Saturday, August 31, 2019

Energy Management Case Study: Siemens

In June 2009, Siemens took its effort in solar and wind to the next level by leading the Deserted initiative. This transcontinental project aims to generate solar power in North Africa, where it is most abundant, and then transport it to Europe. The project fits particularly well with Siemens because it requires not only experience in the primary wind and solar technology but also in the complementary technologies such as power grids and switchboard. Which have traditionally been strong business field for the company. Nuclear energy: 1.Nuclear reactors are the strongest power plants possible and the most economically feasible 2. Recently Siemens has taking up its nuclear activities anew and is expending to become involved in international agreements. With Siemens becoming a potential new partner in the Russian market that holds dozen of new sectors and china that have plans to have 100 new reactors in operation or under construction by 2020 Hydrophone: 1. Harnessing the power of ocea n waves has attracted significant attention since ocean cover 71% of the earth surface. 2.US department of energy established the hydrophone program, designed to conduct R&D that will improve the technical, societal and environmental benefits of hydrophone and provide cost competitive technologies. Geothermal power: 1. This technology has a major advantage that it can be installed wherever energy is actually needed. Geothermal plants require minimal fresh water and external fuel pupils, and due to their layout are highly scalable. Smart grids: 2. Smart grid technology seems to be a natural opportunity for Siemens, based on the company's long history with electronic technology and products.Wolfgang Then believes that the market for smart grids will increase due to climate change and economic stimulus programs. 4) Threats: 1) Carbon-based fuel amount to 39% of Siemens profits, facing the reality that fossil fuel are finite, supplies will eventually run out, it Just a matter of when. T he threat is that Siemens contingency plan in renewable energy consist of 11% of its profit. ) Alternative energy: Most alternative energy creation methods have one major drawback: they can generate energy only in places were natures provide the required energy input.Wind energy The size of the wind turbine is not scalable due to technological constraints. To increase capacity, multiple wind turbines there for must be spread out over large distance from one another. Densely populated urban areas do not have adequate space to house wind parks, and rural areas have expressed annoyance with the patterns and agriculture productivities. Wind turbines possess limited efficiency. Wind turbines require large and highly specialized assembly facilities. The first ever float turbines main concerns are the durability and maintenance of the equipment against aggressive environmental condition at sea. Siemens is considering to utilize its size, contingency, competency, and cutting edge technology to further increase its market share and global footprint in wind energy. The question is whether wind energy will turn out to be the leading alternative technology, and if it does, whether wind technologies alone can generate enough profit to keep Siemens aloft. Solar energy Like wind energy solar power most be extracted were it occurs naturally.Solar panels have a low efficiency. Reaching only about 25% under optimal laboratory conditions. Solar panels due too China has become the leader manufacturer of low-cost Combination of cheap labor and available industrial infrastructure; it drove prices Down by almost The method of disposing of nuclear waste in old caves and salt mind is not 100% safe, in addition there has been reports of increased leukemia rates in areas close to nuclear reactors, changes in the micrometer due to the vast amount of steam released into the atmosphere.Hydrophone: For the technology to work, the seashore needs to be flat with only a slight slope, and requi res long stretches of littoral waters. Also tide turbines are restricted to uninhabited beaches, since moving parts under the water surface, can create hazards for swimmers, water sports, and coastal ships. Some drawbacks to wave power include the efficiency of current application necessary resistance against hostile environment (storms and salt water corrosion), cost of electricity, possible impact on marine life, and hazards to shipping. ) Candidates such as geothermal energy and hydra power, not to mention next generation nuclear reactor have evolved quite rapidly in recent years and seem poised to pose a serious threat to wind and solar applications, Siemens most relied upon alternative energy source. 4) Siemens is considering multiple options as its gateway from the problem and has to place some significant bets. If Siemens bets badly, the company risks being relegated to the sidelines as newer, more innovator firms squeeze slower-moving incumbents out of the market.Ill) PEST A nalysts: 1) Political/Regulatory/Legal: l. Politician from the US and Germany 2 of the biggest industrialized countries in the world are supporting the development of alternative energy. II. A group of 20 Coos recommendations to 68 leaders in their 2008 climate policy: A paradigm shift to low technological innovation, this will open the door for new energy companies to enter the market Ill. Combined with a growing global awareness of the impact of green-house gases on climate change as well as increased concerns regarding energy security.Energy issues are now receiving renewed interest from government and corporation alike. IV. President Obama visited the wind-turbine blade factory in Fort Medicine, Iowa to show his support receiving importing political recognition. V. Producing industrial- call wind turbines requires large and highly specialized assembly facilities. The entry-level barriers are high. VI. The effort of Siemens research in nuclear energy were put on hold in the sass when the German government passed a law that would gradually withdraw the country from nuclear-power generation.However Germany is reconsidering this decision. The German parliamentary election 2009 spawned new hopes that the German nuclear industry might be revalidated. VI'. Russia, China and the US are in the market producing and licensing multiple new nuclear reactor (12, 100, 35 respectively) . VIII. Siemens was recently plagued by a bribery scandal and because the US and the EX. Have lows that make such business practice illegal, Siemens was sentenced to 1. 6 billion in finds by the German and the US authorities. However bribery is commonplace in countries such as Nigeria, Russia and China. ) Economic: l. The prices of oil have been trending upward in recent decades. Crude oil prices spiked at an old-time high of $145. 15 per barrel on July 3 2008(up from $50 only 18 month earlier). II. Solar panels have reached a production cost of less than $1 per k output. Ill. US are Jumpin g the band wagon partly because they believe that millions of new green Jobs may help to reduce high unemployment. ‘V. Chinese companies are entering strongly to the wind energy and solar market due to a combination of cheap labor and available industrial infrastructure.China drove prices of solar panels down by almost 50% from 2008 to 2009. V. The Obama administration set a side funding to build smart-grid technologies as part of its recent economic stimulus plan. 3) Social/Cultural: l. Social awareness of the impact of green-house gases on climate change as well as increased concerns regarding energy security. II. Burning of fossil fuel releases carbon dioxide(CO into the atmosphere, which has linked to global warming. In addition many cities have become contaminated by smoke and people are suffering health problems caused by increased pollution.Ill. US government believes that investing in alternative energy will create millions of new green Jobs. IV. Rural areas have expre ssed annoyance of the sound made by wind turbines as well as their interference with wildlife migratory patterns and agricultural productivity. V. Nuclear power has serious limitations issues include nuclear accidents like Coherently and Fuchsia and how to store nuclear products which can be harmful to any living organism. L. New alternatives-energy technologies are Wing to replace carbon-based fossil fuels. II.Better materials have enabled specialized companies to build ever-larger wind turbines and new improved solar panels though increasing efficiency and reducing cost. (example: the 3. 6 mm wind turbine, first-ever floating wind turbine, cost efficient Chinese solar panel, turnkey high-tech solar plants). Ill. R in various companies has spurred immense efforts to find optimal ways not Just to capture but also to store and distribute energy generated from natural resources. IV. US department of energy recently announced 40 million dollar in founding to support design and planning work for the Next Generation Nuclear Plant (NSP).V. Harnessing the power of the ocean waves has attracted significant attention since oceans cover 71% of the earth surface. Furthermore the US department of energy established the hydrophone program designed to conduct R that will improve the technical, societal and environmental benefits of hydrophone and provide cost competitive technologies. VI. The new smart grid technology include self-monitoring ND possibly self-repairing capabilities, smart sensors and meters, and a communication network similar to the internet. V) Competitive Analysis: 1) New Market Entrants: l. A paradigm shift to low carbon economy by 2050 has a potential to drive forward the next chapter of technological innovation, this will open the door for new energy companies to enter the market. II. Since the market of wind energy has high future potential new players are entering the competition most notably from china and In recent years China has become the leadin g manufacturer and global Japan. Ill. Exporter of low-cost solar panels. V.Concerning the nuclear energy I-J, Japan, Taiwan, south scoria and India are difficult market to inter because they possess their own technology and production capabilities and for security reasons. V. Start-ups are investing significant resources in R to engage in smart-grid technologies (2 of these start-ups, Grid Point and Silver Spring Network, have managed to raise $220 million and $170 million, respectively). 2) Supplier Power: l. Sound and wind will not cease to exist within a time frame significant to humanity.II. One of the attractions of wind power and solar turnkey COPS plans is that, once installed, the turbines need constant maintenance which means lucrative long-term service contrast for the original maker and installer of the equipment. Ill. Smart distribution will greatly reduce the current problems with power demands, and can serve to integrate both tradition and alternative energy into a com mon power supply and distribution network. 3) Buyer Power: K made this market perfectly competitive. II.Knowing that energy from carbon based fuel is still at disposal and at constant price competition in this market will remain high which will give consumer a buying power. 4) Product Technology Development: . Introduction off new 3. 6-Mm wind turbine featuring a 120-meter diameter rotor equipped with 58. 5-meter long rotor blades. First ever wind turbine off the coast of Norway II. The turnkey high-tech solar plans include SSP (concentrated solar power) and CISCO (integrated solar combined cycle system) plants. Ill. The next generation nuclear power plant (NSP). IV. Technologies in hydrophone (e. . , the Appeals Wave Energy Converter) to harness the power of ocean waves. V. The smart grids technologies that will help to avoid power outages, make the grid more reliable, reduce maintenance and save energy. VI. Craig Veneer a key figure in decoding of the human genome, actually view a lgae as the most promising path in renewable energy source. These microscopic plant cells are present in an infinite supply and can generate energy quickly effectively and in an environmental friendly manner. 5) Competitive Rivalry: l. Siemens leading competitors are ABA, GE and Lastly.Never less it is always intriguing to meet in the same room and talk about collaborative ways to improve worldwide energy efficiency. II. GE launched a multimillion dollar accommodation initiative to leverage its wide-ranging technological capabilities to address problem in he green-energy arena. Ill. Enron (Germany) and Vestals (Denmark) is the major competitor of wind energy in the U and GE in US. While China and Japan are also trying to enter the market in Asia. IV. Rivalry within the solar energy market is strong and almost perfectly competitive.V) Gap Analysis: 1) Customer Gap: One example of a customer gap that may be facing Siemens is when they introduce their floating wind turbine. This gap wi ll expand if the durability and maintenance costs exceed its value. Trying to close this gap Siemens is now testing this technology to evaluate whether it is feasible or not. 2) Provider Gap 1 (Listening Gap): Cutting down the number of sector from 1 dozen to Just 3 helped Siemens close down its listening gap by concentrating on fewer divisions, moreover the energy market is a very complicated buyer and seller will exchange all the details before the buying process is done.It's so difficult to find a listening gap in this market. 3) Provider Gap 2 (Design & Standards Gap): understand customer requirements and the presence of upper management in all transactions ( buying and selling ) to improve focus on customer requirements 4) Provider gap 3 (performance ) Turnkey COPS plants and wind turbines need a long term service provider for Constant maintenance. Siemens will try to narrow this gap by providing a on-duty engineers to maintain a standard in all its plants.In addition working o n the new developed Smart-grid will help ensure a positive outcome and narrow this Gap. 5) Provider Gap 4 (Communication Gap): Siemens claimed to be the only company worldwide that support customers with efficient products, solutions, and know-how along the entire chain of energy conversion from the production of oil and gas to power generation and the transmission and distribution of electrical energy. To narrow its communication AP Siemens must maintain these standards and deliver a price competitive product and services.VI) Alternative Courses of Action: The question raised by Siemens is what to do and where to invest? Do they try to improve their current alternative energy projects? Or try to expand to different sources? Will it be efficient to invest in new alternatives source or acquire smaller companies with innovative technologies and promising market segment? 1) Alternative one: Increase investment in research of the algae plant that shows a promising path. Disadvantages: i t might turn out to be Just rubbish and all investments made could e lost.Advantages: Siemens could be a first mover in this field of renewable efficient and environmental friendly energy source, which could change the world as we know it. 2) Alternative two: Increase further its footprint in the wind market by introducing multiple giant and floating turbines. Disadvantages: it might turn out to be inefficient compared to its coast and maintenance and another first mover in some other field might be more efficient and resourceful. Advantages: by increasing its footprint in the wind market Siemens will remain the only leader and increase its market share. Alternative three: Giving wind energy its rightful share but increasing investment in solar panels by acquiring new research companies that are currently working on making new improvement in the solar business one kind has a (microscopic forest) that collects liquid water to produce steam. Advantages: Siemens will insure that the in vestment will pay off on the long run knowing that the sun is there for another 5 billion years. Disadvantages: the initial gains on this technology might not be realized under the Siemens name. W) Recommended Course of Action: Our recommendation lies on the 3rd alternative.VIII) Reason for Choice: By giving wind energy its rightful share and nuclear power a miner share, focusing on solar source innovation is a very desirable choice knowing that first sun is infinite secondly solar panels are very cost efficient which will give a higher ROE than any other source of energy and finally it is environmental friendly and social acceptable. Recommendations: a. What should be done? Siemens should retain all its work flow and progress but focus more on energy coming from the sun as this energy will be the a panacea for the world's economy as well as environmental concerns.

