Factors Influencing Online Shopping Behavior of the Consumers of Dissertation

Factors Influencing Online Shopping Behavior of the Consumers of Thailand - Dissertation Example This research will begin with the statement that in the modern era of rapid globalization and advancement of technology, the firms all around the world are facing a tremendous competition in the domain of attracting the different markets, to be specific, attracting the customers. Every firm is thriving by the usage of various channels which helps them to reach their target customers. Today the entire world has become a local market place and the entire population of the world has become the target market for the marketers. The increased application of technology has made the task easier for both the customers and the marketers. The recent trend of using internet for the purpose of shopping is gaining popularity all across the world. The topic we are dealing with is the behavior of the shoppers in Thailand with respect to online shopping. The previous studies on this topic shows that online shopping have been already recognized as a popular trend among the customers of UK however itâ €™s yet to gain heights of popularity in developing countries like Thailand. The study conducted by the Thai National Electronics and Computer Technology Centre (NECTEC) reveals that the total number of shoppers in Thailand includes almost 23.6% internet shoppers. Also their online shopping decision is influenced greatly by their friends, family and colleagues. Thus its evident from previous studies that online shopping is already a familiar term in Thailand.

The Board of Boyds TSD Bank Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

The Board of Boyds TSD Bank - Essay Example Larry Lizard who insisted on the group accounts being completed immediately. This situation presented an ethical dilemma on my part since there was a conflict of interest between my personal responsibilities an employee as well as professional responsibilities, and the ethics involved therein. Ethical responsibilities of qualified accountants To begin with, Burgstahler et al. (2007) stated that accounting is essentially concerned with recording, measuring, and communicating information relating to the financial health of a company to interested parties that are internal and external to the business. The process begins at the point of transaction or when an economic event takes place such as offering of essential services or the receipt remuneration for the good or service delivered. The process ends when the economic event is recorded in a financial statement that is designed to enable the prospective users to make well-informed decisions in regards to their dealing with the company. Therefore, it is correct to state that the main duties of accountants is recording and reporting of financial information and this means that they bear greater responsibility in regards to the impact the financial statements will have on the users especially the decision taken in reliance to the financial statements (Roslender and Hart, 2003). With reference to the writings by Shah et al. (2011), they stated that because of the sensitivity of accounting duties, accountants are normally required by the law as well as the professional body to abide by certain ethical standards. In the writings by Bennett et al. (2006), they stated that ethics in the field of accounting refers to the study of moral values and judgments as they apply to accountancy practice. Cheffers and Michael (2007) added that in the present moment there is great emphasis on accounting ethics, which is largely, attributed to the recent corporate scandals that even resulted to the collapse of some financial instituti ons. In order to counter-attack the criticisms and hinder fraudulent accounting practices, various professional accounting bodies and government agencies have designed remedies and regulations that are aimed at improving ethics within the accounting profession (Love, 2008). One of the key ethical responsibilities that have been imposed on qualified accountants across the World is integrity, of which Duska et al. (2011) described it as the act of being straightforward and honest in all professional and business relationships. Edward (2006) stated that this ethical responsibility is built on the premise that the advice and work performed by qualified accountants should not be influenced by self-interest or the interest of others. The International Ethics Standards Board of Accountants’ (IESBA) Code of Ethics section 110 under the integrity section states that a qualified accountant is not allowed to knowingly associate with financial statements that he or she believes that the information contained in such statements is misleading. Additionally, a qualified accountant is forbidden from knowingly associating with financial statements that has been furnished in a reckless manner and thirdly, statements that have numerous omissions of certain crucial information, which makes the entire statement misleading. The second key ethical

