Analysis of the Story Doctor in the House Essay

The story to be analyzed is entitled â€Å"Doctor in the house† written by Richard Gordon. He also wrote several novels and screenplays dealing with practice of medicine. The extract is about passing oral and written exams on medicine. The author describes the way how the main character passed his examinations. He considered it to be death. A lot of images can be found in the text. They create atmosphere of a contest, a court, musical playing. The author emphasizes the inevitability of meeting Secretary to hear the sentence†¦ In 1952, he left medical practice and took up writing full time. He has an uncredited role as an anesthesiologist in the movie Doctor in the House. The early Doctor novels, set in the fictitious St Swithin’s, a teaching hospital in London, were initially witty and apparently autobiographical; later books included more sexual innuendo and farce. The novels were very successful in Britain in Penguin paperback during the 1960s and 1970s. Richard Gordon also contributed to Punch magazine and has published books on medicine, gardening, fishing and cricket. The film adaptation of Doctor in the House was released in 1954, two years after the book, while Doctor at Sea came out the following year with Brigitte Bardot. Dirk Bogarde starred as Dr. Simon Sparrow in both. The later spin-off TV series were often written by well-known British comic performers. Doctor in the House begins with the lead protagonist getting into a fictional medical college in London, St. Swithins. He collects a handful of faithful friends, including Grimsdyke, whose main aim to remain an eternal student as his aunt has left a large legacy in his name, for the duration of his course (as the funds will cease once he qualifies, he prefers to fail every examination). The book goes through the trials and tribulations of their college lives-sports, studies, spats with teachers and love affairs. Snippets like using a human skull as an ash-tray and trying to weasel out of tight situations in examinations will strike a chord not only in every doctor and medical student, but also in anyone who has ever attempted an examination! In one of my favourite incidents, Simon (the hero) is asked to check a patient’s eyes with an ophthalmoscope. He says ’’I always intended to find out how this thing worked, but never got around to doing it’’ Further, on checking the patient’s eyes, his comment was that ’’it looked like fishes swimming in an aquarium full of murky water.’’ Luckily for him, he was able to wriggle out of the situation by a simple trick, and eventually passed the examination! The book is full of incidents like that, and will keep you laughing page after page. When I finished the book, I felt a vague disappointment that it was over so soon! There is a little flirting, but nothing that even an adolescent reader’s mother would censor. Hindi films are a lot worse!! So if you havent been exposed to Richard Gordon yet, this is a good time to start. This is the original book in the Doctor in the House series and deals with his medical training. The Doctor books were written as memoirs, a fiction continued by the author and main character’s name being the same. In reality, Dr. Richard Gordon Dr. Gordon Ostlere, a highly-qualified surgeon and anaethetist and contemporary of my uncle who was a reknowned anaethestist himself – but I didn’t know that at the time. Humourous stories of young doctors at medical school. A series of films were based on the Doctor books, and a television series as well. This one was first published in 1952. Product Description Richard Gordon’s acceptance into St Swithan’s medical school came as no surprise to anyone, least of all him – after all, he had been to public school, played first XV rugby, and his father was, let’s face it, ‘a St Swithan’s man’. Surely he was set for life. It was rather a shock then to discover that, once there, he would actually have to work, and quite hard. Fortunately for Richard Gordon, life proved not to be all dissection and textbooks after all†¦This hilarious hospital comedy is perfect reading for anyone who’s ever wondered exactly what medical students get up to in their training. Just don’t read it on your way to the doctor’s! About the Author Richard Gordon is best-known for his hilarious ‘Doctor’ books and the long-running television series they inspired. Himself a qualified doctor, he worked as an anaesthetist, ship’s surgeon and then as assistant editor of the British Medical Journal before leaving medical practice in 1952 to take up writing full time. Many of his books are based on these experiences in the medical profession and are all told with the rye wit and candid humour that have become his hallmark.

African Renaissance

Introduction l. African Renaissance: A Resurrection The theory of an African Renaissance has captured the interests of a number of intellectuals, reporters and politicians. In South Africa, where the concept has come to be closely identified with the political perceptions of former President Taboo Imbibe, it has been received as a proposal for â€Å"African political renewal and economic regeneration† (July, 2001 : 87). The concept can thus be viewed as a â€Å"rebirth†; a resurrection-since it has inspired policies to address the socio-economic fallouts of apartheid.The thought, Mallow (2001:1) contends, is a dominant trait in the â€Å"outlook f the African National Congress (NC)-led government†, and has been embraced as a â€Å"key component of its ideological outlook, especially as this pertains to international matters† (Mallow, 2001:1). The view is a significant theme in the organization's policy quest, and an exclusive ‘African Renaissance Fun d', Mallow (2001:2) confirms, was vested as part of this course. According to the Strategic Plan published by the Department of Foreign Affairs in 2004, the principles that underpin South Africans foreign policy include, commitments to the promotion of Human Rights and necromancy; to Justice and International Law in the conduct of relations between nations; to international peace and intentionally agreed-upon mechanisms for resolving conflict; to promoting the interests of Africa in world affairs; and to economic development through regional and international cooperation in an interdependent and globalizes world† (Nathan, 2005:366). II.Post-1994 NC-led government policies/actors In general, policy is expressed as a broad interpretation for â€Å"desired state of affairs† entailing â€Å"specific decisions† occasionally in a â€Å"rational sequence† (Nikkei, van deer Wald and Junker 2001:87). The author reasons that the term can be used in several ways, and involves â€Å"action as well as inaction† (Nikkei, van deer Wald and Junker 2001:87). An exceptionally good policy is a device that â€Å"makes organization easier† (University of Sydney, 2012), and permits the public to associate with the government's core principles more adequately.Nikkei, van deer Wald and Junker (2001:87) distinguish between three extensive classes of policy, namely â€Å"domestic, foreign and defense policies†. Nevertheless, the African Renaissance has been listed by several intellectuals, like Assiduously (2008: 110) as a â€Å"foreign-policy tragedy' (Assiduously, 2008: 110). The concept is a â€Å"South African emerging foreign policy doctrine† encompassing a â€Å"set of foreign policy goals and domestic styles, and politics entrenched in a set of political, social and economic relation† (BÃ'Ëœsheer and van Amerce 2005: 179).The Department of Foreign Affairs (2008), notes that South Africans policy initiatives should be modest and not overly ambitious. A reactive policy is inappropriate. The country policies-both domestic and international level- in essence map out to ensure â€Å"peace, democracy, respect for human rights and sustained development† (Department Of Foreign Affairs, 2008). A range of principal policy actors â€Å"exercise varying degrees of influence to shape the outcomes of these processes† (Raptor, 2004: 3).Among these actors are â€Å"formal state institutions such as the ruling party, opposition parties, the legislature, portfolio committees and individual members of provincial legislatures. There are also external, non-state policy actors and institutions such as organized interest groups, the media, independent consultants, non-governmental organizations and ordinary citizens† (Raptor, 2004:4). Examples include â€Å"the modern social movement, Anti- Appropriation Forum (APE); the Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDEAS)† amongst the many.The se organizations, posits Ranchos (2007:5) have emerged as â€Å"very strong and vociferous organizations† who bid to shape and impact the state and its operations (Ranchos 2007:7) Integrating Post-Apartheid South Africa into the African Economy The report further comments that the NC-led political framework and â€Å"methods of formal engagement made for new opportunities and challenges† (Ranchos 2007:13). Bassoon (1991: 5) declares that â€Å"post-apartheid South Africa must be able to release more resources for reinvestment in the economy to revivalist it and for dealing with social problems† (Bassoon, 1991: 5).This challenge calls for â€Å"re-modeling† existing organizations to admit a â€Å"new' South Africa. Cooperation has been an essential tool in strengthening the newly -emerged economy, and efficient in â€Å"gradually and steadily leading to the integration of the economy with the harmonistic of currencies, financial systems, and infrastructu re† (Bassoon 1991: 9) The political process has deviated from a â€Å"regime of confrontation to a regime of negotiation†, asserts Bassoon (1991:12).In addressing the problems underlying the country political, social and economic spectrum, policy response required a unified participation in eradicating and transforming the then white-rule racist and undemocratic Constitution, and implementing an effective representative political governing structure (African National Congress, 2011) African Renaissance in Historical Perspective BÃ'Ëœsheer and van Amerce (2005: 162) consider that the African Renaissance perception has a rigid heritage that traces back in the History of the African continent.They describe events like the â€Å"rebellion of slaves in the ‘new world order' n the late eighteenth century' as interpreted by Manage (2001), and other comparable events, were the early basic â€Å"breeding grounds for pan-Africans†, a term that is largely supposed as an influential â€Å"predecessor of, and source of inspiration for African Renaissance. (Lundeberg ; Hellhole 1999; BÃ'Ëœsheer and van Amerce 2005: 162) BÃ'Ëœsheer and van Amerce (2005: 166) remarks that even though the pan-Africans objective shrunk quickly after being introduced, Julius Anywhere's image of a â€Å"United States of Africa† integrated by boundaries and united by a common language of prosperity, perished and has been kept awake by â€Å"many represents of Africans development† (BÃ'Ëœsheer and van Amerce (2005: 167) What started centuries ago in the form of â€Å"African uprisings† is â€Å"reflected in the present day struggle of the African continent to overcome hardships such as ‘unstable political systems'; ‘predatory elites'; a high ‘international debt burden' and unfavorable international trade regimes† (BÃ'Ëœsheer and van Amerce (2005: 171). The present-day use of the African Renaissance approach was pronounced for emost by former South African President, Taboo Imbibe, and is broadly understood as a ‘resurrection' of the African continent, as it stimulated Africans to seek â€Å"African lotions for African problems† BÃ'Ëœsheer and van Amerce (2005: 172). It focuses on concerns like â€Å"regional cooperation, the emancipation of disadvantaged groups, sustainable economic development and the deepening and sustenance of democracy' (BÃ'Ëœsheer and van Amerce (2005: 173). My African Experience, My African Renaissance What does the African Renaissance notion in its current state encompass?Components of the concept, Vale and Masses (1998: 272) suggest, are intentionally kept unclear, so as to â€Å"create space for embroiling people for championing the AR concept† (Vale and Masses 1998: 272), because it is utilized by a broad spectrum of actors, from â€Å"politicians and policy-makers, to businessmen and scholars† (Vale and Masses 1998: 273) – it is almost impossi ble for the term to lose its gist. Vale and Masses (1998: 273) observe that the â€Å"visionary language of the African Renaissance was understood by five suggested areas of engagement: the encouragement of cultural exchange; the 'emancipation of African woman from patriarchy; the manipulation of youth; the broadening, deepening and sustenance of democracy; and the initiation of sustainable economic development† (Vale and Masses 1998: 273; BÃ'Ëœsheer and van Amerce 2005: 179).Apart from unveiling the core themes of the theory, it is necessary to explore the scope of the concept in the contrasting views explored by Vale and Masses (1998: 278) in order to understand whether or not the development of the African Renaissance is really necessary for South Africa- both on domestic and foreign policy levels. The authors differentiate between two explicit views of South Africa in Africa: the â€Å"globalize interpretation†- which was â€Å"cast in the modernist tradition†, and embraces a modernist approach of globalization, with fair emphasis on appropriation, liberation's and the sort. The second approach- â€Å"Africans approach†- adopts the African Renaissance to â€Å"unlock a series of complex social constructions† embodied around African status.The former suggests a â€Å"continental effort by South Africans† to attain â€Å"sustained economic growth and wealth accumulation†, the latter calls for a â€Å"more post-structural interpretation† of global affairs (Vale and Masses 1998: 278) The essence of South Africans African policy- motivated by Ember's perception of Renaissance targets escalating South Africans strategic arrangements on the continent, which apart from establishing â€Å"good provenance† , also include â€Å"introducing new economic policies† that would ensure access to good education, adequate health care, decent houses, clean water and modern sanitation† (Taylor and Will iams, 2001 : 269) Despite much criticism on the concept for having a driven vision but being nothing more than a â€Å"wish list†, the African Renaissance perspective is significant and necessary for South Africans, because it is an efficient tool for the nations' ambitions towards a peaceful, equal and democratic state from the appalling former white-rule government characterized by oppression and injustice. The theory has been relevant in re-building South Africans social, political and economic set-up, and has played a significant role in re-shaping South Africans role and recognition in international affairs.For example the country capacity and success in hosting the 2010 FIFE World Cup Just a few years ago, and the possibility of being the first African country to hold permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council (Taylor and Williams, 2001 : 269). It is the very same polices shaped by the AR theory behind the progress and political and socio-economic adjustments , noted by Mislabel (2011) to have purposed with â€Å"abolishing all forms of corruption and apartheid incompetence'. The post-1994 NC led government â€Å"adopted progressive policies that sought to ensure the economic advancement† of previously deprived social-classes and races. These policies comprise of â€Å"Transformation, BEE, employment equity, affirmative action, preferential procurement† (Mislabel, 2001).They are a monument of a â€Å"shining success of democracy'- as they have indeed promoted economic growth and human rights in the democratic South Africa. This, of course, is not to overlook the negative reality concerning dishonest practices that have gathered around policies like BEE. ‘I Am an African': Contradictions and Inconsistencies The African renaissance is an inclusive concept, developed for on principles of equality and democracy for a united African society, and seeks to promote the dreams and ambitions of the African citizen irrespectiv e of race, gender, ethnicity or religion. In â€Å"African Renaissance language†, and on the â€Å"Cosmopolitan and African image† projected in Ember's ‘l am an African' speech- who is an African?It is critical to explicitly spell-out what is meant by ‘African', to examine the extent of African contribution in IR (Smith, 2008) â€Å"l know that none dare challenge me when I say- I am an African! † Taboo Imbibe. Africa is a diverse continent and â€Å"South Africa is experiencing an African Renaissance built on its diverse and fascinating cultural heritage† (South African Tourism, 2011). Consequently, these people's â€Å"worldviews and insights will be equally diverse† (Ackermann). In a similar vein, â€Å"only if African insights are significantly different from the existing ‘R, will they make a worthwhile nutrition to the field† (Karen, 2008). An African to me is anybody and everybody who resembles the wealthy and ‘ colorful mosaic' spectrum that embraces the fabric' of the African society.He needs to pride himself in the African culture and history- and reflect the â€Å"spirit of reconciliation and mutual respect† that penetrates the African society, and aid to â€Å"re-enforce the country pride in its multi-ethnic roots† (South African Tourism, 2011). Color doesn't begin to own the rich concept- African. Simply put an African is an African. Undeniably, politics still runs across race nines in South Africa, but the common vision for a stable and democratic Africa, embodied in the African Renaissance policy can erase those lines, and assist in moving forward as a ‘trailside' state built on policies that are inclusive and rooted in achieving equal opportunity for all. The policies that emanate from the African Renaissance objectives, I. E.BEE- refuted to favor only the black population- were formulated to fix the problems of the past which deprived certain groups of people ( Mislabel 2001), and should be understood in not-so extremist meaner ‘exclusionary), because they were employed to ‘make right' -to correct the country past apartheid fallouts. We have different but not contrasting cultures, and all seek a common goal: political, social and economic success. The AR policy was designed upon similar vision and objectives, and no doubt can contribute towards the advancement of the everyday ordinary South African. Conclusion â€Å"To succeed, South Africans African Renaissance will draw together widely divergent ideas on what it is to be African in the eve of the 21st century' (Vale and Masses 1998: 280).This paper has dissected Ember's sentiment of an African Renaissance as n African ‘resurrection': South Africans policy for All Africans, All South Africans. It is up to every South African to realism the common platform of interests, and pursue a shared effort to ensure the profit of the African Renaissance policy, and translate its v ision in a Just and equal democratic society without excluding the ‘African'-which is anyone and everybody. Cooperation is fundamental. Racial quarrels and conflicts are a good recipe for failure. Holding anger, I have come to realism, is no different to holding a sneeze- sooner than later you're bound to get hurt.

