Anorexia Essays - Eating Disorders, Psychiatry, Behavioural Sciences

Anorexia In today's society, we often hear of people who suffer daily from illnesses such as cancer, AIDS, obsessive-compulsive disorder, phobias, tuberculosis, downs syndrome and many other types of illness both communicable and non-communicable. What about the illness that consumes the life of over eight million Americans, 90% being women? "Anorexia nervosa, in medicine a condition characterized by intense fear of gaining weight or becoming obese, as well as a distorted body image, leading to an excessive weight loss from restricting food intake and excessive exercise. Anorexia nervosa is not associated with any preexisting physical illness. It is found chiefly in adolescents, especially young women." 1 Anorexia nervosa, according to psychologists is a mental disorder: "psychological and behavioral syndromes that deviate significantly from those typical of human beings enjoying good mental health. In general, a mental disorder involves present distress or impairment in important areas of functions."2 The illness is brought on by many elements, mainly negative feelings towards ones appearance, low self-esteem, depression, the need and want to compete in a sport and be number one, and the need to strive for perfection. Women today are greatly affected by the need to look perfect. What woman doesn't want to look like Cindy Crawford, Christy Turlington, Brooke Shields or Naiomi Campbell (just to name a few)? According to a recent survey in GLAMOUR magazine, not many. The survey shows that out of 33,000 females who participated 85% were not Chambers 2 happy with their body and overall appearance. Women of our generation suffer from the impacts of having a poor body image, and would go to any lengths to get the look of the latest cover girl model. The results of this trend, although good for the distributors of diet pills, fad foods and the so-called miracle drinks, are destroying the young women of America. What may start out to be a simple diet can quickly turn into a deadly illness. A dieter who starts by skipping a meal once and a while will slowly begin to fade away, the illness starts off showing promising results with visible rapid weight loss, but quickly becomes fatal. The disease is on the rise amongst athletes, both men and women " Eating disorders originate in the mind, and like any disease of deception, they are difficult to escape."3 It is for this very reason that athletes are so susceptible to the illness. Their minds tell them that in order to be the best, they need to look the best and in order to look the best they have to be as thin as possible. The illness is extremely common in gymnastics, and this can be clearly seen in the case of a young women named Christy Henrich whose life recently fell short when anorexia took over her mind, body and soul and won. At the young age of twenty-two she died of multiple organ failure, weighing in at only sixty-one pounds. According to Dr. David McKinsey, "a person passes the point of no return, and then, no matter how aggressive the care is, it doesn't work. The major problem is a severe lack of fuel. The person becomes so malnourished that the liver doesn't work, the kidneys don't work, and neither do the muscles. The cells no longer function." 4 Even though her weight showed an improvement from just 47 pounds at the time of her discharge from a previous medical center, to 61 pounds at the time of Chambers 3 admittance to Research Medical Center in Kansas her body just could not handle the complications from all the years of abuse. She was pushed to hard by her coach, and the want to be the perfect gymnast, and it took her life " Eating Disorders are easily the gravest health problems facing female athletes, and they affect not just gymnasts, but also swimmers, distance runners, tennis and volleyball players, divers, and figure skaters. According to the American College of Sports Medicine, as many as 62% of females competing in "appearance"sports (like figure skating and gymnastics) and endurance sports suffer from an eating disorder."

DIEGO RIVERA AN ARTIST essays

DIEGO RIVERA AN ARTIST essays My artist name is Diego Rivera he is a Mexican painter who produced murals on social themes and who ranks one of my countries greatest artists. He was born in Guanajuato and educated at the San Carlos Academy of Fine Arts , in Mexico City. he studied painting in Europe between 1907 and 1921, becoming familiar with the innovative cubist forms of the French painter Paul Cezanne and Pablo Picasso. In 1921 Riviera returned to Mexico and took a prominent part in revival of mural painting initiated by artists and sponsored by the government . Believing that art should serve the working people and be readily available to them , he concentrated on painting large frescoes, concerning the history and social problems of Mexico, on the walls of public buldings.His works during 1930s included frescoes the Ministry of Educational Mexico City and in the National Rivera was an active member of the Mexican Communist party , and he painted murals in the National Palace , Mexico City 1929, and the Palace Cortes , Cuernavaca1930 .In 1929 Riviera married Frida Kahlo who is now considered to have been a leading 20th century Mexican I think what I like the most the murals that he painted I liked how he drew the Indian people their faces the scenery , the palace and his style. Riviera's murals are rich in archeological detail and painted in sharply outlined , linear style. Most of them have clear , three dimensional figures in a shallow space , although a deep spatial extension of landscape appears at the top of some works . Rivera also executed easel paintings and portraits and designed and built his Mexico City house , the Anahuacalli, which is now a museum housing the extensive collection of pre-Columbian art that he left for Mexican people . I liked the water colors that Riviera used for the murals and the way he painted ...