Levels Of Deprivation Amongst Different Ward Of Canterbury Economics Essay

Levels Of Deprivation Amongst Different Ward Of Canterbury Economics Essay This essay is going to compare the levels of deprivation amongst the different wards of the Canterbury district (Barton, Northgate, St Stephens, Westgate and Wincheap). I will make comparisons using statistical data from the Office of National Statistics  [1]  , in particular I will focus of factors such as educational attainment, physical environment and the housing stock (housing stock and number of people living in households). Canterbury is a fairly small city in the south east of England. Canterbury has a population of 148,100 (mid-year 2008 estimate)1. Canterbury district has the largest population of any local area in Kent. In 2000, the district also experienced the second largest population growth (+9%) of any Kent district with the exception of Ashford. This is partially because of the exponential increase of students; this is due to the rapid expansion of the Canterbury Universities, the University of Kent, Canterbury Christ Church University, and the University College for the Creative Arts and most recently GAU (The Girne American University). With an estimated 45,000 students  [2]  attending Canterburys four universities and further education colleges each year, generating money and employment for the local economy. In addition tourism is a very significant component of the local economy and in 2000, according to statistics, supported an estimated 4692 jobs and generated approximately  £132, 000,000 in expenditure  [3]  . Canterbury is in the  City of Canterbury  local government district. The citys urban area consists of the six wards  of Barton, Harbledown, Northgate, St Stephens, Westgate, and Wincheap. These wards are electoral wards which have fifteen of the fifty seats on the  Canterbury  City Council. Twelve of these seats are held by the  Liberal Democrats  and three by the  Conservatives. This is very beneficial to the city as it means the different areas can be controlled individually, so residents can put forward ideas and ask questions to their wards. Politicians who will try and help will try and help their residents. This is also very useful as there are two political parties as they will have different views and aims. This is valuable as each of the wards is very different. Each has a different style of housing, including a large creation in the household size. Also the environmental quality varies greatly across the wards. Within most cities there is considerable variation in the quality of life. This raises questions about equality of opportunity and social justice. In MEDCs, there are areas that are labelled as poor and these are areas of deprivation, poverty and exclusion. In MEDCs these are often inner-city areas or ghettos. The factors associated with deprivation are varied. Urban poverty and deprivation can be measured using a number of indices; these include physical measures; such as quality of housing, levels of pollution, incidence of crime etc, social indicators; including levels of health and access to services, and standard of education etc, economical indices; access to employment, and unemployment levels and political measures which include opportunities to vote and take part in community organisations. Major issues within inner cities in MEDCs are that properties have deteriorated and the majority of them are overcrowded households. Social segregation is another main problem along with racial discrimination, an example of this is in Brixton where people are socially excluded. To conclude the environmental issues also have a big issue on an areas deprivation. When the factories move to locations outside of the inner city, where land prices are cheaper, the factories will be left to decay, and the poor state of repair causes a depressing environment. Also in inner city often has a lack of open space, with pollution levels often being high due to traffic congestion. After the industrial revolution people became increasingly wealthy. This led to social segregation, the wealthier people moved out of inner city suburbs. People left in the inner city were older residents, single parent families, students, and poorer families. In addition the ethnic minorities were left behind in the inner city suburbs- formation of ghettos. Centrifugal movement, in particular counter urbanisation increase the problem. The movement of businesses to out of inner city areas leads to increasing unemployment levels as there are less employment opportunities available in the inner city, this will all eventually lead to the city becoming a dead heart. In addition the removal of businesses causes a loss of money from the area so there is little money available to invest in improvements. Furthermore out-of-town shopping centres mean that less wealthy people from the inner city are deprived of better shops as they might be less mobile, or cannot afford to travel out of the ci ty every time they wish to shop. Barton ward is Canterburys largest ward, in terms of land, in the local Canterbury area. Barton ward is situated in the south of Canterbury. This ward/area is particularly sought after by many including families and pensioners. The Barton Ward is home to 8,051 residents (2008 estimate)1, with 28% being within the 25-49 age band and 26% within the pensioner quartile. Within this ward are many different religious residents belonging to a variety of religious groups. The majority of the residents are Christian 78.4%, however there are 1.3% Muslim, 0.9% Hindu and 0.4% Buddhist, the rest of the residents either blond to another religion, the rest of the residents either belong to another religion, not religious or their religion was not recorded when collecting the data in the 2001 census. By having a variety of religions then it gives the residents a greater cultural awareness. In addition, 77% of the 8,051 residents had achieved 5 or more A* to C grade passes, including English and Math s, at GCSE or equivalent between 2008 and 2009.Picture1.png As previously mentioned the south of Canterbury and the Barton ward is a particularly sought after area. Local Canterbury estate agents describe the area as South Canterbury is the most prestigious and sought after areas within easy reach of the city and local amenities Godwin Curtis and one of Canterburys premier residential locations Regal Estates. The Barton ward had 677 dwellings in March 2008. The average value of property sales, using median averages, in 2008 are a lot higher than the average of the whole of Canterbury. With all dwellings at  £228,000; flats at  £172,500; terraced houses  £202,500; semi-detached houses  £250,000 and detached houses at  £375,000. All of the property values are significantly higher than the median average of England at only  £174,500. Another important factor when assessing an areas deprivation is the areas physical environment including land use. In January 2005, the Barton ward had a very high percentage of green space, 88.9% and an additional 5.3% of domestic gardens. So the Barton ward has a very large figure of green space, 94.2%. By having this high figure, residents can have a high quality of life as the environmental quality of the area is also very high. Large green spaces are essential as they provide an area for residents to relax, and be away from their busy working lives. So to conclude the Barton ward has a very low deprivation level; the latest Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) for this area was rank 25,186 out of 32,482 in England, where 1 was the most deprived and 32,482 the least. This is calculated by using the following factors (some evaluated above), income; employment; education, skills; health; housing and services; the living environment; and crime. St Stephens ward is the second largest ward in Canterbury, in terms of population. St Stephens ward is situated in the north of Canterbury, it covers areas such as Hales Place and St Stephens and other nearby areas. The St Stephens ward has 9,036 residents (2008 estimate)1, with a significant 47% being students as it is very close to the University of Kent, where 16,000 study. To support this only 11% of people aged 50 and over live in this area. This figure is very small in comparison to the Barton ward. Similarly to the Barton Ward, St Stephens also has a wide range of different religious cultures. Again the majority of residents are Christian 68%, also 1.5% is Muslim, and 0.7% is Hindu. However 28.8% have either no religion, the religion was not stated or more likely the religion was not recorded when statistical surveys took place. Quite importantly 60% of the residents of the ward achieved 5 or more A* to C grade passes, including English and Maths, at GCSE or equivalent between 2008 and 2009. This figure is higher than the percentages achieve in the Canterbury district and England average. This could be due to the University of Kent being within the top 40 universities in the UK so the entry requirements will be fairly high. Many families and pensioners avoid living in the north of Canterbury because of the large student population. So this makes the property values hard to value as many of the houses in the ward have been converted into student suitable housing, where they were originally 3-4 bedroom family houses now they are 6-7 bedroom student houses. Also the condition of student houses is stereotypically described as untidy and not well kept, true in most cases. Therefore these will all affect the property values however the median average of all dwellings in 2008 was  £220,000. Following this are flats at  £155,000; terraced houses at  £193,500; semi-detached houses  £225,000 and finally detached houses at  £308,000.However many houses in this ward are rented to students. The average rent price for a terraced house in this area is  £615  £837. This is fairly low in comparison with other areas in the rest of England. St Stephens ward has a huge 38.1% of green space, a lot of this coming from the University fields, which the University of Kent are pleased about what as they believe students work better and achieve better grades in a nicer and more calming environment. The latest Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) for this area was rank 25,289 out of 32,482 in England, where 1 was the most deprived and 32,482 the least. A ward very similar in many ways to St Stephens ward is the Westgate ward. Westgate ward is very near the city centre and stretches from the bottom of the city centre, Westgate Towers up to the St Stephens ward. The Westgate ward is home to 15,847 residents (2008 residents)1, with the majority of the residents being aged between 16 and 24, this cohort is 34% of the residents. This is closely followed by an also very high percentage of people aged between 0 and 15. From this you can tell that the Westgate ward has a very high birth rate in comparison with the other Canterbury wards. Notably there is a small population of aged people 50-64 however there is a rise in the number of people living in the ward that are aged 65 and over. This could be because of a few reasons, in particular they may few that they need to be close to services such as shops and medical services such as hospitals as they may not drive and they may prefer to be close to neighbours rather than secluded in a rural area in case there is a problem. Likewise there is another wide range of religious communities. There is a fairly moderate 1.2% of Muslim and this figure is closely followed by Buddhists at 0.8%. The Northgate ward has no record of educational attainment, so therefore no conclusion can be made from the education statistics of this ward. However the average value of property sales, in 2008 was low in comparison with the rest of Canterbury. The ave rage of all dwellings  £179,998 in this ward but the average price of all dwellings in Canterbury is  £195,000. Flats are valued at  £165,000; terraced houses at  £197,500; semi-detached houses at  £185,000; and detached houses at  £265,000. As well as property prices being low, there is also a very high percentage of non-domestic buildings within this ward, a huge 21.8% this is almost double the percentage of domestic buildings at 12.8%. The physical environment of the Westgate ward is fairly different to the rest of the wards as there is minimal green space. The latest Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) for this area was rank 25,190 out of 32,482 in England, where 1 was the most deprived and 32,482 the least. The Wincheap ward covers the west of Canterbury area. Along with the St Stephens ward, there is a fairly high population of 8,779 people (2008 estimate)1, with a moderate percentage of them being within the 16-24 age cohort, 46%, the second highest figure in the Canterbury area. The reason for this could be the property values being fairly low, all being below the median average for Canterbury. Of the 622 dwellings in this ward, the average value of property sales, in 2008, flats average was  £177,500; terraced houses,  £183,000; semi-detached houses  £173,000. However the Office of National Statistics has no record of an average price for detached houses, this could be because of two reasons; either, the Wincheap ward does not have any detached houses, there were either none built or they have been converted into flats so they are categorised as flats not as detached houses. Or when the Office of National Statistics collected data they did not collect data for detached houses. This is a problem when comparing between the wards of Canterbury, as there is data missing. To continue the Wincheap ward has the highest percentage of religious groups in Canterbury, with a high 0.8% of Buddhist and Muslim. These figures are almost double the value of Canterbury. Also there is a low percentage of Christians, 64.3%, this is 10% lower than the Canterbury average. By having these high levels of religious communities within an area there is no large separation between the different religions, reducing the deprivation levels to some as they still have access to the large range of services and facilities available. The Wincheap ward also has no record of educational attainment, so therefore no conclusion can be made from the education statistics of this ward. Furthermore the land use in the Wincheap ward has a high percentage of non-domestic buildings. This is possibly due to the Wincheap industrial estate, which has invited several large businesses such as Morrisons, Argos, and Staples; there are also several warehouse type buildings in the estate. The physical environment also has a large percentage of roads in comparison with the other wards of Canterbury. Wincheap ward has 15% of road and the rest of the Canterbury wards have approximately 10%. Finally there is also a fairly low percentage of green space and domestic gardens in comparison with the other wards. This could mean that the residents of the Wincheap ward may not feel as relaxed and may feel that they are deprived of large green space, where they can unwind. The latest Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) for this area was rank 21,699 out of 32,482 in England, where 1 was the most deprived and 32,482 the least. Finally the last ward left in the local Canterbury district is the Northgate ward. Northgate ward is the smallest ward in the Canterbury area. The ward is home to 8,779 people (2008 estimate)1. The Northgate is also home to the largest number of 16-25 year olds, a huge 48% of the total wards population. On the other hand, this ward also has a very low percentage of people aged 50 and over. In the Northgate ward is a fairly high population of the Muslim community, 1.7% this is very high in comparison with the average of Canterbury, which is only 0.6%. In addition to the Muslim community there are also other religious residents who belong to the Buddhist religion 0.5%. So overall in the Northgate ward there is a fairly low Christian population and a moderately high Muslim population. Similarly to the Westgate ward, the Northgate ward average value of property sales in 2008 was below the Canterbury average and just above the median average for England. The follow are the values of all t he properties in the Northgate ward. Flats are valued at  £177,500; terraced houses at  £183,000; and finally  £173,000. Finally the physical environment of the Northgate ward is fairly common, as it is similar to the majority of the rest of the Canterbury wards. There is a moderate percentage of green space 35.8% but a small percentage of domestic gardens at only 7.8%. The latest Index of Multiple Deprivation (IMD) for this area was rank 11,167 out of 32,482 in England, where 1 was the most deprived and 32,482 the least. So therefore the Northgate ward is the most deprived in the whole of the local Canterbury district. After evaluating all of the Canterbury wards, I can conclude that even though Canterbury is a fairly small city, it has a very high percentage, 83.2% of green space as a land use. From this you can see Canterbury has a lot of open spaces where residents can take a break, relax and forget about their busy work life. This is also seen in the percentage of domestic gardens, 6.1%, this is 2% above the value for the whole of England. In addition Canterbury has a large, wide variety of different services available from the new shopping complex, Whitefriars, the high street, recreational services such as a cinema, bowling alley, and ice rink. To continue there are also several outstanding secondary schools, two of them grammar, Barton Court and Simon Langton Boys and Girls. Likewise crime levels in Canterbury are very low in comparison to the rest of England. All of these factors have a major impact on Canterbury deprivation. Overall Canterbury has a very moderate level of deprivation ranke d 190 out of 354, where 1 is the most deprived. This is judged on a national level. Canterbury has seen successful redevelopment schemes. There have been major transport improvements e.g. Park and Ride scheme, which has improved accessibility to city centres. It has also helped to reduce levels of pollution and so quality of life has been improved. Another fairly recent project in Canterbury was the Whitefriars development. This involved creating a large modern styled shopping area, designed similar to large shopping complexes such as Bluewater and Lakeside. This attracted many large companies and designer brands to Canterbury. So along with the improved access, Canterbury gains many visitors/tourists, many of them visiting the Whitefriars complex. However there are many other schemes which have been unsuccessful. The high-rise flats were a disaster and many gentrification schemes had limited success. The traditional culture of central areas has been threatened by the demolishing of historic buildings. There has also been a failure to tackle the underlying economic problems of high unemployment. This means that poverty and its associated social, economic environmental problems still remain in these areas. In general there has been a lack of long term planning with too many different schemes. However there are a few schemes which have caused some controversy. A main issue is related to the rapid expansion of the various universities situated around the city, and the exponential increase in the number of students in the city. With this figure being so high, more accommodation and housing needs to be provided. This has meant student cities have been built, leading to the majority of north Canterbury (in particular St Stephens Ward, but also Westgate Ward), being overcrowded with students. With the large student population many families feel pressured to move house because of the problems that are typically associated with students, i.e. noise and car parking. With many people moving to other areas, property developers have hit the jackpot. They are converting what were originally typical 3-4 bedroom family houses into a 6-7 bedroom student houses. Canterbury City Council and the Government have realised this situation so have recently introduced a HMOs (Houses in Multiple O ccupation) scheme, where planning permission needs to be granted to enable the house to be converted so it is suitable for multiple occupation. This scheme has caused many complaints and arguments as families living in the area will have a struggle to sell their house as no one will buy it other than developers and developers will only buy it if it has been granted a HMO, and this is down to the councils decision. So if they do not grant the policy then it will prevent the family from moving or make it very difficult. This has caused a lot issues with residents, an article in a Canterbury local paper  [4]  wrote residents are fearful  proposed changes to legislation governing applications for houses in multiple occupation (HMOs) could tip the balance between student lets and family homes. Concerns have also been expressed over the anti-social behaviour  of a minority of students. I personally believe that schemes like this need to be reconsidered and possibly amended.

