drove him to drink† (Sanders). Sanders observes that his own children wonder at what drives him to be a â€Å"workaholic† and tries to allay their fears and any sense of guilt or pressure they may feel by being candid about his own feelings of guilt, hurt and shame at his father’s alcoholism. On maturity he realized that he had castigated himself needlessly as a child and that his father’s alcoholism was a disease and he had no reason to feel responsible for it. However, his fear of drinks and bad conduct that he had witnessed as a child had left a deep scar in his soul. He is reticent about going to pubs with his friends and drinking as much as he is afraid of causing hurt or disappointment to anybody. He is constantly watchful of any adverse reactions from people around him and still carries the shame of his father’s â€Å"sins† deep down inside him and shies away from having that facet of his life exposed in public. The name E. S. Maduro is a pseudonym under which the author talks about her feminist beliefs and her convictions on freedom of choice and awareness for women. She records how her own youthful feelings of rebellion against the social norms of marriage and raising children altered upon maturity but how she clung to her belief that women should have the awareness to make decisions for themselves. They should be allowed to choose their career paths according to their wishes and not be forced into stereotypical roles due to societal pressures. In the essay â€Å"Excuse Me While I Explode: My Mother, Myself, My Anger† the writer describes her feelings of anger, guilt and frustrations when she narrates the story of how her mother and women of that generation had to sacrifice their careers and all their life’s desires to accommodate their families and their duties as home makers and mothers. â€Å"Excuse Me While I Explode: My Mother, Myself, My Anger† first appeared in print as an article in a book entitled The Bitch in the House. In this article Maduro has written about her frustration at the inequality women face in society. It primarily deals with her angst at how she being a post-modern woman who was educated and liberated fell back and did the same things that she has found so loathsome in her mother. She had felt defiant at the way her mother and most women had to give-up their own dreams of a good and successful life to slave at household chores and raising children. â€Å"Years ago† a woman did not have a choice to voice her opinions and the role of housekeeper and dutiful mother was thrust upon her without so much as a thought about how she felt about it. Her toil was taken for granted and the spouse did not even think it inappropriate to allow his wife to do all the housework when he could very easily have offered to help. â€Å"I believed myself to be a feminist, and I vowed never to fall into the same trap of domestic boredom and servitude that I saw my mother as being fully entrenched in; never to settle for a life that was, as I saw it, lacking independence, authority, and respect† (Maduro 5). However, as she grew older and had her own experience of loving and living with her partner she was amazed that she followed the same pattern almost unconsciously and managed both house and work despite her partner wanting to help her with the chores. She puzzles over why this is so because she believed herself to be aware of her rights unlike her mother and in full command over her vocation and what she wanted out of life, yet she slaved at household chores: â€Å"I feel an odd mixture of frustration and love. Together we have a wonderful, open, trusting relationship, but sometimes I wonder if the hostility already in me, and my need to be angry at someone or something, could eventually destroy our bond† (Maduro 12). The article is an introspection of why she chose to do this. She comes up with the hypothesis that women chose to take on domestic responsibilities even if it meant forgoing some of their own desires because it made a woman proud to be an accomplished home maker and mother. She identified this need in a woman to excel in housekeeping as a source of pleasure and fulfillment. She reflects on the dichotomy between love and frustration, career and home, raising children and vocation and finally finds comfort in the fact that unlike her mother she was not forced into servitude. She did what she did because she wanted to do it, she had the option of turning away and that made a big difference. She is able to resolve her conflict and also that of many other women by reiterating that choosing to be a good housekeeper and mother was an option and you could choose to be one even if you felt strongly for the cause of feminism. Works Cited Maduro, E. S. â€Å"Excuse Me While I Explode: My Mother, Myself, My Anger†. The Bitch in the House. Cathy Hanauer. New York: Harper Collins, 2002. Print. Sanders, Russell Scott. â€Å"Under the Influence: Paying the Price for my Father’s Booze† Harpers Magazine Nov 1989: n. pag. Web. 2 Jun 2010.