Entertainment V. Addiction Essay

There is a definitive and quite distinct difference between wholesome, quality entertainment and addiction. In the novel Fahrenheit 451, Ray Bradbury very clearly states the variation among the two. Through his examples and characters in his story about a very realistic society, he expresses his opinions and almost foresees something quite relevant to society today. However, there will always be those select few who will recognize the worthlessness of mindless propaganda that seems to infect the minds of humankind. Television takes a prominent role in the script of everyday life. Additionally, it takes an even larger role in the lives of the citizens of Bradbury’s metropolis. Actually, it is more of a brain cell cemetery. For example, Mildred, the main character’s (Montag’s) wife, is constantly bombarded with television and radio programs. In fact, three walls in the parlor of the couple’s home have been converted into giant television screens! For Mildred, however, this is not good enough. She whines that having a fourth wall installed would make her happy, and that she couldn’t possibly be happy without it. Her argument is that the installation would only be $2,000 and that in order to earn this money they could just â€Å"do without a few things†. This could be considered addictive, taking into account that she is willing to give up part of the way that she lives in order to further intoxicate her mind and make her even number to the world around her . And as a result of this constant flow of trivial nonsense into her system, she is made to feel as though she is thinking for herself, acting for herself, and having a wonderful time. During the time that Ray Bradbury had written this book, television was a brand new invention. It was not too terribly popular yet, but he thought that it posed a problem. In Ray’s mind, people would be consumed by irrelevant and insignificant programs, which may become habit-forming as time progressed. He wrote of enormous televisions, which we can relate to modern-day flat screens. Bradbury foretold of people becoming reliant on technology, and not being able to ponder life and all of its questions†¦ to just stop and smell the roses! This is all very relatable to modern society,  and it is easy to see where it fits into everyday life. Clarisse, a seventeen year old girl in Fahrenheit 451, is able to show Montag that life does not have to be lived in such a way as to think that being unaware of the world is a good thing. She is able to show him that there are ways to enjoy one’s self without needing anything but an open mind. Clarisse is one of those genuine people who are able to think for themselves, who asks the â€Å"why† instead of the â€Å"how† of things. Furthermore, the intellectuals that Montag meets also have that same zest for life. They are able to understand the importance and necessity of the thoughts of others in the past. These intellectuals realize that a better understanding and perception of life can come from theminds of others. Faber, an exceptionally odd character, is also one of those remarkable people. He is able to realize that true entertainment comes from enjoying life and exploring its mysteries. He is able to find joy in free-thinking and learning in a way that is completely separate from the superficial way of his society. Montag also slowly comes to this great discovery throughout the book. It starts with him just being curious. But isn’t that all it takes to do something great, a spark of curiosity? In conclusion, Mr. Bradbury’s position is clear as crystal in his novel Fahrenheit 451. Entertainment consists of inspiring and enlightening ideas and activities, while addiction can come easily and swiftly from those things that will deaden the mind and will bring nothing of value into the thoughts of mankind. And even though they can be rare, those who are able to look past those things and find the worthwhile substance in life will gain more out of life by being able to look at the world in new ways.

