The United States Population Is Spread Out Across A...

The United States population is spread out across a spectrum of the political ideologies. We are typically seen as being on the â€Å"left†, also called liberals, or on the â€Å"right†, called conservatives. The two main political parties in our country are the Democrats, whose supporters are typically on the left, and the Republicans, whose supporters are on the right. These parties and their policies, however, are becoming more polarized and are attracting the more extreme members of their party and not the moderate voters, which make up the majority of the voters. By setting policies that the moderate voters would agree with can help political parties gain more voters, as long as they do not lean too far away from their base groups, or their strongest and more extreme voters. Republicans would gain supporters by changing their policies on free trade agreements, immigration, healthcare, and wall street to those that are more similar to the most of the public. These s upporters would come from the moderate voters, like the hard-pressed skeptics and the young outsiders, and some of the other liberal groups, like the next-generation left and the faith and family left. Today the Republican party wants to repeal all free trade agreements. This is in contrast with the majority of the general population, in which 59% believe that free trade agreements are good for our nation and 30% believe that they are bad. The Democrats on the other hand support most of the agreements that are aroundShow MoreRelatedThe New Waves Of Feminism821 Words   |  4 Pages New waves of feminism has been spreading across all states with each varying due to the political and cultural climate of said states. One example of this interaction between a state, its people, and the game that is social advancement is Iran. Despite Iran attempting to equalize men and women in socioeconomic and educational aspects (and, sometimes, not even that), the continuation of protests for women ’s rights proves that some rights are more valuable to the advancement of gender equality thanRead MoreNew Waves Of Feminism : Women s Rights821 Words   |  4 Pages New waves of feminism have been spreading across all states with each varying due to the political and cultural climate of said states. One example of this interaction between a state, its people, and the game that is social advancement is Iran. Despite Iran attempting to equalize men and women in socioeconomic and educational aspects (and, sometimes, not even that), the continuation of protests for women’s rights proves that some rights are more valuable to the advancement of gender equality thanRead MoreThe History of the Canadian Political Landscape1788 Words   |  7 PagesThe Canadian political landscape has a rich and complex history spanning from ‘sea to sea’, just as the nation itself. Chronicles of dominance, leadership, and association by the United Kingdom, France, and the Unite d States has ultimately shaped the Canadian national consciousness, resulting in the political ideologies and governance we see today. 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The best way to create diplomatic resolutions is to understand the function of theRead MorePositive Aspects of Globalization Essay1843 Words   |  8 Pages Introduction During the last decade of the twentieth century, the word ‘globalization’ has become an increasingly prominent feature of political, social, and economic discussion in academic and policymaking circles, as well as in the media. The processes and outcomes of globalization drew attention and debates that had one thing in common. The research shows that nearly everyone agrees that globalization is a trend that is changing the face of the world, and as a result the world society livesRead MoreClimate Change And Global Warming3180 Words   |  13 Pagesone of the most important compounds in the universe H2O. Earth has an abundant amount of water on its surface; making it the primary reason why life can survive. However, we humans that live on this planet are destroying it bit by bit. 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Additionally, Dr. Hatem BazianRead MoreThe Terror Of The United States2184 Words   |  9 PagesThe history of Terrorism in the United States is extensive, with present day being focused mainly on Islamic Terrorist groups and extremists. There have been 2,608 total attacks and 226 fatal attacks in the United States between 1970 and 2011. There have been attacks from within the United States from our own people and attacks that originated from abroad. Religion, political agendas, instilling fear and protesting policy have all been motives of terrorists throughout history. Terrorists will use

Food Stamp Cuts Justified or Unjustified Essay - 619 Words

Recent cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Aid Program (S.N.A.P.), also known as the U.S. Food Stamp Program, have become extremely controversial. Whether Congress was wrong to reduce funding to the program remains a question. There are two principles that may be used to represent each side of this debate. The difference principle will be used to represent those who believe the program cuts were unjustified and the harm principle will be used to represent those who believe the program cuts were justified. Those who are against the cuts to the Food Stamp Program can argue that under the difference principle, Congress was wrong to reduce funding. The difference principle, created by John Rawls, states that an inequality in a society, such as†¦show more content†¦The harm principle was created by an English philosopher and writer named John Stuart Mill. The principle states that a government should only intervene to prevent someone from harming another. A harm is defined as an a ction in which someone causes someone else to lose something of value. Hunger in the U.S., according to the harm principle, is not a harm. Food insecure people are not hungry because others are taking away their food; they are hungry because they cannot afford or do not have access to food. Because hunger is not a harm, the government should not be intervening in the situation. Congress is not justified in using people’s tax dollars to create a Food Stamp Program, however they are justified in cutting the funding to the program. By cutting S.N.A.P. funding Congress is also not inflicting any direct harm to people. Congress is not taking away money that the program’s recipients already had; it is making a cut in the money that the recipients would receive. Since there are no harms being done in the hunger situation, either by Congress or by people in the U.S., Congress’s actions were justified. In my opinion Congress was wrong to cut S.N.A.P. benefits. Although C ongress did not inflict any direct harm to the beneficiaries of S.N.A.P, it did inflict indirect harm. This is a moral problem because people who depended on money from the program will not have enough money to eatShow MoreRelatedTheme in Literature Essay4725 Words   |  19 Pagesdied, many of them innocent civilians. It also was the most destructive war in history. Fighting raged in many parts of the world. More than 50 nations took part in the war, which changed the world forever. For Americans, World War II had a clear-cut purpose. People knew why they were fighting: to defeat tyranny. Most of Europe had been conquered by Nazi Germany, which was under the iron grip of dictator Adolf Hitler. The war in Europe began with Germanys invasion of Poland in 1939. Wherever theRead MoreLogical Reasoning189930 Words   |  760 Pagesyou carried all your food, water, sleeping bags, and tents. Last night you discovered that somebody had accidentally cracked the large water container. 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Judge (2011) Organizational Behaviour 15th Edition New Jersey: Prentice Hall393164 Words   |  1573 Pagesskills also helps organizations attract and keep high-performing employees. Regardless of labor market conditions, outstanding employees are always in short supply.2 Companies known as good places to work—such as Starbucks, Adobe Systems, Cisco, Whole Foods, Google, American Express, Amgen, Pfizer, and Marriott—have a big advantage. A recent survey of hundreds of workplaces, and more than 200,000 respondents, showed the social relationships among co-workers and supervisors were strongly related to overall

Lord Krishna free essay sample

Lord Krishna Lord Krishna is a Hindu deity, which is worshipped all around the world. He is represented as the Supreme Being. He was born at midnight, on the eighth day of the gloomy half of the month Bhadrapada (August-September), in the year 3228 BCS, Krishna was born into the royal family of Princess Devaki and her husband Vasudeva. They lived in Mathura, which was the capital of Yadavas. The king of Mathura was Kamsa, the brother of Devaki. He had gained the thrown by imprisoning his father. And, due to a prophecy which said Devaki’s eighth son will kill him. He locked the couple into a cell, and killed the first six children; the seventh child was lost due to a miscarriage and the eighth child was born, Krishna. â€Å"One who knows the transcendental nature of My appearance and activates does not, upon leaving the body, take birth again in this material world, but attains My eternal abode, O Arjuna† (Lord Krishna in the Bhagavad-Gita). We will write a custom essay sample on Lord Krishna or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Krishna’s aggressive character, as portrayed in the Bhagavad-Gita and Mahabharata, has many components he is seen as statesman, philosopher, husband, friend, warrior, leader, charioteer, guru, and lord. Hindus all over the world know these characteristics of Krishna, but his life, as a child and a young lover are more prominent. In artwork such as paintings and sculptures Krishna is easily recognized through a few symbolic representations. He is a dark and dashing young individual; his skin color represents new formed rain clouds, it tends to be a deep velvety blue color, of a peacock or lotus. His eyes are also lotus-like, they are big and elegant. Krishna’s eyes have many powers; they are comforting and refreshing with loving emotions. His eyes attracted Sri Radha and the gopis around him. Gopis refer to Krishna’s cowherd girlfriends, amongst whom Radha is ultimate. Rasa lila is a popular dance often performed in rural parts of India. This dance was derived from Krishna’s stories of him playing with the gopis of Vrindavana. Krishna and the gopis were also idealized in poetry. Krishna attracts individuals by playing his harmonious flute, which is always either perched at his reddish lips (while playing the flute, one of his legs is always bent, while the other one is holding the flute to his lips), or confidently positioned in his colorful sash. He is usually depicted wearing a gold/yellow dhoti a garment which is traditional men’s wear in India; usually a piece of unstitched cloth in the shape of a rectangle. He also wears earrings which dangle to his music, an elegant peacock feathered headpiece, and a fresh flower garland around his neck. His body is known to compliment all the ornaments rather than the other way around, due to his remarkable posture and form. Figure 1-1 Figure 1-1 (above), depicts all the details and ornaments of Lord Krishna. Krishna’s name literally means â€Å"the all-attractive one,† this is noteworthy because it promotes the idea that God is the living being that attracts everyone. People, who are unaware of him as a person, are fascinated by him because of his heavenly qualities eternality, influence, or understanding. This is not only in the case of Krishna or Hinduism, because even if you look at the word God, it is derived from the German word goot which means â€Å"the good one. † Astrologically calculated, Janamashtami is marked as Krishna’s birth date either July 18th, or July 21st 3228 BCE. Krishna’s father, Vasudeva believed that Kamsa would have Krishna killed. Therefore Vasudeva had Krishna immediately taken out of the prison cell by Yasoda and Wanda the foster parents of Krishna. Two of his of his other siblings were able to survive as well Balarama, Devaki’s seventh child who was transferred to the womb of Rohini, Vasudeva’s first wife, and Subhadra the daughter of Vasudeva and Rohini and was born much later to Krishna and Balarama. Krishna was known to be born without sexual union, rather by â€Å"mental transmission† from the mind of Vasudeva into the womb of Devaki. Krishna never appears to age or grow old in his depictions this brought about a debate on whether or not he actually has a real/material body, as in the Mahabharata, he is clearly shown subject to the limitations of nature. (Essential Hinduism, by Steven J. Rosen) Amongst the earliest texts in which descriptions of Krishna were present, was Mahabharata, is he is depicted in many of its main stories. Mahabharata shows Krishna as an incarnation of Lord Vishnu god of wealth and prosperity. Krishna was an advisor to the warrior-hero Arjuna in the Bhagavad-Gita. A later part of the Mahabharata called the Harivamsa, illustrates some of the earliest depictions of Krishna’s childhood. Nand and Yashoda lived in Vrindavana, because Nanda was the head of the community of cow herders. Krishna was extremely mischievous as a child, as tell myths and stories of Krishna’s youth. He was called a Makhan Chor butter thief as he loved eating butter and would just sneak it and then eat it. Other pranks of his included his attempts to take his life, as well as his role as a guardian of the people of a town called Vrindavana. Krishna has also killed demons sent for his life by Kamsa. He tamed the snake Kaliya who had poisoned the Yamuna River, killing the cowherds. Krishna is many times shown dancing on Kaliya in Hindu art. In order to protect Vrindavana’s natives from persecution by Indra and the devastation of the land of Govardhan, Krishna is also said to have lifted the Govardhan hill and defeated Indra the kings of the rain. This spiritual movement triggered by Krishna, contained something which went against the orthodox forms of worship of Vedic gods like Indra. The Play of God: visions of the life of Krishna, by Vanamali) Krishna killed his uncle Kamsa on his way back to Mathura. He did so after being fed up with the numerous death threats from Kamsa and the men he sent. Krishna put Kamsa’s father, Ugrasena, back as king of the Yadavas and himself became prince at the court. In addition, he became a friend of Arjuna and other Pandava princes, also his cousins, of the Kuru kingdom. Kr ishna later took his Yadava citizens to a city called Dwaraka where he established his own kingdom. Krishna married princess of Vidarbha, Rukmini. He abducted Rukmini from her wedding. Krishna was believed to have had 16,108 wives; eight of these were the main ones; three of which included: Rukmini, Satyabhama, Jambavati. According to customs of the time, captive women were looked down upon and would not be able to ever get married. Therefore to save their honor, Krishna actually married 16,100 young women who were being held captive by a demon, Narakasura. Krishna killed Narakasura and freed the maidens and gave them back their status in society. Krishna’s wives are all said to be forms of goddess Lakshmi. Kurukshetra is the battle field where the war in Mahabharata was fought, between the Kauravas and Pandavas, also known as the Kurukshetra War. Krishna gave the opportunity for both sides Kauravas and Pandavas to choose between having either his army, or Krishna himself. His only condition was that Krishna himself would not raise any weapon. Arjuna, on the Pandavas side, chose to have Krishna on their side. Duryodhana, chief of the Kauravas, on the other hand chose Krishna’s army. Krishna decides to be Arjuna’s charioteer, as being a charioteer would not call for the raising of any weapons. However as Arjuna arrives at the battlefield (Kurukshetra), he sees that his oponents/enemies are his family his grandfather, cousins, and other loved ones, Arjuna suddenly becomes hesitant about fighting. This is the point when Krishna comes in as advises Arjuna about the battle and explains to him how in the battlefield, there is no such thing as family; as of now, they are all enemies/opponents. Krishna explains his sermon, or the concept of Karma the idea of doing one’s duty, and not waiting on destiny. This conversation became a serious discussion which was later compiled as what is known as the Bhagavad-Gita. In essence, Krishna is perceived differently from text to text, whether it be a statesman, husband, lord, or guru. He was a man of vast intelligence with some words of wisdom to offer as well. He believed that when all becomes evil in the world and is out of human control, God takes birth to handle it. Krishna was a firm follower of Karma; he believed that one should do their duty, and not depend on destiny don’t assume or expect results, as you will only receive results after having done your duty.