Supply, Demand and Elasticity Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Supply, Demand and Elasticity - Essay Example It is used as a starting point to much more advanced economic models and theories. Supply is "the quantity that producers are willing to sell at a given price." (Supply and Demand, 2006). Supply depends on the market price of the good and the production costs. Demand, on the other hand, is "the quantity of a good that consumers are not only willing to purchase but also have the capacity to buy at the given price." (Supply and Demand, 2006). It depends on the willingness to buy according to the price of the good, the level of income of the buyer, personal tastes, the price of substitute and complementary goods. There are mathematical methods to show the relationship between supply and demand such as equations and graphs. The mathematical methods are used to get a better understanding between the sellers and the buyers. The following is a simple graph of supply and demand curves: The slope of the supply curve is upwards to the right and it means that as the price goes up, the producer will be willing to produce more. The slope of the demand curve is downwards to the right and it means that a greater quantity of goods will be demanded when the price goes down. The point where the supply and the demand curves intersect is the equilibrium point. When the demand curve shifts, we have the following graph: In the case that more buyers want to buy some goods, the quantity demanded at all prices will tend to increase. The increase in demand can happen due to changes in taste. This can be "represented on the graph as the curve being shifted right, because at each price point, a greater quantity is demanded. () Conversely, if the demand decreases, the opposite happens." (Supply and Demand, 2006). When the supply curve shifts, we have the following graph: In the case that the seller's costs change, then the supply curve will shift. "Notice that in the case of a supply curve shift, the price and the quantity move in opposite directions. () Conversely, if the quantity supplied decreases, the opposite happens." (Supply and Demand, 2006). In some cases the supply curve is vertical: it means that the quantity supplied is fixed, no matter what the market price. A clear example of this case is the amount of land in the world that can be considered to be fixed. Elasticity Wikipedia defines elasticity in the following way: "In economics, elasticity is the ratio of the incremental percentage change in one variable with respect to an incremental percentage change in another variable." (Elasticity, 2006). This is very important concept in order to understand the behaviour of supply and demand in the market. There are different kinds of elasticity. There is arch elasticity which calculates the elasticity over a range of values. There is also point elasticity which uses differential calculus. In general, elasticity is a measure of relative changes in supply and demand reflected on price in the market. An example of elasticity happens we it is considered to know what happens to the buyer's demand for a product when prices increase. Buyers will usually buy less of that product, they can consume it less or they can substitute it for another product. "The greater

Policy and practice in the education of bilingual children Essay

Policy and practice in the education of bilingual children - Essay Example Educators must observe the following key principles in teaching foreign children. First, bilingualism is an asset instead of a liability for children who know more than one other language other than their mother tongue or primary language. Baker (2006) contends that evidence supports that there are cognitive and performance advantages in being bilingual over being monolingual. Another principle to be remembered by educators is that language learners should be kept cognitively challenged with the continuous provision of linguistic and contextual support. Lastly, the acquisition of another language should go hand in hand with the student’s cognitive and academic development within the same school environment and the student would not need outside support. This implies that the school curriculum is already embedded with these language learning principles. School Observation One school was observed regarding its adherence to the policies set by the â€Å"Rationale for Planning fo r Children Learning English as an Additional Language† document as well as analyse its practices with theories on bilingual education. The school looked like a typical one when one enters it. No welcome procedures were observed nor signs around the school seen in relation to the cultural composition or languages of the students or teachers. However, towards the entrance of the main building, a bulletin board on Black History Month was on display. This was the only piece of evidence in the campus that showed recognition of another culture. As one enters the Year 1 Key Stage 1 classroom, the same generic ambience was observed. Children were grouped into various groups according to their ability levels. On the wall near the teacher’s desk is a list of pupils’ literacy levels indicated with pictures of fruits. For example, the low ability group belonged to the grape group. The middle ability group belonged to the banana group and the high ability group belonged to th e apple group. The same was done with numeracy levels. However, these were represented by shapes. For example, the low ability levels for numeracy belonged to the triangle group, the middle ability level in the square group and the high ability level in the circle group. These groupings were for the mainstream students. The EAL learners and SEN learners belonged to another group. A special corner for learning another language featured pictures of different body parts with words in Spanish. For example, a picture of eyes with the Spanish word eyes, â€Å"Ojos† underneath. Also, there were words displayed in Spanish and translated in English such as â€Å"Good morning†, â€Å"Good afternoon†, â€Å"Hello†, â€Å"Goodbye† and so forth. However, there were no EAL books nor books with any other language except English seen in the book corner. Other adornments on the walls include different pictures of children’s actions with the words indicating the actions such as good listening, eyes looking, lips closed, sitting with their legs crossed. These pictures represented good behaviour as indicated with a thumbs-up picture. For EAL students, such visual aids are graphic

Freud and Neuroses Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Freud and Neuroses - Essay Example According to psychodynamic theory, neurosis, are the manifestations of one's attempts to ignore unconscious conflicts (Ricker 2006). Prior to Freud doctors and analysts believed that neuroses - metal disorders like depression, excessive anxiety were due to heredity. However, detailed investigations led Freud to believe that it was the malfunction of sexual instincts of childhood or adulthood that was at the bottom of neuroses, "there are grounds for regarding the neurosis as an acquired one, careful enquiry directed to that end reveals that a set of noxae and influences from sexual life are the operative aetiological factors" (Standard Edition, 1905 3: 99). Though some causes like emotional imbalances, physical tiredness, and stressful mishaps, other acute illnesses were more prominent, they were only secondary reasons for neurosis. According to Fine (1962) "Freud's thought in the 1890's centers around one major clinical observation: Neurosis involves a defense against unbearable ide as." (p.12) Using the concept of inner conflict, which is central to all psychoanalysis, Freud observed two distinct processes, the dominant one that propelled towards immediate release, and the other secondary one that tried to keep things under check and control; these he later named as 'ego and id' (Fine, 1962:13). Freud states that, "The tension between the harsh super-ego and the ego that is subjected to it, is called by us the sense of guilt; it expresses itself as a need for punishment" (Civilization and Its Discontents, 1962: 70). Fine observes the accuracy of Freud's analyses as "the primary and secondary processes, the main trend and the compromise trend of the nervous system, the two biological rules of attention and defense, the indications of quality, reality, and thought, the state of the psycho-sexual group, the sexual determination of repression, and, finally, the factors determining consciousness as a perceptual function" (Fine, 1962:10). The essay titled "Sexual Aberrations" in the three essays that explicate Freud's The Theory of Sexuality (1905) states that "the tension" created by the conflict, was "to be relieved the libido needs an object" and the object may be anything, including "male and female genitals" (Fordham, 1992:11-12). The ego is introduced through the introduction of an inner conflict - which sets in motion the 'anxiety'. In neurotics however, when the vision of the object is lost, it is perceived as the loss of the object itself, the imaginary sense of loss is thus, slightly more exaggerated. Which loss becomes 'unbearable'; ego is able to keep alive this perceived loss in short, he explored the conflict as two sides with the defense idea on one side and the 'unbearable' idea on the other. And from his investigations he understood that the 'unbearable' idea mostly involved the past of the neurotic patient, rather than a happening of the present (Fine, 1962:10). Repression and Hysteria Fordham observes that, "Freud had extensive evidence from the psychoanalysis of the neuroses, especially hysteria and the obsessional neuroses, in which he discovered the so-called perversions that had become repressed." (1998:12). Furthermore, for Freud, the concept of "repression," was very important to his