Living the Southwest Way Case Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words - 1

Living the Southwest Way - Case Study Example The carrier attributes the effectiveness of its operations to socially fine relationships with its workforces. The purpose of this paper is to examine the human resource (HR) implications of Southwest Airlines merger with Air Tran Holdings in 2011. Southwest focuses principally on point-to-point passenger delivery, as opposed to the more popular hub-and-spoke strategy provided by most American airlines (Wu, 2012). The point-to-point strategy limits delays and total flight time which would otherwise be more tiresome to the crew. This service also enables the employees to enjoy more convenient shifts and better remuneration generated by majority of passengers who prefer low fares (Lorenzetti, 2014). By supplementing high-frequency short-haul fights with newer long-haul services between Los Angeles and Nashville, Las Vegas and Orlando, and San Diego and Baltimore by virtue of more planes and crew, the integrated crews now have the opportunity to enjoy more challenging and shifts. In addition, the airline’s delivery of passengers to downtown airports such as Dallas Love Field, Houston Hobby and Chicago Midway among others enables the crew to unwind in the less congested destinations and thus, improve their productivity (Bachman, Schlangenstein, & Hughes, 2010). As the result, Southwest employees today have better capacity to champion effective asset utilization and predictable time-maintained performance. Owing to the operational similarity of Southwest Airlines to Air Tran, the new organization encourages its workforces to use simple strategies to achieve maximum customer satisfaction and growth. Wu (2012) suggested that these include control of oneself in the best and worst of times; using irreverence where it is necessary; being oneself; having fun on the job; being objective and serious when dealing with competition; tolerating diverse attitudes, provided the crew use their

Financial intermediation Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Financial intermediation - Essay Example It is noted that the systemic stability contributes to the risk reduction. This is achieved through geographic diversification and this is analysed by the two/three of the cross-province merger and acquisitions. The empirical findings have been derived by applying a probabilistic theoretical model. This has supported the efficiency hypothesis rather than the imminent failure hypothesis. Thus journal contributes value to the readers as it not only shed light on the debate in the literature but also has policy implications for the merger and acquisitions today. These policy implications hold great importance as the economists and policymakers need to have a good look at them and follow them in all the policies that design. Economists and policymakers’ grave concerns about megabank failures and their consequences on financial markets and the economy are reinforced by empirical evidence on the concentration-fragility hypothesis. It is noted that the consolidation and systemic risk are positively related, although other factors also contributed to the increased risk. Moreover, it is stated that banking crises are less likely in more concentrated banking systems among 70 countries over 1980-97. However, this is not a hard and fast rule and there is a probability of concentration- fragility hypothesis which need to be analysed as well. ... New megabanks like the Citibank are also emerging. Thus, there is more concentration of banks thereby increasing the systemic banking risk. The importance of competitiveness is well known throughout the land but the Minister of Finance of the Canadian Government proposed bank mergers in 1998. However, there is a mixed result found after the mergers and acquisitions of the financial institutions have taken place. Moreover, the public policy implications are also very essential to be noted because they influence the allocation of the total amount of money available from the merged banks. This may involve conflicts of interests and the of objectives of the many stakeholders could be at stake. These regulations could be very different from commercial bankers’. They emphasize more on post-merger systemic risk than bankers. This is because of the costly banking crises; for example the financial tsunami of 2007. Thus these policies are given great importance by the economists and pol icymakers. There is a need to closely study the megabank failures, their consequences on financial markets and the economy and they must be supported by empirical evidence on the concentration. The scope of mergers and acquisitions has been manageable. The focus of this paper is on the relationship between banking consolidation and stability by examining the stability. The financial institutions under study are of the Canadian banking system. The time period under study is 1867-1935; from Confederation to the formation of the Bank of Canada. Hypothesis one says that these mergers and acquisitions are driven by market forces. They later become more efficient and stable banking system. The other hypothesis says that mergers and acquisitions have been

Discuss the problems developing countries encounter in international Essay

Discuss the problems developing countries encounter in international trade in key sectors (i.e. agriculture, industry and services) - Essay Example Some internal problems include high cost of production, tariffs of inputs and There are various problems that developing countries face in international trade which will be discussed; this paper also provides possible solutions to these problems of trade. Some of the problems include trade barriers, unfavorable terms of trade, high quality standards, A large portion of GDP in developing countries depend on agriculture, agriculture helps in providing food to the population, providing employment and surplus is exported to other countries. Foreign income highly depends on agricultural products exported and also tourism, however agriculture plays an important role in these countries in providing employment and food, there are various problems that these developing countries face in this sector and they include: High tariffs are imposed on imports in international trade; tariffs are a source of revenue to the government but at the same time they restrict the level of imports in a country, the agricultural sector in developing countries are faced with this problem because their good become more expensive in the internal market due to imposed tariffs. The tariffs will reduce the amo... Bans and quotas are also trade barriers that cause problems in internal trade, in the case of quota the developing countries are only required to export a certain quantity to country, this is a major draw back to the agricultural sector in the developing countries. High input costs: Most developing countries import inputs such as fertilizer, pesticides and oil, their cost in the internal market are usually high and some producers cannot afford these costs, for this reason therefore the cost of producing the agricultural products is usually very high making the final price for these products to be high. Therefore the high cost of inputs will lead to an increase in the cost of production, the final price of the agricultural products is usually very high and therefore less competitive in the internal market, for this reason therefore the agricultural products are usually less demanded in the internal market due to competition from more efficient producers. Oil is also a major input in production in each and every sector in an economy, the developing countries in most cases will import oil from developed countries where prices fluctuate frequently, and the cost of oil will lead to an increase in the cost of production of these products leading to less competitive prices in the internal market. Subsidies: Many countries subsidize their agricultural sector in order for them to produce more, this has posed a major problem to the developing countries that cannot afford to subsidize its agricultural sector, subsidizing of agricultural production in developed countries result into a reduction in the cost of production and therefore the country demand less imports. Subsidies therefore will create problems to the

Laws, tactics and imprisonment surrending cyber crimes in the UK Literature review

Laws, tactics and imprisonment surrending cyber crimes in the UK - Literature review Example Initially, the Act contained the three criminal offences of unauthorised access to computer and computer material, illegal; access with intent to commit and/or facilitate the commission of further offences and unauthorised modification of computer material. Later, in 2006, the Police and Criminal Justice Act amended the Computer Misuse Act. This amendment added a new section dealing with the offences of making, supplying and obtaining articles for use in computer misuse. To make the Act more effective, there is a proposal for the Act to be amended to target hackers that instigate serious attacks on computers on critical infrastructure with life imprisonment. This Act details all the offences associated with hacking and all the malware used in breaching computer systems. Regrettably, the Act is not encompassing enough to deal with cyber attacks that threaten national security. Currently, it addresses issues of unauthorised access to computer material or another persons user ID and password and further crimes upon gaining unauthorised entry into another person’s computer (www.gov.uk, 2014b). In this context, the Act addresses crimes such as stealing money or data and information from another’s computer system, spreading viruses and deleting files (Brenner, 2007). The maximum sentence for these offences is ten years. Fortunately, the Queen proposed the Serious Crime Bill, which will add a new offence of unauthorised acts causing serious damage in the Computer Misuse Act. The new offence encompasses more heinous cyber attacks on sensitive and essential systems of power supply, communications, and food or fuel distribution. Also addressed in the proposed Act are cyber crimes that would result in loss of life, social disruption or damage to the economy, environment or national security and serious injury (Brenner, 2007). The proposed Act’s

Taisho period Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Taisho period - Essay Example (Minichiello S. (1998) Japan's Competing Modernities: Issues In Culture and Democracy, 1900-1930, p.3) It is also marked by serious pollution problems, resulting from Meiji industrial policy. Except for these tendencies, the health of a new emperor was weak and this fact led to the shift in political power from oligarchic clique to the parliament and democratic parties. It is customary to call this shift and the related events the Taisho democracy. (Minichiello S. (1998)) Large, Stephen S. (1983) states that at the beginning of the century a growing mass consciousness represented a main tendency in social life. Due to increasing taxation, people wished to play more significant role in social life, thus increasing a number of voting people. One of the most remarkable demonstrations of popular unrest was Hibiya Riot that occurred because oligarchs didn't inform people about the events of war. In the period between 1905 and 1918 economy of Japan changed from agricultural to industrial, while Japan was looking for export market for the new commodities. One of the most remarkable facts of social life during Taisho period was the growth of the population. The agricultural pattern remained the same, but industrial cities grew. This growth may be either a result of the migration from countryside to the cities or a natural growth of the urban population.( Minichiello S. (1998) Japan's Competing Modernities: Issues In Culture and Democracy, 1900-1930, p.7) The researches distinguish between agricultural and non-agricultural economy in prewar Japan. They point out the following reasons for this differentiation: the agriculture reached the top of its output, for greater income it should have changed to larger-scale agriculture but this process could conflict with the social structure; the economic consequences of imperialism, when colonies produced food, depressing agricultural prices in Japan; the power of landlords remained the same so the tenancy problem wasn't resolved. (Minichiello S. (1998) Japan's Competing Modernities: Issues In Culture and Democracy, 1900-1930, p.7) Large, Stephen S. (1983) writes that after the 1st World War the exports failed, and inflation grew. These circumstances aroused economic opposition to governing classes; a number of mass demonstrations grew, as well as the popular demand for participating in social life. In December 1912 collapse in the Cabinet of Saionji Kimmochi seemed to become a factor promoting the ideas of democracy, bringing broad political rights through universal suffrage and true parliamentarism. Yoshino Sakuzo was one of the representative thinkers (1878-1933), who invented the notion of minponshugi (people-centrism). Yoshino's idea of minponshugi enjoyed great publicity from 1916, and still is regarded as the ultimate liberal idea of prewar Japan. Yoshino's notion of minponshugi called for the redistribution of power and wealth in Japanese society by institutionalizing the political system of popular representation; and, by employing various social programs to protect the weak and poor. A new society - Shinjinkai appeared in December 1918. It based upon the dual platform - liberation of mankind and rationalistic reform of present day Japan. This organization was influenced firstly by English social democracy, and then it experienced the

Midterm Essay 3 Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Midterm 3 - Essay Example Human development is thus, characterized by the appropriation and transformation of nature by human needs. The idea here is that human beings usually transform themselves according to the demands of the external world. In line with this argument, people do not engage in labor freely, but are rather forced by external forces to engage in labor. Marcuse perceives labor as a means of objectifying a person considering that people are always striving to engage activities that will profit them economically (ibid). As such, capitalism is seen as the primary cause of alienation in the society as it forces human beings to act. The fact that people do not realize that labor and capitalism has enslaved them explains that they do not realize the need for change, thus making them one-dimensional thinkers. As such, instead of fighting against the alienation caused by capitalism and demanding social change, one-dimensional thinkers begin to identify with those who fuel such capitalism, thus becoming complacent in their alienated state. As Marcuse writes, â€Å"†¦the subject which is alienated is swallowed up by its alienated existence†¦there is only one dimension, and it is everywhere and in all forms†¦Ã¢â‚¬  (19). Fundamentally, the working class people are lured into a consumerism system in which labor is essential for production, their artificial needs are met, and these people are slowly integrated into the capitalist society. By ensuring that the workers perceive labor as beneficial and making sure that the worker’s artificial needs are met, the capitalist society eliminates the cha nces of opposition. One of the catalysts of the kind of alienation caused by capitalism is technology. Marcuse argues that technology has revolutionized the mass media such that the capitalist system is able to infiltrate the social lives of its citizens (18). In essence, mediums such as radio and television have been used by the system to take capitalist ideas into the homes of citizens