Emotion and Culture in Secret Life of Bees :: Secret Life of Bees Essays

Heart break, joy, love, happiness, The Book The Secret Life of Bees has it all! The book is about a young girls that accidentally shot her mother. After spending nine years with her abusive, and emotionally absent father, she decides to run away. So, she breaks her beloved nanny out of prison, and Lily escapes to Tiburon South Carolina, a town she links to her mother through the writing on one of her old possessions. While in Tiburon, Lily finds the calendar sisters three very different, very helpful sisters. The family agrees to take Lilly in, despite the fact that almost every white person in town frowns upon the very idea of this white girl staying in an African American household. While staying with the sisters, August, May, and June, Lily learns lots of things, ranging from bee keeping, to why and how her mother first left her. She falls in love, explores her past, and finds it within herself to forgive her mother for leaving her, and herself, for shooting her mom. This book is rich in both emotion, and culture. Although the main character in the book was white, the author, Sue Kidd, does a great job of depicting the African American culture during the time. Whether it was Rosaleen getting beat up in jail, or Zach dreaming of being a lawyer, this book showed you what it was like being a minority during a time when rights where still being fought for. One of the smaller conflicts in the story was a man verses man conflict, when Lily and Zach started to like each other. Though they knew that a colored man, and a white girl could never be together, they both were attracted to each other. Were they not from different cultures, people would have been fine with them dating, but because Zach was black, it couldn?t work out. Another internal conflict is how Lilly feels responsible for her mother?s death. When she was four, she accidentally shot her mom, and wasn?t able to forgive herself. The reason she runs away in the first place is because her dad tells her that her mom left her, which is both an internal, and man versus man conflict. She?s mad at her dad for saying it, but can?t fully convince herself that it isn?t true. There?s a man versus society conflict when men beat up Rossaleen because of her color, and another internal conflict when May is so overcome with grief that she cant stop crying.

How do the first five minutes of “Shane” and “Bram Stoker’s Dracula” establish genre and narrative?

A genre is a specific form of media commodity. It has characteristic qualities that are familiar to audiences because the same method is applied repeatedly. A genre functions like a language and is used by film producers to ensure an audience can identify and predict what is likely to happen. Genres can offer comforting reassurance in an uncomfortable situation; the conventions are recognisable usually through iconography, familiar narrative, mise-en-scene, actors and style of representation. These sets of conventions are constantly renegotiated between industry and audience. Genre can also be a way of working through important myths and fear by the use of repetition, variation and resolution and can be thought of as â€Å"tidying up† the mess of life. Narrative involves a basic structure (beginning, middle and end) and a basic decision on the genre of story being told. It can imply the use of various codes to create or to reveal a character, to generate suspense, to provide setting and to further the plot. Through narrative we become aware of the fact that each genre contains certain common elements but have different characteristics. They might be told in different ways, styles, or from different points of view. It is important to know and understand the difference between narrative and story. A story is a sequence of events known correctly as the plot and narrative is the way in which those events are put together so they can be presented to an audience. Narratives involve the following; Technical codes, Verbal codes, Symbolic codes, Structure, Characters and conflict. Twentieth Century theorist Claude Levi Strauss suggested that all narratives had to be driven forward by conflict that was caused by a series of opposing forces. He called this the theory of Binary opposition, and it is used to describe how each main force in a narrative has its equal and opposite. Some examples of these opposing forces are as follows: good/evil, light/dark, right/wrong and poverty/wealth. He believed that if this strategy was used, a balance or resolution could be achieved. Narratives, in short, have to be about change, disturbance and disorder. Commonly narratives will feature the following structure: Establishing a problem, Elaboration of the problem and resolution of the problem. The nature of the problem and how it will be resolved depends on the genre or form of the narrative, whether it involves solving the mystery, punishing the wrongdoer or obtaining the desired object or person. This brings me to the opening sequence, which can be the most important moment in a film. This is because they are the first images the audience sees when the lights go down. These quick segments form a contract outlining the filmmaker's intentions and setting up the expectations of those watching. The opening sequence can be the most action-packed part of a film; it creates suspense and gets the audience asking questions. This is what the director aims to achieve, by getting the audience to unconsciously ask questions he has gained their attention for the remainder of the film. This can also be a chance to give the audience a taster of what's to come by introducing characters and setting up themes. The audience will now be aware of the genre they are going to watch. The Western genre is widely popular with audiences around the world simply because its an easy genre to recognise, we know that westerns are fictional. They are set in west America and are centred on a particular period of American history, the years between 1865 and 1890. â€Å"The Great Train Robbery† is a 1903 Western film. The film is only ten minutes long, but is a high point in filmmaking and is considered the first American western to tell a fictional story. The film used a number of innovative techniques, these included parallel editing, camera movement and location shooting. The film also employed the first pan shots; almost every shot was a static long shot confining the action to the perspective of the camera at eye level. The plot was inspired by a true event that occurred on August 29, 1900, when four members of George Leroy Parker's ‘Hole in the Wall' gang halted the No. 3 train on the Union Pacific Railroad tracks toward Table Rock, Wyoming. The bandits forced the conductor to uncouple the passenger cars from the rest of the train and then blew up the safe in the mail car to escape with about $5,000 in cash. This can be related back to the western genre because it includes the villain; hero and the general setting you would expect to see a Western film in it is relevant because it tells a fictional story this is what Westerns should do. Directed by George Stevens the film Shane was made in 1953, the idea for the film was taken from a novel written by Jack Schaefer. Jack Schaefer was an American journalist, whose best-known novel Shane (1949) has been considered the ultimate achievement in creating a mythical western hero with a shady past. The story followed the pattern of a classical Greek tragedy, in which there is no escape from fate. As a writer Schaefer made his breakthrough with Shane (1949), a tale of a gunman's involvement with a homesteading family in Wyoming. Schaefer had never been west of Cleveland, but his vision of the West was so clear-cut, that his novel Shane was awarded the best western novel ever written in 1985. Alan Ladd who was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas plays Shane. Other main characters include Jean Arthur who plays Marion Starett, Van Heflin who plays Joe Starett and Brandon De Wilde who plays Joey. The titles are old fashioned and are in traditional techni colour. â€Å"George Stevens a production of Shane† appears on screen shortly followed by â€Å"Shane† in a deep red/orange colour. This is typical of the period of 1953 in which these orange colours were fashionable. The music used to accompany these opening titles is strong with a joyful feeling. The opening camera shots reinforce what we have just seen and set up the genre. The first thing we are drawn to is the large open spaces, we are looking out across the plain, deserted area, in the background there are large mountains, these are surrounded by low lying clouds. The camera then sweeps across; this is when we see more of the area. We become aware of a stag in the water surrounded by bushes. We get a glimpse of small boy who is almost completely hidden by bushes. He is holding a rifle and aiming for the stag. He spots a man on horse back in the distance and looks startled. The music turns from joyful to loud and deep this creates a sense of anticipation and this is what the producer aims to achieve when he accompanies a film by different moods of music. We are already asking questions, who is the man on the horse? , Who is the boy? It then cuts to a man chopping wood with an axe we can hear a woman singing and catch a glimpse of her. She has blonde hair and a soft singing voice; she's wearing a white shirt this makes her look pure and untouched. She is in the kitchen preparing a meal for her husband in generic realism we would expect to find a woman in the kitchen and doing the housework while her husband goes out to work. The man on horseback who we become aware is Shane is wearing a cowboy hat, cream top and beige trousers with brown tassels hanging from them. He is on horseback and around his waist is a belt with miniature horse cartwheels on. The music becomes more mysterious and the scene that follows is full of anticipation as Shane and Joe exchange a few words. Shane produces a gun and the music hits it's highest point as the problem is resolved the gun is put away and a lighter friendlier music appears. So far we have the stereotypical family: a small boy, a mum in the kitchen preparing food for her family and a dad chopping wood for his family. Then there's Shane who fills our ideology. He comes in to disturb this peaceful family but turns out not to be a threat. So what are we missing? The villains. These come in the form of the Ryker brothers. The Rykers and their posse of gun-toting ruffians ride by and threaten to run Starrett off his farm. The Rykers, are ruthless businessmen, and have been trying to rid the valley of homesteaders so they can expand their ranch. After witnessing this brutality, Shane decides to stay on and help out at the ranch. Provoked by Ryker's boys, Shane joins the homesteader's fight, facing off with a hired gunslinger to make the valley safe for civilized folks like the Starretts. While helping Shane falls in love with the wife but he keeps his distance out of respect for the husband. This brings me to Bram Stoker's Dracula. This is a film, which is true to the original text rather than the hammer house style; the belief in Christianity is under question and the film is centred on Dracula's relationship with life and after life. A narrator introduces Dracula this strange and mysterious figure employs us to sympathise with him. We see him as a person whose anguish has affected his bond with eternity. Dracula represents an apparition of what may happen to us if we happened to be in the same situation as him. In the opening scene the background is drenched in red and we see the battle of two opposing forces, good and evil. There are close shots of the building and the red skies in the heavens above gives it a threatening look. The titles do not appear until after the opening sequence, this is because Coppola wants to give the responsibility to the audience as to why they believe Dracula is a horror villain rather then a monster. The music is slow and deep in tone to create atmosphere and suspense; it changes in volume when people begin to talk. There is never silence, the constant tapping in the background is almost like screaming. When we finally meet Dracula he is covered in orange armour, the rigid lines on his armour flow horizontally and give him a look of strength. He has long brown hair and a large moustache. He looks angry and screams before he drinks the blood from the goblet. Elizabetta couldn't be more different, she also has brown hair but is wearing a long flowing dress, her pale white skin against the red of the blood is a strong contrast, she looks innocent. The gold surrounding them gives the place a look of importance, which can also be reflected into the clothing. The story continues with Dracula believing he is an agent of god: â€Å"Praise god I am victorious† As things progress his wife receives a false message of his death this results in her taking her own life. On hearing about this Dracula is grief stricken; he turns against god because she is in hell and stabs the cross, blood fills the room and Dracula drinks the blood in a parody of holy communion. This opening scene addresses the audience's knowledge of the use of conventions. Coppola knows that the audience will have encountered Dracula in many other forms before and plays on this. The story is told from Dracula's point of view. Similar to Shane there are Binary opposites and the themes of the genre are noticeable through mise-en-scene and iconography. There are candles and crucifixes, tall windows and dark colours. Again the audience are asking questions even though they will have had some knowledge of Dracula before. In conclusion we now know that the purpose of an opening sequence is to allow the audience to establish the genre and set the foundations for the remainder of the film. We know that to do this you can use generic texts; this will allow the audience to predict what is likely to happen, although this may seem boring it actually does have some advantages it allows the audience to feel comfortable with the following events that will take place. I have found that generic texts are easier to watch because of this. The opening of both texts were slightly different, in Dracula the titles were not shown until the end of the opening sequence I found this more exciting because it gives the audience more of a chance to question what is going on. They were very similar in the ways they established themselves as generic texts though. They used similar techniques but fitted it to a different genre. Both films were enjoyable to watch because they followed a plan and had binary opposition.