The Childhood Of Adolf Hitler The Nativity Of Evil Essays

The Childhood Of Adolf Hitler: The Nativity Of Evil The childhood of Adolf Hitler: The nativity of evil Intro: An idea such as killing millions of people to create a more prefect world or sameness throughout the human race is absolutely psychotic and unrealistic. This vision was a fantasy world that no one on the earth would ever live in. Yet there was one man that truly believed in this fantasy. He had a plan, a scheme, sketched out in his head, of how this world would work. Yet the strange thing was that he did not fit in his own perfect world. Many ask how would someone come across this image? How is it possible? This image was created with constant negative influences throughout his life. It began when he was a small boy, since before he acknowledged this visualization. He had this idea, though he had no idea of exactly how it formed. His absurd fantasy was formed from his absurd childhood. Alois Hitler was a firm and often-obstinate man. He had a strong beliefs and opinions. Alois was born in 1837 carrying his Mother's name, Schicklgruber. Later in his life, after accomplishments in the civil service, his haughty uncle wanted him to go by his name, which was Heidler(Hitler The World Book Encyclopedia 255). When time came for record books, it was spelled as Hitler, the name that would soon haunt the earth. Alois married his third wife at 52, having fathered three children, soon to be four. One of which, would disgrace and belittle the human race, his name was Adolf Hitler. Adolf's mother, Klara Polzl was born in 1860 and married Alois in 1885 (Hitler The World Book Encyclopedia 255). Klara was a tender mother that often showed much affection for her little Adi. Many believe she cared for Adolf this way because she was in fear of losing her only living child, for she had had a miscarriage before (The Rise of Hitler Online). Adolf's stepbrother and stepsister (Edmund & Paula) soon found a stirring hate for their stepbrother. On May 6, 1895 Adolf enrolled in a public school in Fischlham Austria (Hitler The World Book Encyclopedia 255). His father soon retired on a pension from the Austrian civil service (The life of Adolf Online). Adolf's life became more and more hectic and strict. With his father, a trained military man home more often, chores and rules developed. Alois began to spend his life ordering his children and wife around the house like a military base (Hitler np). All the children, especially Adolf, soon dreaded that house. The family stayed on a small farm outside of Linz, Austria (Hitler The World Book Encyclopedia 255). On the farm there was always plenty of chores to do, which Alois strongly enforced. Klara was distracted with the other children, and soon began to ignore Adolf. Alois soon became discontent and annoyed with the constant noise and chaos of the house. He treated his family like military men, hard and unforgiving (The Rise of Hitler Online). Alois jr., Adolf's older half brother, was beaten and tormented on a regular basis by Alois. At fourteen, Alois jr. ran away from home never to see any of his family members again. In the house, Adolf was now the eldest boy, which meant he now was forced to take the responsibility for all the things Alois jr. once had. The first of many negative influences that would later impact Adolf's life had already begun. The family soon enough, moved from the home that had caused them so many problems, to a town just off of Lambach, Austria. In this small town, there was a Catholic Benedictine monastery that was covered with swastikas. Adolf mentioned this place from many memories of his childhood. Adolf went to school there and often saw them. They were put there in the eighteen hundreds by a ruling Abbot as a pun or play on words because swastika sounded like his name (The Rise of Adolf Hitler Online). School had begun to take play in the mold of Adolf's life. On his pass time (besides work in school), he worked at his house (by wishes of his father), was in the boys choir and basically worshipped and idolized the priests at the monastery, hoping to become one (The rise of Adolf Hitler Online). He was known to start and lead the schoolyard fights, smoke, argue with his teachers Basically causing schoolboy mischief Hitler np). His siblings and schoolmates began to dislike Adolf, for he was a controlling and overpowering person. The family moved, once again,

Battle of Wilsons Creek - Civil War - Missouri

Battle of Wilsons Creek - Civil War - Missouri Battle of Wilsons Creek - Conflict Date: The Battle of Wilsons Creek was fought August 10, 1861, during the American Civil War (1861-1865). Armies Commanders Union Brigadier General Nathaniel LyonColonel Franz Sigelapprox. 5,400 men Confederate Brigadier General Benjamin McCullochMajor General Sterling Priceapprox. 12,000 men Battle of Wilsons Creek - Background: As the secession crisis gripped the United States in the winter and spring of 1861, Missouri increasingly found itself caught between the two sides. With the attack on Fort Sumter in April, the state attempted to maintain a neutral stance. Despite this, each side began organizing a military presence in the state. That same month, Southern-leaning Governor Claiborne F. Jackson covertly sent a request to Confederate President Jefferson Davis for heavy artillery with which to attack the Union-held St. Louis Arsenal. This was granted and four guns and 500 rifles secretly arrived on May 9. Met at St. Louis by officials of the Missouri Volunteer Militia, these munitions were transported to the militias base at Camp Jackson outside the city. Learning of the artillerys arrival, Captain Nathaniel Lyon moved against Camp Jackson the next day with 6,000 Union soldiers. Compelling the militias surrender, Lyon marched those militiamen who would not take an oath of allegiance through the streets of St. Louis before paroling them. This action inflamed the local population and several days of rioting ensued. On May 11, the Missouri General Assembly formed the Missouri State Guard to defend the state and appointed Mexican-American War veteran Sterling Price as its major general. Though initially against secession, Price turned to the Southern cause after Lyons actions at Camp Jackson. Increasingly concerned that the state would join the Confederacy, Brigadier General William Harney, commander of the US Armys Department of the West, concluded the Price-Harney Truce on May 21. This stated that Federal forces would hold St. Louis while state troops would be responsible for maintaining peace elsewhere in Missouri. Battle of Wilsons Creek - Change of Command: Harneys actions quickly drew the ire of Missouris leading Unionists, including Representative Francis P. Blair, who saw it as a surrender to the Southern cause. Reports soon began reaching the city that Union supporters in countryside were being harassed by pro-Southern forces. Learning of the situation, an angry President Abraham Lincoln directed that Harney be removed and replaced with Lyon who was to be promoted to brigadier general. Following the change of command on May 30, the truce effectively ended. Though Lyon met with Jackson and Price on June 11, the latter two were unwilling to submit to Federal authority. In the wake of the meeting, Jackson and Price withdrew to Jefferson City to concentrate Missouri State Guard forces. Pursued by Lyon, they were compelled to cede the state capital and retreated into the southwestern part of the state. Battle of Wilsons Creek - Fighting Begins: On July 13, Lyons 6,000-man Army of the West encamped near Springfield. Consisting of four brigades, it was comprised of troops from Missouri, Kansas, and Iowa as well as contained contingents of US Regular infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Seventy-five miles to the southwest, Prices State Guard soon grew as it was reinforced by Confederate forces led by Brigadier General Benjamin McCulloch and Brigadier General N. Bart Pearces Arkansas militia. This combined force numbered around 12,000 and overall command fell to McCulloch. Moving north, the Confederates sought to attack Lyons position at Springfield. This plan soon unraveled as the Union army departed the town on August 1. Advancing, Lyon, took the offensive with the goal of surprising the enemy. An initial skirmish at Dug Springs the next day saw Union forces victorious, but Lyon learned that he was badly outnumbered. Battle of Wilsons Creek - The Union Plan: Assessing the situation, Lyon made plans to fall back to Rolla, but first decided to mount a spoiling attack on McCulloch, who was encamped at Wilsons Creek, to delay the Confederate pursuit. In planning the strike, one of Lyons brigade commanders, Colonel Franz Sigel, proposed an audacious pincer movement which called for splitting the already smaller Union force. Agreeing, Lyon directed Sigel to take 1,200 men and swing to the east to strike McCullochs rear while Lyon attacked from the north. Departing Springfield on the night of August 9, he sought to commence the assault at first light. Battle of Wilsons Creek - Early Success: Reaching Wilsons Creek on schedule, Lyons men deployed before dawn. Advancing with the sun, his troops took McCullochs cavalry by surprise and drove them from their camps along a ridge which became known as Bloody Hill. Pushing on, the Union advance was soon checked by Pulaskis Arkansas Battery. Intense fire from these guns gave Prices Missourians time to rally and form lines to the south of the hill. Consolidating his position on Bloody Hill, Lyon attempted to restart the advance but with little success. As fighting intensified, each side mounted attacks but failed to gain ground. Like Lyon, Sigels initial efforts achieved their goal. Scattering Confederate cavalry at Sharps Farm with artillery, his brigade pushed forward to Skeggs Branch before halting at the stream (Map). Battle of Wilsons Creek - The Tide Turns: Having halted, Sigel failed to post skirmishers on his left flank. Recovering from the shock of the Union attack, McCulloch began directing forces against Sigels position. Striking the Union left, he drove the enemy back. Losing four guns, Sigels line soon collapsed and his men began retreating from the field. To the north, a bloody stalemate continued between Lyon and Price. As the fighting raged, Lyon was wounded twice and had his horse killed. Around 9:30 AM, Lyon fell dead when he was shot in the heart while leading a charge forward. With his death and the wounding of Brigadier General Thomas Sweeny, command fell to Major Samuel D. Sturgis. At 11:00 AM, having repulsed a third major enemy assault and with ammunition dwindling, Sturgis ordered Union forces to withdraw towards Springfield. Battle of Wilsons Creek - Aftermath: In the fighting at Wilsons Creek, Union forces suffered 258 killed, 873 wounded, and 186 missing while the Confederates incurred 277 killed, 945 wounded, and around 10 missing. In the wake of the battle, McCulloch elected not to pursue the retreating enemy as he was concerned about the length of his supply lines and the quality of Prices troops. Instead, he withdrew back into Arkansas while Price embarked on a campaign in northern Missouri. The first major battle in the West, Wilsons Creek was likened to Brigadier General Irvin McDowells defeat the previous month at the First Battle of Bull Run. During the fall, Union troops effectively drove Price from Missouri. Pursuing him into northern Arkansas, Union forces won a key victory at the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862 which effectively secured Missouri for the North. Selected Sources Civil War Trust: Battle of Wilsons CreekNPS: Wilsons Creek National Battlefield CWSAC Battle Summaries: Wilsons Creek

