The Problem Of Prison Overcrowding - 1395 Words

Criminal Justice Overview Paper Introduction One the most pressing concerns facing the criminal justice system is prison overcrowding. To examine a nation’s soul, all one has to do is look inside of its prisons. Even though we have 5 percent of the world’s population we have 25 percent of the world’s prison population. The makeup of our prison population range from first time drug offenders to serial killers. Prisons serve a necessary function in society if used properly to keep the worst of the worst of the streets. In the last 40 years prisons has become a hammer where every problem appears to be a nail. This paper will address the root causes of prison overcrowding and what we can do to fix this blight facing our society. Root Causes Over the past 40 years our prisons’ population has steadily increased and some will say that is a good thing. Here is a snapshot of where are today. According to Bureau of Justice Statistics (2014),†More than 1.57 million inmates sat behind bars in federal, state, and county prisons and jails around the country as of December 31, 2013†. According to Richard Rosenfeld a noted criminologist federal prison population as increased by 790 percent since 1980(Flatow, 2013). Over half of those who have been sentenced has been due to drug related crimes. Additionally across the south and southwest of our country 1 percent of the male population is in prison at any given time. When an adult age male is incarcerated that means there is a broken home,Show MoreRelatedThe Problem Of Prison Overcrowding1166 Words   |  5 PagesRealignment Prison overcrowding has always been a problem in California prisons. It has been growing over the year and has now lead the United States Supreme Court to take part in trying to find a solution to this problem. Because of this issue, Plata litigation came through and had a significant impact on the way we see community corrections. The ruling in the Plata litigation in turn lead to AB 109 or The Public Safety Realignment Act to be implemented as a solution to California’s growing problem of overcrowdingRead MoreThe Problem Of Prison Overcrowding1767 Words   |  8 PagesHave you ever noticed the serious issue of prison overcrowding? Growth of prison inmates over the years. Since the late 1900 s the prisons have been filling rapidly and that has caused a huge problems in the 2000 s. Overcrowding is not as easy of a fix that everyone thinks it is there is way more to it and it is way more complex. There are many reason that the inmate population continues to grow. Throughout th e years, there has been a huge debate on ways to lower crime rate so there won t be asRead MoreThe Problem Of Prison Overcrowding2447 Words   |  10 PagesPrison overcrowding is a major problem in our criminal justice system and it continues to be a hotly debated topic as to how we should address the problem. One of the main reasons our prison systems have a problem with overcrowding is drugs. More specifically, the war on drugs started by President Reagan in 1982 brought a dramatic increase to the number of people put behind bars for drug offences. Mandatory minimum sentencing and truth in sentencing are two policies which have sent drug offendersRead MoreThe Problem Of Prison Overcrowding1598 Words   |  7 Pagessolutions to the major problem of prison overcrowding and argue that the problem of prison overcrowding would not be ending anytime soon, due to the inadequate attempts by state governments to deal with the inhumane living conditions in overcrowded prisons. This articl e relates to the topic because the authors analyze how the federal government and some individual states, such as California and Florida, respond to the constrained resources causing unsuitable conditions in overfilled prisons. This source illuminatesRead MoreThe Overcrowding Problem in Prisons1800 Words   |  7 Pages The number of people held in prison facilities across the world is increasing at a tremendous rate with each passing day. This comprises both the people who have already been sentenced and those that are at the pre-trial stage. The effect of this is an increase in the prison population which leads to the problem of overcrowding (Atabay, 2013). Overcrowding in prisons can be defined as a situation where the number of prisoners in a given penal institution exceeds the official carrying capacityRead MoreThe Problem Of Prison Overcrowding880 Words   |  4 Pages. They get very limited space, making it easier to pass infections or diseases along each individual in the cell. The reason why there is a congestion in prisons is because to construct a cell is very expensive. Each cell in prisons cost about $75,000 to construct. According to the textbook, it would cost approximately 31 million dollars to build a medium security facility. The state tries to overcrowd prisoners in a cell to save money because cells are expensive to build, but on the long run theyRead MoreThe Problem Of Prison Overcrowding Essay1773 Words   |  8 Pagesthe 1980s, the California prison system and parolee population have grown tenfold. This is in great part due to the three strikes law that passed in 1994. This law made it a requirement for any offender convicted of a felony with two previous felonies to go to prison for a minimum of twenty five years. This law sent many people to prison for longer sentences due to non-violent drug offenses, when in actuality they should have been sentenced to rehab. Prison overcrowding is an important topic thatRead MoreThe Problem Of Prison Overcrowding1572 Words   |  7 Pagesthe past 30 odd years, California’s prison population has grown by 750 percent (â€Å"California’s Perpetuating Prison Crisis†). As this percentage perpetuates to make substantial gains, inmates are suffe ring in confinement cells, officials are negotiating over the issue, and the public is protesting to make their opinions count. The prison crisis has continued to grow over the years, causing a great uproar among all of California’s 32 state prisons. Prison overcrowding has been an increasingly vital issueRead MoreThe Problem Of Prison Overcrowding998 Words   |  4 PagesPrison overcrowding has been seen as an issue since the early 1990’s in California. It all began when California began to aggressively increased sentencing in the late 1980’s and 1990’s in response to a nationwide fear about crime rates. During this time period California â€Å"enacted more than 1,000 laws that increased sentencing in a five-year span to settle these fears† (Fuchs). The effect of these laws resulted in a high prison population when California prisons reached a number of 173,000 by 2007Read MorePrison Overcrowding Is A Serious Problem1448 Words   |  6 PagesPrison overcrowding is a result of the imprisonment of drug users and first time offenders of non-violent crimes. The number of people being incarcerated greatly outweighs the number of prisons across the country. Prison overcrowding is a serious problem beca use it can be dangerous to both prisoners and correction officers. When prisoners are forced to live in crowded situations, the possibility of violence is greater (Oliver 44). Issues such as assaults and rapes can occur when there is not

The Importance Of Friendships In George Orwells 1984

With the holidays approaching, many will gather with friends and loved ones in celebration. In addition to holiday celebrations, most global traditions and cultural norms are centered around relationships. Though relationships can cause both pleasure and dejection, they remain a vital part of human nature. Now imagine a world where these social connections are destroyed by government interference. Imagine that the government permeates every facet of human life. There would be no holiday celebrations surrounded by loved ones, no enjoying the company of family around the dinner table while sharing a meal. Day-to-day lives would be drastically altered. This realization is heightened when one is shown an oppressive government that inhibits†¦show more content†¦Orwell speaks to this issue to emphasize the importance of friendships. In addition to a deficiency in genuine friendships within Orwell’s 1984, family loyalty and dedication is scarce due to strict presence of an oppressive government. An accurate demonstration of this occurs during one of Winston’s flashbacks of his mother. After this memory, Winston â€Å"never saw his mother again†¦Ã¢â‚¬ , and, â€Å"this was already becoming normal at the time† (163). This statement represents the notion that even familial ties are not strong enough to withstand an overbearing government such as the one in the novel. Parent-child relationships are considered crucial to children’s development, and oftentimes a mother’s love for her children is considered one of the strongest forces of nature. Connections between parent and child are what separate humans from animals, and they give people an emotional intelligence. Repercussions of potential government strength and the dangers of such strength are highlighted when families are torn apart. Orwell gives a quintessential example of the ability of the government to destroy family bonds for their own benefit. Similarly, this same idea is prevalent when Winston finds Parsons in the Ministry of Love. Parsons had been arrested for thought-crime, and ironically he says, â€Å"It was my little daughter. Pretty smart for a nipper of seven, eh? I don’t bear her any grudge for it. In fact I’m proud of her† (232). ThisShow MoreRelated Geroge Orwell Essay1878 Words   |  8 Pagesindividual if he dares to rebel† (Lewis 13). George Orwell, the pseudonym for Eric Arthur Blair, depicted the importance of the individual in society and the danger of too much community in his literature. Through his personal experiences, however, he explored the ideas of socialism and was torn between the individual and community ideals. In his literature and his past, Orwell spoke against movements that remove the individual, but still emphasized the importance of community. Thus, he advocated a needRead MoreEssay on the Concept of Power1154 Words   |  5 Pagessomething in our minds t hat has the possession to control our influence. There are so many meanings behind this short yet ‘powerful’ word, such as that which is discussed in Orwell’s Animal Farm, and that which is part of human nature. To begin with, various resources provide different illustrations of power. Reading George Orwell’s Animal Farm, it gives us the view of power in a form of an animal representing us humans. A short summary of the book is that of how one animal, a pig, in the whole bunchRead More George Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris and London Essay1871 Words   |  8 PagesGeorge Orwell’s Down and Out in Paris and London Days without food, nights without shelter and clothes without buttons are reality for homeless people around the world. Many are incapable of escaping their poverty and can not seem to find a way out of their bleak oppression. The few that do escape often help each other find a way to make their lives better and do not forget how to maintain friendships. George Orwell’s novel, Down and Out in Paris and London, displays the ability of those inRead MoreLoyalty, By George Orwell1130 Words   |  5 PagesLoyalty Questioned, and Humanity Revealed Loyalty is a bond a mutual trust, the most personal and sacred bond in human history. You must have loyalty before you can have friendship, or love. Loyalty means someone can count on you, someone can trust you to be there when in need. Loyalty is a major theme of George Orwell’s novel 1984. In a totalitarian world where loyalty, love, and any other personal feelings are outlawed by the vicious â€Å"Party,† some are still trying to find the strength to rebel. WinstonRead More George Orwell Essay2106 Words   |  9 PagesGeorge Orwell Eric Arthur Blair was born in 1903 at Motihari in British-occupied India. While growing up, he attended private schools in Sussex, Wellington and Eaton. He worked at the Imperial Indian Police until 1927 when he went to London to study the poverty stricken. He then moved to Paris where he wrote two lost novels. After he moved back to England he wrote Down and Out in Paris and London, Burmese Days, A Clergyman’s Daughter and Keep the Apidistra Flying. He published all four underRead MoreA Passage to India and Burmese Days Essays1880 Words   |  8 PagesThroughout the novel A Passage to India, by E.M. Forster, and Burmese Days, by George Orwell, the authors use race, culture, economics, and liberal humanism to discuss various colonial issues. These issues include controversies, power structures, injustices, and the idea of syncretism between the colonizers and the colonized. A Passage to India focuses largely on using culture and liberal humanism to explore issues of colonialism while Burmese Days mainly uses race and economics to explore theseRead MoreNarrative Unreliability in Martin Amis Money1686 Words   |  7 Pagesthe protagonist. Furthermore, I will elaborate on John Selfs personal motivation for withholding certain bi ts of information from the reader. At the same time, we shall have a look at several scenes of the novel in order to fully understand the importance of the use of narrative unreliability in Money: A Suicide Note. In order to be able to discuss the significance of narrative unreliability in this novel, it is necessary to define a few literary terms first. According to Adams, the way a storyRead MoreGeorge Orwell s 1984 Chunks2697 Words   |  11 PagesMeesha Hussain LA 10 HONORS Summer Assignment George Orwell’s 1984 Chunks Section 1- 1. The three slogans of the party are â€Å"WAR IS PEACE, FREEDOM IS SLAVERY, IGNORANCE IS STRENGTH†, (Orwell, 7). At first glance, these slogans would appear absurd but after further investigation they ironically couldn’t be more true. War is Peace means that while the country is at war the people’s attention is diverted from seeing the corruption of the government. Nobody rebels against the government because they

