Monday, September 30, 2019

Parenting Skills Essay

1. What role do you think discipline plays in developing a child’s self-esteem? What forms of discipline best serve the self-esteem of the child or adolescent? 2. List and discuss how activities, clubs, or sports, impact the self-esteem of children and parents. Provide at least two activities, clubs, or sports in your answer. Discussion Answers 1. I think that discipline done correctly could help in a child’s self-esteem. When you discipline a child make sure that they understand WHY and it makes them feel trustworthy, and included. If you treat discipline like a dictatorship the child feels like you’re abusive and they are stupid and untrustworthy. people with low self-esteem generally Fail to achieve their goals, Are not able to pursue accomplishments in a responsible and disciplined manner, Have poor communication skills, Have a pessimistic view on life, Are prone to anxiety, depression, hostility, loneliness, shame, and guilt, Form unhealthy, destructive relationships with others, and Make decisions in life more to please others than to adhere to their own interests and value systems. I think that discipline done correctly could help in a child’s self-esteem. When you discipline a child make sure that they need to understand what is happening and they need to feel included. If you treat discipline like a dictatorship the child feels like you’re abusive. people with low self-esteem generally fail to achieve their goals, have poor communication skills, have a negative view on life and are prone to anxiety, depression, loneliness, and guilt. Also, form unhealthy, destructive relationships with others, and make decisions in life more to please others. 2. Parents should encourage children to participate in sports and clubs that are productive and give a feeling of accomplishment. However, it is not always advantageous for a parent to push a child toward a particular sport or activity because sometimes the parents will push their children towards their dream sports or activities they wanted to do as a child. 3. parents should encourage children to participate in sports and clubs that are productive and give their children a feeling of accomplishment. However, it is not always advantageous for a parent to push a child toward a particular sport or activi ty.

Sunday, September 29, 2019

Define an SLA and state why it is required in a risk adverse organization Essay

1. This is a closed-book, closed-notes quiz. No reference material (including assignments and labs) will be permitted for use during the quiz session. 2. The quiz contains the following types of questions: * Short essay type 3. Place your answers in the space immediately following each question. Quiz Questions 1. Define an SLA and state why it is required in a risk adverse organization. A SLA is a service level agreement, which is a contract between the ISP and the company. A SLA gives the company an idea of how much time they will be without services, should something happen with the ISP. A SLA is important to a company in making recovery plans, knowing what critical systems need to be available for a continuance of business and formulation of disaster recovery. 2. Using the user domain, define risks associated with users and explain what can be done to mitigate them. The user domain has several risk’s involved, as people are involved and there is no way employees can be monitored without the use of CCTV. Social engineering a person trying to obtain information through malicious means. The greatest tool in mitigating risk in the user domain is training and reminders for users to be aware of their surroundings. No acceptable user’s policy, AUP, or lack of training employees on the correct usage of the network. User accounts left active, if the employee is terminated, and another employee has the log on credentials. Mitigation would to be disabling all user accounts upon termination. . 3. Using the workstation domain, define risks associated within that domain and explain what can be done to reduce risks in that domain. The use of USB’s or disk, the files could contain viruses and infect other files or applications on the network. No acceptable user’s policy, AUP, or lack of training employees on the correct usage of the network. The users staying signed into their accounts when leaving their desk. Session timeout would help with this risk, but training and follow up with need to be done as well. 4. List four compliance laws or regulations or mandates, and explain them. HIPAA- covers all healthcare industries and states all patient information must be encrypted in storage, transmissions, and restrictions on access to the information. SOX- cover all publically traded companies and require auditing of the accounting procedures of the business. The reports required by SOX are reported to the SEC. Access to the financial information is restricted and based on need to know. FISMA- covers government agencies and is to ensure all assets of the government are protected. Assets like information, operations and actual machinery are protected from hackers or internal threats. Guidelines to develop a security guideline for government agencies, requires regular audits. CIPA-Child Internet Protection Act- covers federally funded entities’ than provide internet services to individuals, schools and libraries. The Act requires content filters to be used to prevent children from being exposed to harmful content, pornography and illicit sites on the internet. 5. Define risk with a formula. Explain what each variable means. Risk= Threat x Vulnerability- Threat is any compromise in the network that can be used for malicious behavior, an example worm, or Trojan horse. Vulnerability- is a weakness in the software or OS of a network that can be exploited for malicious intent. The two multiplied equals a risk to the information, assets or intellectual property of a business.