How to Say Good Morning and Good Evening in Chinese

How to Say Good Morning and Good Evening in Chinese After learning to say hello in Mandarin Chinese, the next step is learning to say good evening and good morning. Before diving in, its important to keep a couple of Chinese phrasings in mind: the character æâ€" © (zÇŽo) means early in  Chinese. It is often used in morning greetings. Both  Ã¦â€" ©Ã¥ ®â€° (zÇŽo Ä n) and  Ã¦â€" ©Ã¤ ¸Å Ã¥ ¥ ½ (zÇŽo shang hÇŽo) mean good morning. Sometimes, just a quick  Ã¦â€" © is a colloquial way of saying good morning. Good Morning in Mandarin Chinese There are actually three ways to say good morning in  Mandarin Chinese. Audio links are indicated with the mark, ââ€" º .   ââ€" ºÃ¢â‚¬â€¹zÇŽo æâ€" ©Ã¢â€" ºÃ¢â‚¬â€¹Ã¢â‚¬â€¹zÇŽo Ä n  Ã¦â€" ©Ã¥ ®â€°zÇŽo shng hÇŽo æâ€" ©Ã¤ ¸Å Ã¥ ¥ ½ The Importance of æâ€" © (ZÇŽo) As noted, æâ€" © (zÇŽo) means â€Å"morning.† It is a noun and can also be used by itself as a greeting meaning good morning. The Chinese character æâ€" © (zÇŽo) is a composite of two character components: æâ€" ¥ (rà ¬) which  means sun and Ã¥  , an old form of ç” ² (jiÇŽ), which means â€Å"first† or â€Å"armor.† A literal interpretation of the character æâ€" © (zÇŽo), therefore, is â€Å"first sun.† The Difference Between æâ€" ©Ã¥ ®â€° and æâ€" ©Ã¤ ¸Å Ã¥ ¥ ½ The first character æâ€" © in this section head is explained above. The second character Ã¥ ®â€° (Ä n) means peace. So, the literal translation of æâ€" ©Ã¥ ®â€° (zÇŽo Ä n) is morning peace. A more formal way to say good morning is æâ€" ©Ã¤ ¸Å Ã¥ ¥ ½ (zÇŽo shng hÇŽo). HÇŽo–å ¥ ½ means good. On its own, ä ¸Å  (shng) means up or upon. But in this case, æâ€" ©Ã¤ ¸Å  (zÇŽo shng) is a compound meaning early morning. So the literal translation of æâ€" ©Ã¤ ¸Å Ã¥ ¥ ½ (zÇŽo shng hÇŽo) is early morning good. Good Evening in Mandarin Chinese The phrase 晚ä ¸Å Ã¥ ¥ ½ (wÇŽn shng hÇŽo) means good evening in Chinese. The word 晚  is composed of two parts: æâ€" ¥ and å…  (miÇŽn). As noted previously,  Ã¦â€" ¥ means sun, while  Ã¥â€¦  means free or absolve. Combined, the character represents the concept of being free of the sun.   Using the same pattern as æâ€" ©Ã¤ ¸Å Ã¥ ¥ ½ (zÇŽo shng hÇŽo), you can say good evening with 晚ä ¸Å Ã¥ ¥ ½ (wÇŽn shng hÇŽo). The literal translation of 晚ä ¸Å Ã¥ ¥ ½ (wÇŽn shng hÇŽo) is evening good. Unlike æâ€" ©Ã¥ ®â€° (zÇŽo Ä n), 晚å ®â€°Ã‚  (wÇŽn Ä n) is not usually used as a greeting but rather as a farewell. The phrase means good night in the sense of sending people away (in a nice way) or saying the phrase to people before they go to bed.   Appropriate Times These greetings should be said at the appropriate time of the day. Morning greetings should be said up to about 10 a.m. Evening greetings are usually said between about 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. The standard greeting  Ã¤ ½  Ã¥ ¥ ½ (nÇ  hÇŽo) can be used at any time of the day or night. Tones The Pinyin Romanization above uses tone marks. Pinyin is a Romanization system used to learn Mandarin. It transcribes the sounds of Mandarin using the Western (Roman)  alphabet. Pinyin is most commonly used in Mainland China for teaching school children to read, and it is also widely used in teaching materials designed for Westerners who wish to learn Mandarin. Mandarin Chinese is a tonal language, which means that the meanings of words depend on which tone they use. There are four tones in Mandarin: First: a level and higher pitchSecond: rising, which starts from a lower pitch and ends  at a slightly higher pitchThird:  a falling-rising sound that starts with at a neutral tone then dips to a lower pitch before ending at a higher pitchFourth:  a falling tone, which starts the syllable at a slightly higher-than-neutral pitch before going quickly and strongly to a downward tone In Mandarin Chinese, many characters have the same sound, so tones are necessary when speaking to differentiate words from each other.

Discuss the merits and criticisms of the business case for equality Essay

Discuss the merits and criticisms of the business case for equality. To what extent could the state and trade unions contribute - Essay Example Equal opportunity is a fundamental need for the business, and it boosts the competitive advantage. Discussion Human resource department should recognize the importance of human capital in the work set up. Human effort is an asset to the organization and should be valued like other assets. Merit should be the key to rewarding employees. Discrimination should be avoided at all levels regardless of the race or gender. Women at the workplace should be offered equal opportunities as their male counterparts (Aristotle & Chase 1998, p.2). This essay will discuss the merits and criticisms of the business case equality. It will also draw the attention of the extent to which the state and the trade unions can contribute towards strengthening potential business case for equality in organizations. The primary concept of business strategy and in particular the equality case rests on the value for employers. Roles of Trade unions in strengthening potential areas of business equality Trade unions a dvocate for the collective bargaining case in the realization of business case for equality. The trade unions take all the grievances of the ethnic minorities and women and put proper action to address them (Gilmore 2013). All these are geared towards both the short term and the long term benefits. There is fight for equal treatment at all levels of management in the organizations. Union members are also able to come up with protective measures to the problems facing them. The voices of women are echoed through trade unions where they are treated with equality. Trade unions also advocate for equality in setting of minimum wage laws. All employees are supposed to be remunerated proportionally to the work done. There should be no cases of discrimination in wage set up. The human resource management should take the lead in advocating for the fairness in wages (Williams 2009). Women and minority groups voice their wage complaints to the trade unions which sometimes set the minimum indus try price. All the employers should view the equality concept as an interest to the business. There should be mobilization of power to do away with discrimination especially to pregnant women. The argument derives from social justice and the good will of the employees. Legislation should be effectively practiced in matters of human resource manager. Proper management of maternity leaves days will be a boost to the maintenance of potential talents in the organization. Many pregnant women who face the challenge of discrimination at work place reduce their productivity. In the long run, this has an effect to the organization in terms of profitability levels (Gilmore 2013). The concept of the business case for inequality is better understood when one considers the factors that hinder its effectiveness. The first factor is social class of the employees at work. Social class refers to the status of someone brought by the material possessed as compared to the other. People who have physica l materials tend to have their own class far from those who do not have. This greatly affects the level of work performance and result to poor results. The contemporary society is a good source of the social classes which are reflected at work places. Work is also another source of the classes among employees, and it affects their interaction. The greatest disadvantage of the social classes is the problem of unemployment among different people. Divisions are also caused by other

Employee Participation in Decision Making Essay

Employee Participation in Decision Making - Essay Example This paper will deeply discuss the concept of employee participation in decision making by giving a specific focus on current issues associated with this management approach. Definition, elements of employee participation As a modern approach to creative human resources management applications, corporations encourage employee participation in response to their quality movement needs within the organisational framework. Employee participation can be simply defined as the â€Å"part of a process of empowerment in the workplace whereby employees are involved in decision-making processes, rather than simply acting on orders† (Singh & Kumar, 2011, p.381). There are numerous employee participation programmes to make sure that every employee gets the opportunity to take part in decision making process. According to Parasuraman (2007), Quality circles, suggestions schemes, consultation exercises and meetings, delegation of responsibility, and multi-channel decision making process are the major approaches designed to promote employee participation. ... gements provide their employees with effective communication channels whereby they (employees) are able to suggest innovative ideas to the top level management. Often, managements motivate their employees with financial and other forms of reward for making potential and promising suggestions. In addition, some organisations conduct consultation exercises and meetings to empower their employees and thereby contribute to operational efficiency. Through such practices, managements arrange a common platform for their employees to join together and share work/growth improvement ideas. Top executives listen to those employees suggestions and accept potential improvement ideas. Delegation of responsibility among employees is another potential element of employee participation. Since ground level employees need to directly interact with customers, they are given the power to make decisions for themselves and for the organisation. Finally, the multi-channel decision making process assists the organisation to ensure that its decisions are not made in a downward direction. In other words, a series of upward and downward communications are made before forming a business decision under this approach. Significance of employee participation According to modern management practitioners, the concept of employee participation is a key tool to ensure business success. In the words of Moorhead and Griffin (2009, p. 127), this approach would assist the organisation to effectively promote employee motivation. When employees are trusted and involved in the firm’s decision making process, they feel that they are an integral part of the organisation; and this positive feeling itself would motivate employees to contribute their best to the company’s growth (ibid). In other words, the