A transaction cost analysis of the apparel industry

A transaction cost analysis of the apparel industry The gradual integration of global economic markets bears many challenges for companies which continuously attempt to adjust to changes in their business environment in providing value to customers. In many industries and in particular the apparel industry the supply chains through which firms operate have become increasingly dispersed and global (Gereffi, 1999). With post crisis consumer spending still unstable and cotton prices  [1]  having increased by more than 160% since March 2010 (see figure 2 in Appendix E) apparel retailers see their margins eroding. Simultaneously, short product life cycles, volatile consumer preferences and fierce competition on price and quality through an increased availability of low cost manufacturing  [2]  make it difficult for retailers to sustain a competitive advantage. Since the 1990s, many retailers have shifted the arena of competition to timing and know-how or simply put on supply chain management in trying to reduce the risk of mark downs, stock-outs and high inventory levels inherent in the supply chain (Hammond Kelly, 1991, p. 1; Richardson, 1996, pp. 400-401). It is a general opinion that it would be optimal in terms of cost and flexibility for retailers to source apparel from independent suppliers likely in low-cost countries. This seems to be valid for the mom-and-pop stores around the corner as well as for two of the worlds largest apparel retailers The Gap and HM. At the same time, we see Zara and Benetton who partially produce merchandise at company-owned factories located in Spain and Italy, Eastern Europe, Tunisia, India respectively. This is striking for two reasons: one, the production cost in Europe are higher than in most East Asian economies  [3]  towards where much of global apparel manufacturing has shifted (Gereffi, 1999). Second, vertical integration is perceived to be a burden in an environment that requires a high degree of operational flexibility (Richardson, 1996). So why is it that those firms break with the rule of contracting out all production (CNN.com, 2001) that has developed over the past decades? In this paper, I will analyze the motives and strategies that determine a retailers sourcing decision. Although the sourcing strategy defines both, the location and the organizational entity  [4]  , the focus of this composition is to explain why HM and Gap outsource production while Zara and Benetton are vertically integrated into apparel manufacturing. In explaining vertical integration economic theory has considered different aspects: the neoclassical theory turns to efforts of firms to mitigate inefficiencies caused by market power [] or enhance market power within the vertical chain (Joskow, 2006, p. 1). From an organizational perspective, the approach adopted here, transaction cost economics (TCE) ties production, coordination and motivation costs to the various forms of organizations economic agents attempt to minimize. I will explain the basic trade-off underlying the decision of vertical integration, review the origins of TCE and introduce a framework by Oliver Williamson. Williamsons framework focuses on measuring the risk of opportunistic behaviour The analysis of the apparel industry shows that the risk of expropriation is mainly driven by the Sourcing has become a central process in the context of coroporate functions (guericini) Fashion industry shows different approaches To be analyzed in terms of efficiency and transaction costs Is there an optimal governance structure How have they changed over time What are the implications and drawbacks to the theory How will this be in the future Using case studies Implications for validity of TC Is it a matter of choice or a matter of searching for the unique best way? Vertical integration and its determinants Vertical integration and the make or buy trade-off A vertically integrated firm performs subsequent steps along its vertical chain defined as the process that begins with the acquisition of raw materials and ends with a sale (Besanko, Dranove, Shanley, 2000, p. 109) internally. Those internally performed activities define the vertical boundary of a firm. The vertical chain in the apparel industry is illustrated in Figure 1 and described in more detail in Appendix D. Figure : The vertical chain in the apparel industry Source: self-made diagram, based on Besanko et al. (2000) and Milgrom Roberts (1992) In mapping a firms boundary a useful criterion is the degree of flexibility and authority of a firm to make investments, product-mix and employment decisions at the relevant stage (Richardson, 1996, p. 403). This is in line with Hart Grossmann (1986) who define a firm to consist of those assets that it owns or over which it has control. The choice of performing an activity inside the firm is often called a make or buy decision. At the extreme end of buying an input, parties use anonymous market contracting (Joskow P. J., 1988, p. 101) and may not engages in further transactions. Contrary, vertical integration substitutes the contractual exchange through an internal process. For further use the form of organizing a transaction is called governance structure. In determining the optimal governance structure organizational based theories help to link respective costs and benefits of organizing a transaction. According to TCE a firm must weigh technical, coordination and motivation cost in defining its vertical boundaries. A firm operates technically efficient if it is using a cost-minimizing production process. This can be achieved through making investments in technology and engineering or sourcing from external suppliers who are specialized on the production of that input. Organizational efficiency refers to the minimization of coordination, motivation costs and the risk of opportunistic behaviour (Besanko, Dranove, Shanley, 2000). Through vertical integration a firm benefits from the authority to settle conflicts, control over the production and information process as well as stronger team incentives. Potential costs of vertical integration arise from a lack of competitive pressure and thus a potential lack of innovation, lower economie s of scale in production, more bureaucracy, the risk of bad management decisions  [5]  leading to tied resources in possibly inefficient processes and coordination efforts to align interests among business divisions. The market has benefits from competitive pressure on the firms operating in the market, economies of scale facilitated by the possibility of demand pooling, technological efficiency since firms are specialists and the possibility of freely choosing a supplier. Costs of a market transaction are higher coordination efforts, misaligned incentives between trading parties and inefficiencies arising from opportunistic behaviour (Besanko, Dranove, Shanley, 2000; Perry, 1989; Milgrom Roberts, 1992: Joskow, 2006). According to Ronald Coase and Oliver Williamson considered to be the pioneers in the field of TCE the main determinant causing frictions between parties involved in a transaction is the risk of expropriation by trading parties. In the next section I will review their work in the field of TCE and introduce Williamsons framework which I will use in section 5 to analyze the apparel industry. Williamsons transaction cost framework The origin of transaction cost economics Ronald Coases motivation was to explain why firms would obtain a product from the market when it can produce the product itself. Coase saw the mechanisms for allocating resources as substitutes He criticized the view that resource allocation through the market works itself (Coase, 1937, p. 387) and the lacking concept for the existence of firms ince he saw the different resource allocation mechanisms as substitutes, not as complements. Coase focused on the exchange mechanism of a good, a transaction, which can either occur in the market or within a firm. His main contribution was the incorporation of costs linked to organizing a transaction into the analysis of vertical integration (Coase, 1988b, p. 17). The comparative costs of organizing a transaction would determine the optimal governance structure. First, when organizing a transaction in the market a firm has to bear search cost in looking for relevant suppliers and prices. Negotiating over the terms of exchange and writing contracts particularly when dealing with several suppliers and multiple transactions bear cost. These marketing costs eventually become larger than the costs of coordinating transactions internally (Coase, 1937, pp. 390-391). Second, Coase identified costs corresponding to diminishing returns to management (Coase, 1937, p. 395). With an increasing number of transaction organized within the firm, the entrepreneur struggles to allocate resources to projects with highest payoffs. Simply put, the internal organization bears the cost of bureaucracy that must be weighed against transaction costs. Consequently, a firm expands its vertical scope until the costs of using the market equal the cost of internal organiza tion. The framework Oliver