Organisational Theory and Behaviour Performance

Question: Discuss about the Organisational Theory and Behaviour Performance. Answer: Introduction: The argument outlines the factor that the motivation is an integral part of maintaining effective employment relations in the organization. There are two types of rewards that can be given to the employees, one is financial and other is non financial rewards to motivate them to perform better in the organization. The organization has their expectations from the each employee. This essay will help to explain all the pros and cons of giving the incentives to the employees in the organization. Also, this essay states about the theories of motivation to evaluate the need of the people and the job satisfaction criteria. Some of the steps can be taken to save the employees from de-motivation. The discrimination may occur if the preference is given to one employee in comparison to the other employees. To meet the goals of the organization, it is very important to analyze the behavior of the employee in the organization. Organizational behavior is basically a process of determining the groups and individual activities in the organization where the employees are working. The Organization behavior is important because all the people, employees and organizations care about it. The organizational behavior matters to engage the employees in the organization goal setting. It promotes the employee relationship and that consequently provides motivation for the employees. The main aim of this approach is to make employees more special and important by involving them into the decision making process to know about their ideas and if these opinions are implemented or supported by the management, then it will be a great source of encouragement for the employees (Baijumon, 2015). There are many challenges faced by the organization that creates problems for the organizational behavior to determin e the needs and working activities of the employees. These challenges include many ethical concerns, environmental factors and technology etc. Talking about the Rewards, some people in the organization are motivated by the financial rewards whereas some of the employees need non-monetary incentives. Thus, it is very essential to determine in what way an employee is motivated. Monetary rewards motivate a huge number of employees in the organization. The organization distributed its profits among the employees working so that they work effectively and efficiently. There are many organizations that have the policy to give bonuses to their employees after every year, six months or even after 3 months and it is totally based on the organization size (Schmitz, 2012). The monetary rewards are in the form of bonuses, increments every year, promotion, increase in the salary etc. some of the employees are also motivated by the means of allowances, remuneration, family insurance and other perks. So the funds like provident fund for the employees should be maintained. Apart from the Monetary rewards, there are employees who do not work for the money or financial rewards as they require non-monetary incentives like performance appraisal, appreciation in front of the organization, gift cards or trophies for the best performance in the organization. The organization needs to organize various employee recognition events to appreciate the employees who performed well in the previous years. Every employee in the organization wants appraisal to work more hard. Some of the organization announced an employee of the month to know the employees that they are very significant for the profitability of the organization. These types of ideas are found very effective for the organization as it is very simple, saving the time and cost of the organization (Team, 2012). The numbers of the non monetary incentives that can be given to the employees to motivate them are: - Monthly, half yearly and yearly conduction of the programs of Employee recognition. Appraisal in front of the other employees of whole organization will lead to the better productivity by all the employees. Gift cards and vouchers for the employees as token of appreciation. Displaying the name of the best employee on the board every month to create a feeling of importance in their hearts and they will work more, to get recognition. The engagement of staff is very important as to increase the productivity and the employee engagement follows some steps like to prepare, include, communicate and then clarify. It is very important that, first of all the employees should be prepared with some ideas or opinions in his mind as the top management will require their participation. Next is to include all the employees in work to achieve the goal of the company. Communication about the information is important to take best decisions and to judge the best performance of the employees. The Clarity of ideas is important that all employees are in the knowledge of needs and interests of the management (Burton, 2012). Each employee must understand their functions and expected results and how they will be measured. The engagement of staff in the organization yields to more results and enhances the team work to work together in a harmony. The Employees are the best tool for taking the right decisions for the company. The incentives are given to all the best performer employees in the organization and that engagement of staff in the work will lead to the innovation of new ideas in the welfare of the organ ization so its better to make the part of the decision making process. The employee engagement in the work will lowers the absenteeism and improves the productivity and morale of the organization. The employee will not leave the organization if the proper incentives and appreciation is given to them so these incentives enhance the employee retention in the organization (Dobre, 2013). Organizational behavior is the process by the means to determine and analyze the needs of employees and different ways to satisfy their needs. Before offering any incentives to the employees, it is very important to analyze the organizational need of the employees. After examining the needs of the workers organization should offer the rewards and encouragement accordingly. In the organizational behavior concepts, there are many theories introduced by the different people. Maslow's hierarchy theory introduce the five levels of needs and the lower level is physiological needs which involves all the basic needs like food, shelter and clothing and these needs are very important to fulfill for the survival. Anothertype of need is safety needs like job security and then comes the emotional need of the people that may include families, friends and affection etc. The esteem needs represent the respect, trust, confidence and achievements. The last one need is about creativity, acceptance of i deas etc. According to Maslow the basic needs must be satisfied only after than the self actualization needs fulfilled (Ganta, 2014). The next theory is introduced by Herzbergs which is a theory of motivation. Herzberg theoryhelps in examining the ways to satisfy people and what not satisfy the people. It is an obvious thing that the source of motivation is not the same as the source of de-motivation. According this theory the factors that motivate the employees of the organization are the motivators and the things which de-motivate the employees refer to as the hygiene factors. Equity theory was established by John Stacey Adams that focus on the fact that every employee in the organization should be considered equal and no biasness among the people occurs because giving the importance to one employee in the organization and avoiding the other employees can de motivate the others. For example, Incentive is offered to one employee in the organization for the best performance but no rewards for the similar performance by the other employee. This is highly de-motivation for the employee and it may lead to give the res ignation by the employee itself. The conflict occurs between the employee and the superior managers of the organization (Sager, 2011). Furthermore, these types of incentives will in the favor of the organization or it may possible that these have a negative impact on the organization performance. There are both pros and cons of motivating the employees by providing the incentives and rewards. The positive effects of these incentives on the organization are like the most important advantage of offering incentives to employees is that employee feels motivated towards the work in the organization and they will work hard to get the motivation again and again. The employee will not leave the organization if the proper incentives and appreciation is given to them so these incentives enhance the employee retention in the organization. Non-monetary incentives save the costs as appreciation and recognition involve no expense (Johnson, 1997). These help in improving the attitude of the employees in the organization. The employees in the organization are much more satisfied in job by receiving increments or bonuses and these h elps them to work harder. The employees of the organization will be goal oriented if financial incentive is given for achieving its targets. Moreover, the incentives and appreciation creates a positive environment for the employees as a result of which it increases the morale of the organization. The loyalty of employees and the organization is something that can buy with money, but employee incentive programs help to make good loyal relations between company and employees. If an employee is motivated and appreciated and employee understands the fact that how important they are for the organization, it will be more likely that they will come up for the company which will automatically reduce the absenteeism of the employees (Kuranchie-Mensah Amponsah-Tawiah, 2016). Furthermore, Team Work is promoted as all the employees collectively motivated to work together to achieve the goals and teamwork leads to efficiency. Also, it is beneficial in reducing the turnover of the organization b ecause the company needs not to hire new employees in the organization. The organization focuses to retain the loyal employees. The drawbacks of the application of the reward system in the organization are shown below: Employee recognition programs and events involve huge expenditure and great efforts and time. The conflict because of the discrimination may occur, if the preference is given to only employee in comparison to the other employee. The conflict between employee and top management is harmful for the success of the company (Shanks, 2011). The employees may leave the organization if they were de-motivated by the discrimination Monetary incentives increase the cost of the organization. The needs of the people are changing on a regular basis and so its recommended to determine the demands of the employees by using several methods. The methods used to analyze the demand of the employees are questionnaires, surveys, interviews etc. This analysis of the employee's demand is only possible by the trained people and experienced management staff. The data is collected by using these methods and then motivate the employees on the basis of their needs and satisfaction level. The organization needs to organize various employee recognition events to appreciate the employees who performed well in the previous years. Every employee in the organization wants appraisal to work more hard. Some of the organization announced employee of the month to know the employees that they are very significant for the profitability of the organization. Suppose the organization offer a non monetary incentive to company employee, but that employee was expecting some monetary or financial reward. This will spoil the main aim of providing the incentives. This is the reason that the company should know what their employees actually want. Only then the various tactics are to be used by the organization to motivate their employees. Motivation is basically inducing the employees to work. It is clear that the manager of the organization is responsible for maintaining the rules and balance in the employee and the organization. The rules made by the company should be simple and justifiable to the workforce. The leaders or the supervisor in the company should be very talented and is capable of handling the team of employees. The managers or superiors should not need to be strict because it may be difficult for the workers to work under pressure. The employees in the organization always work in the positive environment for better results. To motivate the employees more, the management should promote the involvement of the employees in the decision making of the organization (Kuranchie-Mensah Amponsah-Tawiah, 2016). The people or the employees feel highly motivated and special to be the integral part of the organization. Management needs to work in the team. The managers should do the planning and research work to deal with the different situations. The research involves the surveys to maintain the proper data and to analyze the results. The managers should apply the programs in every aspectto make the workplace problem free and all the employees work in a team to get the better results. The training of employees is important to work with diversity because it will help them in adapting the people of different cultures. The one who supervises along with the manager must be honest and work for the profits of the organization and talent management. As we know that the leaders and managers maintain a good relationship with the people so that they come to know about the exact problems and find out the solutions accordingly. The employees have the great zeal and enthusiasm towards their work in the organization. The HR personnel should be honest with the employees to convey the rules and policies of the organization clearly. An employee is an asset to the organization and the organization need to maintain that asset with motivation and financial support (Dobre, 2013).A satisfied employee is one who knows his importance and values and company need to put his efforts to retain the loyal and experienced employees by solving their problems and fulfilling their needs. The motivation and reward strategy are the best techniques to achieve the goals of the company. Basically, it is a two way strategy because both management and employees are accountable to work together with each other and maintains harmony at the workplace. It is concluded from the argument that the employees need to express about their likings and disliking about the management. By doing this, the employees of the company make good relationship with the management and also improves the working environment of the organization. Thus the reward strategy is the best strategy to motivate the employees. The employee job satisfaction is very important if the company is providing good amount of incentives to their employees. However, there are many companies who introduce a suggestion box to know about the drawbacks and issues related to the management from the subordinates. References Baijumon, P., 2015. Organisational theory and behaviour, Available at: https://www.universityofcalicut.info/SDE/I_MCom_Organizational_theory_and_behaviour_on16March2016.pdf Burton, K., 2012. A Study of Motivation: How to Get Your Employees Moving, Available at: https://spea.indiana.edu/doc/undergraduate/ugrd_thesis2012_mgmt_burton.pdf Dobre, O., 2013. Employee motivation and organizational performance, Available at: ftp://ftp.repec.org/opt/ReDIF/RePEc/rse/wpaper/R5_5_DobreOvidiuIliuta_p53_60.pdf Ganta, V., 2014. Motivation in the workplace to improve the employee performance. International Journal of Engineering Technology, Management and Applied Sciences, November, 2(6), pp. 1-10. Johnson, C., 1997. Employee motivation: A comparison of tipped and non-tipped hourly restaurant employees, Available at: https://etd.fcla.edu/CF/CFE0000847/Johnson_Catherine_R_200512_MS.pdf.pdf Kuranchie-Mensah, E. Amponsah-Tawiah, K., 2016. Employee Motivation and Work Performance: A Comparative Study. Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 9(2), pp. 255-309. Sager, D., 2011. Leadership and Employee Motivation, Available at: https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/537/Sager_Leadership.pdf?sequence=2 Schmitz, A., 2012. An Introduction to Organizational Behavior, Available at: https://2012books.lardbucket.org/pdfs/an-introduction-to-organizational-behavior-v1.0.pdf Shanks, N., 2011. Management and motivation: Jones and Bartlett publishers, Available at: https://www.jblearning.com/samples/076373473X/3473X_CH02_4759.pdf Team, M. C., 2012. Motivation and its theories, Available at: https://managementconsultingcourses.com/Lesson20MotivationItsTheories.pdf