How Businesses in Puerto Rico Are Using Social Networks Essay Example for Free

How Businesses in Puerto Rico Are Using Social Networks Essay Social Media Gives Industrial Companies Competitive Advantage, Says Thomas Industrial Network Report March 29, 2012 New York, NY Industrial companies that hesitate to embrace social media, believing that competitors are not using these platforms, are in danger of losing business opportunities, according to recent research from Thomas Industrial Network. In fact, seven out of 10 small and midsize suppliers (68 percent) are already engaging with prospects through these channels, gaining a competitive advantage over those who have yet to start. More than 3,000 respondents to Thomas surveys say that they routinely use social media to market their products and services, generate leads, answer questions, conduct research, and gain new business. Thomas studied the behaviors of suppliers (i.e., manufacturers and distributors) through its Industrial Marketer survey, and buyers through its Industrial Purchasing Barometer (IPB). The research focused on their use of platforms such as LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, industry forums, and blogs. The responses paint a picture of an industrial sector that has made social networking a mainstream business practice. Buyers regularly rely on social media to conduct research on companies, and to seek others opinions on particular suppliers. Indeed, 56 percent of buyers now recommend that all suppliers establish a social media presence if they want to do business with them. In response, suppliers are jumping onto the social media bandwagon to provide information on their offerings (41 percent), find new prospects (27 percent), and learn what customers have to say about their companies (20 percent). The industrial sector is awakening to the fact that social media isn t just a passing consumer fancy, but an essential part of any branding and marketing program, said Susan Orr, Senior Director, Strategic Marketing, Thomas Industrial Network. Savvy suppliers also understand that the most effective social media programs need constant care and feeding. To influence prospective buyers, suppliers need to continually update their social media content, and to be actively engaging in and initiating conversations. But for many industrial suppliers, dedicating the resources and having the in-house expertise to manage social media is a challenge. In response, Thomas Industrial Network recently launched a new, cost effective program to help them take advantage of this important new channel. The Social Media Program helps suppliers reach prospects who are seeking information and advice for their businesses through channels such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Blogs, Facebook and Google+. Thomas takes the work off their hands, handling everything from strategy sessions and goal setting, to writing and posting unique content for each company. We re thrilled to offer a turn-key and affordable program that leverages Thomas 115 years of experience bringing buyers and suppliers of industrial products and services together, said Phil Paranicas, Director of Digital Media, Thomas Industrial Network. We have made it easy for any supplier to participate in social networking, and to begin reaching and influencing those prospects who regularly use these platforms. For more information on Thomas Social Media Program, please contact Mr. Paranicas at 212- 629-2134 or [emailprotected] Thomas has also just published a new, free white paper, Why industrial businesses need to have a social media presence and how to get started, which includes additional results of its surveys, and provides social media best practices. To download a complimentary copy, please visit: http://promoteyourbusiness.thomasnet.com/white-papers/. About Thomas Industrial Network ® Thomas Industrial Network is an innovative information and technology company that helps industrial businesses to connect, collaborate and grow. We help companies to develop a complete web strategy, enabling them to share product data through all of their sales channels. As a result, we help industrial companies to increase sales, improve customer relationships and expand into new markets. One of our key offerings is ThomasNet.com, the premier website for product sourcing and supplier discovery and selection. We also provide strategic website development, tools and technology for industrial businesses to manage and share product and service data internally and externally. They include WebCAD publishing, and syndication of detailed product data to channel partners. Custom SPEC was designed for the unique needs of custom manufacturers. Additionally, we offer social media programs and search engine optimization services to help these businesses build brand awareness and generate leads. Our Navigator Platform is the hub through which we help our customers to manage their information. Our focus on the industrial sector for more than a century gives Thomas Industrial Network a unique perspective to anticipate and deliver new solutions that help industrial businesses grow. Visit us today to learn more. Home Supplier Search Product Search Product News CAD Drawings About Us SiteMaps Categories Featured Companies Featured Categories Featured Products Community Log In to MyThomas Sign Up for MyThomas Contact ThomasNet Provide Feedback Forums Careers Additional Resources Guides | White Papers Resources Press Room Testimonials FAQs Tools Gadgets Job Board Deal of the Day Promote Your Business Free Listing Advertising Services Log In to Client Center  © 2013 Thomas Publishing Company. All rights reserved. See Terms and Conditions or Privacy Statement. Website Last Modified January 31, 2013. Thomas Register ® and Thomas Regional ® are part of ThomasNet.com. ThomasNet Is A Registered Trademark Of Thomas Publishing Company. http://www.thomasnet.com/print/pressroom/news/social-media-gives-industrial-companies 1/31/2013

Discovering the Third Reich Through Mephisto :: Essays Papers

Discovering the Third Reich Through Mephisto "Mike," a confused coworker asked me, "why do you want to take a course on the Nazis?" Finding myself unprepared to account for a lure that, to me, was intrinsic to the subject matter, I struggled with a hasty explanation about studying mass dementia for the sake of understanding how it works and preventing it from happening again. "A whole bunch of Jews went willingly to their deaths," I elaborated. "A nation of people stood by and watched it happen. You have to wonder, why didn't somebody stop that?" "Yeah," replied my friend, "the Germans said 'Come here and we'll kill you,' and the Jews went anyway. I guess they were all stupid." I discovered that I had no immediate answer to this facetious dismissal of one of history's most profound tragedies. It was a sweeping and indiscriminate assertion, to be sure, but not one entirely without merit. If general stupidity were not to blame, then why had six million Jews endured such torture? Were none of them in a position to unite in any sort of cohesive resistance? What of the Catholics who were murdered in the concentration camps as well? The blacks? Political dissidents? Members of the press? In fact it seems that the Nazis, over the course of their reign, discriminated against so many professions, creeds, philosophies, and classes that for a person not to belong to at least one must have been a remarkable feat of chance. I could not begin to understand how the National Socialist Party had, with such a miserable and offensive political platform, managed to gain power in Germany, nor how, with such cruel and oppressive practices, they managed to keep it. Klaus Mann's Mephisto answered a number of these questions for me. Though it did not trace the Nazis' rise to power outside of mentioning a few highlights, it did portray in a frighteningly matter-of-fact manner the social and cultural climate of that crucial time period: the dying years of the Weimar Republic, and the early years of the Third Reich. Specifically, it reassured me that the whole of Germany had not welcomed the Nazi takeover with open arms, nor enjoyed the years spent living under the Reich. "Was it possible?" Mann's character Hendrik wondered upon receiving the news of Hitler's appointment as chancellor. (Mephisto, 156) "The blustering lout whom his brilliant and progressive friends had so often ridiculed had now suddenly become the most powerful man in the country! This is horrible, thought the actor Hendrik HÃ ¶fgen.

History of Philippines Essay

The history of the Philippines is believed to have begun with the arrival of the first humans using rafts or primitive boats, at least 67,000 years ago as the 2007 discovery of Callao Man showed. [1] The first recorded visit from the West is the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan, who sighted the island of Samar Island on March 16, 1521 and landed on Homonhon Island (now part of Guiuan, Eastern Samar province) the next day. Homonhon Island is southeast of Samar Island. [2] Before Magellan arrived, Negrito tribes inhabited the isles, who were subsequently joined and largely supplanted by migrating groups of Austronesians. This population had stratified into hunter-gatherer tribes, warrior societies, petty plutocracies and maritime-oriented harbor principalities which eventually grew into kingdoms, rajahnates, principalities, confederations and sultanates. Iron Age finds in Philippines also point to the existence of trade between Tamil Nadu and the Philippine Islands during the ninth and tenth centuries B. C. 3] States included the Indianized Rajahnate of Butuan and Cebu, the dynasty of Tondo, the august kingdoms of Maysapan and Maynila, the Confederation of Madyaas, the sinified Country of Mai, as well as the Muslim Sultanates of Sulu and Maguindanao. These small maritime states flourished from as early as the 1st Millennium. [4][5] These kingdoms traded with what are now called China, India, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Indonesia. [6] The remainder of the settlements were independent Barangays allied with one of the larger states. The â€Å"balangay† or â€Å"barangay† represented an independent community in the Archipelago ruled by a â€Å"Datu†. There were, however, instances where a Datu of a certain barangay was aided by a council of elders in running the affairs of the barangay similar to privy councils of European monarchs. In that patriarchal society, the Datu and his family constituted the highest authority in the barangay and were therefore considered the equivalent of European monarchs. His rule was absolute. He dispensed justice and declared war against other barangays. Therefore, at the apex of pre-Spanish nobility in the Philippine Archipelago, was the Datu – the term commonly use by the Tagalogs. In Mindanao, ‘Sultan’ and ‘Rajah’ were used accordingly for the highest chief of their respective communities. Spanish colonization and settlement began with the arrival of Miguel Lopez de Legazpi’s expedition on February 13, 1565 who established the first permanent settlement of San Miguel on the island of Cebu. [7] The expedition continued northward reaching the bay of Manila on the island of Luzon on June 24, 1571,[8] where they established a new town and thus began an era of Spanish colonization that lasted for more than three centuries. [9] Spanish rule achieved the political unification of almost the whole archipelago, that previously had been composed by independent kingdoms and communities, pushing back south the advancing Islamic forces and creating the first draft of the nation that was to be known as the Philippines. Spain also introduced Christianity, the code of law, the oldest Universities and the first public education system in Asia, the western European version of printing, the Gregorian calendar and invested heavily on all kinds of modern infrastructures, such as train networks and modern bridges. The Spanish East Indies were ruled as part of the Viceroyalty of New Spain and administered from Mexico City from 1565 to 1821, and administered directly from Madrid, Spain from 1821 until the end of the Spanish–American War in 1898, except for a brief period of British rule from 1762 to 1764. During the Spanish period, numerous towns were founded, infrastructures built, new crops and livestock introduced. The Chinese, British, Portuguese, Dutch, Japanese, and indigenous traders, complained that the Spanish reduced trade by attempting to enforce a Spanish monopoly. Spanish missionaries attempted to convert the population to Christianity and were eventually generally successful in the northern and central lowlands. They founded schools, a university, and some hospitals, principally in Manila and the largest Spanish fort settlements. Universal education was made free for all Filipino subjects in 1863 and remained so until the end of the Spanish colonial era. This measure was at the vanguard of contemporary Asian countries, and led to an important class of educated natives, like Jose Rizal. Ironically, it was during the initial years of American occupation in the early 20th century, that Spanish literature and press flourished. The Philippine Revolution against Spain began in August 1896, culminating two years later with a proclamation of independence and the establishment of the First Philippine Republic. However, the Treaty of Paris, at the end of the Spanish–American War, transferred control of the Philippines to the United States. This agreement was not recognized by the insurgent First Philippine Republic Government which, on June 2, 1899, proclaimed a Declaration of War against the United States. 10] The Philippine–American War which ensued resulted in massive casualties. [11] Philippine president Emilio Aguinaldo was captured in 1901 and the U. S. government declared the conflict officially over in 1902. The Filipino leaders, for the most part, accepted that the Americans had won, but hostilities continued and only began to decline in 1913, leaving a total number of casualties on the Filipino side of more than one million dead, many of them civilians. [12][13] The U. S. had established a military government in the Philippines on August 14, 1898, following the capture of Manila. 14] Civil government was inaugurated on July 1, 1901. [15] An elected Philippine Assembly was convened in 1907 as the lower house of a bicameral legislature. [15] Commonwealth status was granted in 1935, preparatory to a planned full independence from the United States in 1946. [16] Preparation for a fully sovereign state was interrupted by the Japanese occupation of the islands during World War II. [17] After the end of the war, the Treaty of Manila established the Philippine Republic as an independent nation. 18] With a promising economy in the 1950s and 1960s, the Philippines in the late 1960s and early 1970s saw a rise of student activism and civil unrest against President Ferdinand Marcos who declared martial law in 1972. [citation needed] The peaceful and bloodless People Power Revolution of 1986, however, brought about the ousting of Marcos and a return to democracy for the country. The period since then, however, has been marked by political instability and hampered economic productivity.