Williamson, Oliver Hart and other economists used the insight that firms are economizing on the sum of production and transaction costs (Williamson O. , 1979, p. 245) and expanded this notion to a context where organizations adapt efficiently to the ever-changing circumstances of the moment (Hayek, 1945, p. 523). They focused on opportunistic behaviour and its effects on ex ante incentives and ex post performance as the main determinant for vertical integration whereas Coase saw ink costs (Klein Murphy, 1997, p. 419) arising from searching a price and writing a contract as the limiting force on the use of the market (Joskow P. J., 2006, pp. 2-3). In understanding opportunistic behaviour it helps to illustrate the definition of appropriable quasi rents by Klein, Crawford Alchian (1978): The quasi-rent value of the asset is the excess of its value over [] its value in its next best use to another renter: assume firm A owns a production asset and provides B with a service at a price of à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ 5,000 (Bs maximum willingness to pay). Assume that a third firm C with a maximum willingness to pay of à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ 3,500 is also interested in obtaining the service from A. Now, firm B would try to lower the price down to à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ 3,500 by threatening to terminate the relationship with A. The price difference of à ¢Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ã‚ ¬ 1,500 is the appropriable portion of the quasi rent that firm B will try to extract from A  [6]  (Klein, Crawford, Alchian, 1978, p. 298). This is a simplistic example for the hold-up risk that can arise in a market transaction. The presence of opportunistic behaviour relies on two behavioural assumptions. First, economic agents are simultaneously subject to bounded rationality  [7]  . Agents are incapable to consider and specify all contingencies that might arise after engaging in a contractual relationship. As a result, incomplete contracts are the first best results. At the same time, it might be too costly for the two parties to write a contract specifying all foreseeable contingencies since ex post alterations would be costly. The second assumption is that agents behave opportunistically and try to extract a maximum of rents from their trading partners (Williamson O. E., 1981, pp. 553-554) Williamson developed a framework which explains a firms governance structure based on variations in the importance of asset specificity, uncertainty, product complexity, and the constraints of repeat purchase activity (Joskow P. J., 1988, p. 101). These attributes measure the risk of opportunistic behaviour in a trading relationship. Asset specificity measures the difference between the value of an asset in its pre-specified use and in its next best use outside the trading relation. It basically indicates whether there are large fixed investments [that are] specialized to a particular transaction (Williamson O. E., 1981, p. 555). An asset which has been modified and designed for a particular transaction leads to a lower outside value of the asset, creates higher appropriable rents and hence leaves more room for ex post opportunism  [8]  . This is what Williamson called physical asset specificity. Site specificity deals with the mobility aspects of an asset. Once an asset has been positioned and installed there are costs of modification or removal. The trading partners try to economize on inventory and transportation expenses when successive stations are located in a cheek-by-jowl relation to each other (Williamson O. E., 1981, p. 555)  [9]  . Last, human asset specificity arises when workers develop knowledge which is idiosyncratic to a transaction. Williamson calls this training and learning-by-doing economies (Williamson O. , 1979, p. 240) . Thus, with an increasing degree of relationship-specific attributes of a transaction, it becomes more costly for trading parties to terminate their relationship such that they are locked-in to the transaction (Williamson O. E., 1981, p. 555). Hence a firm might want to protect itself from opportunistic behaviour by vertically integrating. Of the other transactional attributes, complexity and uncertainty work in the same direction as asset specificity whereas frequency puts a constraint on the degree of vertical integration that a firm might choose. A transaction might simply occur too seldom that the cost of setting up a governance structure is greater than the risk of using the market. To review, the transaction cost framework predicts that with an increasing asset specificity, complexity and uncertainty, the optimal governance structure will move from a spot market transaction, to an intermediate solution and finally to vertical integration  [10]  . (ZITATE Raus) Methodology, value, implications and limitations In this paper I am using TCE to analyse the trade-off between differing governance structures of four companies in apparel retailing by using a qualitative approach to measure the different dimensions of a transaction. I have dismissed the neoclassical theory in analyzing the apparel industry since it defines vertical integration as a strategic response to market imperfections  [11]  treating firms like a black box (Hart, 1988, p. 120). The empirics of the neoclassical theory are hence more concerned with the effects of vertical integration on consumer prices and welfare. In contrast, this paper is concerned with the motives and strategic concerns that determine the form of organizing manufacturing in the light of TAC. The value of this paper is the linking the TCE framework to four case studies Zara, HM, Gap, Inc. and the Benetton Group. It is useful to analyze a firms governance structure in terms of the control and authority borne by the two parties involved in the transaction at hand. The degree of vertical integration is reflected by the ownership and control of assets in successive stages (Richardson, 1996, p. 403). The sample has been designed to characterize the differing governance structures in apparel manufacturing. From the four companies studied in this paper Gap and HM source all garments from independent suppliers. Zara and Benetton on the other hand purchase semi-finished products and manufacturing services like cutting and sewing which are integrated with the firms manufacturing capabilities (they produce 40% and 60% of apparel internally). Given the fact that each of the four companies has been in business for more than 30 years, built a strong global presence and managed to gain substantial profits throughout many years  [12]  it is appropriate to say with confidence that they are managing their operations through an effective governance structure. Thus, the main question that arises is what factors determine the decision for each firms governance structure. By mapping the firms business with the sourcing strategy I will show that a proper TAC analysis must consider those interd ependencies in order to have valid implications. In gathering data on the apparel industry and the case studies articles from business press, annual reports and other publicly available information provided by the firms  [13]  , company reports from investment banks, business cases from Harvard Business Review and academic research papers have been used as primary sources. I attempt to present the information on the cases in a consistent format whereas there are some differences due to the availability of information. It is for example not clear what the strategic activities are that Benetton keeps in-house (Benetton Group, 2011). In applying the TAC framework I have used this information and extended the analysis with my own evaluation if procurable on the different dimensions of the transaction (discussin Scott?). Primary data, possibly gathered through interviews with the retailers production offices, were not collected but would add additional value to analysing the relationship between the apparel retailers and the manufacturers. This would help to understand how retailers manage their supplier relationships, how they negotiate over contracts and how they deal with contingencies that are not pre-specified in product orders. Such information would help to evaluate the degree to which relationship-specific investments occur in the apparel industry and consequently how the different dimensions of a transaction differ across and within firms. In particular, the potential hold-up risk created by the adversarial relationship between suppliers and manufacturers, would be easier to quantify. Whereas I am using a qualitative approach to examining the relevance of relationship-specific assets in apparel manufacturing there is much empirical work based on case studies and econometric analysis devoted to the relevance of transaction costs. Scholars have managed to quantify the transaction attributes of asset specificity, complexity and contractual difficulties. Joskow (1987) for example provides evidence for the US coal industry that higher relation-specific investments encourage longer commitments of buyers and sellers to the