The Apple Company Assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Apple Company Assignment - Essay Example At the end of 2010-2011 financial year, Apple sold 27 million compared to the 6 million units sold in 2008. This essay will therefore analyze Apple’s Iphone from a microeconomic and macroeconomic perspective. The main factor that affects the supply and demand of a product is price. Price is the exchange value of a product at a given time and market. Consequently, Apple will experience a change in the demand of its product if it changes its price. Currently the IPhone is the most highly priced smart phone in the market. This is in comparison with other similar products such as Samsung Galaxy. The Apple Company will also be willing to increase the supply of the product at high market price. Technology is the second factor that influences IPhone’s demand and supply. In the current digital age, high tech gadgets such as smart phones are increasingly becoming necessary. In addition, technological advancement has increased efficiency in the production of the product (Bade, 20 07, p. 23). This has increased the supply of the product leading to a reduction in price. Advancement in technology has also caused a reduction in the prices of other related smart phones particularly those manufactured by Chinese companies. This has caused a shift in the customer base for the product. Market structure relates to the nature or influence of buyers and suppliers in a market. Perfect competition, oligopoly, monopoly, and monopsony are the basic market structures. The Apple Company operates in a perfect competition market. A perfect competition market is considered as an ideal market, which is characterized by many buyers and suppliers. In addition, a perfect competition market is characterized by freedom of entry and exit. This promotes the production homogenous products and availability of numerous substitutes. In such market, product, promotion or advertisement are critical factors that suppliers use to increase the sale of their products. Advertisements and free mar ket information makes the consumers to have readily available information about prices, products, and competition of the supplies (Bade, 2007, p. 43). Thus, consumers in the high-tech and gadget market are aware of products of other related producers such as Nokia, Motorola, and Samsung. The profitability of a product determines its existence in a competitive market. In addition, profitability of a company determines the company’s preference for its production. The Apple Company continuously advertises its products in order to maintain its position in the market. IPhone advertisements are common in popular print and electronic media. Online magazines and social media are some of the common platforms through which Apple advertises its products. Through these advertisements, the company informs potential and existing customers about the high-tech capabilities of their devices. A typical advert will illustrate user friendly and device intelligence features that make the IPhone t o stand out from other similar products. In addition, the company needs to increase its investments in research and innovation. Acquiring patents for smart phone features will increase the profitability of the product. In addition, the Apple Company will have profitable operations through reduced costs of operation. Technology innovations will lead to efficient operations and reduced cost of operation. The current market structure is slightly profitable

Improving Organization Retention Paper Essay Example for Free

Improving Organization Retention Paper Essay Organizations often experiences staffing issues; therefore, one department will be asked to cover for another. However, these issues can be generated from several aspects within an organization such as staffing issues, financial issues, and organization retention. Subsequently, the organization administration must endeavor to sort out the best strategy to resolve these issues. In this particular paper the underlying issues involves staffing. â€Å"Strategies for improving the employee selection process include tracking recruitment sources; using realistic job previews (RJPs); using assessment tools and interviews to predict turnover; and hiring for fit and motivation (Barrick Zimmerman, p. 1 Para 6 2005). Moreover, an organization that implements a successful staffing approach will essentially establish a positive influence regarding employee retention. Nevertheless with this paper organization retention will be discussed in details, and work motivation theories will be applied to improve employee recruitment and retention at JC’s Casino. An examination of potential occupational stressors that are considered as a negative influence on recruitment and retention as well as a significant proposal will be demonstrated. Furthermore, the role of job satisfaction and its influence on retention at the casino, and recommendations for improving job satisfaction of the employees, and how that can play a part in successfully improving retention will be discussed. Ultimately, a discussing regarding counterproductive employee behavior occurring at the casino as well as what suggestions that would reduce the counterproductive behavior and increase productive employee behavior will be demonstrated as well. JC’s Casino This particular casino is in disarray as the result of unpredictable staffing issues, which essentially caused the casino dealers to leave. In fact, the dealers obtain employment with other casino that merely offered a lower wage rate in contrast to his or her former employment. Moreover, the casino housekeeping staff itself was experiencing issues because of the absenteeism and the high turnover of rooms. Consequently, this issue essentially impinged on other departments within the casino because of the required staff needed to manage the casino was lacking. Indeed, this concern did not impress the casino customers; in fact, it merely produced more chaos as the hotel had to adjust the check -in times, and hire additional staff to work in the luggage room. The customers who arrived earlier had to be accommodating as the organization policy entailed. However, the owner is unaware of the magnitude of the issues, which surrounds the casino itself. In essence, the owner merely knows of the specifics such as the dealers was dropping off like flies, and casino customers were becoming increasingly displeased regarding the untimely check-in transformation. Following, these issues and the whole story enlighten; one could understand why this particular organization desires urgent assistance as a means to improving the organization retention. Motivation Work theories One of motivation work theories that will be employed involves the Douglas McGregor’s X-Y Theory. Douglas McGregor (1906-1964) was the creator of one of the leading exceptional management theories without comparison. He hypothesized that a management position is considered as one of the most significant position within a corporation. In essence, he proposed that it was the manager responsibility to encourage and unveil the vast creative capability within people. McGregor introduced two significant forms of management approaches, which essentially started the development of his X and Y theories: the authoritarian and the participative. The Theory X authoritarian management style, employees are inherently lazy, and the individual would generally have to be forced to work. Nonetheless, under the Theory Y participative management style, employees would discover work as favorable. McGregor also emphasize that, under the proper management, all employees are naturally Theory Y employees (Kallio, 2006). The X Theory is primarily centered on a fashion of management and leadership that is authoritarian, whereas the Y Theory tends to employ more constructive aspects of leadership. Consequently, McGregor’s theory can relate to JC’s Casino situation as it expresses organization development. The Y Theory will allow the staff members to make progress and advance. This way of thinking, in view of this aspect it would be a plus to employ as a means to enhance recruitment and retention within The JC’s Casino. To embark on this journey first, the Y Theory will permit the manager to support employees’ incentives in place of reprimand and demerits. The Y Theory managers deem that each employee like work, and work for the good of the organization, which generates capitalization on competency between the employees. The Y Theory manager would give employees the chance of an independence of creativeness, which would form motivated and faithful employees who appreciate his or her job. The Y Theory managers also work toward building meaningful and productive relationships with their employees. These managers contend with McGregor understanding that the responsibility of management is to allow their employees to express their vast creative potential (Skidmore, 2006). One significant aspect, the Y manager would offer an open dialog with employees and other departments and through displaying leadership by leading with example. Domination and reprimand are not always the best, and the only method to create profitable workplace. In fact, the work itself should be asked and not commanded as a manager subscribing to the X Theory would be more likely to perform. However, the success of either of these theories would essentially depend on -the -job as well as the individual. Some people require unvarying direction and others will excel with little or no direction. In essence, it would fall back on what the individuals work best with regarding Theory X and Theory Y would come into play motivational wise. Another significant theory is called the Z theory founded by William Ouchi. This particular theory is identified as the â€Å"Japanese Challenge† within the management, which is employs the Y Theory and modern Japanese management principals. Although the employee within this theory must have the proper mind-set at all times for tasks with complete liability regarding the ultimate result of tasks. â€Å"Nevertheless, Theory Z essentially advocates a combination of all thats best about theory Y and modern Japanese management, which places a large amount of freedom and trusts with workers, and assumes that workers have a strong loyalty and interest in team-working and the organization. An individual behavior and environment can change unexpectedly; thus, this particular theory lacks the strength, and direction contrasting to the McGregor X-Y theory that involves great motivational suggestions and reasoning. Occupational Stressors JC’s Casino organization have a high stress level profession as well as a high stress level that often surfaces between employees. This type of environment entails customers who are commonly inebriated and often irritated; thus, workers must intervene if necessary. Consequently, recruitment and retention should be meticulous because a casino environment can be challenging and not for everyone. According to researcher’s casinos that implement Anger Management courses that include procedures for recognizing and managing stress, which displayed a higher results regarding employee contentment (Internet Reference, Anger Stress in Casinos-www.andersonservices.com). Role of Job Satisfaction To implement employee satisfaction the primary focus would be directed toward researching other successful casino such as Ki-Joon Back, a Korean casino. This casino successfully has applied an employee job satisfaction and organizational assertion. The Korean casino embarks on requiring the employees to engage in a survey questionnaire; consequence aided management by enhancing the condition of employee satisfaction. Moreover, this type of method can be employed within JC’s Casino with the same results. One must first follow- up on the results such as provide ongoing training, health care benefits, and maintain an open dialog with employees. Each aspect should be permanent to ensure employee satisfaction, recruitment as well as retention. Furthermore, the organization should also present employees with necessary supplies according to the resources. When employees are provided with the required supplies it will create a better atmosphere and enhance self-respect and retention. It is significant to bear in mind that integrity generally starts on the top of administration and can seep into the workers (Internet Reference, CQX.com-Cornell Hospitality Quarterly Management). Employee Behavior According to Global Gaming Business regarding employee’s behavior within type of environment by which it emphasizes that when counterproductive behavior occurs in a casino the management should tackle the issue immediately as well as the peoples involved instead evading the situation. Casino policy should be made unquestionably and sincerely to employees who in turn create an appreciation amid management and staff. Management must be the voice of logic when dealing with rumor or complex concerns. Management must take the led to sort out personally grievances and issues on the floor during his or her shift, and one should by no means leave issues unresolved. However, JC’s Casino has two key vital focal points here concerning behavior perceived as counterproductive, which starts with Joe, the tyrannical pit boss, and the above rate of absenteeism among the housekeepers. Management must correct the issue with Joe; in fact, he needs to be taught that his method of working and dealing with his coworkers is causing counterproductive. His behavior is essentially causing the employees to perform inadequately, and resulting in employees to leave the casino. Joe must be retrained and needs to from this point on apply a Y Theory approach in which he works with his employees instead of his former method. In case for some reason he refuses or cannot adjust management must consider reinstating him or shifting him to a position because his behavior is not complimentary to the organization. Another point counterproductive to the company is the above rates of housekeepers as absent from work. The casino pays a fair wage, but because of the shortage of staff the housekeepers undergoing overworked and underappreciated beliefs. The casino needs to employ a new management agenda in which the managers had a better mentality and could create an enhanced working environment for the employees. Conclusion Indeed, based on this finding manager knowledge, skills, and abilities are highly necessary. A management position is considered as one of the most significant position within a corporation. The JC Casino entails numerous significant facets and layers that could be perceived as challenging and are causes for concern. If management maintains this model, change decision-making methods and mindsets, aid employees with healthier working conditions and with respect. This will lead to longer retention and will eventually lead to a better more efficient recruitment process, which will aid the JC Casino as it continues to soar, and becomes profitable. Management must correct the issue with Joe; in fact, he needs to be taught that his method of working and dealing with his coworkers is causing counterproductive. Ultimately, the corporation expects the manager to be prepared to work harder, and to put forth more effort than the others leading by the example. The effectiveness of either of these theories would ultimately come to depend on- the- job and the workers. References Barrick, M. R. Zimmerman, R. D. (2005). Reducing voluntary, avoidable turnover through selection. Global Gaming Business Vol.9. No. 2, (Internet Reference, CQX.com-Cornell Hospitality Quarterly Management. (Internet Reference, Anger Stress in Casinos-www.andersonservices.com (Internet Reference, Motivational theories-www.businessballs.com. (Internet Reference, http://www.businessballs.com/mcgregor.htm. Journal of Applied Psychology, 90, 159-166. Retrieved April 4, 2011 Kallio, B. (2006). Mcgregor, Douglas. Encyclopedia of Educational Leadership and Administration. Retrieved on April 4, 2011, from http://www.sage-ereference.com/edleadership/Article_n368.html Skidmore, M. (2006). Theory X, Theory Y. Encyclopedia of Educational Leadership and Administration. Retrieved on April 4, 2011 from, http://www.sage-ereference.com/edleadership/Article_n566.html /