Night World : Secret Vampire Chapter 16

â€Å"You have got to be kidding,† Poppy said. Phil just gaped. â€Å"No. I'm perfectly serious. You're witches of thesecond kind. Remember what I told you?† â€Å"There are the kind of witches that know theirheritage and get trained-and the kind that don't.Who just have powers. And humans call that kind-â€Å" â€Å"Psychics!† James chorused with her. â€Å"Telepaths.Clairvoyants,† he went on alone. There was something in his voice between laughing and crying.†Poppy, that's what youare. That's why you picked up on telepathy so quickly. That's why you had clair voyant dreams.† â€Å"And that's why Phil heard me,† Poppy said. â€Å"Oh, no,† Phil said. â€Å"Not me. Come on.† â€Å"Phil, you're twins,† James said. â€Å"You have the same ancestors. Pace it, you're a witch. That's why I couldn't control your mind.†Ã¢â‚¬ Oh, no,†Phil said. â€Å"No.†He flopped back in his seat. â€Å"No,†he said again, but more weakly. â€Å"But whose side do we get it from?† Poppy wondered. â€Å"Dad's. Of course.† The voice from the backseatwas very faint. â€Å"Well, that would seemlogical, but-â€Å" â€Å"It's the truth. Don't you remember how Dad wasalways talking about seeing weird things? Havingdreams about things before they happened? And,Poppy, he heard you yell in yourdream. When you were calling for James. James heard it, and I heardit, and Dad heard it, too.† â€Å"Then that settles it. Oh, and it explains otherthings about all of us-all those times we've had feelingsabout things-hunches, whatever. Even youhave hunches, Phil.† â€Å"I had one that James was creepy, and I wasright.† â€Å"Phill—â€Å" â€Å"And maybe a few others,† Phil said fatalistically.†I knew it was James driving up this afternoon. Ithought I just had a fine ear for car engines.† Poppy was shivering with delight and astonishment, but she couldn't quite understand James.James was absolutely beaming. Filled with unbelieving elation that she could feel like streamers andfireworks in the air. â€Å"What, James?† â€Å"Poppy, don't you see?† James actually pounded the steering wheel in joy. â€Å"It means that even before you became a vampire, youwere a Night Person.Asecret witch. You have every right to know about the Night World. You belong there.† The world turned upside down and Poppy couldn't breathe. At last she whispered. â€Å"Oh . . .† â€Å"And webelong together. Nobody can separate us.We don't have to hide.† â€Å"Oh†¦Ã¢â‚¬ Poppy whispered again. Then she said,†James, pull the car over. I want to kiss you.† When they were in motion once more, Phil said, â€Å"But where are you two going to go now? Poppycan't come home.† â€Å"I know,† Poppy said softly. She had accepted that.There was no going back for her; the old life wasover. Nothing to do but build a new one. â€Å"And you can't just wander around from place toplace,† Phil said, doggedly persistent. â€Å"We won't,† Poppy said calmly. â€Å"We'll go to Dad.† It was perfect. Poppy could feel James think, Ofcourse. They would go to her father, the always-late, always-impractical, always-affectionate parent. Herfather the witch who didn't know he was a witch.Who probably thought he was crazy when his powersacted up. He'd give them a place to stay, and that was all they needed, really. That and each other. The whole Night World would be open to them, whenever theywanted to explore it. Maybe they could come back and visit Thea sometime. Maybe they could dance atone of Thierry's parties. â€Å"If we can findDad, that is,† Poppy said, struck by sudden alarm. â€Å"You can,† Phil said. â€Å"He flew out last night, buthe left an address. For the first time.† â€Å"Maybe somehow he knew,† James said. They rode for a while, and then Phil cleared his throat and said, â€Å"You know, I just had a thought. I don't want any part of the Night World, you understand-I don't carewhat my heritage is. I just wantto live like a human-and I want everybody to bedear on that†¦.† â€Å"We're dear, Phil,† James interrupted. â€Å"Believeme. Nobody in the Night World is going to force youin. You can live like a human all you want as long as you avoid Night People and keep your mouth shut.† â€Å"Okay. Good. But here's my thought. I still don'tapprove of vampires, but it occurs to me that maybethey're not as completely bad as they seem. I mean,vampires don't treat their food any worse than humans do. When you think of what we do to cows †¦at least they don't breed humans in pens.† â€Å"I wouldn't bet on it,† James said, suddenly grim.†I've heard rumors about the olddays†¦.† â€Å"You always have to argue, don't you? But my other thought was that you're part of Nature, and Nature just is what it is. It's not always pretty, but †¦ well, it's Nature, and there it is.† He wound upglumly, â€Å"Maybe that doesn't make any sense.† â€Å"It makes sense to me,† James said, entirely serious. â€Å"And-thanks.† He paused to look back at Philinacknowledgment. Poppy felt a sting behind hereyes. If he admits we're part of Nature, she thought,then he doesn't believe we're unnatural anymore. It meant a lot. She said, â€Å"Well, you know, I'vebeen thinking, too.And it occurs to me that maybe there are otherchoices for feeding besides just jumping on humans when they don't expect it. Like ‘ animals. I mean, isthere any reason their blood won't work?† â€Å"It's not the same as human blood,† James said.†But it's a possibility. I've fed on animals. Deer aregood. Rabbits are okay. Possums stink.† â€Å"And then there must be somepeople who'd bewilling donors. Thea was a donor for me. We could ask other witches.† â€Å"Maybe,† James said. He grinned suddenly. â€Å"Iknew a witch back home who was verywilling. Nameof Gisele. But you couldn't ask them to do it everyday, you know. You'd have to give them time to recover.† â€Å"I know, but maybe we could alternate. Animals one day and witches the next. Hey, maybe even werewolves on weekends!† â€Å"I'd rather bite a possum,† James said. Poppy socked him in the arm. â€Å"The point is, maybewe don't have to be horrible bloodsucking monsters.Maybe we can be decentbloodsucking monsters.† â€Å"Maybe,† James said quietly, almost wistfully. â€Å"Hear, hear,† Phil said very seriously from theback. â€Å"And we can do it together,† Poppy said to James. He took his eyes off the road to smile at her. Andthere was nothing wistful about his gaze. Nothingcool or mysterious or secretive, either. â€Å"Together,† he said out loud. And mentally headded, Ican't wait. With that telepathy of yoursyourealize what we can do, don't you? Poppy stared, then felt an effervescent rush that almost shot her out of the car. Oh, James-do youthink? I'm certain. The only thing that makes exchanging blood so special is that it enhances telepathy. But you don't needany enhancementyou little dreamer. Poppy sat back to try and still her heart. They would be able to join their minds again. Anytime they wanted. She could imagine it, being sweptinto James's mind, feeling him surrender histhoughts to hers. Merging like two drops of water. Together in a waythat humans could never know. I can't wait, either,she told him. Ithink I'm going tolike being a witch. Phil cleared his throat. â€Å"If you guys want someprivacy.. .† â€Å"We can't have any,† James said. â€Å"Not with youaround. Obviously.† â€Å"I can't help it,† Phil said through his teeth.†You're the ones who're yelling.† â€Å"We're not yelling. You're snooping.† â€Å"Both of you give it a rest,† Poppy said. But she felt warm and glowing all over. She couldn't resistadding to Phil, â€Å"So, if you're willing to give us someprivacy, that means you trust James alone withyour sister†¦.† â€Å"I didn't saythat.† â€Å"You didn't have to,† Poppy said. She was happy. It was very late the next day. Almost midnight, infact. The witching hour. Poppy was standing in a place she'd thought she'd never see again, her mother's bedroom. James was waiting outside with a carload of stuff,including one large suitcase of Poppy's CDs, smuggledfor them by Phil. In a few minutes James and Poppywould be heading for the East Coast and Poppy'sfather. But first, there was something Poppy had to do. She glided quietly toward the king-size bed, making no more noise than a shadow, not disturbing either of the sleepers. She stopped by her mother'sstill form. She stood looking down, and then she spoke withher mind. I know you think this is a dream, Mom. I know youdon't believe in spirits. But I had to tell you that I'm allright. I'm all right, and I'm happy, and even if you don'tunderstand, please try to believe. Just this once, be!ieve in what you can't see. She paused, then added, Ilove you, Mom. I alwayswill. When she left the room, her mother was stillasleep—andsmiling. Outside, Phil was standing by the Integra. Poppyhugged him and he hugged back, hard. â€Å"Goodbye,† she whispered. She got into the car.James stuck his hand out the window toward Phil. Phil took it without hesitation. â€Å"Thank you,† James said. â€Å"For everything.† â€Å"No, thank you.†Phil said. His smile and his voicewere both shaky. â€Å"Take care of her. . . and of yourself.† He stepped back, blinking. Poppy blew him a kiss. Then she and James droveoff together into the night.

Plant Binomial System essays

Plant Binomial System essays Our planet has an unknown number of different plants living on it, which means that unless there is a way of providing each different plant with a unique name the potential for confusion and mistakes is huge. The common name of a plant may seem the most obvious name to apply to a plant however the common name can refer to several different plants depending on your location. As an example in the UK the woodbine is the common name for honeysuckle, whilst in the United States this common name refers to clematis, a completely different plant. This type of confusion does not only occur from one country to another but can occur between different regions of the same country. The Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus gave classification of animals, minerals and plants consistency and precision when he developed his binomial nomenclature system in 1753. The use of Latinised names in the binomial system was initially a result of Latin being a widely used written language amongst the educated people of the time. In modern times Latin is no longer a language in common use which has aided the worldwide use of the system as well as eradicating misinterpretation. The system that Carl Linnaeus began has undergone changes since its initial development as our understanding of how to differentiate one plant from another has grown. We now have the International Code of Botanical Nomenclature, which provides us with a universally acceptable system. The binomial system is so called because it consists of two words: the genus and species. When used together they create a unique name for the plant. The genus is the grouping of plants according to common characteristics and each genus can contain several species. The species refers to individual plants within the same genus that are capable of interbreeding. The binomial name for the potato is Solanum tuberos ...