Friday, August 30, 2019

Art a Bar at the Folies Bergere by Edourd Manet

elly Turner A Bar at the Folies Bergere by Edourd Manet In the detailed work of art by the artist, Edourd Manet, the subject matter is depicting a barmaid who is alone working in a crowded bar shown in the mirror behind her but at a far distance away. The look on her face seems like she is distracted and overwhelmed with so many customers that she can’t handle taking everyone’s order. The subject matter comes from the artist who maybe is unhappy with his own work and maybe overwhelmed with all the pieces he needs to create for a certain event.The media of this work is an oil painting. Oil paintings are used on a canvas. It is a slow drying process which gives the surface of the painting richness and depth of colors. To use oil paint you need good quality sable brushes, turpentine for cleaning and thinning brushes, a canvas, and paint. Points, lines, and shapes help create oil paintings. There are symmetrical forms of the barmaid depicting visual weights and counterweigh ts in the piece, A Bar at the Folies Bergere, by Eduaor Manet.The shapes in this piece are geometric by the reflection of the mirror and also soft edged by the crowd in the background in the mirror almost faded out. The overall balance is destabilized. The masses in this painting are mostly focused on the bar tender then geometrically have the crowd smaller and faded away in the mirror depiction. The textures of this image are implied because there are x-ray photographs that reveal that Manet twice shifted the barmaid’s reflection further right. The color scheme is broken down with light and dark colors making it appear naturalistic.The space is created in two dimensional work with the barmaid’s image reflecting off of the mirror with the crowd portrayed in the background as pretty far away from her and also by balancing to lead our eyes around the work. Elements are arranged with the barmaid as the main element which is big and catches our eyes before we notice the sm aller people in the mirror reflection. Unity is created by the mirror reflecting her back image talking to a man knowing that they are all one big room. There is variety n this piece because the barmaid is very finely painted yet the crowded area of people in the mirror is almost fuzzy and unrecognizable. The scale of this work is half life size half not with the women being painted as a normal size yet the other people are very tiny with just their upper bodies being painted. The woman is extremely emphasized in this picture and the man along with the bar top is emphasized as well but not as much as the woman. In the detailed work of art by the artist, Edourd Manet art can be described in many various ways to depict so many different aspects of the painting.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Caret Internet Cafe Essay

1. Executive Summary Internet becomes one of the most important aspects in communication. Not only for browsing, do research, communicating, but also playing game and access social media. Internet already becomes a lifestyle, without it some people will get frustrated. Warnet are very popular in Indonesia, for they allow those who cannot afford computers the advantage of being online and participating in global communications,† Rudy Rusdiah, the chairman of the Indonesian Internet Kiosks Association (Awari) said. During the economic crisis in 2008, it was very difficult for a great number of the population to purchase a computer, let alone afford the cost of installing a phone line. The introduction of Internet cafes or kiosks and their growth in the nation has been beneficial to the public. There is a diverse variety of warnet in Jakarta. They range from the street-side computer terminals to plush cafe environments. In current situation, the competition of computer manufacturer and the increasing of income level of people in Jakarta made the situation a bit change; many of people can affordable computer, smart phone and mini gadgets become people choice to suitable with their needs. Still the need of internet connection is become bigger a line with the growth of population in Jakarta. This business plan will make a design of what internet cafe can provide as a new unique services that different with common warnet in the past. The price war of computer and electronic device make an affordable price for people to buy it, therefore focusing in providing computer is no longer effective in 2013. Instead the traffic of internet user is become an issue, for example the telkomsel 3g connection become bad and the price is high. Selling the internet connection itself can help people to get high speed connection for downloading, playing, browsing, and do their stuff. Most warnet in Indonesia providing thei r customer a computer access which is need extra capital for it. Usually warnet offer internet access and rent per hour for using that computer. The cost to invest and maintain the desktop is quite high comparing with the productivity income that one desktop can give. Moreover if the customer didn’t have the sense of belonging that will decrease the durable of computer. Because the rapid growing of technology and the price of  electronic device is decrease easily after new technology appears, the consumptive of customer become booming and if investors follow to invest their money in electronic device such as computer the depreciation will dramatically go down. CARET Cafe Internet offer customer with high speed internet access without providing customer the desktop. The computer or the gadget itself is already become prime device that almost everybody have. This place also offer games that can be access by giving copy game trough HD or flash disk. The game will be updated twice a month to make customer feel enjoy playing the game without buffering the update. Customer can bring their own laptop and the place will be p roviding sockets. The internet access for each room will have password for Wi-Fi access and each user will need to register the id and password in the counter in order to access the internet. The place will be as big as 200m2 separated with 5 rooms that each rooms can fit 15 persons. And each room can be booked for gaming tournament or even for meeting room. The room will be sound proof and also have chair and table set. There will be a cleaning service that will maintain the cleanliness of each room. This business will sell high speed internet access, cozy place, food and beverages. The unique point of this business is no need investment in desktop, only focusing on high speed internet access and the router. CARET will have a canteen that offers food with low medium price range of 20.000-50.000. For the drinks customer can have a coffee and tea blended drinks. The food and beverages will only become complement as the business grow, this element can be improve further more. Target market of this busin ess will aim. Student: Student that need a fun place to spend their time with friends and playing together Student that need a place to do their assignment with internet connection Gamers: People that have passion in playing game and searching cozy and fast internet Businessman: People that search a place to conduct meeting during lunch break The business is unique that we provide place and connection with a cozy moreover, what they need such as meal and drinks are there. It’s a place where people can spend a lot of their time to play, do assignment, hanging around, and as a meeting point. The main investment in this business will be: Investment a place in good place near campus. Investment in IT support such as modem, Wi-Fi routers, and software that can create multiple ID and password for same Internet connection. Investment in furnishing the place to create a signature of modern and cozy place. Investment in Sofa, chair and table approximately 75 chairs and 10 sofas at beginning. Investment in coffee roasters and cafe stall. Investment in kitchen and food equipment 2. Description of the Business This business focusing on give a convinience place for the customers, and the customer will be paid based on hourly for accessing the Wi-Fi. The front counter will have HD or flash disk that contain of many game customer can play just ask to copy it trough their laptop. The mission is to bring modern and fun athmosphere in the place. Cleanliness of the place Fast connection Comfortable seat Variety of updated games provided. Usually common warnet will be fully of the customer because of the game trend, and this business will also trying identify what kind of games that trend in this time. Objectives Short-term Description Gain awareness from people around the location Fulfill the place 80% of capacity Distribute pamphlet around campus and office Using buzz marketing Give a free one hour internet connection To make the place active and attract more customer to come, by inviting gamers to conduct a game tournament. Long-term Description Remapping people mind set about warnet Noticed by businessman Open franchise Give a positive value that warnet not always need to provide computer rather providing high speed internet connection Create a unique place that comfort not only for student, but also for customer which need a place to conduct a meeting. Leverage the business trough other investor capital Picture 2.1 Business Process Diagram Key Elements Type of business Warnet Product or services High speed internet connection and cozy place Unique selling point Only providing connection and comfort place without providing desktop Growth Potential Can attract new segment customer, that not only focus in gaming customer, but a worker staff that want to conduct a meeting during break time. 3. Marketing Range population in South Jakarta shown as bellow, the target market is age around 15-50 which reach 1,375,570 peoples and if the 22.1% is willing to connected with internet there will be 304000 people that will be our target market. The market is targeted for people who in the productive age that use internet as a tool to gain information and have fun with friends. Based on internet research, there are listed 12 warnets spread out around South Jakarta. There will be 25000 target markets for each warnet if the target equally distributed. Barriers to entry Warnet have common things on sale, which are computer rental and internet connection, while CARET will follow the market behavior that only focusing on internet connection and cozy place. There are several things that can avoid competitor to copy such a business: 1. Strategic location(Near Campus Bina Nusantara JWC and Moestopo) 2. IT technology that make a modern business model and secure place 3. Focusing on high speed internet connection that can reach 20mbps 4. Can freely download without any limitation 5. Facility that include projector and good place to even conduct a meeting 6. Clean and full furnish place that make it cozy and different with common warnet 7. Have a cafà © inside that provide drink and meal Competitor Analysis Based on research in South Jakarta, HANANET have quite high internet connection around 7.2 mbps that in average warnet in South Jakarta only have 2-5mbps. The strength on HANANET: 1. Stable and high internet connection 2. Unique product that can give package play for 100.000 in whole day Weakness: 1. Bad environment for play, no separation smoking area 2. The properties not managed well The rate per hour is Rp6,000,- Sales Projection The full capacity of CARET is for 100 peoples in the first month of opening, the target capacity will be 80% loaded because the need of internet connection, roughly 20% only from BINUS INTER student will spend their free time connected with internet. People around such as student will be delight to buy these services. 1 CARET will be better than the competitor because of the modern environment there are: 1. Separated smoke room 2. Cleanliness that maintain by cleaning service /hour 3. Cafà © that provided food and drinks 4. High speed connection that reach 50mbps 5. Facility that also support for meeting purpose Promotion First of all to make customer notice that there is a new place that provide high speed connection, CARET will give a brochure and a free one hour coupon for new customer. Latter on the data will be collected for customer behavior analysis. The brochure will be spread around 2 campuses BINUS INTERNATIONAL and Moestopo. Under CARET management team, the business will be handled by creating a basic goal for each semester. The main goal will be become a pioneer in developing warnet without computer and be the first top tier warnet in South Jakarta. Picture 3.1 BizNet Package promotion For the Internet connection CARET will use BizNet that have a business package that can reach 50mbps. The Advantage using BizNet: Internet access services up to 20 Mbps Safe, fast and very stable The connection uses RJ-45, can be directly connected to a router, firewall, proxy or existing LAN switches Direct peering with multiple Tier-1 provider in the world, large bandwidth capacity for the International and local Picture 3.2 BizNet Internet connection Expense for each month will be define as bellow, for Internet connection CARET will use the best package from BizNet which is can reach 50Mbps, and for router itself, CARET using approximately 10 routers that can cover 100 user at the same time. The technician has a credible skill focusing in maintain stability and sustainability of the connection. ATK are including markers, paper and operational worksheet. Identification and planning for key risk The risk that warnet usually face is the electricity problem or unstable connection for external risk. For the internal risk there will be unprofessional staff in the wrong management that use the facility for own interest. Risk can be avoid, acceptance, mitigate, or transfer. The risk will be classified as: External Risk 1. Electricity problem and unstable connection: Risk avoid: By using genset, power supply and for the connection there will be a technician that can handle such a problem by issuing some teamwork with BizNet 2. Irresponsible Customer Risk avoid: By placing security and CCTV camera around the place 3. Second Liner competitor Risk mitigation: Reducing the risk by creating a unique services such as Saturday tournament and get a link for food and beverages trough franchising example: Chat time, share tea Internal Risk 1. Undedicated staff, low morale staff: Risk avoid: Conduct a month meeting to evaluate work performance and conduct a briefing in the morning.