Logging the Rainforest :: science

Logging the Rainforest A recipe for local and global disaster Industrial logging is the main cause of forest loss throughout the tropics. It is the starting point of a process leading to the forests' final destruction and substitution by agricultural crops, cattle raising or monoculture tree plantations. These are well known facts supported by more than sufficient evidence. Even more importantly, industrial logging destroys the livelihoods of forest and forest-dependent peoples who, deprived of the resources they depend on, become poor. Contrary to the official discourse, logging does not lead to development; it results in impoverishment and social disintegration. Women are disproportionately affected by logging activities, which provide them with no employment opportunities while depleting the resources they traditionally use and manage. In tropical countries, the process begins with the violation of the territorial rights of indigenous peoples and other traditional communities, who are the righteous owners of the forest. As most people confronted with such situation would, they frequently resist the entry of logging companies to their territories, which in turn usually results in state repression to protect the companies' legal "rights". Forest destruction, human rights abuses, poverty creation is the local part of the equation. On the other side there is wealth creation for transnationals and local elites and an abundant supply of cheap --though very valuable-- raw material to provide rich consumers with elegant toilet seats, sumptuous coffins and other equally "important" symbols of wealth. Some actors are crucial to make logging and end-consumers meet, among which the World Bank, the Inter American, African and Asian Development Banks and the International Monetary Fund. The banks provide the necessary funding for the road infrastructure needed to access the forest, while the IMF --as well as the banks-- force tropical countries into increasing natural resources' exports in order to ensure external debt payments. Being forests one of the main resources available, they are at the front line of exports and are later substituted by other export oriented crops grown in place of the forest. Another very powerful player has now been added to ensure that transnational corporations make wood flow to the consumer markets: the World Trade Organization. The whole process leading to forest destruction is clearly at odds with the international community's commitments to protect biodiversity and to counter climate change and desertification, agreed upon in three legally-binding conventions. At the same time, it also violates human rights commitments, including the protection of indigenous peoples' rights, and the commitments agreed upon at the 1995 Social Summit and the 1995 Conference on Women.

New Play Plan Essay

1. Is the company at the point where it should be setting up a formal salary structure based on a complete job evaluation? Why? Yes, by setting up a formal salary structure is being fair to the employees because the salary being paid based on the job task rather than pay the salary based on gender. When the salary structure being fair, it leads satisfaction among the employees and as a result the turnover will be at low rate. Besides, the company also can control their financial operation by doing budget allocation planning for their business operation. Moreover, the formal salary structure will make the employees clear on the amount pay for his or her job position. Thus, it can make easier to the related manager to do a process of salary payment. 2. Is Jack Carter’s policy of paying 10% more than the prevailing rates a sound one, and how could that be determined? First of all, First of all, according to this case, carter does not make any formal surveys, it is a correct action for Carter. Carter should pay more attention to the requirements of employees for building a formal pay policy. Secondly, Carter Company should pay different salaries for different job department rather than gender. Thirdly, it can determine a job’s relative worth by job evaluation. However, Jake has no enough evidence for building a pay policy. In our opinion, Carter may choose a job evaluation commitment to ensure right pay policies. As far as we concerned, Jake Carter’s policy of paying 10% more than the prevailing rates is sensible. There are five steps for making a rational pay plan. Primarily, employer conducts informal salary survey and formal survey. Then employers use salary survey to know what others are paying. Secondly, Carter chooses job evaluation methods to determine the worth of one job. Thirdly, the company pays the similar salary for similar jobs. Fourthly, Carter can use a wage curve to help assign pay rates to each job. Then it is easy to price jobs with a wage curve. Lastly, we know Carter does not develop pay ranges. Therefore, it is important for developing pay ranges to motivate high performance employees. At the same time, Carter needs to  correct out-of line rates. In this case, we disagree that men and women have different salary, it is unfair. Thus, Carter must ensure that men and women are paid comparably for essentially the same work. Jack Carter’s policy of paying 10% more than the prevailing rates a sound one because he believes that within the higher payment he could reduce the turnover among the employee and also at the same time can fostering the employee loyalty to organization. It could be determined by providing facts that Jack pays the 10% more to the worker. Besides, it’s very much better, if the payment done to the workers that are showing the loyalty to the organization. 3. Similarly, is Carter’s male-female differential wise? If not, why not? Our opinion, the answer is no, Carter’s shop does not have male-female differential wise. And they are also equal to their employees. Because Carter Cleaning Centers do not make a formal and legal wage structure to their employees, and at the same time Carte Cleaning Centers also does not use a good compensable factors to their employees, it will cause some bad effects to their employees and it also bring about different treatment. Wages rates are based mostly on those prevailing in the surrounding community. According to the Equal Pay Act of 1963, it requires that men and women who do the same job in the same organization should receive the same pay. The term `same pay` refer to no difference is acceptable. In addition the law, also defines that one consider as doing the same level of job if they are equal in term of skills, effort, responsibility and working condition. However, the Equal Pay Act of 1963 includes four exceptions that allow employers to pay another gender more than another. Some of those exceptions are like more seniority, better job performance, greater quantity or quality of production and lastly certain other factors like paying extra to employees that working the night shift. Back to this case study, there is no such exceptions includes in the reason provided by the Jack as to justify why he decided to pay 20% more than woman to men workers. The reason provided by him is they are stronger and can work hard for longer hours and also they all have family to support. This justification is the one that can’t be acceptable at all if refer to the law  and it also show discrimination towards the female worker. This is because, according to Equal Pay Act 1963, rather than the four exceptions as mention above, female and male workers should receive the same amount of payment if they hold the same job that are substantially equal. In addition, this unwise decision of Jack Carter’s policy will result in many negative effects such as increase in turnover among female worker, job dissatisfaction. Besides, there will be also more arguments in order to get an equal pay rate and lastly it will lead to an unproductively result to the organization. Question 4: Specifically, what would you suggest Jennifer do now with respect to her company’s pay plan? For the development of the company, there are several suggestions from us to Jennifer do now with respect to her company’s pay plan. More details about the suggestion will be discussed in the following paragraph. First, in the question 1, we had mentioned this point, setting up a formal salary structure. Based on this point, for the employees, they will feel more fair and unambiguous about how much they can get and it also makes the managing easier and more clearly for managers, there are strict certain structure to avoid the unfair things happen. Second, make a necessary formal survey in order to determining the amount that company should pay at what type of job responsibilities in order to avoid the mistake such as imbalances of salary payment. No matter what careful we are, we also would make some errors, so recheck the results are very necessary and important. In the case, the company conducts informal surveys among friends and cleaners trade associates. By doing this, it would reduce the cost and it is good for getting vast and direct information. But the independent information source could give great risks to the company in the future. Therefore a formal survey to the employees is more effective rather than informal survey in order to get feedbacks from employees regarding the pay system. Third, about the policy of paying 10% more than the prevailing rates, as a company, profit is the first thing. Although, this policy can foster employee loyalty, but to the long-term, the employees will accustom this situation and cannot motivated them to do better. Changing the policy like rewarding the outstanding employees with this policy, not all, this not only can reduce the cost, but also can motivate employees to get the higher prevailing rates. Fourth, abolish the policy of paying men about 20% more than women for the same job. Although her father’s explained that men are stronger and can work harder for longer hours, and besides they all have families to support, this policy considered bias to the men employees and of course it can course dissatisfaction to the women employees and they will feel unfairly treated. In pay system, it is better to have an official approved procedure on determining the right employees who’s qualify to be rewarded on the bonuses or salary increment and it should be based on the employees work performance. Don’t do like that, regarding somebody who work hard and better is effective method.

