Toyota Motor Corporation Essays

Toyota Motor Corporation Essays Toyota Motor Corporation Paper Toyota Motor Corporation Paper A competitive advantage occurs when organization can offer customers greater value (lower price, additional services and benefit) over competitors in its marketplace (Make 2011). Strategy is a key assisting tool for a firm in any industry to gain the competitive advantages. Business strategy is the long-term purpose and positioning of the organization within its industry (Miser 2014). Today business environment is more complicated and more regulated especially in developed countries than in previous business era. A genuine strategy is always needed when business create a distinctive way ahead, against the influence of the environment by applying whatever core resources and competencies it belongs (Miser 2014). The firm seeks sustainable competitive advantage through these distinctive capabilities. In this severely violent business world, the automobile industry is extremely competitive, with many large organizations trying to influence their competitive advantages to achieve the majority of market share and position (Business Wire Inc. 2013). This paper is to study the US automobile industry for Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) using five forces analysis that was developed by Michael Porter to identify competitive opportunities and attractiveness effectively within market or an industry. The framework for Porters five forces analysis consists of these competitive forces such as the threat of new entrants, the threat of substitutes, the buyer power, the supplier power and rivalry among the competitors (Porter Bibb). These five forces shape the strategy of organizations (Porter Bibb). The automobile industry analysis enables Toyota to understand what forces determine profitability of the automobile industry, what is the current absolute and relative profitability of the industry based on these forces, how these forces re changing and expected to change, and how those changes affect future profitability (Miser 2014). 2. Industry Overview Page 5 The automobile industry is one of the most essential economics sectors and industries. It also represents 3 to 3. 5% of GAP, and creates one in every seventeen jobs in the United States (US). The number of car production in US is almost 2. 7 million and that represents 4. 9% of world production in 2011. The first place of global car production is held by China (24%) and followed by Japan (1 1. 9%) (Worldliest 2014). The US market represents twenty three ere cent of global number of sales of light and passenger vehicles as in term Of 16. 5 million sales units (Euler Hermes Group 2014). The trend of customers demand in a car m anufacturing industry is varied with prices of product or gasoline, per capita disposable income, and advancement of technology in vehicle production (Euler Hermes Group 2014). For example, during past five years, the growth of environmental concerns and dynamic increase of the fuel prices have shifted the preferences of consumers away from fuel- guzzling pickup trucks to more fuel-efficient and smaller cars. As a result, nonusers highly demand more felicitating vehicles. In this century, a company which can innovate and produce more fuel-efficient vehicles than competitors gains competitive advantages and market shares (N com 2013). Apart from that, product innovation can stimulate demand in regard with more fuel-efficient vehicles such as electric models and hybrids than in the past. Nowadays people are more interested to invest on the car that are fuel efficient. Moreover, vehicle prices are tied to materials and equipment costs. For instance, the higher steel and prices raise purchasing costs, and also retail rice. The affordability for consumers is determined by per capita disposable incomes (Gnomon 2013). Increasing income level and incentives makes users more affordable to buy motor vehicles. Besides that, the number of financing companies in automobile industry increases significantly over the last few years. Due to this, the number and range of automobile loans are increased and that make industry demand stronger (Gnomon 2013). Furthermore, , according to Michael Porter (1980), instabilities of economic conditions such as material shortages, labor supply shortages; strikes, and purrs in demand can influence the profitability of almost all businesses in an industry for short-term period. Porter (1 980, p. ) also says: While such factors have tactical significance, the focus of structural analysis is on identifying the stable, underlying characteristics of an industry-its economic and PEP PROBLEM Page 6 technological structure that shapes the arena in which competitive strategy must be set. Whether the success or fail of a competitive strategy, it depends on how a firm relates to its environment. The main aspect of the firms environment is he industry in which it positio ns and operates (Make 2011). The effect of industry structure is eve strong in defining not only the rules of the competitive game but also the strategies potentially available to the organization (Porter 2004). The available potential is not equal for all industries especially in profit potential. Over time, there will be the movement on the structure of industry gradually, and organizations will have unique weaknesses and strengths in dealing with structure (Porter 2004). Therefore, it is crucial for all firms that the strategy analysis must be started through understanding industry Structure (Porter 2004). In today modern society, automobile is one of the most convenient transportation equipment. As a result of globalization, foreign auto dealers are able to enter American market easily, and thus, competition is stronger and stronger in the market. The US automobile industry is mainly dominated by the big three domestic automotive manufacturers such as General Motors, Ford and Daimler Chrysler (Shinny 2012). However, the foreign car manufacturers, Toyota and Honda are the biggest competitors in this industry (Business Wire Inc. 013). Due to the higher oil prices, movement towards green technologies, and the global economy, the more fuel efficiency and technological innovation like Hybrid vehicles are being demanded among consumers (Shinny 2012). This is a great opportunity for Toyota to increase market shares by innovating and producing high technological and more fuel efficient vehicles. 3. Toyota Motor Corporation Toyota Motor Corporation is a Japan-based auto manufacturer which was founded in 1937. The main business engine of Toyota is producing and selling different types of cars and vehicles which suit to different size of households ND corporate uses around the world. Toyota also sells the related parts and accessories to meet the markets needs and wants (Gnomon 2013). The primary market areas of Toyota Motor PEP PROBLEM Page 7 Corporation are Japan, Europe, North America, and Asia. Toyota, Lexus, Hon, and Dadaists are current brand of Toyota Motor Corporation, the leading auto manufacturer, which competes in the automobile industry and also is the eighth largest company in the world (Toyota Bibb). As of March 31, 2014, the annual revenue of Toyota Motor Corporation was 25. 69 trillion yen, an increase of 16. % compared to the last financial year. Operating income before tax increased from 1. 32 trillion yen in 201 3 to 2. 29 trillion yen in 2014 due to the major factors Currency fluctuations of 900 billion yen, marketing activities of 1 80 billion yen, and cost reduction efforts of 290 billion yen. The consolidated vehicle sales increased by 245,369 units from 2013 and the vehicle sales totaled 9, 1 16,033 units in 2014 (Toyota AAA). Industry analysis empowers an organization to develop a competitive strategy that leverages the competitive forces in its favor and best defends against hem (Clark 1 991 Understanding the sources of the competitive forces is essential to develop a competitive strategy (Make 201 1). From this understanding of these competitive forces, the company can emphasis areas where industry trends indicate the greatest significance as either opportunities or threats (Industry analysis and competition: porters five forces 2014). 