Wednesday, August 28, 2019

Manet's Le Dejuner sur l'herbe and Bouguereau's Nymphs and Satyr Assignment

Manet's Le Dejuner sur l'herbe and Bouguereau's Nymphs and Satyr - Assignment Example The paper "Manet's Le Dejuner sur l'herbe and Bouguereau's Nymphs and Satyr" compares Manet's "Le Dejuner sur L'herbe" with Bouguereau's "Nymphs and Satyr". Manet’s work is an example of realism because it demonstrates the concepts of realistic within art. It attempts to represent what one would actually be able to â€Å"feel† or â€Å"see† with a sense of shock and demonstration. Manet’s work broke the mold of realism and depicted elements with some surreal aspects in order to highlight the main points behind the piece of work. This resulted in his work being labeled as â€Å"immoral† and â€Å"amateurish† because it was demonstrating the unexpected, while Bougueraeu was praised by critics. Bouguereau actually presented more of what was expected during this time for elements of realism to catch the attention of the audience. Many historians have considered ‘Dejuner’ to be the first modern work of art because it depicts all of th e elements generally present in modernistic pieces. While it presented elements of expected realism, it introduced concepts of modernity into the sphere of artistry, thus paving the way for more modern concepts in art. Impressionism- How did the advent of photography and/or the introduction of Japanese Ukiyo-e prints influence the impressionists in their abandoning of the stylistic characteristics of traditional painting? Choose an Impressionist work from the module to illustrate your answer. Since the Impressionists loved to paint landscapes and portraits like the Dutch Baroque artists of the 17th Century.

Employee Resourcing Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Employee Resourcing - Essay Example On the other hand, is the permissive autocrat who comes up with decisions in a unilateral manner but provides freedom to the employees to make their own decisions. Secondly is the paternalistic style which dictatorial but still prioritizes on the employee’s interests and those of the organization. The third management style is the democratic form where employees participate in the making of organizations decisions. Hence, everything depends on the majority. In this type there is extensive communication in all the directions. This kind of style is important when complex decisions are being made in organizations especially those that require improved complex skills. Finally is the laissez-faire kind of style where most decisions are made by the subordinates. The manager in most cases remains dormant on the managerial duties. This style is known to result in highly creative group of employees. However, it may also lead to staffs losing focus and sense of direction. This may inter fere with the company image. Employer’s ethics in recruitment and selection Several organizations have recognized the need to establish a process that is formal and standardized when conducting the recruitment and selection process. ... Hence, interviews have to be fair and equitable. The candidates are not only supposed to be asked several questions, rather are also suppose to be given an opportunity to express themselves. Notes taken during the interview should be used as evidence in making final decisions. At the of the interview process all the information should be kept confidential. All the paperwork used in whole process should be given to the chairman who is responsible for the whole process. The information of the candidates learned during the selection process should not be leaked to a third party without the candidate’s permission. The records of the candidate should not be used in for other purposes outside the recruitment and the selection process without the candidate’s permission. Normally files a kept for a period of six to twelve months and then destroyed. Problems with interviews Interviews are conducted by people who may be biased, inexperienced and corrupt. As a result it may be ext remely difficult to make a balanced decision based on facts on who to employ or not. Consequently, wrong people may be employed and this may result in choosing incompetent employees. Reasons for dismissal Employees and employers should treat each other with respect. Therefore, employees should conduct themselves in a manner that is consistent with good conduct and performance. On the other hand, employers should not dismiss their employees unfairly. There are well laid down procedures that are followed before an employee is dismissed in his or her work place. The procedure include; investigation to determine grounds for termination, inform or consult the trade union, give reasons for dismissal, and dispense

Tuesday, August 27, 2019

Devonport Dockyard loss of power 'had nuclear' implication Case Study

Devonport Dockyard loss of power 'had nuclear' implication - Case Study Example Failure of power can have serious implications (Sarkisov & Du Clos, 1999, p, 43). Greenpeace (2013) indicates that such failures can be disastrous such as what happened in Fukushima in 2011. The story was posted online by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) on october7, 2013, for its readers, who access this particular media online. The sources of the content of this story include a report from a Ministry of Defense (MoD) (BBC, 2013). Another source for this article’s content was a nuclear analyst who said that the 90-minute power loss, at Devonport in Plymouth, could have been catastrophic. Also, the Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR) contributed to the content of the story by issuing an Improvement Notice (Office for Nuclear Regulation, 2013). The report from internal investigation done by Babcock Marine has also been used in this article (Maritime Security, 2013). The online post of this news article has included pictures showing nuclear submarines in the dockyard and Babcock Marine. These two pictures represent the objects that are important to the story. According to Gilbert (2009, p, 32), in addition to having news leads, articles should have description leads that set the scene of a story and show a picture of someone or something that is important to the story,. The incident has been compared with the Fukushima incident (Mullen & Ogura, 2013). The story is of extreme interest to the readers because of their need to know the possible implications of the event. It has also been given priority because it occupied almost three-quarters of the web page. Headlines are bold and noticeable, and photographs have been included. However, according to the article, past events were revealed involving safety measures. The Devonport Royal Dockyard was served with an Improvement Notice and claimed that there was no immediate safety impact. Devonport Roy al Dockyard Limited was aware of the loss of electrical power, and it was satisfied that