Saturday, September 28, 2019

International Trade Innovations Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

International Trade Innovations - Essay Example Engine of long-run economic growth. This means that a nation's economic prosperity depends in large part on its capacity for innovation, for which technological innovation is a key driver in advanced countries Empirical evidence, however, suggests that some industries are more innovative than others. Hence, it would be desirable from a public policy perspective to identify and promote sectors displaying both a high innovation rate and, in an increasingly competitive international economy, a high degree of international competitiveness (Henisz, 2000). It is frequently argued that the high-tech industry sectors, in contrast to low-tech sectors, satisfy both conditions, with the implication that public policy should be directed to enhancing the performance of high-tech sectors. As the author of a recent OECD working paper has put it, ' technology is a key factor in enhancing growth and competitiveness in business'. Furthermore, he argues that: indicators of technological characteristics. ... other sectors. If this is true, both government policy and firm strategy need to be informed by reliable indicators of technological characteristics. Again, in Hatzichronoglou's words, 'in order to analyze the impact of technology on industrial performance, it is important to be able to identify those industries and products which are most technology-intensive, through criteria allowing the construction of special internationally harmonized classifications'. This approach lift up at least two important issues. The first is whether such classifications can be meaningfully constructed given both the intractability of the concepts involved and difficulties in data collection. A second issue is the basic assumption that policy emphasis should be placed on technology-intensive industries because they have a greater impact on growth. In this paper, we argue that while it may be possible to construct indices of technological intensity that are useful for some purposes, the ones that are currently in use and proposed are of limited scope. This is a reflection of the technicalities involved in formulating and operationalising the indices, but it also reflects problems in the underlying premise, namely that technology-intensive sectors are more growth-inducing than low-tech sectors. Innovation Rate Further insight into the conditions defining high- (or low-) tech industries could be aimed by taking into account the rate of technological innovation, defined as the proportion of businesses undertaking technological innovation in a given industry. To illustrate this approach, the following typical description is useful: A high-technology industry is, loosely speaking, an industry in which the success of companies depends largely on their ability to keep up with rapid innovation

Friday, September 27, 2019

The effects of Putin's hegemony on lives of Russian citizens Research Paper

The effects of Putin's hegemony on lives of Russian citizens - Research Paper Example Here, a gist and common knowledge will be put forth regarding each type of hegemony; moreover, each kind of hegemony can be implemented in the scenario of relations structured on power logic, multilateral relations and bilateral relations. In the scenario of hegemonic independence, Russia is not energetic as a prevailing regional leader. However, the country has the potential to perform such a role. Pronouncements of sovereignty and political assertions are the characteristics of loose hegemony and in a hierarchic system while Russia on top is not possible. However, there have been a few signs that a comparatively tight hierarchic core is enhancing in the parameters of post-Soviet loose hegemony. Russia is definitely the central leader within the parameters of tight hegemony, here, the associations of countries may influence other countries; moreover, internal decisions are also an influential factor. Several countries that are a segment of tight hegemony with Russia at extent displa yed or exhibited their dynamic opposition towards Russian hegemony. Therefore, tight hegemony is associated to a few countries (Descalzi, pp. 193-194) Vladimir Putin has been the most controversial leader of Russia. There are several contradictory perceptions regarding his governing style, thought and practice. Furthermore, he has been one of the most popular leaders in Russian history despite potentially challenging obstacles. Several events and characteristics during his reign exhibit as possible barriers against his popularity. It has been counseled by the foreign critics that subjugation of free speech, civil society organizations, political pluralism and press freedom have taken back Russia from democratic transition. Similarly, cooling in relations with the West, unpopular social reforms, massively fatal national tragedies in Moscow and Beslan, and the never ending conflict in Chechnya are in the perspective of several western or outside observers and put an important stain on the image of Putin. However, none of these influenced his popularity rating negatively during his presidency period. His rating remains stable between 70 and 80% throughout his tenure, and in most part of his career he continues to stays superior, despite his defeat in the election and his rivals occupied his place in the office. There were many reasons for Putin’s popularity. Some accuse Putin to utilize state control over media for obtaining public support by saving and fortifying his public image on television. Television is the most popular media in Russia. Almost 85% Russians watch television for informative purpose. In Russia it was not a new thing to manipulate the media to portray a positive image of the president on television. At that time winning over the Russian population would be very difficult without generating a visible proof to underpin the genuineness of the image. (Mommsen and NuBberger,. pp. 52-53)Hegemony will be viewed in the current paper within the p arameters of leadership and background of democratic and cultural impact; moreover, the character of a leader and its impact over its subjects or citizens will be observed briefly; furthermore, the overall discussion in this paper will examine Vladimir Putin the Russian president and his tenure’s impact on the lives of Russian people. The unexpected collapse of communist

