Food Critique History Essay

Food history is an interdisciplinary field that examines the history of food, and the cultural, economic, environmental, and sociological impacts of food. Food history is considered distinct from the more traditional field of culinary history, which focuses on the origin and recreation of specific recipes. Food historians look at food as one of the most important elements of cultures, reflecting the social and economic structure of society. Food history is a new discipline, considered until recently a fringe discipline. The first journal in the field, Petits Propos Culinaires was launched in 1979 and the first conference on the subject was the Food & History is a multilingual (French, English, German, Italian and Spanish) scientific journal that has been published since 2003. Food & History is the biannual scientific review of the European Institute for the History and Cultures of Food (IEHCA) based in Tours. It publishes papers about the history and culture of food. The review  Food & History is the biannual scientific review of the Institut Europeen d’Histoire et des Cultures de l’Alimentation / European Institute for the History and Culture of Food (IEHCA) in Tours, France. Founded in 2003, it is the first journal in Europe, both in its vocation and concept, specialised in the specific field of food history. Food & History aims at presenting, promoting and diffusing research that focuses on alimentation from an historical and/or cultural perspective. The journal studies food history (from prehistory to the present), food archaeology, and food culture from different points of view. It embraces social, economic, religious, political, agronomical, and cultural aspects of food and nutrition. It deals at the same time with questions of food consumption, production and distribution, with alimentation theories and practices (medical aspects included), with food-related paraphernalia and infrastructures, as well as with culinary practices, gastronomy, and restaurants. Being positioned at the cross-roads of the humanities and social sciences, the review deliberately promotes interdisciplinary research approaches. Although most contributions are concerned with European food history, the journal principally also welcomes articles on other food cultures. Food & History is a fully-fledged academic journal which applies the usual methodical instruments for assessing incoming articles, i. e. a double-blind reviewing process by external referees, recruited from a large and ever-growing intercontinental pool of experts in the field of social and cultural food studies. Food & History belongs to a decreasing spectrum of journals which openly expresses its European and international character by accepting manuscripts in five European languages (English, French, Spanish, Italian, and German). Food & History gains official recognition from the Institut des Sciences Humaines et Sociales of the CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique) and is indexed by the European Reference Index for the Humanities (ERIH) of the European Science Foundation (History category B). Food & History can be published thanks to the financial support from the Ministere de l’Education nationale, Ministere de l’enseignement superieur et de la recherche, Universite Francois-Rabelais de Tours, and the Conseil Regional du Centre. [edit] History Food and History was created by a network of academic researchers and students, with the help of the French Ministry for National Education and the University of Tours. The journal is sustained by the French National Center for Scientific Research (CNRS)[1] and is cited by the European Science Foundation in its European Reference Index for the Humanities (ERIH)[2]. The launch of Food & History was on the one hand a logical fruit of the foundation of the European Institute for the History of Food in December 2000 in Strasbourg (redefined in 2005 as European Institute for the History and Culture of Food), and on the other hand a clear manifestation of the gradual breakthrough of social and cultural food studies as an independent field of research during the first decades of the 21st century. The emergence of this sub-discipline had, of course, been anticipated in an impressive record of food-related research, conducted by scholars from adjacent fields, such as e.g. economic history, agricultural history, history of the body etc. However, the scholars behind these pioneering works were generally operating on a rather individual base and they would not have defined themselves as food historians. It was only with the foundation of the journal Food and Foodways in 1986 and of the International Commission for Research into European Food History (ICFREH) by Hans-Jurgen Teuteberg in Munster 1989 that a first infrastructural framework for social and cultural  food studies was provided. In the decades around the turn of the century, a lot of new food-related research initiatives became visible, thus demonstrating the vitality of this research area. In 1997, the Department of History at the University of Adelaide established a Research Centre for the History of Food and Drink. In 2001, a new web-journal The Anthropology of Food was launched and in 2004 the American Association for the Study of Food and Society re-launched a journal, entitled Food, Culture and Society. Around the turn of the century, due to – amongst others – new appointments in the editorial board, the research interest of the journal Food and Foodways changed in a two-fold sense: on the one hand â€Å"it shifted away from familiar disciplines (history, sociology, ethnology) toward ‘unexpected’ones (communication sciences, linguistics, tourism)†, on the other hand it became increasingly dominated by Anglo-Saxon input, especially from scholars from the USA, whereas the influence of the traditional French research schools significantly diminished. Some scholars argue that this ‘exotic’ publication strategy of Food and Foodways may have led to the launch of the new food history journal Food & History. Be that as it may, it was from the very start of the European Institute for the History of Food obvious that this new Europe-wide food research initiative should be accordingly accompanied by the launch of a new publication platform. And so happened: three years after its foundation, the IEHA announced the introduction of a new journal, Food & History, which still appears under the aegis of IEHCA, represented by its director Francis Chevrier (series editor). It started with a 7-persons board, consisting of four historians, one sinologist, one sociologist and Secretary Christophe Marion. As from volume 4. 2 (publication year 2006), the editorial board was almost doubled, with the addition of a philologist, archaeologist, classicist, and three historians. After a transition period and the appointment of a new secretary in 2007, the journal has been increasingly professionalised, amongst others by the introduction of a new uniform style sheet (link) and by the application of a comprehensive peer reviewing system (starting with volume 5. 1). These assessments are usually carried out on an entirely honorary base. However, by way of acknowledgement, the names of external referees are regularly published, usually in the last issue of each volume. Another development that bears witness of the increasing professionalisation of the journal was the change in its direction. During the initial period, Massimo Montanari had served as editor in chief, but in 2008 the editorial board declared itself openly in favour of a new dual leading structure, which rotates among the board members, giving each tandem a triennial turn (which is once renewable for another turn of three years). During a transitional year (2009), Montanari was accompanied by Allen Grieco and Peter Scholliers, who in the subsequent year took over the torch of the journals direction. Yet another step towards further professionalisation was the introduction of a group of corresponding members as from 2010, with the aim to represent the journal’s interests in different world regions and to establish a permanent flow of food research related information between these regions and the journal’s â€Å"headquarters†.

Why Was Cinema Going so Popular in the First Half of the Century?