terms of future trades. In general the the empirical results are much more consistently supportive for TCE (Joskow P. J., 2006, p. 27) than for the neoclassical theory on vertical integration. Case studies from the apparel industry In this section I am going to describe the cases of Zara, HM, Gap Inc. and Benetton trailblazers of fast fashion operating in the middle priced casual apparel segment. The four firms accounted combined for approximately 3.0% of global revenues in 2010  [14]  . All companies are close competitors but have positioned themselves differently with respect to vertical scope in manufacturing and in terms of pricing and fashion content  [15]  . I am going to describe each firms governance structure and coordinating mechanisms with manufacturers, background information on the apparel industry, the idea of fast fashion and the firms studied can be found in Appendix D. Gaps governance structure and coordination with manufacturers The group controls design, merchandise, distribution, marketing and retailing of its own brands and also sells products branded by third parties. The group purchases all garments private and non-private label from independent vendors with approximately 700 factories in 50 countries  [16]  . In terms of costs 98% of merchandise is produced outside the US with South/ Southeast Asia representing approximately 50% of the factory base  [17]  (The Gap Inc, 2008a). Overall no vendor accounted for more than 3% in 2010. The firms sourcing and logistic group along with buying agents coordinates with vendors around the world and place orders. After the clothes are manufactured they are sent to the firms distribution centers  [18]  where the firm conducts quality audits (Wells Raabe, 2006, p. 21). The firm manages its vertical chain with lead times  [19]  of 3 to 8 months. (Quelle?) Since the 1990s and particularly after the ATC expired in 2005 the group has increased efforts in building long-term relationships with suppliers attempting to get discounts and extend the sharing of planning and forecasting information through aligned IT systems at strategically-located factories (Wells Raabe, 2006, p.12; Guericini Runfola 2004, p. 311). To facilitate coordination the group pursues a factory engagement strategy  [20]  : factories need to get the firms approval based on quality, price and delivery time  [21]  , factories are closely monitored  [22]  to ensure they act according to the legal, social and environmental standards outlined in the COVC, the social performance of factories is evaluated such that problems can be resolved and factories are supported with building compliant and operationally effective management systems. The attention devoted by Gap to each factory depends on the specific requirements. Recently, the firm started to support factor ies with developing human resource management systems. Repeated violation of the firms standards may lead to a termination of the supplier relationship but is attempted to be avoided by Gap  [23]  . Seldom, the firm issues conditional approval to a factory in case of a short-notice order. Benettons governance structure and coordination with manufacturers The Benetton group operates through a sequential and integrated supply chain covering the steps from design, RD, manufacturing, distribution and sales  [24]  . This approach is to balance efficiency with speed and is planned and coordinated from headquarters by the product department. For roughly 50% of its production Benetton uses a vertically integrated manufacturing model keeping automated and strategic activities in-house and outsourcing labour-intensive tasks  [25]  to SMEs (Benetton Group, 2011). Each plant is specialized in one type of product and control, integrate and coordinate the production activities of contractors leveraging  [26]  their network of skills (Benetton Group, 2005). In order to adjust production to demand, Benetton had developed a process where the dyeing of the garment was postponed after manufacture. The firm further engages in full production cycles and controls parts of its upstream processes through a subsidiary  [27]  . The remaining 50% of merchandise are sourced from external suppliers with whom the firm coordinates through localized production offices  [28]  . Finished garments are distributed centrally through the firms logistic hubs  [29]  . Benetton runs operations with lead times of two weeks for continuative articles and up to four months for newly designed garments. Through providing production planning support, technical assistance to maintain quality and financial assistance to procure [] machinery the group built close relationships with its approximately 200 contractors. This enables the group to smoothly coordinate the contractors activities into the production process. The group audited the compliance with the groups code of ethics  [30]  of 200 suppliers but did not enter formal contracts with suppliers since this was not felt by either party (Indu, 2008a, p. 4). Postponement strategy? HMs governance structure and coordination with manufacturers HM operates in product research, design, merchandise, distribution and retailing. Product development and procurement is managed through the central buying office in Stockholm which coordinates with merchants at 16 production offices in Asia and Europe. Merchants for the most part drawn from the local population manage the interface with the 700 independent suppliers which produce all of HMs garments in around 2,700 production units in Asia and Europe  [31]  (HM, 2011). According to estimates, around one third of production is done in China, one third in residual Asia (e.g. Bangladesh) and one third in Europe (particularly Turkey) (just-style.com, 2011; Indu, 2008b; Guericini Runfola, 2004). Finished garments are shipped to the central warehouse in Germany or one of the distribution centres. HM operates with lead times between twenty days and several months. The production offices keep in regular contact with suppliers, identify new suppliers, place orders and are responsible for monitoring suppliers compliance with the COC. Throughout an auditing cycle HM scores the suppliers management systems  [32]  aimed at preventing violations of the COC (HM, 2010a). When placing an order, buyers balance the factors quality, price, lead time and location of the supplier  [33]  (HM, 2011). To ensure quality HM carries out extensive testing  [34]  at the factories and after delivery. Order for high volume basic items were placed about six months in advance while in vogue garments are designed, produced and sold within just a few weeks (Indu, 2008b). For the latter, proximity of the manufacturer to sales market was the prime consideration, but overall the firm focused on producing at low cost (Indu, 2008b). HM audits its suppliers compliance to the firms COC, helps to implement corrective actions, provides training and engages in knowledge sharing. The firm meets with suppliers to discuss their evaluation and attempts to minimise late changes on product orders by establishing capacity plans and purchasing orders where possible most relevant for its key suppliers  [35]  . HM attempts to contribute to the long-term improvement of its suppliers but may terminate its relation in the case of continued non-compliance but in that case commits to a reasonable phase-out period (HM, 2010a). Zaras governance structure and coordination with manufacturers The business model of Zara  [36]  is characterized by an integrated approach covering the design, manufacturing, distribution and retailing of apparel (Inditex, 2010). This allows the firm to adjust production to demand observed in stores and achieve lead times of minimum two weeks. Zara produces time-sensitive items at a dozen manufacturing subsidiaries in Spain estimated at 50% of total production  [37]   or with suppliers whose processes are [] integrated with the groups dynamics (Tokatli, 2008, p. 34) located close to the firms distribution centre. Basic items tend to be outsourced mainly to Asia where back in 2006 20 suppliers accounted for 70% of external purchase. Zara maintains relationships with 1,237 suppliers  [38]  managed through purchasing offices in Spain and Hong Kong attempting to minimize formal commitments (Ghemawat Nueno, 2006, p. 11). Zara operates automated and capital intensive tasks, specialized by garment type, of pattern design, cutting and finishing while outsourcing labour-intensive tasks to workshops in Northern Spain or Portugal. Those workshops have long-term relationships with Zara who provides them with technology, logistics and financial support (Ghemawat Nueno, 2006, p. 11). Roughly 85% of in-house production is done during the selling season and the firm may leave open production capacity for short notice orders or changes, limits production runs and strictly controls inventory (Ghemawat Nueno, 2006). Upstream, half of the fabric is purchased by a Spanish subsidiary as gray allowing in-season changes of production (Ghemawat Nueno, 2006, pp. 10-11). All clothes are distributed through the firms distribution centre in Spain. Both, internal and external suppliers are re