Internet Banking in India Essay Example for Free

Internet Banking in India Essay The banking sector in India has undergone a rapid transformation. Almost a decade ago this area was limited to nationalized banks and cooperative. Then came the multinational banks, but were these limited to serve small elite.  One could consider the past as the Middle Ages in the banking sector, in which each branch of the same bank acted as independent information silo and multichannel banking (ATMs, Net Banking, tele-banking, etc) was almost nonexistent. The main reason for this first transformation is due to improved methods developed encryption security and Internet. The second reason is that banks do not want to lose a potential market share for banks that are quick to offer their Internet services. The objective of this research is just comparing the modern era banking system with the old one. The evolution of modern banking technology began with the use of advanced machines shipping Ledger (ALPM) in the 1980s. The Reserve Bank of India, which is a central policy under which several public sector banks, financial institutions, NBFCs etc. working in India had advised then all banks to go massive computerization branch level. Two options were raised i. e. either to automate the front office or office. Many banks opted for ALPM office automation in the first phase. Banks as State Bank of India, a public sector commercial bank, focused on automating back office in branch level. The Rangarajan Committee 1985 report said the banks had to get computerized. The second wave of development called for Total Bank Automation (TBA) in late 1980. This automated both the front-end and back-end operations within the same branch. TBA compound total automation of a particular branch with its own database. In the third wave, the new private sector banks entered the field. These banks have opted for a different model of having one central database instead of having multiple databases for all branches. This was possible thanks to the availability of good network infrastructure. In the beginning of the 1990s, the cost of the leased line goes down. The DoT was expanding its capacity and new technologies were being implemented. Earlier, banks were unsure of directing the whole operation through a single data center. However, when a couple of private sector banks implemented efficiently, other banks began to show interest, and also began consolidating their databases in a single database [8]. Banks follow this movement by choosing appropriate application software that supports centralized operations. The fourth wave began with the evolution of ATM delivery channel. This was the first stage of training the client for their own transactions. The second stage was Suvidha experiment in the city of Bangalore in India. This showed the power of technology and how the scope can be increased at a rate unusually large. Seeing this, all banks began to renew their retail distribution channels. Their main focus became the number of customers they can service at a lower cost. The main channels are chains such as Internet banking and mobile banking. After this came alliances for payment through different gateways. The third major event happening now is the real time gross settlement system of the RBI. Once this is in place, transactions between banks can be done through the settlement system, online, electronically. So collections will become very fast. Within five years, most transactional services are provided by way of the Internet. Net-based banking takes only 10 percent of the operating costs of conventional banking practices and services. Because banks will play a key role in terms of public services related to electronic money transactions we feel that cooperative banks NET-Banking should consider in a big way. A cost comparison study by IBM Global Services Consulting Group clearly shows the advantage of using Internet for banking services through another Traditional media. The opening of the Indian banking sector to private players acted as a turning point for the transformation. De-regulation efforts led many financial institutions (such as HDFC and ICICI) and non-financial institutions entering the field of banking. With the entry of private players in retail banking and with multinationals focuses on individual consumers in a big way, the banking system experienced a change a phenomenal. Multi-channel banking gained importance. For the first time consumers have the option conducting transactions in either the traditional way (through the bank branch), through ATMs, by phone or through the network. Technology played a key role in providing this multi-platform service. Input private actors driven patterns combined with new nationalized banks forced to redefine their core banking strategy. And technology is central to this change. Internet Banking is the most effective means of banking. The bank customers changing relationships significantly, open standards replace property front ends, many-to-many substitution networks single line, links and traditional locking erosion, so that corporations enjoy lower switching costs. Corporations source worldwide and find the best cane. Corporate customers are free to disaggregate their corporate banking shopping, selecting the best genetics for every need, geographic and functionally, and the integrated use of front-end to manage the complexity of multiple vendors. Methodology: Let us now compare the IT journey of two of the leading banks of india i. e. Pnb and hdfc. Punjab National Bank Punjab National Bank (PNB), a public sector commercial bank, has come a long way since March 2000, when IT systems are deployed only 500-odd branches, and was very uneven. Only 35 percent of the bank business was computerized and a number of small software packages running on independent PCs. Now 2003, GNP had 101 branches in a WAN, deployed core banking infrastructure and network works 175 ATMs. It has also deployed a reliable security infrastructure that helps make transactions within its carefree branches. The journey does not end here, but along the way banks gathered valuable knowledge and experience. Some of the preconditions were that the RBI systems must be audited by an independent auditor, and an independent agency should carry authentic out penetration tests. The bank has already had their systems audited by an external agency, and penetration testing process is ongoing. In the process, GNP has developed the skills of its own staff to take charge of security on their own at a later stage. The bank also hire technically trained personnel to provide the necessary knowledge base. With the launch of Internet banking, the bank will also strengthen its security policies. A private sector bank had a centralized IP-based network right from its inception. All branches throughout the country converge at their respective location zonal center, which in turn connects to the data center Mumbai. Based on the nature of the entity and spoke network architecture, the branches are distributed in different regions and each position has an important regional center. Falling branches under a location connected to the hub in the main area. These hubs then connect to the central site (data center) using a combination of 2 Mbps tubes and 64 Kbps, depending on the total volume of transactions passing through. A highlight of HDFC Bank Network is the presence of two or more hubs in one place. Pre-Internet banking A security issue during the pre-Internet has more to do with the internal activities of a company. From the early days as technology solutions for banking applications mainframe, AS400 or Unix- had a lot of security built. Transactions that are directed from the branch to the main server is encrypted no individual passwords and many functions have two levels of authorization. Therefore safety banking largely integrated in the software or the application itself. Today banking in India is not limited to a branch. People have less time to devote to their banking and would like to make use of banking services through other channels. In a competitive market, where services offered command market share, banks are constantly competing for customers. Banking has become a process of choice and convenience. By offering different channels until banks have succeeded in divert their operations from one branch to other channels. The result has been a reduction in the cost per transaction at the branch. An average transaction costs about 100 rupees branch, at an ATM in question Rs. 0, and the Internet is around Rs. 20. But unfortunately a very small percentage of customers out not use the Internet Banking in India. This is due to factors such as low PC penetration, and penetration of Internet itself is low. At present only a few banks (eg HDFC, PNB, etc) have demonstrated the Internet initiative banking and have a strong advantage over other banks through a large number of customers still use ATMs. Typically 55 percent, on average, the operations of these banks are in the ATM, branch 30 percent, 8 percent Phone and 7 percent Internet. As with any new technology issue new face. There are a number of problems faced by these banks. One of the first problems is that of customer service. Banks need to create a whole new customer relations department to help customers. Banks need to ensure that customers receive help quickly if they need help. The major problems or disasters can destroy banks reputation quickly and easily. By showing the customer that the Internet is reliable they are able get the client can trust the online banking more and more. Besides these the first is the main concern of the laws. While Internet banking has no national or state borders, the law does. Companies will have to make sure you have the software in place that can detect when a law of a state to another is being violated. Security of course, is a big problem with banks. Along with security problems and manage cryptographic a bank also has to worry about becoming a far too cold for the customer. Some think the banks offering Internet banking services our increasingly cold and impersonal with customer. Despite the problems that exist however, are not as bad as you think. With encryption and security technology to improve in leaps and with banks and financial institutions are allowed to use 128-bit Internet banking is increasingly Code secure. The future of modern banking integration is, as people have less time for banking. My profile revealed that the banks that offer online banking services are rapidly becoming the choice of citizens in the urban areas. People want to process more transactions online. Soon there will be more activity in terms of applications and services on mobile. Geography is not an inhibitor more, since all can run on the network. Integration will become the next big thing in real. The customer will want a one-stop workshop that will take care of all your needs. For example people will want to buy their mutual funds, redeem his mutual funds, insurance policies buy, renew policies, and buy movie tickets, train tickets and numerous similar transactions through the bank. The ATM still serve as an effective means of dispensing, but the Internet and mobile will be very active. Banks that use the Internet banking have higher rates of return deposits and provide higher interest rates in general, and not have to deal with cashiers, branches, etc. and then in the times ahead and the actual Virtual banks will not dominate the future.