4. Porters Five Forces on Automobile Industry When the rates of return are higher than the adjusted free market return, it spurs the inflow of capital into an industry either through additional investment by existing competitors or through new entry. Michael Porter (1980, p. L ) stated that the strength of the competitive forces in an industry determines the degree to which this inflow of investment drives the return down to the free market level, hence the ability of firms to sustain above average returns. The state of competition in an industry depends on five basic competitive forces. Porters five forces is a framework that analyses how five key competitive forces affecting the profitability level of an industry and shaping the competitive strategy Of a firm (Porter Bibb). Moreover, these five forces determine the structure of an industry too. The weaker the competitive forces in the industry are the more profitable it is. An industry With high PEP PROBLEM Page 8 buying power and supplying power or few buyer and suppliers but many substitute products, weak barriers for entry and competitors will become aggressive and strongly competitive, and thus, not so attractive because of its low profitability (Gnomon 2013). Evaluating companys competitive position in the industry and identifying the weakness and strengths that maintain and strengthen that position is the major duty of every strategist (Clark 1991). Porters five forces model, the analyzing tool, is very useful to develop the strategy of company in enhancing its long-term profit as it discloses how powerful each of the five forces is in a particular industry (Industry analysis and competition: Porters five forces 2014). This model can provide an analysis of IIS automobile industry competitive nature in details and assist in assessing the strength of competitive and the position of the company in the market. A successful competitive strategy is also a purpose of the attractiveness of the industries in which the firm competes and of the firms elated position in those industries. Porters five forces are the threat of new entrants, the threat of substitutes, the bargaining power of buyers, the bargaining power of suppliers and the rivalry between the existing competitors (Porter Bibb). 4. Threat of new entrants All entry barriers can and do change the conditions of industry. In the auto industry, economies of scale increased extremely with post-war automation and the successful new entry is being stopped due to the vertical integration in the market. Economies of scale are very hard to be achieved by small companies. Company strategic decisions mainly impact on entry barriers if the changes of entry bar riers are beyond a companys control (Grungy 2006). Therefore it is very important for every company in any industry to understand the level of threat for entry. The main factors contributed into a barrier to entry caused are an initial capital investment, switching costs, financial prudence, government policy, unregulated technology matters or the role of buyers and suppliers of the particular industry. The automobile industry is protected by the high barriers of entry to introduce new products. There are very few new players who could successfully venture into the automobile industry because of the large amount of capital investment requirements PEP PROBLEM Page 9 to set up producing facilities and a distribution network. Moreover, the achievements of existing global major competitors from economies of scope and scales cause difficulties for a new entrant in offering competitive price. In auto industry, the brand equity is one of the most significant barriers for new entrants. Due to the issues of reliability, durability and safety are important, consumers made the decision based on the impression of a model on the manufacturers previous performance on these issues (Shinny 2012). Therefore, the reputation and image of the brand is extremely crucial to customers. These are one of the factors makes a new entrant difficulty in competing. In order to overcome this barrier, it takes many years for a new entrant in building a strong enough reputation and image to be competitive. Since Toyota is the well-known Japan car brand, large size, and unshakable market presence in various segments, Toyota gains a competitive advantage over new entrants in the automobile industry (Baggage 2001 In addition, the age sum of capital is required for initial investment. It is very costly and risky to enter a car manufacturing market as the competition between the companies is very intense and the well established companies dominated the market. In US car manufacturing industry, the big three domestic companies (General Motors, Ford and Daimler Chrysler) hold the most Of the market shares. US Government Even if new entrants could achieve the market share with bringing innovative ideas and products to the industry, they may expect to face high retaliation from existing companies. However, some players may have special skills or resources that aid them to overwhelm barriers to enter an industry more easily and cheaply than most other players. As a result of the increasingly global nature of economy and emergence of foreign competitors who belong to the capital, management and marketing skill and technology, there is an increase in the threat to the domestic industry. In the case of Toyota entry to US market, Toyota can use the cost advantage of the Toyota Production System (TAPS) to plunder into US market. The tactic of the TAPS system is less of everything usage: less human effort in the factory, less investment tools, less manufacturing and storage space by using Just-in-time system, and half the engineering hours to develop new products compared to European and American manufacturers (Takeover Petersen 2006). The commitment of Toyota to quality, fuel PEP PROBLEM page 10 efficiency, and low cost made Toyota cars more demand and preferable than German and American cars. As an evidence of increasingly global nature, the table of global car production rates can be seen in Appendix 1 . . 2 Threat of substitutes All firms in an industry are broadly competing against each other by reducing substitute products. Substitute products and services limit the profit potential and attractiveness of an industry with the cap of price level. As the price-performance trade-off offered by substitutes became more attractive, it became more difficult to gain the industry profits. The US industry trend s indicate that a significant part of car demand is taken by the used car market as the consumers still have a confidence with the used car. In order to gain the market share from the used car industry, Toyota has narrowed the price gap between its own automobiles and the used cars with TTS ability of efficient price cutting system. Substitutes often became more active as long as the industries development became more competitive and causes price reduction or performance improvement. The factors contributed in the search of substitutes are switching costs, price, quality, government regulations, tax policies, government grants and subsidies (Monteverdi Tech 1982). Currently, an example, the U. S government is promoting solar heating by granting the research funds and tax incentives. In addition, there are the effect of safety and pollution standards on relative cost and quality of substitutes. A shift towards a knowledge economy and rise of online system reduce the need for a two or more vehicle household. According to the Center Of Automotive research, current the number of cars at 2. 