The Secret of Finding Meaning in Life

The Secret of Finding Meaning in Life Life is truly too short, this phrase really bothered me because it made me think of how I could make my life meaningful and with sense; something that is living life to the fullest and touching the life of others by serving them because in serving you will know what really life is Just like Jesus who came to earth not to be serve but to serve. But how we could make our life living with significance and meaning?This question is so stunning especially when we realized that we are at the wrong path since we are living here on earth. Is there such thing as secret of finding meaning in life? That might some what answers me base on certain articles that I Just read and as well as the video that amazed me while viewing. This first article defines life and it's meaning which is â€Å"Meaning in Life [live the life that you want]† by Albert S. Wang, written on November 19, 1997.This article, questions you if you are really contented and happy of wh at you have and if this is really the life that you wanted. It is said in here that to be able to live a life that you want and to put a meaning on it; you must first know yourself from within because this makes you know of who you are, second is know where you want o go for it gives you direction in finding your happiness. These things are beginning of having a meaningful life.To find the meaning of your life, you must find it with action not Just by waiting for it to come and you can also find this meaning in life not just in distant place but mostly it is found near you. Putting a meaning in your life is all about the choices and decisions that you made on where you want to go. Just live your will and you'll see that each day you will grow in having a meaningful life. The second article that touches me is entitled â€Å"So What Will Matter? † sent by Leandro G. Cruz and shared by Joe Gatuslao of Bacolod City, Philippines. Its original title is A Life That Matters.This arti cle is so inspiring because it stresses that all that you have got starting from yourself Just like beauty, fame, wealth and all other things that you have are Just in vain because these things are not forever yours, these are just passing things and you cannot bring these things when you leave earth but what really matters are the thing that you made that others will remember you of your goodness, the things that you gave not Just in material aspects but in all, living your ife with significance, teaching others and set yourself as an example to them.All of these things are living a life that matters. This third article has an unknown author which entitles â€Å"A Purpose†. The article speaks that all of us who are created by God has a unique and significant purpose. Each of us is given a chance to find our designated purposes but you must wait when the right time comes because nas set it tor you at a time when you are equipped and ready. Most of the time you'll experience t he roughness of life but don't be dismayed because there is always a helping hand that will take care of you, which isGod who never leaves you. Just stay at the right path and do good deeds for in the end you will find your own way to the pearly white gate. The next article is the one that I liked most which is â€Å"The Journey of Our Life† shared again by Joe Gatuslao from Bacolod City, Philippines. This article actually tells a story about the Emperor who owned a huge land and he told his horseman that if he could ride on his horse and cover as much land area as he likes, then the Emperor would give him the area of land he has covered.The horseman did not stop riding and whipping the horse because he wanted to cover as much area as possible. Came to a point when he had covered a substantial area and he was exhausted and was dying. Then he asked himself, â€Å"Why did I push myself so hard to cover so much land area? Now I am dying and I only need a very small area to bury myself. † This story is really similar with the Journey of our life because most of us are always striving for richness, properties, possessions, power etc.So we work harder and harder until we come to realized that all of these things are not necessary for living a happy and meaningful life; we must balance our way of living so that we could not missed omething in life that might happen once. The next thing that I am going to share is all about the video clip that I watched; it's about an old woman at the age of 47 and her name is Susan Boyle who joined in a certain show that searches for extraordinary talents namely Britain's Got Talent.During her performance, a big shock was made by Susan because at the beginning when she first introduced herself, everybody was against her like they are judging Susan of Joining the show where she looks like so ordinary and nothing to show up but when she start on singing all where stunned by her angelic voice and hey gave her a standing ov ation but most importantly the three big yes from the strict Juries. This gives us an insight that we must not Judge the person's appearance because you'll never know what's the biggest surprise that comes from within.God created us with equal gifts and we must use this as an inspiration to others. This last article is a prayer entitled as â€Å"Mere Possessions†. It's all about the prayer of a woman who asked a help from the Lord, asking that she might not put much stock in possessions because things don't last and you cannot bring all of these things when you leave earth. That we come into the world with nothing, we leave with nothing.Having a meaningful life is about your choices and decisions that were made; Just make sure you have chosen the right path because if you do then you'll end walking along the pearly white gate and that is the fulfillment of having a meaningful life. There is really no such thing as a secret of finding a meaning in life; it's Just you who will make it meaningful by doing what is right and Just; live happy and be happy all the time because life is Just too short, you might missed something so let's make the most of it.

3 Examples of How Semicolons Strengthen a Sentence

3 Examples of How Semicolons Strengthen a Sentence 3 Examples of How Semicolons Strengthen a Sentence 3 Examples of How Semicolons Strengthen a Sentence By Mark Nichol Semicolons help clarify construction of sentences. Using the punctuation mark, employed as either a comma on steroids or a strategically flexible period, is usually just one of two or more possible solutions, but though it has a stuffy reputation and many writers are confused about its applications, it often is the best choice. 1. This issue is not cut and dried, it’s actually fairly complicated. This sentence demonstrates the simplest and perhaps most common error related to the role of the semicolon: the failure to use it when when needed in the weak-period function. This pair of independent clauses must be separated by a semicolon: â€Å"This issue is not cut and dried; it’s actually fairly complicated.† Replacing the comma with a dash or beginning a new sentence with it’s are alternative strategies, though the statement does not include a sharp break in thought (which a dash is intended to signal) and does not constitute two distinct ideas meriting separate sentences, so the semicolon is the most suitable solution. 2. For breakfast, he had eggs the way he liked them, over easy, bacon, locally raised, of course, toast, and coffee, which he always stirred exactly 10 times to blend in the milk. This sentence requires semicolons to clearly organize a rambling list of words and phrases that constitute a menu: â€Å"For breakfast, he had eggs the way he liked them, over easy; bacon, locally raised, of course; toast; and coffee, which he always stirred exactly 10 times to blend in the milk.† However, the preparation details can also be presented enclosed in parentheses, which renders semicolons unnecessary: â€Å"For breakfast, he had eggs the way he liked them (over easy), bacon (locally raised, of course), toast, and coffee (which he always stirred exactly 10 times to blend in the milk).† For consistency and to enhance sentence balance and rhythm, better yet, a corresponding detail about the toast should be inserted. 3. The act offers protection from lawsuits arising from monitoring information systems, including employee email, cyberthreat-related disclosures, and sharing of that information with other companies. This sentence requires semicolons because even though â€Å"including employee email† seems obviously related to the preceding phrase, the sentence can also be read as if employee email, cyberthreats-related disclosures, and sharing of that information with other companies are being offered as examples of information systems. Use the stronger punctuation mark in such sentences so that the sentence organization is unambiguous: â€Å"The act offers protection from lawsuits arising from monitoring information systems, including employee email; cyberthreat-related disclosures; and sharing of that information with other companies.† Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Punctuation category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:How to Structure A Story: The Eight-Point Arc5 Brainstorming Strategies for Writers5 Tips to Understand Hyphenated Words

3 Grammatical Errors and Funnies from DollarsandSense Coupon Flyer!

3 Grammatical Errors and Funnies from DollarsandSense Coupon Flyer! Magazines and flyers are constant sources of grammatical errors and other interesting blog material for The Essay Expert.   This week Im writing just a few examples of what I found in the ads populating a recent Madisons DollarsandSense coupon flyer.   These examples are good reminders to pay attention to your writing! 1.   Ad for ChoreCare (www.ChoreCareMadison.com) Original text:   All jobs work is customized to meet your needs. Commentary:   Jobs work are two things and the verb should therefore be plural. Correction:   All jobs work are customized to meet your needs. This error is very common and I find myself making it more often than I’d like to admit.   A few days ago, I wrote, regarding the improvement to one of my client’s resumes:   The other bullets show his success on both the artistic and strategic side of marketing. I quickly caught my error and changed â€Å"side† to â€Å"sides,† since I was talking about two sides – plural! What makes this one slippery is that in speech, we often do not distinguish between the singular and plural in situations such as the ones above.   I see this as another example of purist vs. progressive language (see Top 10 Obsolete Grammar Rules – by Steven Sawyer). Whether you are a purist or a progressive on this one, I encourage you to pay attention and make a choice, rather than make a blind potential error.   Please share if you find yourself challenged by this issue! 2.   Ad for Mother Natures Diaper Service, Inc. Original text:   Reserve a Pre-birth Delivery Date Today! (click for full size ad) Commentary:   Is this line an intentional joke?   It seems the writers might be unaware that they have made a pun on Delivery Date. How can there be a pre-birth delivery [of a baby]?   OH†¦Ã‚   a *diaper* delivery.   I get it. Is it just me, or does pre-birth remind you of afterbirth (the placenta and fetal membranes that are normally expelled from the uterus after the birth of the baby) now thats something I dont want delivered to my door!   I just dont like the phrase â€Å"Pre-birth Delivery† at all, even if it was intended to be clever, which I’m not convinced it was. My suggested correction:   Reserve a Diaper Delivery Date Today! Now thats cute, and it plays well on the word Delivery without being downright perplexing. 3.   Ad for Sierra Concepts, LLC Basement Waterproofing Specialists Original text:   $50 OFF Crack Injections Commentary:   I realize crack injection is a trade term, but really!   Am I the only one who immediately calls up an image of desolate streets and needles and crazed looking drug addicts? My suggested correction:   $50 OFF Basement Crack Repair. Boring, maybe.   But it gets the point across safely. What are your favorite examples of incorrect or funny ads?   Please share them here!