Dust Explosion Is One Of The Major Hazards Engineering Essay

Dust Explosion Is One Of The Major Hazards Engineering Essay Dust explosion must be controlled but means of necessary vent area design, Vessel strength, also following proper operational procedures and maintaining good housekeeping. Here a new bag filling plant and silo for plastic manufacturer is designed. So, as a safety advisor the vent sizing for a silo is presented to vent a dust explosion. Information required for the calculation of the vent sizing are strength of the vessel i.e. silo, explosion properties of the dust, size and shape of the vessel, the static activation pressure that is to open the venting in case of any pressure rise, condition of the dust cloud. If the dust is found to be toxic then venting should not be done if theres immediate harm to the environment. But in some unavoidable circumstances then the venting is done with an endangered area shall be specified. For that safe discharge area must be calculated to vent the dust to the atmosphere. And location of venting is chosen on the top of the silo i.e. vertical venting. This assumption made on the condition that the silo is sited in a congested area. Horizontal venting will cause harm the personnel working in the plant area. Plant Sketch Silo Air to bag filter Pneumatic Conveyor Cyclone Powder Inlet from plant Air Blower Vibrating outlets to bag filling stations Data given, Silo is of cylindrical shape. Diameter = 10m Height = 30m Vent duct length = 15 m Silo Design pressure = 0.25 barg Material stored in silo is plastic power and also includes Methylene dianiline (MDA). Here the dust is tested in and 20 litre sphere apparatus to find the maximum rate of pressure rise per unit time. The main apparatus is Sphere explosion vessel, dust dispersion system, ignition source, Pressure monitoring system and control system. This test done as per BS EN 14034-2:2006. And it is found that (dp/dt) max = 928 bar.s-1 Where (dp/dt) max Maximum rate of pressure (p) rise per unit time (t) The objectives of this design are i. To vent the deflagrating that occurs inside the vessel ii. To avoid the injury to personnel by vent discharge iii. To limit the damage of the vessel iv. To limit the damage of the nearby structures The following steps are identified for venting sizing with reference to i. Dust deflagration index Kst must be found, Kst = (dp/dt)max * V 1/3 Where (dp/dt) max Maximum rate of pressure (p) rise per unit time (t) =928 bar/s And volume of the test apparatus is 0.02m3 Kst = 928 * (0.02)1/3 bar.m.s-1 Kst = 252 bar.m.s-1 ii. Now maximum explosion overpressure occurs during dust explosion in an enclosed vessel (non-vented vessel) Pmax which is to determine the explosive characteristics of the dust. Procedure for measuring Pmax is done in 5litre apparatus and the apparatus is designed to withstand an internal overpressure of 20 bar. First required amount of dust is taken for the test. Then the dust is dispersed in the vessel at atmospheric pressure and before that the initial temperature is noted down. Then initial pressure Pi i.e. just a moment before ignition is noted. And the pressure rise recorded as a function of time. And from pressure time curve Pex is determined for the particular dust concentration. And the test is done for various dust concentration and the Pex results are plotted with various dust concentration until the maximum value of Pex is found. And that maximum value is the maximum overpressure Pmax. This Pmax and Kst plays crucial factor in determining the vent size and design for explosion protection. Here dust mixture composition is not known, so the vent size is based on highest Kst and Pmax value. The result of Pmax for various dust classes is referred from BS EN 14034-2:2006, the table is shown below Kst (bar.m.s-1) Dust explosion class Pmax (bar) 0 St 1 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 9 200 St 2 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 10 Kst > 300 St 3 à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ 12 Table 1a: Where, St 1- moderate explosible St 2 strong explosible St 3 very strongly explosible Hence from the table above Pmax is taken as 10 bar for Kst = 252 bar.m.s-1 and the dust is classified as St 2. iii. Now the vessel design pressure selection must be measured, if the enclosure vessel is designed as ASTM then Pmawp (Maximum allowable work pressure) can be calculated. Here it is given that design pressure is 0.25barg. Venting provided should be sufficient to reduce the enclosure vessel rapture due to reduced maximum overpressure, Pred,max Here Pred,max shall be chose shall not exceed two-third of the vessel strength. Venting shall be provided such that Pred,max shall not exceed the vessel strength to prevent the rapture of vessel during venting. Pred,max à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ (Pes/ DLF) Where, DLF dynamic Load factor as a result of pressure rise. In absence of detailed structural analysis, it is assumed that DLF = 1.5 the design based on weakest structural element. i.e. Pred,max à ¢Ã¢â‚¬ °Ã‚ ¤ (2/3)(Pes) Where Pes enclosure strength in bar Hence, Pred,max = 0.166 bar iv. Vessel Height to diameter ratio, the ratio of height to diameter of the vessel must be included in determining the vent area. Increase in ratio of height to diameter increases the flame propagation inside the vessel. Hence the estimation of the ratio is given below, Veff = à Ã¢â€š ¬ r2 h Where Veff is the volume of the cylindrical vessel were flame can travel along the path. h Height of the cylinder r radius of the cylinder Veff = 3.14 * 5* 5* 30 = 2355m3 Aeff = Veff / H Where Aeff is the effective area of the cylindrical vessel Aeff = 2355 / 30 =78.5 m2 Deff = ((4*Aeff)/à Ã¢â€š ¬)1/2 Where Deff is the effective diameter of the cylindrical vessel Deff=((4*78.5)/3.14)1/2 = 10m H/D = 30/10 = 3m v. Venting cover operation, the following factors to considered for the venting cover operation such as venting opening shall be free and clear, should be obstructed by weather conditions and any dust deposits. The vent cover shall open at its static activation over pressure Pstat. And vent cover should withstand the pressure within the static activation overpressure Pstat.. Here venting cover with specific mass And Hence Pstat = 0.2 bar. Sizing of vent area, here the specific situation must be considered for the venting sizing. Here the material is transferred by pneumatic conveyor. And this is classified as Inhomogeneous dust distribution as per New findings on explosion venting by R.Siwek. For vessel length L> 10m A = 0.0011 * Kst* H *Df * [(1/Dz) (8.6 log Pred,max 6) 5.5* log Pred,max + 3.7] ( 1 +1.715 * Pred,max -1.27 * log (H/D)) Where, Df diameter of the pipeline, here its assumed as 0.1m for effective dust reduction A Vent area m2 Dz effective diameter of the cylindrical vessel Dz =( (4*v)/à Ã¢â€š ¬ ) 1/3 = (( 4*2355)/3.14)1/3 = 14 A = 0.0011 * 252 * 30 * 0.1 * [(1/14) (8.6 log 0.166 6 ) 5.5 log 0.166 + 3.7] (1 + 1.715 * 0.3 -1.27 * log 3) A = 30 m2 Effect of vent ducting, duct is normally to vent the discharge to a safe area away from the work area. But increase in duct length will increase reduced maximum explosion pressure. P red,max = -0.03267 * l*(H/D) + 0.3481 * l0.798 Where, l length of the duct (m) P red,max maximum reduced explosion pressure with vent duct P red,max = -0.03267 * 15 * (30/10) + 0.3481 * 150.798 P red,max = 1.5 bar P red,max = 0.2 *(C1 C2) * (1-(H/D)) + C1 Where C1 = P red,max * (1 + 17.3 *(A*V-0.753)1.6 * l) = 1.027 C2 = (0.0586 * l) + 1.023] * P red,max0.981 (0.01907 *l) = 0.5 P red,max = 0.8 bar And from the above equation relationship between the reduced maximum explosion pressure with vent duct and duct length can be found and also necessary increase in cylindrical vessel strength can also be estimated. Since the facility is still being designed and from the above result of with effect of vent duct it is evident that reduced maximum explosion pressure increases above the vessel design pressure. So the increase in design pressure and the vessel strength must be re-considered if vent duct is used to deflagrate the flame. Safe discharge, Maximum flame length for dust, X = Q*V1/3 Where Q 8 for vertical discharge X = 8 * (2355)1/3 X = 106.4 m Maximum flame width, W = 1.3 * (10*v)1/3 = 37m Maximum external pressure (dust) P = 0.2 * Pred,max * A0.1 * V0.18 = 0.188 bar Where P maximum external pressure A Vent area V Volume of the cylindrical vessel. 2. This bag filling facility handles plastics powder which generates dust must be examined for the explosive characteristics. For that we need to analyse the chemical compositions in it. The explosive dust decomposes generating large enormous energy. This decomposition includes oxygen in the molecule so it is not necessary that it needs air. So it is important to screen the chemical composition first, if the test indicates the presence of explosive characteristics then necessary dust explosion prevention and protection techniques must be implemented as a basis of safety. In order to prevent the dust explosion following techniques are used i. Controlling the source of ignition ii. Inerting For explosion protecting the following techniques are used i. Explosion containment ii. Explosion suppression iii. Venting DUST EXPLSION PROTECTION PREVENTION Control of ignition containment Source Suppression Inerting Venting Now the details of each technique are explained in detail below Controlling the source of ignition, dust explosion cannot occur unless theres a source of ignition. And hence a careful analysis must be done in design, operation and maintenance for the possible sources of ignition. Here are some of possible sources of ignition a. hot surface b. spark c. electrostatic spark d. heat e. friction f. flames Flames are one of the sources which can easily ignite the dust. Direct heating i.e. using of burners can be avoided in process where dust generation is possible. Welding works carried on the silo which has possible dust generation inside the vessel. So all hot works carried on silo must be allowed as per the statutory requirements. Any Internal combustion engines near the silo might take in the dust generated nearby and can cause explosion. And hence this combustion engine can be avoided or use of flameproof combustion engines. Electric power is also one of the sources of ignition. Electric spark which are produced from electrical equipment, if comes in contact with dust will result in explosion. Hence all the electrical equipment must be intrinsically safe and also ATEX 137 EU directive 95/9/EC certified equipment should be used depending upon the dust and zone classification. So this must be done during procurement stage. Once ATEX is implemented then zone classification must be done as a part of ATEX requirement by analysing the possible generation dust from the process i.e. Zone 20 dust generation is often, zone 21 dust generation likely to occur or Zone 22 dust generation not likely to occur. Dust depositing on hot surface will cause explosion depending on the temperature and geometry of the surface. In most of the cases this can be avoided by good housekeeping. And also Ignition occurs only when the surface temperature reaches the minimum ignition temperature of the dust. Static electricity is also one of the major hazards in process and chemical industries. When a charged particle comes in contact with the opposite or dissimilar object there will be transfer of charge and will results in spark. Since the powder have charged particle, when it comes in contact with dissimilar particle in transferring or free falling there will be transfer of charge which will generate spark. And the spark generated can cause ignition of the dust. Hence all the metal containers must be earthed so that the charge generated will leak away to the earth. And use non conducting materials are recommended in construction. Below diagram show difference between earthed and non-earthed conductor Figure 2a: Hazards in non-earthed conductor Friction is also one of the ways that dust cloud can be ignited. That is when hot particles come in contact with mechanical equipment by rubbing or impacting against the equipment can ignite the dust cloud. This friction ignition depends upon the maximum velocity of the hot particle impacting against the hot surface. And hence use of such mechanical equipment should be avoided. And the other possible chances of ignition of dust clouds can be through spontaneous combustion. So this type of burning occurs due to self-heating as a result of internal exothermic reaction which is followed by thermal runaway. If this heat release is unable escape will result in ignition. And also sufficient oxygen and dust concentration must be present for the thermal runaway ignition. Hence the safe way is to displace the oxygen is by inerting. Inerting is a process by sending inert substances to remove or prevent the explosive atmosphere formation. The main objective is to eliminate or to reduce the oxygen level below the lower flammability limit in order to avoid the catastrophic dust explosion, in some case combustion can also occur in very low oxygen level so in that case is safe to replace all the air with inert gases. Even sometimes explosive dust generated inside the vessel can be diluted into non explosive dust by passing certain inert dust e.g. limestone. When inerting theres chance of inert gases gets trapped inside the vessel, where personnels are accessible for confined space works, this will result in asphyxiation. Hence proper statutory rules must be followed in entry of confined space. Care should be taken when inert gases are sent into the distribution line. That is before passing the inert gases the impurities such as hazardous substance moisture etc. should be removed from the inert gases by means of filter. And flow of the inert gases must be maintained by the pressure monitoring and controlled. Flow chart for inerting process is shown below Inerting Use of inert dust as an inert medium Suitable inert gas available e.g.) N2, co2 etc Performing oxygen limiting measurement at process temperature and pressure Design dust inert system Ensure the reliability of the monitoring system Inert gas cost when compared