Dracula by Bram Stoker Essay Example For Students

Dracula by Bram Stoker Essay Both these novels are typically gothic horror and share those typical characteristics. Gothic horror is a type of text most popular between 1760-1028 (when both texts where written. ) Its popularity has had a considerable influence in fictional, novels short stories and films of this period. Both texts I have been analysing share characteristics of a gothic horror genre. Both novels use characteristics such as science, religion, superstition/ supernatural, punctuation and the Gothic Horror. Shelley and Stoker wrote their novels in the nineteenth century, a century full of people who seemed to have been obsessed with the Gothic tradition and the supernatural. Many authors were inspired to write great horror stories during this time, so the Gothic tradition is reflected in their work and used as a device to build tension, suspense and fear within the readers mind. Both texts share similar and different characteristics of the gothic horror genre. As with all horror stories there is a degree of superstition and the supernatural. This is not a major feature within Frankenstein, but Shelley does suggest things through symbolism. When Frankenstein first gets the idea of toying with nature, Shelley indicates the consequences of this. Frankenstein thus witnesses, . a stream of fire issue from an old and beautiful oak I never beheld anything so utterly destroyed symbolising his future, a moral statement, showing that although you are able to create life through electricity and science, it is equally as easy to destroy it by the same means His thoughts of reincarnation are developed, and so his life shall be destroyed. Draculas roots lie in superstition and the supernatural. Within chapter one of the novel, Jonathan notices blue flames on both sides of the coach. It is indicated that the flames are what is known as the will-o-the-wisp. Superstition shows that a will-o-the-wisp usually appears on burial mounds. The number of blue flames increase as the coach draws closer to Castle Dracula, suggesting that something is going to happen when Jonathan reaches the castle. Many Gothic descriptions and ideas are expressed vividly within chapter one of Dracula. As Jonathan travels towards Castle Dracula, there are many descriptions of the surrounding countryside. The countryside is seen by Jonathan as being, deep blue and purple in the shadows and an endless perspective of jagged rock and pointed crags. This is a device used in order to suggest what is to happen later on. Gothic novelists, often to suggest darkness and death, mainly use the colours of blue and purple. When Jonathan first meets Dracula at his castle he describes his hand as more like the hand of a dead than a living man. This is arguably an example of dramatic irony because the reader, unlike Jonathan, is aware that Dracula is deceased and in a state of living dead. Jonathan fleeing from the place shows his fear therefore reflecting fear to the reader.

Alice And Rabbit Hole Essays - Kingdom Hearts Characters

Alice And Rabbit Hole Like Alice tumbling down the rabbit hole, we don't know where things will lead us. Perpetually falling, landing, trying t claw our way up the slick metallic walls only to lose our grips and fall back into the blackness, on our way back to wonderland. But sadly we never quit get there. I wonder to myself. What are we getting accomplished? Why live just to die? And why do things go so drastically wrong, and then again maybe there not. In this man made and mechanized new wonderland there are now a lot more rabbit holes than the one Alice followed the little white rabbit down. They just come in different shades now. Like different flavors of candy. Inside the hole lies a world full of surprises. Some not every one is truly ready for. But since the technology of our time is, some venture into the strangeness without a clue on what they will find there. Some enter with out the intent on coming out. But don't make it as far down as they would like. Finding them self in a limbo between reality, and an endless wood. But why when you get down to wonderland do you come back forgetting the adventure that you had? Because the machine of modern life can't allow you to remember what has been discovered. Leaving you craving what you once held like a dodo bird croquet stick. "It was all very well to say `Drink me,' but the wise little Alice was not going to do that in a hurry. `No, I'll look first,' she said, `and see whether it's marked "poison" or not'." That bottle that one said "drink me" has been tosses aside for the mushroom and a bottle that says "Budweiser". Thankfully the bottle not marked "poison" or we might remember what's killing us. The mushroom no longer makes you taller than a tree, but it will make you feel that way and now that's all that matters. Wonderland will never get that back. Now a days we let the house of cards fall on us and hope for the "magic" at the bottom of the bottle to help us feel tall again Now people have found ways into wonderland, which were to be forbidden to man. But the binary key has decoded secretes of old. Instead of the white rabbit, the blinking mouse on the computer screen leads the way to wonderland. Information in ones and zeros has been dormant in the forest for only the caterpillar to blow in his smoke, is being spied on by Cheshire cats with Macintosh looking glasses. Sadly the world-wide-web does not have a www.wonderland.com address to take them all to the rabbit's house. The information that should only be over heard during a mad tea party has been infiltrated by a web cam. It must be in the mouse's teapot. Unfortunately, you will never see what the March Hare has found through that lens. Perhaps you need a different looking glass. Holes once restricted to responsible individuals like Indian Shaman have been exploited and widened enough that the ignorant and the naive have stumbled in. Natural stimulants used by holly men of ancient cultures to find the knowledge to heal are now a chemical escape route from reality. Natures keyhole that used to lock away secretes have been pried open by addiction and false hope. Following the leader like oysters following a walrus with a cigar, run around in a caucus race and in a cloud of dependence. The Mushrooms hardly have the same effects as it did on the girl in the blue dress. But then she did not buy them in a plastic bag in the girl's bathroom. The tea on the table is not 70 proof but in wonderland you don't need the drugs to be on the insane side. That why they live in wonderland. What the endless forests of wonderland possess are thing that should be known only to the jaberwalkie and the walrus and the carpenter. Once protected by the fermious bandersnach. The possessions are now being persuaded by Tweeldle Dee and Tweedle Dumb. Countless false Alice's have tripped into the open holes but all come out empty handed. With nothing more than memories that can only expanded away as dreams. The thing that we all search so vigorously for is simple. But it can't be found in wonderland. Disappearing like a striped cat that can stand on his head. Happiness in not to be point

The relevancy of the heartland - hinterland distinction in Canadas economic geography