Sunday, November 10, 2019

Contrast/Comparison Essay on Horror Movies

Lexus Marshall English 101/Sec 011 Comparison & Contrast Essay 10/16/12 Ms. Watkins In two horror films, â€Å"A Nightmare on Elm Street† and â€Å"Texas Chainsaw Massacre† the main killers have similarities and differences between each other. By their past, their killings, and weapons. In the horror film, â€Å"A Nightmare On Elm Street†, takes place in a town called Elm Street where teenagers are paying the price for actions their parents made, by burning a man to death, when they were young.His face is disfigured from being burned, he wears a red and black sweater, and has razor knives on his hand. His name was Freddy Kreuger, and he would kidnap young children and burn them in a furnace. Although the parents killed him when they found out what he did, his spirit didn't erase and he had the ability to enter the teenagers dreams where he can exact his revenge. He brings them to an old abandoned building in their dream and stabs them with a glove that has razor knives.Unless they escape, which eventually he catches them. Except for one of the teenagers named Nancy Thompson, who manages to escape him every time. In the other horror film, â€Å"Texas Chainsaw Massacre†, a serial killer named Thomas Hewitt, also known as Leatherface, murdered people who would pass by their small Texas town. Unlike the film â€Å"A Nightmare On Elm Street†, the town is stranded and not a lot of people live there.Thomas Hewitt, who was abandoned as a baby turns into a murderer. Unlike Freddy Krueger, Thomas first sometimes tortured his victims in horrific ways by skinning them alive. He makes a mask with the skin he took off to make a mask for his face, Because when he was born his face was disfigured. He takes the people that he finds brings them into his house and commits the killings in his basement with a chainsaw, which people soon thought he was in love with. There were no survivors.The similarities between both the murderers in the films ar e that they both are serial killers who lived a rough childhood. Both were bullied by other children growing up. And thought of killing at a very young age. They also both have disfigured faces, but from different reasons. In two horror films, â€Å"A Nightmare on Elm Street† and â€Å"Texas Chainsaw Massacre† the main killers have similarities and differences between each other. Although one is fictional and the other is based on true events, they both still have

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Comparing Theater and Cinema Essay Essays - English-language Films

Comparing Theater and Cinema Essay Essays - English-language Films Comparing Theater and Cinema Essay Comparing Theater and Cinema Essay ARTS/100 February 2, 2015 Lisa Turner Comparing Theater and Cinema Essay Jaws is a perfect movie. A movie that is the standard for the animal on the loose genre, and it is unlikely to ever be overshadowed. The movie preys on the human minds ability to construct horrors beyond any the screen can provide. The audience does not actually see the shark until an hour into the movie. But the shark isnt just a shark. The shark is a representation of consumerism in this memorable movie. Symbolism The shark in Jaws represents consumerism in society. This is first demonstrated in the scene where the sheriff, a recent transplant from New York and therefore an outsider to the town, tries to close down the beaches after learning of the first shark attack. The sheriff is confronted by the mayor and fathers of the town in the confined space of one of Amitys ferries, suggesting the islands isolation and dependence on beach-going summer tourists for its livelihood and survival (AMC Filmsite, n.d.). Amitys mayor informs the sheriff that he cannot close the beaches on his own authority, and must have a civic ordinance or resolution by the towns Board of Selectmen. Their one and only concern is what impact closing the islands beaches will have on the businesses in the exclusive town. The sheriff, symbolizing the everyman of society, is forced into a cover-up and ordered to keep the beaches open. Because of this decision, the relentless shark kills another member of the community. This ti me the victim is a child, yet people in town are still wary of drawing conclusions. We dont even know if theres a shark around here, argues the female motel owner (AMC Filmsite, n.d.). At a meeting of the towns elders, the sheriffs decision to close the beaches is once again vetoed by the mayor, who only authorizes a twenty-four hour closure. The sheriff is left helpless, emasculated, and speechless in front of the meeting (AMC Filmsite, n.d). The higher priority of revenue at the expense of beachgoers lives represents consumerism at its worst. Theatrical Production As a theatrical production, Jaws would best be performed as an American satirical musical in three acts. The cast would consist of puppet characters animated and voiced by actors/puppeteers who are present, unconcealed, and onstage but remain invisible relative to the story line, much like the current New York musical, Avenue Q. To assist in the illusion, the puppeteers would wear grey or black clothing in contrast to the characters colorful costumes. The set design would be simple, childlike scenes that would be easily rolled on and off the stage to change the scene settings. The musical would be scored simply for bass, drums and percussion, guitars, reeds, and piano or electronic keyboards. The shark would also be a character with a speaking role. He would be written as a tortured soul, who is a slave to his animal instincts, and the audience would be empathetic to his character, as he is consistently set up for failure by the townspeople of Amity. Despite the characters being port rayed by puppets, the show would not be appropriate for children to attend. Conclusion Widely written and dissected about by film historians and theorists, we continue to return to this amazing motion picture because it beckons us to. Whereas many great films contain a message or viewpoint that defines them as a product of their time, Jaws does the opposite (Deep Focus Review, 2012). The shark is open to interpretation by the viewer. The shark of Jaws represents consumerism. It is literally eating away the resources of wealth for the town of Amity. Jaws will never lose its potency as a film and a theatrical production would be an imaginative way to bring it into current popular culture. References AMC Filmsite. (n.d.). Retrieved from filmsite.org/jaws.html Deep Focus Review. (2012). Retrieved from deepfocusreview.com/reviews/jas.asp