Thursday, September 26, 2019

The Tiebout Model Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

The Tiebout Model - Essay Example The main finding included the fact that inter-jurisdictional competition is a vital element of the mechanism. The key players in Tiebout’s model are individual citizens and governments. business firms are not an explicit part of the model (Brueckner 2004, p 138). It was meant to be applied to local governments and to a lesser degree, to state governments. The model assumes citizens have full knowledge of government revenue and expenditure packages, that there are a large number of communities among which individuals can choose to live, and that people will opt for the community that best satisfies their preferences. Moreover, the model assumes that government services exhibit no spillover effects (Billings 2008, p 45). Tiebout’s model made three additional assumptions; one, that jobs impose no locational constraint on individuals; two, that a community’s optimal size, meaning the size for which the average cost of producing a particular packages of public service s is minimized, can be determined; and three, that each community seeks to attain its optimal size (Feiock 2004, p. 76). The model envisions citizens sorting themselves out among available communities so that demands for government services within any particular community would become homogenous. In theory, Tiebout concluded that to the extent these rather restrictive assumptions are met, good and services provided by the local public sector will exhibit both allocative efficiency (the right amounts of the various good and services are produced ) and productive efficiency (they are produced at least cost) (Rivkin 2001, p. 206). In Tiebout’s model, community taxes would be benefit taxes, or proportional to the benefits citizens receive form public services, rather than taxes based on the ability to pay. Tiebout’s model implies that any redistribution of income is taken care of by the federal government (Rivkin 2001, p. 207). Despite all the pros of the Tiebout model, va rious changes in the finance systems of local governments over the last three decades, such as fiscal centralization, work against the establishment of Tiebout effects. This uniformity is undesirable and future reforms should target to encourage a greater diversity of service provision. Competition among local governments, cities and municipalities, as depicted in Tiebout’s model, most at times serve to improve efficiency and delivery of service and goods to the citizens. Based on Tiebout’s model, where there is competition, citizens will come together to take care of all types of demands for public goods and service (Widmer & Zweifel 2008, p. 5). Moreover, individuals will relocate to communities that best meets their demand for public goods and services and the productivity is improved and more efficient since shady and/ ineffective providers of public services and goods will not get any clients. Tiebout model has all the benefits of a competitive market (Feiock 2004 , p. 97). According to Tiebout, it is clear that decentralization of provision of public goods and services results in a positive influence on performance. The rationale is that citizens will procure from the providers who give them the best quotient between public service and tax paid. In a study on fiscal equalization, where disparities among local

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

American Psycho,The Slumber Party Massacre,Office Killer and Sister My Movie Review