to other safety technique, are the cost found satisfactory Consider basis of safety for design and operation And some the other available prevention techniques include installation of pressure sensor, alarm system in-case of overpressure, Automatic shutdown system in-cases of overpressure, Level indicator, correct operational procedures and Proper maintenance and inspection procedures. Explosion containment is used to withstand the explosion pressure rise and to prevent the rupture of the containment. The explosion containment usage is accepted when the release of the process materials is not acceptable. First maximum explosion pressure Pmax must be determined, since it is the crucial factor in explosion containment. Hence pressure resistant vessels are designed to withstand the maximum explosion pressure without any deformation or rupturing the vessel. And hence the stress induced by the maximum explosion overpressure should not exceed 50% of the yield strength of the weakest part. Explosion pressure shock resistant vessel is also designed to handle the maximum explosion pressure but deformation occurs to some extent. And the stress induced by the maximum explosion overpressure should not exceed 90% of the yield strength of the weakest part. Logical flow chart for explosion containment is shown below Explosion Containment Multi-volume Single volume Can explosion be contained by knowing Pmax and plant design? Are the multiple volume is mechanically isolated Is Rapture of vessel acceptable? Use pressure shock resistant vessel Use pressure resistant vessel Consider basis of safety for design and operation Cost valid when compared to other safety techniques Suppression is a technique which identifies the starting point of explosion and extinguishes the growing fire. Normally suppressor is used whenever it is difficult to discharge the pressure and flame in a safe area. Normally it takes 40 90ms for an explosion to occur when the dust gets ignited. So now the explosion detector detects the pressure rise in the vessel and it is designed to set the alarm when it reaches the reference pressure rise and activates the suppressor so that it suppresses/extinguishes the growing fire ball inside the vessel. Suppressor can also be used in parallel with venting where sufficient venting area is not achieved. And also it is to noted that explosion detector should withstand to the vibration, shock and resistant against corrosion. Below figure shown is the normal working of suppressor in the vessel. Normally suppression can be used for a vessel volume up-to 1000m3. For vessel larger than 1000m3 explosion suppression can be used and the explosion suppressor must be within the vessel volume boundary. Fig 2b: Suppressor working If a vessel is without suppressor and dust explosion occurs in a enclosed vessel then the pressure rise grow and attains destructible level which is shown below in graph (line A). If a suppressor is installed and suppressor extinguished before the explosion then the maximum pressure rise will be reduced Pred within the maximum vessel design pressure, shown below in graph (line B). In order to achieve the above it also depends upon the suppressor location, suppressor discharge rate and also number of suppressor placed in the vessel. Graph 2a: Pressure rise with suppressor and without suppressor There are many types of suppressors available such as hemispherical suppressor, High rate discharge suppressor are used. Normally high rate discharge are most widely used because for their high discharge rate to suppress the fire. In hemispherical suppressor usually liquids i.e. water is used as suppressant and can store upto 5 litres. And the initial velocity of hemispherical suppressor is 200m.s-1 and the discharge time is 10 30 ms. For high rate discharge suppressor the suppressant used can be liquid or dry powder. It can suppressant discharge time is within 10 millisecond and suppressant stored upto 40kg. And the suppressant materials used in order to supress the fire must quench the combustion. And some of the commonly used suppressants are dry powder i.e. dry chemical and water. Flameless venting is done to vent the explosions without any risk of external flame. Flameless venting device consists of flame arrestor which quenches the flame that propagates outside from the vessel. The main principle is that the arrestor reduces the fuel from flame below the ignition temperature by energy dissipation in the flame arrestor. 3. Here in this bag filling facility, use of hazardous substance involved. Hence this operation must abide to control of substance hazardous to health Regulation 2002 (As Amended) (COSHH) to control the hazards to the human health. Here in this bag filling facility there is use of plastic powder which get filled and packed. In this plastic power has an additive known as Methylene dianiline. This plastic powder is a thermoplastic intended for use in injection of moulding machine. This methylene dianiline is a carcinogen which causes cancer when it is inhaled by the people engaged in bag filling operation. So it is necessary to conduct control of substance hazardous to health risk assessment. And to evaluate the allowable exposure limits and the necessary measure to be taken while handing the hazardous materials. Main steps to be followed to prevent the health hazards and to comply with COSHH are as follows i. Determine the risk ii. Control measure implementation iii. Control the exposure iv. Continual improvement and practice of the control measure implemented v. Monitoring the exposure level with the control measures vi. Providing health monitoring check up vii. Prepare Emergency plan and conduct emergency mock drill viii. Providing training and necessary information to the employees Substances or chemicals that are hazardous to personnel health will come under COSHH. Here methylene dianiline is used which is identified as a potential carcinogen and hence the operation should comply with COSHH to control the health hazards and improve the operation. Determine the hazard The first step is to identify the hazard whether the substance used in the process causes health hazard to employee engaged in work. Here it is identified that Methylene Dianiline is a potential carcinogen. So operators engaged for bag filling, sealing and engaged in cleaning activities are at risk if exposed. So first we need to find the possible exposure points. From analysing the operation involved in bag filling facility. The possible release/exposure points are identified below, i. filling arms in bag filling station building it vibrates to prevent clogging ii. Opening the valve fast will cause sudden release of pressure. iii. Bag sealing possible dust generation since the bag is left opened iv. Cleaning the spilled dust near filling area v. Pneumatic conveyor possible leak point will cause dust discharge Here it is identified that possibility of the substance route to affect operator health is through inhalation when released in air. And hazards of methylene dianiline and its chemical properties are taken from CHIP classification, Now CHIP regulation gradually replaced by European CLP. And the hazard classification is taken from European regulation EC No 1271/2008 on Classification labelling and Packing (CLP) from Table 3.2 part3 of Annexure I to directive 67/548/EEC Index No International Chemical Identification Ec No CAS no Classification Labelling Concentration Limit 612-051-00-1 4,4Methylenedianiline 202-974-4 101-77-9 Crac Cat 2;R 45 Mutta.Cat,3; R 68 T; R39/23/24/25 Xn; R48/20/21/22 R43 N; R51-53 T;N R:45-39/23/24/25-43-48/20/21/22-68-51/53 S:53-45-61 Table 3a Classification is taken from European regulation EC No 1271/2008 on Classification labelling and Packing (CLP) from Table 3.1 part3 of Annexure VI to directive 67/548/EEC Index No International Chemical Identification EC No CAS no Classification Labelling Hazardous Class and Category codes Hazardous Statement Codes Pictogram signal word code Hazardous Statement Codes Suppl. Hazardous Statement Codes 612-051-00-1 4,4Methylenedianiline 202-974-4 101-77-9 Carc 1B Muta 2 STOT SE 1 STOT RE 2 Skin sens 1 Aquatic Chronic 2 H350 H341 H370 ** H373 ** H317 H411 GHS08 GHS07 GHS09 Dgr H350 H341 H370 ** H373 ** H317 H411 Table 3b: Where R Risk phase and H Hazard , Classification of levels of danger i.e. harmful, toxic, very toxic as per CHIP regulation. Here MDA is classified as potential carcinogen R 45 Cancer causing substance. Deciding proper safe guarding measure Since here the plant is in designing stage so the possible release/exposure points, population exposed to the hazardous substance and route of entry are identified and necessary control measure are indentified below to implement from the designing stage. So COSHH essential uses out of the risk assessment information it chooses one of the methods for control measure shown below, Figure 3a: The factors used in identifying appropriate controls measure are in below figure, Figure 3b: So the following steps are followed in identifying adequate control measure as mentioned in COSHH essentials: Easy steps to control chemicals i. Group the hazards identified ii. Grouping the physical properties of the amount used iii. Asses the anticipated exposure iv. Now combine step 1 to 3 to form a generic assessment Grouping the hazard, hazards are classified between A to E by R-Phase given in CHIP and H-Phase given in CLP. Below the table shows the classification of hazard group. In the below table units, mg/m3 milligrams per cubic meter and ppm parts per million. From below table methylene dialine classified under group E dust. Table 3c: Now to determine the predictive exposure we must first classify the hazardous substance physical properties. Here in bag filling operation, hazardous substance is in dust form, since the plastic powders are granule will generate dust. So as per COSHH essential they have presented a table for identifying the determinants of the hazardous substance. That is the factor for deciding the physical properties for solid are dustiness and for the liquid is the volatility. And based upon the below shown table here methylene dianiline is identified as fine solid and light power and the corresponding determinant is identified as high. Table 3d: And after identifying the determinant and amount used as per COSHH essential has identified four band of exposure potential and the table is shown below, Table 3e: Here in bag filling and packing operation the main product is plastic powder which contains methylene dianiline as an additive. So the quantities used which assumed to be in tonnes, the main aim of this plant is packing plastic powder. And the exposure predictor band here it is identified as EP 4. sNow to decide which the control approach is adequate enough to control the situation of health hazard has to be identified from the range given which is used in COSHH essential. And table is shown below Table 3f: And based upon the above control approval table and exposure predictor table COSHH essential formed a table relating exposure predictor to control approach. And the table is shown below. Table 3g: In-order to choose the type of control measure recommended we have to relate the target airborne exposure to the exposure predictor band .Hence for this bag filling facility type-4 control is recommended because the concentration level of the dust is unknown. Sample COSHH Risk assessment Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4 What are the hazard What will harm and who? What are you doing Improvements needed Who When Check Breathing in dust from filling station Since the dust contains MDA might cause cancer and irritates the respiratory system Dust mask Get cab and filtered air supply Conveyor to silo, to filling station Nobody Dust Extraction Check for leaks weekly Bagging plastic powder Charge handed Storage and dispatch Forklift driver Dust mask Get cab and filtered air supply Cleaning the plastic powder dust spill Charge hand Brushing Vacuum hose to dust extraction Changing dust filter Charge hand Use of P3 respirator Contract out this work Also: Action Taken Action needed Examination Test COSHH Supervision Instruction and training Emergency Plan Health Surveillance Monitoring Review Date Recommendations Here to reduce the possible exposures to hazardous substance below are the following recommendations, i. Minimizing the generation of plastic dust such as designing conveying system in such a way to reduce the impact with hard surface to reduce the dust generation i.e. use of long sweep elbows. ii. Minimising the release of plastic dust such as keep silo in good conditions i.e. avoid crack, proper maintenance etc., maintain the transfer equipment in good seal condition to avoid leaks. iii. Plastic dust can be captured and contained. iv. Create awareness among the employee about the hazards associated in handling hazardous substance and use of MSDS. v. Regular health surveillance must be conducted to employee exposed to risk. vi. Use of proper respiratory PPEs while handling with plastic powder. As per COSHH essential it is identified suitable PPEs for the selected group hazard. Table is shown below and it is identified as Assigned protection factor 200. This APF is in reference with BS 4275 Table 3h 4. Project Description The new bag filling line and silo is being constructed for a plastic manufacturer which is located in congested area which means the silo is located in between the nearby structures and objects but the whole plant is located in plain and partly terrain area. This facility involves transfer of plastic powder from the plant to silo for storage so that it can used to store plastic powder prior to the bagging and distribution. Here in the silo there is possible release of dust into the atmosphere due to overpressure or overfilling. Since the dust generated inside the silo is vented to atmosphere so it must meet to the current environment legislation in order to avoid air pollution. From Silo the plastic powder is sent to bag filling station. The bag filling station comprises a building in which there are four bag filling stations. Hence an environmental impact aspect must be undertaken before the commencement stage . Plant Sketch Silo Air to bag f