Monday, August 26, 2019

What is my position on drug testing welfare recipients to receive Research Paper

What is my position on drug testing welfare recipients to receive their benefits - Research Paper Example Also this topic affects those who are and are not on welfare. Smith, Phillip.  Welfare. Digital image.  Raising Awareness of the Consequences of Prohibition. N.p., 26 Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Feb. 2013. In my research I have found to be two sides to this argument â€Å"Proponents say testing would help the recipients and protect taxpayers. Opponents argue that the practice is unconstitutional and mean-spirited.† (Vitter 141) Both parties make really convincing arguments and surely drove me crazy trying to choose a side â€Å"The proponents of drug testing welfare argue that it is irresponsible for any government to fund people who they know are using drugs† (Chelsea 2). It is true that there are drug addicts everywhere but let us faces the facts; they buy their drugs with their own money and do not depend on any government to finance their addiction. It is therefore illogical for any person on welfare to be addicted to any sort of drugs since they cannot even fend for the mselves and instead depend on welfare funds. Governments provide unemployed people with some amount of money to enable them take care of themselves as well as their children. However, it is common that most people on welfare do not use this money well and instead use it on drugs and other activities that are not beneficial at all. Statistics from the Temporary Assistance for the Needy says that around 50% of all people on welfare programs are addicted to drugs. â€Å"The results suggested that, contrary to popular opinion, most welfare recipients were not alcohol- or other drugdependent.† (Chelsea 2) it is also shown that out of this population, 75% cannot fend for themselves because of their dependency on drugs. ... This means that it is because of drugs that almost 40% of all people in welfare programs are on this programs. â€Å"It is therefore illogical for governments and other nongovernmental organizations to give out money to these same people to continue with their lifestyle† (Debate club 11). This is the reason why most people propose that before anyone enters a welfare program, they need to be tested to ensure that we are not funding drug addicts to continue with their addiction problems. Most politicians and other stakeholders argue that if this system is put in place, not only will most of the drug addicts stop due to financial constraints, they will have to so that they can get a chance to get into the program. This is therefore a long-term strategy to reduce drug abuse in the US. Debate club, â€Å"a meeting of the sharpest minds on the days most important topics†, 6 Match . 2012. Web. 28 Feb. 2013 When this matter got to the senate, it was an arguable issue and most p roponents argued that aid has to be provided based on reciprocal obligation. Reaction to the result from tested prisoners which showed that â€Å"Welfare-receiving arrestees were more likely to test positive for benzodiazepines (16 percent vs. 7 percent,/? < 0.01) and opiates (13 percent vs. 6 percent, p < 0.05)† (Yacoubian, 143)This was aThis means that whenever aid is given, there has to be some obligation by the person receiving this kind of help. â€Å"In West Virginia, delegate CraigBlair wants all welfare recipients to undergo drug testing as a condition of receiving welfare, unemployment compensation,† (Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Weekly 1)This has to apply

Sunday, August 25, 2019

INDIVIDUAL PROJECT 2 LIBRARY ASSIGNEMNT Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

INDIVIDUAL PROJECT 2 LIBRARY ASSIGNEMNT - Essay Example An organization will need dreamers, doers, strategizers, organizers and team builders just to mention a few. This is a subject that will create major impact for leveraging the best of the employees present for the best results for the company. To allow for this kind of organization to occur, the organization as a whole must receive training on diversity and the hiring principles that will help us to make that happen. We will present a plan, here on how best to accomplish this change. To begin, there must be an established approach to the problem of education of something as new and different as diversity education. We will confront the data, share it broadly, and use it to define as precisely as possible where our greatest energy will need to be applied. We will share case studies and refine the information from them through discussion in the groups where they are applied. We will engage everyone by listening to them throughout all discussions, to better understand what their learning needs are. Our measureable objectives which are listed on the teaching plan at the follow of this document will be shared with the learners and actions will follow. We will survey all those involved in the education prior to the training and then again after the training to assure that there is a better understanding of cross cultural issues and the importance of those to the company in general. Once the education is carried out per the education plan following this document, we will continually reeducate to assure that this is a process that continues to work throughout the system. We will also assure that any new employees go through the whole training as part of their orientation to the company. We believe like so many companies that have leveraged diversity for the betterment of the company that the senior management team must be on board first. Research shows that this is a process that must be driven from the top down and so the education for

Saturday, August 24, 2019

Music and Mind Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Music and Mind - Essay Example This paper aims at presenting further research in addition to those previously covered in recitations and lectures. It also aims at presenting new and more challenging ideas to critically understand the subject. Similar to language, music is a manifestation of the human spirit. Music practitioners have been able to convey messages to mankind that would have otherwise been impossible to convey. Music integrates the mind, body and spirit. Music has both beneficial and non-beneficial effects on the human brain. These effects could either be instant or even long lasting. Some effects of music are improving verbal IQ and evoking some colors in the mind. Music also said to help one see happy faces all round. Music and behavior has been previously researched using researches like the Mozart effect. This effect involves a brief effort that is passive with a transient effect. It states that if a person listens briefly to something, they receive a long-term benefit on their lives1. Some people also tend to think that listening to music for young children helps solve their problems. Music has also had transfer effects involving learning of a single task that influences the learning of another. On transfer effects of cognition, it has been found that learning how to listen to music results to an increased reading score. Those who listened to music achieved a better pitch as well as phonemic awareness. It was therefore confirmed that transfer effects did influence the learning to read that involved sounding out words2. Several reports have also shown that music making increases creativity. Under Neuromusical Research, it has been discovered that the human brain has enough ability to respond as well as participate in music. Music is a trait of mankind that is species-specific. The musical brain starts operating at birth where it persists throughout a person’s life. This has been

Friday, August 23, 2019

Biology lap report Lab Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Biology lap - Lab Report Example The temperature range was set for 0Â °C to 95Â °C. the rate of reaction was directly proportional to the increase in temperature, but there was a decline after 40Â °C as envisaged in the hypothesis, the enzymes denature with a very high elevation in temperature, concluding that if the temperature is increased beyond the optimal temperature then the enzymatic activities come to a close and enzyme becomes denatured. The study also envisaged that fungal amylase do display the slightly faster hydrolytic action on starch as compared to the human salivary amylase. Starch is the regular component of our daily diet. It is perhaps an extensive carbohydrate in the plant world and is consumed by humans and other herbivores to meet their energy requirements. It is a polymer of glucose which depicts the linkage of ÃŽ ±-1,4 and ÃŽ ±-1,6 glucosidic bonding. It is essential to break this bonding to derive carbon and energy from the starch molecules; this task is performed by group of enzymes called amylases (Lehninger, 2008). There are various organisms which serve as sources of amylase, human saliva and pancreas, other organisms encompass plants fungi and bacteria. The present study includes two group of amylases, human amylase and fungal amylase. Human amylase was obtained from the saliva while the fungal amylase was procured from Aspergillus species which is highly prevalent and generally acquired from soil, putrefying foliage and also present in air. Any reaction needs some initiation energy for its onset; this is also true for biological processes. Hydrolysis of starch also requires some activation energy but due to the presence of biological catalysts, enzyme amylase this activation energy can be reduced and reaction is carried out with ease. Enzymes are extremely specific for substrates, pH, temperature. This is explained with the fact

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Youth and Sports Essay Example for Free