Frances Connolly Year 1 Modern Britain Linda Polley 16th May 2006 Essay Why was cinema going so popular in the first half of the century and why did it decline after 1950? Both the rise in popularity of cinema going and its spectacular decline are not only well documented and discussed, but surprisingly, have generated little general disagreement among historians. Eddie Dyja states categorically that cinema popularity is easily explained, ‘it is cheap accessible and glamorous’1. Where as most of the blame for the decline is attributed to the advent of television.Each is correct; however neither is the complete explanation of either scenario. No study would be complete without examining the social aspects of the cinema going experience, audience participation as well as demographics. The impact of the war cannot be ignored. A war time social survey in 1943 found that seventy percent of the adult population admitted attending the cinema regularly. James Chapman tells us th at during this period ‘larger groups of the population are relatively better represented in the cinema audience than they are in the publics reached by other media’2.Similarly, to explain the decline in cinema solely in terms of television is to ignore the fact that television had actually been around for some time before the decline. Also although the rapid decline began in 1945 television wasn’t widely available until after the coronation in 1953. 3 In addition, an examination of both what was happening in the industry and particularly to the cinema buildings themselves sheds further light on the decline of audiences.The first public screening of a film in this country before a paying audience was on 20th February 1896. It was orchestrated by French magician Felicien Trewey using a Lumiere cinematograph, at Regent Street Polytechnic in London. Admission was 1s and it marked the beginning of Britain’s fifty year love affair with the cinema. Luke Mc Kernan and Stephen Herbert tell us that by ‘the close of the nineteenth century it was firmly established as a medium of entertainment, instruction and experiment’. During the first 10 years of the twentieth century Britain was at the cutting edge of developments with the work of men like William Friese Greene who made the first moving picture on celluloid film in Hyde Park. Another British man, George Albert Smith, actually devised the first colour system Kinemacolour in 1908. Interest in innovation and scientific advancement coupled with a political will to change the lot of the poor meant that this new, cheap form of entertainment appealed to an increasing number of people.Social developments in the early twentieth century, for example Lloyd George’s ‘peoples budget, meant that a slowly increasing number of people had money to spend on non essential items. Also increasingly, those people with money to spend were women and they needed a socially acceptable venu e for their entertainment, the cinema fitted the bill. As they bore the brunt of the drudgery of daily life so their need for escape and a vision of another world was greater. Not only the choice of film but the whole nature of cinema going were factors which drew audiences.The early small ‘flee pits’ where local communities gathered to socialise, Marwick suggests that ‘eating, dozing and, for young couples courting, were all part of the experience’5. Behaviour was somewhat less than decorous; it was accepted practice for audiences to shout at the screen and across the auditorium, making it a much more interactive experience. The films either in the silent era or the early talkies showed a world that the average working class audience could not know about any other way.Even when the images were idealised and less than accurate they provided a glamorous escape from the reality of poverty. When the ‘dream palaces’ typified by the Odeon cinemas bu ilt by Birmingham Businessman Oscar Deutsch began to replace these small local cinemas they simply added to the glamour of the occasion by providing atmosphere from the moment a person entered the building. Film choice was a similarly crucial indicator of the reasons people went to the ‘pictures’. The most popular films were in general the American imports.The industry there had expanded exponentially, the studio system created by the major studio owners and the huge home audiences allowed for the production of big budget high quality films on a tremendous scale. The studios spent vast amounts of time and money marketing not only their films but their stars. Creating a culture of stars, Hollywood royalty who’s every action was big news, world wide and whose salaries could not be conceived of, by the poor working class audiences in Britain who devoured their films.Cinema really came to pre eminence as ‘the entertainment of the masses’ during the war. Michael Sissons and Phillip French tell us that ‘whether it involved Rita Hayworth and Betty Grable cheering up the boys with displays of leg, or Noel Coward and John Mills inspiring them with displays of stiff upper lip,’6 the cinema made a significant contribution to the war effort. In effect, as well as entertaining the cinema now served a higher purpose. War was declared on 3rd September 1939, and although war fare did not immediately reach British shores the effects began to show quickly.Gas masks were issued, blackouts enforced, shelters built, rationing introduced and sand bags were stored everywhere space could be found. On 7th September 1940 the Blitz began and London saw seventy six consecutive nights of bombing. Altogether sixty thousand British civilians were killed and two out of every seven houses was damaged. The brunt of this devastation was born by the working class, in such circumstances it is easy to see why the need for escape was greatly increased. Add to this the social changes brought about by necessity during the war and the rise in cinema attendance is easily understood.Conscription drained the country of young men, (in fact conscription was extended to single women between the ages of nineteen and twenty four,) at a time of greatest need. This drew women, particularly significantly married women into the general work force for the first time. This gave women economic and social freedoms as never before. This same lifting of traditional restrictions was extended to the young. Many young people had to be left to their own devices and the cinema provided a couple of hours of cheap baby sitting. Matinees were a staple for the young and dreaded by the cinema owners.The best seats were only a shilling and at least half the audience paid less. Combined with this, the war years saw an eighty percent rise in wages. An average weekly wage in 1938 was approximately fifty three shillings and three pence; by 1945 this had risen to nin ety three shillings. The cost of living in this same period was only thirty one percent. 7 With married women working some households now had two incomes for the first time put simply there was more money to be spent on leisure when there was limited choice of suitable leisure so the cinema was an excellent option.When we come to examine the evidence for the decline in cinema attendance it is blatantly obvious that television played a considerable part. The opportunity to watch events of national significance such as V. E. Day parades and the marriage of Princess Elizabeth from the comfort of the home was a great advantage and gradually did draw an audience. When the Queen was crowned in 1953 there was a concerted effort made to ensure that the whole nation could see the coverage on television if they so wished and twenty million did.After this date the steep incline of the attendance figures graph can without much fear of contradiction be attributed to the upsurge in television pur chases. However, by this stage the decline in audience numbers had already been significant. Many of the reasons for the increase in popularity can also help to explain its demise. An examination of the cinema building themselves shows several points. Firstly the change from the small local cinema had brought about a change in the experience which actually reduced the social aspect of the experience.By moving the location from town centres people no longer met their friends and neighbours, the new cinemas discouraged rowdy and licentious behaviour so the experience became less of an interactive, social occasion. The purposes the old cinema building were put to adds another dimension to the debate. Many were converted to dance or bingo halls, the former for the young the later for their parents. The variety of activities which had become acceptable during the war had increased, when people particularly the young went out they wanted to interact with the opposite sex as well as their friends.Youth as a separate group with expendable cash were now demanding other forms of entertainment as well as the cinema. In addition to this many of the big cinemas were no longer that new and provided a much less glamorous environment at an ever increasing cost. In his study of the geography of cinema going in Great Britain Barry Doyle found that during the period when cinema attendance was at it’s peak the number of cinemas especially in urban areas was correspondingly high. As new large out of town cinema complexes began to spring up many of the more convenient cinemas closed.He suggests a possible correlation between the decline of cinema attendance and the availability of access to cinemas. 8 Another factor in the decline in cinema attendance can be found in the film industry it self. The British film industry at this time was experiencing a ‘golden age’; its films were well received and more critically successful then ever before. However the picture w as something of a mirage. During the late twenties the financial situation for British production companies was so dire that production was all but at a standstill.In an attempt to bolster the industry The Cinematographers Trade Bill was introduced in 1927, in essence it was a quota system whereby owners were forced to show at first five percent (rising as high as forty five per later), British films in their theatres. 9 In practice what happened was that the British production companies had neither the money nor the infrastructure to produce sufficient good quality films. They made terrible film which in turn gave the American studios the excuse and the opportunity to buy up or into British companies.Films could then be made in Britain using British talent using American money which could be shown within the quota system as British. This did have the short term effect of supporting the British film industry but drained revenues out of the country. So when the Americans hit problems as happened after the war there was no way of filling the gap. After the war the studio system in America could no longer sustain itself, the stars were demanding independence and freedom to choose their own material this meant ever increasing production costs.At the same time the studios lost their other main source of revenue, ownership of the distribution and theatre chains. This monopolistic practice was curtailed when they were forced by the American government to divest themselves of their theatre empires in 1949. 10 American Film simply cost more and there were less of them available. Perhaps the greatest threat to the British cinema came from the British Government who’s interference in the industry had devastating consequences at this time. An audience once lost is hard to regain.In 1947 Dr Hugh Dalton was Chancellor of the Exchequer and in an attempt to curtail the flow of revenues from the country to America decided (without any consultation with the industry), to impose a seventy five percent duty on all imported films. This resulted in the American film industries embargo on Britain. No films until the tax was rescinded. After many machinations committees and discussions, it was lifted and the only tangible action taken was to raise the price of admission thus alienating the public even further.According to the figures of the British film Institute five of the top ten films of all time were made in the nineteen forties and one, the oldest in the list Snow White and the seven Dwarfs was made in 1937. This is because cinema attendance in that decade were ten times higher than today. The changing face of British society throughout the early part of the century meant that the majority working class group had both time and money to spend on entertainment and the cinema provided a social and socially acceptable environment to spend that time and money.In the ‘Good Housekeeping’, Magazine of 1942 there is an article entitled ‘B udgeting for Victory’. In it the housewife is advised to reduce costs as much as possible, yet some provision for ‘Holidays and amusements’ is still allowed. 11 So even at a time of great national crisis spending on entertainment is accepted as an essential all be it a minimal one. The decline in popularity was more complex than it seems at first with many factors playing a small part not least access. However it cannot be disputed that television with its convenience and it aid to status put the final nail in the coffin.It has been estimated that more people owned a television in 1960 than owned a refrigerator. 12 Showing it to be of significance in its own right as a symbol of the growing affluence of British society. By the late fifties early sixties entertainment and the need to be seen to be doing well was of more importance than any convenience which might be gained from the purchase of an item that could not be displayed. So the cheap medium of the enterta inment of the masses to the occasional, one option out of many, in under a decade. ReferencesChris Wrigley, ‘Blackwell Companion to British History, A Companion to Early Twentieth Century Britain’, (Blackwell Publishers ltd, 2003) Alan G. Burton, ‘The British Consumer Co-operative Movement and Film,1890-1960’, (Manchester University Press, 2005) Brian McFarlane, ‘The Encyclopedia of British Film’, Methuen, London,2003) Eddie Dyja, ‘BFI Film Handbook 2005’, (London 2005) Shay Sayre, Cynthia King, ‘Entertainment and Society Audiences Trends and Impacts’, (Sage Publications,London,2003) Claire Monk, Amy Sargeant,’British Historical Cinema’, (Routledge, London 2002) Robert A.Rosentone, ‘Revisioning History, Film and the Construction of a New Past’, (Princton University Press,1995) Marcia Landy, ’British Genres Cinema and Society 1930-1960’, (Princeton University Press,1991) Jeffrey Richards, ‘The Age of the Dream Palace Cinema and Society in Britain 1930-1939’, (Routledge, London,1984) John Hill, Pamela Church Gibson, ‘The Oxford Guide to Film Studies’, (Oxford University Press, 1998) Paddy Scannell, David Cardiff, ‘A Social History of British Broadcasting’, (Basil Blackwell Ltd, Oxford, 1991) John Barnes, ‘The Beginning of the Cinema in England 1894-1901’, ( University of Exeter Press 1998) Charles Barr, ‘Ealing Studios’, (Studio Vista, London,1993) Robert Murphy, ‘Realism ans Tinsel Cinema ans Society in Britain 1939-49’, (Routledge, London, 1992) Michael Sissons, Phillip French, ‘Age of Austerity’, (Greenwood Press,Connecticut,1976) Arthur Marwick, ‘British Society since 1945’, (Penguin Books, London,2003) Arthur Marwick, ‘War and Social change in the Twentieth Century’, (Macmillan, London,1974) James Chapman, ‘The British At War Cinema State and Propaganda 1939-1945’, (I. B.Tauris Publishers, London, 1998) Barbara Dixon, ‘Wartime Scrapbook, Good Housekeeping’, Collins and Brown, Chester, 2005) Historical Journal of Film Radio and Television, vol 22, no 3, 2002 Frank Kessler, ‘Introduction: Visible evidence – But of What? Reassessing early non fiction cinema’ Historical Journal of Film Radio and Television, vol. 23, no. 2, 2003, Adrian Smith, ‘Humphrey Jennings’ Heart of Britain (1941):a reassessment Historical Journal of Film Radio and Television, vol. 23, no. 1, 2003, Barry Doyle,’The Geography of Cinemagoing in Great Britain,1934-1994: a comment’ Historical Journal of Film Radio and Television,vol. 23, no. 4, 2003, Josephine Dolan,’Aunties and Uncles: The BBC’s Childrens Hour and liminal concerns in the 1920s’ Historical Journal of Film Radio and Television, vol. 25, no. , 2005, Su Holmes, ‘Designed Specially for Telev ision purposes and technique: The Development of the Television Cinema Program in Britain in the 1950s’ Historical Journal of Film Radio and Television, vol. 24, no. 4, 2004, Sue Harper, ‘A Lower Middle-Class Taste Community in the 1930s: admissions figures at the Regent Cinema, Portsmouth,Uk’ Historical Journal of Film Radio and Television, vol. 25, no. 4, 2005, Lawrence Black,’Whose Finger On the Button? British Television and the Politics of Cultural Control’ Historical Journal of Film Radio and Television, http://www. zenbullets. com/britfilm/article. php? art=history The British Film Resource 1890-1910, accessed April 10th 2006 http://www. bftv. ac. uk/ , The Centre for British Film and Television Studies, accessed April 10th 2006 http://news. bbc. o. uk/1/hi/entertainment/film/4051741. stm BBC News Entertainment, accessed April 10th 2006 http://www. bbfc. co. uk/about/index. php British Board of Film Classification, accessed April 10th 2006 ht tp://www. bfi. org. uk/nftva/ British Film Institute, accessed April 10th 2006 http://www. britishcinemagreats. com/cinema_history/pre_british/page_1. htm British Film History, accessed April 10th 2006 http://www. history. qmul. ac. uk/research/BFIproject. html Queen Mary University of London, accessed April 10th 2006 http://www. ealingstudios. co. uk/history_home. html Ealing Studios, accessed April 10th 2006 http://www. filmsite. org/pre20sintro. tml ,Film History before 1920, accessed April 10th 2006 http://www. bafta. org/site/page13. html , British Acadmy of Film and Television Arts, accessed April 10th 2006 http://www. movinghistory. ac. uk/index. html Moving History, accessed April 10th 2006 http://www. screenonline. org. uk/film/id/448216/index. html BFI, accessed April 10th 2006 http://www. victorian-cinema. net/sources. htm , Who’s Who of Victorian Cinema, accessed April 10th 2006 http://www. pinewoodshepperton. com/html/filmography/filmography. htm Pinewood, access ed 3rd May 2006 http://www. screenonline. org. uk/people/id/460162/index. html Denham Studio, accessed 3rd May 2006