Van Der Waals Forces Definition

Van Der Waals Forces Definition Van der Waals Forces are the weak forces which contribute to intermolecular bonding  between molecules. Molecules inherently possess energy and their electrons are always in motion, so transient concentrations of electrons in one region or another lead electrically positive regions of a molecule to be attracted to the electrons of another molecule. Similarly, negatively-charged regions of one molecule are repulsed by negatively-charged regions of another molecule. Van der Waals forces are the sum of the attractive and repulsive electrical forces between atoms and molecules. These forces differ from covalent and ionic chemical bonding because they result from fluctuations in charge density of particles. Examples of van der Waals forces include hydrogen bonding, dispersion forces, and dipole-dipole interactions. Key Takeaways: Van der Waals Forces Van der Waals forces are distance-dependent forces between atoms and molecule not associated with covalent or ionic chemical bonds.Sometimes the term is used to encompass all intermolecular forces, although some scientists only include London dispersion force, Debye force, and Keeson force.Van der Waals forces are the weakest of the chemical forces, but they still play an important role in the properties of molecules and in surface science. Properties of Van der Waals Forces Certain characteristics are displayed by van der Waals forces: The forces are additive.The forces are weaker than either ionic or covalent chemical bonds.They are not directional.The forces act only over a very short range. The interaction is greater when molecules draw closer.Van der Waals forces are independent of temperature, with the exception of dipole-dipole interactions. Components of Van der Waals Forces Van der Waals forces are the weakest intermolecular forces. Their strength typically ranges from 0.4 to 4 kJ/mol and act over distances less than 0.6 nm. When the distance is less than 0.4 nm, the net effect of the forces is repulsive as electron clouds repel each other. There are four major contributions to van der Waals forces: There is a negative component that prevents molecules from collapsing. This is due to the Pauli exclusion principle.Either an attractive or repulsive electrostatic interaction occurs between permanent charges, dipoles, quadrupoles, and multipoles. This interaction is called Keesom interaction or Keesom force, named for Willem Hendrik Keesom.Induction or polarization occurs. This is an attractive force between a permanent polarity on one molecule and an induced polarity on another. This interaction is called the Debye force for Peter J.W. Debye.London dispersion force is the attraction between any pair of molecules due to instantaneous polarization. The force is named after Fritz London. Note even nonpolar molecules experience London dispersion. Van der Waals Forces, Geckos, and Arthropods Geckos, insects, and some spiders have setae on their foot pads that allow them to climb extremely smooth surfaces, such as glass. In fact, a gecko can even hang from a single toe! Scientists have proposed numerous explanations for the phenomena, but it turns out the primary cause of the adhesion is the electrostatic force more than van der Waals forces or capillary action. Researchers have produced dry glue and adhesive tape based on analysis of gecko and spider feet. The stickiness results both from tiny velcro-like hair and also the addition of lipids, which are found on gecko feet. Gecko feet are sticky because of van der Waals forces, electrostatic forces, and lipids found on their skin. StephanHoerold / Getty Images Real-Life Spiderman In 2014, DARPA tested its Geckskin, a material based on the setae of gecko footpads. A 100-kg researcher, carrying an additional 20 kg of gear, scaled an 8 m (26 ft) glass wall using two climbing paddles. The goal is to give military personnel Spiderman-like abilities. Scientists have found a way to use van der Waals forces to help people cling to smooth surfaces, such as glass and walls. OrangeDukeProductions / Getty Images Sources Autumn, Kellar; Sitti, Metin; Liang, Yiching A.; Peattie, Anne M.; Hansen, Wendy R.; Sponberg, Simon; Kenny, Thomas W.; Fearing, Ronald; Israelachvili, Jacob N.; Full, Robert J. (2002). Evidence for van der Waals adhesion in gecko setae. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. 99 (19): 12252–6. doi:10.1073/pnas.192252799Dzyaloshinskii, I. D.; Lifshitz, E. M.; Pitaevskii, L. P. (1961). General theory of van der Waals forces. Soviet Physics Uspekhi. 4 (2): 153. doi:10.1070/PU1961v004n02ABEH003330Israelachvili, J. (1985–2004). Intermolecular and Surface Forces. Academic Press. ISBN 978-0-12-375181-2.Parsegian, V. A. (2006). van der Waals Forces: A Handbook for Biologists, Chemists, Engineers, and Physicists. Cambridge University Press. ISBN 978-0-521-83906-8.Wolff, J. O.; Gorb, S. N. (18 May 2011). The influence of humidity on the attachment ability of the spider Philodromus dispar (Araneae, Philodromidae). Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences. 279 (1726): 139–143. doi:10.1098/rspb.2011.0505

California and Federal Leave Laws Research Paper

California and Federal Leave Laws - Research Paper Example From this study it is clear that  many states have identified the disadvantages of this present law and the unfavorable impact it is causing on both the employers and the employees. Because of this, twenty-eight states such as New York, California, New Jersey among many other have introduced paid leave bills. This enables workers to get payment from a given period when they are on leave.This paper declares that introduction of SB 1661 legislation in California State in February in 2002 enhanced the existing States Disability Insurance (SDI) system. The present SDI system is already providing partial paid family and medical leave. They also replace 55 to 60 percent of the wage of the employees when they take a leave to recover from serious illness such as pregnancy and disabilities that come because of giving birth. Further, use of SB 1661 extends this medical and family leave insurance system to enable employees replace 50-60 percent of their wages when they take a leave up to 12 w eeks to take care of the newborn or a family member who is seriously sick or after adopting a new baby. Section 233 of the California labor code enables employers to use up to the amount of sick leave that accumulate during the period of six month that they use while caring for family members who are sick. This research paper analyzes different types of leaves laws as well as the differences that exist between California and federal leave laws.

Disability Case Studies Study Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Disability Studies - Case Study Example Students with bodily challenges can access learning materials through the intervention of these technologies. Children with behavioral and cognitive impairments can utilize modeling technologies that improve their social and communication abilities. These technologies can be used both in school by teachers and at home by parents or special tutors. The devices range from low cost to highly priced high-tech devices that are adapted to different learner capabilities. The following case studies present technologies that can be used for students with low vision, learning disability, autism, and cerebral palsy. Case study #1 Assistive technology gives blind and low vision students support in academic areas as well as in expanded curriculum. Students with low vision have difficulties reading regular print or the blackboard. Assistive technologies help enlarge book prints and blackboard writings enabling these students to attend regular classes and use ordinary books. Learning activities may involve interaction with pictorial information that may require magnification. Students with low vision have difficulties in interpreting pictorial information. Students with poor vision have problems in hand-eye coordination. They have the ability to write, but the shape and size of their letters may lead to ineligible handwriting (Beard, Carpenter and Johnston, 2011). This creates a necessity for Braille technologies or typing assistance. Students with visual impairment require different operating systems when dealing with computer-based assignments. Some students require full-fledged specialized software and built-in accessibility. Assistive technologies enable these students navigate computer systems independently. This improves their participation in class and provides equal abilities compared to normal-vision students. Screen and text magnifiers can improve the visibility of prints and text displayed on computer screens. The magnifiers present the text in large formats, bring the text closer to the student, and improve the angle and projection of the text. A screen magnifier is software installed in the computer that the student can use to improve and manipulate text on the screen. Text magnifiers can be handheld and are used to improve text in print books. The magnifiers give the student control over the size of text, color, icons, and images. This gives the student the ability to read fluently and he can compete with others in the class. Students can also participate in class texts due to improved ability to read, interpret, and answer questions. Screen and text magnifiers are also used in extra-curricular activities such as interclass and interschool competitions where low vision students can participate (Wiazowski, 2009). The high contrast (20/20) pen is a writing tool that makes letters visible due to the high contrast ink. Students with low vision having poor eye-hand coordination may produce illegible handwriting. These pens have extra wide tips and the bold ink creates high-contrast, easily visible hand writing. The pens have a thick diameter that makes them easy to grip. The school can provide students with high contrast pens to improve their handwriting. These pens are quite cheap, and parents can buy them for home use. They are sold in several bookshops, which make them easily available. The pens will improve the

The Cure Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

The Cure - Essay Example The two parents, Aileen, and John requested for an appointment with a doctor to examine the state of their two affected children. The diagnosis given to the children included Pompe for Megan while Patrick’s diagnosis was to come later in a few months. Pompe is a disease that is genetic in nature. It is due to unbroken glycogen that results from a deficiency in enzymes that breaks glycogen down. Sugar in the body builds up and is stored as glycogen. Glycogen is then deposited in the muscles of the body. The resultant effect is cells lacking energy and other necessities for them to function optimally. Consequently, the muscles will go through a lot of malnourishment. The effects of Pompe will cover the respiratory system and the muscles. A common phenomenon is children dying from a failure in the respiratory. The latter is also called cardiac arrest and occurs as the heart enlarges slowly. The lifespan of children diagnosed with Pompe is significantly reduced and only have a few years. The cause of Pompe is the mutations that the GAA gene undergoes. The task of GAA is the production of alpha Maltese. Alpha Maltese is an enzyme that handles the breakdown of glycogen into glucose that is usable by the body. The enzyme’s production will fail if GAA undergoes mutation. Glycogen, as a result, is not decomposed to form pure sugar. However, the cells in the body make use of glucose and cannot do so with glycogen. Too much glycogen in the cells will become toxic to the body. The more the build of glycogen, the weaker the muscles get and the levels of damage get worse. Pompe is fair when traced in an adult as compared to a child. Although it is rare, it is considerably fatal in children. There are three varied types of Pompe disease that doctors and scientist have established. Their differences come how severe they are and age of appearance. They include non-classic