Free Speech Movement in the US :: essays research papers

Analyse the ideals and goals of the free speech movement in Berkeley. The first official protest was held in May 1960 in the San Francisco Hall. The protest was held whilst a meeting for the House of Un-American Committee (HUAC) was taking place. It was a stand against US oppression of political freedom, and with the work of HUAC hitting close to him – a Berkeley student had been subpoenaed, the students were ready to make their opposition heard.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   It is important not to take the activities of the early 1960’s as independent from the years preceding it. In another time and another context, the activities of HUAC may not have been met with the same opposition. However following the wave of the civil rights movements in the mid 1950’s and more importantly the era of McCarthyism, there existed a very real and strong resistance to anything that resembled what was seen as the â€Å"witch trials† of the fifties. Interestingly, it was not the protest itself that sparked the beginning of what became known as the free speech movement. Rather it was the reaction of the media and the government that encouraged the support of students throughout the country. What was intended to be a peaceful protest was portrayed to the country as evidence of a vast â€Å"communist plot.† Dubbed as â€Å"operation abolition,† a video of the protest was released, supposedly showing how the communist were now using students to achieve their means. The plan backfired; students were attracted to Berkeley by the droves, with a new sense of determination in tow. It is probable that the administration in taking away the student’s political frontline were only aiming to subdue the civil rights movement. However the effect of banning everyone from speaking their mind had an effect unforeseen by those in charge. Students from all backgrounds and schools of political thought were united; students that under any other circumstance never would have come together. This is what made the free-speech movement unique; it was a merger of forces across the political front, only possible because the matters at stake transcended political orientation.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  As outlined in the film, â€Å"Berkeley in the 60’s,† the direction of the free speech movement was not concretely defined right from the outset.