1/ household will be the highest point and it is estimated to drop the level to 2. Peer household or less by 2025 (Shinny 2012). The result of this research also highlighted that the market opportunities of US domestic companies rely on segmenting into market which supplies alternative transport or hybrid vehicles with low cost (shinny 2012). Another risk to become substitutes is an availability of several alternative hypes of transportation such as trains, buses, bicycle, planes or motorcycles available. These _ probative Page 11 substitute transportation almost always cost less and sometime are more environment-friendly but rarely offer the same level of convenience. . 3 Bargaining power of buyers As buyers have an ability to bid down prices, play competitors off against each other, and demand higher quality or more service, buyers are the representatives of a competitive force. The conditions making buyer powerful are a number of characteristics of its market situation and how important its arches is by being viewed as an industrial level. The Lager volume Of purchase relative to sellers sales become, the m ore powerful buyer group will be (Grungy 2006). In the auto industry, most of the buyers are individual and the bargaining power is higher for corporate or governments who usually buy large fleets compared with individual consumers. Moreover, consumers will easily switch to other suppliers if industry products are standardized and undifferentiated, and the switching cost is also reasonable low (Monteverdi The recent trends of automobile industry indicate that the consumers are seeking more fuel-efficient cars as the impact of the rising oil prices. This also results in an increase of hybrid cars demand because it offers cheaper alternatives for operating the vehicle (using battery to run the car if the running speed is under 60 to km) together with higher expectations of product quality (Takeover Petersen 2006). Moreover, since there are plenty of choices for buyers in car industry, the bargaining power of buyer is quite strong and buyers can easily choose other car brands. Buyers can also use alternative types of transportation with low cost. In addition, buyers are price- insensitive and their decision in buying vehicle is impacted by the vehicle cost (Sudsier 2001). However, Toyota implements the cost cutting practices in its production system to offer the price that the buyers expect to pay and to locate its products into a more advantageous position compacted to its competitors. It is proven by the number of Japan brand sales in US auto industry in Appendix. 4. 4 Bargaining power of suppliers page 12 Suppliers can exert a competitive force on an industry because they can raise prices or reduce the quality of the goods they supply. Increasing price can enemies profitability of an industry due to failure to recover cost increases in its own prices. The factors influencing buyer power have inverse effect on the power of suppliers. If supplier market is monopoly or only limited choices available for buyers, there will be considerable influence on prices, terms and quality (Sudsier 2001). The suppliers in the automobile industry have low bargaining power and are likely to be smaller than manufacturers. Therefore, numerous suppliers rely on one or two auto manufacturers to purchase the majority of their products. On the other hand, while the automobile supply equines is fragmented, they supply vital parts for car manufacturing and most of automobile manufacturers rely on the timely operations of supplier and stellar quality (Shinny 2012). Based on this fact, it is very common in signing long-term legally binding contract between supplier and manufacture accompanied by strict quality and standards. If a supplier either does not meet the standard set by the car manufactures or charge the price more than carmakers are willing to pay, auto manufacturer can easily find another supplier and even move its supply chain towards the cheaper supply markets n a different country (Monteverdi Tech 1982). For example, U. S automobile manufacturers outsource some parts of their product to be produced in China where the labor cost is cheaper than U. S. In the case of Toyota, more than ten different companies from U. S supply the goods to Toyota. The quality, cost and delivery of the products are the major qualifications that the company must have to be a Toasts supplier. If suppliers cannot comply with those basic standard set by Toyota, it is difficult for them to survive because losing the big manufacture like Toyota can stop heir whole operation and create financial difficulties as well. Therefore, strong relationship with the suppliers becomes one of the competitive advantages of Toyota. 4. Rivalry between the existing competitors The most of tactics used during rivalry between the existing competitors are price competition, product or service innovation, advertising battles, better customer benefits package, and increased customer services or warranties. Conditions that PEP PROBLEM Page 13 cause rivalry occurs are one or more competitors who see an opportunity to move up position in the market, industry pressure and an opportunity to expand the market share (Porter Bibb). In the automotive industry, the rivalry between existing competitors is very strong. There are a moderate number of competitors in this industry. As a large amount of initial capital investment, a firm would incur huge losses if it would decide to leave the auto industry. Therefore, a firm usually stays in automobile industry for the lifetime or leave the industry if it bankrupts. In the situation that the existing manufacturers will not leave industry easily and new entrants will also come in, it blows up rivalry among competitors in the auto industry. Competition is also fuelled by the changes of markets needs and expectations on quality, cost-efficiency and price. In automobile industry, especially in US, the higher consumer expectations and anticipation for the lower price is, the stronger competitive rivalry becomes (Seventy 2012). Offering high sales discounts by Big Three companies puts an additional pressure on Toasts costs cutting strategies and efficient production. 5. Recommendation Based on the above Porters five forces analysis, the some recommendations for Toyota are as follow: Focus on innovation and technology of fuel-efficient vehicles like Hybrid as true differentiation strategy according to Porters three strategy model. Expand market to rapidly developing countries by introducing products as per markets needs and want. Innovate advance technology for fuel economy, for example, conventional gasoline-fuel engine Improve the value chain to provide the wide range of customer services in order to persuade new consumers and increase brand loyalty. PEP PRIMPED page 14 Move the manufacturing facilities to Asia where Toyota can get cheaper cost for labor and factory expenses. Increase innovation and production of energy saving and environmentalists products. Focus on product quality to maintain brands image Keep on learning and improvement on manufacturing systems for efficiency. Emphasis on Americanism product design, manufacturing and marketing to expand market share in US automobile industry. Enforce compliance (laws and regulations) and actively participate in social contribution activities as a one of the missions of Toyota safety first. Manufacture more running cost-efficient vehicles at a relatively low price to follow the trend of US automobile market. In conclusion, Porters five force model provides a picture of the industry thin larger economic frameworks, especially with regards to the global economy and necessary changes that must occur in manufacturing. It helps organization to develop strategies for profitability by understanding five forces that shape competition. This will also put Toyota and US industry on a smart trajectory towards success. Moreover, Toyota must sustain its competitive advantages in global and US automobile industry such as strong brand, TOM, value chain, fuel-efficient (hybrid) vehicles and wide range of product offering to retain its position and achieve future success.