Youth and Sports Essay Raising children in today’s society is not for the faint of heart. Raising children has never been easy, but it is especially difficult in youth sports today. Coaches and parents are putting a lot of pressure on our young sons and daughters. The pressure to succeed in sports at such a young age is taking the fun out of the sport by making it all about winning. A Personal Perspective My own interaction in youth sports has been many: As a parent, participant and an observer. My experiences as a child in youth sports were mostly positive. In my early days of sports in school, all children were encouraged to play for their school, skill level did not matter. There were no tryouts and no one got cut. We all were equal no matter what our overall ability. Sports were an enjoyable competition between schools and were simply for fun. I remember playing on my elementary schools basketball team. My coach was the school science teacher and my teammates were my friends and classmates. Our practices would be right after school and we would only practice for one hour. I remember the practices as an extended gym class. We would just run around, laugh, have fun and learn a few plays. I do not ever recall a coach yelling at me when I made a mistake or made a bad play. I remember the coach saying, â€Å"that’s ok, shake it off, you’ll get it next time. † I never worried about being pulled from a game if I made a mistake. We all played our fair share. We played the game as a game, with an opportunity to learn skills, compete, increase confidence, and have fun, we were able to go with the flow, relax and play for the sake of playing. Even our parents back then would just sit and enjoy the game. They didn’t yell at us to run faster or play harder. They didn’t even yell at the referee for making a bad call. I remember my parents telling me before every game, â€Å"Have fun and do the best you can† and after the game no matter how I played they would say, â€Å"You played a great game†. They always asked me if I had a fun time playing. I always did. I didn’t remember the losses. I remember playing with my friends and laughing about how bad we played some days. It seems like in youth sports today, the emphasis is no longer on developing skills through competition, with others and with yourself, but on the win-loss record, points scored, etc. Youth sports are run by adults. Adults tend to focus on the wins. When an adult arrives at end of the game, as the kids come off the field or court, what are the first words out of their mouth? Its usually Who won? or Did you score any points, get any hits, etc.? The children, meanwhile, are talking about whose mom brings the biggest candy bars for snacks! If, we as adults, teach our kids to focus on the winning, scoring, and scholarships, rather than skill improvement and having fun than mistakes or losses are not seen as opportunities to learn, but as occasions of failure and are to be avoided at all cost. If children think only in terms of winning, the pressure is on. Over the years I have seen how the youth programs are turning. Burned-out teenage athletes, coach-parent conflicts and abusive parents are indicators of a deep and continuing problem in youth sports. Youth sports programs have become the focal point of many families. The increased interest in sports over the past two decades have promoted the increased promotion of these programs, as well as developed interest on the part of parents to encourage participation by their children. It is disturbing to look behind the facade and to realize that children participating in organized sports are often pressured; they feel the pressure to fit in; they worry that they will only fit in if they are athletically talented; they feel the pressure that they need to win, to please their parents and coaches. Children develop their sense of fair play and their perceptions of ethical behavior in part within the context of these programs. These programs can also make a significant impact on the development of a childs self- perception, self-esteem and emotional health. If the messages displayed by adults in reference to the sporting events have a decidedly negative tone, the impact of youth sports programs on the emotional development of children will not have positive outcomes. There are a number of factors that can impact the influences of organized youth sports programs on the participants, and studies have shown that the results of the full picture of youth sports is not always a positive one. Some of the influencing factors include: the participation of parents in youth sports programs, the suggestion by coaches, parents and observers that winning is more important than the game itself, and the nature of sports, that lends itself to competitive and aggressive behavior. It is difficult to develop a concrete perspective about the impacts of youth sports programs without considering these influences. A Child’s Perspective Many children simply want to participate in sports programs to have fun, have a recreational activity and work together with friends towards a common goal (Kohl and Nelson, 1990). It has been recognized that competition can foster mistrust between children, when winning serves to dismiss losers, creates envy of the winners and leads children away from the focus of the game (Kohn and Nelson, 1990). It is also clear that the pressure that parents place on their children to compete and win creates its own set of inherent psychological dilemmas. Pressure to play on an elite team is an issue that should really boil down to what your child wants. A parent needs to read the signs indicating that a child wants to be on an elite team. If a child needs prodding to get ready and go to practice, the child who consistently does not want to go may not be suited for an elite team. Sometimes, the kids who complain about doing things outside their comfort zone just need a little push to discover they enjoy whatever it is they are so adamantly opposed to doing. But, after a season of being on an elite team, it should be apparent whether or not the child wants to continue with the sport at a higher level. I always make it clear to my son that he can play whatever sport he wants and at whatever level he wants. In his fifth year of hockey, he decided that he didn’t want to continue to play travel hockey despite his obvious skill level and the prodding of several teams trying to convince him that he â€Å"needed† to continue or he would fall behind. We laughed about the coaches who had told him this. I asked, â€Å"fall behind in what? † I had never been a parent who thought my son was going to be a professional hockey player. My goal was to involve him in sports that he enjoys and that would allow him to grow and experience the life lessons that sports can teach. At that point he loved hockey, but just didn’t want to have it take up so much of his social time. The following year the travel hockey flame was rekindled and he was more enthusiastic than he had ever been about playing. He still loves the game, and despite the fact I really believed he may be able to play at a collegiate level if he really wants to put in the work, he plays for fun and most likely will play for the rest of his life. The bottom line is, a family should not be pressured into anything, especially when it comes to their children. Ultimately, our children should have the biggest say in what they want to be involved in and at what level. Children who have been pressured by their parents in youth sports activities often display increased amounts of anxiety along with an increased level of awareness about the importance of the game (Weider, 1993). In other words, one child may be able to perceive the game as simply a game, but another child, under increased pressure from his parents, may only be able to relate to the game in terms of the amount of pressure created. This difference in perceptions puts children against each other; the children most likely to succeed and win the game are those who are least prepared to deal with any other option. It creates a scary reality for those children who perceive that they are unbeatable, but also are beaten by another team. When childrens self perceptions are directly related to their ability to win, there is clearly evidence that their inabilities then feed their lowered self-perceptions (Kantrowitz, 1996). A Coach’s Perspective and Its Unintended Effects Coaches are also putting negative pressure on our young athletes and not even realizing it through their approach and attitude towards kids. A coach’s words may carry a different message to the child hearing them than to the coach who is saying them. It is easy for a coach to phrase things in ways that are a lot harsher then they intend. Here are a couple of phrases that tend to have a negative impact on a child: â€Å"what’s wrong with you today? † â€Å"Why can’t you play like your brother? † â€Å"How long have you been playing this sport? † â€Å"Did your dad teach you that? and the list goes on and on. Here is an example of how a coach making a comment to a young athlete has a negative impact. My nephew was in his first year of football. He was nine years old and small for his age. They only had a few games left. But at practice one night the coach grabbed my nephews face mask and said â€Å"is that the best you can do? † What had happened was he had missed a tackle. My nephew interpreted that saying as, â€Å"you’re too small, bigger kids would have made that tackle. † What the coach should have said was, â€Å"you need to move quicker to have an impact during the play. A Parent’s Perspective and Its Unintended Results How does a parent know when theyre over-doing it from the sidelines? One thing that has helped a lot of parents and coaches supporting athletes is an understanding of their roles. In fact theres a push by several national organizations to know your role. Youre an athlete, coach, official, or a fan pick one then support and respect the others. (Koehler, Your Kids Sports). There are some theorists who even believe that these youth sports programs that focus on winning or losing are dangerous (Leo, 1993). Children of parents who push them in sporting events often feel they cannot ever lose because of their parents’ expectations. This process of parental control and the childs self-perception can lead to humiliation and despair (Leo, 1993).? Here is an example of parental pressure on a young athlete to win. At one of my son’s youth hockey games I observed a father berating his son after a game. The boy had had a breakaway shot with only a few seconds left in a hockey game. The young athlete skated up to the net and fired a rocket of a shot. It was a really hard shot, and it barely missed the net. Needless to say the game was over and it ended in a tie. The father ran down to the ice and waited for his son to skate off to the locker room. As the boy came off the ice the father pulled him aside and started yelling at him in front of the other players and parents. The father continued to tell the boy how lousy of a player he was and that anyone else on the team would have made the shot. This went on for about three minutes, until the boy trying to hold back his tears slumbered into the locker room. This is a perfect example of the parent putting the pressure on his son to be better than he is capable of being and winning is everything. A Society’s Perspective Most of the current literature on children and sports develops around the theory that children are negatively impacted by the competitive nature of sports programs in conjunction with the influence of observers, coaches and parents. Little League, in particular, has been the focus of a number of studies into the impact of the program on the social and emotional development of the children involved. Though Little League has been touted as a sport focused on fun for children, the competition pushed on children by the parent’s expectations turns potentially healthy fun into competitive battles pitting friend against friend (Verdi, 1990). Though the basic premise of youth sports is to encourage the enjoyment of sports activities, the focus on winning has reshaped the program (Rosen, 1996). Team sports can also be a great experience. Kids get to improve their skills and feel that team spirit as they work together toward a common goal. If youve had a bad experience with a team, maybe its time to try a new sport or a new league. Some leagues and programs emphasize skill building over competition. Many of the programs developed encourage healthy levels of competitive and cooperative behavior, help children develop a sense of fair play, and help children find self-esteem by rewarding physical activities. Programs like Little League have been recognized as a stepping-stone in the development of major baseball players, as well as presidents and successful business people. The competitive nature of sports does not necessarily mean that children will develop unhealthy asocial competitive behaviors. Over the past 30 years, a basic outline of the rules of sports competition, even as they refer to youth sports programs, has been widely accepted by coaches, parents and sports supporters in general. These rules include basic precepts like: team matters more than the individual; achievement comes from preparation, not fun; control calm under pressure, and perseverance are the necessary to win the game; criticism is more valuable than praise (Rosen, 1996). With guidelines like these as the basics for youth sports, it is no wonder that parents and players have learned that the game is more significant than the process or lessons learned while playing. ? Many people believe that one of the most valuable lessons developed from youth sports is the development of a conceptualization of fair play, in a way that young children can perceive and apply. Though the basic definition of fair play suggests justice applied to interpersonal actions, it takes on a slightly different and more specific outline when considered in terms of youth sports programs (Covrig, 1996). Fair play has been described as a very lofty set of virtues, including things like: truthfulness, self-respect, consideration for others, self-control, courage, courtesy, as well as fairness (Covrig, 1996). With these virtues as the basis, one would be led to believe that any child participating in a youth program that claims a focus on fair play could do nothing but benefit from these programs. But one of the major discrepancies in youth sports exists in the difference between the message and the messenger. Though fair play is a major focus of the premise for youth sports, the individual who create, develop and coach these programs do not often embrace these virtues in practice (Covrig, 1996).? In the same respect, parents who hope to develop a sense of fair play in their children by encouraging their participation in sports frequently display behaviors that do not reflect the same virtues. The major problem with this situation is that parents often impose the expectations relative to adult competitive sports on their children, who have not yet learned to embrace the American idealization of winning (Martin, 1986). This transference of parental expectations onto their children can result in a number of damaging psychological problems, including: burnout, injury, and feelings of rejections, causing lowered self- esteem, when children cannot meet the expectations of their parents (Martin, 1986). With over a million children participating in a wide variety of programs, the success of youth athletics cannot be attributed only to the enthusiasm of parents. Children, too, must perceive benefits of the programs in order for retention levels to be as high as they are (Rumpf 1992). Children, who can compete fairly, congratulate the winners with sincerity and accept victory with grace benefit from the structure and the healthy competition created within these programs (Rumpf, 1992). The most significant problems occur not because of the structure of the games, the programs developed or the basic ideals behind youth sports programs. Instead, it is clear that the disastrous effects of youth sports programs come as a result of the interaction between children, parents and coaches (Rumpf, 1992). The literature studies supports the thesis that youth sports programs can negatively impact the development of children in respect to self-esteem, self-perceptions and emotional health, though it is also clear that the impact has a direct relationship to adult interactions. Though the programs developed often support fair play and healthy competitiveness, the expectations of parents, coaches and spectators often transform seemingly friendly games into competitive battles with little respect for teammates and other players. Children who can succeed within these programs do so with the help of coaches and parents who do not impose difficult, if not impossible expectations on their childrens participation. Examining Our Perspectives Yet at what price does success come? Out of 19,000 young athletes, about 356 children will get a scholarship. Out of all those kids, only four will go pro. † (Koehler, Your Kids Sports). We just love it. Its our social life. We just love sports. And whats not to love, after all, more youth leagues are catering to the elite athlete, where winning and rankings are top priority and championships and scholarships are all the talk. I understand wanting your child to do well. College is expensive and it might seem like a full tuition sports scholarship is the way to go. However, there is a psychological price that the young athlete may pay. In order to realize the most benefits from these programs, parents must recognize the impact of their personal expectations on their childrens emotional stability. There is way too much pressure today on children. I think most parents who involve their children in several activities have forgotten how great it was to sit outside during a summer day and read a book or just daydream. Someday when these children are adults, they are not going to know how to use their imaginations, occupy themselves in a constructive manner, or just how to have fun. Are we teaching our children at a young age how to have a nervous breakdown? What happened to just playing a sport for fun? I remember when I was a kid, after school or during the summer. I would just walk out the back door, grab a baseball bat or a hockey stick and I headed out to the street or to the neighborhood park to find my brothers or other kids from the neighborhood to play with. We played for hours with no uniforms, no refs, no parents on the sidelines. Sure, I wanted to win. We all did. But if we didn’t it wasn’t the end of the world. The pressure to succeed in sports today is taking the fun out of the sport by making it all about winning.