American Psycho,The Slumber Party Massacre,Office Killer and Sister My Sister - Movie Review Example During a crucial scene of the movie Bateman confesses before his lawyer that he is a â€Å"pretty sick guy† and in another scene, he tells, â€Å"I like to dissect girls. Did you know I’m utterly insane?† Bateman is helpless to backtrack from the path of insanity and the worst things are in store for him. He is to be pitied rather than condemned; the world he lives in is cruel to him. The unconcealed consumerism, the environment of racism in which he has been brought up, the double-faced society and people wearing masks and stay far away from the pursuit of truth, internal beauty crushed by mad race for physical beauty, and the world full of negativities viewed from all ends, what more is required to make the man crazy and turn insane? He wants to strike back at the society that has been cruel to him. The viewers must know the reasons that land him in the pitiable mental condition. The ground realities related to the materialistic civilization impacted by technol ogical growth, the internet revolution, and globalization, have engulfed the society in a big scale and Bateman is the casualty of such a rotten society. The setting of the book relates to the year 1989. But the film is set two years earlier, resulting in gross irregularities. There is a scene where Patrick reads the 1987 Zagat’s survey. The televised speech of President Ronald Regan is set in the final scene. The President, in fact, has demitted the office by the time the events in the novel take place. The film has a major problem from the point of view of the discerning audience. To understand the character of Detective Kimball, one needs to avail the services of another detective! His mindset and inclinations are tough to understand. Why he is doing, what he is doing? Perhaps the concerned detective can only answer this question. He is a three-dimensional character. Firstly, it appears that the detective is aware that Bateman has killed the character, Paul Allen. Secondly , an impression is gathered that the detective is unaware that Bateman has committed the murder. Thirdly, the detective is not sure whether Bateman is Allen’s murderer. To keep the audience in the stage of uncertainty is the deliberate plan of the director. Bateman is a directionless, destination less and is a deranged individual. In any crime-drama the protagonist cannot be a divine character, and â€Å"American Psycho†, is no exception to this trend in the American movies. Christian Bale as the Wall Street blue-eyed young man Patrick Bateman is un-Christian like in all his killings. He has some responsibility in his father’s company and his passion and aggrandizement for wealth are not out of the economic necessities. The murders committed by him are deliberate and intentional. His life is engulfed in enormous wealth and yet the impact of materialism is so heavy on his mindset, being mad after homicidal activities. One wonders whether this man’s soul is operated upon, removed from its place to transplant some satanic version there and most importantly what are the circumstances that drive him to such a hopeless position?

Tuesday, September 24, 2019

Foreign direct investment in the mining industry in burkina faso Essay

Foreign direct investment in the mining industry in burkina faso - Essay Example Later in 2013 the country was ranked 153 out of 185 in according to the ‘Doing Business 2013’ report (US Department of State, â€Å"2011 Investment Climate Statement - Burkina Faso†; Ficci, â€Å"Burkina Faso†; US Department of State, â€Å"2013 Investment Climate Statement - Burkina Faso†). The government of Burkina Faso revised its investment code in the year 2010 that demonstrates the government’s interest in attracting Foreign Direct Investment in order to be able to develop industries producing goods that can be exported. In addition to that such industries would also provide adequate training and jobs for the domestic workforce. The code also provides standardized guarantees to all the firms which are legally established, whether domestic or foreign, that are operating in Burkina Faso. The code constitutes of four different investment and operations preference scheme which are evenly valid to all mergers and acquisitions as well as Greenfield investments. Exhibiting its new status as a significantly large mining industry, the Government of Burkina Faso is revising the mining code stipulated in 2003 in order to better capitalize in the mineral resources generated from the industry as well as to create a suitable climate for the mining industry. The announcements for privatization bids made by the country’s government are extensively distributed targeting both domestic and foreign investors. The bids announcements are published in the regional and local newspapers, international magazines, e-mailed to interested investors based in foreign countries, mailed to diplomatic missions and are also hosted over the internet (US Department of State, â€Å"2012 Investment Climate Statement - Burkina Faso†). The strategies implemented by the government of Burkina Faso have proven to be highly successful in grabbing the attention of foreign investors. The investment code was revised in