There is a movement brewing in the United States

There is a movement brewing in the United States to make English the official language of the country, but the whole idea seems preposterous. After all, the English and others who speak Her Majesty’s tongue would be the first to explain that what Americans speak is not English. At best, the official language should be American.   But the debate continues regardless. That is why we must do whatever is necessary to prevent English from being declared the official language of the United States. The debate centers on the concept that a nation needs an official language to be homogenous and that declaring an official language will mean that the government no longer has to print documents in a dozen different languages. Those in favor of the proposal argue that it will also mean we no longer have to push one for English. Proponents claim it will save millions and that it will lead to the entirety of the country forming a single identity. Opponents to the proposal argue that we have operated for 230 years without an official languages and that there is simply no reason to start with one now. They argue that the concept of an official language is racist and attacks the non-Anglo citizens of the country. An official language is unnecessary and should not be enacted. There is absolutely nothing to be gained by declaring English the official language of the United States. Moreover, it is time to acknowledge that most of the countries of the world do not have one official language, they have multiple. Choosing English as the official language of the United States encourages the xenophobic an.d elitist attitude that Americans have long been accused of worldwide. Americans need to learn additional languages, not force others to learn theirs.   The concept that Americans are so arrogant as to assume that everyone else should have to learn their language is insulting to non-Anglo citizens and the rest of the world as well. Another reason that declaring English the official language of the Untied States is simply wrong is that a significant portion of the American populace does not speak English or at the very least does not speak it well. Recent estimates are that soon the Hispanic population in the United States will make up as much as 25 percent of the total population. Most of the immigrants do not speak English as their first language and so then requiring them to only speak English when dealing with official government documents or calling to conduct any sort of business, is insulting and racist. In addition, in other countries where the majority of the populace speaks multiple languages, the country has more than one official language.   If the proposal were to make English and Spanish the official languages of the country, it would make much more sense. Finally, the single best argument against making English the official language of the United States is that it is completely contradictory to the entire history of the nation. American history is based on the concept that America is as a melting pot, but that melting pot was never intended to make us all the same.   We are supposed to celebrate our differences and celebrate the variety of different cultures that make up our country, not try to smash them all into the same identical little box. The concept that a country made up entirely of immigrants could then try to decide that the language of one group of immigrants was more important than the language of the other immigrants is completely contradictory to the founding principles of the country. It negates the very theory of freedom of choice and freedom to pursue life, liberty and happiness. Proponents of English as the official language say that while some countries worldwide have two official languages, right now the United States has none. The lack of an official language means that government documents must be presented in many different languages, adding to the cost of doing business. Furthermore, may countries around the world are adding English to their list of official languages because English is the language of business around the world. If any language comes close to be the language of the world, it is English. Perhaps because of the extent of the British Empire and possibly because of the economic power of English-speaking languages, most business transactions around the world are conducted in English. Therefore, it makes sense that America would make English its official language. Simply because a portion of the populace has not taken the time to learn the language of commerce, does not mean that they should be used as an excuse to keep the rest of the country from making progress. The fact of the matter is that most of the country’s business is already conducted in English and the excuse that people have not yet learned the language is not a valid argument in favor of avoiding having an official language. Finally, yes, America has always been the melting pot and the land of opportunity where people can bring their culture and share it with others. But over the generations, those immigrants have always adopted the language of the land and the laws of the land in the process of assimilating into their new country. To say that because we are a nation of immigrants we cannot have a uniform language is to put our individual cultures above our collective culture. It is time for our culture to overcome and create an American identity. The decision to name an official language remains unnecessary when it forces some part of the American populace to feel that the it is a personal affront. While it may be time for the country to develop a national identity, it should not have to be done at the expense of the other members of the society. In short, American should still be the land of opportunity and those who do not speak English as their primary language should not be discriminated against simply because they have not yet learned the language of commerce. In addition, the reality is that anyone who has spoken extensively with people who speak the Queen’s English knows that Americans do not speak the same English as the remainder of the world. American and English truly are related languages, but not the same. It is perfectly legitimate to acknowledge English as the language of business and commerce, but there is no overriding reason to make it the official language of the nation. And, the main reason why it is unnecessary is that quite simply, we’ve done without it for 231 years. Why change things that work?

Storytelling can help making the brand means much to the audience Essay

Storytelling can help making the brand means much to the audience because the stories just like a bridge which create a real connection between the work and the audience - Essay Example Storytelling presupposes that a consumption story protagonist tells a personal story in which he consciously or unconsciously intertwines a brand. Most often the existence of the brand influences and changes protagonist`s life for better (Woodside et al., 99). Storytelling in business is exceptionally important because it creates credibility of the brand making the product more real. Good myth can deliver the main message less persistently and more naturally. It is impossible to create something that will not breed similar concurrent products; however, it is possible to make the of the product unique. Myths shape information about the product in an effective way- not with facts but with coherent experiences of people. We all are prone to believe more to what we read or what feel and experience, and storytelling and myths in marketing is the most reliable way of facts presentation. It is also important to mind that stories are usually shared, not facts, and the probability of the advertisement with a good story to go viral is much higher (Thomas 1). Whole Foods, one of the biggest health food companies in the United States is good example of effective storytelling. Their myth is about healthy benefits of their products that change life of consumers. They claim that natural food is much better for the body and you as you will feel more energetic and healthier eating it. Those who consume this food care about themselves while those who prefer other products do not (Mathews & Wacker, 13) Nike is another example of an effective storytelling in marketing. The company is selling the myth about personal perseverance and resistance to the world and the following success. Nike has created a philosophy based on sportsmen who dedicate their lives to fighting with ordeals, rivals, and themselves finally and achieving success in this fight. In the story the product itself is placed on the

Business law Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Business law - Essay Example The claims to be made in the paper will be proved with the help of legal cases which have been solved by applying the legal approaches of Parole evident rule and collateral contract. Introduction: Business dealings are made among enterprises by large each day which makes it evident that there needs to be a jurisdiction that would help the parties agree and abide by the clauses in the agreement. It is for this reason that business law is being practiced by the common law. In return common law is being applied to majority of the states making it liable for organizations all around the world to sign agreements and follow the legalities. Considering the legal courts of Australia, It would not be incorrect to state that it has provided the business enterprises many benefits regarding restitution and contracts. However, there are different types of contracts with exceptions which are being practiced and legally prosecuted. In this context, the written contracts in Australia are provided wi th a lot of remedies in case the contract is breached. But verbal promises that have not been included in the written contracts are not solved in case breached. ... Definitions to the terms: Breach--violation of the law which is written or oral in nature. Plaintiff-- a person or a party that would file a lawsuit against the violating party Defendant--- a person or a party against whom the case is filed. Points of Focus: Parole evident rule and exception followed by the suitable cases Collateral contracts and definition with the suitable cases Australian Courts and Remedy to breach of Parole evidence rule: It is an Australian law which is applied in case it is a matter of a written contract. Within the approach of parole evidence rule, it is evident that the court will note that all the clauses which are written or mentioned in the agreement are carefully following the signed affirmation of both the parties. This approach completely denies in case either of the party proposes a claim which is verbal in nature. The Australian court represents jurisdiction that completely disqualifies any verbal or oral promise making it much easier for the parties and the court to subject litigation if notice in any case1 The reason behind employing this legal approach in Australia for the business agreements is merely because it is able to save a lot of time. Another reason behind setting up the approach of parole evidence rule exemplifies the prevention of any faulty statement coming from either of the parties agreed upon the agreements. There has been a common ground of deviation noted in most of the legal business cases. All such cases have marked statements which were put forward by the parties in order to bring deviation the focal point of the agreement. In other words, it could be said that at times either of the parties is more likely to override

Employee Motivation in the Management Field of Google Inc Case Study

Employee Motivation in the Management Field of Google Inc - Case Study Example Mansar and Reijers (2007) reckon that management in an organization should ensure effective communication, employee motivation, and alignment of employee activities to the achievement of the organization’s objectives. This can be construed to mean that management is not the handling of machines/automated program, but handling humans through communication, and an assenting enterprise endeavor. This paper seeks to elucidate on an issue of employee motivation in the management field. This will be achieved by conducting a case study on one of the largest corporation in the world (Google) while linking management theories to management practices in that corporation. Google is an American conglomerate, which specializes in providing internet-based services such as search engine service, cloud computing, manufacture and sale of software, as well as online marketing services. Most of Google’s profits come from Ad-Words. Its hasty growth since incorporation has elicited production of a series of merchandises, multiple acquisitions, and mergers. As a result, Google is one of the corporations with the largest employee base in the world of around 37,000 in 40 countries. Contemporary conglomerates are relentlessly coming up with new management techniques to acquire top talent, keep hold of that top talent, and come up with imaginative ways to keep them motivated so as to achieve paramount productivity in their respective industries. This essay investigates how Google Inc uses management techniques to motivate its employees to become top-producing individuals who can formulate preeminent ideas and products. The essay will explore how Google Inc has structured its management so as to endow its employees with the best environment and how it motivates them with intrinsic and extrinsic techniques.  