Wednesday, August 21, 2019

The Review of Job Satisfaction Essay Example for Free

The Review of Job Satisfaction Essay Job satisfaction represents one of the most complex areas facing today’s managers when it comes to managing their employees. Many studies have demonstrated an unusually large impact on the job satisfaction on the motivation of workers, while the level of motivation has an impact on productivity, and hence also on performance of business organizations. Unfortunately, in our region, job satisfaction has not still received the proper attention from neither scholars nor managers of various business organizations. Key words: job satisfaction, Employees, performance Introduction: Research indicates that employees who are satisfied with their jobs are more likely to stay with their employers. According to this survey, 86% of employees indicated overall satisfaction with their current position, with 41% of employees reporting they were very satisfied. What’s more, majority of employees reported that the current economic climate has not made any difference in their level of satisfaction—and this is good news for employers, especially during the economically challenging time. It is not surprising that during the current economic downturn, which some have compared to the 1929 Great Depression, employees selected job security for the second consecutive year as the most important aspect of their job satisfaction. Benefits, compensation/pay, opportunities to use skills and abilities and feeling safe in the work environment rounded off employees’ top five very important job satisfaction contributors—nearly identical to the top five of 2008. Factors that were not strongly connected to employees’ overall job satisfaction were organization’s commitment to a ‘green’ workplace, networking, career development opportunities, paid training and tuition reimbursement programs, and organization’s commitment to professional development. Despite its vide usage in scientific research, as well as in everyday life, there is still no general agreement regarding what job satisfaction is. In fact there is no final definition on what job represents. Therefore before a definition on job satisfaction can be given , the nature and importance of work as a universal human activity must be considered. Different authors have different approaches towards defining job satisfaction. Some of the most commonly cited definitions on job satisfaction are analysed in the text that follows. Job satisfaction as any combination of psychological, physiological and environmental circumstances that cause a person truthfully to say I am satisfied with my job. According to this approach although job satisfaction is under the influence of many external factors, it remains something internal that has to do with the way how the employee feels. That is job satisfaction presents a set of factors that cause a feeling of satisfaction. Vroom in his definition on job satisfaction focuses on the role of the employee in the workplace. Thus he defines job satisfaction as affective orientations on the part of individuals toward work roles which they are presently occupying (Vroom, 1964). One of the most often cited definitions on job satisfaction is the one given by Specter according to whom job satisfaction has to do with the way how people feel about their job and its various aspects. It has to do with the extent to which people like or dislike their job. That’s why job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction can appear in any given work situation. Job satisfaction represents a combination of positive or negative feelings that workers have towards their work. Meanwhile, when a worker employed in a business organization, brings with it the needs, desires and experiences which determinates expectations that he has dismissed. Job satisfaction represents the extent to which expectations are and match the real awards. Job satisfaction is closely linked to that individuals behavior in the work place. Job satisfaction is a worker’s sense of achievement and success on the job. It is generally perceived to be directly linked to productivity as well as to personal well-being. Job satisfaction implies doing a job one enjoys, doing it well and being rewarded for one’s efforts. Job satisfaction further implies enthusiasm and happiness with one’s work. Job satisfaction is the key ingredient that leads to recognition, income, promotion, and the achievement of other goals that lead to a feeling of fulfillment. Job satisfaction can be defined also as the extent to which a worker is content with the rewards he or she gets out of his or her job, particularly in terms of intrinsic motivation. The term job satisfactions refer to the attitude and feelings people have about their work. Positive and favorable attitudes towards the job indicate job satisfaction. Negative and unfavorable attitudes towards the job indicate job dissatisfaction. Job satisfaction is the collection of feeling and beliefs that people have about their current job. People’s levels of degrees of job satisfaction can range from extreme satisfaction to extreme dissatisfaction. In addition to having attitudes about their jobs as a whole. People also can have attitudes about various aspects of their jobs such as the kind of work they do, their co-workers, supervisors or subordinates and their pay. Job satisfaction is a complex and multifaceted concept which can mean different things to different people. Job satisfaction is usually linked with motivation, but the nature of this relationship is not clear. Satisfaction is not the same as motivation. Job satisfaction is more of an attitude, an internal state. It could, for example, be associated with a personal feeling of achievement, either quantitative or qualitative. We consider that job satisfaction represents a feeling that appears as a result of the perception that the job enables the material and psychological needs . Job satisfaction can be considered as one of the main factors when it comes to efficiency and effectiveness of business organizations. In fact the new managerial paradigm which insists that employees should be treated and considered primarily as human beans that have their own wants, needs, personal desires is a very good indicator for the importance of job satisfaction in contemporary companies. When analyzing job satisfaction the logic that a satisfied employee is a happy employee and a happy employee is a successful employee. Job satisfaction is under the influence of a series of factors such as: The nature of work, Salary, Advancement opportunities, Management, Work groups and Work conditions. A somewhat different approach regarding the factors of job satisfaction is provided by Rue and Byars, Figure 4. When talking about factors of job satisfaction the fact that they can also job dissatisfaction must be kept in mind. Therefore the issue weather job satisfaction and job dissatisfaction are two opposite and excludable phenomena? There is no consensus regarding this issue among authors. Herzberg’s Two Factor Theory is probably the most often cited point of view. In fact the main idea is that employees in their work environment are under the influence of factors that cause job satisfaction and factors that cause job dissatisfaction. Therefore al factors that have derived from a large empirical research and divided in factors that cause job satisfaction (motivators) and factors that cause job dissatisfaction (hygiene factors)