Pride and Prejudice Themes and Literary Devices

Pride and Prejudice Themes and Literary Devices Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice is a classic comedy of manners that satirizes 18th-century society and, particularly, the expectations placed on women of the era. The novel, which follows the romantic entanglements of the Bennet sisters, includes themes of love, class, and, as one might guess, pride and prejudice. These are all covered with Austen’s signature wit, including the literary device of free indirect discourse that permits a particular style of in-depth, sometimes satirical narration. Love and Marriage As one might expect from a romantic comedy, love (and marriage) is a central theme to Pride and Prejudice. In particular, the novel focuses on the different ways love may grow or disappear, and whether or not society has room for romantic love and marriage to go together. We see love at first sight (Jane and Bingley), love that grows (Elizabeth and Darcy), and infatuation that fades (Lydia and Wickham) or has faded (Mr. and Mrs. Bennet). Throughout the story, it becomes apparent that the novel is arguing that love based on genuine compatibility is the ideal. Marriages of convenience are presented in a negative light: Charlotte marries the obnoxious Mr. Collins out of economic pragmatism and admits as much, while Lady Catherine’s imperious attempts at forcing her nephew Darcy to marry her daughter to consolidate estates are presented as outdated, unfair, and, ultimately, an unsuccessful power grab. Like several of Austen’s novels, Pride and Prejudice also cautions against infatuation with overly charming people. Wickham’s smooth manner easily charms Elizabeth, but he turns out to be deceitful and selfish and not a good romantic prospect for her. Real love is found in compatibility of character: Jane and Bingley are well-suited because of their absolute kindness, and Elizabeth and Darcy come to realize that both are strong-willed but kind and intelligent. Ultimately, the novel is a strong recommendation of love as a basis for marriage, something that was not always the case in its era. The Cost of Pride The title makes it pretty clear that pride is going to be an important theme, but the message is more nuanced than just the concept itself. Pride is presented as perfectly reasonable to some degree, but when it gets out of hand, it gets in the way of the characters’ happiness. Thus, the novel suggests that an excess of pride is costly. As Mary Bennet says in one of her memorable quotes, Pride relates more to our opinion of ourselves, vanity to what we would have others think of us.  In Pride and Prejudice, there are plenty of prideful characters, mostly among the wealthy. Pride in social position is the most common failing: Caroline Bingley and Lady Catherine both believe themselves superior because of their money and social privilege; they also are vain because they are obsessed with maintaining this image. Darcy, on the other hand, is intensely proud but not vain: he does initially place too high a value on social station, but he is so proud and secure in that pride that he doesn’t bother with even basic social niceties. This pride costs him Elizabeth at first, and it is not until he learns to temper his pride with compassion that he becomes a worthy partner. Prejudice In Pride and Prejudice, â€Å"prejudice† is not as socially charged as it is in contemporary usage. Here, the theme is more about preconceived notions and snap judgments rather than race- or gender-based biases. Prejudice is a flaw of several characters, but first and foremost it is the main flaw of our protagonist Elizabeth. She prides herself on her ability to judge character, but her observations also lead her to form bias very quickly and deeply. The most obvious example of this is her immediate prejudice against Mr. Darcy because of his dismissal of her at the ball. Because she’s already formed this opinion, she is predisposed to believe Wickham’s tales of woe without stopping to think twice. This prejudice leads her to judge him unfairly and to reject him based on partially inaccurate information. Elizabeth and Darcys relationship embodies many of the themes of Pride and Prejudice (Photo credit: Focus Features). Prejudice is not necessarily a bad thing, the novel seems to say, but like pride, it is only good so long as it is reasonable. For instance, Jane’s total lack of bias and over-willingness to â€Å"think well of everyone,† as Elizabeth puts it, is detrimental to her happiness, as it blinds her to the Bingley sisters’ true natures until it’s almost too late. Even Elizabeth’s prejudice against Darcy is not entirely unfounded: he is, in fact, proud and thinks himself above many of the people around them, and he does act to separate Jane and Bingley. In general, prejudice of the common sense variety is a useful tool, but unchecked prejudice leads to unhappiness. Social Status In general, Austen’s novels tend to focus on gentry- that is, non-titled people with some land holdings, although of varying financial statuses. The gradations between the rich gentry (like Darcy and Bingley) and those who aren’t so well off, like the Bennets, become a way to distinguish sub-strata within the gentry. Austens depictions of hereditary nobility are often a little satirical. Here, for instance, we have Lady Catherine, who at first seems powerful and intimidating. When it really comes down to it (that is, when she tries to stop the match between Elizabeth and Darcy), she is utterly powerless to do anything except yell and sound ridiculous. Although Austen does indicate that love is the most important thing in a match, she also does match up her characters with socially â€Å"appropriate† matches: the successful matches are all within their same social class, even if not of equal finances. When Lady Catherine insults Elizabeth and claims that she would be an unsuitable wife for Darcy, Elizabeth calmly replies, â€Å"He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman’s daughter. So far, we are equal.† Austen does not upend the social order in any radical way, but rather gently mocks people who obsess too much about social and financial status. Free Indirect Discourse One of the most important literary devices a reader will encounter in a Jane Austen novel is free indirect discourse. This technique is used to slide into a character’s mind and/or emotions without stepping away from third-person narration. Instead of adding a tag such as â€Å"he thought† or â€Å"she supposed,† the narrator relays a character’s thoughts and feelings as if they themselves were speaking, but without breaking from the third-person perspective. For instance, when Bingley and his party first arrive at Meryton and meet the people gathered there, Austen uses free indirect discourse to put readers directly in Bingley’s head: â€Å"Bingley had never met with pleasanter people or prettier girls in his life; every body had been most kind and attentive to him, there had been no formality, no stiffness, he had soon felt acquainted with all the room; and as to Miss Bennet, he could not conceive an angel more beautiful.† These are not statements of fact so much as they are a relay of Bingley’s thoughts; one could easily replace â€Å"Bingley† and â€Å"he/his/him† with â€Å"I† and â€Å"me† and have a perfectly sensible first-person narration from Bingley’s perspective. This technique is a hallmark of Austen’s writing and is useful in several ways. First and foremost, it’s a sophisticated way of integrating a character’s inner thoughts into third-person narration. It also offers an alternative to constant direct quotations and tags like â€Å"he said† and â€Å"she thought.† Free indirect discourse allows the narrator to convey both the content of a character’s thoughts and the tone, by using language that resembles the words the characters themselves would choose. As such, it’s a crucial literary device in Austen’s satirical approach to country society.