To study the morphology and behavior of primates in a zoo setting Essay - 1

To study the morphology and behavior of primates in a zoo setting - Essay Example They are also very generous because they share their prey with members of other groups. They are cunning and diligent after they kill their prey because they eat it on trees to avoid other predators. The primates also remove tree leaves and use it to create a tool that they use capture insects that they eat as food. Interestingly, chimpanzees steal honey from beehives that they eat and later use small shrubs as toothpick. Leaves are folded to create a ridge that is used to fetch drinking water. Conversely, chimpanzees use rocks to hunt for their prey. Unfortunately, they experience difficulty when they use such weapons because their lack proper hand coordination (Palomar, paras.1-2). The zoo is a home for the red Ape, which is becoming extinct. They have a well-built body structure and are unsociable. The organization has made measures ensure that they protect the endangered species, and construction of the equipment is underway. The zoo supports initiatives to protect the orangutan from becoming extinct have been put forth. According to the organization, a breeding project is ongoing in the United States to enhance the lives of the primates (Toronto zoo, paras. 1-3). Monkeys are also part of the primate family. During the tour, we observed monkeys were vegetarians. They affectionately relate with their young ones and are united in groups. The young ones also monitored how their elders were hunting for food and at times tried to imitate them. The animals also Quadra pedaled in groups and in some instances chased away other animals that tried to attack them. They hunted without having any interference because other animals were scared of them. Unlike chimpanzees that send signals to other members of the group when they find food, monkeys are selfish when they find food. Monkeys are very greedy and only share the food among group members if it is only available in abundance (Palomar, paras 4-5). Chimpanzees are the unique primates according to

The Cash Flow of ABC Limited Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

The Cash Flow of ABC Limited - Essay Example The cash flow statement provides valuable information on the quality of income and sales, dividend and interest covers, the cash available per share and the cash returns generated by the assets. These are discussed in the following sections. In addition to the quick ratio or current ratio (Monetary Assets / Current Liabilities) and the liquidity ratio (Current Assets / Current Liabilities), another very useful ratio to analyses a company’s performance is the quality of income (Net Cash Inflow from Operations/ Net Profit before Interest and Tax). The quality of income ratio helps understand the company’s income a little better. The net cash inflow for ABC Limited is  £155 and the Profits before interest and tax totals to  £67, thus making its Quality of Income Ratio as 2.313. This ratio helps analyze the amount of free cash that has been utilized to increase the capital expenditure. It computed as Retained Cash Flow (After Div. Paid) / Cash Paid for Acquisition. For the case of ABC Limited, the amount of money that has been invested to capital expenditures is  £ 115 and the total amount of free cash is  £134 (i.e. Net cash from Operating Activities less the tax paid less the dividends paid = 155 - 15 – 6). Thus the capital expenditure ratio totals to 1.165%. It is clear that ABC limited has invested a high amount in capital expenditures and still there is a net increase in cash, indicating that the company has performed very well in terms of collecting the cash from the customers. The cash owing cover signifies the total amount of free cash (i.e. Net Cash income from operations less the tax, less interest and fewer dividends) that is used to settle the total owing of the company. Calculation of the cash owing cover can be done by dividing the total owing by the retained cash from operations (after dividend). ABC Limited has a total owing of  £72 m and the net free cash after dividends totals to  £134 m (155 – 15 – 6 ) thus making the cash owing cover to total to 0.537. Therefore the number of years to pay off debt is 0.5years or 6 months. This indicates that ABC limited can pay off the debts in a very short period.

Triangle Fire Reflection Occupational Health and Safety as a Community Movie Review

Triangle Fire Reflection Occupational Health and Safety as a Community Health Issue - Movie Review Example The conditions at work were still worse such as absence of safety precautions, few ventilation mechanisms; lack of fire drills, and poor fire exits i.e. locked doors. The triangle fire broke out probably as a result of a mishandled lit cigarette or tossed match which led to an outbreak of fire on the building’s eight floor. Huge flames of fire lit up and spread quickly throughout the building. The factory’s poor conditions of the floor greatly influenced the start of the fire. The top management team were immediately notified of the accident and quickly escaped. However, the situation was unknown till late for workers on the ninth floor who continued their work until they saw fumes of smoke. This caused panic; some run to the stairwell only to be blocked by intensifying flames. Some few were able to use the elevator and others crowded the little fire escape which unfortunately crumbled due to the excessive weight crushing almost 100ft to the ground. Unfortunately the remaining exit was a locked door whose key was carried by a foreman who did nothing to help the situation. Some of the workers resulted in jumping through the windows of the now fully fire encroached building. The fire outbreak led to the loss of the lives of 146 workers. The fire department also is to blame for the loss of life. The response to the fire outbreak was slow and ineffective. Proper strategies were not in place to save lives since some people resulted in jumping through the windows. The department failed initially to ascertain that the factory had adhered to safety standards. The triangle fire served as an important benchmark for future laws regarding fire safety standards. It influenced immensely on the formulation of safety laws across the states regarding safety in the workplace. The tradition negligence of the employees’ safety in the workplace by the

Microbial physiology and culture (Practical 1 Antibiotics and Agar Coursework

Microbial physiology and culture (Practical 1 Antibiotics and Agar Diffusion) - Coursework Example On the other hand, experiment 2 attempts to investigate the repeatability of the essays using two different methods of antibiotic application to the discs. Lastly, experiment 3 uses gradient plates to qualitatively compare the response of new isolates to a particular antibiotic against a response of a standard strain. Practical 1: Antibiotics and Agar Diffusion Introduction Agar plate diffusion is currently one of the widely used experimental methods to determine the susceptibility of various microorganisms to antimicrobial agents. Generally the principle employed in this method is dependent on the inhibition of the microorganism reproduction on the surface of agar medium by an antimicrobial agent which gradually diffuses into the medium through a filter paper disc. In this regard, the level of susceptibility of the organisms is indicated by the size of the zone of inhibition. Typically when an antibiotic is applied to the agar medium, it moves from its region of high concentration t o the surrounding areas of lower antimicrobial concentration (Cooper, 1993, p.24). Inhibition zone is the clear area of the agar plate where the growth of the microorganisms is prevented by the activities of the microbial agent. The size of inhibition is usually measured and then compared to the standardized measurements in order to determine the level of antibiotic activity on the particular medium. This is primarily because the diameter of the inhibition zone is always a function of the susceptibility of the microorganism and the amount of antibiotics on the medium. Generally there are a number of factors that may affect the antimicrobial activity and consequently determine the size of inhibition zones. Some of the likely factors include agar depth, size of the inoculums and the presence of cations on the medium. The objective of this experiment is to investigate the factors that are responsible for the variation of microbial activity of various antimicrobial drugs on different or ganisms. Methods To investigate the effects of variables such as agar depth, presences of salt and inoculums size on the size of inhibition zones, lawn and seeding methods were used to inoculate the plates. In determining the effect of agar depth on the result of agar plate diffusion, four plates containing 10 cm3, 20 cm3, 20 cm3 and 30 cm3 agar were first swabbed with Eschericia coli 10418 (1:20 dilution). All plates were oriented horizontally except for the third one, which was slanted. Meanwhile, 2 plates each containing 20 cm3 DSTA were inoculated with 100 Â µl of either 1:20 E.coli dilution or undiluted broth culture. 4 discs each containing 20 Â µl 0.5 mg/ml ampicillin were placed in each of the plates. Finally the plates were then incubated overnight at 37Â °C and the variations in the inhibition zone size were recorded. To determine the effect of inoculum size on the antibiotic activity, 0.5mg/ml ampillicin solution and the E.coli dilution were used.2 plates with 20 cm3 D STA were poured into the solution. The first inoculate was then spread uniformly on the entire surface of the plate. On the second plate was also inoculated with a containing broth culture of E.coli was also inoculated. Finally 4 amplicin impregnated papers were placed on each plate before they were incubated. To investigate the effects of potassium or calcium ions on zone sizes, 0.1 or 1.0 ml of 2M KCl or CaCl2

Law and management Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Law and management - Essay Example Simply put, if you promise that you will do something for another person and in return, that person agrees to pay you something, then you and that person have made a contract. A contract can be in verbal or written form but the most important thing is that there would be an agreement especially between two parties. Likewise, according to the labour laws of many countries, both the worker and the employee are bound by certain statutory regulations that would ensure that no party will breach the agreed contract. Indeed, when a person has decided to enter into an agreement with someone, both parties should have a common ground of understanding of the nature of the contract they would be agreeing upon so as to avoid conflict and misunderstanding in the future. (ii) When another party has frustrated the contract entered into between the two involved parties, it can be said that this other part would have failed to owner the obligations stated in the contract in the long run as a result of difficult conditions arising during the course of the contract. Thus, according to information obtained online, the issue of frustration here is about the subsequent impossibility of the contract which may be a result of an unforeseeable event to both parties. In most cases, this event would be beyond the control of both parties such as death. No mortal being is able to stop death hence this becomes impossible for both parties to stick to the contractual obligations since it would be difficult to press ahead especially in the absence of a key actor in such a scenario. (b) The case involving Harry and Ian can be attributed to frustration of contract which in this case can be summed up as a legal termination of a contract as a result of unforeseen circumstances which may prevent that particular contract to achieve the intended goals or objectives. Whilst Ian had agreed to buy a motor vehicle from Harry, it is