Homosexuality In Modern Day Society | Religious and Societal Views

Homosexuality In Modern Day Society | Religious and Societal Views Homosexuality is a romantic or sexual attraction or behavior among members of the same sex. It refers to an enduring patterns of or disposition to experience sexual, affection, or romantic attractions primarily to people of the same sex. It is an individuals sense of personal and social identity based on those attractions, behaviors expressing them, and membership in a community of those who share them. Homosexuality nowadays, leads to Same-Sex Marriage, according to Oxford English Dictionary; it is a legally or socially recognized marriage between two persons of the same biological sex or social gender. It is in which other country like Netherlands is in favor of Same-Sex Marriage; while other country, particularly the Philippines does not agree or even implement the Same-Sex Marriage. Since that the Philippines is the only Catholic country and Christian dominan country in Asia and it is 3rd in the world, we Filipinos live in a family-oriendted family. Hence, we are raised up with different values which include the Moral Values we obtain from the teachings of the Bible; the sacred book of Christianity. If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them. (Leviticus 20:13) There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel. Thou shalt not bring the hire of a whore, or the price of a dog, into the house of the LORD thy God for any vow: for even both these are abominations unto the LORD thy God. (Deuteronomy 23:17-18) As years pass by, there are a lot of incidents which pertains to the Same-Sex Marriage. And as a growing community, authority speaks out and commented on the issue. Pope Benedict XVI gave his comment regarding the issue. He merely opposed to gay/lesbian marriage concerning about the environment, suggesting the law determining the differences between the sexes were threats to creation. Comments were made by the Pope addressing it to the Diplomats with the main theme of The Environment and the protection of Creation, whereas; To carry our reflection further, we must remember that the problem of the environment is complex; one might compare it to a multifaceted prism. Creature differs from one another and can be protected, endangered, in different ways, as we know from daily experience. One such attacks comes from laws or proposals which, in the name of fighting discrimination, strike at the biological basis of the differences between the sexes, Yet, freedom cannot be absolute, since man is not GOD, GODS CREATION. For man, the path to be taken cannot be determined by caprice or willfulness, but must rather correspond to the structure willed by the creator. (qtd in. Gay Marriage threat to Creation) In lieu with this, Pope Benedict XVI, disagree in Same-Sex Marriage. Our body is sacred and its sacredness leads to the respect of each and every one of us. It is indeed that each and every one of us has our own side on the issue Same-Sex Marriage. Each religious group that is existing right now has their own stand regarding the issue. Islamic law explicitly denounces homosexuality and the practice of homosexuality is a crime in many Islamic countries, including Iran and Saudi Arabia. Although the Presbyterian Churchs governing body has not explicitly addressed the issue of gay marriage, the church issued a ruling in 1997 prohibiting the ordination of homosexuals. Regional bodies and clergy, however, have challenged this ruling, causing a major rift among Presbyterians. Although the Episcopal Church has not explicitly established a position in favor of gay marriage, in 2006 the church stated its support of gay and lesbian persons and [opposition to] any state or federal constitutional amendment prohibiting gay marriages or civil unions. Furthermore, in 2009, the churchs national convention voted to give bishops the option to bless same-sex unions. While the Reform and Reconstructionist Jewish movements are ardent supporters of gay and lesbian rights, including the right of same-sex couples to wed, they do not require rabbis to officiate at the weddings of gay couples. The Conservative movement, which does not sanctify gay marriage, grants autonomy to individual rabbis to choose whether or not to recognize same-sex unions. The leadership of Orthodox Judaism has defined marriage as an institution between a man and a woman and therefore does not accept same-sex marriage. The essence of having a happy and healthy life is having a family. Family, in a sense that love and caring is within its family members. Sexual interactions between same sexes are not capable of having a family. Indeed, it is a very factual line that each of us agree. Same-Sex Marriage as a matter of fact is not socially accepted here in the Philippines. These may lead to the discrimination of the homosexuals, bisexuals, transgender and others who belong to the third sex. According to House Bill 1245, authored by Rep. Rozzano Rufino Ruffy Biazon, it is the amendment of the countrys Family Code to limit the marriage to natural born males and females only. Regards to this House Bill is the Total Ban of Same-Sex Marriage here in our country. On the other hand, Sen. Miriam Defensor Santiago filed Senate Bill No. 1276 which aims to bar the Same-Sex Marriages celebrated abroad from getting legal recognition here in the Philippines. This Bill seeks to correct the Family Code, which does not explicitly void Same-Sex Marriage which was solemnized abroad. Marriage is a Union founded on the distinction of sex. (qtd. in Bill 1276) As a Senate counterpart of House Bill 1245, Sen. Rodolfo Biazon filed Senate Bill No. 1575. A reaction to a number of rulings made by local courts which allow every citizen who are transsexuals to change their status from male to female. with recent developments in the field of medicine, it is now possible to allow or to change a persons sex organ to make it appear as that of the opposite sex. In this Bill, it prohibits marriage between two men or two women, whom one of it had a sex organ exchange in which the Vatican disagree. (House 1245) These Bills are all pending cases in the House Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations. In which these Bills were merely discussed, evaluated and argued by the respectable Representatives and Senators of the Republic of the Philippines. Issues are made due to Same-Sex Marriage which leads to the societal problems and misunderstandings. We respect every human being in this world. Due to issues which damage the image of third sexes, many organizations and governing bodies were born, in order to protect the Civil Rights of each Third Sex. Each organization has its goal to end the discrimination and the criminalization towards the Third sexes. Laws protecting the Homosexuals were made and implemented. But there are only states who are merely implementing these laws. Gay Rights Movement, an organization organized in America, which efforts were made in order for the Homosexuals to be treated equally among others. It aims that each Homosexuals must be respected and must not experience Discrimination from others. (Gay 95) Many non profits, non partisan networks of the third sexes boomed here in the Philippines. These are Organizations and Individuals who are working towards achieving a society free from all forms of Discrimination, particularly those who are based on gender or sexual orientation. Lesbian and Gay Legislative Advocacy Network-Philippines was formally launched in 1999. Its purpose is to advance and protect the Human Rights and fundamental freedoms of each Filipino who belongs to the Third Sex, especially in the area of Politics and Legislations. Its advocacy is to push for laws that will promote the Third Sex Rights and Welfare. Indeed, campaigns were made to influence publics discourse on Sexuality and to raise the influence awareness of every Filipino regarding the situation of Lesbians and Gays. Another organization here in the Philippines is the LADLAd, a network of Lesbian, Gays, Bisexuals, and transgender Filipinos. An organization formed last September 1, 2003. Magladlad means to unfurl the cape that used to cover ones body as a shield. It simply means that each and every one of us who are experiencing something different relating to gender, must come out of the closet and reveals whats inside and to standout with dignity. And as a result, you will find yourself to be free and respectable. Ladlad run for a Party-list for Congress last elections and they bound to make History as the first ever political party which composed of different Filipinos from the Third Sex that will claim and reclaim the rights that the Third Sexes lost from years of homophobia and Discrimination. They aims to be the organization which will provide comfort to the Third Sex. And a sandigan of the needy homosexuals who are abused, simply because of belonging to the third Sex. Ladlad also aims the following platforms, whereas; Support for the Anti-Discrimination Bill that gives LGBT Filipinos equal opportunities in employment and equal treatment in schools, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, entertainment centers, and government offices. Re-filing of the bill to repeal the Anti-Vagrancy Law that some unscrupulous policemen use to extort bribes from gay men without ID cards; Setting up of micro-finance and livelihood projects for poor and handicapped LGBT Filipinos; Setting up of centers for Golden Gays, or old and abandoned LGBTs, as well as young ones driven out of their homes. The centers will also offer legal aid and counseling, as well as information about LGBT issues, HIV-AIDS, and reproductive health. These centers will be set up initially in the key cities/metropolitan areas of the Philippines Baguio, National Capital Region, Cebu and Davao. (Ladlad 101) They differ in names, but they have their same goals and achievements. Campaigning in prohibiting the Discrimination of the Third Sexes. Due to the issues and governing bodies which support Third Sex, effect cannot be vanished from this kind of scenarios. Each event that took place have effects. It may be Positive or Negative effects that can change or affects us, in a manner that we are concern in whats the real score between the issue- Same-Sex Marriage. According to Dr. Ambert, Same-Sex Marriage has possible positive and negative effect to children. She also stressed that through the vivid image that children saw in their Environment, really affects them in a good and bad manner. It is not whether children should be raised by same-sex parents, it is whether same-sex parents should be allowed to marry , or they ,must simply lived together-perhaps-with children under a status less than marriage, with reduced recognition and support by the state. (Same 97) Children would benefit led by a family composing of Same-Sex Marriage. Without question, civil marriage enhances the welfare of the community. It is a social institution of the highest importance. French v. McAnarney, supra. Civil marriage anchors an ordered society by encouraging stable relationships over transient ones. It is central to the way the Commonwealth identifies individuals, provides for the orderly distribution of property, ensures that children and adults are cared for and supported whenever possible from private rather than public funds, and tracks important epidemiological and demographic data..Where a married couple has children, their children are also directly or indirectly, but no less auspiciously, the recipients of the special legal and economic protections obtained by civil marriage..marital children reap a measure of family stability and economic security based on their parents legally privileged status that is largely inaccessible, or not as readily accessible, to non-marital children. Some of these benefits are social, such as the enhanced approval that still attends the status of being a marital child. Others are material, such as the greater ease of access to family-based State and Federal benefits that attend the presumptions of ones parentage. (qtd. In More on the Hawaii Same-Sex Civil Marriage Case.) Some would argue that when a state allows SSM, the public will gradually become more accepting of homosexual orientation and behavior. They will agree with professional mental health associations and recognize it as a normal, natural, unchosen and unchangeable sexual orientation for a minority of adults. This will reduce levels of discrimination, hatred, and oppression against gays and lesbians, and reduce the levels of ridicule that their children receive from fellow students. Dr. Ambert comments that: Lesbigays who have children often create a network of fictive kin or chosen family (friends, former partners, and willing relatives) for social and emotional support as well as to offer their children suitable adult role models of the other sex. This support network may be entirely gay but generally represents a mixture. This arrangement gives children many additional role models in their life, that children in families led by opposite-sex couples may not have. (Same 97) Many religious and social conservatives disagree completely with professional mental health organizations and believe that homosexuality is abnormal, unnatural, chosen and changeable. Most disapprove of equal rights for gays and lesbians, including the right to marry the individual that they love. Many believe that homosexual behavior is hated by God. If these beliefs are true, then one might argue: 1. Children raised in families led by same-sex parents would be continually exposed to homosexuality. They may choose to become gay or lesbian at a higher rate than those raised by a father and mother. 2. Men and women have very different personalities, brain structure, talents, etc. They are designed to fit into very different roles within the family. In order for children to be properly socialized, they need to be brought up by both a father and a mother. The long range effects on children who are brought up by two women or two men are unknown and can only be speculated upon. 3. God may punish same-sex parents. This might adversely affect the children in their family. 4. God may also punish the nation as a whole if SSM is legalized. That would harm all children in the nation. 5. Children of same-sex couples will be exposed to a great deal of ridicule and hatred by their fellow students. This could negatively affect their development. (Same 99) Issues concerning health has an effect on Same-Sex Marriage. Sexually transmitted diseases (also known as STDs or STIs for sexually transmitted infections) are infectious diseases that spread from person to person through intimate contact. STDs can affect guys and girls of all ages and backgrounds who are having sex it doesnt matter if theyre rich or poor. () Unfortunately, STDs have become common among teens and also sex by the same-sex. Because same gender which is having sex is more at risk for getting some STDs, its important to learn what you can do to protect yourself. STDs are more than just an embarrassment. Theyre a serious health problem. If untreated, some STDs can cause permanent damage, such as infertility (the inability to have a baby) and even death (in the case of HIV/AIDS). Some of the things that increase a persons chances of getting an STD are: Sexual activity at a young age. The younger a person starts having sex, the greater his or her chances of becoming infected with an STD. Lots of sex partners. People who have sexual contact not just I I ntercourse, but any form of intimate activity with many different partners are more at risk than those who stay with the same partner. Unprotected sex. Latex condoms are the only form of birth control that reduce your risk of getting an STD. Spermicides, diaphragms, and other birth control methods may help prevent pregnancy, but they dont protect a person against STDs AIDS is one of the most serious, deadly diseases in Human history. More than 20 years ago, doctors in the United States identified the first cases of AIDS in San Francisco and New York. Now there are an estimated 42 million people living with HIV or AIDS worldwide, and more than 3 million die every year from AIDS-related illnesses. According to Oxford dictionary, AIDS is caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). HIV destroys a type of defense cell in the body called a CD4 helper lymphocyte (pronounced: lim-fuh-site). These lymphocytes are part of the bodys immune system, the defense system that fights infectious diseases. But as HIV destroys these lymphocytes, people with the virus begin to get serious infections that they normally wouldnt that is, they become immune deficient. The name for this condition is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). As the medical community learns more about how HIV works, theyve been able to develop drugs to inhibit it (meaning they interfere with its growth). These drugs have been successful in slowing the progress of the disease, and people with the disease now live much longer. But there is still no cure for HIV and AIDS. Hundreds of same-sex who are engaged in sex become infected with HIV each year. HIV can be transmitted from an infected person to another person through blood, semen (also known as cum, the fluid released from the penis when a male ejaculates), vaginal fluids, and breast milk. The virus is spread through high-risk behaviors including: unprotected oral, vaginal, or anal sexual intercourse (unprotected means not using a condom) sharing needles, such as needles used to inject drugs (including needles used for injecting steroids) and those used for tattooing. (AIDS 25) We have a great part on this issue, as well as it has a big impact to us, not only to us, but also, to the society. As a student, I am disagreeing at Same-Sex Marriage. Its just simply because that my principle for this situation is that god created only men and women nevertheless, third sex is written in the bible. And having sex with the same gender is a big sin. And as for my contribution, I am one of the few people who respect their lifestyle, because we are all created equally in the image and likeness of God. And I do believe that we are all part of a big and happy family.