The relevancy of the heartland - hinterland distinction in Canadas economic geography Until the early 20th century, Canada was primarily an agricultural nation. Since then it has become one of the most highly industrialized countries in the world as a direct result of the development of the 'heartland'. To a large extent the manufacturing industries present in the heartland are supplied with raw materials produced by the agricultural, mining, forestry, and fishing sectors of the Canadian economy, a region known as the 'hinterland'. The 'heartland-hinterland' concept in Canada describes patterns of economic power, namely, where economic power and control resides within the nation. Thus, the heartland-hinterland concept distinguishes raw-material and staple-producing hinterlands from the capital service industrial heartland and reveals the metropolis or dominating city of the system. At a national scale, the Canadian metropolis is Toronto, and the region with the most influence is the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Lowlands. But while immense influence radiates outward from t he metropolis located in the heartland, the relationship between hinterland and heartland is one of intimate mutual dependency.The flags of Canada and the United States of Ameri...In modern Canadian economics, neither region can exist without each other, and the well-being of one directly affects the other. These two regions show remarkable contrasts, yet they are to a large extent interdependent on each other, clearly suggesting that the heartland-hinterland distinction is quite relevant in terms of Canada's economic geography.Upon discussing the importance of the heartland-hinterland in Canada, it is necessary to discuss what each term refers to. According to McCann the heartland is an area '... which possesses favourable physical qualities and grant food accessibility to markets; they display a diversified profile of secondary, tertiary, and quaternary industries; they are characterized by a highly urbanized and concentrated population which participates in a well-integrated urba n system; they are well advanced along the development path and possess the capacity for innovative change.'...

Choose a topic Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 1

Choose a topic - Research Paper Example long-term capital investments.  As many companies require credit and loans from banks to sustain the  business practice so if the payments are not made then the businesses tend to fail (Baily & Elliott, 2013). An individual gets affected of US Financial market crashes. It affects an individual as companies suffer losses, and they reduce benefits like health care and insurance. Moreover, due to low-income people will not be able save as they need to meet  daily expenses (Baily & Elliott, 2013). Answer 2: Primary role of Federal Reserve System is to provide the citizens of United States with a safer, flexible, as well as stable flow of monetary benefits. In the current economic condition, they have effectively participated reducing unemployment by introducing large-scale intervention that created money for them. The role of Federal Reserve Chairman is to protect the economy of United States against inflation and determine businesses in order to boost the economy, testifying twice a year and steering the FED to solve financial matter through consensus. In order to protect economic environment, the chairman of Federal Reserve can make monetary policy, supporting the economy by checking inflation. The role of Federal Reserve Board has the main role to devise U.S monetary policy and making key decisions at Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC). With respect to current economic condition, the board supervises the banking performances that affects the economy and most importantly as President of United States need to take approval from the board relating to financial, agricultural or industrial interests so they require to carry out effective decisions (Alessi & Sergie, 2013). Answer 3: The interest rates have an affect the United States when the prices in the Federal Reserve Board are fluctuated. Interest rate is basically the charges the lender take for lending money if there is lower interest rate people will have more money spend creating a ripple effect through

Thesis driven essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 2

Thesis driven - Essay Example Through the Allegory of the Cave, in his work The Republic, Plato describes the position of unenlightened man, and 24 centuries later, the main hero of Wachowski Brothers’ movie The Matrix, hacker Neo, makes his way from the Cave towards enlightenment. According to Plato, human is caved in his/ her regular and familiar environment. He/ she does not ask questions, and does not will to change own life in more real and true way. Despite the ever-present possibility to start those changes, which Plato vividly describes as a light from the ideal world behind one’s back, most of the humans prefer to keep living in their familiar world of illusions, which is only a poor projection, a shadow of the ideal world. Unenlightened and delusioned man is a prisoner of his/ her own illusions. In Wachowski Brothers’ movie, the Matrix is a platform for humans’ illusions. Morpheus describes it as â€Å"the loading program†, â€Å"the construct for simulations† (The Matrix). Most of the people live in a common simulation, which is determined by AI. As Plato predicted, a more powerful â€Å"brain†, AI, had excelled human’s intelligence, and because the machine has no notion of morality, AI uses humankind brutally, but rationally for own benefit. The image of a caved unenlightened man is almost literally illustrated in the movie, especially in the scene, where Neo wakes up in a capsule and find himself to be a caved, but in a rather modern and more technical way. He is a part of high-technical mechanism, where Plato’s chains are cables and leads. They chain Neo’s whole body, but what’s the most important, they chain Neo’s brain. The familiar environment looks dark and grey now, and very similar to the Cave. Morpheus says, this darkness was made by humans (The Matrix). To get free from AI control, and to get out of the capsule, Neo symbolically bursts those cables and leads, and find himself confused and

Contemporary Marketing Research - John Lewis bucking the trend on the Essay

Contemporary Marketing Research - John Lewis bucking the trend on the UK High Street - Essay Example This study would be focused on evaluating the performance of John Lewis in previous years and the marketing strategies adapted by the retailer in order to enhance its sales. Similarly, the marketing strategies for the forthcoming years would also be evaluated to identify the performance and productivity of the company in the worrying time of 2013. This study would highlight the reasons for the exceptional performance of the retailer that is not even in the top 4 retailers in UK i.e. John Lewis. Furthermore, the impact of the adapted marketing strategies on the performance of the company would be evaluated. This would help to identify the remarkable performance of the company in the market. In the end, recommendations would be provided for the retail company i.e. John Lewis, in order to enhance its sales and revenues in the industry and to gain competitive advantage over other competitors in the market. This would help the company to enhance its performance which will eventually lead to increase in sales and revenues. The year 2012 was a nightmare for the retailers in United Kingdom. The retail growth in this particular year was just 1.2 percent. This retail growth could be said as the third lowest growth rate in the last 40 years (The Telegraph, 2012). The economic crisis and the recession after 2008 are the core reason for such downturn in the retail industry (O’Donnell, 2011). Due to such recession, it has been observed that the Jessops; one of the retailers in High Streets, has closed down all of its retail stores in the UK due to which almost 1370 people lost their job (BBC News, 2013a). Retail industry in UK is being directly influenced by the growing competition from supermarkets and internet retailers. This is one of the major reasons for the closure of Jessops in UK as the company was not able to cope with the changing trends in the retail industry. With advancement in the technology, the retail industry is moving towards