The Use Of Information Technology In Finance Essay Example for Free

The Use Of Information Technology In Finance Essay The world is continuously under the process of change, ever since its inception. This change has resulted into a number of advancements. Science and Technology has been at forefront in bringing these changes with the aim to ease the life of the people. Â  Despite, this being a regular process, the acceleration of the change brought by information technology in the last century is second to none. In the recent history, no other field of science has affected so many diverse walks of life, as the information technology did. Now, information technology is considered as the lifeblood for any organization, offering any sort of product or service. Information Technology requirement is now considered the part of infrastructure for any sort of business activity. Today, when we recall the spread of computer and information technology few decades down the memory lane, we find the quote of the IBM’s president in 1940’s who said, I think there is a world market for about five computers. Â  However, if we see the penetration of information technology in any walk of life, we find our lives miserable without it, no matter to what field of study do we belong. I have a finance major and the field of finance and its associated fields are no exception and these fields have potential to make the most of information technology resources available worldwide at this point of time. Â  Thus, this article is intended to explore the possible applications of information technology in the field of finance. To carry out this assignment, four modes of information were explored. These were web search, blogs, job search and articles. The web search was done through Google and Alta Vista. Few of the keywords used are as follows: IT and Finance Use of IT in Finance Application of IT in the field of finance Studying Finance using IT Financial Softwares Features of Financial Softwares How IT supports financial decisions Financial ERPs etc In caser of Blogs, a number of blogs were explored. Two of them are: http://www.corporatefinanceblog.com/ http://www.bilgilizce.com/lectures-on-corporate-finance/ Following Job Sites were explored. http://jobs.jobbankusa.com/js/action/searchresults.asp http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/ The job requirements for the accounts manager, director finance, financial consultants, and business analysts were explored. The sites that were explored are CIO.com, BusinessWeek.com, ComputerWorld.com etc. The key words used were ‘financial solutions’, ‘finance and technology’ etc. When we look at finance, five discreet fields come to our mind. These are corporate finance, trade finance, personal finance, public finance. Looking from broader perspective, the student of Finance also studies its associated fields like banking, investment, derivatives, risk management, stock trading, financial statement analysis etc. Each of these subfields also has application of information technology. Â  However, before going into details, first of all, let’s look at the application of information technology in the field of finance, generally. In the field of finance, one of the most sophisticated and crucial, yet important task is to develop financial models to analyze the feasibility of various alternatives from the financial perspective. Previously, these models were used to be developed manually. However, now with the help f sophisticated applications and enterprise resource planning (ERP) softwares like Oracle Financials and the financial modules of SAP provide the capability to develop one’s own financial model within no time. No doubt, still the logic needs to be created by the professional of finance, but now he does not need to worry about minor calculation mistakes, leading to highly misleading results, all he has to worry about is the logic behind the model, the accuracy and speed that the information technology provides in the development financial model increases the efficiency of that financial professional. This was just one application; there is a whole arena of services that information technology has to offer to the students and professionals of the field of finance. Even the spreadsheets like Excel can provide the capability of financial functions like scenario planning, what-if analysis and so on. At the professional level, the use of databases, data warehouse and business intelligence helps in trend analysis through application of very advanced algorithms in very large amount of data which is next to impossible manually and totally impossible to be done manually, if required to be done in the same amount of time that is required by a computer for the same task. However, again, computer is the machine the reliability of the results depends on the logic provided by the operator. But now, advanced computer applications such as artificial intelligence, neural networks etc. have also a limited capability of learning from past and deducing logic. If these systems become reliable and full tested in future, these applications can revolutionize the world of finance as well. Now let’s have a brief look at the application of information technology in various branches of finance. In corporate finance, two most important goals are to increase the corporate value and reduce the financial risk. Risk analysis and management requires the trend analysis of past data. As already mentioned, through the use of data warehouse and business intelligence tools, this task can be done very efficiently. A data warehouse contains the archived data where as business intelligence tools help to extract meaningful information out of it. Likewise, data mining tools can be used to identify the trends in the past data. In public finance, the scope is large, resources are very limited and alternatives are very diverse. Thus, it requires using techniques like what-if analysis, goal seeking etc. A range of tools are available to carryout these tasks, ranging from Microsoft excel to custom developed ERPs. In personal finance too, the use of automated tools save time. Likewise, the trade financing needs careful forecasting, a number of tools are available for that too, again ranging from excel to neural networks. Thus, in today’s job market, the more sophisticated the financial task is, the more technical skills are required by the company. To sum up, the field of finance can leverage upon the opportunities of ease, accuracy and speed provided by information technology in order to increase the efficiency, effectiveness and reliability of financial decision, as these decisions have significant impact on the financial health of the organization in professional life. Â  In this connection, I belief that the student of finance must be well aware and well acquainted with the opportunities that information technology provides to the field of finance. Bibliography Chorafas, D. (2007). Risk Management Technology in Financial Services (Elsevier Finance). St. Louis: Butterworth-Heinemann. Financial-i Awards Kyriba the 2007 Prize for Most Innovative Cash Forecasting Solution. (2008, Feb. 26). Business Wire, 23. Lee, J., Trippi, R. (2000). Artificial Intelligence in Finance Investing: State-Of-The-Art Technologies for Securities Selection and Portfolio Management. Milwaukee: Irwin Professional Publishing. (2008). Handbook on Information Technology in Finance (International Handbooks on Information Systems). New York: Springer.

Using Suitable Models Identify The Customer Perceived Value Marketing Essay

Using Suitable Models Identify The Customer Perceived Value Marketing Essay Tesco is the largest food retailer in UK and it is amongst worlds top 5 largest retailers by  annual sales  behind  Wal-Mart  and  Carrefour. It started in 1919 and now it operates more than 3000 stores in UK and it also has stores in rest of Europe, North America and Asia. This company is multi category that also runs telecom and banking services apart from food retailing but for the purpose of this paper the focus will be will be on customer perceived values for the customers of TESCO. Tesco is based on trust and respect. They have learnt over the years that if customers like their offers, then there is higher rate of possibility that they will come back and shop with them again. So they will do every possible thing to retain their valued customers. 1.2 Vision of TESCO Tescos vision is to be most highly valued by the customers they serve, the communities in which they operate, their loyal and committed staff and their shareholders, to be a growing company, a modern and innovative company and winning locally and applying their skills globally. 1.3 Customer Perceived Value The Customer Perceived value of a product is the customers evaluation of all the benefits gained against all the cost of a product or service. Zeithaml defines customer perceived value as consumers overall assessment of the utility of a product based on perceptions of what is received and what is given. Though what is received varies customer to customer because some people want only quantity other may want quality in the specific product, similarly what is given also varies customer to customer like some people are only concerned with the price of the product others may be concerned with the time and efforts they are putting in to buy the product. (Source: Zeithaml, V. A., 1998 Consumer Perceptions of Price, Quality, and Value: A Means-End Model and Synthesis of Evidence Journal of Marketing 52 (July): 2-22) In simple words customer perceived value is the benefits you get after your sacrifices. It is often expressed as the equation: Customer perceived value = Perceived Benefits Perceived Sacrifice Benefits = attributes of core product/service and supporting services, perceived quality and price Sacrifice = customer costs involved in purchasing, such as time, travel, repairing faulty work, etc. NOT just price. Perceived Benefit Perceived Sacrifice Price Money Quality Time Status Effort Convenience Psychic cost Talking about TESCO, benefits associated with perceived value are: †¢ Price: Customers get great saving offers when purchasing their favourite products in Tesco. †¢ Quality: At Tesco, quality and freshness has always meant handpicked groceries carefully packed so customer knows every item is carefully checked before it reaches them. †¢ Status: Being UKs biggest retailer Tesco has a very high status amongst the customers and it has great goodwill in the market so customers are aware of the prestige of the company. †¢ Convenience: Tesco has got many facilities for its customers like online shopping, home delivery, self-billing counters and wide range of products to choose from plus now it is introducing free Wi-Fi in the stores for its customers so that they can keep connected to internet always. Sacrifices associated with perceived value are: †¢ Money: if consumer find the cost of product higher than expected, they need to decide if it is worth taking or not. †¢ Time: it is the amount of time consumer has to spend on finding and purchasing the product in Tesco. †¢ Effort: involves the physical energy devoted by people to find products that suits their needs in the store so it takes efforts to do shopping also. †¢ Psychic Cost: shopping is stressful and frustrating experience and Perceived risk is considered for the performance of the product (will it do the job), physical (may be bodily harm done by the product), financial (danger of economic loss from the purchase). 1.4 Holbrooks typology of consumer perceived value Extrinsic Intrinsic Active Efficiency (O/l, Convenience) Play (Fun) Self-Oriented Reactive Excellence (Quality) Aesthetics (Beauty) Active Status (Success, Impression Management) Ethics (Virtue, Justice, Morality) Other-Oriented Reactive Esteem (Reputation, Materialism, Possessions) Spirituality (Faith, Ecstasy, Sacredness, Magic) Source: Holbrook, M. B., 1999 Consumer Value: A framework for analysis and research. If we first consider extrinsic versus intrinsic, there will be higher extrinsic value for the customers of Tesco because they emphasise on the end result of their purchase. Talking about self-oriented and other-oriented it is seen that here focus is on self-oriented more while shopping in Tesco because the customer is doing it for his or her own purpose or objective. When we come to the final part of Holbrooks framework, active versus reactive, it is seen that customers of Tesco are from different cultures and societies so they prefer different type of food material like Chinese would prefer Chinese food and Indian will prefer Indian food so it is difficult to keep all the customers happy at once but for customers reactive is more important. What Holbrooks framework does enable is the ability to identify the key values of customers, and in the case of Tesco, whilst it can be stated that the customer perceived value is multidimensional, the application of the typology of consumer value identifies two key values, efficiency and excellence. 02) Critically evaluate the existing value proposition for the one you have chosen. Compare and contrast the value proposition with that of the leading competitor in its sector. 2.1 Value Proposition It is defined as an analysis or statement of the combination of goods and services offered by a company to its customers in exchange for payment (Investopedia, n.d.). It is actually a promise of value of the company to deliver the services that the customers expect to experience in the future. Tescos Market strategy: Tesco  focused  to  develop  the UK market as it is their  biggest  business  in the group. As for the worldwide  market, Tescos  objective is  to be a  spectacular  retail  store  in the world as well as online. Tesco  kept  its  customers  through  numerous  ways. One of it is through the Tesco Club-card program.  Tesco has been very inventive in the Customer Loyalty field. The loyalty programs they have  developed  have kept  customers attached  to their brand. Tesco had the  dreams  to  know its customers and  their  need and it  was the key to  customer loyalty  and satisfaction. This  Club-card  has  changed  Tescos  connection with its  customers  and the  data  from the database tour guides  all the key  decisions to be taken for company. The loyalty club-card design permits for  numerous  advantages  one of which is  aimed at  communication. There are more than 4 million variations of its quarterly  customer  mailing to  double-check  that its offers and discounts  are according  to their individual customer. Hence, this  scheme  assists  to keep its present buyer and bring a feel of  commitment  to the organization. The  advantages  of this loyalty scheme  will  apply  to new  customers  and  assist  Tesco to gain  larger  market share.