Political Morality Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Political Morality - Essay Example t of knowing whether the public require to know about politician’s private lives only during the time when this information is important for assessing their capability to be elected into office. Consequently, I do not agree with this claim. In fact, the public require knowing the private lives of politicians all the times. Even such things as the politician’s sexual relationships and private finances have to be known to the public especially when they have a connection with the management of public resources. Dimensions of privacy and publicity Social practices and activities of public life versus private life have a wide range of domain. There are however, three broad dimensions of these forms of life. These are access, agency, and interest. Access refers to visibility of resources and information. Agency refers to the control and capacities, which political agents enjoy while interest refers to the relevance of resource utilization (Benn and Gaus, 1983). Access, also known as visibility involves many things. First, it involves the people physically accessing such spaces as beaches, theatres. If the access is public, then it means that anyone has the right to space. On the other hand, if access is private, it means that group, or someone has access right. In this case, such a person can allow or deny others access. Access to space does not come in as far as the need to know more about a politician is concerned. In any case, the politician does not wait until the public is aware so that he or she can get into such spaces as theatres or beaches. These are recreational places and politicians have the right to get entertained. This right does not affect the management of public resources in any way. In fact, it is considered in remuneration. This is why every employee has entertainment allowance (Benn & Gaus, 1983). Secondly, it involves people accessing social activities like public meeting. For public meeting, anyone has the right of

The Beat Generation and the Sixties Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Beat Generation and the Sixties - Essay Example They were a postwar generation, and the war had made them weary and long to escape. They turned to inner examination in the form of literature, to drugs and in some cases to crime. It was this emotion and the desire to escape from the bounds of life and society that paved the way for the cultural revolution of the 1960s. The 1960s were a decade of social and cultural change, commonly known for indulgence and excess, as well as the disregard for many of social norms of the time. Two different impulses drove the youth of the sixties, the spiritual and the desire for revolution. Both of these impulses can be tied back to the Beat Generation. The term Beat was first used by writer Herbert Huncke who picked it up in Chicago. In that context, beat was used to describe the condition of travelers who had been travelling for a long time. However, it was the phrase â€Å"I guess you might say we’re a Beat Generation† made by Jack Kerouac and quoted by writer John Holmes that make the term popular . Members of the Beat Generation were far from the stereotypical American, and as such, they challenged the perceptions of those around them. They were considered to be interested in the extremes of life, too independent and intent to be taken seriously by their elders or society around them . Television and magazines depicted the Beats as rebels , and to many extents they were. Although there was no universal politic for the Beat Generation, it could generally be considered a worn down culture, rubbed raw from repeated use and abuse and tired of the rigidly of society around them. Many used drugs as a means of escaping the confines of society and those that broke laws showed little to no guilt about doing so . The Beat Generation had either fought or witnessed the Second World War, and years of fighting, hardship and loss had led to many angry at the cost of victory and tired of the violence of war . These two factors combined in the sixties to produce a generatio n that saw war as a waste of lives and was tired of the oppressive nature of government. The Vietnam War had been in operation since 1955 however, it was early in the sixties that the war became especially prevalent. In addition, the Bay of Pigs, a failed attempt at overthrowing the Cuban government occurred in 1961 and the Cuban Missile Crisis occurred in 1962. All of these events considerably grew the antiwar sentiment among the population resulting in a change from the non active Beat Generation, that did not get politically involved, to the anti-war protests of the hippie era. The same can be seen in regards to the environment. The desire to defend the environment was prominent among many members of the Beat Generation, yet other members of the generation had no interest in it . In addition, some of those interested in environmental conservation did not wish to identify with the Beat Generation label. This desire to protect the environment grew from the Beat Generation, inspirin g a save the environment movement within the sixties. Thus, while both the Beat Generation and those from the sixties had many of the same values, these grew from a more theoretical base within the Beats to something that was applied actively through protests and movements. The American Dream, prosperity and security appeared readily available in the 1950s, but not so for the Beat