Monday, September 23, 2019

Folk Songs Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Folk Songs - Essay Example Slaves used traditional folk songs as a way to maintain their heritage in the face of not being allowed to read or write. Music has long been recognized as an effective means of passing the oral tradition as the sound and the syntax reinforce the text (Bohlman 15) Often the folk song is invoked to maintain a connection with something that is being lost to the past or to celebrate something happening in the present. They often involve the emotions that surround work such as "Pat Works on the Railway" (Lauter). Workers would sing these work songs as a way to pass the time and effort. Gandy dancers, the men who built and maintained the railroads, had a large volume of folk music that was performed as rhythmic chants to ease their mind from the grueling labor (Sloss Furnaces Presents) Folk music often is closely associated with a cultural group. As the culture changes with time, the folk music evolves with it. Religion has had a close connection with folk music, as churches would sing folk songs reflecting the groups common bond to the church. Poor whites in the south during the early 19th century would gather around camps and sing folk songs that told of, "debt, chain gangs, and deeds of drinking prowess" (Nash et al. 560). Groups that were socially outcast or politically disenfranchised would turn to folk music to maintain a common bond.

Sunday, September 22, 2019

A report to president Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

A report to president - Essay Example The paper is structured into three core sections; firstly, background information of Business development incentives. Secondly, the imperativeness of this program to the general economy. Thirdly, the document will also reflect on the associated challenges of this program. Business development incentives (Background) This program seeks to provide incentives to business to provide cash or near cash incentives to bail out business through harsh economic times. The program will be a non affiliate to a plethora of non-monetary incentives; for instance, public infrastructure projects. This will endeavor to provide a large list of incentives practices to reduce general costs. The affiliate goal of this program is to ensure that areas within our jurisdiction do not suffer unemployment, due to a blatant fiscal policy. Indeed, the job growth will be expected to generate tax breaks and eventually enable business to plough enough resources back to the required capital threshold. Strategist withi n my jurisdiction realized the necessity to introduce this program based on the long history of interrelation of sectors within this economy (Mulligan, 2012). Large economic experience was based from the aftermath of the 2008-2009 economic recessions, in which, the general economy realized a tendency high cost of business was a primary cause factor of unemployment. Businesses realized in order to make it in a challenging time, reducing manpower was an advisable sacrificial method to realize positive returns, during that surviving period. However, this strategy was not appropriate on how it operated. The resultant situation was that our local economy had weak purchasing power and this was subsequent of a gradually failing economy. Technically, unemployment weakened the household, which in turn weakened the firms and finally the government tax threshold was largely affected. Following the successful introduction of this program, it is imperative to consider that the main objective of this program is to bail out local business during harsh economic times (Wiesner. 2009). Why this particular program There are resounding factors that prompted strategist to approach the economy with these considerations. Firstly, it is imperative to consider that the households who are often engaged directly to the economy needed a security on their jobs. This program will attract incentives to attract new business and generate new jobs. Indeed, the lower income segments in our economy were direct beneficiaries with incentives provided by this program. Secondly, it was fundamental to consider the fiscal need associated with this program. During the recession, our local economy suffered reduced revenues and persistent budget deficit which was a direct result of stagnation. This trend was realized when our local authorities attempted to cut tax gap, leaving the administration vulnerable to harsh economic times. The relation here is political psychology associated with an overtaxed pub lic (Anderson & Wassmer, 2000). Thirdly, there was a close consideration of improving administrative capacity one which never had local bureaucrats dictating to the public about their macroeconomic opinions. This would call for the enrollment of better infrastructure improvements, through use of consultancy of viable strategies. These strategies will primarily address regulatory exemptions and tax increment