Explain the reasons for the Sino-Soviet split in the 1960s Essay

In this essay I will be showing the reasons for why the Soviet-Split happened in the 1950s and 1960s. In 1959 a treaty of Friendship, Alliance, and Mutual Assistance was established and was signed by soviet Russia and Peoples Republic of China. Whilst Russia had the Technology the Chinese could offer the man power to support this which seemed like a perfect partnership. This treaty was about Russia and China sharing ideas and technologies together but Russia often refused to share there knowledge of such things such as the A-bomb and the fact that the soviets didn’t offer assistance when China had their confrontation with Taiwan in 1958 and India in 1959, the Chinese were again disappointed with the Soviet response. From the Chinese perspective, the U.S.S.R. seemed to be promoting its own national agenda and losing sight of the shared ideals and goals of Communism. The Sino-Soviet relationship was strained as tension between the two countries began to grow. Because of these reasons the split was obvious by the end of 1950s. The leaders of the union were alarmed at Mao’s hatred of America and they refused to help China develop there own atom bomb. China did manage to blow her first A-Bomb in 1964 followed by an H-bomb in 1969. This was all accomplished without soviet Aid. Mao seemed to advocate a nuclear war on the enemies of the communists. During the 1950s the Chinese leader Mao thought that China was being used as a Soviet satellite and rather than an equal partners which was stated in the treaty. It was clear that Mao and Khrushchev had different ideas on Communism and Capitalism because in one of Mao statements he noted that â€Å"I talked about the danger of nuclear war with a foreign leader. He believed that if a nuclear war was fought the whole of mankind would be killed. I said that if the worst came to the worst and half of mankind died the other half would remain while capitalism would have been smashed and the whole world would become communists.† This statement shows that Mao was confident in the fact that Communism would flourish if the world was drawn into a nuclear war. Khrushchev said that: â€Å"Anyone who thinks that communism can be advanced by war belongs in the lunatic asylum.† Khrushchev statement tells us that Communism could never be achieved no matter what happened in the world. These Statements by both leaders tells us that when they signed the treaty they were going to complete there own goals no matter want so overall the treaty was nothing more than a sham. The suspicions that China had against the soviets was supported greatly in the year of 1959 when Khrushchev went to the United States to have meeting with President Eisenhower. China viewed this as a betrayal of the Communist plan and that it was an attempt for worldwide revolution. This had a very important part in the crumble of the Sino-Soviet split because China wanted to be communist and not be part of the worldwide revolution which the United States of America wanted. Overall this was part of a long term effect on the Sino soviet split. Short effects that made a small contribution to the Sino-Soviet split were that the soviets made fun of the fact that China was not able to handle the technologies that Russia had. For example: â€Å"How can the Chinese be qualified to manufacture nuclear weapons when they eat watery soup out of a common bowl and do not even have trousers to wear.† These statement made by the soviets is clearly mocking the Chinese because it states that they are not advanced enough to handle the technologies. Because of this the Chinese did not receive the bomb and of course broke the treaty yet again adding more conflict between Russia and China. On 16 July 1960, the U.S.S.R. withdrew all its specialists and technical advisors from China. Though the quality of the relationship between the two countries had been slowly declining for years, this recall of personnel is often considered the definitive moment for dissolution of Sino-Soviet cooperation. This was seen as a big turning point in the cold because the threat to the United States was diminished. During the year of 1969 the governments accused each other of provoking incidents along the border that separated China and Russia from each other. This disputed territory was surrendered to Russia in 1858 and 1860; When China was to weak to fight back and had to surrender it. The tension has been building up since and each side has armed forces on it. This clash had been threatened to brake out in 1969. Between March and August, in a series of incidents, Shots had been fired between the border guards and some guards got shot as a result of this. Each of the countries accused each other of being the aggressor and for a time there seemed to be a danger of a full scale war. Because of this incident war seemed imminent but war was averted and became a close call between the tensions that the countries shared against each other. In conclusion I thought that the Sino-Soviet split was predictable. There was too many differences in there believes and ways of life’s for the treaty to stay together through the years. This could have been different if there were different leaders in charge of the countries and the communist and capitalist parties.

Benefits to Running Bleachers Essays

Benefits to Running Bleachers Essays Benefits to Running Bleachers Paper Benefits to Running Bleachers Paper Athletes, along with others trying to get into shape usually incorporate running bleachers into their exercise routines. This activity has a variety of health and physical fitness benefit. One obvious benefit is the ability for body to develop more efficiently than running on a flat surface. Another benefit is the increase of the heart rate. The heart rate increases because the activity is much more intense than running regularly or jogging. Jogging bleachers requires the exercise to be performed at a higher intensity. This type of workout helps to teach an individual’s cardiovascular system to recovery quickly. This is because after going up the bleachers and resting for a few seconds, the body needs to be ready to be able to work hard again once it is time to run back up. This workout is known as a cardiovascular exercise which is effective in burning calories. This helps to increase the body fat loss and allows the heart rate to elevate for at least 30 minutes. A big reason why most athletes run bleachers is because of its ability to increase leg power. In certain sports, such as basketball, soccer, football and track, leg power is necessary to better the performance of the player. Climbing up the bleacher requires the quadriceps and glute muscles in the legs to push off each step with force. Running bleachers also puts more of a variety into an average person’s workout. This prevents muscles from adapting and allows them to continue development. For runners, finding a set of bleachers to run can be considered a break from their same daily route, which will keep them from becoming tired. For those who are not runners, bleachers will most certainly help to work out the muscles throughout the legs. Although running bleachers can be considered cruel punishment in gym classes, it is an effective exercise that keeps the heart healthy and the legs muscular.

Deaf Like Me essay

Deaf Like Me essay Deaf Like Me essay Deaf Like Me essayHearing impairment or total deafness, of course, is a very sad diagnosis both for a child and his parents. It is hard to accept the fact that the little person is deprived of the opportunity to take such a rich and diverse world of countless sounds for a whole life. Moreover, it is much harder to realize that the illness is building an invisible barrier between the baby and the people around, while this barrier isolates a deaf person from the world. However, it does not mean that the destiny of such a child is to live in total loneliness and isolation. Thus, the book Deaf Like Me is about a family constant struggling with adapting their deaf daughter to the world around her and teaching her to communicate with others. This is an amazing book that demonstrates the family’s desire to help their deaf child, and it proves that it is extremely important to struggle for normal life for deaf people.To begin, it is necessary to mention that the main book’s cha racters are Louise and Thomas Spradley, their son Bruce, and their daughter Lynn. Thomas and Louise Spradley before the birth of their deaf daughter were an average American couple, and they were young, happy and married, and had one child (Bruce), being deeply loving the boy and dreaming about great future. Only God knows what can happen in human life, and one summer day Bruce became ill with German measles, or rubella. This illness has changed the family’s life forever because Louise discovered that she was pregnant and the disease negatively influenced the newborn. It was an awful time of waiting the baby because Thomas and Louise were informed about possible congenital defects in the newborn but they still had a hope that everything will be alright with their baby. The doctor’s warning was the main acting hero of constant nightmares for the couple.When a girl baby was finally born, she was a perfectly normal and healthy child; moreover, her parents even relaxed fro m their constant fears and were happy about their life. Unfortunately, trouble never asks the time to come, and Louise and Thomas found that Lynn Spradley had some hearing problems. It was a real blow for the family because it meant that their calm life had stopped and new problems appeared. After a barrage of tests doctors put a diagnosis of deafness to the girl, and the diagnosis changed the family’s life forever.Analyzing the life of the family, it goes without saying that the daughter’s deafness made parents to be worried about their child and the book demonstrates their constant attempts to change the situation and to adapt the girl to social life. The main component of our life is communication, so the parent’s task was to teach Lynn how she can communicate with people around her. On the one hand, Lynn was able to lip read many words, but such skills were not enough for normal life, so, on the other hand, Lynn was still alone and she felt a kind of isolati on that led her to constant frustration. Everything of this, led Louise and Thomas to the idea that American Sign Language may help the family to be closer to each other, especially after the case when Thomas met a group of deaf adults who communicated using ASL. Louise and Thomas finely realized that deaf people are able to communicate as well as hearing people using their special instruments such as ASL, and the parents not only taught Lynn to sign but they also mastered this language by themselves. As a result, the girl was given a great instrument not only to show her wishes and thoughts but also to communicate, while ASL gave Lynn her own voice of signs and made her life full of new emotions and ideas.Reacting on the book, I need to say that Deaf Like Me opened me a new world of human possibilities and I enjoyed the reading. Being honest, I want to say that the reading was not easy enough because it is always hard to read about human feelings and I was worrying about the life o f the main characters as about the own family. I was also interested in the way how tests of hearing loss are made, and I found a new fact for myself that there exist several levels of hearing. Previously, I thought that the word â€Å"deaf† means total deafness, but after reading the book I realized my mistake. In addition, I want to say that this book may be a kind of inspiring reading for families with deaf children because it demonstrates the way how parents can love their child with different disabilities and congenital problems, and that there always exists the way to adapt such a person to surrounding reality. Moreover, the book also demonstrates that every path has many difficulties on it, and families who have the same problems should realize that they are not alone in their trouble, as well as the book opens the world of deaf people to hearing people, showing that a deaf person has the same wishes, feelings and problems as hearing people, and it is necessary to reme mber this fact and help others to be active members of our society.