The Basics of Interpersonal Relationships Essay Example for Free

The Basics of Interpersonal Relationships Essay After considering your request for advice on interpersonal communications I have come to the decision that the information I have learned in my communications class could be beneficial for a young, recently engaged couple. Addressing the most important points could be useful, especially now that you both have decided to take your relationship to the next level. I have learned in this class that having good communication skills benefits everyone and that it is particularly important in building a stronger and more successful marriage. Although we communicate without giving it much thought, not everyone has the proper skills to communicate well so I have selected five areas of interpersonal communication which I will pass on to you in this letter. The skills I consider to be most crucial in achieving a long and happy marriage are, principles and misconceptions, self-concept, gender and cultural differences, nonverbal communication and last but most importantly, listening. There are many communication skills necessary to ensure a successful relationship, and when it comes to effective interpersonal communications there are many aspects of communicating that we need to remember. Communication and the way we communicate is said to be what separates us from our animal cousins. It is defined as â€Å"a process by which we share ideas of information with other people† (cited in Sole, p.5). Whether it is verbal or nonverbal, communication is the most important aspect of building a lasting relationship. Principles and Misconceptions To begin with I would like to explain a little about the principles and misconceptions in terms of interpersonal communications. It is necessary to mention that â€Å"Communication is not simply the exchange of words and information; it is the means through which we share knowledge, thoughts, ideas, and feelings with other people†¦the way people connect with other people†¦and it is these interactions that create the meaning and richness of life† (Cited in Sole, preface). Linguists who have studied the basis of the human language believe that the human language uses symbols such as words, pictures or objects to represent something else. It has been agreed upon that certain communications symbols stand for certain sounds or written combination of letters to equate to a particular object (Sole, 2011). Because the meaning of a word can conger up different images for everyone it is crucial, that when communicating with others, that there is a shared understanding of the meaning of the words to eliminate any misconceptions for either the person speaking or the person listening. Improving your interpersonal verbal communication skills enables one to be better understood and results in fewer miscommunications. Let me stress at this time that it is imperative that you take the time to get feedback when having a conversation in  order to make sure that the other person understands exactly what you are saying. Although it has been thought that good communication skills between loved ones are strong, recent studies show that couples are often times no better at communicating with one another than they are with strangers. I recently read an article that was published in U.S. News World Report in January of 2011 on communication, as it pertains to close relationships. The outcome of a study done by professors Kenneth Savitsky and Nicholas Epley offers valid examples of common miscommunications with couples. . As the study co-author Epley points out â€Å"Our problem in communicating with friends and spouses is that we have an illusion of insight (Epley, 2011). Many of us tend to assume that those we care about will be able to interpret the information we are offering without needing clarification. Well, this does not always happen. Effectively translating and conveying information while being sensitive to other people’s feelings is a skill. Even though communicating is often times complex, with continuous practice we can avoid the misunderstandings that can lead to problems in our personal lives. Having affective interpersonal communication skills can be the beginning; the initial step for bot h of you toward a mutual understanding which can lead to a successful relationship (Sole, 2011). Another important aspect of interpersonal communication that I would like to share with you is that of self-concept, which can be described as a complicated process that involves our gaining self-awareness, or in simpler terms, self-concept has to do with how we see ourselves as well as how others see us. It develops as a child and with the proper guidance can develop into a healthy image of one’s self. On the other hand negativity can also affect how we see ourselves (Sole, 2011). A child who grows up with positive reinforcement is more likely to be a confident individual who possesses the ability to converse in a more effective manner. It is here that I would like to disclose to you some personal information that will show how vital self-concept is. I was the product of a broken home. Now, you may argue that this is not unusual, but you should keep in mind that I grew up in the sixties; divorce was not as common as it is today. I was raised by a verbally abusive mother and suffered for a number of years as a young adult from low self-esteem, and as I have learned from taking this class, low self-esteem leads to insecurity and a lack of confidence. I worked for years to reverse the damage that was done. I was well into my thirties before I had gained the confidence necessary to build a good relationship. Since the psychological concepts of self relates to interpersonal communications in many ways, this is a critical factor in communications, not only how it affects the way we interact with others, but how they interact with us. In the textbook, Making connections: Understanding interpersonal communication written by Kathy Sole (2011), she notes that, not only is self-concept learned, it is changeable. It is developed through interaction with other. In other words, self-concept, self-image, and self-esteem not only define who we are, but govern relationship quality. Having a positive self-concept leads to positive self-image, this in turn ensures a more positive feeling of self-esteem (Sole, 2011). Gender and Cultural Differences From here we can start to access other problem areas that couples are confronted with such as gender and cultural differences. Gender and cultural differences is an area that many couples have difficulty with at one time or another. I am sure that you have noticed the diversity that exists when comparing the way men and women carry on a conversation. Even though we all want to connect to others there are distinct contrasts; not only is the language different between men and women but facial expression and body language are different as well. Words are interpreted differently. This can be said for cultural differences too. Generally speaking though, both men and women can be nurturing, sentimental and even aggressive. The afore mentioned emotions, as well as how we perceive each other and nonverbal communication, all go hand-in hand when striving to achieve effective interpersonal communications. Nonverbal communication It is surprising how much can be communicated without uttering a single word, or what is called nonverbal communication. Nonverbal communication can relay a message through a frown, a cold stare, or even shrugging your shoulders. Nonverbal  communications (the process of communicating by sending wordless messages) can time and again lead to being misunderstood. Nonverbal communications encompasses not only body language, but facial expressions, and can even convey communications simply by how we choose to dress. Since very few gestures are universal, there is often times moments of awkwardness (Miczo, Segrin, Allspach , 2001). What we consider perfectly acceptable may offend a person from other cultures and some messages we send via nonverbal communication are done so unconsciously. When we use nonverbal communications we are substituting those gestures instead of using words and sometimes nonverbal messages are misunderstood (Sole, 2011). This type of communication is often times misinterpreted. For example, there was an instance when I was much younger that I found myself at a social gathering with not only friends, but people I had not yet met. It was at this function that one of the men in the group was telling us of an incident that he had recently experienced. Because I smiled and laughed in, what he considered to be, all of the appropriate places he took this to mean that I was interested in him. It was embarrassing for me because that was not the case; I was simply being a polite listener. So you can see from my experience, our nonverbal communication is as important as the words we choose in communicating with another individual or group of individuals. Remember that having an emotional discussion with someone and using the wrong hand gestures and/or facial expressions might cause a person to misinterpret or misunderstand what you are actually trying to convey to them. Listening Last but not least, and often times one of the most overlooked issue when discussing interpersonal communication, and what I feel to be the most important part of successful communication for couples, is listening. I am sure you have found yourself at times not giving your full attention when someone is speaking to you. A lack of motivation is often times the culprit. We all have a tendency to start thinking about other things if the speaker is not holding our attention, I am including myself, but to be a good listener ensures, that given all of the information, you will be able to offer a valid response. In order to relate to others it is important to listen to what they have to say. Even though we have been taught from childhood various skills such as reading and writing, one skill that is often overlooked is listening. Most of us feel that we are good listeners, but most of us are guilty of only hearing not listening. Listening is essential to the success of a compatible and long lasting relationship, but let me add that bad habits in regards to listening can be changed. Communication is the very means by which we share not only our ideas, but our thoughts and feelings with others In summing up the information that I have provided you with, it is my hope that the facts laid out in this letter will help you avoid the pitfalls of conversation that plague many couples. Remember Sam and Katie, that it is not how often you converse, but more the quality of your conversations with each other and that to be a good listener it is imperative that you make every attempt to give the conversation your full attention. It is  my hope that providing you both with information to build a lasting relationship through good communications will ensure a long and happy life together. Congratulations again to both of you. Keep in mind that there are other important aspects when it comes to communicating effectively, but I have shared with both of you essential information regarding what I consider to be five of the most significant areas that often effect good communication in a relationship. â€Å"Take advantage of every opportunity to practice your communication skills so that when important occasions arise, you will have the gift, the style, the sharpness, the clarity, and the emotions of affect other people.† -Jim Rohn, Author and motivational speaker (1930-2009),. Your friend, Billie References: Close relationships sometimes mask poor communication. (2011, January 24). U.S. News World,1. doi: 2270370592 Miczo, N., Segrin, C., Allspach, L. E. (2001). Relationship between nonverbal sensitivity, encoding, and relational satisfaction. Communication Reports, 14(1), 39-48. Retrieved July 28, 2012, from Research Library. Document ID: 72022836. Preston, P. (2005). Nonverbal communication: Do you really say what you mean? Journal of Healthcare Management, 50(2), 83-6. Retrieved from ABI/INFORM Global. Document ID: 814698921 Schoenberg, N. (2011, January 17). Can we talk? Researcher talks about the role of communication in happy marriages. McClatchy-Tribune News Service. Retrieved from ProQuest Newsstand. Document ID: 2240370261 Sole, K., (2011). Making connections: Understanding interpersonal communication. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc. (https://content.ashford.edu) Sprecher, S., Hendrick, S. S. (2004, December). Self-disclosure in intimate relationships: Associations with individual and relationship characteristics over time. Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology, 23(6), 857-877. doi:224670343