Saturday, September 21, 2019

Life Course of a Mas Murderer Essay Example for Free

Life Course of a Mas Murderer Essay On April 16, 2007 one of the most devastating mass murders in U.S history occurred at a Virginia college. Seung-Hui Cho a 23 year old South Korean alone executed the killing of 33 people by securing colleges doors to prevent escape of any students. Events such as these are truly tragic and devastating to all involved. By gathering background information about Seung-Hui Cho, we can effectively examine social development theories as they relate to Cho and review my analysis that this particular occurrence was preventable. Born in South Korea, Seung-Hui Cho immigrated to America when he was 8 years old. Although Cho was a quiet well behave child he was awkwardly withdrawn and angry (cite book). Throughout school Cho was teased and bullied which could have been the cause of his average grades throughout school. Cho’s sister Sun-kyung was often in the school newspaper and was selected to attend the most elite Ivy League Universities (Schmalleger, 2009). Cho went on to attend Virginia tech where he was recognize once again for being extremely violent and was even removed from class. Cho was referred to multiple counselors and officials where he denied all thoughts of suicide and homicide. Although Cho denied these having these thoughts students that attend Virginia Tech could see the imminent risk rising with Cho. There are many social development theories that can be applied to Seung-Hui Cho but I feel that the Life Course Perspective accurately represents Cho most effectively. With the social development perspective, human development occurs on many levels simotaneously, including psychological, biological, familial, interpersonal, cultural, social, and ecological (Schmalleger, 2009). Social development d\theories focus on delinquencies over an extended period of time as well as transitions people go through within their life span. As the Life course perspective suggests Cho exhibited showed a distinct pattern of anti-social behavior throughout his childhood and had never committed any crimes. Cho had a hard childhood and was in the shadows of his very successful sister. Even in college Cho had no friends and began to look up to other school shooters as martyrs. Although these individuals were not his friends at all in his situation they were the closest thing to having friends. In college Cho was accused of stalking women on two different occasions, was caught taking photos of the legs of female students in class and was separated out of classes. I believe that Cho’s antisocial lifestyle along with the transition any from home eventually lead him to commit the mass murder. Cho’s anti-social lifestyle seemed to escalate to criminal behaviors from the time he went off to college until the time of the Virginia Tech shooting. I believe that this tragedy could have been prevented if the proper preventative measures and treatment techniques were taken. As a boy Cho should have been taken in for a mental evaluation but I believe the integration of his family into the American society prevented that. In high school Cho being bullied and teased could have been put to a stop by teachers and surrounding students. Also when Cho started writing gruesome poems short stories and plays he should have been recommended to a counselor. Any counselor that Cho had encounters with could have been a lot more persistent in getting to the bottom of Cho’s situations. A teacher college teacher doesn’t just separate a student from her class. Finally the two females who Cho supposedly stalked could have reported Cho and pressed charges, preventing him from escalating in criminal nature. Seung-Hui Cho may have lived a particularly difficult life but with appropriate preventative and treatment measures the Virginia Tech shooting could have been prevented. One way this could have been prevented is with the support of his family. Cho’s family should have played a larger role in providing guidance and discipline and instilling sound values in Cho. Also social institutions failed him. He was bullied in teased in schools and church which could have been the reason for him being anti-social throughout his lifespan (Seung-Hui, 2013). Finally individuals in Cho’s life should have intervened immediately and constructively when delinquent behavior first occurred. After closely reviewing Cho’s background information and examining social development theories as they relate to Cho my analysis is that the Virginia Tech shooting was preventable. References Schmalleger, F. (2009). Criminology today: An integrative introduction. (5th; ed., pp. 297-341). Columbus, OH: Pearson Prentice Hal. Retrieved from http://devry.vitalsource.com/ Seung-Hui Cho. (2013). The Biography Channel website. Retrieved 06:22, Jul 28, 2013, from http://www.biography.com/people/seung-hui-cho-235991.