Failures of Transactional Marketing: An Analysis

Failures of Transactional Marketing: An Analysis A. R. Lacey (1996), in Dictionary of Philosophy explains paradigm as a shared assumption or an accepted theory which governs the outlook of an epoch and its approach to scientific problems [giving] standard forms of solutions to problems. Within the physical and social sciences, it is common for one paradigm, a dominant paradigm to be prevalent. Currently, the dominant marketing paradigm, the accepted model of how marketing works and should be integrated with the rest of the world, is what has come to be called Transactional Marketing (TM) (Gronroos, 1996; Aijo, 1996; Gummesson, 1987; Berry, 1983; Jackson, 1985; Payne, 1995). This research is principally concerned with what has been called Relationship Marketing (RM), a term alluded to by Thomas (1976), but first explicitly used by Berry (1983: see Kotler, 1992; Gronroos, 1990, 1991; Hunt and Morgan, 1994; Berry, 1995; Sheth and Parvatiyar, 1995; Turnbull and Wilson, 1989). The foundations of Relationship Marketing are inextricably mixed with the development and practice of Transactional Marketing. The underpinning theories and conceptualisations of RM often only exist in relation, or opposition to the theory and practice of Transactional Marketing. It is therefore necessary to understand Transactional Marketing before RM can be fully comprehended. The American Marketing Association has defined (transactional) marketing as the process of planning and executing conception, pricing, promotion and distribution of ideas, goods and services to create exchanges that satisfy individual and organisational objectives. (AMA Board, 1985). The marketing concept is a very simple but powerful idea. The best way for a company to meet its objectives, profit making or otherwise, is by satisfying customers-the achievement of corporate goals through meeting and exceeding customer needs better than the competition (Jobber, 2001). This is best done by all members of the firm seeking to serve the needs of the customer, even at the expense of producer inconvenience. If this concept is adopted by the organisation, it leads to what is called a marketing orientation. The analysis and subsequent review of transactional marketing will be in two parts, an appraisal of its theoretical origins, development and weaknesses and an examination of the standard wa ys in which firms implement it. The next section will critique the Transactional Marketing Paradigm on two main fronts. These being firstly, criticisms based on theoretical weaknesses or omissions, and secondly, criticisms about the way in which theory and models have been misunderstood or ignored by firms. Both of these categories however, emerge out of the unique economic and social environment within which the transactional marketing paradigm developed (Webster, 1992; Aijo, 1996). 1.1. THE BIRTH OF MARKETING THEORY The origins of Transactional Marketing are in microeconomics, North America and the 1950s. Prior to WWII, economists developed price theory to embrace what they called oligopolistic competition (Chamberlain, 1933; Sheth, Gardner and Garrett, 1988; Waterschoot and Van Den Bulte, 1992). This theoretical development led early marketing theoreticians (McGarry, 1950; McKitterick, 1957; Alderson, 1957: see Gronroos, 1994, 1996) to create lists of marketing variables deduced from econometric, profit optimising equations- the so called functionalist school of marketing (McGarry, 1950). In turn, this inspired Borden (1954) to introduce the concept of the marketing mix, a list of 12 variables (product, price, branding, distribution, personal selling, advertising, promotions, packaging, display, servicing, physical handling, fact finding and analysis which the marketer would have to consider in any given situation. [And] would blend the various ingredients or variables of the mix into an integr ated marketing program. (Gronroos, 1994b:350). In a seminal work, McCarthy (1960) presented the marketing mix management approach, reconstructing Bordens original 12 variables into the now familiar 4P model (Price, Product, Promotion and Placement). The theoretical foundations of this model have been severely questioned (Waterschoot and Van Den Bulte, 1992; Gummesson, 1987; Sheth et al, 1988; Webster, 1992; Duncan and Moriarty, 1998). Principally, these questions stem from the fact that the original microeconomic variables, derived through empirical induction had solid theoretical foundations, whilst Bordens list had only second-order links to these foundations and, crucially, was not intended as an exhaustive definition or method of implementation but merely as a set of guidelines within a fully integrated marketing program. Real world developments and its inherent simplicity ensured the rise and rise of the 4P model and its attendant Marketing Mix Management theory. 1950s North America -a huge domestic market of apparently homo genous and insatiable customers -led to rapid increases in the demand for standardised consumer goods and the crowning of the United States as the dominant marketing culture. In time it became the basis of modem transactional marketing (Takala and Uusitalo, 1996; Kotler, 1992; Aijo, 1996).The simplicity and communicability of the marketing mix paradigm, in combination with its apparent success, combined to turn marketing into a highly effective impact machine (Gr6nroos, 1996c: 16). Transactional Marketing rapidly became the overwhelmingly dominant marketing paradigm (Dixon and Blois, 1983, Kent, 1986). 1.2. MARKETING IN CONTEMPORARY ORGANISATIONS Given the great number of organisations which pay at least lip-service to the importance of marketing, a diversity of methods of implementing transactional marketing is inevitable (Brodie et al, 1997). The most typical structure, and one commonly found within the context of end-user orientated firms (Christy et al, 1996) is to have within the organisation a sub-unit, separate from the rest of the firm, with responsibility for marketing market analysis, advertising, sales promotion, pricing and distribution (Buttle, 1996; Deshpande and Webster, 1989; Gurnmesson, 1994). The principal focus of this research is on the relationship between such firms, and their customers. In everyday marketing vocabulary.marketing department, an organisational unit, is used as a synonym for marketing function (Gronroos, 1994). The implication is clear, Transactional Marketing theory suggests that marketing can be treated as a separate, discrete function, rather than as an integrated one (Berry and Parasuraman,1995; Waterschoot and Van Den Bulte, 1992; Palmer, 1994; Payne, 1995; Thomas, 1996). The existence of these marketing departments echoes much about the functionalist, scientific [econometric] origins of transactional marketing. The philosophy of implementation prevalent within western business is that specialists should themselves take care of a task for specialists (Gronroos, 1996). In many businesses, the marketing department is seen as having total responsibility for various marketing tasks, such as market analysis, market planning, advertising, sales promotion, pricing, distribution and product packaging (Gronroos, 1994). This begs the question that if the ma rketing department takes care of these entire fundamental issues, what exactly is the rest of the business for? One of the primary and most traditional Justifications of adopting a marketing orientation rather than a sales or production orientation is that marketing integrates the other functions of the business (Bennett, 1996; Jackson, 1985) into a more coherent whole, built around the needs and wants of the customer. The outcome of creating a marketing department is to bring about a situation where, within an organisation, marketing department is used as a synonym for marketing function, which is the process of taking care of the fulfilment of customer needs and desires. As a consequence, the rest of the organisation is alienated from marketing, and the marketers are isolated from design, production, deliveries, technical service, complaints handling, and other activities of the firm (Gronroos, 1994). Marketing is being treated as a specialist management function, rather than a general management issue (Gronroos, 1996). Within such organisations, there is a clear-cut distinction [inferred from marketing mix management theory] between those who are involved with marketing, and those who arent. This process has been called the Ghettoisation of marketing (Gummesson, 1987). It has been strongly argued (Gummesson, 1987,1990,1994; Duncan and Moriarty, 1998; Aijo, 1996; Christy et al, 1996; Heide and John, 1995) that the distinction between the marketer and non-marketer is an artificial one. Opportunities for marketing activity are not limited to those inside the marketing department. What do the following people have in common: a telephone operator connecting a customer with a salesperson; an installation team from the supplier spending two weeks on the buyers premises installing and testing new equipment: a management consultant presenting a progress report in an assignment? (Gummesson, 1991). The answer is of course, that these are all people outside the marketing department, [therefore by definition not responsible for marketing] where, nevertheless, their attitudes and way of doing their job have an impact on the customers perception of the firm (Gronroos, 1996).These non-marketers, with their influence on the firms ability to market itself efficientl y and effectively have been called part-time marketers (Gummesson, 1987). 1.3. SUMMATION OF THE PROBLEMS INHERENT TO THE MARKETING MIX The origins of marketing mix management theory, and the transactional marketing paradigm it gave rise to be in the USA, the nineteen-fifties and microeconomics. The theoretical foundations of this paradigm are questionable in terms of its translation from econometric modelling and its pedagogical simplification. At best, the 4P model was suitable for the unique marketing environment created by the post WWH American autarchy. The theoretical weaknesses of the transactional marketing paradigm have been highlighted by radical changes in the business environment, such as the globalisation of competition and the increasing sophistication of consumers and products. These weaknesses are especially apparent in contexts that are significantly different from that of its origins -most noticeably services marketing and European markets. The academic response has been to avoid the problem by papering over the theoretical cracks. Within firms, the creation and stagnation of marketing departments h as ghettoised, neutered and isolated marketing from the consumer and even the rest of the firm. As a result of this, transactional marketing treats the consumer as passive and fails to fully recognise the marketing importance of interaction between front-line staff and customers. Transactional Marketing fails its own definition. It is a production orientated definition of marketing, not a customer orientated one. THE ORIGINS OF RELATIONSHIP MARKETING THE OTHER MARKETING THEORIES The origins of Relationship Marketing are in Europe, the nineteen-eighties, and dissatisfaction with the Transactional Marketing paradigm. It was noted earlier that transactional marketing theory was principally developed from its origins in end-user, consumer markets. Relationship Marketing draws on a broader theoretical base (within a marketing context), with concomitant development within the services and business to business (B2B) marketing literatures. The term Relationship Marketing, alluded to by Thomas (1976) was first explicitly used by Berry (Berry and Parasuraman, 1991; Berry, 1995; Gummesson, 1987; Gronroos, 1996; Payne and Richard, 1993; Robicheaux and Coleman, 1994; Payne and Frow, 1997). It has also been called customer-focused management (Gummesson, 1994), or relationship management (Payne, 1996). Berry (1983) used the term within the context of criticising services marketing literature, arguing that researchers and businessmen have concentrated far more on how to att ract consumers to products and services than on how to retain those customers. He advocated a switch from a transactionary approach, where marketing effort was focussed on customer attraction, to a relational approach, where the attraction of new customers should be viewed only as an intermediate step in the marketing process (Berry, 1995), and the primary objective was retaining customers. Berry (1983) defined Relationship Marketing as attracting, maintaining and -in multi-service organisations -enhancing customer relationships. Simultaneously, Hammarkvist, Hakansson and Mattson (1982), working within the arena of business-to-business marketing (Gronroos, 1996), advanced similar definition (Andersson and Soderland, 1988; Anderson, Hakansson and Johanson, 1994) all activities by the firm to build, maintain and develop customer relations. (Hammarkvist et al, 1982: cited Gurnmesson,1987). That relationships should be managed and built has become a cornerstone of both the Nordic and the Industrial Marketing and Purchasing (IMP) School of marketing (Mattsson, 1997; Gronroos, 1996c). This parallel development within separate areas of research is far from coincidental (Takala and Uusitalo, 1996). As with the Transactional Marketing literature, each of these streams of research emanates from within a specific business environment (Aijo, 1996). SERVICES MARKETING It was argued earlier that the Transactional Marketing Paradigm habits origins within a unique and highly specific business environment, that of the North American consumer goods markets of the 1950s. It was further suggested that these origins limited the value of TM as a universal theory of marketing, and that primarily within the context of end-user orientated literature, development consisted of re-jigging a redundant theoretical format. The deviation from this specific business environment was greatest within the domains of service marketing and business to business marketing (Mattsson, 1997), albeit in very different ways. The theory and practice of transactional marketing assumes that consumers are available in great numbers and behave passively. Within industrial and service markets, the interactive Participation of the customer is required to successfully complete the exchange (Gummesson, 1987), within business, customer-firms are often limited in numbers. An ancillary implication of treating the customer as passive, someone to whom things are done (Dixon and Blois, 1983) is to instil within the business the philosophy of competing with customers, rather than interactive co-operation. Transactional Marketing Theory maintains the assumption of its microeconomic origins in that the marketing mix is a tool used to help a company optimise [maximise] its profit function (Waterschoot and Van den Bulte, 1992; Gronroos, 1991). It is because of this that firms consider marketing objectives met at the point of customer attraction -i.e. moment of exchange. When marketing a service, it is argued that the objectives should not only be to only to attract, but to then keep and maintain the customer-to develop a long-term relationship with them (Bitner et al, 1994; Cravens and Piercy, 1994; Gronroos, 1991; Gummesson, 1987b). When selling a physical product, the costs of production are offset by the revenue of the purchase. With a service, the majority of costs are often incurred whilst setting-up the service (Berry and Parasuraman, 1991; Booms and Bitner, 1981), for example; accountancy and banking. The implication of this is that longer-term strategy, in conjunction with placing significant emphasis on customer retention will yield dividends (Berry, 1995; Payne and Richard, 1993; Parasuraman et al, 1991; Gronroos, 1990), and indeed, empirical evidence to support this has been found. Reichheld and Sasser (1990) have