Branches of the Tree of Knowledge

Branches of the Tree of Knowledge In Frankenstein, Mary Shelley warns that with the advent of science, natural philosophical questioning is not only futile, but dangerous. In attempting to discover the mysteries of life, Frankenstein assumes that he can act as God. He disrupts the natural order, and chaos ensues. Mary Shelley goes to great lengths to emphasize the beauty and order of life when man engages in à ¬naturalà ® pursuits. She idealizes Frankensteins home life: à ¬I feel exquisite pleasure in dwelling on the recollections of childhood, before misfortune had tainted my mindà ® (38). His family is orderly and wonderful. Clervals à ¬presence brought back to my thoughts my father, Elizabeth, and all those scenes of home so dear to my recollectionÃâ€"I felt suddenly, and for the first time during many months, calm and serene joyà ® (58). Shelley also stresses that man should feel at one with nature, not at odds with it: à ¬When happy, inanimate nature had the power of bestowing on me the most delightful sensationsà ® (68). Certain occupations allow man to be at one with nature and his fellow creatures. Shelley feels that science should be useful and beneficial to mankind. Clerval, a clearly pure and benevolent character, studies languages. He loves poetry. These disciplines allow man to help others and glorify nature without questioning it. In childhood, Frankensteins studies contained à ¬bright visions of usefulnessà ® (38): à ¬I betook myself to the mathematics, and the branches of study appertaining to that science, as being built upon secure foundations, and so worthy of considerationà ® (41). But Frankensteins interests soon turned away from mathematics; he speaks of his change of mind as if an evil spirit had taken control of his brain. He begins to thirst after higher knowledge, hoping to discover the deepest mysteries of nature: à ¬I had gazed upon the fortifications and impediments that seemed to keep human beings from entering the citadel of nature, and rashly and ignorantly I had repinedà ® (39). Frankenstein delves into these studies, hoping to à ¬unfold to the world the deepest mysteries of creationà ® (47). à ¬Life and death appeared to me ideal bounds, which I should first break through, and pour a torrent of light into our dark worldà ® (52) Frankenstein succeeds in discovering the secrets of life and death, and becomes able to bestow à ¬animation upon lifeless matterà ® (51). While Frankenstein is involved in this pursuit, Shelley portrays his life as grotesque and unnatural in comparison to his childhoodà ³he abandons everything that clearly made his life natural and good: à ¬The dissecting room and the slaughter-house furnished many of my materials; and often did my human nature turn with loathing from my occupationà ® (53). Frankenstein cuts off contact with his family, and no longer appreciates the glory of nature. He confines himself to a roomà ³his occupation is unnatural: à ¬Who shall conceive the horrors of my secret toil as I dabbled among the unhallowed damps of the graveÃâ€"and disturbed, with profane fingers, the tremendous secrets of the human frameà ® (53). With these descriptions, Shelley tells the reader that Frankenstein treads on forbidden groundà ³he does not discover secrets, but à ¬disturbsà ® them. When Frankensteins completes his creation, he finally realizes the horror of what he has done. He sees immediately that his aspiration to make à ¬a new species [that] would bless me as its creator and sourceà ® was far from realized. Instead, à ¬the beauty of the dream vanished, and breathless horror and disgust filled [his] heartà ® (56). His actions, performed in isolation, did nothing to better human kind, being so far removed from human nature. He realizes the full horror of what he has done in his dream, which foreshadows the chaos and destruction that is to come. He sees how horrid it is to meddle in superhuman affairs and attempt to alter natural processes. In his dream, he sees his beloved Elizabeth, and kisses her. But to his horror, she turns into his dead mother, à ¬a shroud enveloped her form, and I saw the grave-worms crawling in the folds of flannelà ® (57). With this image, Shelley illustrates the evil of man trying to venture into the domain of God. Frankenstein succeeds in creating life, but this creation results in nothing but death and destruction. He profanes his mothers death, and turns a vibrant life into decaying nothingness. His attempts to change lifes natural boundaries can only lead to chaos. As a mortal, he cannot do what God does. He can create life, but he cannot create order. Man stepping out of his natural place can only cause disorder. Shelley further portrays Frankenstein as a perverted God through references to Adam and Eve. The monster laments having been created by such an imperfect God. He says, à ¬How dare you sport thus with lifeÃâ€" I ought to be thy Adamà ® (97). Frankenstein, however, is no God. The monster eventually realizes this, and reproaches Frankenstein: Like Adam, I was apparently united by no link to any other being in existence; but his state was far different from mine in every other respect. He had come forth from the hands of God a perfect creature, happy and prosperous, guarded by the especial care of his Creator; he was allowed to converse with and acquire knowledge from beings of a superior nature: but I was wretched, helpless, and alone (126). Frankenstein is no better than his monster, being ruled by the same human passions. He is not a superior being, and cannot support creation of a new species. The humility that Frankenstein should have before his own creator is demonstrated through Shelleys powerful descriptions of nature. Frankenstein feels small against the à ¬dashing of the waterfalls around, [which] spoke of a power mighty as Omnipotenceà ® (91). He can never really penetrate these secretsà ³Ãƒ ¬the pine woods, and ragged bare ravine, the eagle, soaring amidst the cloudsà ³they all gathered round me and bade me be at peaceà ® (93). He also notices the perfection with which his creator formed the humans, and marvels at Clervals qualities, à ¬Has his mind, so replete with ideasÃâ€"whose existence depended on the life of its creatorà ³has this mind perishedÃâ€"No, it is not thus; your form so divinely wroughtÃâ€"has decayed, but your spirit still visits and consoles your unhappy friend.à ® With this statem ent, Frankenstein realizes that life and death are not really the à ¬ideal boundaries.à ® There is so much more to life and death than humans can possibly conceive. Biology is not necessarily the answer to the secrets of life and death. Thus, humans should live within their bounds, and not struggle with forces that are beyond their grasp. Frankenstein regrets his foray into natural philosophy. He wishes for à ¬the light-hearted gaiety of boyhoodà ® (92), when man did not seek to know these secrets. He laments: Alas! Why does man boast of sensibilities superior to those apparent in the brute; it only renders them more necessary beings. If our impulses were confined to hunger, thirst, and desire we might be nearly free (94). Shelley equates mans grappling with higher questions with Adam eating from the tree of knowledge. Frankenstein wanted to stop the destruction, à ¬but the apple was already eatenà ® (183). But mans knowledge is never as perfect as Gods knowledge. His presumption to know the secrets of life made him à ¬like the archangel who aspired to omnipotencechained in an eternal hellà ® (204). Frankenstein finally realizes this. He never should have presumed to create life, because the creation of life is more than the physical actà ³the order and harmony of the world can only be produced by a perfect creature. Frankenstein cries: à ¬ManÃâ€"how ignorant art thou in thy pride of wisdom! Cease; you know not what it is you sayà ® (194)! Frankenstein has finally learned his lesson. Or has he? After his excruciating pains and hardship, Frankensteins dying words are: à ¬I have myself been blasted in these hopes, yet another may succeedà ® (210). Unless Frankenstein is referring to beneficial, pragmatic scientific knowledge, then he has not yet acknowledged that man cannot know the secrets of nature. Shelley means his final words to be a warning to the reader. Mans growing ambition and intellect will render him desperate to discover the deepest mysteries of lifeà ³it is a difficult task to halt this ambition. But this ambition is greater than mans intellect. He can never know all, though he aspires to heaven. Until he realizes his limitations, the spread of science can only lead to chaos and destruction.

Systems And Operations Management At Atokowa Essay

Systems And Operations Management At Atokowa - Essay Example Each organization has certain business objectives which are pursued through the operations of the organization. The success of an organization depends upon the efficiency of its decision making process and the execution of its operations. The systems and operations management in the organization helps the organization in achieving its objectives (Kolli 2000). The information system of the organization helps the organization collect and manage the information that is required for effective decision making and the operations management of the organization helps the organization conduct its operations in an effective and efficient manner (Slack & Johnston 2004). If the operations of an organization are performed effectively and efficiently, the organization would acquire its business objectives more easily. In order to make the operations of an organization efficient, the organization shall give high importance to the operations management (Greasley, 1999). ... There are numerous retail outlets being run by the company. The company also offers a facility to deliver stationery and office supplier directly to the organizations. The company also offers customized printing for organizations. The business of the company was initially established as photocopying business which later extended towards printing. The company prints; brochures, flyers, letterheads, business cards, compliments slips, memo slips, fax headers and NCR pads. The products by Atokowa are marketed to two distinct types of customers; the individual customers and the business customers. The retail outlets by the company offer products to both the individual customers and the businesses at the same time. The businesses make a significant proportion of the overall customer base of the organization. SYSTEMS AND OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT AT ATOKOWA From the study done on Atokowa, it can be inferred that the current systems management of the company does not provide sufficient and accur ate information regarding the type of market that generates most revenue. In order to make effective decisions, it is highly important for any organization to have complete and accurate information regarding its operations. The operations being conducted at Atokowa are also very complex. Invoices are generated after a complex formal procedure and the discounts are offered after significantly extensive paper work. In order to make the operations management at Atokowa more effective and efficient, the company may need to modify its existing information system that is called ASIS. The information system is outdated and with the introduction of new technology, the company may need to apply new information system in its organizational structure.

Evaluation of Current Trends in the Music Industry Essay

Evaluation of Current Trends in the Music Industry - Essay Example Evaluating the current trends in the music industry can help those in this business to have a more substantial response to demands within the environment. Globalization and technology are the two trends that are continuing to change the ability to produce and distribute music within the industry. Live promoters and recording studios are both being affected by this by the growing opportunities for indie artists as well as the changing demands from fan bases. Creating a business environment that fits with the specific needs within the newer music industry can then provide a better response to those that are interested in music as a business. It can be seen from this specific report that innovation, creativity and building new approaches to using technology will help to sustain those that are a part of the music environment. The current trends that are in the music industry are creating significant differences in how musicians and artists are able to promote and record their music.