Friday, September 20, 2019

Complete draft dissertation

Complete draft dissertation Chapter One Introduction Music can provoke different responses because of the way its message communicates and gives meaning to peoples lives. Ned Rorem stated, ‘music is the sole art which evokes nostalgia for the future (Shuman 1997: 140). The music scene is testimony to the way in which old musical genres have either provoked a sentimental nostalgic response in wanting to maintain and preserve a traditional sound, or a pragmatic artistic response which chooses to use the memory of an old musical message and sound to inspire new, creative innovations. Flamenco is no exception. Throughout its history there are those who have sought to encase it, referring to it with notions of romanticism and sentimentality, and those who have embraced its evolving nature. The first is true of intellectualists Falla and Lorca, who sought to preserve cante jondo -the ‘deep song of the outcasts by hosting festivals strictly for traditional artists to display its ‘purity. It is also evident in the attraction of the rising middle classes in Andalusian cities toward the tragic song of flamenco. Flamenco provided a romantic perspective of the past, a ‘folklore-like history to provide a distinctive identity for Andalusians, also allowing them to express their sympathy for the downtrodden. The poor, for their part, embraced the ‘romantic song style of flamenco because it expressed their anguish, and also allowed them in hindsight to have a rosier slant on their miserable pasts ‘holding out a hope, however faint, that the since rity of their song would qualify them as bonifide cultural heroes in the future (Washabaugh 1996: 55). Since flamenco evokes ancestral history, the art form can encase and preserve these memories, only to re-live them through melancholic sentimentality. Conversely, Và ©lez suggests that ‘the pleasures of the past are not lost to the present, but are transformed into radically different aesthetics by the manifold forces that operate through time (Và ©lez 1976: 25). This approach recognises the contributions of the past that keep giving to the present, allowing the process of musical evolution to keep an art form alive and developing. In this way, ‘each generation builds new pleasures on top of old, and adds fresh memories to existing recollections (Featherstone 1991: 32). This is true of modern flamenco artists, who seek to recognise their ‘roots, while introducing their own interpretations and often experiment with other musical sounds. Globalisation has meant th at the product of this approach is seen in a fusion of elements with very diverse musical styles. Modern flamenco fusion band Ojos de Brujo share this approach: Flamenco is in many places and it can evolve in many ways†¦ we draw from the same source and we have the same love and the same respect for this music (Flamenco World 2002). This dissertation will examine the main perceptions of flamenco; an older, traditional perspective that views flamenco as  ´dead ´ and another younger perspective that argues flamenco is still a vibrant and living art form. It will account for aspects within the raging debate over flamencos historical purity, studying how it has remained a constant, changing and evolving art form. Chapter Two will examine the  ´purity ´ of the history of flamenco, considering the four main perspectives through which it has been viewed. Chapter Three studies the significance of the message and emotion characterising flamenco, and the way in which the song forms serve as a window into the lives of the flamenco community. It also accounts for the fact that though traditionalists contend for one ‘pure song form, there are in fact many branches within the genre. Chapter Four describes the journey in the modernisation of flamenco, considering how traditionalists blame this era for the ‘degeneration of flamenco, whilst modernists praise it for its progress. Chapter Five analyses the two groups that have emerged in the flamenco scene, the purists who insist that ‘true flamenco resides in the past, and the modernistswho look embrace the evolution of the art form. Chapter Two The History of Flamenco Flamenco holds many threads of history. Depending on who is narrating its past, the  ´proper ´ and  ´true ´ history of flamenco can be found in various long-lived and widespread claims. Washabaugh identifies four main ideologies held by flamencologists; ‘Andalusian, ‘Gitano, ‘Populist and ‘Sociological (Washabaugh 2006: 32). This chapter will consider the debate over the purity of the history of flamenco and examine the four main varying perspectives through which its origin has been viewed. The line of ideology emphasisng the Andalusian character of flamenco music conveys its deeply-rooted and cultural musical characteristics only formed by Andalusia ´s unique history and demographic make-up that created the conditions which birthed a very distinct art form. Unlike the constructions of Spanish nationalism, especially in the Basque and Catalan regions, Andalusian identity was not predicated on the notions of racial purity, Andalusia ´s unique identity was often defined by the very multiplicity of cultural and racial layers from which it had evolved (Brown 2007: 230). Contributing to this melting pot, the 800 year reign of the Moors tolerantly allowed other diverse culture groups to cohabit within their society; Arabs, Jews and Catholics all