Compare Contrast Mary Rowlandson and Olaudah Equiano Essay -- Comparat

There are various things that make up a piece of literature. For example: choice of diction, modes of discourse, and figurative language. Mary Rowlandson and Olaudah Equiano were great examples of authors that used these elements of literature. There are similarities and differences in A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson and From Africa to America. Though Mary Rowlandson and Olaudah Equiano shared similarities in experiences, they had different writing personalities, purposes, attitudes, tones, and relations with their communities. There are four main modes of discourse: expository, narrative, descriptive, and persuasive. In Mary Rowlandson’s A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, it is apparent in the title that it is a narrative. Like Mrs. Rowlandson’s literature, Olaudah Equiano’s From Africa to America is a narrative. A narrative form of literature is a story, account of events, or experiences, whether it is true or fictitious. In this case their stories were their real experiences and they gave the reader actual facts and information, also making it expository. "The closeness of the place and the heat of the climate, added to the number in the ship, which was so crowded that each had scarcely room to turn himself, almost suffocated us." (73) This is a perfect example showing that Olaudah Equiano’s narrative is also descriptive, giving the reader vivid images in his mind, whereas Rowlandson’s narrative rarely has descriptive content. These w orks of literature may also be portrayed as persuasive by the quote of, "..Overwhelmed with the thoughts of my condition.." (7) Mary Rowlandson was overwhelmed with her emotions. This quote may persuade the reader ... ...aves. Olaudah’s story may be seen as a reminder that people in the latest generation have things easy compared to the time he was alive. People should not take what they have for granted, for example freedom. The people of today have the most freedom than ever before. Although two different authors wrote these works of literature, A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson and From Africa to America, both stories possessed similar and different elements of writing. These tales were worthy of comparing because they had various things to review, contrast, and realize, such as the worship they had or didn’t have for God, their experiences, and their styles. Mary Rowlandson and Olaudah Equiano were remarkable writers whose works will always be a part of America’s history for the various styles and purposes they had to share with their readers.

Swot: Shopping Mall and Similar Stalls

. SWOT Matrix |STRENGTHS |WEAKNESS | |FEATURES OF USB WATCH |MARKETING SERVICES AGENCIES | |As the USB watch has the USB the watch can also have an alarm and |As the product is new to the market it would be difficult to | |timer. increase the sales because people still don’t know about the | | |product and if they would accept the product. | |DISTRIBUTION OF THE PRODUCT |FORMS OF USB | |The product is not yet known to most of the people and making it |The product remains vulnerable to the possibility that innovation | |distributed in Alabang especially in Festival Mall and Alabang |may falter over time. |Town Center that are commonly known to them. The product can be | | |sold at CD-R King or any similar stalls. | | |FASHIONABLE WATCH | | |The USB watch has different styles and colors that make the wearer| | |stylish. | |OPPORTUNITIES |THREATS | |JOINT VENTURES OR STRATEGIC ALLIANCES |WEAK BRAND NAME | |Joining CD-R king and other similar stalls that allow the product|As a new in the industry in producing a USB watch competing with | |to be introduced in the market and knowing that they are easily |a known brand like Timex. |found on malls. | | |MATERIALS ARE RECYCLED |FAST CHANGING ENVIRONMENT | |If the product can be made through recycled parts of a computer |As the people are changing what they think would be needed in | |it could make our product in a cheaper cost. |making their life convenient and having many alternatives in the | | |form of USB like pens. | |FINANCIAL CRISIS | | |As the economy slows the purchasing power of people would decline| | |and they would prefer buying their primary need. |

Short Story about Old Woman

In a large town there was an old woman who sat in the evening alone in her room thinking how she had lost first her husband, then both her children, then one by one all her relations, and at length, that very day, her last friend, and now she was quite alone and desolate. She was very sad at heart, and heaviest of all her losses to her was that of her sons; and in her pain she blamed God for it. She was still sitting lost in thought, when all at once she heard the bells ringing for early prayer. She was surprised that she had thus in her sorrow watched through the whole night, and lighted her lantern and went to church. It was already lighted up when she arrived, but not as it usually was with wax candles, but with a dim light. It was also crowded already with people, and all the seats were filled; and when the old woman got to her usual place it also was not empty, but the whole bench was entirely full. And when she looked at the people, they were none other than her dead relations who were sitting there in their old-fashioned garments, but with pale faces. They neither spoke nor sang; but a soft humming and whispering was heard all over the church. Then an aunt of hers stood up, stepped forward, and said to the poor old woman, â€Å"Look there beside the altar, and thou wilt see thy sons. † The old woman looked there, and saw her two children, one hanging on the gallows, the other bound to the wheel. Then said the aunt, â€Å"Behold, so would it have been with them if they had lived, and if the good God had not taken them to himself when they were innocent children. † The old woman went trembling home, and on her knees thanked God for having dealt with her more kindly than she had been able to understand, and on the third day she lay down and died.