Obesity Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Obesity - Term Paper Example However, health issues are not the only problems associated with obesity there are also certain economic side effects of it (Sandman, 2007). Different nutritionists and dieticians suggest a number of solutions and cures for this disease. However, there are a few major categories where the first one is in the form of dieting in which the aim is to cut down on consumption of fattening food. Another popular technique is working out, which includes aerobics, yoga, gym, wait training and many others (Wright, 2004). Some people use the combination of these both with a proper weight loss plan, which is another technique. Also taking prescribed medication is essential to control obesity as medicines control appetite (Caprio, 2006). Also the surgical options have started to work more and more with the passage of time. Obesity is a disease that has no boundaries and is common amongst all age groups, gender and ethnic backgrounds. It is an epidemic that has spread all around the globe. Statisti cs show that 31% of Americans are considered obese with a BMI crossing 30 (Grossman, 2004). Works Cited Butcher, Kristin F. Childhood Obesity: Trends and Potential Causes. The Future of Children, 16, 2006 Caprio, Sonia. Treating Child Obesity and Associated Medical Conditions. The Future of Children, 16, 2006 Grossman, Michael. The Economics of Obesity. Public Interest, 2004 Sandman, Nirit.

Performance Management - Research and Assessment Term Paper

Performance Management - Research and Assessment - Term Paper Example SM Energy Company has a goal planning sessions which undertakes development of goals by the employees which are later approved by managers (Aguinis, # 10). The business strategy in SM energy is done through cascading goals in order to support the process of performance management effectively and efficiently. Board of directors is the ones who sets and approves the goals and the goals are communicated to the organization by the management. The company has formulated training and education for workers which are formulated based on performance management. Performance management is an ongoing activity. Each employee should be kept updated thus why training is vital (Rausch, #34). SM Energy employee’s views performance management as effective and fair because they do not dispute its process. Evaluation of performance is done twice per year. Employees should be given the chance to give their opinions concerning performance management thus enhancing the handling performances issues that are difficult. Poor performance is well addressed in SM Energy Company. It is majorly based on progressive discipline. Before taking disciplinary actions, coaching is done first and later performance improvement plan is used to address the problem. Performance improvement plan is described as a structured document that discusses mainly the problem or the influence of the problem on department, person or the organization. It acts as a letter of warning before one is terminated from the organization. There are several measure that SM energy company employs like any other organization to determine whether the performance management process is effective. The first one is that at the end of each year they observe the distribution of ratings. This means that majority of the employees are meeting their set goals. Another measure is Lake Woebegone effect, this is the feeling that each person should be above average

Social Psychology - The Stanley Milgram - psychological experiments Essay

Social Psychology - The Stanley Milgram - psychological experiments - Essay Example The case was taken as the punishment given to a victim member by giving some shocks by a member in a group. This shows his harsh obedience to his leader. But the member stopped the shocks when the victim refused to give answer further. The member showed tension in the member's mind. This study showed many behavioral aspects which were observed in this study of obedience. One real life example is when the police torture the criminals. But still when some police person shows the behavioral aspects showed by the study by Milgram. The police person also shows some tension in their mind when they are ordered to beat the criminals. The two studies which will be used to reduction of prejudice are contact and education. These two factors will cause a reduction of the prejudice as the contacts increase the knowledge about the world. The person who is in contact of different person will know about the things happening in the world and thus might able to distinguish the between the right and wrong. features about the facts. The books thus give the reality based knowledge. This lead the person to reduce prejudice as the books imparts the right knowledge. The teachers have given the top most places in the world as lead the students to the right area. They give accurate direction to the students. Thus they know what is right and what is wrong. The theory and study of contact has been evaluated as the best study for reducing the prejudice as cont

Business Ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Business Ethics - Essay Example Business does not exist independent of the society, and consequently politics. The participation and involvement of the businesses in the corrupt practices and policies of the governments has also been to some extent responsible for the developments which led to the ongoing protest movements that are challenging governments in the Middle-East. The emerging concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) calls for positive interactions on the part of the corporate entities with the communities in view of the fact that the companies are part of the communities and in turn the community is one of the stakeholders of the companies. Nasr, S. (2006) points out that if implementing corporate governance standards in joint venture companies has proven to be difficult, trying to apply them to family businesses is an even more difficult task. This is because such businesses are more about family than they are about business. The economy of the Middle East countries is dominated mostly by the f amily businesses. However, the broad picture emerging in a society is required to be well understood both by the family and professional entities for a sustainable development in the long run. ... e towards the environmental responsibility of the mankind, this aptly reflects the limits in terms of exploitation whether socially, economically or politically by the various vested interest groups. Blowfield, M & Murray, A. (2008, p.24) state â€Å"There are various ways of categorizing the main issues that fall under the corporate responsibility†. He has listed out Business ethics, Legal compliance, Philanthropy and community investment, Environmental management, Sustainability, Animal rights, Human rights, Worker rights and welfare, Market relations, Corruption and Corporate governance as prominent areas of corporate responsibility activity today. The agriculture and business are the cornerstones for development of the communities or societies in the world. The industrial development over the period of time has played an important role in the economic development of the countries relegating agriculture to the secondary place. Blowfield and Murray have placed business ethic s in the forefront as its corporate responsibility, and the influence of the business enterprises in the society and politics has been growing phenomenally over the period of time. The importance of business in the scheme of things has been further stressed by the phrase ‘Corruption and Corporate governance’ implying that corruption and corporate governance is closely interlinked. When we say corruption in the corporate companies, logically it is implied that the business influences ‘politics’ negatively by way of corruption to further their corporate interests. The business enterprises in the Middle East countries acting as a conduit for the movement of monies out of the countries to the safe havens have facilitated corruption in these countries perpetrated by the political forces.

Social Psychology - The Stanley Milgram - psychological experiments Essay

Social Psychology - The Stanley Milgram - psychological experiments - Essay Example The case was taken as the punishment given to a victim member by giving some shocks by a member in a group. This shows his harsh obedience to his leader. But the member stopped the shocks when the victim refused to give answer further. The member showed tension in the member's mind. This study showed many behavioral aspects which were observed in this study of obedience. One real life example is when the police torture the criminals. But still when some police person shows the behavioral aspects showed by the study by Milgram. The police person also shows some tension in their mind when they are ordered to beat the criminals. The two studies which will be used to reduction of prejudice are contact and education. These two factors will cause a reduction of the prejudice as the contacts increase the knowledge about the world. The person who is in contact of different person will know about the things happening in the world and thus might able to distinguish the between the right and wrong. features about the facts. The books thus give the reality based knowledge. This lead the person to reduce prejudice as the books imparts the right knowledge. The teachers have given the top most places in the world as lead the students to the right area. They give accurate direction to the students. Thus they know what is right and what is wrong. The theory and study of contact has been evaluated as the best study for reducing the prejudice as cont