Tuesday, August 20, 2019

Use of Disguise in Twelfth Night Essay -- Twelfth Night Essays

Twelfth Night, "there's something in it that is deceivable". Disguise is very important as a theme in the Twelfth Night.   In fact, disguise is a crucial plot to the play.   It is the thread which runs through the play from start to end and holds it all together.   Yet, paradoxically along the way there are many problems, deceptions and illusions, providing a comment on human behavior and creating comedy. Women's parts were played by boy actors in Shakespeare's day, so the audience would have found special sophistication in Viola's part:   a boy dressing up as a woman who, in the play disguises herself as a man. The first example of disguise in the Twelve Night is viola's disguise as Cesario.   It is in fact central to the plot.   I think it is clearly evident that the fluctuation in attitude to the dual role and the situations and tribulations imposed upon the character Viola/Cesario, ends up creating a better understanding of both sexes and thus, allows Viola to have a better understanding of Orsino.   Viola learns that in role of Cesario, she had to be quick on her feet and defend the probing questi... ...sguise feature in the play.   Emotions and intentions are disguised behind an outer appearance, a pretence or an attitude.   Disguise connects the story, the characters and the different scenes in the play.   Without it the Twelfth Night would not be what it is and I doubt whether it would delight audiences around the world time and time again as it does now. "Nothing that is so, is so" Work Cited Shakespeare, William. The Arden Edition of the Works of William Shakespeare: Twelfth Night. Ed. J. M. Lothian and T.W. Craik. UK: Methuen & Co., 1975.

Monday, August 19, 2019

The Spiritual Effect on Actions Essay -- essays research papers

Spirituality is held by all cultures. It is such an important theme; it has been used in many books over the centuries. Both Isebel Allende's House of the spirits and Herman Hesse's Siddhartha show the same spiritual characteristics. In House of the spirits theres Clara, who believes that her powers can be used to help others, and her son, Nicholas, who uses the beliefs of spirituality for commercial venues. In Siddhartha, we see Siddhartha who believes that through traveling, both physically and mentally, he will achieve enlightenment. While, Govinda believes that that hearing strictly the doctrine will be a path to enlightenment. From all of these characters we see that even though the beliefs are different, they are all driven by their beliefs. In both books we have examples of two characters with two different spiritual beliefs and because of that, they act differently. For house of the spirits, we have Clara and her son Nicholas. For Clara, her life while she grew up was very peaceful, "Clara's adolescence past calmly in her parents large house with its three court yards. She was spoiled to death... With the most tender of intentions." (page 78) This led her to be calm, peaceful, and unselfish, which showed later in her life. An example is when she help the gardener, "Clara took out her slate from her apron pocket...Clara told him what to do and won 80 pesos." (Page 78) Even when she has gr...

Sunday, August 18, 2019

The Truth to the Puritanism Lifestyle in American Literature Essays

The Truth to the Puritanism Lifestyle in American Literature There are many suspicions about weather Puritanism is accurately depicted in books. This should clear things up a bit. The depiction of the puritan life style in American Literature is in some ways inaccurate but it is mostly accurate. The Puritans' were very religious but their family and social traditions were vaguely addressed. In literature such as The Scarlet Letter, The Crucible, "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", "The Devil and Tom Walker", the Puritan lifestyle is mostly accurately depicted even though some things were left out. These accurate depictions and mostly reflected in crime and punishment, good and evil in society, religious influence, and family and social traditions. In literature, such as The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible, crime and punishment were depicted as harsh and unusual, and they were in some cases but, in many cases the punishments were suitable to the crime committed. There is however truth to the stories, there were public confessions, and public punishments. Crimes were not as heavily judged by biblical standards as The Scarlet Letter and The Crucible lead the reader to believe. Judges were not quite as amiss as the stories elude them to be. Good and evil in society was also ill addressed. The puritans know that good and evil was amongst them but it did not run there lives as it was portrayed in the stories. In the Scarlet Letter the characters Roger Chillingworth and Arthur Dimmesdale were the epitome of good and evil. Roger was often referred to as the devil and Arthur was a man of God. In The Crucible witches were everywhere they believed that witches were terrible beings and yet everyone was susceptible to being over ... ...y depicted in the Scarlet Letter but in the book there were not as many sermons or lectures as there were on the true Puritan Election Days. In a nut shell the Puritans? way of life, in American Literature, was portrayed in a slightly harsher manner then the reality of it, but all in all the books were surprisingly accurate. There were certain aspects of puritan life style that were scarcely mentioned and some that were not mentioned at all. There is a great deal to learn about the Puritans and American Literature can only teach a brief synopsize about it. Works Cited Helicon. "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God." A Sermon by Jonathon Edwards. 2007. Cambridge. 11 Nov 2003 . Stille, Darlene. Anne Hutchinson. Minneapolis: Julie Gassman, 2006. Wilson, George. Literature and its Times. U.S.: Jeff Hill, 1997.

Saturday, August 17, 2019

Contextual Differences Analysis of the Differences between Fassbinder’s All That Heaven Allows and Sirk’s Ali

The high price of gas at the pump has many Americans looking for alternates to their gas powered vehicles. One of the most popular option right now is a hybrid vehicle. The question that comes to mind is, are hybrid vehicles worth it? With record high gas prices due to the price of oil, most car owners out there have major concerns over their gas usage. Over the past ten years, the cost of gasoline has grown 250%! The price of oil has doubled since January of this year. The high prices of oil and gas is the driving factor for most of the people to trade their gas powered vehicles for hybrid vehicles.These vehicles promise to give consumers more mileage per gallon, the truth is that only a few vehicles currently in the market actually make any sort of financial sense. There are quite a few issues with buying hybrid vehicles, even with gas prices at more than $4 a gallon. First, these vehicles are much higher in price than their gas powered counter part so, the premiums attached to the ir price tags do not justify extra mileage that you get. In some cases car dealers are selling popular vehicles at much higher prices than MSRP.Second, there are no laws and regulations controlling the technology, price, and the mileage per gallon required out of these vehicles. Currently, there are hybrid vehicles in the market that offer an improvement of 3MPG to 18 MPG over their gas powered counterpart. This is a huge range that needs to be controlled. Third, the demand of these vehicles is driving the prices of the vehicles even higher, if people knew that it would take many years for fuel savings to pay back the hybrid premium on many models, the demand on these models would be much lower, driving the prices down.The solutions that I would like to propose is the government to work with auto manufacturers to develop a standard for hybrid vehicles. This standard should control the minimum mileage offered per gallon, and control the premium allowed to be charged by the manufactur ers. There are vehicles in the market that offer only a marginal benefit over the gas powered vehicles and yet the manufacturers charge thousands of dollars premium. Background: Today people all around the world are facing unusually high oil price hikes.Oil has become so very expensive that people are trying all kinds of extreme measures to lower the price. The hike in price has affected every nation; the entire world is trying to find a way out of the soaring prices. Thanks to the oil prices, travel expenses have increased, not just flying being expensive, driving your own car is very expensive. The chart below shows a trend in oil prices since 1990 with some of the major events leading to this increase. Note that since January of 2007 the oil prices have increase by 162%.With high gas prices, hybrid cars are a more affordable option than ever in terms of gas mileage, but only a handful of hybrid cars make solid financial sense, and only for some consumers, according to a new study by NADAguides. com, a vehicle pricing and information website. Using current gas prices for ten major metropolitan areas, the company studied the number of miles needed to recoup the extra cost of buying a hybrid car over its gasoline-only counterpart.The study showed, for example, that a driver in Los Angeles, the city with the highest gas prices in the study, will break even about 18 percent faster than a driver in Houston, the city with the lowest gas prices, assuming both are driving the same miles. The study found that, even at today's high gas prices, only a handful of hybrid cars make financial sense for a consumer who buys a new car every five years or less and drives an average number of miles per year.Even at Los Angeles-area gas prices, there are only five hybrid cars that would allow consumers to recoup their additional investment before they sold the car, assuming they drive an average of 15,000 miles per year. In order of shortest time to break even, they are: 1. Toyo ta Camry Hybrid 2. Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid 3. Nissan Altima Hybrid 4. Toyota Prius 5. Honda Civic Hybrid Following is a chart of the top five hybrid cars with the greatest return on investment and the number of miles to break even in 10 major metropolitan areas at current gas prices.Issue: Even with gas prices at more than $4 per gallon, there are quite a few issues with buying hybrid vehicles. Issue 1: High Prices Hybrid vehicle prices are higher than their gas powered counterpart. The demand for these vehicles in the last year has increased a lot, increasing the prices even further. In some areas people are actually paying premium over MSRP and waiting for more than two years to get some vehicles.The price premium attached to the hybrid vehicles are just too great to be considered a cost savings relative to purchasing their gasoline counterpart. If people knew how long it would take them to pay off the increased premium the demand for the hybrid would be lower than what it is now, decreasing the prices. Issue 2: High Prices The second issue with the hybrid vehicles is that there are no laws and regulations controlling the technology, price, and the mileage per gallon required out of these vehicles.Currently, there are hybrid vehicles in the market that offer an improvement of just a few miles per gallon over their gas powered counterpart, yet the manufacturers are charging thousands more for the premium for a so called hybrid technology. The table shows the amount of time it would take a buyer to offset the hybrid premium by fuel savings. The table also shows the miles per gallon and annual gas savings. These numbers clearly show the need to have some regulations to control the miles per gallon offered and the amount of premium that is charged by the manufacturers.Let’s look at some vehicles: Starting with the worst of the bunch, the Lexus LS600H. The premium charges on this vehicle is about $19,000, yet it only offers about 20 to 22 miles per gallon. It would take almost a century to break even. The next worst seems to be the Saturn Aura which only offers an annual gas savings of $171. The best one seems to Toyota Prius, but this car is so popular these days that in some areas there is a wait list of two years. In areas where it’s available, the dealers are charging more than $5,000 over MSRP.Solution: ?Better education to customers about the ownership costs of a hybrid vehicle ? Government should offer incentives like tax break to buy hybrid vehicles ? Have a standard to develop hybrid vehicle to encourage mass production, bringing the vehicle prices to even less than current gas-powered vehicles ? Force auto makers to sell hybrid vehicles at no more than, about 10%, premium to the customers Conclusion: Reference: Web Site: Bespoke Investing Group – http://bespokeinvest. typepad. com/bespoke/