The notion

The notion that man could fly or someday would be able to achieve flight has long since been an idea of man for literally centuries. As early as 400 BC, a Greek scholar by the name of Archytas built a wooden pigeon that moved through the air. Approximately 100 years later the Chinese developed kites, which are a form of gliders, which much later in history, allowed humans to fly in them (1). Mans first attempts at flight later progressed with designs by Leonardo daVinci. DaVinci's design was based on a flapping type wing, Givanni Borelli stated that a human's muscles were far to weak to flap the large surfaces needed to obtain flight and that the physical make up of humans would not be that which could be used in flight with such inventions. Glider flights later came to be through the inventions of a British inventor by the name of George Cayley. Cayley founded the study of Aerodynamics and was the first to suggest a fixed wing aircraft with a propeller. Cayley's invention led Otto Lilienthal to gliders that could be piloted by men up to heights of 100 feet or more, consequently Lilienthal was killed by his own invention during a flight. He broke his spine, and he died a day later in a Berlin hospital. There is some feeling that had Lilienthal lived, he might have beaten the Wright brothers to the punch. Although many believe that the Wright brothers were the firs! t to achieve flight there were those before them that actually made attempts at powered flight. William Henderson patented plans for the first plane with a engine, fixed wings and a propeller, coincidentally after one try he gave up. Inventors following Henderson came up with they're own variations of his design of which by all accounts failed, although they were airborne for a short duration they never achieved sustained flight. Since the early inventions of flight the technological advances along with the better understanding of aerodynamics has allowed airplanes t...

How the Photosynthetic Process Works in Trees

How the Photosynthetic Process Works in Trees Photosynthesis is an important process that permits plants, including trees, to use their leaves to trap the suns energy in the form of sugar. The leaves then store the resulting sugar in cells in the form of glucose for both immediate and later  tree growth. Photosynthesis represents a beautifully wonderful chemical process in which six molecules of water from roots combine with six molecules of carbon dioxide from the air and creates one molecule of organic sugar. Of equal importance is the by-product of this process- photosynthesis is what produces oxygen. There would be no life on earth as we know it without the photosynthetic process.   The Photosynthetic Process in Trees The term photosynthesis means putting together with light. It is a manufacturing process that happens within cells of plants and within tiny bodies called chloroplasts. These plastids are located in the cytoplasm of leaves and they contains the green coloring matter called chlorophyll. When photosynthesis takes place, water that has been absorbed by the trees roots is carried to leaves where it comes in contact with the layers of chlorophyll. At the same time, air, containing carbon dioxide, is taken into leaves via leaf pores and exposed to sunlight, resulting in a very important chemical reaction. Water is broken down into its oxygen and nitrogen elements, and it combines with carbon dioxide in the chlorophyll to form sugar. This oxygen released by trees and other plants becomes a part of the air we breath, while the glucose is carried to the other parts of the plant as nourishment. This essential process is what will make of 95 percent of the mass in a tree, and photosynthesis by trees and other plants is what contributes nearly all the oxygen in the air we breathe.   Here is the  chemical equation for the process of photosynthesis: 6 molecules of carbon dioxide 6 molecules of water light → glucose oxygen The Importance of Photosynthesis Many processes occur in a tree leaf, but none more important than photosynthesis and the resulting food it manufactures and the oxygen it  produces as a byproduct. Through the magic of green plants, the radiant energy of the sun is captured in a leafs structure and made available to all living things. Except for a few kinds of bacteria, photosynthesis is the only process on earth by which organic compounds are constructed from inorganic substances, resulting in stored energy.   Roughly 80 percent of the earths total photosynthesis is produced in the ocean. Its estimated that 50 to 80 percent of the worlds oxygen is generated by ocean plant-life, but the critical remaining portion is generated by terrestrial plant life, particular the earths forests  Ã‚  So the pressure is constantly on the terrestrial plant world to keep up the pace. The loss of the worlds forests has far-reaching consequences in terms of the compromising the percentage of oxygen in the earths atmosphere. And because the process of photosynthesis consumes carbon dioxide, trees, and other plant life, are a means by which the earth scrubs out carbon dioxide and replaces it with pure oxygen. It is quite critical for cities to maintain a healthy urban forest in order to maintain good air quality.   Photosynthesis and The History of Oxygen Oxygen has not always been present on earth. The earth itself is estimated to be around  4.6  billion years old, but scientists studying geologic evidence believe that oxygen first appeared about 2.7 billion years ago, when microscopic cyanobacteria, otherwise known as blue-green algae, developed the ability to photosynthesize sunlight into sugars and oxygen. It took roughly a billion more years for enough oxygen to collect in the atmosphere to support early forms of terrestrial life.   It is unclear just what happened 2.7 billion years ago to cause cynobacteria to develop the process that makes life on earth possible. It remains one of sciences most intriguing mysteries.

Information Technology and Computing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Information Technology and Computing - Essay Example The researcher discusses the opinion in which the information technology (IT) is associated with a clean and safe environment. But states that this is far from the truth. Considering its background processing’s in the manufacture field it seems, the tidiness seen in the infrastructures of IT is only peripheral. The manufacture of hardware involves the use of thousands of materials. Many of these materials are highly toxic, for example Lithium - that is a major component in laptops, CPUs and mobile phones. With mobile telephony zooming off, we can soon see millions of handsets joining the scrap heap every year in the near future. To this pile, adding lakhs of CRT monitors every year, especially when LCD monitors start coming down in price. It is stated in the essay that Government should come up with legislation compelling vendors to initiate a take back and successful recycle mechanism; else the dream could well end up in an ecological nightmare. The failure to pass crucial le gislation in many countries has allowed the computer industry to resist addressing many criticisms, such as the amount of hazardous material used to make their products and the ever-growing pile of waste that results from the dynamic pace of innovation in the Information Technology (IT) industry. As a result, the researcher mentiones that double standards may exist between countries. MNC will start shipping machines free of the toxic chemicals, in which the law is strict and will ship machines with toxic substances, where law is flexible.