Political and Country Risks in International Business

Political and Country Risks in International Business Introduction: Political and country risks: Financial institutions and business organizations operate its business activities abroad in order to diversify and expand their sources of revenue and profitability. Organizations that make investment in a foreign market either in the form of equity or assets are exposed to risks that may arise either from an act of the host government or from other external political events taking place in that country, these risks include social, political and economic conditions and events that imposes negative impact on the financial performance and profitability of foreign organizations. Types of political and country risks: The following are the main types of political and country risks that may affect the business performance of an international organization operating in foreign countries. Nationalization or deprivation: Nationalization is a process whereby a government takeover privately owned industries, corporations and resources with or without compensation. Nationalization is a political risk which makes it very difficult or impossible for international organizations to invest in a country where businesses are exposed to such risk. In past governments have nationalized highly profitable industries on the ground that it does not want foreign ownership of its valuable resources for instance in 2006 the Bolivian government nationalized the countrys oil and natural gas industries. Similarly in January 2007 the Government of Venezuela announced to nationalize firms in two major sectors of the countrys economy i.e. telecommunications and electricity. In November 2009 the president of Venezuela announced that he will nationalize banks in the country. Forced divestiture: forced divestiture another type of country risk in which an international firm is forced to divest its business operation, an example of forced divestiture is the Indonesian subsidiary of French retail giant Carrefour which has been ordered to sell the 75% stake it acquired in smaller rival Alfa Retailindo in January 2008. Gradual expropriation: Expropriation means a quick action of government to seize the assets of foreign entity, but in gradual expropriation a single international company is targeted by the host government. Gradual or creeping expropriation involves slow and gradual removal of property rights by way of tax increase on profits to make a foreign business less profitable, increase in property tax, instituting increasing barriers, changing the proportion of ownership which must be held locally. In gradual expropriation the ownership title of business remains in the name of foreign investor but the right to use the business is diminished as a result of the government interference. An example of gradual expropriation is when China announced a policy restricting the property rights of domestic and foreign automakers to transfer their ownership or enter into strategic alliance in China, by banning the sale or transfer of manufacturing licenses by bankrupt or failing automakers. Similarly in Tecinicas Medioambientales Tecmed S.A. V. The United Mexican States it was declared that the Mexican government has committed expropriation because of non-renewal of a license necessary to operate the landfill. Currency inconvertibility and exchange: Currency inconvertibility means a situation where one currency can not be converted or exchanged into foreign currency. This is another political risk for an organization operating its business activities abroad. In such case a foreign government may restrict the right of foreign firms to repatriate profits to their home country and all profits remain in the foreign country. Inconvertibility of currency may arise due to passing new legislation or administrative delays. In administrative delays the bureaucracy in a foreign country takes more time in currency conversion and creates a financial burden upon foreign companies. Some countries issues inconvertible currency for instance Cuban peso in order to protect its citizens from perceived capitalist infiltration, similarly domestic regulators may consider foreign currency inconvertible in order to protect local investors from bad investment decision i.e. hyperinflation of currency. Termination of fuel supply agreements: Termination of fuel supply agreement is another political risk for an international organization functioning in a foreign country. A foreign company whose business activities are solely dependent upon fuel supply under an agreement with the host government, or with the host company and when such agreement is terminated than in such circumstances the company will face major problem in continuing its business in such foreign country. Confiscation: Confiscation of international business is a severe form of political risks where host government seizes the assets of a foreign company without compensation. The U.S. 1996 Helms-Burton Law entitles the U.S. companies to sue companies from other countries that use property confiscated from U.S. companies following Cubas communist revolution in 1959. But the U.S. government waived this law repeatedly in order to maintain good relations with other countries. Terrorism and kidnapping: Kidnapping and other terrorist activities are means of making political statements. Small groups unhappy about the current political or social situation can resort to terrorist tactics to fulfill their demands. 9/11 tragedy is a prominent example. These groups may target the executives of large international companies for kidnapping and taking of hostages in order to fund their terrorist activities. The current political instability, terrorist activities and internal conflicts in Pakistan is a good example, where an international firm is exposed to a verity of threats arising from such activities and makes it impossible for such firm to operate business effectively and increase its profitability. Policy changes: Furthermore good relationship between the host government and international companies is of vital importance for operating a successful and profitable business and any political change that modify the anticipated effect and worth of a given economic action by changing the likelihood of achieving business objectives than it affects international businesses to a greater extent and the governments hard and fast new policies can create huge problems for international companies. Contractual frustration: Frustration of contract means legal termination of contract between the parties because of unforeseen circumstances which makes the performance of such contract practically impossible. These circumstances include, accident, change in law, sickness of one of the parties and interference from third party etc. In international business perspective companies that enter into trade agreements for export or import of goods or services either with government or private entities in foreign countries are often exposed to underlying political risks. Such contract may be frustrated at any time for a number of political reasons that are beyond the control of the parties. Transfer: Transfer risks take place when host government policies imposes limitation on the transfer of capital, payments, production, people and technology in and out of country i.e. imposing tariffs or restrictions on import and export, repatriation of capital or remittance of dividend etc. Trade disruptions: Devaluation: Screening for political risks: In order to operate successful business activities overseas it is very important for international companies to identify, analyze, measure and manage those political and country risks that are encountered by such company. Analysis of political risks: In order to analyze political risks, these are categorizes in two levels according to their nature, severity and intensity i.e. Macro political risk analysis and micro political risk analysis. Macro political risk analysis: This is an analysis that observes major political decisions likely to affect all businesses in a country. Macro risk factors include freezing the movement of assets out of the host country, limiting the remittance of profits or capital, currency devaluation, refusing to perform contractual obligations previously signed with the MNCs, industrial piracy (counterfeiters), political disorder and government corruption. Micro political risk analysis: This is an analysis that is directed towards government policies and decisions that influence selected sectors of the economy or specific foreign businesses in the country. The examples are selective discrimination, industry regulation, imposition of taxes on specific types of activity, restrictive local laws and host government policies that promote exports and discourage import. Management of political risks: Political risks can be managed through applying different strategies i.e. avoidance, reduction or shifting of risk and post commitment practices. Avoidance: If any enterprise realizes that making investment in a country will expose such enterprise to political risks the most simple strategy to keep away from such political risks is not to invest in such country and to go somewhere else, this is pre-commitment strategy that can be used before the commencement and making any final commitment. Reduction or shifting of risk: Another way of managing political risk is that a foreign company can implement a financial structure that shifts risks to local creditors and shareholders. Similarly contracts can be designed whereby a force majeure clause is included to revise and free contractual parties from their contractual obligations in case of any violence, coup, insurrection and long-term trade disruption etc. Post-commitment practices: Post-commitment practices mean adoption of strategies after making investment and commencement of business activities in overseas market. This kind of strategy takes various forms i.e. modification of employment or the ownership of the business, minority interest, designing operational structure, diversification and taking insurance policy. Modification of employment or the ownership of the business: If a foreign firms top management is controlled by local nationals or their ownership is significant or establishing of a joint venture of 50-50 ownership with a local firm than the host government would have less incentive to nationalize such business. Minority interest: Another useful strategy of managing political risks is to adopt minority interest in the business. Designing operational structure: Designing the operational structure of business in a way that attracts the inflow of foreign exchange in the host country and establishing good relations and close cooperation of management with the host government will also safeguard such firm from any threat from the host government. Diversification: If any political risk is encountered by a foreign firm while operating business activities overseas the best way is to diversify and expand its business operation into other countries that are not exposed to such type of risks. Taking insurance policy: Moreover to avoid any kind of loss that can be inflicted due to any political or country risk the company can go for insurance policy but it is very expensive and can minimize the profitability of such firm. conclusion: Catherine Rampell, When Government Takes Over Industries in Trouble, The New York Times, January 21, 2009: Available http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/22/business/worldbusiness/22poundbox.html Caracas, Chavez to nationalize ‘strategic sectors, The Washington Times, Tuesday, January 9, 2007: Available http://washingtontimes.com/news/2007/jan/09/20070109-122511-8759r Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez threatens to nationalize banks, The Times of India, International Business, 30 November 2009: Available http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/biz/international-business/Venezuelan-President-Hugo-Chavez-threatens-to-nationalize-banks/articleshow/5282995.cms Business Monitor International, Carrefour forced to divest Alfa Retailindo Stake, Indonesia- Mass Srocery Retail, Nov 5 2009: Available http://store.businessmonitor.com/article/302304 John OConnell., Creeping Expropriation, The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Management. Blackwell Publishing,. Blackwell Reference Online. 22 December 2009: Available http://www.blackwellreference.com/public/tocnode?id=g9780631233176_chunk_g97806312349376_ss1-156#citation Leon. P (2009) Creeping Expropriation of Mining Investments: an African Perspective, Journal of Energy Natural Resources Law, Vol 27 No 4 2009, p 598: Available http://www.webberwentzel.com/wwb/action/media/downloadFile?media_fileid=5879 Dr. Leonard. M (2004), China, Country Briefing, June 7, 2004, Creeping Expropriation, Threats to Property Rights, And Rising Economic Risk: Remember Communism? AON Trade Credit Inc: Available http://www.offshoregroup.com/newsfiles/chinabriefing.pdf Tecinicas Medioambientales Tecmed S.A. V. The United Mexican States, International Centre for Settlement of Investment of Disputes (May 29, 2003) Case No. ARB (AF)/00/2: Available http://icsid.worldbank.org/ICSID/FrontServlet?requestType=CasesRHactionVal=showDocdocId=DC602_EncaseId=C186 John OConnell., Currency Inconvertibility, The Blackwell Encyclopedia of Management. Blackwell Publishing,. Blackwell Reference Online. 22 December 2009: Available http://www.blackwellreference.com/public/tocnode?id=g9780631233176_chunk_g97806312349376_ss1-191#citation Inconvertibility, Financial Dictionary: Available http://financial-dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/Inconvertibility Wild. J. J. et al (2008) International business the challenges of globalization, 4th edition, Prentice Hall, New Jersey p 97 Wild. J. J. et al (2008) International business the challenges of globalization, 4th edition, Prentice Hall, New Jersey p96. Frustration of contract, Business Dictionary: Available http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/frustration-of-contract.html olitical Risks Briefing for Contract Frustration, Marsh an MMC company, July 2001, p 1: Available http://www.global.marsh.com/documents/contractFrustration.pdf