Causes of Variation in Construction Projects

Causes of Variation in Construction Projects Literature reviews that of Variations and Variation Orders requires a comprehensive understanding of the root causes of Variations (Hester et al., 1991).Variations some of which are financial, design aesthetics, changes in drawings, weather, geological and geotechnical reasons. From the literature review, there were 53 causes of Variations identified and these Variations are mainly caused by the Employer, Consultants and Contractors. As shown in Figure 1, these causes of Variations were grouped under four categories: Employer related Variations, Consultants related Variations, Contractor related Variations and other Variations. These Causes of Variations have been identified by many researchers (CII, 1990a; Thomas and Napolitan, 1994; Clough and Sears, 1994; Fisk, 1997; Ibbs et al., 1998; OBrien, 1998; Mokhtar et al., 2000; Gray and Hughes, 2001; Arain et al., 2004). The causes of Variations can be categorized according to the originators (CII, 1990a; Thomas and Napolitan, 1994). The 53 causes identified from the literature review are also discussed below. A. Employer Related Changes This section discusses the causes of variations that were initiated by the Employer. In some cases, the Employer directly initiates Variations or the Variations are required because the Employer fails to fulfil certain requirements for carrying out the project. Change of plans or scope by Employer: Change of plan or scope of project is one of the most significant causes of Variations in construction projects (CII, 1990b) and is usually the result of insufficient planning at the project planning stage, or also i can because of lack of involvement of the Employer in the design phase (Arain et al., 2004). This cause the Variations affects the project severely during the later phases. Change of schedule by Employer: A change of schedule or master programme during the project construction phase may result in major resource reallocation (Fisk, 1997; OBrien, 1998). This is because time has an equivalent money value. A change in schedule means that the Contractor will either provide additional resources, or keep some resources idle in the construction site. In both cases additional cost is incurred. Employers financial problems: The Employer of the project may run into difficult financial situations that force him to make changes in an attempt to reduce cost of the project. Employers financial problems affect project progress and quality (Clough and Sears, 1994; OBrien, 1998). Proper financial planning and review of project cash flow would be effective in avoid this problem to from happening. Inadequate project objectives: Inadequate project objectives are one of the causes of Variations in construction projects (Ibbs and Allen, 1995). Due to inadequate project objectives, the designers would not be able to develop a comprehensive design which leads to many of Variations during the project construction phase. Replacement of materials or procedures: Replacement of materials or procedures may cause major Variations during the construction phase. The substitution of procedures includes Variations in application methods (Chappell and Willis, 1996). Therefore, an adjustment to the original contract value is required if there is a change in procedures. Impediment in prompt decision making process: Prompt decision making is an important factor for project success (Sanvido et al., 1992; Gray and Hughes, 2001). A delay in decision making may obstruct the progress of subsequent construction activities and that may eventually delay the entire project progress. Obstinate nature of Employer: A building project is the result of the combined efforts of the professionals. They have to work at the various interfaces of a project (Wang, 2000; Arain et al., 2004). If the Employer is obstinate, he may not accommodate other creative and beneficial ideas. Eventually, this may cause major Variations in the later stages and affect the project negatively. Change in specifications by owner: Changes in specifications are frequent in construction projects with inadequate project objectives (OBrien, 1998). In a multi-player environment like any construction project, change in specifications by the Employer during the construction phase may require major Variations and adjustments in project planning and procurement activities. B. Consultant Related Variations This section discusses the causes of Variations that were initiated by the consultant. In some cases, the consultant directly initiates Variations or the Variations are required because the consultant fails to fulfil certain requirements for carrying out the project. Change in design by Consultants: Change in design for improvement by the Consultant is a norm in contemporary professional practice (Arain et al., 2004). The changes in design are frequent in projects where construction starts before the design is finalized (Fisk, 1997). Design changes can affect a project adversely depending on the timing of the occurrence of the changes. Errors and omissions in design: Errors and omissions in design are an important cause of project to delays (Arain et al., 2004). Design errors and omissions may lead to loss of productivity and delay in project schedule (Assaf et al., 1995). Hence, errors and omissions in design can affect a project adversely depending on the timing of the occurrence of the errors. Conflicts between contract documents: Conflict between contract documents can result in misinterpretation of the actual requirement of a project (CII, 1986a). To convey complete project scope for participants, the contract documents must be clear and straight to the point. Insufficient details in contract documents may adversely affect the project, leading to delay in project completion. Inadequate scope of work for contractor: In a multi-player environment like construction, the scope of work for all the players must be clear and without uncertainty for successful project completion (Fisk, 1997; Arain et al., 2004). Inadequate scope of work for the contractor can cause major Variations that may negatively affect the project, and leads to changes in construction planning. Technology change: Technology change is a potential cause of Variations in a project. Project planning should be flexible for accommodating new beneficial Variations (CII, 1994b). This is because the new technology can be beneficial in the project life cycle, for instance, reducing maintenance cost of the project. Or new methods of constructions that reduce construction cost. Value engineering: Value engineering should ideally be carried out during the design phase (DellIsola, 1982). During the construction phase, value engineering can be a costly exercise, as Variation in any design element would initiate and leads to Variations to other relevant design components (Mokhtar et al., 2000). Lack of coordination: A lack of coordination between parties may cause major variations that could eventually impact the project adversely (Arain et al., 2004). Unfavourable Variations, which affect the projects negatively, can usually be managed at an early stage by paying extra focus in coordination. Design complexity: Complex designs require unique skills and construction methods (Arain et al., 2004). Complexity affects the flow of construction activities, whereas simple and linear construction works are relatively easy to handle (Fisk, 1997). Hence, complexity may cause major Variations in construction projects. Inadequate working drawing details: To convey a complete concept of the project design, the working drawings must be clear and concise (Geok, 2002). Insufficient working drawing details can result in misinterpretation of the actual requirement of a project (Arain et al., 2004). Thorough reviewing of design details would assist in minimizing Variations. Inadequate shop drawing details: Shop drawings are usually developed for construction work details for site professionals (Cox and Hamilton, 1995). As mentioned earlier with regard to working drawing details, likewise, inadequacy of shop drawing details can be a potential cause of Variations in the construction projects. Consultants lack of judgment and experience: Professional experience and judgment is an important factor for a successful completion of a building project (Clough and Sears, 1994; OBrien, 1998). The lack of professional experience increases the risk of errors in design as well as during construction. Eventually, this may affect the project quality and delay the project completion. Lack of consultants knowledge of available materials and equipment: Knowledge of available materials and equipment is an important factor for developing a comprehensive design (Geok, 2002). In the construction industry where material standardization is not common, the consultants lack of knowledge of available materials and equipment can cause numerous major Variations during various project phases. Honest wrong beliefs of consultant: Honest wrong beliefs may cause construction professionals to contribute poor value add in projects (Arain, 2002; Arain et al., 2004). Consultants, without having firsthand knowledge, may make decisions based on their wrong beliefs which would adversely affect the pace of the project. Consultants lack of required data: A lack of data can result in misinterpretation of the actual requirements of a project (Assaf et al., 1995; Arain, 2002). When there is insufficient data, consultants are prone to develop designs based on their own perceptions, which may not be what the Employer wants. Eventually, this may cause major Variations and affect the project negatively. Obstinate nature of consultant: In a multi-player environment like construction, the professionals have to work as team at the various interfaces of a project (Wang, 2000; Arain et al., 2004). If the consultant is obstinate, he may not accommodate other creative and beneficial ideas. Eventually, this may cause major Variations in the later stages and affect the project Negatively. Ambiguous design details: A clearer design tends to be comprehended more readily (OBrien, 1998). Ambiguity or Doubtfulness or uncertainty in design is a potential cause of Variations in a project. This is because ambiguity in design can be misinterpreted by project participants, leading to rework and delay in the project completion. Eventually, this may affect the project progress negatively. Design discrepancies (inadequate design): Inadequate design can be a frequent cause of Variations in construction projects (CII, 1990a; Fisk, 1997). Design discrepancies affect the project functionality and quality. Eventually, this can affect a project adversely depending on the timing of the occurrence of the Variations. Noncompliance of design with government regulations: Noncompliance of design with government regulations or policies would cost the project difficult to execute (Clough and Sears, 1994). Noncompliance with government regulations may affect the project safety and progress negatively, leading to serious accidents and delays in the project completion. Noncompliance of design with owners requirements: A comprehensive design is one that accommodates the owners requirements (Cox and Hamilton, 1995). A noncompliance design with the owners requirements is considered an inadequate design (Fisk, 1997). Eventually, this may cause Variations for accommodating the Employers requirements. This may affect the project adversely during the construction phase. Change in specifications by consultant: Changes in specifications are frequent in construction projects with inadequate project objectives (OBrien, 1998). As mentioned earlier with respect to changes in specifications by the Employer, this is also a potential cause of Variations in a project, leading to reworks and delays in the project completion. C. Contractor Related Variations This section discusses the causes of Variations that were related to the Contractor. In some cases, the contractor may suggest Variations to the project, or the Variations may be required because the contractor fails to fulfil certain requirements for carrying out the project. Lack of Contractors involvement in design: Involvement of the Contractor in the design may assist in developing better designs by accommodating his creative and practical ideas (Arain et al., 2004). Lack of Contractors involvement in design may eventually cause Variations. Practical ideas which are not accommodated during the design phase will eventually affect the project negatively. Unavailability of equipment: Unavailability of equipment is a procurement problem that can affect the project completion (OBrien, 1998). Occasionally, the lack of equipment may cause major design Variations or adjustments to project scheduling to accommodate the replacement. Unavailability of skills (shortage of skilled manpower): Skilled manpower is one of the major resources required for complex technological projects (Arain et al., 2004). Shortage of skilled manpower is more likely to occur in complex technological projects. This lack can be a cause for Variations that may delay the projects completion date. Contractors financial difficulties: Construction is a labour intensive industry. Whether the Contractor has been paid or not, the wages of the worker must still be paid (Thomas and Napolitan, 1994). Contractors financial difficulties may cause major Variations during a project, affecting its quality and progress and in some cases even the safety of the site is affected if there is an argument. Contractors desired profitability: Contractors desired profitability can be a potential cause of Variations in construction projects. This is because Variations are considered a common source of additional works for the contractor (OBrien, 1998). The Contractor may eventually strive to convince the project Employer to allow certain Variations, leading to additional financial benefits for him. Differing site conditions: Differing site condition can be an important cause of delays in large building projects (Assaf et al., 1995). The contractor may face different soil conditions than those indicated in the tender documents. Eventually this may affect his cost estimates and schedule negatively. Defective workmanship: Defective workmanship may lead to demolition and rework in construction projects (Fisk, 1997; OBrien, 1998). Defective workmanship results in low quality in construction projects (Arain et al., 2004). Even the Contractor bares the cost of the defective work, but this also may affect the project negatively, leading to rework and delay in the project completion. Unfamiliarity with local conditions: Familiarity with local conditions is an important factor for the successful completion of a construction project (Clough and Sears, 1994). If the Contractor is not aware of local conditions, it would be extremely difficult for him to carry out the project. Eventually, project delays may occur that end up with vital Variations in the entire design entity. Lack of a specialized construction manager: The construction manager carries out the construction phase in an organized way to eliminate the risks of delays and other problems. Lack of a specialized construction manager may lead to defective workmanship and delay in the construction project. Fast track construction: Fast track construction requires an organized system to concurrently carry out interdependent project activities (Fisk, 1997). When the public and private sectors have large funds and want to complete projects in a very short time, complete construction drawings and specifications may not be available when the contractor starts work (Arain et al., 2004).Eventually, this procurement mode may cause major Variations. Poor procurement process: Procurement delays have various negative effects on other processes in the construction cycle (Fisk, 1997). Occasionally, the procurement delay may cause an entire change or replacement for originally specified materials or equipment for the project (Arain et al., 2004). This may therefore cause a need for project activities to be reworked. Lack of communication: Detrimental Variations, which affect the projects adversely, can usually be managed at an early stage with strong and incessant communication. A lack of coordination and communication between parties may cause major Variations that could eventually impact the project negatively (Arain et al., 2004). Contractors lack of judgment and experience: The consultants lack of professional experience increases the risk of errors during construction (OBrien, 1998). This lack may cause major construction Variations in a project, when both Contractor and consultant could not identify or foresee the problems in the planning stage due to both parties are lacking of experience. Eventually, this may affect the project quality and delay the project completion. Long lead procurement: Procurement delays have various adverse affects on other processes in the construction cycle (Fisk, 1997). Occasionally, the procurement delay may cause an entire change or replacement for originally specified materials or equipment for the project. Delay in long lead procurement is a common cause of delays in building projects (Assaf et al., 1995). Honest wrong beliefs of contractor: As mentioned earlier with respect to honest wrong beliefs of the consultant, honest wrong beliefs of the contractor can also be a potential cause of Variations in construction projects. Contractors, without having firsthand knowledge, may make decisions based on their wrong beliefs which would adversely affect the quality and pace of the project. Complex design and technology: Complex design and technology require detailed interpretations by the designer to make it comprehensible for the Contractor (Arain, 2002). A complex design may be experienced for the first time by the Contractor. Eventually, the complexity may affect the flow of construction activities, leading to delays in the project completion. Lack of strategic planning: Proper strategic planning is an important factor for successful completion of a building project (Clough and Sears, 1994; CII, 1994a). The lack of strategic planning is a common cause of Variations in projects where construction starts before the design is finalized, for instance, in concurrent design and construction contracts (OBrien, 1998). Contractors lack of required data: A lack of required data may affect the contractors strategic planning for successful project completion, leading to frequent disruptions during the construction process. This is because a lack of data can result in misinterpretation of the actual requirements of a project (Assaf et al., 1995; Arain et al., 2004). Contractors obstinate nature: As mentioned earlier with regard to the obstinate nature of consultant, likewise, this can be a potential cause of Variations in construction projects. If the Contractor is obstinate, he may not accommodate creative and beneficial ideas suggested by others. Eventually, this may cause major Variations in the later stages and affect the project negatively. D. Other Variations This section discusses the causes of Variations that were not directly related to the project team. Weather conditions: Adverse weather conditions can affect outside activities in construction projects (Fisk, 1997; OBrien, 1998). When weather conditions vary such as the various monsoon seasons in Malaysia, the contractor needs to adjust the construction schedule accordingly. Occasionally, this may affect the project progress negatively, leading to delays in construction. Safety considerations: Safety is an important factor for the successful completion of a building project (Clough and Sears, 1994). Noncompliance with safety requirements may cause major Variations in design. Lack of safety considerations may affect the project progress negatively, leading to serious accidents and delays in the project completion. Change in government regulations: Local authorities may have specific codes and regulations that need to be accommodated in the design (Arain et al., 2004). Change in government regulations during the project construction phase may cause major Variations in design and construction. This can affect a project negatively depending on the timing of the occurrence of the changes. Change in economic conditions: Economic conditions are one of the influential factors that may affect a construction project (Fisk, 1997). The economic situation of a country can affect the whole construction industry and its participants. Eventually, this may affect the project negatively, depending on the timing of the occurrence of the Variations. Socio-cultural factors: Professionals with different socio-cultural backgrounds may encounter problems due to different perceptions, and this may affect the working environment of the construction project (Arain et al., 2004). Lack of coordination is common between professionals with different socio-cultural backgrounds (OBrien, 1998). Eventually, project delays may occur that end up with vital changes in the entire project team. Unforeseen problems: Unforeseen conditions are usually faced by professionals in the construction industry (Clough and Sears, 1994; OBrien, 1998). If these conditions are not solved as soon as possible, they may cause major Variations in the construction projects. Eventually, this may affect the project negatively, leading to reworks and delays in the project completion.