How to Avoid the Biggest Workplace Distraction

How to Avoid the Biggest Workplace Distraction So many hours in a day, but never enough time to get things done†¦ or so it seems. In reality, the hours that comprise a workday are often plenty of time to complete your tasks. According to CareerBuilder, 4 of the top 5 productivity killers at work are tech-based: email, texting, Internet surfing, and social media. Little moments here and there of checking your phone or browsing on Twitter can add up to hours of wasted time. Your first step? Take one week to carefully log how you spend each and every moment of your day. Then, add up your non-work-related tech time. You might be surprised at how it’s eating away from your work day.Next, aim to cut back. Put your phone on silent or â€Å"Do Not Disturb† mode, only allowing emergency contacts to reach you during work hours. Then, divert yourself from the call of social media. When you find yourself loading up Facebook or Instagram, walk away. Take a super-quick walk around the office to clear your mind and get back o n track. When you sit back down, it’s back to work you go.Of course, most workplaces do come with a barrage of email you are obligated to tackle. Set aside 10 minutes every hour to do nothing but read, sort, and answer email. Unless it’s urgent, don’t answer or read your email until then–focus on completing tasks instead.A combination of poor time management and electronic distraction often suck up your time until you’re left with a pile of uncompleted work. Figure out where your time is going and transform wasted hours into productivity.Your Top 10 Productivity Killers And How To Fix ThemRead More at Fast Company

Business ethics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Business ethics - Essay Example The action would be wrong if the result involved the suffering of the party and would be right if the outcome was good. This was based on the utilitarianism. The argument put the Newspaper Company on the safer side if its actions were for its good. The company paying various parties to prevent its economic figure from spoilage could make it right (Mill 1861). The action would be wrong if the result involved the suffering of the party and would be right if the outcome was good. This was based on the utilitarianism. The argument put the Newspaper Company on the safer side if its actions were for its good. The company paying various parties to prevent its economic figure from spoilage could make it right (Mill 1861). It is also argued that the measure of suffering may determine the claim the right of equality. This pointed out clearly by a philosopher of utilitarianism, Jeremy Bentham (Singer 1976). In the event of the company seeking to maintain its economic position, the scandal will lead to its economic sabotage. The editor causes the company to suffer socially and economically. Therefore, the argument gives the company a lot of strength to demand for its compensation for the lost trust from people and spoilage of its image worldwide. As a result, the editor is ethically wrong due to the inconveniences caused. On the other hand, the people whose affairs have been interfered with will want to enjoy their privacy. They have been denied their right. The argument of Jeremy Bentham becomes the basis on which the people will claim their rights. This will eventually make the company and the editor liable for the inconveniences they have caused to the people despite the payments made to them by this company. These may have caused the people to lose their trusted customers and will also be seen as those who have no proper security over their information system. This shows that all the parties have a right to privacy. The editor on the hand did the publishing of the info rmation since it was part of his work as an employee. According to the ethic duty, the argument will be based on his moral behavior as an employee. His action was his duty to execute the duties as required by his employer and this was being obedient and being honest. He was expected to observe workplace ethics as argued in this theory. Therefore the editor was right in this case. In addition, Kamm, F.N. (1996) argues that if the motive of the action was to prevent suffering of parties, the action is ethically correct (Kamm 1996). The editor may have had an interest to know the limitations and some information about that would lead to the safety of others. The theory allows this if that is the motive. The editor is not punished for his action. The company wants to protect its employees and customers from the scandal by bribing the concerned parties that would interfere with their being. According to the argument, this is ethically allowed. Contrary to this, utilitarianism says ethics will on be good since these resulted in the bad end to the parties. The resigning of the editor form the work was the outcome. Also as the requirement of the human resource management, the company exercised the right to employ the workers, the editor in this case. This has an advantage to the company since it has the manpower, which is the pleasure it gets. The utilitarian ethic therefore argues that the company is right basing on the main intension of this party which has resulted in its

Writing an abstract and finding related Referencing Coursework

Writing an abstract and finding related Referencing - Coursework Example The need to find alternate sources of energy is greater than ever before. The main objective of this paper is to find ways of how other alternate sources can be used to produce clean energy for the next generation. Hydropower is one of the major alternate sources of energy available. Hydropower can be a solution to the lack of electricity over the world. The research will be aimed at finding ways of harnessing this potential alternate source of energy on a large scale to meet the global power needs of the future. Evaluation methods will use both quantitative and qualitative research methodologies in order to achieve the objective of the research. The success of this research will have a positive impact on the environment and the society. It will lead to the production of clean energy and at the same will be a solution to the electricity crisis around the world. References Anderson, W. (1994). Energy and the environment: the new case for conservation. Energy Studies Review 6(1) , pp. 16-33. Atkins, W. A. (2003). Hydroelectric Power. Water:Science and Issues , 19-23. Benjamin, A. H., Marques, C. L., & Tinker, C. (2005).

Alex Schweder and His Practice-Flatland ( Precedent Report ) Research Paper

Alex Schweder and His Practice-Flatland ( Precedent Report ) - Research Paper Example Unlike the ordinary buildings built with blocks, implementing closure and invisible life within the walls, Flatland vividly expresses how individuals create and shape their houses and the impact the structures have on them later. According to Gratza, Schweder describes flatland project among others as that intended to ‘take things that are more subtle, and make them large enough for people to see’ – namely how architecture draws implicit boundaries and constructs relationships between people† (2013, p.141). Flatland structure is fascinating in the sense of the space and material used to sustain life in the contrived living space constructed. What makes Flatland interesting is the performance essence brought out through the architecture. First, the materials used to make the four story building are merely wood and metal beams, and visible glass walls in an unusually textured space. The idea of flatland project was living under the constant gaze of the audience through the transparent walls performing all their daily routines in the confinement of less than 20 m2 total space, where six housemates at one point shared for an intended 20 days period (Felthousen, 2008). The thin sliced sculpture approximately 60 centimeters wide in the story expresses creativity in housing and how people’s behaviors are influenced by the set up to harmoniously live together. The image below depicts the installation view of Flatland where the housemates ran their lives in the confined spacing. Like in the society, housemates in the Flatland structure needed to share the limited resources (space, kitchen, toilet, bathroom and stairs). Hence, there is need for a particular order and rules to guide the people in their daily routines. Without such, people get into conflicts and collide with each other in their roles. In Flatland, there were three rules: once one left the structure, he or she was not

Financial planning Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financial planning - Assignment Example In the absence of the business knowledge, the company would not capable of competing effectively. 2. Investors are instrumental to economic growth. Dissatisfaction of the investors elicits disengagement from doing business in a given location (Taylor, 2012). The consequences of such moves include deterioration of economic growth. Thus, the interest of the clients comes first when designing policies that would affect business environment. Insensitive policies client’s demand often restrain investments. Similarly, clients often prefer to dissociate with businesses that fail to address their concerns. Good business policies affect investors as well as their clients. Conflict of interest is a critical concern to business growth because it affects the way investors would do business. Many investors are willing to engage in businesses that have limiting conflict of interests. 3. First, the business will be uncompetitive in the target market. Inappropriate advice limits the ability to address the needs of the consumers in target market resulting to lack of competitiveness. Second, inappropriate advice precipitates business failure because the company would be incapable of meeting the expectations of the clients (Taylor, 2012). The viability of the business largely depends on appropriate measures that it takes when handling the needs of the consumers. Lastly, inappropriate advice elicit inappropriate responses, for example, if the business does not receive appropriate advice on how to manage address the concerns of the employees it might end up loosing talented workers. Largely, the advise should be tailored towards addressing the business needs. 4. This strategy would change image of the business and consumer brand promise. The design of products tends to influence the image of the company in the eyes of the consumers. Improving the company’s products with respect to clients needs is one the mechanism of

Assignment for Multimedia and Internet Development Essay

Assignment for Multimedia and Internet Development - Essay Example It is my concept to produce a simple yet interesting website that does not need fancy colors to decorate on. My motto is "matter over manner". It is better to have meaningful yet simple website than to have a very decorative but lousy website. The software that I used was Macromedia Dreamweaver. To be able to have an interactive design, I made Macromedia Flash Buttons that act as my navigation buttons. The navigation buttons that I have made are placed on the left side. This left pane is placed permanently that whenever you click the navigation bars, it will never move. I also included a time and date pane with an updated time that shows seconds. For more interactive design, I included QuickTime applications that will play the music videos that I got from the internet. I coded it properly with right positions in the website so that it will not be disturbing to look at if people will view my website. I also put a banner that shows the logo and the wonderful picture of my favorite band , U2. For the photographs, the software that I used was PhotoShow. On the over-all design, I put graphic interchange format or GIF pictures so that there will be lots of animation. At the end of the page, I made a "Contact Us" pane so that if ever m website will be posted, people will be able to reach me through direct link. Also it will be a big help that I put it because I may be able to receive feedback. It is very important in communication the element of feedback because through feedback, there will be a continues flow of communication. In simple terms, there will be interaction. I think when crating a website, we should give such panes because there will be interactive communication among us and the viewers. Also in that reason, the viewers may enjoy viewing our websites. Storyboard U2 Homepage I. Index or Home Page A. Website Banner (U2 Logo and Picture) B. Left Unmovable Pane 1. Navigation Bars (Macromedia Flash Buttons) a. Home b. Gallery c. Album d. Songs e. Videos f. Contact Us C. Content 1. U2 Biography (Heading 1) a. Content b. Photograph of U2 with photo swapping c. Content d. Photograph of U2 e. Names of the band Members (Heading 2) II. Gallery A. PhotoShow application III. Album A. Photo Album (Heading 1) B. Photographs with scroll functions IV. Songs A. U2 Song (Heading 1) B. Animated GIF's C. Song Clips 1. With or Without You (mp3) 2. I still haven't Found What I am Looking For (mp3) 3. Where the Street have No Name (mp3) V. Videos A. U2 Video Clips (Heading 1) B. Animated GIF C. QuickTime Supported Logo D. Video Clips a. One b. Desire c. Vertigo d. With or Without You VI. Contact Us A. Thank you for visiting our site (Heading 2) B. Contact Us (Heading 1) C. Animated GIF D. Fill-in Space E. Buttons 1. Submit 2. Clear Website Review The main emphasis of the website is my fondness of the band U2. I decided to choose the software Macromedia Dreamweaver so that I can incorporate Macromedia Flash Applications. My goal here is to make an evaluative and persuasive website that will entail my viewer's interest in knowing me. By using Macromedia application, the task was not that hard to perform but of course, there are certain incapacities that I may not be able to do. There is also alternative software applications is doing this website but I guess, the most valuable would be