Disabled Identity Essay Example for Free

Disabled Identity Essay The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how, from a historical perspective, media representation has impacted on the lives of people with disabilities, with a focus on facial disfigurement. A comparison between the terms ‘impairment’ and ‘disabled’ will clearly identify a difference between the concepts in terms of the medical and social models of disability. The paper will continue by analysing how negative media imagery has served to diminish the lives of people with facial disfigurement and ultimately been responsible for creating a ‘disabled identity’. Furthermore, the paper will highlight the shift from the medical model to a social model of disability, while taking into account the views and perceptions of groups of people with disabilities. It is important to consider the difference between the terms ‘impairment’ and ‘disabled’. Mason (2000) describes impairment as a characteristic, feature or attribute within an individual which is long term and may affect an individual’s appearance or affect the functioning of that individual’s mind or body, because of, or regardless of society. Mason further suggests that disabled people are those with impairments who are disabled by barriers in society. This includes people with physical impairments, people with visual impairments, people with learning difficulties and those who have experienced mental illness. The two terms ‘impairment’ and ‘disabled’ signal a difference between the concepts, in terms of the medical and social models of disability. According to Clough and Corbett (2000) the medical model points to practices which call on pathology. The model focuses on sickness, rather than health and reactive measures instead of preventative measures. Hence, under the medical model, disabled people are defined by their impairment, illness or medical condition. Open University (2006) suggest that the medical model promotes the view of a disabled person as dependent, needing to be cured or cared for. It justifies the way in which disabled people are excluded from society. Brainhe (2010) suggests that the social model is a concept which recognises that some individuals have impairments which can affect their ability to function in society. However, it is society that causes the individual to become disabled. According to Shakespear (1996) Identity is viewed by the medical model negatively as the focus in relation to disability is primarily based on adjusting, mourning and coming to terms with loss. Furthermore, identity is about belonging, what you have in common with others and how you differ from others. Conversely, the social model focuses on oppression within society and calls for change, empowering and promoting a different self-understanding. According to Changing Faces (2008) The word â€Å"disfigurement† is used to describe the aesthetic effects of a mark, rash, scar or skin graft on a person’s skin or an asymmetry or paralysis to their face or body. Furthermore, disfigurement can affect anyone in childhood or adulthood, from any ethnic group, whether it is the result of an accident, trauma, violent attack, caused by a disease such as cancer or the aftermath of a surgical procedure. Moreover, 112,000 young people in the United Kingdom have a significant facial disfigurement. Safran (1998) suggests that as a culture of mass media consumers, messages from newspapers and television impact on public attitudes towards individuals with disabilities and help shape social attitudes, through the provision of information about the nature of exceptionalities. Furthermore, encouraging social attitudes and acceptance are critical to inclusion for successful community and educational integration. Research by Bogdan (1988) indicated that during the nineteenth and twentieth century, media representation reflected the medical model of disability. Furthermore, people with disabilities have been used for entertainment and profit as human oddities and freaks for hundreds of years. Bogdan (1988) refers to two different styles of representation. The exotic mode presented the performer in a way that would ‘appeal to the spectator’s interest in the culturally strange, the primitive, the exotic’. Whereas in the Aggrandized mode of presentation, the emphasis was that despite condition, the performer was an upstanding, high status person. At the turn of the nineteenth century, audiences turned away from Freak shows, for reasons of exploitation. This resulted in isolation for the performer from society and the economy. Consequently, most performers spent the rest of their lives in institutions. Bogdan (1988, pg. 65) concluded: Freak shows disappeared because the performers had become curiosities of pathology and the scientific world. stigmatizing performers with a link to deviance. This stigma was such that visibility produced fear and repulsion and led to segregation and invisibility. According to Safran (1998) early film portrayal used disabilities to heighten the effect of slapstick comedies and melodramas, and frequently presented stereotypes of individual as victim or villain. Since 1904, wheelchairs presented a wide range of images including humor, evil, helplessness and confinement. After 1929, screenplays depicted physical disabilities. The horror film Frankenstein adapted various disabling characteristics, including motor difficulties; facial disfigurement to provoke fear (Longmore,1985). The portrayal of physical disabilities during the late 1940s was handled with greater sensitivity, spearheaded by images of returning veterans overcoming obstacles. Films such as The Best Years of Our Lives in 1946 and The Men (1950) focused appropriately on the shock of becoming disabled and accurately portrayed the rehabilitation process. During the civil rights era in the 1960s, people with physical impairments appeared in the mainstream, facing obstacles to live independently and by the late 1980s, more realistic portrayals evolved e. g. Born on the Fourth of July (1989) highlighting the trauma of coping with paralysis. In more recent years, representation of disability has been portrayed using positive images in films including My Left Foot and Gaby – A True Story (1987). However, negative themes of villainous disability continued e. g. The Fugitive (1993) which included Captain Hook imagery. According to Byrd (1989) between 1986 and 1988, sixty seven people with disabilities were portrayed in 53 of 302 films (17. 5%). More than half were victimised and less than one in five were heroes. Zola (1985) described the media as metaphorical, representing disabled people as a menace to society and victims. Bogdan et al in Safran (1998) examined the symbolism of disabilities in horror films and emphasized that portrayal of scarred, deformed and physically handicapped monsters in film, lead to a fear of people with disabilities. Furthermore, this could manifest as prejudice and unintentional social isolation. Films such as The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1923), Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) and Peter Pan (1953) exploit disabilities to create fear in the viewers as a consequence of negative imagery. Longmore (1985) examined a variety of negative themes and images across a range of films and concluded that villainous and evil characteristics are reflected in three different stereotypes; disabilities as punishment for evil, persons with disabilities as embittered by their fate, and persons with disabilities resenting able-bodied individuals whom they wish to destroy. According to Whittington-Walsh (2002) in 1932, Tod Browning made a film called Freaks which demonstrated a visual display of ‘normalcy’ of the characters, showcased by actors who were physically or mentally disabled. The film attempted to project the real oppression they experienced from socially created attitudes and stigmas. However, it was a box office disaster and banned in England for 40 years. Critics argued that it perpetuated the stereotypical image of people with disabilities as psychotic killers, seeking revenge for their disempowerment. Whittington-Walsh (2002) suggested that what truly offends and shocks audiences is not only the visibility of the actors with disabilities, but the fact that the actors had no shame in showcasing their diversity. Furthermore, it is within the criticism of Freaks where institutional rejection of human diversity is found, not in the images Brown showcased. Whittington-Walsh (2002) refers to the term idiot savant which has been linked with disability and success. This image is used by the film industry as the ‘norm’ for disability representation. Charlton (1998) in Whittington-Walsh (2002) argues that if a person with a disability is successful, they are seen to be brave or special. Films including Forest Gump, My Left Foot and Rain Man portray characters with disabilities as savants. It is argued by Charlton (1998) in Whittington-Walsh that a constant portrayal of characters as savants serves to diminish the abilities and lives of people with disabilities. Furthermore, the films discussed also include themes of isolation and pathology, which relates to the idea of a ‘cure’, as evident through a medical model way of thinking, which ultimately links disability with illness. Wardle et al (no date) presented findings which showed that broadcasters often fall into stereotypical portrayals of disfigurement, for example as reclusive, devious or villainous characters. Factual coverage can also often be overly ‘medicalised’ with documentaries presenting them as quirks of nature, abnormal or in need of surgery. Furthermore, people with facial disfigurement are rarely given a voice and are often positioned as the object of a voyeuristic gaze. Schroeder (1998) notes, to gaze implies more than to look at it signifies a psychological relationship of power, in which the gazer is superior to the object of the gaze (Schroeder, 1998). Wardle et al(no date) suggests that issues such as stigma are generally neglected for the sake of programmes which focus on unusual or extraordinary disfigurements, in order to attract high viewing figures. Goffman (1968) describes stigma as a physical or social attribute or mark that devalues a person’s social identity which consequently disqualifies them from complete social acceptance. Furthermore, stigmatized groups include ethnic minorities, the physically handicapped and the facially disfigured. Moreover, although there are face to face differences between the groups, there is a common thread relating to obstacles, prejudice and discrimination. It is evident through research conducted by Wardle et al (no date) that recent understandings of disability have shifted to the social model largely due to disability rights movement. This movement was the start of developmental changes within society and to further support disabled people to gain equal social status and to eliminate oppression and discrimination. In addition, The Disability Discrimination Act emerged. Disability activists acknowledge ‘difference’ but identify the problem as societies who are unable to adapt in order to accommodate difference, rather than the individual who has the disability. The research concluded that both audiences with and without disfigurement wanted more every day, informed and balanced coverage. In interview, Margaret, 58, revealed that she had been disfigured for 54 years, but had never seen or read anything which portrays a positive image of a disfigured woman. Wardle, et al,no date) Norden et al (2007) suggests that in television and film there is evidence that representation is gradually undergoing a process of change which reflects social change. However, according to Wardle et al (no date) while the traditional side show context largely died out in the nineteenth century, the impulse to look/curiosity and fascination and the spectacle of disabled bodies are still evident in modern media coverage. Cumberbatch and Negrine (1992). carried out a study which highlighted that factual programming did represent disabled people and 16% of all factual programmes included disabled people. Lucas (2003) who was diagnosed with a rare genetic condition called Cherubism discusses her appearance on a television programme called What Are You Staring At? This is a BBC documentary on the subject of facial disfigurement. She reflects on her personal decision not to have plastic surgery and why she felt it important that society should consider prejudice towards people with disfigurement, rather than just concentrating on trying to fix or cure disfigured faces. To put it simply, my attitude was Yeah, lets look at the medical options and if people want surgery, thats fine. But lets also look at building up their self-esteem. Wouldn’t it be nice if we also worked at making a more tolerant society too? Lucas (2003) Lucas (2003) suggested that it is not her face that is the problem, but peoples prejudices. Furthermore she feels that we live in a society that says physical difference is bad and beauty is good. But this has resulted in disfigured and disabled people being treated like second class citizens because their bodies are different and they are seen as less than human. Moreover, societal ideals that cause us to question self image are nothing more than learned traditions and customs passed down through generations. According to Erin (2005) in KASA( 2012) who suffers from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome; typical stereotypes that characters in the media fulfill and have been fulfilling for decades on end, disabled innocence (Tiny Tim), disabled inspiration (Helen Keller), and disabled evil (Captain Hook). Furthermore, unfortunately still today, few movies seem to contain the element of disability at the end. The movie usually concludes with the character with being cured or dying, leading the viewer to the assumption that life with a disability can in no way be rewarding or fulfilling. Moreover, most media representation in unrealistic in relation to portrayal of life with a disability. Falsehoods regarding disabilities are spoon fed to society today, only to be regurgitated as ridiculous pressures on individuals with disabilities to conform to a misleading societal standard of beauty†¦ So just how has over a century of media lies and scattered truths affected us as disabled individuals? Is our self perception warped and self esteem damaged as a result of false images and stereotypes? †¦(Erin, 2005 in KASA, 2012) McEachran (2012) who has a facial disfigurement (non malignant growth on one side of his face) reflects on a recent episode of Top Gear, where TV presenter Jeremy Clarkson compared the size of a Japanese car to people with growths on their faces; mimicking Joseph Merrick (the Elephant Man) in the process: â€Å"You know sometimes you meet someone and they have a growth on their face and it is bigger than their face†¦ one of those really ugly things†. McEachran (2012) strongly believes that the crass remarks from Clarkson has reignited the stereotypes and phenotypes that have been socially and culturally constructed around the fallacy that there is a difference between a ‘figured face’ (whatever that means) and a ‘disfigured face’. Furthermore, TV and film are partly responsible for making disfigurements be seen as something unapproachable and not aesthetic to look at. Pearson (2012) was born with Neurofibromatosis. A rare condition that caused benign growths to grow on his head and face). He recently took part in the channel 4 programme; ‘Beauty and the Beast –Ugly Face of Prejudice’, in order to convince people to see beyond the exterior and judge others by their characters rather than their appearance. This paper has highlighted that representations of disfigurement in the media have changed dramatically over the past three centuries and consequently, has been responsible for some c hange in relation to societal attitudes. Television has been responsible for making the invisible, visible, as evidenced through more recent programmes, where people with facial disfigurements have been given the opportunity to give an insight into their lives and ultimately portray a more positive identity, while attempting to break down negative, stereotypical perceptions. Reflection In my early childhood, I remember becoming friends with a girl, Emma, whose face and body was predominately covered with red/purple marking. She walked with a visible limb and had a curled and deformed hand. I innocently asked why she had these ‘differences’ and she told me that they were just birth marks and that I couldn’t catch them by being her friend. Our friendship continued for many years and after that point, I never thought about her as ‘different’ and accepted her for who she was, my lovely friend. I now realise that this perception was through a child’s eyes because as a young woman my attitude changed. I began to experience a deep sense of pity for people with disabilities, particularly in relation to facial disfigurement and this was prevalent prior to completing the module. I feel that this pity may be a result of my own insecurities, and lack of confidence, as well as the realization that I don’t believe I would have the coping strategies to deal with a facial disfigurement. Furthermore, I have been drawn in by media portrayal of what ‘beauty’ looks like. Throughout the module, my perceptions have completely changed after listening to the experiences of people with facial disfigurement. I now consider that beauty comes from within and having a facial disfigurement should not have negative implications. I agree with Lucas (2003) that learned traditions and customs are passed down through generations. Consequently, educating children from a young age about impairments could have a profound impact on the way people with impairments are perceived in the future. I believe that with knowledge and understanding comes power, resulting in a more positive approach to disability, achievable through education and as a result passed on to other generations, ultimately challenging the term ‘disabled identity’.