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark Essay -- Education Educa

The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark Miss Brodie fails to be a good teacher because she teaches on her own accord, gives her students wrong impressions, and displays unprofessional behavior towards her staff and pupils. As a schoolteacher in Edinburgh during the 1930’s there were many rules and regulations that teachers had to adhere to in order to successfully feed the minds of their young pupils. Schoolteachers had more of a responsibility during this period than today because school was the only source of information and education that people could receive. Due to this fact, the government set strict policies and curriculums (and still do) that teachers must follow so that students could grow up to become well round individuals. Miss Brodie seemed to side step, insult or simply ignore some of the curriculum that was given, and teach her students on her own conditions. An example of this is when Miss Brodie is telling the girls that she and Miss MacKay have a radical difference in their principals of education. Miss Brodie has told Miss MacKay that the girls will be equipped with the necessary information needed to pass the end of term exams. After she says this to the headmistress, Miss Br odie says to the girls:   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I trust you girls to work hard and try to scrape through (the exams), even if you learn the stuff and forget it the next day. This statement is telling the girls that she does not believe in the required curriculum and she wouldn’t care if they have forgot it after their exams. She only wants the girls to study of these exams so that she can have an excuse to boast to Miss MacKay, seeing the girls do well in them is not her primary concern. Another example of Miss Brodie teaching on her own accord was her lesson under the Elm tree where she told her students about her holiday in Egypt. It is evident that Miss Brodie is pretending to teach her students but trying to make it quit believable for all who look upon her shaded class when she says to her students: Hold up your books, prop them up in you hands, in case of any intruders, we are doing out history lesson†¦our poetry†¦English grammar. Although Miss Brodie’s lessons were somewhat educational and her students learnt new concepts and ideas, the schools during that time would not allow â€Å"freestyle teaching† because it made the students too reprehensive. By sett... ...f lust with Mr. Lloyd only creates a poor image for the students to have of her. Miss Brodie’s hostility toward Miss MacKay also demonstrates her inability to maintain a professional manner. She is constantly telling her students indirectly the she does not like Miss MacKay through various tactics. When Miss Brodie lashes out to Miss Mackay for trying to make her resign, she makes matters worse for herself because is only creates more tension and frustration between the two teachers. Miss Brodie unprofessional manner and inability to maintain her lust gives good reason for why she is a poor teacher. As a person, Miss Brodie does have many positive qualities that she seems to have used in the classroom. Her students did take interest in her teaching, but only because they were so different from what they were used to. Miss Brodie was a very smart and well-traveled woman, which was another positive aspect that she brought to her classroom. However her inability to teach the given curriculum, giving her students wrong impressions, and her numerous affairs and arguments with the staff leads one to believe that even though Miss Brodie was in her prime, she was still a poor teacher.