Tuesday, November 5, 2019

Brigadier General George S. Greene in the Civil War

Brigadier General George S. Greene in the Civil War George S. Greene - Early Life Career: The son of Caleb and Sarah Greene, George S. Greene was born at Apponaug, RI on May 6, 1801 and was a second cousin of American Revolution commander Major General Nathanael Greene.   Attending Wrentham Academy and a Latin school in Providence, Greene hoped to continue his education at Brown University, but was prevented from doing so due to a downturn in his familys finances resulting from the Embargo Act of 1807.   Moving to New York City as a teenager, he found work in a dry goods store.   While in this position, Greene met Major Sylvanus Thayer who was serving as superintendent of the United States  Military Academy. Impressing Thayer, Greene earned an appointment to West Point in 1819.   Entering the academy, he proved a gifted student.   Graduating second in the Class of 1823, Greene declined an assignment in the Corps of Engineers and instead accepted a commission as a second lieutenant in the 3rd US Artillery.   Rather than join the regiment, he received orders to remain at West Point to serve as an assistant professor of mathematics and engineering.   Staying in this post for four years, Greene taught Robert E. Lee during this period.   Moving through several garrison assignments over the next several years, he studied both law and medicine to ease the boredom of the peacetime military.   In 1836, Greene resigned his commission to pursue a career in civil engineering. George S. Greene - Prewar Years: Over the next two decades, Greene aided in the construction of several railroads and water systems.   Among his projects were the Croton Aqueduct reservoir in New Yorks Central Park and expanding the High Bridge over the Harlem River.   In 1852, Greene was one of twelve founders of the American Society of Civil Engineers and Architects.   Following the secession crisis in the wake of the election of 1860 and the beginning of the Civil War in April 1861, Greene decided to return to military service.   A devout believer in restoring the Union, he pursued a commission despite turning sixty  that May.   On January 18, 1862, Governor Edwin D. Morgan appointed Greene colonel of the 60th New York Infantry Regiment.   Though concerned about his age, Morgan made his decision based on Greenes earlier career  in the US Army. George S. Greene - Army of the Potomac: Serving in Maryland, Greenes regiment later shifted west to the Shenandoah Valley.   On April 28, 1862, he received a promotion to brigadier general and joined Major General Nathaniel P. Banks staff.   In this capacity, Greene took part in the Valley Campaign that May and June  which saw Major General Thomas Stonewall Jackson inflict a series of defeats on Union troops.   Returning to the field later that summer, Greene  assumed command of a brigade in Brigadier General Christopher Augurs division in II Corps.   On August 9, his men performed well in the Battle of Cedar Mountain and mounted a tenacious defense despite being outnumbered by the enemy.   When Augur fell wounded in the fighting, Greene assumed command of the division.   For the next several weeks, Greene retained leadership of the division which was shifted into the newly-redesignated XII Corps.   On September 17, he advanced his men near the Dunker Church during the Battle of Antietam.   Launching a devastating attack, Greenes division achieved the deepest penetration of any attack against Jacksons lines.   Holding an advanced position, he was ultimately compelled to fall back.   Ordered to Harpers Ferry following the Union victory, Greene elected to take three weeks sick leave.   Returning to the army, he found that command of his division had been  given to Brigadier General John Geary who had recently recovered from wounds suffered at Cedar Mountain.   Though Greene possessed a stronger combat record, he was ordered to resume command of his former brigade.   Later that fall, his troops took part in skirmishing in northern Virginia and avoided the Battle of Fredericksburg in December.  Ã‚   In May 1863, Greenes men were exposed during the Battle of Chancellorsville when Major General Oliver O. Howards XI Corps collapsed following flank attack by Jackson.   Again, Greene directed a stubborn defense that employed a variety of field fortifications.   As the battle continued, he again assumed command of the division when Geary was wounded.   After the Union defeat, the Army of the Potomac pursued Lees Army of Northern Virginia north as the enemy invaded Maryland and Pennsylvania.   Late on  July 2, Greene played a key role at the Battle of Gettysburg when he defended Culps Hill from  Major General Edward Allegheny Johnsons division.   Threatened on his left flank, army commander Major General George G. Meade ordered XII Corps commander Major General Henry Slocum to send the bulk of his men south as reinforcements.   This left Culps Hill, which anchored the Union right, lightly protected.   Taking advantage of the ground, Greene directed his men to build fo rtifications.   This decision proved critical as his  men beat back repeated enemy assaults.   Greenes stand on Culps Hill prevented Confederate forces from reaching the Union supply line on the Baltimore Pike and striking the rear of Meades lines. George S. Greene - In the West: That fall, XI and XII Corps received orders to move west to aid Major General Ulysses S. Grant in relieving the siege of Chattanooga.   Serving under Major General Joseph Hooker, this combined force came under attack at the Battle of Wauhatchie on the night of October 28/29.   In the fighting, Greene was hit in face, breaking his jaw.   Placed on medical leave for six weeks, he continued to suffer from the wound.   Returning to the army, Greene served on light court-martial duty until January 1865.   Joining Major General William T. Shermans army in North Carolina, he initially volunteered on the staff of Major General Jacob D. Cox before assuming command of a brigade in the Third Division, XIV  Corps.   In this role, Greene took part in the capture of Raleigh and the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnstons army. George S. Greene - Later Life: With the end of the war, Greene returned to court-martial duty before leaving the army in 1866.   Resuming his career in  civil engineering, he served as chief engineer commissioner of the  Croton Aqueduct Department from 1867 to 1871 and later held the post of President of the American Society of Civil Engineers.   In the 1890s, Greene sought an engineer captains pension to aid his family after his death.   Though unable to obtain this, former Major General Daniel Sickles helped arranged a first lieutenants pension instead.   As a result, the ninety-three year-old Greene was briefly commissioned as a first lieutenant in 1894.   Greene died three years later on January 28, 1899, and was buried in the family cemetery in Warwick, RI. Selected Sources: Civil War Trust: General George Sears Greene at Culps HillLatin Library: George S. GreeneWarwick History: George S. Greene