Wisdom: Question and H. Norman Wright

Wisdom Khaled Sabri Instructor Curtis Jones Christian Excellence March 18, 2013 Wisdom Wisdom is the practical translation and application of the word of God to everyday life. It is an integration of knowledge, experience, and deep understanding that incorporates tolerance for the uncertainties of life as well as its ups and downs. There's an awareness of how things play out over time, and it confers a sense of balance. There are four components to wisdom: (1) Words from the wise, (2) Asking wisely, (3) being a person of understanding and (4) showing a little kindness. Beginning with words from the wise; H.Norman Wright states in his book â€Å"How to get Along with Almost Anyone† that; â€Å"The words you use connect you to other people. But how are you connected: by a cord that binds you together or a barrier which keeps you at a distance? † Wright provides us with an example of real life describing the experience at the Department of Motor Vehicles: â€Å"Youâ€℠¢ll have to get in the other line. Didn’t you read the instructions? Or You’ll have to come back Monday Morning. When we use the word you as a part of an order or command, we usually end up punching someone’s resistance button†. Asking wisely connects with the words we use. H.Norman Wright states in his book â€Å"How to get Along with Almost Anyone† that; â€Å"Questions are an important part of human interaction. Some people use questions to deepen and enrich their relationships. But many people use questions to pry, maneuver, gain advantage, attack, trap, setup, or break down the defenses of the others. † We need to ask questions open ended as opposed to closed. A good example is â€Å"How do you like the restaurant? † as opposed to â€Å"Isn’t this restaurant awful? † One allows the other person to state their own thoughts and perspective while the other closes the other person out and just shows your own viewpoint.Th e third component is that we need to be a person of understanding. We need to understand where the other person is coming from and be able to put the attention on them and not just on ourselves. H. Norman Wright states in his book â€Å"How to get Along with Almost Anyone† that; â€Å"The major characteristic of a person of understanding is revealed in Proverbs 14:29: He who is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who is hasty of spirit exposes and exalts his folly†. The Fourth component is that we also need to show a little kindness . We all know what it feels like to be taken for granted.H. Norman Wright states; â€Å"Do you know what it feels to be taken for granted? you continue to give of yourself over a period of time and yet there is no response to, or recognition for, your efforts. Even we should be able to give freely and lovingly without expecting anything in return, most people respond well when their efforts are acknowledged†(Wright, H. N. , 1989) A little kindness can take you a long way in our path to getting along with others. These four components of wisdom are all steps in better ways to get along with others.By better understanding each other, and by possessing wisdom, you will be able to have better relationships with the people around you. The component that I feel is most applicable to me is asking wisely. A lot people have problems with this issue and it makes hard to respond to their words. By giving me your opinion other than asking me a simple question sometimes makes me feels oblige to answer the question the same way you want, thus depriving me from the right to say my honest opinion. Let’s go back to the example provided earlier, if you said: â€Å"Isn’t this restaurant awful? I feel I have no place to state my opinion or tell you exactly how I feel. In summary, understanding that true wisdom is understanding and following the Word of God can take you a long was in getting along with othe rs. It is a two part system; translation and application. It is important to understand the Word of God; and it is equally important to apply it to our daily lives. References H. Norman Wright (1989). How To Get Along With Almost Anyone. Nashville, Tennessee: Royal Publishers Inc. Sackett Christopher (January, 22, 2013). Wisdom. Examiner. com retrieved march 17th, 2013 from http://www. examiner. com/article/wisdom-3

10 Facts About Spanish Adjectives

10 Facts About Spanish Adjectives Here are 10 facts about Spanish adjectives that will be useful to know as you pursue your language studies: 1. Adjective Is Part of Speech An adjective is a part of speech that is used to modify, describe, limit, qualify or otherwise affect the meaning of a noun, pronoun or a phrase functioning as a noun. The words we most often think of as adjectives are descriptive words - words such as verde (green), feliz (happy), fuerte (strong) and impaciente (impatient). 2. Adjectives Have Gender Adjectives in Spanish have gender, and a masculine adjective must be used with a masculine noun, a feminine adjective with a feminine noun following the principle of noun-adjective agreement. Some adjectives change in form with gender, while others dont. Generally, a masculine adjective that ends in -o or -os (in the plural) can become feminine by changing the ending to -a or -as. But singular nouns that dont end in -o generally dont change form to become feminine. 3. Adjectives Have Number Adjectives in Spanish also have number, meaning they can be singular or plural. Again, following the principle of noun-adjective agreement, a singular adjective is used with a singular noun, a plural adjective with a plural noun. Singular adjectives become plural by adding an -s or -es suffix. 4. Some Are Invariable A very few adjectives are invariable, meaning they dont change form among plural and singular, masculine and feminine. Traditionally, the most common invariable adjectives are macho (male) and hembra (female), as can be seen in the sentence Los animales macho en general proporcionan muchos menos atenciones parentales que las animales hembra (Male animals in general provide much less parental attention than the female animals do), although youll also see these words pluralized sometimes as well. Rarely, and then most often in journalese or phrases that have been imported from English, a noun can function as an invariable adjective, as web in the phrase sitios web (websites). Such cases of nouns as adjectives are the exception rather than the rule, and Spanish students should not freely use nouns as adjectives as can be done in English. 5. Placement Can Matter The default location for descriptive adjectives is after the noun they refer to. When the adjective is placed before the noun, it typically gives an emotional or subjective quality to the adjective. For example, la mujer pobre is likely to refer to a woman who has little money, while la pobre mujer is likely to suggest that the speaker feels sorry for the woman, even though both could be translated as the poor woman. 6. Adjectives Can Become Nouns Most descriptive adjectives can be used as nouns, often by preceding them with a definite article. For example, los felices could mean the happy people, and los verdes could mean the green ones. 7. Suffixes Can Be Used The meaning of some adjectives can be modified by using diminutive or augmentative suffixes. For example, while un coche viejo is simply an old car, un coche viejecito might refer to a quaint car or an older car that someone likes. 8. Verb Use Can Affect Meaning In sentences of the type noun is adjective, the adjective might be translated differently depending on whether the verb ser or estar is used. For example, es seguro often means it is safe, while est seguro usually means he or she is certain. 9. No Superlative Forms Spanish doesnt use suffixes such as -er or -est to indicate superlatives. Instead, the adverb is used. Thus, the bluest lake or the bluer lake is el lago ms azul. 10. Some Are Apocopated A few adjectives are shortened when they appear before singular nouns in a process known as apocopation. One of the most common is grande, which is shortened to gran, as in un gran ejà ©rcito for a great army.