African American Sentiments :: essays research papers

For those people who did not study the Civil War or doesn?ft know anything about the Civil War, there were many African Americans fighting too. Before the Civil War, the African Americans that were not freed by their landowners were treated poorly. Some left their family in the south and escaped to the north in hope to get more freedom and also to help bring an end to slavery. After the battle at Antietam, many African Americans were allowed to enroll in the war. Many of them wanted to fight for one single purpose and that was to bring an end to slavery. In the movie ?gGlory,?h the director focused on the African American in the north that fought in the 54th regiment led by Colonel Robert Gould Shaw. During the time of the Civil War, the African Americans that fought in the 54th regiment were often treated unfairly but there were always nice people that backed them up. In this essay, I?fm going to discuss the different sentiments towards the African American solders that dedicated th eir life to preserve the union and abandon slavery. During the Civil War, there were people who were extremely prejudiced against the 54th regiment because the soldiers were all different colored skin and the people where used to the idea that different color skinned people worked as slaves. In ?gGlory,?h Colonel Montgomery, Sargent Mocati (the Sargent that trained and prepared them for war) and the colonel that was in charge of distributing necessities, served as the people who discriminated the African American soldiers. When in training, Sargent remained strict towards the training of the African American soldiers even after his short talk with Robert about being too harsh on the soldiers and stuff. I think he was racist against the soldiers because if the solders were white, he probably wouldn?ft treat them the same way. When he was teaching the soldiers how to march, some of them couldn?ft tell the difference between left and right. He acted as if all African Americans were uneducated and they were hopeless to teach. Shoes were a n essential part of training. Many of the African American soldiers didn?ft even have decent shoes when they enrolled for the war. Naturally, after all the training, their shoes worn down. If the 54th regiment were composed of white soldiers, the department that pass out shoes would already prepare extra shoes for them.

Rucksack Rendezvous :: Traveling Travel World Vacation Essays

Rucksack Rendezvous Introduction "Deep in the jungle where the mighty tiger lie, Bill and his elephants were taken by surprise." -The Beatles For many people this is the image that is conjured up when one speaks of third world travel and many times it is this way because of lack of knowledge or lack of resources about the country in question. It is also possible that the person may not have had the chance to study the country and therefore does not clearly understand what goes on there. So many people think that a trip south of the boarder will bring them nothing but diarrhea and hassles. This image is simply not what you will find. Another scenario is that of the timid traveler who feels that traveling through such remote areas would prove treacherous or worse. Sometimes people are afraid that unrest may occur and they may be left with nowhere to turn. Once again this is a notion that is not completely realistic. The problem comes from the lack of information about these countries and an increased encouragement by national businesses to keep your travel funds in your own country. Many of the United States’ surrounding countries could benefit from the travel dollars that we as Americans tend to use exclusively in our country. However, the money is not going there. It seems to me that anyone spending there money for the experience of traveling through a third world country would be adequately compensated in life lessons. In this hemisphere alone there are so many travel destinations that it is enough to boggle the mind. It only takes some simple research before you will see that travel to third world countries is not only possible but affordable, safe, and practical. There are many people who have already found the pleasure that is experienced when visiting any one of the many natural wonders or urban settings of the world’s vast geographical locations. National Standards: Whether your traveling with a group or alone there is a valuable lesson to be learned in the area of using maps and other geographical tools to acquire and process information. Traveling also helps you to use mental maps in order to give spatial perspective to the world.

Cultural Site Paper: Starbucks Essay

Starbucks began as a coffee importing and roasting company in 1971. Since 1987, the company has expanded at an astonishing rate. America was ready for the third place provided by Starbucks. In 1987, Starbucks opened its first store outside of the State of Washington. Over the next eight years, the company spread throughout North America before opening its first overseas location in Japan. The company continues to open new stores at an impressive rate. 1,500 new stores have been planned for 2006. Starbucks has also grown through licensing relationships and by offering bottled drinks and bags of coffee for sale in grocery stores. (Corporate Website) It has zoomed up as one of the best companies globally. It shall also examine some of the visual representations of the place so that an overall impression is generated. It shall delve into the purpose of the kinds of representations it chooses to represent the group and analyze how this culturally represents the community where it is situated. The Workplace Visual images are natural means to enhance learning. Things become clear as vision plays a vital role in communication, since more than 60 percent of communication consists of nonverbal, visual cues. This paper will tackle Starbucks and look into the site’s â€Å"sense of place† and the effect this ambience has on the people who visit the place. Starbucks purchases and roasts high-quality whole bean coffees and sells them along with fresh, rich-brewed, Italian-style espresso beverages, a variety of pastries and confections, and coffee-related accessories and equipment, through its company operated retail stores. In addition to sales through its company-operated retail stores, it sells primarily whole bean coffees through a specialty sales group, a direct response business, supermarkets, and online at Starbucks.com. I.   Visual materials At Starbucks, there are certain objects which act as symbols or representations that have come to be generally accepted as standing for or representing something more than what it is there for (Vander, Zanden 1993). Usually this is an idea or something abstract. In Starbucks’ case, it is the smell of coffee that fills the air with the coffee smell that stimulates people to buy more, relax and savor the classy atmosphere. The coffee beans, brochures and CD purchased from the store are also objects that represent the outlet to everyone. People can get coffee mug with their personalized pictures on it. The displayed objects are powerful code or shorthand for representing and dealing with aspects of the corporate world (Hewitt, 1994). The significance of symbols as socializing mechanisms lies in the attitudes they conjure up and the accompanying behavior they stimulate. The space of the outlet is comfortably arranged with several sofa and chairs arranged to accommodate groups of people coming in the place. There is a sense of harmony in the layout and arrangement, which relaxes customers. According to anthropology professor Leslie White (1960), â€Å"All culture (civilization) depends upon the symbol. Much as we would like to think so, energy, pride, loyalty and a passion for work are not created by an organizational structure, a leader, a product, or a work process. They are all created by people who work together every day in organizations. These members of the workforce have dreams, hopes, and expectations. II.   Site’s sense of place Starbucks is one place where almost all the senses are stimulated. Foremost here is the sense of smell. All this smelling goes on at an almost subconscious level. Humans are least attentive to the olfactory sense. Yet it is our most ancient sense and is most closely linked to our memory and emotions. The maintenance and development of this quality experience requires a strong organizational commitment. The 1990s saw Starbucks expand its talent pool on the most influential senior levels, with key additions contributing greatly to the evolution of the company’s business lines. Howard Schultz began assembling an experienced team of professionals to drive Starbucks’ growth. The pursuit of first-class quality drove Starbucks back up the coffee supply chain when it encountered stiff competition. Coffee, though second only to petroleum in volume of global trading, was highly fragmented. It was estimated that a full one-third of the world’s coffee farms were three acres or less in size. This typically resulted in a consolidation process which handed off coffee from farmer to collector, collector to miller, miller to exporter or broker, and finally to importer. In the past, the importer and brokers then sold coffee to the large mass-market coffee roasters and producers. III. Connection to cultural context Starbucks defines their social responsibility as â€Å"conducting our business in ways that produce social, environmental, and economic benefits to the communities in which we operate. In the end, it means being responsible to our stakeholders.† (Corporate Social Responsibility Annual Report). There is growing recognition of the need for corporate accountability. Consumers are demanding more than â€Å"product† from their favorite brands. Employees are choosing to work for companies with strong values. Shareholders are more inclined to invest in businesses with outstanding corporate reputations. Quite simply, being socially responsible is not only the right thing to do, it can distinguish a company from its industry peers.† (Corporate Social Responsibility Annual Report). Starbucks is the place where groups gather for the expression of their values and attitudes. This cultural site, therefore, serves as a meeting place for those who just want to express themselves and their individuality, without any disturbances. The chairs are arranged closed to each other but everyone is there to mind his own business. Usually Starbucks is built near a commercial area but there are now outlets near exclusive villages and neighborhoods. In a big commercial area, relationships are more fragmented and it is unlikely that one would just by chance see a friend at a restaurant, simply because there are so many restaurants available to eat at in a large town. Thus, establishing a new one in the neighborhood encourages interaction with different types of groups. While employees clearly come first in the Starbucks culture, the customer is a close second. Starbucks’ fourth guiding principle is to â€Å"Develop enthusiastically satisfied customers all the time.† â€Å"We recognized early on that the equity of the Starbucks brand was going to be the retail experience that the customers had in our stores,† says Schultz, the company’s CEO. Indeed, Starbucks has come a long way from its very beginnings. It has been able to identify the things it does so well – from the simplest service procedure to the massive, company wide operation. It has proven time and again that the business strengths will be small isolated islands of effectiveness. The key, as Starbucks has unlocked, is finding these strengths and using them as foundation cornerstones that support the entire reinvention strategy it does almost naturally.