The Effects of Delivering Nitric Oxide Coursework

The Effects of Delivering Nitric Oxide - Coursework Example Over the first week following birth, the body weight decreases to about 6-7 %. This is majorly caused by urination and resorption. The fluid that was a field in the lungs is removed for breastfeeding can take place. After that week, healthy neonates tend to gain about 10-20 grams/per day. Â  It is important to evaluate the effects of delivering nitric oxide by using an oxyhood inside an incubator when helping neonates to breath. From previous studies, nitric oxide mixtures can effectively be delivered via an oxyhood in an open environment. This could be used to deliver an enclosed environment of a neonatal incubator and determine any threats that are present outside the incubator (Hockenberry, Wong, Wilson, & Wong, 2013). Oxyhood delivery of NO mixture is not affected while inside an incubator. In addition, there is on environmental threat posed by delivering NO inside the incubators. Â  The role of the LVNS and RNS in the management and administration of medications is different. LVN is only to provide basic care to the patients that are suffering from intrathecal catheters. Conversely, the RN should apply the Nursing Practice Act that applies to the specific practice setting. The RNS can delegate duties to the LVNS. Â  The three formulas that have to be taken include cow milk-based formulas, therapeutic infant formulas, and soy-based infant formulas.

Assignment for Multimedia and Internet Development Essay

Assignment for Multimedia and Internet Development - Essay Example It is my concept to produce a simple yet interesting website that does not need fancy colors to decorate on. My motto is "matter over manner". It is better to have meaningful yet simple website than to have a very decorative but lousy website. The software that I used was Macromedia Dreamweaver. To be able to have an interactive design, I made Macromedia Flash Buttons that act as my navigation buttons. The navigation buttons that I have made are placed on the left side. This left pane is placed permanently that whenever you click the navigation bars, it will never move. I also included a time and date pane with an updated time that shows seconds. For more interactive design, I included QuickTime applications that will play the music videos that I got from the internet. I coded it properly with right positions in the website so that it will not be disturbing to look at if people will view my website. I also put a banner that shows the logo and the wonderful picture of my favorite band , U2. For the photographs, the software that I used was PhotoShow. On the over-all design, I put graphic interchange format or GIF pictures so that there will be lots of animation. At the end of the page, I made a "Contact Us" pane so that if ever m website will be posted, people will be able to reach me through direct link. Also it will be a big help that I put it because I may be able to receive feedback. It is very important in communication the element of feedback because through feedback, there will be a continues flow of communication. In simple terms, there will be interaction. I think when crating a website, we should give such panes because there will be interactive communication among us and the viewers. Also in that reason, the viewers may enjoy viewing our websites. Storyboard U2 Homepage I. Index or Home Page A. Website Banner (U2 Logo and Picture) B. Left Unmovable Pane 1. Navigation Bars (Macromedia Flash Buttons) a. Home b. Gallery c. Album d. Songs e. Videos f. Contact Us C. Content 1. U2 Biography (Heading 1) a. Content b. Photograph of U2 with photo swapping c. Content d. Photograph of U2 e. Names of the band Members (Heading 2) II. Gallery A. PhotoShow application III. Album A. Photo Album (Heading 1) B. Photographs with scroll functions IV. Songs A. U2 Song (Heading 1) B. Animated GIF's C. Song Clips 1. With or Without You (mp3) 2. I still haven't Found What I am Looking For (mp3) 3. Where the Street have No Name (mp3) V. Videos A. U2 Video Clips (Heading 1) B. Animated GIF C. QuickTime Supported Logo D. Video Clips a. One b. Desire c. Vertigo d. With or Without You VI. Contact Us A. Thank you for visiting our site (Heading 2) B. Contact Us (Heading 1) C. Animated GIF D. Fill-in Space E. Buttons 1. Submit 2. Clear Website Review The main emphasis of the website is my fondness of the band U2. I decided to choose the software Macromedia Dreamweaver so that I can incorporate Macromedia Flash Applications. My goal here is to make an evaluative and persuasive website that will entail my viewer's interest in knowing me. By using Macromedia application, the task was not that hard to perform but of course, there are certain incapacities that I may not be able to do. There is also alternative software applications is doing this website but I guess, the most valuable would be

Individual reflective report Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Individual reflective report - Essay Example During the discussion I will also use the theories that I had learnt while completing my degree at the university. The BSG online game or better known as the business strategy game online is a simulation game played by students as well as experts to enhance their business operating knowledge. It involved the accurate prediction of the stocks, taking up realistic decision and at the same time incurring profits for the virtual firm (Johnson Jr. and Stappenbeck et al., 2010). The Business Strategy Game is a no holds barred rivalry: organization against organization. Each one organizations group focused exertion opposite adversaries is essential to market victory. Your group is in as practical an organization and intense market setting as would be prudent and are dealing with all parts of the organizations operations. This MBA level on the web, PC-based certifiable reproduction has been utilized by in excess of 500 business schools in 25 nations and has had 500,000 players. It is a demonstrated testing ground for vital hypothesis in an experiential taking nature (Johnson Jr. and Stappenbeck et al., 2010). The positive issues while playing this game was it helped me gain knowledge practically and I could also apply my learning skills without the fear of losing in real time. It gave me the idea of what are the possible threats and how to overcome those while running your own business. Earlier I had the notion that once I have enough money to setup a company of my own, I will be hiring different people for different sections who will be running them and reporting to me. My job would be to listen to them and give them targets that need to be achieved by their team. Once I started playing this game, I had a face a whole different reality all together. It was not just sitting and going through progress reports but I had to run the show. Without me taking up important steps it was becoming

International Mergers Essay Example for Free

International Mergers Essay Recent years have seen waves of mergers and acquisitions occurring in the international arena. Whilst the nature of such M A activity has enlarged from being mostly IT focussed in the 1990s to include other areas like consumer goods, automobiles, and metals in the 2000s, its intensity remained unabated until the onset of the global financial crisis in 2008. Although M A activity in the domestic space has continued to occur despite the high failure rate of such initiatives, international M A s face the additional challenge of having to overcome issues of different national cultures. The recent break-up of Daimler Chrysler evidences the difficulties that such initiatives face and the enormous harm that can occur if they do not work. This dissertation attempts to investigate the numerous challenges that confront the managements of the two concerned organisations, the hazards posed by such challenges, and the measures that can be adopted to overcome them. Table of Contents Serial Details Page Abstract 2 1. Introduction 5 1. 1. Background and Overview 5 1. 2. Definition of Problem 8 1. 3. Aims and Objectives 12 2. Literature Review 14 2. 1. Motivation for International M A Activity 14 2. 1. 1. Strategic Objectives 14 2. 1. 2. Other Drivers of International Mergers and Acquisitions 18 2. 2. The Cultural Context 20 2. 2. 1 National Culture 20 2. 2. 2. Organisational Culture 23 2. 2. 3 The Impact of Culture on International Mergers and Acquisitions 25 2. 2. 4 Overcoming Cultural Differences in International Mergers and Acquisitions 32 3. 0 Research Methodology 38 3. 1. Research Questions 38 3. 2. Choice of Research Methodology 38 3. 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Methods 39 3. 4. Choice of Methodology 41 3. 5. Primary and Secondary Data 41 3. 6. Ethics 42 4. 0 Data Collection 43 5. 0 Findings and Analysis 48 6. 0 Conclusions 52 Bibliography 53 1. Introduction 1. 1. Background and Overview Corporate mergers and acquisitions (M A) are an accepted form of external growth and are becoming increasingly common with time. With business corporations having realised the benefits of M A activity in terms of growth in sales, increase in capacity, accessing of new markets, obtaining of technology and skills, acquisition of brands, savings in costs, and achievement of synergies in areas of sales, production, and costs, it forms an integral component of the objectives and strategies of most forward looking and ambitious business firms (Gaughan, 2002). Two decades of globalisation, along with progressive development of technology, intensification of competition, increasing pressure on costs, and the continual emergence of new equal skill/ lesser cost production and service centres in Asia, East Europe, and South America are accentuating the need for consolidation and for achieving leadership in costs and quality, the basic tenets of Michael Porter’s theory of competitor advantage (Gaughan, 2002). Such developments are also increasing the number of companies searching for appropriate M A opportunities. The enormous changes that have taken place in the global, economic, political, and trade scenario have added another dimension to the issue of M A activity, that of international mergers and acquisitions (IMA). These pertain to those mergers and acquisitions that take place beyond the borders of specific countries and which are also known as global or cross border M As. The collapse of the Soviet Union, the crumbling of the Berlin Wall, the emergence of East European countries, the formation of the European Union, and the dismantling of trade barriers led to a significant increase in M A activity between European countries. Apart from the remarkable developments in Europe, the last two decades also saw a wave of trade liberalisation and economic and financial reforms sweep through the developing world, and the emergence first of China and then of India on the global economic scene, bringing with them huge markets, strong production and service skills and cheap costs (Gaughan, 2002). With western businesses having realised the import of the enormous business opportunities that are constantly being generated on a global basis, the lid has been taken off IMA activity, which is now increasing furiously, particularly in the USA, the UK, and Europe. â€Å"While USA has always been the pioneer in merger and acquisition activities, UK too has registered high levels of mergers and acquisitions. With the European countries gaining momentum in mergers and acquisitions, international mergers and acquisitions also received a major boost. † (International Mergers and Acquisitions, 2009) IMA is taking place in â€Å"different forms, for example horizontal mergers, vertical mergers, conglomerate mergers, congeneric mergers, reverse mergers, dilutive mergers, and accretive mergers† (International Mergers and Acquisitions, 2009). Whilst IMAs are also driven by the same motives as regular M A activity, international M A helps companies in accessing markets in distant lands, allows companies to build global competitive advantage, and otherwise leads to build up of Foreign Direct Investment. IMA activity is also far more complex than regular M A actions because of the presence of far greater complexities that arise from companies having to deal with different political structures, governmental regulations and policies, economical situations, and investment and other laws (Gaughan, 2002). Despite the presence of such obstacles, international M A activity was gathering pace until the onset of the financial crisis, which has effectively put all commercial and business activity in a state of suspended animation. â€Å"2006 was a record year for acquisitions worldwide when, for the first time, the annual value of these transactions exceeded US$ 4 trillion, and cross-border acquisitions alone amounted to a record high of US$ 1. 3 trillion (Larsen, 2007). This trend continues in 2007, given that the transaction value of global acquisitions in the first three months of the year reached US$ 1. 13 trillion, setting up a record for the busiest first quarter in acquisition history. † (Rottig, 2007) The size of North American IMA activity increased practically by 100 % in 2006 to USD 242 billion from USD 132 billion in 2005. The value of IMA deals in Europe in 2006 touched USD 451 billion (Rottig, 2007). Whilst the most of IMA activity took place in the US, it was followed by the UK and Germany (Rottig, 2007).