Racial Disparity in Criminal Justice System Essay

Introduction Twenty-five percent of the world’s prison population, 2.5 million people, are held in American penal institutions. (ACLU, 2008). Sixty percent of those incarcerated are racial and ethnic minorities. These figures mean that 2.3% of all African Americans are incarcerated. The percentage of whites admitted to prison is 0.4% of whites and Hispanics, 0.7%. (Associated Press, 2007; Bonczar, 2003; Mauer & King, 2007; ACLU, 2008; Bridges & Sheen, 1998;). One of the primary contributors to this gross disproportion of incarceration of blacks is the result of â€Å"the war on drugs† and â€Å"tough on crime† initiatives that were established in the 80’s. The aggressive law enforcement strategies of The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1986, disproportionately arrested, convicted, and incarcerated millions of blacks for relatively minor nonviolent drug offenses as compared to white offenders. The dramatic escalation of incarceration for drug offenses was accompanied by profound racial disparities. Blacks were incarcerated at a grossly disproportionate rate to white Americans and blacks received much harsher and longer sentences, 14.5% longer, creating racial disparity within the criminal justice system (Alexander, 2010; Austin, et al.; Georges-Abeyie, 2006; Gonzà ¡lez & Chang, 2011; Lynch & William, 1997; Mauer, 2007; Mauer & King, 2007; Spohn, 2000 (Alexander, 2010, Associated Press, 2007, Mauer M. 2009; Mauer M., 2008; Spohn, 2000) Mass incarceration functions more like a caste system than a system of crime prevention serves the same purpose as pre-Civil War slavery and the post-Civil War Jim Crow laws: to maintain a racial caste system: a system designed to keep a racial group locked into an inferior position by law and customs. (Alexander, 2010) While scholars have long analyzed the connection between race and America’s criminal justice system, argue that our growing penal system, with its black tinge, constitutes nothing less than a new form of Jim Crow. There are writers that feel the analogy’s myopic focus on the War on Drugs diverts us from discussing violent crime—an oversight when discussing mass interaction in the United States. (James Forman) There is no dispute as to the extent of the escalation in criminalization and incarceration in the United States in the 40-year war on drugs. That violent offenders make up a plurality of  the prison population, but research has shown that the unequal enforcement of mandatory policies in place, black males received longer terms than whites for similar drug offenses, 14.5% longer, this creates the level of mass incarceration that racial disparity within the criminal justice system. ). Look at states in there Midwest and northeast have the greatest black-to- white disparity in incarceration. So when states as Iowa, the 10th safest state in the US, 91.3% of the population is White (88.7% non-Hispanic),and 2.9% is Black or African American, how is it for every 100,000 people Iowa incarcerates 309 white and 4200 are black, imprisoning black at 13 times the rate of whites. The unequal enforcement of mandatory policies in place, black males received longer terms than whites for similar drug offenses, 14.5% longer, this creates the level of mass incarceration that racial disparity within the criminal justice system. Supporting data shows the extraordinary increases in several states of nonwhite drug offenders committed to prison receiving harsher sentences for similar drug offences. (Alexander, 2010; Tonry, 1994 (ACLU, 2008; Alexander, 2010; Green, 2012Lacey, 2010; Bonczar, 2003; Glaze & Herberman, 2010; Mauer, 2009; Mauer, 2008; M Mauer and King (2007);Russell-Brown, 2008; Mauer & King 2007; The Institute for Economics and Peace, 2012; Petersilia,1983; Loury, 2010; Russell-Br own, 2008). There have been studies in theoretical foundation and methodological sophistication to assess the disproportionality in incarceration of racial minorities. Research has dispelled the assertion that blacks are disproportionality sentenced and incarcerated due solely to differential crime commission rates. All actors within the criminal justice system are under the delusion, or pretense, of objectivity in the criminal justice system. (Spohn, 2000; Russell-Brown, 2008) In response to this gap in literature, the current study will focus exclusively on the consistent patterns indicating that offender race operates directly through other factors, arresting officer, prior record, type of crime, pretrial status or type of disposition, or interacts with other variables that are themselves related to racial disparity. I will also attempt to determine why these disproportionalities exist by examining the criminal justice system policies and practices that have contributed in recent decades to t he disproportionate overrepresentation of minorities in the criminal justice system. Literature Review Criminologist and social-political geographer Daniel E. Georges-Abeyie introduced the concept and theory of petit apartheid in criminal justice and juvenile justice in 1990 to describe discriminatory, discretionary acts by law enforcement, correctional officers, and jurists that advantage or disadvantage an individual, or individuals, on grounds of their identity characteristics, such as race, ethnicity, gender, sex, sexual orientation, age, religion, or nationality Georges-Abeyie Petit Apartheid Social Distance Severity Scale to predict criminal justice process outcomes when the identity characteristics of those making discretionary decisions and those impacted are similar or dissimilar. Petit Apartheid Social Distance Severity Scale. His frank interview with Justice Bruce Wright confirmed that each actor brings his personal bias into his duties in the criminal justice system. New York State Supreme Court Justice the Honorable McM. Bruce Wright, author of Black Robes, White Justice (1992), a criminal justice advocate, believed that a judge should consciously be â€Å"Black, Hispanic, female, working class, et cetera†, while adjudicating. Judge Wright believed that all judges manifested their social, cultural, racial, ethnic, gender, and social class biases while adjudicating. We are all impacted by life experiences. He gave an example, a specific judge, who would regularly, with pride and pomposity, proclaimed that he â€Å"quickly sized-up a defendant† as the defendant was led into the court in chains, by noting the demeanor, gait, body-language, and general physical appearance of the defendant before the defendant’s attorney, or the defendant, uttered a single word. What appalled Judge Wright was not the scrutinizing of that defendant but the denial of the phenomenologically filtered judgment, which accompanied that observation. (Georges-Abeyie, 2006) Multi factors economic, personal bias and what are considered subtle bias, offender age and gender, are major factors in the level of racial disparity within the criminal justice system. (Georges-Abeyie, 2006;; Austin, et al., 2012;Bonczar, 2003; Brewer & Heitzeg; Glaze & Herberman, 2012; Green, 2012; Lacey,2010; Gonzà ¡lez & Chang, 2011; Lee & Vukich, 2001;Loury, 2010)Mauer & King, 2007; Petersilia, 1983; Spohn, 2000; Tonry, 1994; Marc Mauer has been reporting on racial disparity since 1975 report on racial disparity and mass incarceration in the criminal justice system. His 1995 report led the New York Times to editorialize that the report â€Å"should set off alarm bells from the White House to city halls – and help reverse the notion that we can incarcerate our way out of fundamental social problems.† Finding evidence of direct discrimination against minorities in the role of race, prediction, and discretion in the criminal justice system (Baradaran, 2013; Mauer M. 2009) Research has proven that the first point of discrimination that afflicts the system is contact with the police. Police arrest black defendants more often for crimes than white defendants. (Mauer & King, 2007) Spohn in his report, Thirty Years of Prison Reform: the race for a neutralizing sentence process,† found that â€Å"a certain type† of minority offenders, perhaps because they are perceived as being more dang erous, are singled out for arrest and harsher treatment. These markers are Blacks and Hispanics who are young, male, and unemployed are particularly more likely than their white counterparts to be sentenced to prison and in some jurisdictions, they also receive longer sentences or differential benefits from guideline departures. There is also evidence that minorities convicted of drug offenses, those with longer prior criminal records, those who victimize whites, and those who refuse to plead guilty or are unable to secure pretrial release are punished more severely than similarly situated whites. (Spohn, 2000) Crime rates, law enforcement priorities, sentencing legislation and other factors play a role in creating racial disparities in incarceration. (Roth, 2001). The prosecutors, more than any  other officials in the criminal justice system, have the most direct impact on racial disparities, and thus, must bear the most responsibility in remedying them. (Davis, 1998) Race (and in particular racial stereotypes) plays a role in the judgments and decision making by all of the participants within the criminal justice system. The influence of an individual’s bias is subtle and often undetectable in any given case, but its effects are significant and observable over time. When policymakers determine policy, when official actors exercise discretion, and when citizens proffer testimony or jury-service, bias often plays a role. (Georges-Abeyie, 2006). In January of 2000, 19-year-old Jason Williams was convicted of selling a total of 1/8 oz. of cocaine on four separate occasions. Although he had no prior convictions, the Texas youth was sentenced to 45 years in prison under a state law provision that increases penalties for drug sales that occur within 1,000 feet of a school or park. As it turns out, roughly half of Williams’ hometown of Tulia falls within these â€Å"drug-free zones.† Williams was just one of 46 Tulians – including more than 10 percent of the town’s black population – caught up in a law-enforcement sweep initiated by a single undercover officer who claimed that he had bought drugs from each of them. Half faced enhanced prison terms under the drug-free zone statute, and many pled guilty in order to avoid Williams’ fate. In the months that followed sentencing, it became clear that the evidence used to convict Williams and the other defendants had been fabricated by Tom Colem an, the undercover ofï ¬ cer. The wrongfully convicted Tulians were pardoned by Governor Rick Perry in August 2003, but the incident remains a vivid example of the dangerous excesses of the nation’s increasingly unpopular â€Å"war on drugs.† These systems operate collectively to ensure the subordinate status of a group defined largely by race. And while the size of the system alone might suggest that it would touch the lives of most Americans, racial disparities in the US prison system have been increasing throughout the last third of the twentieth century (Alexander, 2010; Tonry, 1994). We have to look at the first point of contact for the defendant – and follow his journey through the criminal justice system through the maze of racial bias and discrimination and focus on answering why these disproportionalities exist. The problem of racial disparity is one which builds at each stage of the criminal justice continuum from arrest through parole, rather than the result of the actions at any single stage. How race, ethnicity, class, and gender influence decisions about individuals being processed through the criminal justice system. (Georges-Abeyie, 2006; Marc Mauer; 2009; Lynch & Sabol, 1997). Statistics show the cumulative impact of decisions made through personal bias at one level contributes to racial disparities at subsequent levels in the criminal justice system. Race-based differences in individual treatment are some of the most apparent in American society today and these bias based decisions challenge the principle that the criminal justice system is fair, effective and just. Methodology Study Purpose This study explores the extent of racial disparity within the criminal justice system and where it exists. The criminal justice system involves numerous actors—such as police officers, prosecutors, judges, jurors, and eyewitnesses—whose decisions and judgments have a significant impact on the conviction and punishment of criminal defendants this study will demonstrate how how race significantly affects the decisions and judgments of those at various levels within the criminal system. (Blumstein et al. 1983, 72; Lee & Vukich, 2001). Does racial disparity exist within the criminal justice system? Does the perceptions of race affect their response to offenders? Hypothesis: Racial disparity exist within the criminal justice system? Null Hypothesis Racial disparity does not exist within the criminal justice system. Research Design This study will use a longitudinal design that will collect data through questionnaire structured interviews, observations and analysis of documents. Sampling  Using secondary data from the General Social Survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago in connection with the Implicit Association Test (IAT), which measures reaction times in response to certain visual stimuli. (Gonzà ¡lez & Chang, 2011). The sample frame will represent all actors in the criminal justice system. This study uses a research design that simultaneously collects quantitative and qualitative data through the use of various survey instruments, observations and questionnaires by which to conduct bivariate comparisons of incarceration rates for whites and racial minorities and methodologically more rigorous multivariate analyses designed to identify direct race and indirect race effects and for interaction between race and other predictions of arrest,  sentencing and adjudication. A link between discrimination and disproportionality using multi-variate organizational, environmental, contextual and individual factors with police behavior and research on the effects of pre-trial decision making (Mauer & King, 2007). The intent of this approach is to gain a broader perspective than would be otherwise achieved from only one data collection method (Small, 2011). Moreover, this mixed-methods approach for the collection and analyses of data will be utilized to increase the validity of the research and the reliability of the findings by using the results of both methods to support each other (Bachman & Schutt, 2007; Creswell, 2013). Quantitative data using a survey and school database will be used to obtain an overview of the research questions I will use qualitative methodology through semi structured focus groups, giving studies the opportunity to convey their personal encounter with the criminal justice system so that a fuller understanding of factors involved with racial/ethnic disparity. Issues of validly and reliability Validity methodologies include testing subjects while â€Å"measuring cardiovascular response, micro-facial movements, or neurological activity when viewing. As another example, police officers in one experiment exhibited a tendency to associate Black (as opposed to White) faces with criminality. In yet another experiment, both police and probation officers exhibited a significant influence of race on their judgments of culpability and decisions to arrest and to charge. Much of this research is done in connection with the Implicit Association Test (IAT), which measures reaction times in response to certain visual stimuli.71 Other methodologies include testing subjects while â€Å"measuring cardiovascular response, micro-facial movements, or neurological activity (Gonzà ¡lez & Chang, 2011) Limitations What tends to be expressed may not provide good data about â€Å"true† attitudes, especially when people wish to conceal their motives or if they have unconscious biases. Sentencing data are limited in terms of demographic and extra-legal variables, and these data are neither readily available nor easily obtainable. Contribution to the field Racial disparity operates as a tightly networked system of laws, policies, customs, and institutions within our criminal Justice system. This information will inform decision makers about differences in the unequal treatment of defendants based on the illegitimate criteria of race, when ‘like cases’ with respect to case attributes—regardless of their legitimacy defendants are sentenced differently. Possibly identifying gaps between established policies and actual practices. It will outline the various levels that racial disparity enters the criminal justice system. The decision-making that occurs prior to sentencing often has a greater impact on the punishment that offenders receive than does the exercise of discretion in sentencing. If there are differences in the way these decisions are made for different racial and ethnic groups, such differences could contribute to sentencing disparities that would be masked by â€Å"legal† factors. Arrest and conviction rates do not correlate precisely with criminal behavior rates and cannot serve as a proxy for criminality. A very large portion of disproportionality cannot be explained by legitimate race neutral factors, leading us to conclude that race matters in ways that are not fair, that do not advance legitimate public safety objectives, that produce racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and that undermine public confidence in our legal system (Gonzà ¡lez & Chang, 2011)　 Analysis will show that the ways that the correctional system in the United States functions to control minorities through deliberately chosen, systematically imposed legal restrictions. Is that crime rates do not explain the sudden and dramatic mass incarceration of African Americans during the past 30 years. Crime rates have fluctuated over the last few decades—they are currently at historical lows—but imprisonment rates have consistently soared. Quintupled, in fact. And the vast majority of that increase is due to the War on Drugs. (Alexander, 2010; Russell-Brown, 2008) References ACLU. (2008). The Prison Crisis. Washington, DC: American Civil Liberties Union. Alexander, M. (2010). The new Jim Crow: Mass incarceration in the age of coloirblindness. . New York: The New Press. Associated Press. (2007, July 18). Study show racial disparities in prison. USA Today, p. 1. Austin, J., Cadora, E., Clear, T. R., Dansky, K., Greene, J., Gupta, V., . . . Young, M. C. (2012). ENDING MASS INCARCERATION:CHARTING A NEW JUSTICE REINVESTMENT. Washington: The Sentencing Project. Baradaran, S. (2013). Race, Prediction, and Discretion. George Washington Law Review, 157-216. . Bonczar, T. P. (2003). Prevalence of Imprisonment in the U.S. Population, 1974-2001. Washington,DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics. Retrieved from http://www.bjs.gov/content/pub/pdf/piusp01.pdf Brewer, R. M., & Heitzeg, N. A. (2008). The Racialization of Crime and Punishment: Criminal Justice Color-Blind Racism, and the Political Economy of the Prison Industrial Complex . American Behavioral Scientist, 625-644. Bridges, G. S., & Sheen, S. ( 1998). Racial Disparities in Official Assessments of Juvenile Offenders: Attributional Stereotypes as Mediating Mechanisms. American Sociological Review, 554-570. Davis, A. J. (1998). â€Å"Prosecution and Race: The Power and Privilege of Discretion.†. Fordham Law Review, 50. Georges-Abeyie, D. E. (2006). Race, Ethnicity, and Social Distance Severity. The Western Journal of Black Studies, Vol. 30, (No. 2), 20. Glaze, L. E., & Herberman, E. J. (2012). Correctional Populations in the United States Series. Washington, DC: Bureau of Justice Statistics. Gonzà ¡lez, S. C., & Chang, R. S. (2011). Task Force on Race and the Criminal Justice System . Seattle: Task Force on Race and the . Green, A. (2012). The disproportionate impact of the criminal justice system on people of color in the capital region. The Center for Law & Justice. Greene, K., Pranis, K., & Ziedenberg, P. (2006, March). Disparity by Design: How drug-free zone laws impact racial disparity – and fail to protect youth. Justice Policy Institute, p. 1. James Forman, J. (n.d.). RACIAL CRITIQUES OF MASS INCARCERATION: BEYOND THE NEW JIM CROW. Yale Law School. Kleiman, M. (1997). â€Å"Drug-Free or Unfree: To Get Heavy Users to Stay Clean, Link Parole and Probation to Abstinence. Washington: The Washington Post . Lacey, N. (2010). American imprisonment in comparative perspective. Daedalus, Vol. 139(No. 3 ), 102-114. Lee, N., & Vukich, E. M. (2001). Race in the Criminal Justice System. Wsashington: State of Washington Sentencing Guidelines Commission. Loury, G. (2010). Crime, Inequality and Social Justice. American Academy oif Arts and Sciences, 134-140. Lynch, J. P., & Sabol, W. (1997). Did getting tough on crime pay? Washington, DC: The Urban Institute. Mauer, M. (2008). Senate Judiciary Committee Subcommittee on Crime and Drugs Hearing on Federal Cocaine Sentencing Laws. The Sentencing Project, 8. Mauer, M. (2009). Racial impact statements: Changing policies to address disparitie. The Sentencing Project. Mauer, M. (2009). The changing racial dynamcis of the war on drugs. Washington: The Sebtebcing Project. Mauer, M., & King, R. (2007). A 25-year quagmire: The â€Å"war on drugs† and its impact on american society. The Sentencing Project, 33. Mauer, M., & King, R. (2007). Uneven Justice: State Rates of Incarceration. Washington, DC: Sentencing Project. Mauer, M., & King, R. (2007). Uneven Justice:State Rates of Incarceration By Race and Ethnicity. Washington: The Sentencing Project. Nellis, A., Greene, J., & Mauer, M. (2000). Reducing Racial Disparity in the Criminal Justice System. Washington: The Sentencing Project. Petersilia, J. (1983). Racial disparities in the criminal justice system. Santa Monica,: Rand Corporation. Roth, K. (2001, March 2014). Race and Incarceration in The United States. Human Rights Watch. Russ ell-Brown, K. (2008). The Color of Crime; Racial Hoaxes, White Fear, Black Protectionism, Police Harassment, and Other Macroaggressions. New York: New York University Press. Spohn, C. C. (2000). Thirty years of sentencing reform: The quest for a racially neutral sentencing process. National Institute of Justice. The Institute for Economics and Peace . (2012 ). Peace in the United States of America. Washington, DC: The Institute for Economics and Peace . Tonry, M. (1994). Racial Disproportion in US Prisons. British Journal of Criminology.