Types Of Tree Diagrams

Types Of Tree Diagrams Total quality management is the philosophy of management for continuous improvement in term of quality in the process and the products. To implement the total quality management, it have several tool that can be used by the person who want to implement the total quality management. One of the tool is tree diagram. The definition of tree diagram is the graphical or diagram tool that systematically break down, and then mapped in detail in growing, all components or elements of the situation, phenomenon, process, or condition at the stage of succession. It also used when to make the calculations of probabilities and to make the decision. By using tree diagram also, the description of the problem can be seen in more clearly. Tree diagram know as systematic diagram, analytical tree, hierarchy diagram and tree analysis. It called systematic diagram because of the systematically map all the details related to a problem or project. That way it helps to achieve the ultimate goal and every goal related sub-issues under study. This is also called Dendrogram as the word dendro in Greek mean tree. The tree diagram starts with a node or item is divided into two or more branches, then each branch will be divide into two or more. With the branches of the tree it will look like a tree. Thats why its called a tree diagram. It is used to break down the big categories or problem into the smaller categories/problem with a more detailed level. By making a tree diagram, it helps us to think thoughts of a move to a move from general to more specific. Type of tree diagram Tree diagram have several different types. The types are : Cause and effect tree diagram Y to x tree diagram Functional tree diagram Abstraction tree diagram Each of the tree diagram has a core and strength which can be surprisingly challenging to capture when a project team tried to build one or more of them. Diagrams have enough similarities in the required data and building process that the team can tangle them up a little potentially dulling results. The table below outlines each type of tree diagram, providing information which helps differentiate the trees by style and function. Cause-and-Effect Tree Diagram Y-to-x Tree Diagram Functional Tree Diagram Abstraction Tree Diagram Application Uncover root causes that are actionable to change the problematic effect. Identify and classify factors (independent variables) that may drive an important results variable. Identifiy general and specific functionality that operates inconcert in a product or process. The tree structure helps check for completeness and reports the analysis in ways that can hide or expose details appropriate to different audiences. Distill fragments of data to find messages and themes that are not evident in raw data by itself. Tree powerfully and succinctly reports the insights derived by the team constructing it. Starting Point A documented effect A results measure (dependent variable) One or more functions delivered by a product or process Facts that answer a theme question Construction Top Down: Starting with the effect, asking why in a nested and branching pattern to surface fundamental causes. Top Down: Asking the question, What factors may drive changes in the measure at the current node? From Top, Middle or Bottom: Organizing a group of connected functions from the general view to the detailed view. Bottom Up: Understanding and grouping factual answers to a theme question using rules of abstraction. Discovering and reporting themes that may have been evident in raw data. Node Wording Describes factual situations without ambiguity Describes factors (variables) that can change value Uses positive, active verbs to describe the nodes functionality Uses factual report language, free of judgment, emotion or inference Cause-and-Effect Tree Diagrams Cause and effect diagram is easy and effective. But sometimes when we have a lot of causes, when a deeper analysis is required for each source individually, the best way to manage by making as tree diagram. Figure 3: Another Pitfall Branches That Do Not Answer the Why Example of Cause and Effect Tree Diagram Y-to-x Tree Diagram A Y-to-x tree diagram starts with an important decision step (Y) and ask the question, What are the factors drive this Y? Although it is not really different from the question of cause and effect, the thrust and content of this tree diagram wants to be distinctly different. Each node in the tree diagram must describe steps or factors that can take different valuesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹. Factors that could describe the steps that is diversified in continuous (such as time and capacity) for category (such as small, medium and large) but they all have to explain the steps. Although the spirit of inquiry is the same in each of these cases, by raising questions about the driving factors, the Y-to-x tree diagram interpreting to different languages à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹Ãƒ ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã¢â‚¬ ¹in the node label, and it led to a different types of a lower level outcome or results, with x identified. Each node should define steps that factors which can take different values Figure 5: Section of Y-to-x Flowdown Tree for a Medical Device Example of Y-to-x tree diagram Functional Tree Diagrams It can be used to develop administrative functions. In this tree diagram type, it can be split as follows :- Target circumstances to work in every department Describe the purpose of the work. This will bring on the findings a new approach for work, facilitating the improvement and ultimately achieve departmental objectives. This will help to improve administrative structure of itself. Functional tree diagram also used as an engineering method dates back, with verbs are always be used to accurately describe the function. More recently, object-oriented mindset has developed use cases that extend the use of (still focused on verb) to the software and business systems. Example of Functional Tree Diagram A functional tree diagram it is easier to read and study if every node label focusing on the positive, active verb (such as measured, gathering or read). If a team slipped into the label describing the steps or where or how the function occurs, leaders need to pull the team back to the easier verb discipline. Abstraction Tree Diagrams (KJ or Affinity) A KJ (language of processing tool named after its creator, namely Jiro Kawakita) or properly performed affinity diagram to organize the facts in a hierarchy like a tree. Unique among other trees tools that are considered here because they are built from the bottom to the top, abstraction rules apply KJ discover and articulate key messages on the tree diagram. Some of the concepts or themes that may distill meaning is not immediately obvious when looking at the facts much lower. Figure 8: Section of KJ Diagram (Abstraction Tree) Example Abstraction Tree Diagram . When to Use a Tree Diagram When assigned tasks instead of tasks we always do and requires a thorough understanding of or attention and careful planning before we do. When problems or things to be resolved is in a large scope and we need to solve in detail and in-depth such as in producing a new product or concept to achieve the aims and objectives. When developing the solution or an action to conduct other plans. When reviewing and related analysis process in-depth and detail. When want to find the causes and the solution to a problem or error. When assessing or examining issues related to the Implementation of some or all of which maybe can be the solution to the problem. After the affinity diagram or relationship diagram has been successful in identifying significant issues or cause problems. As a tool to be used during the presentation in detail and depth to others. Tree Diagram Procedure Make or create goals, vision or planning projects or whatever is being studied or research. List and write at the top of the list and write (for vertical tree diagram) or far off of the work surface (for horizontal tree diagram). Ask a question that will lead you to the next level of detail. For example: For a goal, action plan or work breakdown structure: What tasks must be done to accomplish this? or How can this be accomplished? For root-cause analysis: What causes this? or Why does this happen? For gozinto chart: What are the components? (Gozinto literally comes from the phrase What goes into it? Brainstorm all possible answers. If an affinity diagram or relationship diagram has been done previously, ideas may be taken from there. Write each idea in a line below (for a vertical tree) or to the right of (for a horizontal tree) the first statement. Show links between the tiers with arrows. Do a necessary and sufficient check. Are all the items at this level necessary for the one on the level above? If all the items at this level were present or accomplished, would they be sufficient for the one on the level above? Each of the new idea statements now becomes the subject: a goal, objective or problem statement. For each one, ask the question again to uncover the next level of detail. Create another tier of statements and show the relationships to the previous tier of ideas with arrows. Do a necessary and sufficient check for each set of items. Continue to turn each new idea into a subject statement and ask the question. Do not stop until you reach fundamental elements: specific actions that can be carried out, components that are not divisible, root causes. Do a necessary and sufficient check of the entire diagram. Are all the items necessary for the objective? If all the items were present or accomplished, would they be sufficient for the objective? Tree Diagram Example The Pearl River, NY School District, a 2001 recipient of the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, uses a tree diagram to communicate how district-wide goals are translated into sub-goals and individual projects. They call this connected approach The Golden Thread. The district has three fundamental goals. The first, to improve academic performance, is partly shown in the figure below. District leaders have identified two strategic objectives that, when accomplished, will lead to improved academic performance: academic achievement and college admissions. Tree Diagram Example Tree Diagram Example Lag indicators are long-term and results-oriented. The lag indicator for academic achievement is Regents diploma rate: the percent of students receiving a state diploma by passing eight Regents exams. Lead indicators are short-term and process-oriented. Starting in 2000, the lead indicator for the Regents diploma rate was performance on new fourth and eighth grade state tests. Finally, annual projects are defined, based on cause-and-effect analysis, that will improve performance. In 2000-2001, four projects were accomplished to improve academic achievement. Thus this tree diagram is an interlocking series of goals and indicators, tracing the causes of systemwide academic performance first through high school diploma rates, then through lower grade performance, and back to specific improvement projects. Excerpted from Nancy R. Tagues The Quality Toolbox, Second Edition, ASQ Quality Press, 2004, pages 501-504. A tree diagram is an illustration which generally displays all possible outcomes from one root event or how all of its components are related to one another. When thinking in terms of genealogy, a tree diagram would ideally start with one couple, then branch to their children, then on to their grandchildren and so on. In terms of science or mathematics, these diagrams show all possible results which may stem from one compound or event. Even in subjects like history or English, a tree diagram may be used to show how events or ideas connect to one another. Using a tree diagram in subjects like history may display events and related outcomes in a way in which students understand and remember easier. It is said that 60 percent of the population are visual learners, so diagrams such as these may not only help the individual students, but also aid in overall classroom performance. Other subjects like science and math may use this type of diagram for much the same reason, but diagrams in these subjects tend to show possibilities as well as relationships. The tree diagram may be used in many industries as well. Companies might create a decision diagram to explore the likely benefits and disadvantages of financial ventures before taking any risk. They can outline future paths to reach certain goals easily as well. Medical professionals sometimes create a tree diagram to explain a certain groups risk of disease based on lifestyles, genetics, and other factors. Genetic engineers can even use these diagrams to predict the outcomes of different couplings within the plant, animal, and even human kingdoms. There are even software programs available which create tree diagrams for different purposes. The user may put in a stem occurrence and the number of results he or she wants the program to return. Then the program can quickly analyze the potentialities and build a tree diagram from them. Some programs can even calculate and display the likelihood of each result, such as whether its more likely a couple will have a blue-eyed child or a brown-eyed one. A tree diagram shows how the elements in it are related or how one action or event might end. They are considered a safe way to assess risk and may even be used as a teaching tool. They are most effective when used as a general guideline, as they generally cannot allow for unforeseen variables.