Privacy and the Internet Essay -- Computers Technology Papers

Privacy and the Internet The Internet provides a wealth of sources for information, products, and services of all types, making it a convenient place for consumers to research topics and make purchases. Although Internet users know that some personal data will be required to make a purchase, they are often unaware of the personal data that can be collected without their knowledge by simply visiting a Web page or reading e-mail. This paper addresses some of the ways unauthorized personal information has been and is being collected and steps that can be taken to prevent or avoid this collection. To make an online purchase, an Internet user must provide a certain amount of personal information to the vendor. This information usually includes the user's name, address, telephone number, e-mail address, and credit card data. There have been many reported cases of security failures at online vendors of products and services. Because of this publicity, most Internet users are aware that there is a potential for the information they provide to be exposed to the world whether by human error, careless security practices by a vendor, or a successful attack by a hacker. However, most users are not aware of the amount of personal information that can be collected without their consent when they do such ordinary things as visiting a Web page, opening a document, or reading an e-mail message. How can personal information be collected without the user's knowledge? Information about an Internet user can be collected in many ways, including the underlying protocol of the Web, â€Å"cookies†, banner advertisements,"Web bugs", and hi-tech "toys". A user may also provide information to an online vendor to reduce annoyances. Almost every ... ... Clients Susceptible to 'Wire-Tapping'. February 5, 2001. www.internetnews.com/dev-news/article/0,,10_579871,00.html. Accessed: October 30, 2001. Lemos, Robert. ZDNet News. No easy way to exterminate 'Web bugs'. August 31, 2000. techupdate.zdnet.com/techupdate/stories/main/0,14179,2622610,00.html Accessed: October 30, 2001. Sullivan, Jennifer and Jones, Christopher. Wired News. How Much Is Your Playlist Worth? November 3, 1999. http://www.wired.com/news/technology/0,1282,32258,00.html. Accessed: October 31, 2001. Vendor sites Intelytics products. www.intelytics.com. Updated: Unknown. Accessed: October 10, 2001, X10 pop-up. www.x10.com/x10ads1.htm. Updated: Unknown. Accessed: October 9, 2001. Netscape. Persistent Client State - HTTP Cookies. home.netscape.com/newsref/std/cookie_spec.html. Updated: 1999. Accessed: October 30, 2001.

Larry Ellisons Contributions to Computer Technology Essay -- Technolo

Abstract Larry Ellison is among the top names in the computer industry. He has been fiercely competitive with Bill Gates over the years. That competitive nature may very well be the driving force behind some of his contributions to the world of computer technology. Childhood and Education It is important to understand the background and education of Larry Ellison in order to understand what drives and motivates him in his adult life. Ellison was not a child of privilege. He did not grow up with parents who were scientists or pushed him to excel. According Wikipedia, Larry Ellison was born to a 19 year old unwed Jewish mother who felt compelled to give him up to her aunt and uncle to raise him. He grew up in a two bedroom apartment in a Jewish community in South Shore Chicago. Academy of Achievement website states in the biography about Ellison, he left the University of Illinois during second year final exams when his adoptive mother died. Later that fall he enrolled in the University of Chicago but dropped out after the first semester. Academy of Achievement goes on to say, â€Å"His adoptive father was now convinced that Larry would never make anything of himself, but the seemingly aimless young man had already learned the rudiments of computer programming in Chic ago.† CEO of Software Development Labs According to Academy of Achievement, Ellison moved to California where he worked with a few different companies. One of those companies was Amdahl Corporation where Ellison was able to participate in building the first IBM-compatible mainframe system. Ellison and two other co-workers pursued founding a new company named Software Development Labs. Ellison functioned as CEO of this newly founded company. It was at this company h... ...n Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved August 15, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Larry_Ellison&oldid=379100685. "Larry Ellison Biography -- Academy of Achievement." Academy of Achievement Main Menu. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Aug. 2010. http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/ell0bio-1. "What are relational databases?†. (March 23, 2001). HowStuffWorks.com. Retrieved August 15, 2010. http://computer.howstuffworks.com/question599.htm. "Larry Ellison 1944 - Biography - Early life, Software development laboratories, Relational databases, Building oracle, Maturity, The internet revolution, Downturn." Reference For Business - Encyclopedia of Small Business, Business Biographies, Business Plans, and Encyclopedia of American Industries. N.p., n.d. Retrieved August 16, 2010. http://www.referenceforbusiness.com/biography/A-E/Ellison-Larry-1944.html.

Fifth Business Essay

Robertson Davies wrote a novel that explores the psychological issues of the human condition and this novel is called Fifth Business. The characters in this novel often create false images and in several points throughout Fifth Business they deal with experiences and incidents in unique ways. One of the human species greatest abilities is the ability to mask emotions, thoughts and actions by lying and concealing the reality of a situation. In this classic novel, there is a constant battle between appearance and reality in most, if not in all of the characters involved. Boy Staunton and Dunstan Ramsay seem to be very close friends, but they have always had a secret rivalry in their relationship that consists of jealousy and differences. Dunstan Ramsay hides how he really feels towards Diana Marfleet, and Leola Cruikshank hides who she really is to fit the standards set for her by her husband Boy Staunton. The battle between appearances and reality is shown on a number of different occasions in Fifth Business. For example, this battle surfaces between two of the main characters, Dunstan Ramsay and Boy Staunton. The relationship between these two is a very complex one. They appear to be both friends and enemies to each other. From the very beginning of their friendship when they were young boys, Boy is always trying to make Dunny feel less than what he is. Boy had more of an attachment to materialistic objects compared to Dunny and although Dunny never has an intention of competing with Boy, Boy sees Dunstan as a rival. On the other hand, Dunny shows how unimportant materialistic objects really are to him. I though twenty-four dollars was plenty for a ready made suit, and four dollars a criminal price for a pair of shoes. I changed my shirt twice a week and my underwear once. I had not yet developed any expensive tastes and seen nothing wrong with a good boarding-house. † (Davies, 111) But as they grow up and Boy becomes a successful business man, he helps Dunstan with his financial investments by giving him advice and own personal knowledge. â€Å"I was filled with a sour scorn that I now know was nothing but envy, but then I mistook for philosophy. I didn’t really want the clothes, I didn’t really want the girl or the booze, but it scalded me to see him enjoying them, and I hobbled away grumbling to myself like Diogenes. † (Davies, 113) Boy spent his energy on making sure he was always above Dunny and Dunny secretly envied boy despite the exterior of friends they gave off to the world. Furthermore, when looking at Diana and Dunstan’s relationship, the reader finds yet another example of the battle between appearances and reality. Dunstan makes it appear that he is in love with Diana, when in reality, he is not. Not only does he make it appear that he is in love with her, but he also shows just how easily someone is able to hide the truth – separating reality from appearances. Diana wants a life with Dunstan. She is ready and willing to settle down with him and start a family and because they were going to bed together, Diana was under the impression that Dunny felt the same way she did. Dunny does nothing to make her think that he does not have the same romantic feelings as she does and because of this appearances collide with reality. That did not include Diana. She seemed to assume that it did, and perhaps I was unfair to her in not checking her assumptions as soon as I became aware of them. But, to be frank, I liked having her in love with me; it fed my spirit, which was a low ebb. I liked going to bed with her, and as she liked it too I thought it was a fair exchange. † (Davies, 81) Dunny even admits that he became aware of her feelings and her thoughts and failed to tell h er the truth for his own selfish reasons. He states that he liked having Diana in love with him to boost his own self-esteem and he also admits he hid his true feelings because he liked going to bed with her. Dunny’s defense for his decision is his age. â€Å"I was too young to be truthful about such a matter† (Davies, 83) Thus, this relationship shown in Fifth Business shows that the ability to hide reality with a different appearance is easily attainable. Another example of this battle between appearance and reality is shown in the constant self-identity fight going on within Leola Cruikshank. In this situation, Leola is pressured to change who she is to fit to the extremely high social standards of her husband, Boy Staunton. Boy is constantly tearing his wife down by behaviour such as dressing Leola differently, making her learn a new language and changing her small town girl persona to that of a high society woman. â€Å"She did not see why she should become stuck up and talk as she had never talked before, and behave in ways that were unnatural to her. † (Davies, 144) Reality is fighting appearance in this situation. The reality of the situation in Boy and Leola’s early years of marriage is that Leola was just being herself, and Boy made it clear that that was not good enough. Before Boy shaped her into someone different, Leola’s real, natural personality made a regular appearance. â€Å"If Boy let her shop alone she always came back with what he called ‘another Mary Pickford rig-out’, and if he took her shopping in Paris the session often ended with tears, because he sided with the clever shopwoman against his indecisive wife, who always forgot her painfully acquired French as soon as she was confronted with a living French creature. (Davies, 144) Leola cannot handle the pressures of trying to please her husband by being somebody who she is not. Leola ends up crying and slowly starting to hate her life and herself for not being able to maintain her high social reputation. She is unable to maintain the appearance Boy had created for her and reality is shown after Leola ’s suicide. The theme of appearances versus reality rises in Fifth Business quite often. This conflict is shown through Dunny and Boy’s relationship, as they seem like friends, but on the interior they have secret rivalries against each other. It is also shown when Dunny fakes his feelings for Diana and lastly, it is shown in Leola’s act to be the perfect trophy wife when in reality, she is not. The characters in Fifth Busniess often create false images and pretenses seperating the appearance of a situation from what they actually are in reality and because of that, Robertson Davies novel Fifth Business shows a great contrast between appearances and reality.