Judith Ortiz Cofers Poetry Touches a Chord essays

Judith Ortiz Cofer's Poetry Touches a Chord essays Judith Ortiz Cofer is a Latina poet and prolific writer, born in Puerto Rico in 1952 and now residing in Athens, Georgia. She married Charles John Cofer in 1971, and has one daughter, Tanya. She immigrated to the United States with her parents in 1956, and they settled in New Jersey, where she had most of her early schooling. Cofer learned English to "help her Spanish speaking mother run the household and make important decisions" ("Hispanic Writers" 165), and came to love the language and its power ("Hispanic Writers" 165). In 1974, she received her B.A. in English from Augusta College, and in 1977 went on to receive her M.A. in English from Florida Atlantic University, then complete some graduate work at Oxford University (Editors). Cofer's background is in teaching, and that is where she began her career, and where she continues it today. She wrote poetry at first, and wrote extensively about the problems and paradoxes facing Latina women. She notes that her own world is firmly rooted in two distinct cultures. "I write in English," she muses, "yet I write obsessively about my Puerto Rican experience . . . . That is how my psyche works. I am a composite of two worlds" ("Hispanic Writers"). While Cofer grew up in the United States, she often returned to her grandmother's house in Puerto Rico with her mother, and so, she balances the Latina customs and culture of her youth with the culture of America, thus her feeling she is a composite. Cofer has taught at a variety of schools and universities, and she frequently travels to discuss her work and her culture. She also frequently teaches at writers' workshops. One biographer notes, "Her lectures frequently focus on diversity in American art and culture," (Abbe) a topic that emerges repeatedly in her poetry such as "Common Ground." Currently, she is a Franklin Professor of English and Creative Writing in the Dep...

Final for HS 5900 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Final for HS 5900 - Essay Example Adult education curriculum and content varies from country to country, community to another and between contents, this is because the need for the education varies. Specifically, adult education varies in content like educating adults who have no high school diploma by imparting that level skills to earn a diploma. Some adults are illiterate in language (reading and writing) and basic math. It takes the initiative of the government and civil society to deliver education to those who are illiterate. During times of unemployment, employees can go through education sessions to keep them busy, when they are hired back, they have the skills to continue. There are those who need skills n a trade like welding, masonry, art, carpentry, technicians and community development. There could be adults with jobs and would wish to improve skills specific to the job to earn promotion or retention in case of downsizing. Historically, original forms of adult were aimed at enabling the adults to read an d write while doing bible studies after it was widely accepted to be read. During agrarian and industrial revolution, adult education was meant to equip the population with skills to work in farms, stores and factories. There are five philosophies in adult education; liberal, progressive, behavioral, humanistic and radical. The role of adult education in every situation will determine the category under which the philosophy will be characterized. For example, liberal is meant to impart principles and absolutes aimed at well-rounded perspective of the world lasting a lifetime. In progressive, learners gain problem-solving skills relating to their lives to provide practical skills out of the experience of the learner (Jarvis 111). Behavioral philosophy, as the name suggests, is to promote behavioral change and skill development with the education environment being structured. The learners have no input in the setting of the objectives, their role being to master every skill before mov ing to the next. Humanistic philosophy is meant to foster personal growth and development by involving the learner in knowledge construction and self development. The learner is motivated and directs the learning process. The last philosophy is radical where education is used as a means to bring about fundamental changes socially, economically, politically and culturally. It is meant to empower individuals to fight for change and raise awareness on issues of social justice to bring about a revolution. The learner here is a voluntary participant in the process with teachers holding equal status as them as they are merely facilitating support for the status quo challenge. In all these diversities, adult education has to remain as they are as they serve different roles for different individuals. It might be expensive for sponsors of the system, but the objective is far greater than the costs of not educating the adults. Religion would not have reached many as it is today and agrarian a nd industrial revolution would not have succeeded. Social change cannot be realized, and political autocracy will continue. Currently, there are dynamic changes in the global stage in information, economic shifts, technology, and politics. It is happening at farfetched locations, far from the control of any power referred to as globalization. The ambivalent impact it brings along poses a great challenge to

Dietary analysis project Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Dietary analysis project - Assignment Example For example, an oz equivalent of Grains is a 1 slice of bread, or 1/2 cup of rice. An oz equivalent of Protein Foods 1 oz of meat, 1 egg, or 1/4 cup cooked beans. According to the BMI report as provided, I have a BMI of 19.1. This is an implication that my body weight is normal and hence I should strive to maintain the weight by eating a balanced diet and engaging in physical activities. According to the calorie assessment report, I need to intake 2031 calories in order to maintain my current weight. However, my current intake is below the goal. My current average calorie intake is 1065. This implies that I am bound to lose more weight if I maintain my current eating patterns (Veitch 87). There are nutrients that are still deficient and others in excess in the revised diet. The significant nutrients that are still deficient in the revised diet are Calories from saturated Fat and dietary fiber. Perhaps I was unable to get dietary fiber because I did not include foods rich in fiber. In addition, the foods that I included in the revised diet were not fatty and hence the deficiency of fat as noted in the revised diet. On the contrary, the revised diet also had some nutrients in excess. These included proteins, Vitamin B3 - Niacin (mg), Vitamin B12 (mcg), Phosphorus (mg), Vitamin C and Zinc. These statistics came about as a result of the meat, chicken and turkey sausages that I included in the revised diet as having been taking in only one day. Their quantities also contributed to the excess levels of proteins as noted in the bar graph report for the revised diet. As noted in the bar graph report for my diet on that day, I am a poor observant of a balanced diet and for this reason I need to implement corrective measures in order to improve my eating patterns and food types (Veitch 46). It is through this that I will be in a position to not only stay healthy but also maintain my body weight as recommended from the BMI report. As a result, I will take certain