Application of Communication Theories

Application of Communication Theories Choose one communication theory which you think will help organization and how it will help communication requirement? Answer: In other words communication theories explains systematic summary about the nature of the communication process, certainly, theories can do more than summarize. Amongst the various theories of communication, diffusion and agenda setting theory would help meet the communication requirements at the GDW. (Sligo,1997) Diffusion Theory: Diffusion Theory is related to human behavior, getting new ideas, how to implement them, step-by- step, this theory explains how one reaches an important decision. There are five stages within the diffusion process: 1. Awareness Individual is aware of it. 2. Interest Wants to learn more. 3. Evaluation Asks others for feedback. 4. Trial Uses a sample, etc. 5. Adoption Now a user/believer. Agenda Setting Theory: Agenda setting theory is more beneficial for public relationship; it works wonder to get the attention of the media, the public and policy makers. Some researchers says it is set of issues that can be used for multi-directional purpose. By applying the above two theories communication requirement can be fulfilled at the government disability workshop. As these two theories would help interact easily with each other, understanding will improve, thus maximum output can be gained.(Sligo,1997) Can you evaluate how effective was Ralf Ocker communication to the staff? (You need to analyze good and bad communication within the organization) Answer: Ralf communication is not good. Email is not a good communication always. He always do communication with the staff by email. He can sit with the staff and give feedback their questions. He needs to listen his staff. He is a good listener and professional rather being emotional. Ralf dont care of others and fire people. He should follow face to face communication with the staff, because it is two way communications and resolve so many conflicts quickly. As far as the role of Mr. Ocker to reshape the GDW is concerned, he used the parallel theories models of good communication restructuring, as he announced cutting down of substantial funds also he closed the workshop for some time until a way could be found to make them significant and profitable. In such manner he assesses the most significant valuable planned changes for the GDW. He observed the situation that workshop need changes, He arranged meeting with the staff from other department to think together about whole processes In order to evaluate new ideas he listened to the planning of Mr. Fred, Mr. Mavis Ms. Mary In adoption, he brought up a team whose main motive would be to bring changes in organization which was called Ability Plus(Locker,2003) In the conclusion, the Mr. Ralph Ocker communication planned changes brings a new era of business behavior to the GDW. His strategy is quite similar to Diffusion theory in which changes are adopted or rejected the all stages.(Locker,2003) i)Identify four stages of perception process (theory) Answer: Perception is a process, by which we study the world around us, world that consist persons, objects and its experiences. Perception is unique to each person, two people cannot experience the world exactly the same at a time. Perception process occurs in four stages, namely- 1. Stimulation: When someone receive the information. 2. Attention: When someone pays attention and receive/accept only what he wants 3. Organization: How do someone organize other ideas what he listen or receive 4. Evaluation: Evaluate the information. Understanding of the parts ii) Identify and explain Ralf listening technique. Answer: 1. Ralf Ocker is a experienced guy and stimulates information perfectly 2. He paid full attention to the message. ( In this stage Ralph Ocker took two weeks in order to know and understand the organization and the staff) 3. He organize the information (After knowing the way the organization behaved Ralph Ocker then organized how and what has to be done, he announced cutting down of substantial funding, then he closed the workshop for some time until a way could be found to make them actually turn into something significant and profitable, he also welcomed suggestion from the staff). 4. He also evaluates the information perfectly. (In the this stage Ralph Ocker interpreted the changes he was about to bring. In this stage he added meaning to the points he had brought in front of the staff by sending a mail which had a detailed account of proposed changes). i) Definition of Assertive Communication. Answer: Assertive communication is the straight forward open expression of your needs, desire thoughts feelings it involves advocating for your own needs while still considering respecting the need of others. All of us use assertive behavior at times, quite often when we feel vulnerable or unsure of ourselves we may resort to submissive, manipulative or aggressive behavior. Assertiveness is a useful communication tool. Its application is contextual and its not appropriate to be assertive in all situations. Remember, your sudden use of assertiveness may be perceived as an act of aggression by others. Theres also no guarantee of success, even when you use assertive communication styles appropriately. ii) Analyze GDW staff assertive response by using Four Fs-Facts, Feelings, Focus and Feedback. Answer: Facts: Remain neutral and dont attack; talk about fact, truth; Do not blame anyone and speak the truth. Fred speak the truth. Many of GDW staffs were ex armed personnel who had very rigid structure who used autocratic management style, machinery were out dated , GDW had a limited amount of contract cause of little funding were unable to compete with the commercial rivals. Focus on Action: Ocker planned a better and productive strategy, he made sure changes were strictly followed. Fred focused on action. Feelings: Some people from the staff were favoring the new management system (accepted by Ocker Fred) and some of them was against, but in the mail sent by Ocker clearly states that changes would go ahead as planned. Feedback : Feedback refers to the process of exchanging information is order to make things clearer. There were many instances that took place in the GDW which explains how feedback process was done in GDW from the joining of Ocker to the decision he finally made in the end. i) Identify and evaluate the guideline for giving and receiving feedback. Answer: Giving and receiving feedback should be Specific and objective, on timely, and honest. ii) What advice you give Rlaf Ocker regarding receiving and giving feedback. Answer: Giving and receiving feedback involves the interaction of both the parties, thus Ralph Ocker should make sure he not only explains his point but should also understand what the staff wants to say. He should also clarify them in order to avoid confusions. While giving or receiving feedback there can be statements which might sound nitpicky to one, Ralph Ocker should make sure he avoids such situation and should assume that the persons who pointed it out would did so as it was important to be mentioned. Make it a positive process and experience. Ralph Ocker should always remember that his main purpose was to reshape the GDW and hence his main focus should be to improve the condition of GDW and in order to do that he should make sure he shouldnt be harsh, critical or offensive. Be timely and regular and specific Ralph Ocker should make sure that he does not take much time in receiving and giving the feedback i.e. he should make sure he keeps interacting with the staff of GDW on regular basis so that there is no point of confusion and maximum output can thus be generated. Have available all the necessary information Ralph Ocker should make sure he has all the required data, facts, information which would be needed in the process of interaction also he should make sure that all of them is well organized in order to avoid any confusion and for easy reference. Be a good listener and ask for clarification Giving and receiving feedback involves the interaction of both the parties, thus Ralph Ocker should make sure he not only explains his point but should also understand what the staff wants to say. He should also clarify them in order to avoid confusions. OR Giving: 1. Invite individual to self access 2. Comment on position 3. Focus on behavior not person 4. Own the statement and dont wait 5. Be clear and specific 6. Discuss with staff and ask how they feel 7. Try to give positive feedback 8. Use I 9. Immediate feedback is more reliable, So give feedback as soon as possible Receiving: 1. Self access your ideas and work before hand 2. He shall check if he has understood the specific of feedback where more focus required 3. Take negative feedback too, it is useful 4. Prepare specific question that you want on other person to provide feedback on Regarding conflict negotiation- i) Identify two causes of conflict at GDW. Answer: Conflict is an integral part of Human being, it is said that until, you have people dealing with people, making decisions or meeting deadlines you will Have Conflict. Mass causes of conflict in organization are poorly defined Goal, Divergent personal Values, lack of co-operation, unclear roles, communication failure, personality conflict etc. The two causes of conflict at the GDW are as follows:- 1. Restructuring: 2. Difference of Opinion: In organization many people work so opinion might be different. 3. Lack of Formal Communication: It refers to the condition of GDW which lacked formal conversation as the earlier staff was rigid in nature and they followed an autocratic management style. When people dont interact in an organization of formal topics chances of conflicts rises to a higher point. 4. Poorly Defined Goals: Before the arrival of Ralph Ocker the GDW lacked planning strategy and had undefined goals due to lack of communication between the staff members. When such huge things are ignored chances of conflict rises to a large extent ii) In your opinion what conflict management style or technique Ralf should have used at GDW. Answer: Conflict management is the practice of Identifying handling a conflict in sensible fair efficient manner. Ralph Ocker should have used/considered the following to prevent conflicts: 1. Frequent meeting with the staff members 2. He should have allowed the team to express openly 3. He should sharing objectives completely and correctly4. He should give a clear detailed Job description5. Ocker should distribute task fairly 6. He should never criticize any of the staff members publicly 7. He should always be fair and should do justice with everyone Style: Collaboration: This is where Ocker will pair up with the other stuff to achieve both of their goals. Competition: This is win-lose approach. Ocker should act in a very assertive way to achieve his goal. q7. i) Discuss the key principles for restructuring communication. Answer: Restructuring is one of the biggest decisions your organization can make and you will find it much harder to undo damage done by a poorly managed restructure than it is to ensure that the restructure is a success in the first place. Its likely that your managers and HR staff will not have undergone a restructure before and therefore lack of the knowledge and experience of conducting one. If they have, then their previous experience may have been focused on improving their own individual circumstances. They may have limited knowledge as to how things could or should have been done better at an organizational level. I would like to suggest the following new principles/guidelines for the management- Bring a flat structure of management into picture Enable decision-making informed by strong cross-system consultation, listening and respect Promote close productive working relationships within the Ability Plus Retain a learning organization philosophy of continuous staff development, engagement and teamwork Outsource, eliminate, or transfer non-essential services, Bridge the communication gap between the staff members in the ability plus Adopt a cross functional team approach to problem solving Reduce complexity Focus on core activity Maintain flexibility Use role model in leadership development, etc. ii) How do you restructure communication? Answer: 1. Face to Face Communication: 2. Accountability of Communication: 3. Communication with Truth: 4. Communicate the Vision: 5. Listening to the employee: 6. Senior Manager should be visible and accessible to the employee: 7. Communicate timely: i) Business Report Guideline Answer: Report cover Executive Summary Table of contents 1 Terms of Reference 2 Procedure 3 Findings / Analysis 3.1 Profitability Development Process of Metalwork Department 3.2 Making Profit out of Metalwork Department 4. Conclusions 5. Recommendations à ¢- Referencing à ¢- Appendix ii) Do you think presentation is good idea or not after report? Answer: Presentation is good idea because face to face communication is possible through it not by report. iii) Why each person is different perception of Andrews performance? Answer: Because each people have different perception about others. Ray: Selective Attention. Ray heard that Andrew is doing well. because he is qualified and bright. this is called selective attention. First immersion last long. Tim: Perceptual Accentuation: He said Andrew is too slow to learn the job, because he saw Andrew day to day activities and fix Andrew mistakes. Kate: Differences in perceptual ability: Kate said that he is not a good member of team and slow. Sione: Consistency Effect: Andrew is a Rugby Player, So he likes Andrew and think he must be a good team player. Andrew: Self-serving attribution bios: He think he is doing well and it is called self serving attribution. iv) List the four elements that define culture. What are the strategies you can use that can help communication between culture? Answer: Time: 2. Context: Context is best defined as the array of stimuli surrounding a communication event including: body gestures; tone of voice; physical distance between interlocutors; time of day; weather; situation (for example, during a war commemoration ceremony); societal norms; geographic place of communication; and other external factors. 3. Memory/ Understanding: 4. Space/Distance:

Motives for Female Adolescents Participation in Physical Activity Essa

It has been demonstrated that there is a strong correlation between age and physical activity. The amount of physical activity declines significantly as age increases. This correlation has been found to be true regardless of gender. However, research has shown that the participation in regular physical activity declines more in females than males (Butt Joanne, Robert Weinberg, Jeff Breckon & Randal Claytor, 2011). Studies have been conducted to investigate explanations for the decline in participation in physical activity. Exploring the motives and goals for participation gave a better understanding for the decrease in physical activity. Reasons for participation in physical activity among female adolescents were both intrinsic and extrinsic. Goals and motives for physical activity in the two contexts resonate with concepts and ideas of the Self-Determination Theory (O'Dougherty Maureen, Kurzer Mindy & Schmitz Kathryn, 2010). The Self-Determination Theory possesses the idea that participation in physical activity comes from both intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Intrinsic motivation is described as motivation associated with enjoyment to the activity whereas extrinsic motivation is externally imposed (O'Dougherty Maureen, Kurzer Mindy & Schmitz Kathryn, 2010). The continuum of self-regulation is central to this theory. Proposed by this theory is the idea a person’s level or intensity of self-regulation varies on a continuum. These variations have important implications for the individual’s physical and mental well being (Puente Rogelio & Anshel Mark, 2009). The four types of regulation are expressed in the Self-Determination Theory. The four types of regulation are external, introjected, identification, and integrated. Exter... ...ary, (2010). Coping with â€Å"bad body image days†: Strategies from first-year young adult college women. Body Image, 8(4), 335-342. Jankauskiene Rasa. , & Kardelis Kestutis, (2005). Body image and weight reduction attempts among adolescent girls involved in physical activity. Medicina (Kaunas), 41(9), 796-801. O'Dougherty Maureen. , Kurzer Mindy, S., & Schmitz Kathryn, H. (2010). Shifting motivations: Young women’s reflections on physical activity over time and across contexts. Health Educ Behaviors, 37(4), 1-19. Puente Rogelio. , & Anshel Mark, H. (2009). Exercisers’ perceptions of their fitness instructor. Scandinavian Journal of Psychology, 51, 38-45. Sanda Solfrid, B., & Borgen Jorunn, (2011). Symptoms of eating disorders, drive for muscularity and physical activity among norwegian adolescents. European Eating Disorder Review, doi: 10.1002/erv.1156

Tennessee Williams The Glass Menagerie Essay -- Tennessee Williams Gl

Tennessee Williams' The Glass Menagerie We all have illusions. We can hardly live without them. Most of the time they are harmless thoughts about things that are usually unattainable. An example would be when a person sees something that they want and then dreams of having it. Whenever someone holds an opinion based on what they think is true, or in some cases what should be true, rather than what actually is true, then that is an illusion. Illusions sometimes help people cope with painful situations, but in the end, illusions are only a false escape from reality. The characters in the book The Glass Menagerie are each affected by their own different illusions. Tom, Laura, and Amanda all survive because their illusions protect them from the painful facts of their lives. However, illusions can prove to be self-destructive as well as helpful. Do the characters’ illusions hurt them, or are they merely harmless aspects of their personalities? Tom, who is the main character and narrator, suffers from his illusions. Tom’s illusion helps him to escape from his own reality. He sees his job at the shoe warehouse as boring and insignificant. He would rather experience the endless possibilities that life holds. But Tom cannot escape his job, so he tries to escape by going to the movies and writing. When he goes to the movies, he expects to find adventure. Watching someone else’s adventures on the movie screen offers Tom a diversion from his boring existence. â€Å"Yes, movies! Look at them-All of those glamorous people-having adventures-hogging it gobbling the whole thing up! You know what happens? People go to the movies instead of moving! Hollywood characters are supposed to have all the adventures for everybody in America, while everybody in America sits in a dark room and watches them have them! / But I’m not patient. I don’t want to wait till then. I’m tired of the movies and I am about to move!† (p. 96) But since he has to come out of the dark theater and face life again, escape to the movies solves no problems in his life. The vicarious way of life that Tom creates by attending the movies is an illusion because it can never be a true substitute for his own life. Tom realizes in the paragraph above that he is only watching adventures rather than living them. He realizes, also, that movies are only momentary physiological escapes. He uses the movies as a... ...nt from what she wants. Amanda’s life is focused on her children’s happiness because she doesn’t want them to make the same mistakes that she did. This, however, is just an illusion because they will never be what she wants them to be. By trying harder to set them on the right path, she pushes herself even deeper into her illusion. â€Å"Go to the movies, go! Don’t think about us, a mother deserted, an unmarried sister who’s crippled and has no job! Don’t let anything interfere with your selfish pleasure! Just go, go, go-to the movies!†(p.136) By reliving her life, Amanda failed to realize that the personalities of her children were completely different from her own. As a result of her illusions, Amanda drove her son away and hurt herself and the others around her.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  If someone was to remove the illusion from the lives of the Wingfield family, which of them could survive the real world? Their illusions might be useful for a short time but the world would pass them by if they maintained an illusionary state. Illusions, therefore, are a destructive trait in the lives of the Wingfield family. Works Cited Williams, Tennessee. "The Glass Menagerie". New York: Random House, 2008.

Working at McDonalds by Amitai Etzioni

In response to â€Å"Working at McDonald's† by Amitai Etzioni I think that Etzioni is way off on his evaluation of the lower skill, lower paying jobs in America. He makes it sound as if the employer must provide some sort of skill along with their jobs that will provide a learning experience. Why? Where in the Constitution does it state that employers must provide their employees with training while paying them to do work? It does not. And what of the people that choose jobs such as those provided by McDonalds simply because they wish to have less responsibility, as is shown in the recent movie â€Å"American Pie†. In this movie the main character quit his corporate, good paying job and applied for a regular burger flipping position at McDonalds because he was tired of the stress. And what about higher pay and benefits? The way the American economic system is set up, there must be some low paying jobs because there is always menial tasks that must be done and unskilled workers to do them. Say for instance, that everyone was guaranteed at least ten dollars an hour, no matter what the job was. There would therefore be no reason for some people to get an education because they knew they would have a decent job paying at least ten dollars an hour. This would also upset the people who had gotten an education only to find out they made little or no more than uneducated people now. Employers, now that they had to pay drastically higher wages, would have to charge much higher prices. Now the people earning the higher wages are right back to where they started, because the extra money they earn now just goes back to the employer. It†s just a vicious cycle, and higher wages or jobs that teach new skills to those who don†t need them are just not practical. As hard as you argue, the simple fact sticks is ugly head out, there are always low pay, low skill jobs for those who have no wish to better themselves in life.