demonstrated across a variety of service industries that profits climb steeply when a company successfully lowers its customer defection ratethe researchers found that the firms could improve profits from 25 percent to 85 percent by reducing customer defections by just 5 percent. Not only do loyal customers generate more revenue for more years, the costs to maintain existing customers frequently are lower than the costs to acquire new customers (Berry, 1995). Other studies have provided further evidence of the benefits of a long-term, customer retention strategy within competitive consumer-service markets, Storbacka (1997), Gwin (1988) and Perrienet al (1993) in banking, Crosby and Stephens (1987) in insurance. Moments of Truth and the Crucial R ole of the Part-Time Marketer. Firms producing end-user products often sell through an intermediate, retailing company. As such, opportunities for marketing are indirect via mass-media and market research (Henry, 1994). The interaction required within service and business-to-business marketing enforces a more direct approach (Gronroos, 1994). The image and reputation of the firm cannot solely be constructed through promotion. Interaction between a consumer and the firms part-time marketers (Gummesson, 1987) will result in that consumer have a positive or negative perception of the company (Price et al, 1995; Cravens and Piercy, 1994) a process that Gronroos (1982) calls perceived service quality. Given the intangibility of service products, this perceived service quality is of the utmost importance, the consumer has little else by which to judge the firm outside of his direct interaction with it (Ferguson,1996; Bitner et al, 1994). The marketing effort of the part-time marketers therefore forms the bulk of the firms marketing impact (Gronroos, 1996), often they are the only marketers around (Normann, 1983). Research shows that the customer will judge the quality of the service and form an attitude to the provider both from the experience of the production1delivery process and of the future benefits of the service (Lehtinen, 1985). In a situation where the majority of marketing activity does not come from the full-time marketers within the marketing department, it makes little sense to plan the activities of this department separately. It was argued earlier that if such a department is considered by the rest of the firm to be taking care of the marketing function, it will become increasingly difficult to create an interest in marketing amongst unwitting part-time marketers (Gronroos, 1982; Christy et al, 1996). A marketing orientation is only achieved when all members of an organisation has asked them how do I contribute to excellence in customer relations and to revenue (Gummesson,1991: 60). An auxiliary concept to that of the part-time marketer is that of points-if-marketing (Normann, 1983), more poetically called moments of truth. These are natural opportunities emerging in the production and delivery process; for example, the interaction between a doctor and a patient (Gummesson, 1991). For these occasions to be positively resolved, marketing must be designed-into the process, rather than tacked-on. RELATIONSHIP MARKETING DEFINITIONS FROM SERVICE LITERATURE Since Berry (1983), other authors have presented alternative definitions of Relationship Marketing within the services marketing literature. RM concerns attracting, developing, and retaining customer relations (Berry and Parasuraman, 1991). establishing a relationship involves giving promises, maintaining a relationship is based on fulfilment of promises; and, finally, enhancing a relationship means that a new set of promises is given with the fulfilment of earlier promises as a prerequisite. (Gummesson, 1991). The core of these ideas from services marketing is the interpersonal interaction between buyer and seller interaction. The organisation should be structured and managed so that promises worth making can be kept. Clearly, a relationship between two parties is something that grows in strength through repeated exchanges over a period of time, it is not instantaneously generated. BUSINESS TO BUSINESS AND NETWORK MARKETING Such moments of truth also exist within a business-to-business context. If the interaction between producer and consumer is crucial in services marketing it is doubly so within B2B marketing -principally because of the relatively low number of customers/suppliers (Andersson et al, 1994; Blois, 1997; Dabholkar et al, 1994). These dyads do not exist in isolation. Within the business marketing literature it has become clear that the theoretical foundations of contemporary work are not shared with the Kotlerian (Andersson and Soderland, 1988) marketing mix theory, which has microeconomic ancestry. Instead, network-theory, which attempts to model the process of resource exchange in markets where both buyer and seller are firms or other organisations has its origins in empirical work conducted over the last 20 years, principally in Northern Europe (Mattsson, 1997). The results of these studies, when assessed as a body of work, highlight several commonalities in the exchange behaviour betw een firms that contradict business philosophy derived from the transactional marketing paradigm (Elg and Johansson, 1996). B2B partners are characterised as active and mutually dependent, with the buyer and seller both able to initiate an exchange. Interaction between the organisations was not the sole purview of a marketing department but instead between the equivalent departments in each firm -inter functionally. In practice, it was recognised that the marketing emphasis had switched from optimising the marketing mix to the management of the firms relationships (Andersson and Soderland, 1988). Network theory suggests that markets are heterogeneous, rather than homogenous (Matthyssens and Van Den Bulte, 1994). The marketing objectives of the firm became to establish, develop and decide when to terminate its relationships with the customers and suppliers in its network (Hammarkvist et al, 1982). This divergence from the transactional marketing paradigm was driven by factors in the business environment (Blois, 1997; Andersson and Soderland, 1988). Many of the economic and social characteristics of Scandinavian countries [where much of the empirical work was conducted] helped to highlight the differences between consumer markets and business to business markets (Andersson and Soderland, 1988). These economies have been traditionally noted for high levels of concentration in industry, a considerable amount of interaction between firms, the state and labour unions, and the national dependence on the export of highly complex products (Porter, 1985). In general terms, business-to-business markets are characterised by a limited number of potential customer-firms, encouraging businesses to maintain relations with their partners over-time (Anderson and Narks, 1984, 1990), rather than the start-stop philosophy of transactional marketing. The increased level of interaction between the partners and the individualistic requirements of each customer obviate the need for a standardised marketing program (Dabholkar et al, 1994). Relationships must be tailored, not off the peg (Harland, 1996). The management of relationships is a complex issue, Hakansson and Johanson (1992) acetones relationship management problems as either limitation or handling problems. Limitation problems concern the firms management of its portfolio of relationships -its collection of dyadic interactions. These problems concuern which, if any, of the firms relationships should be emphasised (Andersson and Soderlund, 1988). To misquote Clausewitz, he who emphasises everything, emphasises nothing. Handling problems concern the manner in which relationships are established, and once established, how they are maintained, developed and judged appropriate for termination. Within a network, what are the relational objectives of an organisation? Transactional Marketing advocates a competitive stance, the results of any interaction between a buyer and seller must result in one winning -and one losing (Doyle and Engermann, 1992; Donaldson, 1996). Network theory espouses co-operation to produce a win-win situation (Deshpande and Webster, 1989). Despite this, network theorists consider that firms must work to deepen chosen relationships, to achieve some level of power -also called bonds over their partners whilst striving to remain free of such bonds themselves (Andersson and Soderlund, 1988). Relationships can create bonds of several types, planning, knowledge, legal and social (Berry, 1985).The end of the relationship will incur switching costs, not necessarily purely financial. The original quote being He whose fends everything, defends nothing BUSINESS-TO-BUSINESS RELATIONSHIP MARKETING DEFINITIONS Since Hammarkvist et al (1982) defined relationship marketing within the context of business network marketing, others have proposed alternatives. RM is an emergent disciplinary framework for creating, developing and sustaining exchanges of value between the parties involved, whereby exchange relationships evolve to provide continuous and stable links in the supply chain (Ballantyne, 1994) .. Is not directly aimed at immediate transactions but is based on building, supporting and extending customer relationships (Matthyssens and Van denBulte, 1994). RM is the process of co-operating with customers to improve marketing productivity through efficiency and effectiveness (Parvatlyar, 1996). At the heart of these ideas is the concept of a partnership where both parties require co-operative behaviour from the other in order for the relationship to be mutually beneficial -neither has many other alternatives, to buy from or supply to. The focus is not at the level of one-on-one interaction of services marketing, but is instead much wider -it is necessary for large groups on both sides to contribute. THE RELATIONAL CONSTRUCTS OF COMMITMENT AND TRUST Until quite recently, little attempt had been made to provide network theory with the conceptualisations necessary to understand the processes of relationship maintenance and development. Whilst an initial model was presented by Dwyer, Schurr and Oh (1987), the first serious attempt test a model in a structured manner was in a seminal paper by Morgan and Hunt (1994), (see Kalatatis and Miller, 1996; Hunt, 1997; Gronroos, 1996a; Gummesson, 1997). Relationship Marketing refers to all marketing activities directed towards establishing, developing and maintaining successful relational exchanges. Morgan and Hunt (1994) They further argue that Relationship Marketing requires the successful management of relationships with the firms partners. Such management requires the establishment, maintenance and development of relationships, in which understanding of concepts like commitment and trust are keys. Morgan and Hunt have suggested that commitment and trust are amongst the key mediating variables that distinguish productive, effective relational exchanges from those that are inefficient and ineffective (Morgan and Hunt, 1994). Furthermore, commitment and trust between partners in a network leads directly to co-operative behaviours in three ways. Firstly, they predispose the partners towards actively preserving relational investments. Secondly they help to prevent partners from adopting short-term, opportunistic behaviours. Thirdly, they help to support the view of high-risk actions as being prudent in the longer term (Hunt, 1997). Morgan and Hunt construct what they call a KMV (Key Mediating Variable) model to show the central importance of commitment and trust in marketing relationships. THE BEGINNINGS OF A RELATIONAL PARADIGM? The increasing awareness of the limitations of the Transactional Marketing Paradigm, in conjunction with the development of Services marketing and Network marketing has led to calls for a substantial change in the marketing philosophy, practice and ethos (Daskou, 1997; Clarkson et al, 1997; Palmer, 1994). in the authors view, the present marketing concept, as it appears in research, textbooks and seminars is unrealistic and needs to be replaced (Gummesson, 199 1). The need for a paradigm shift in Marketing, based on a Relationship Theory is being advocated more and more strongly ( Gronroos, 1990). This change is not skin-deep, it will not be quick, and it will not be painless. RM suggests different focus and different underpinning values for marketing that, in my view; justify calling RM a new paradigm and the beginning of a new marketing theory. (Gummesson, 1994). It requires a totally new approach to some of the fundamental thoughts in marketingthe transition from a transaction-orientated marketing mix-based practice of marketing to a relationship-oriented one is not an uncomplicated process. The old paradigm has deep roots in the minds of marketers as well as non-marketers in a company. (Gronroos, 1996). What then, is the association between Transactional and Relational marketing? Any meaningful answer to this critical question requires a definition of Relationship marketing. The first definition of RM offered as a general rather than a business/services/consumer marketing specific definition is to be found in Gronroos (1991). Marketing is to establish, maintain and enhance, and where necessary end relationships with customers and other parties at a profit so that the objectives of the parties involved are met. This is done by a mutual exchange and fulfilment of promises. As Aijo (1996) notes from the work of Sheth et al (1988), Throughout its historymarketing has been generally dominated at any one time by one prevailing perspective. The implication of this is firstly, that the transactional paradigm will be completely replaced by the relational paradigm, and that secondly, the association between the alternative paradigms is competitive, rather than complementary. For some brief time, this view received wide support, no doubt influenced by the weaknesses of the transactional paradigm and incredible growth of relational literature (Berry, 1990; Gronroos, 1989; Dixon and Blois, 1989; Gurnmesson, 1991). Quickly, this simplistic view of the (non) association between transactional and relational was superseded by more sophisticated thoughts (Brodie et al, 1997;Aijo, 1996). Gronroos (1991) considered that the true decision facing firings was not Transactional Marketing or Relationship Marketing, but rather where on a marketing strategy continuum the comp any should place itself In some cases, a firm could be justified in maintaining a purely transactional approach. For some types of products and in some situations or for some types of customers a one-deal-at-a-time approach may be good strategy (Gronroos, 1991). This idea has great appeal, especially when it is considered that some sections of the wider marketing literature have discussed for years the interaction between the customer and aspects (we might say avatars) of the impression/relationship the firm has made in the mind of the customer-obvious examples of this would be store location strategies and especially branding. Indeed, the argument could be made that if the objective of the research project is to examine customer perspectives on their relationships with firms, an assessment of branding would be a key part of the literature review and would feed into the design of the research questions and fieldwork. A subtle but important distinction needs to be made between the re lationship a customer has with a firm and the perspectives that customer has on relationship marketing as applied to them by the company. This research project is centred on the latter, not the former. This Transactional Marketing-Relationship Marketing continuum forms the basis of a simple model that developed by Gronroos. In this model he attempts to place various categories of goods/services at the appropriate place