Military Budget Cuts essays

Military Budget Cuts essays According to USAtoday.com, President Obama is planning on cutting our military budget by close to a trillion dollars in the next decade. The new military strategy includes $487 billion in cuts and an additional $500 billion in cuts could be coming if Congress follows through on plans for deeper reductions. These cuts could cripple the military power that we have over the world. Cutting money from our ground forces, air forces, or naval forces will have grave effects on our national security. The United States has roughly 1.7 million ground troops, counting reserves, spread out in over 150 countries. We can have boots on the ground within a few hours notice in just about any country in the world. Budget cuts will cause the US military to become smaller, which means the US wont be able to resolve conflicts as quickly when they flare up. Depending on what source you check out, China has anywhere from 2.5 million to 7.5 million troops alone with up to 20 million that can be called for service. With numbers like these, the US cant afford to have a smaller ground force. Furthermore, Air Superiority is defined as that degree of dominance in the air battle of one force over another which permits the conduct of operations by the former and its related land, sea, air, and special operations forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing force. No country has won a war in the face of enemy air superiority, no major offensive has succeeded against an opponent who controlled the air, and no defense has sustained itself against an enemy who had air superiority. Conversely, no country has lost a war while it maintained air superiority. If money is cut from this, the ability to have air superiority diminishes. Additionally, there are over 12,000 miles of shoreline in the United States that the Navy has to patrol. That is a lot of places where enemies of the United States can come ash...

Essay on Decisions in Paradise, Part I

Essay on Decisions in Paradise, Part I Essay on Decisions in Paradise, Part I Decisions in Paradise, Part I I recently finished my degree and was blessed with being hired with a Fortune Five Hundred company by the name of Mercedes Benz Financial Services. I was blessed with receiving my first temporary assignment overseas. I was tasked with evaluating a problem that had developed in Kava. My first two weeks were submerged in a brief introduction to the company, receiving an overview of Kava, reviewing HR procedures and organizational processes, and making flight arrangements. I received a great deal of help in putting the trip to Kava together, but no one knew exactly what I would be doing there. I only knew that I would be working with the Director of strategic planning, Alex. I was really looking forward to my first assignment outside of the United States. I was also looking forward to the beautiful beaches with tropical breezes. Within two weeks, I arrived in Kava. I was certainly surprised†¦ and disappointed. I realized when I landed Kava is located in the South Pacific where h alf of the population is under the age of 15. Kava has a unique ethnic mix, which consists of South Pacific Tribes, Chinese, Asian, African, Mexican, the French, and a small amount of Americans. On the island of Kava they speak many languages. Like numerous indigenous people of this area, they speak English, Spanish, and French. Half of the island follows the indigenous religion; other parts of the island follow Christianity, Islam, and Buddhism religions (Paul & Elder, 2006). The country had been heavily affected by a series of natural disasters such as earthquakes, typhoons, floods, and tidal waves which had left the country in calamity. The country was also known for diseases such as HIV, Avian flu and petroleum spills. Kava is mostly noted for their limited workforce supply and they are heavily dependent on their revenue stream through exporting goods. A major problem with their exporting business is that the country is constantly being hit with natural disasters. Our goal and mission was to start a new parts manufacturer plant for Daimler Trucks and for Mercedes Benz cars, making it a global operation. Currently the majority of our manufacturing was in Germany. Our goal was to grow our presence internationally, to grow our diversity base and to produce more jobs for the global economy. Due to the nature of calamites that continued to arrive, it caused major obstacles. Another obstacle that we observed was the age of the population that would comprise our potential labor force and the governance issues due to their age. Our new found goal was to train a youthful labor force to fill positions that will require more mature skills. It was very clear that this challenge would require extensive planning, reasoning and logical thinking. We would have to continue to assesses and analyze all factors involved which would take collaboration and decision making. After stepping off the plane and making it to my hotel the first day, I soon realized that my dream job would be one of the most challenging that I had ever faced. I’d settled in my hotel on the first day. My bags had been lost, of course. As I sat alone, quietly in my hotel room, I had slowly written out all of the obstacles that I would face and what I’d need to overcome them. I was going to have to organize each of the environmental obstacles so that my company could set up a viable business in Kava. It was one thing to read about problems on paper. I was very young at the time. I had never really stepped foot outside of the United States. When I picked up the phone to order room service, a young 12 year old boy greeted me at the door with my food. I realized first hand that THIS would be the labor force that our company would have to