Sunday, November 3, 2019

American Airlines (AMR Corporation) Research Paper

American Airlines (AMR Corporation) - Research Paper Example This is because the business of stock trade holds no assurances and one has the potential to either enjoy large amounts of profit from their trades or suffer huge amounts of loss as well if things do go as expected (DePamphilis, 2009). The public companies whose shares are involved in this trade are able to profit as well in terms of stock value, which has the potential to raise the value of their company in general. This is to say that, the higher the price of their stock, the higher the value of the company. Due to this relation, senior management in such companies tends to focus on stock prices and ways that they can be increased on the market in the short term so as to raise the value of the company. This can read to unethical behavior as a result as the management may be tempted to trick individuals into thinking that their stock is worth more than it is in actuality (Sandage, 2006). The increase in the value of stock leads to an increase in demand for the stock which in turn ra ises the value of the stock even higher and it is this co relation that may tempt senior management to tamper with realistic value of their stock so as to cause a rise in demand which will in effect actually raise the value of the stock as a result. ... By postponing this responsibility, the company was able to keep hold of the funds that would have been used for this activity and include it in the earnings reports that they put out. Thus, it would look like the company is doing better than it actually is as those studying the results would not be aware that the funds displayed were partly increased by the postponement of an expense which would have to be dealt with eventually. 2 Deferring the aircraft maintenance was harmful and unethical to both the shareholders of the company6 as well as the customers who used their services. This is because the company dealt in a very sensitive area of transport (air transport) where the good condition of the crafts used was essential in their everyday business. It was unethical to the shareholders as they were made to believe that the stock they owned was doing better than they thought through the manipulation of funds (DePamphilis, 2009). It also put them at risk of suffering losses should any accident have occurred as a result of shunning this maintenance responsibility as the stock value would have dropped drastically as a result. Their actions were even more dangerous to customers who used their services as they put their lives at risk through failing to perform scheduled maintenance on their aircrafts, which could have led to an accident that may have resulted in the loss of lives. This is a more serious offence than tricking those trading in shares into thinking that the company they have invested in is doing well and involved potentially more devastating results than the simple manipulation of earnings through other means. 3 In 2011, American Airlines decided to file for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy that the management saw was

Friday, November 1, 2019

Expanding Your Business Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

Expanding Your Business - Assignment Example Guerrilla marketing strategy involves the use of unconventional and low cost advertising strategy to promote the business. Such strategy is often used locally and through an organized network which actually promotes the business and advances it in relatively unconventional manner. (Levinson, 2003) This marketing plan is related with the marketing of the new coffee shop and is based upon offering a critical strategic outlook and insight into the overall marketing efforts to be taken. The overall product range will not be limited to the freshly served coffee only but will also include selling merchandize such as caps, t-shirts and other items thus increasing the overall products to sell. Since Hot and Sweet Cafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ positions itself as an organization for all, who prefers hot and cold beverages. The customer profile of ‘Hot and Sweet Cafà ©Ã¢â‚¬â„¢ ranges between an age-group of 15- 45 years. Considering this, the overall goals to be achieved by executing this strategy include: It is critical to note that the owners of the business are assuming that the overall access to finances will be restricted at the early stages. In order to overcome this, it is therefore important to initiate and set up a marketing campaign which can deliver results without incurring much of the cost. 1. In order to expand the business, marketing buzz will be created for the cafà © at local level. An undercover marketing campaign will be started to create the opportunities for interaction between the consumers and the business to increase the overall exposure of the product. The overall marketing buzz will be created through word of mouth as well as through the viral marketing on social media. 2. Viral marketing will be started with specific targeting on the local consumers in the area. With the help of the online marketing platforms such as facebook and Google ads, a local campaign will be started to attract