Left to Tell Essay

Immaculee Ilibagiza was a college student in Rwanda during the 1994 genocide in which nearly one million people died. Her story is a remarkable testimony to the power of God’s grace to strengthen us during times of trial and to live the teaching of the Gospel in the face of overwhelming evil. Her story is told in the novel Left to Tell, published in 2006. In Rwanda, there were three tribes, and each citizen belonged to one of the tribes. These tribes were the Hutu, which were the majority, Tutsi, which were the minority, and an extremely small number of Twa, which was a pygmy-like tribe of forest dwellers. Immaculee and her family belonged to the Tutsi tribe, and because of this they were under great threat. The Hutu tribe wanted to kill every single Tutsi in Rwanda, and this was the cause of the genocide in 1994. The Tutsi tribe was taller, lighter-skinned and has narrower noses, and Hutus were shorter, darker, and have broad noses, and each person had an identity card which labeled what tribe they were in. This is how the Hutus chose their victims, by their identity card or their looks. Not only was Immaculee under death threat, but she was also being treated unfairly by her peers. She was an extremely smart girl, and because of her being a Tutsi, she was not able to get a scholarship to college. Before the genocide came into full effect, there were many reports on the radio warning the Tutsis of killings to come. One day, Damascene, one of Immaculee’s three brothers, told his family that he actually saw the killers, but they refused to believe him. They started to get nervous when President Habyarimana, the president of Rwanda, was killed. His plane was shot out of the sky, and this event sparked the beginning of the genocide. The more severe the radio reports were, the more nervous Immaculee and family got. Immaculee tried not to show her fear, because if she did, she would not be able to stay strong through this event. Many neighbors gathered around her home because her father, Leonard, was a very respectable man in the neighborhood. One day, fifty Interahamwe armed with knives and machetes attacked the Tutsis outside of the Ilibagiza home. Leonard gathered more than one hundred Tutsi men together and rushed toward the killers. They tossed stones at them and scared them away. After this, Immaculee’s father gave her a red and white rosary and told her to keep it always, and she did. The killers came back a second time, but this time no one joined Leonard to fight back. After this event, it was known that it was not safe, and Immaculee could not stay at her home. Immaculee and Augustine, a friend who was staying with the Ilibagiza family, were soon on their way to the home of family friend and local pastor, Pastor Murinzi. There, she was forced to hide in a small bathroom with seven other women, and there she had many spiritual experiences. While Immaculee was hiding in the bathroom, she could hear the killers and other people talking about what was going on. Immaculee still did not know whether or not her family was alive. She cursed the killers, and hoped that they got treated as they were treating her fellow Tutsis. Because of this feeling, Immaculee could not have a feeling of calmness, and she was very angry. She prayed, but the devil was telling her that praying would not work, when she has so much hatred in her heart, and is wishing such horrible things on the killers. In a dream, Jesus appeared to her, and told her to forgive the killers and to stay calm and he would protect her. She did as Jesus said, and forgave the killers, and she was one of the few whose life was spared during the genocide. Some people do not pray, and do not have God in their lives. These are the people that contribute to the evil and destruction of the world. The killers of the 1994 genocide were definitely evil, and they were being tempted by the devil to do such evil acts. Lies were made up just so they could kill Leonard, and the rest of the Ilibagiza family, who were very well respected in the town. Some people do not think over their actions, and do not make the distinction between what is right and wrong. Some people just listen to other people because they are scared, so they do evil things, just because someone told them to. Unfortunately, I do believe that something this terrible may happen in our own country. In the last decade, some evil things have happened in America, such as the planes hitting the World Trade Center on 9/11 and the plane hitting the Pentagon, in the same day. Islamic people performed both of these evil acts. Most Americans have hatred for these people, and some especially because loved ones died in the World Trade Center. Since then, there have been bomb scares, and the hatred has just been building up. If another tragedy occurs, Americans will most likely rebel, and want these people extinguished from the country, whether they look innocent or not, just for the sake of the country. It is much better to forgive, than to hate and hold grudges. By forgiving, you are following in Jesus’ path and becoming a better person. By hating and seeking revenge, you will harbor hatred in your heart and be an extremely angry person for always thinking of ways to get revenge. I have learned that by forgiving, instead of hating, your prayers will be answered quicker. By following in the footsteps of Jesus, forgiving all who have harmed you, you will be a happier person, and by God being an important part of your life, you will have a good life. I will most definitely live differently after reading this book. Nothing in my life has ever compared to anything that Immaculee went through, and I should be extremely grateful for that. I will try to forgive all who have done wrong to me, and although it may not be easy, I know that God is there guiding me every step of the way.

Current Trends in Business Communication

Technology advancements over the recent years have made communication possible in different ways. Communication in the business world today can range anywhere from e-mails, personal digital assistants, text messaging, instant messaging, and through the use of web-cams, just to name a few. These different communication tools allow employees to communicate both internally and externally in a timely and more efficient manner. The current trends in communication within the healthcare industry make it easier for health care professionals to perform their daily tasks, and provide patients with more quality care. The Role of Business Communication in My Workplace Communication is extremely important in my line of work as a nurse. Without good effective communication skills between the various healthcare professionals involved in a patients care and between the healthcare professionals and the patient, the quality of care would or could be grossly impacted. As a nurse, communication takes place in many different forms, whether it is through notes, e-mail, phone, Internet, software used by the facility, or face-to-face communication. Typical internal day-to-day communication activities in my job include checking my work list on the software application that the healthcare facilities use to communicate between the chains of healthcare facilities within the region. The work list may have orders from the doctor to perform certain tasks such as phoning in a prescription to the pharmacy or updating a medication list for a patient. Another type of internal communication that takes place in my day-to-day activities besides oral communication, software communication, and phone communication, is written communication through the use of text messaging. There are times when the doctor will be out of the office and unable to talk directly to a patient or myself and will instead send text messages to my cell phone. Text messaging is not necessarily a daily occurrence but is used regularly. External day-to-day communication that my job requires me to use may include verbal or oral communication with patients either by the use of phone or face-to-face. It is also common to send written material with the patients or to the patients at their home address. Communication with pharmaceutical representatives via e-mail is also common. There may be questions about medications for example, which are not emergent and completely acceptable to send via e-mail to the representative. Text messaging is not an acceptable means of external communication and is never used. The use of the Internet and software has a huge impact on my ability to perform daily activities in a timely manner. Without the ease of communicating electronically simple activities could take could take much more time to complete. Current software has made it easy to re-order prescriptions for patients by just looking up a patient and renewing past prescriptions and sending them to the specific pharmacy that they use. This makes it not only easier for the doctor and the nurse but also for the pharmacist. Also there are times when it is necessary to get ahold of the doctor who could be in a meeting through the use of text messages. This allows important questions to be answered right away instead waiting until the meeting is over. Trends within the Healthcare Industry. Technology has had a big impact in the healthcare industry. My workplace will be going paperless in September of this year. Doctors are preparing for this by making sure that all patient information listed in patient charts such as medication lists and diagnoses’ are put into the system. All internal communication between different facilities will be done through the use of software or by phone. No patient results will be sent through fax or through mail. According to LexisNexis, â€Å"Obama sees the investment in electronic records as a way to improve quality and lower costs. Different Message Types Resulting From Current Trends According to Articlesbase (n. d. ), â€Å"The different message types that result from these current trends are either personal or impersonal. † The different message types resulting from these current communication trends are in the form of e-mails, text messaging, various software, Internet communicatio n, face-to-face video conferencing, instant messaging, and social networking sites such as Twitter or Facebook. Conclusion The current trends in business communication have been greatly influenced by the advancements in technology. The Internet, cell phones, MP3 players, personal digital assistants, social networking sites, and video conferencing among others, has allowed business communication to take place in many forms and from all over the world with ease. These current trends have made it easier for healthcare professionals to communicate more efficiently internally and externally and allow day-to-day activities to get accomplished more quickly than in the past. References: Articlesbase.  (n.d.).  Business Communication: Business Trends and Message Types.  Retrieved from http://www.articlesbase.com/networking-articles/business-communication-business- -trends-and-message-types-4133734.html ASQ.  (n.d.).  Going Paperless Pays Off for Healthcare Industry .  Retrieved from http://asq.org/qualitynews/qnt/execute/displaySetup?newsID=5661