Conflicting Medical Reports Essay

In this paper I will give you a description of the case that was discussed, I will also discuss what you should do if conflicting medical opinions are presented by your general physician and the companies physician, and which medical expert’s advice counts more and why? I am also going to discuss if the case presented is a charge of discrimination and if it is relevant to this case and why? Lastly, if I was presented with a case similar to this what would I do? This case is about an employee named Donald Knolls who was an air traffic control supervisor for International Gateway Airport (IGA). In, 2007 Donald begun to experience depression and depression related problems due to severe stress caused by the job. In 2008, Donald was granted disability leave to undergo treatment for his illness. Eight months later and after extensive treatment and evaluations. Donald’s personal physician, and consulting licensed psychologist agreed that he could return to his former position. IGA sent Donald to their physician that they assigned to him to approve the disability, before they would sign off and approve him to go back to his supervisory job. After the evaluation of IGA’s physician concluded that Donald has made great strides to improving he should not return to his supervisory position because, the job conditions have not changed and Donald was apt to the stress too much. If Donald wants to return to work he must take a non-supervisory position for six months and be re-evaluated at that time to determine if he can return back to his supervisory potion. Donald was very angry and not happy with this arrangement and filed a grievance through IGA’s alternative dispute resolution procedure. After several meetings the employer maintained that they had the right to rely on the medical opinion of a fair and impartial physician who determined that Donald should not be returning to the position since that was the cause of the stress after all. Management pointed out the provisions of Donald’s disability leave which stated that it may require appropriate documentation if it believes an employee is not fit to return to their former position. Donald hired an attorney to represent him and stated that the disability leave provisions were clear but, biased against the employee because they disregarded what their personal physician and psychologist stated. Donald’s lawyer also stated that he was a victim of discrimination based on his formal state of depression. The medical expert that IGA assigned to the company has assigned to the case should take some precedence, but that the expert physician should take in consideration or even consult the personal physician and psychologist that was treating Donald. The company hires their own physician’s due to the high risk job that is in questioning. The company makes sure that their employee’s are fit to work and make sure that all of the planes take off and land safely. Also, some companies have their own physician’s due to insurance purposes, if they get a physician assigned to them especially in airline field, the liability insurance is probably cut. Discrimination can be part of the situation but, if you think about it it could go both ways. I Donald’s eyes yes he is being discriminated against because, he did a good job, got help for is problem, and is ready and willing to go back to his position, thinking that the company would hold his position since they are the ones that approved his disability. But, if you see it on the companies side, then no they are not being discriminating against Donald, they are making sure that the safety of everyone at the airport and all the airlines, employees, and passengers are safe, they are making sure that he is not going to be a liability to them and everyone else. If I was in this situation and presented a case like this I would study Donald’s case, speak with all three physicians and then bring this up with the Board or even the other managers and see what the best solution would be. It could be that he would be in a lower rank position for thirty days. But, I really feel that I would recommend for Donald to be put back into his position but to be watched and monitored very closely and make sure that everything is ok before he is let go on his own. If he proves to be ok, then everything is great but, if they see that the stress has gotten to him again then they can speak to him and see if there is another position or something that they can do for him. In conclusion, I have given you a description of the situation, gone over if the advice of the medical expert that the company brought forth or if you should go with the personal physician’s opinion, if the charge of discrimination presented by Donald’s lawyer relevant and if this case was presented to me what decision I would do. In job’s like an air traffic controller you must be able to put up with a lot of stress. Many people are not able to do the job, and the ones that can do it are special and that is why they make the money.

Humanitarian Neutrality Essay

International humanitarian work operates on the principle of inviolability (Anderson 42). Humanitarian organizations and workers can gain access to states, establish presence through a physical base and local networks, and provide aid and other humanitarian services needed by people without experiencing harm or infringement by claiming inviolability as the moral basis of humanitarian work. This principle finds support from the operation of neutral position, impartial action and independent organization. Neutral position means that humanitarian organizations and workers take an apolitical stand when providing aid or assistance in another country (Weller par. 10). Impartial action refers to the provision of assistance to populations or groups based on a set of objective criteria designed to meet this purpose. Independent organization pertains to the decision-making and operation of humanitarian organizations and the conduct of their work without any intervention by external parties. Attacks by terrorist groups on humanitarian workers (Leaning 419) and the bombing of the ICRC headquarters in Iraq shook the inviolability of international humanitarian work (Anderson 42). A justification is the emergence of neutrality issues that affects inviolability. There is need to reassess neutrality and update this concept to represent current developments in international humanitarian work. Concept of Neutrality The origin of neutrality is the Latin term neuter literally translated to mean not either. This implies the existence of two positions or sides and being neutral means not taking any of the positions or sides. When applied to politics, neutral means abstaining from taking one side or the other such as in the case war between two states. This also refers to the state of not having any feelings or views leaning towards one position relative to the other. In international humanitarian work, neutrality then means the provision of assistance without taking part in conflict or war and siding one power in political disputes. (Leaning 418) This also means the provision of assistance to the people of a foreign country without doing anything that constitutes support to the cause or position of one party in cases of political conflict or war (Weller par. 10). Another conceptualization of neutrality in international humanitarian work is pure humanitarian relief by not leaning towards any side over political issues (Anderson 42). The clarification of the concept of neutrality in international humanitarian work is not lacking in effort from the United Nations and non-government organizations. Decades of work in developing a working concept of neutrality continues. This is not an easy task. The idea of neutrality continues to evolve with developments in international humanitarian work. The most compelling development is the involvement of humanitarian organizations and workers in political sides whether this is with their conscious knowing or not. The incident of abduction of humanitarian workers is on the rise with terrorist organizations or dissident groups using humanitarian workers to strengthen their political stand (Leaning 419). Humanitarian organizations positioned in Iraq supporting the rebuilding of the state received strong criticism from anti-western groups in Iraq for being involved in the political exercise of the United States (Anderson 42). These developments are inconsistent with the existing conceptualization of humanitarian neutrality. These also support the need to reconsider the concept of neutrality and its workings in humanitarian aid. Emerging Issues on the Concept of Neutrality The issues on the concept of neutrality encompass its definition and significance or role in international humanitarian work. The confusion and uncertainty about humanitarian neutrality requires resolution to strengthen the shaky foundation of international humanitarian work. One issue is the uncertainty in the conceptualization of humanitarian neutrality in the context of conflict situations (Leaning 419). This led to different positions over what humanitarian neutrality means and over its importance to humanitarian work. One position considers humanitarian neutrality as a core value in doing humanitarian work because it provides the framework distinguishing the nature of work and motivation in providing humanitarian aid (Leaning 418). Without the operation of humanitarian neutrality, organizations and workers providing humanitarian aid lose their purpose as apolitically aiding or assisting victims of humanitarian crisis. The collapse of humanitarian neutrality would make humanitarian organizations and workers agents of state actors or advocates of dissident and terrorist groups. However, even proponents recognize problems in the concept of humanitarian neutrality. This is in conflict with impartiality. While neutrality means inaction, non-involvement, or non-participation, impartiality means action with objective guidance. Objective action has different implications from inaction. (Weller par. 9-11) This could explain the instability of the inviolability of humanitarian work in the context of conflict. The other position considers humanitarian neutrality as passe in the current context. In the present context of humanitarian work, access and work in a state in conflict with external or internal parties involve conditions that become inevitably political by the conflict. Some organizations no longer use humanitarian neutrality and replace this with non-partisan (Leaning 419) stand to reflect their intention not to participate in conflict or war. This emerged from the recognition that humanitarian neutrality does not exist in the reality of humanitarian work because the provision of assistance depends on the parties involved in the conflict or war. Another replacement for humanitarian neutrality is civilian protection with components of protection of human rights and provision of relief (Leaning 419). Protection is not neutral because this operates relative to a party or threat. Provision of relief has basis on objective standards that could mean giving more aid to a particular group involved in the conflict. Another issue is the relativity (Anderson 42; Weller par. 12) of perspectives over the humanitarian neutrality of organizations and workers. This caused and constituted an outcome of the uncertainty in the conceptualization of humanitarian neutrality. The uncertain conceptualization of humanitarian neutrality led to the varying definition and incorporation into standards of action for different non-government organizations, with some organizations limiting their work to humanitarian aid in line with neutrality while others expanded their work to civilian protection in recognition of the ineffectiveness in practicing neutrality given changes in the context of humanitarian work (Leaning 419). This in turn further led to the erosion of the concept of humanitarian neutrality. Many state and non-state actors involved in conflict carry varied views towards humanitarian organizations. The susceptibility of humanitarian organizations to political actions led to the provision of access and inviolability based on the perceived possible political leanings of organizations (Weller par. 12) such as the booting out or the forced leave of American humanitarian organizations in North Korea and Iraq respectively because of ties to the United States. Conclusion Developments in the environment of international humanitarian work support the need to reconsider the concept of humanitarian neutrality. One is the need to redevelop or even overhaul the concept of humanitarian neutrality to make it align with the current context of humanitarian work. The other is the need to develop a widely accepted and recognized standard of practice to counter relativity. These are difficult and involve the contribution of humanitarian organizations. Works Cited Anderson, Kenneth. â€Å"Humanitarian Inviolability in Crisis: The Meaning of Impartiality and Neutrality for U. N. and NGO Agencies Following the 2003–2004 Afghanistan and Iraq Conflicts. † Harvard Human Rights Journal 17(2004): 41-47. Leaning, Jennifer. â€Å"The Dilemma of Neutrality. † Prehospital and Disaster Medicine 22. 5 (2007): 418-421. Weller, Marc. â€Å"The Relativity of Humanitarian Neutrality and Impartiality. † The Journal of Humanitarian Assistance February (1998): 54 pars. 29 April 2009