External Macro Environment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

External Macro Environment - Essay Example These factors influences a business through causing some major influences on it like competition, changing the interest rates payable by a business on loans and other debts that it, owes, changes in the cultural tastes and preferences of the society, as well as a change in the government regulations, regarding the conduct of such businesses (Porter, 1998 p33). Thus, the external macro environment of a business refers to all the political, social, economic and the technological events, occurrences and trends, which impacts on a business or its market. These factors affect the business indirectly, but the business can only respond to these factors through adopting changes and strategies that will be favorable for its operation, amidst these factors. Therefore, the decision making of a business has to rely on such factors, since they highly determine the success or failure of a business. However, the macro environment creates both favorable and unfavorable environment for the business t o operate on, thus a business has to take advantage of the favorable ones, while strategizing on how to handle the negative influences of this environment. There are various ways in which these external environment factors affect a business and consequently its HR function. Owing to the changes in the business environment that requires that the business costs must be reduced to the lowest possible level, so that the profits earned by the business can reach the expected targets, the HR function of any business has to strategies appropriately towards lowering such costs (Kendon, 190 p13). Notable of these factors that have a great impact on the HR function of a business are the technological and the social factors. Under the social factors, there are such elements as the educational levels, the diversity of the work place employees as well as religion influences. On the technological front, there are elements such as technological changes, improved knowledge and communication channels , and the moral factors (Adams, 1990 p28). There are major changes that have occurred in the HR function, within organizations in the recent past years. These changes are geared towards the decentralization of the HR function within organizations to create a less centralized HR department (Porter, 1998 p45). As a result, the HR functions have been shared within the organization to include other segments and departments of the organization, and thus change the concentration of all the HR activities from the HR department to the other functional department within an organization. This sharing of the HR functions have gone a long way in reducing the costs associated with the depart within organizations, in that the manpower required in this department as well as other tools and equipment has been reduced, by having such functions being undertaken in other segments of the organization (Kendon, 190 p22). The advancement in technology has made this transfer of HR functions to other depart ments and organizational segments possible. Recent social changes have also created several challenges to the HR functions, forcing it to be integrated into the business strategies, to overcome such challenges. The changes that have occurred in the HR function within the last 10 years include, shared services, where, those working under the shared services segment of the organizati

Managing Change - L.J Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Managing Change - L.J - Essay Example Hayes explains that the major objective of change is to bring about a sustained efficiency in resource usage in achieving company objectives. Much of Hayes views of managing change are little more than an application of common sense and good management practice. He further states that if managers take a systematic approach to implement change, they can be more successful in taking colleagues with them and achieving their objectives. He identifies four factors for success when implementing change within one organization, which are: The senior management in an organization must demonstrate the need for change so as the line managers and junior employees can emulate. Commitment to change is very essential and must also be demonstrated by the top managers. Hayes feels that for this change to succeed and achieve the desired goals management should be consistent with what they aspire to achieve that is "they should walk and talk" but if the top leadership is not consistent with ideas, those who are supposed to implement the change will not be motivated. Since leadership is getting others to do what you want them to do because they want to do it. Pressure for change should be a driving force, the leadership must identify the need for change, make the decisions to proceed with change and... Hayes believes that for success in managing change regardless of where the original pressure for change came from, senior management commitment and drive for change is essential if momentum is to be maintained for effective implementation. The rest of the organization will need to be convinced of the need and the case for change. Everyone in an organization including the chairman, chief executive officer and other employees must be collectively behind the sought changes in the organization. The senior management must be seen to be fully supportive by what they do and say both privately and publicly. If, However, senior management "talk-the-talk" by failing to back up their statements with action and continuous commitment. Hayes believes that the progress towards the sought change will soon stall. In addition if the senior management fails to remain fully supportive of the project other conflicting or new priorities will emerge and the momentums can be lost. The senior management should be signed up to the change and communicate it to the other staff. The other staff should be given an opportunity to feed in their contribution and feel that they have joint ownership of the change being implemented. A Clear Shared Vision For change to be effective, it needs to be implemented at all levels and should be in the culture of the organization. The management must understand what motivates other employees in order to keep them together and motivated. Since change is a major cause of stress amongst the workforce and staff usually responds differently they need to be motivated to support the changes that are to be implemented. Staff, their managers and senior mangers are all

Which system will work best for the United States, a carbon cap and Essay

Which system will work best for the United States, a carbon cap and trade system or a straight carbon tax - Essay Example To achieve this, two paths have been proposed, cap-and-trade system and straight carbon tax. Cap and trade system provide limits on the use of fossils, it will require that industries and other main sources of greenhouse emission buy permits from the government so as to be allowed to emit the gases, in those permits they will have to establish the market. Those in support of this method argues that, it will set the limit on the amount of greenhouse gases being emitted, secondly, it is more flexible, it is fair since it will reward companies who try to reduce emission and punish those not reducing emission (Salmon 2007). The second proposed path is straight carbon tax. This gives an outright tax on fossil fuels. With this, the cost of tax is set according to the damage associated with every unit of pollution and cost equivalent to the amount of controlling pollution. Emitting a lot of greenhouse gases means paying more. Those in support of this method argues that, it is simple since it will force the people look for alternative source of energy, secondly, it is enforceable b oth in economic and political environment, and lastly, the method is transparent. The advantage of cap and trade system over straight carbon is that, it has attracted a lot of interest and attention from political, public, and industrialist. The political leaders it has attracted include president Obama, main congress leaders, and environmental crusaders. The industrialists that have attracted include General Electric leadership, Shell oil management, and Duke Energy executives (Salmon 2007). The congress key leaders have vowed to pass cap-and-trade law before the end of the year. The straight carbon tax debate was trashed out by the congress and industrial crusaders went against it claiming that it will be used by the reach and it is like the rich is buying the environment to pollute at their own pleasure. The second strength of

Apple Operations Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Apple Operations - Term Paper Example The company has a wide range of products such as desktop computers, laptops, mobiles and different application software. Along with its subsidiaries the company develops and markets various portable applications as well. Some of the bestseller items of the company include portable music players, mobile communication devices and several other digital gadgets. Buzzwords such as I-pod, I-phone and I-pad are all creations of Apple. The company also has a strong presence in the field of software. The software segment includes operating systems such as Mac OS and other utility and productivity applications like Quick time player, I-work and logic studio among others (Apple Store, n.d.). The company has a global presence and owns more than 370 stores. It has a workforce of 20,000 people. Apple mainly distributes its product through whole sellers, retailers and Apple owned exclusive stores. Hewlett Packard, Dell, Google and Research in Motion Limited are the direct competitors of the company (NASDAQ, 2012). However companies such as Lenovo, Compaq, Toshiba and Hitachi are also considered as the circumlocutory competitors of the company. The aim of the report is to offer the domestic operations of the company. Also the report will stress on the global operational strategy of the company. In the operational strategies the report will offers insights about the way Apple markets its products. Finally the report will conclude by revealing the differences between the domestic operations and the global operations of the company. Domestic Operations of Apple Operations management can be regarded as the process in which human, material and financial inputs are transformed into output of products, service or other utilities (Pride, Hughes & Kapoor, 2006, p.279). However the actual creation of the product takes place in the mid half of the process and is referred to as manufacturing, production or the operations (Finch, 2008, p.164). In addition to that material management or logistics controls the transfer of raw materials through the process of value chain. The distribution on the other hand deals with the delivery of goods to the end customers. Finally the after sales provided by the company are known as support. Figure 1 (Source: McCubbrey, 2010) Value Chain of Apple The value chain of the company is discussed below:- Inbound Logistics Most of the essential components which are required for manufacturing Apple’s products are available from several sources. However some of the essential materials are obtained from single sources. In order to cite an instance IBM is the only supplier of G5 processor, which is being used in the products of PowerMac, while Motorola is the only supplier of G4 processor to the company. Operations The company has highly innovative products (O’Grady, 2008, p.xii). Hence the materials also need to be of high quality. Now as the raw materials are obtained the final assembly of the products is carried out in the manufacturing and assembling plants of Apple. Sacramento and Cork are the two places where the operations take place. Nevertheless the operations are also carried out by external vendors in places such as Netherlands, Korea, China and Taiwan among others (Day, 2010). In the portable category the products are assembled in Japan, China and Taiwan. Therefore from the findings it is clear that Apple only manufacture few of its products in USA and most of them assembled by third party vendors.