contributing to the rich mix found in multicultural southern Spain. However, the Christian Reconquista in 1492 brought a new era of hostility to the region, driving out all Jews and Muslims who refused to convert to Christianity, alongside gitanos who refused to conform to sedentary occupations. This expulsion united the persecuted cultures against the Inquisition who now shared a muliticultural common life. An intense blend of Muslim, Jewish, Indian and Christian cultures characterised these underground communities, producing a fusion of distinct musical sounds which formed what we now call flamenco, here, in the midst of the minorities. ‘And there it stayed, performed in the privacy of their houses or caves unknown to the world until the end of the eighteenth century when it began to be heard in the ta verns and other public places (Totton 2003: 15). There is a vivid debate between the gitanos and payos over the origin of flamenco, both people groups insisting on their contribution due to their cultural bonds.  ´The majority of non-gitanos do not deny the role of the gitanos in the enriching and developing process of the flamenco art, but they are very absolute when it comes to the origin, Andalusia (Papapavlou 2003). Many composers and philosophers such as Manuel de Falla were keen to preserve a musicological perspective that contributed to a Spanish identity based on the romanticism of Andalusias origins as a primitive artefact. Writers and philosophers ´ diverse assertions of a distinct Andalusian identity give varying emphasis to oriental music through Indian (the gitanos place of origin) and Arab roots, Sephardic Jewish music, as well as influences as far back as the early Greek, Roman, Visigoth and Byzantine rulers. These concepts are all based on the diverse musical influences that can be traced in the flamenco cante, baile and toque; its very un-Western chant like melodies and long melismatic wails, its strong twelve-count compà ¡s which provides a driving underlying rhythmical structure with syncopated accented golpes, as well as the exaggerated upper body movements and stamping zapateado created by the bailaor. Altogether these speculative transferring influences are said to play a pa rt in the evolution of flamenco. These claims also contain cultural connotations that provoke issues of race and identity, which seek to shape Spanish cultural consciousness and identity. In this way,  ´the anthropomorphised Andalusia passionate, musical, changing, and anarchical- had become the true source of flamenco ´ (Deutsch 2004: 220). ‘Though Lorca contends that flamenco has to do with a purely Andalusian canto which existed in embryonic form before the gypsies arrived, others think that flamenco is the ethnic music of the gitanos (Steingress 2003: 154 quoting Lorca 1984). The active participation of the gitano community created a phenomenon by virtue of their extraordinary facility for adaptation which brought the diverse cultures of Andalusia finally into harmony (Leblon 1994: 72). Cante gitano refers to the songs that expressed the pain of the gitanos under persecution. They were kept alive ‘underground and performed in the gitanos notorious family gatherings and fiestas where the atmosphere was conducive to spontaneous song and dance. These performances were so intimate that the distinguishing lines between audience and performer were blurred. Their strong oral traditions and  ´gritty ´ songs of old provided a strong identity amongst the Andalusian gitanos, the reason why writers such as à lv arez Caballero believe they were nothing short of the prime movers of flamenco (Caballero 1988: 70 Washabaugh p.34). To many, therefore, the word flamenco has become a synonym for the gitano. This is helped by the fact that thiscommunity is still a very visible sector of society. Although historically by the nineteenth century the gitanos were now an integrated part of Spain, they represent a people group with a uniquely separate racial status, while still forming an integral part of Andalusian culture (Brown 2007:230). The gitano perspective is not without criticism, however, and there are debates about attributing the entire creation of flamenco to the gitanos, some flamencologists even questioning the very nature and instinct of the gitano to be able to create an art form. Ruiz, amongst others, believes that the gitano by nature does not create, but assimilates and integrates, contributing, rather, his influence in this way (Ruiz 2007). Similarly, Totton believes that the gitanos did not bring their music to any country they settled in. Instead, they adopted the music of that country, adapting it to their own particular style of musicality, their strong rhythmic sense, and their tendency to dramatise. In this way he believes that  ´the gitanos have been the catalysts, but flamenco developed in the melting pot of Andalusia ´ (Totton 2003: 14). Others believe that the origins of flamenco matter not, and that flamenco is not just the music of southern Spain but forms a way of life that influences the daily activities of many southern Spaniards. Moreover, one does not have to be a performer of flamenco to be a flamenco.  ´A flamenco is anyone who is emotionally and actively involved in this unique philosophy†¦an outward expression of the flamenco way of life ´ (Pohren 2005: 9). This ideology is also held by the populist point of view which sees flamenco as a voice of resistance. Instead of emphasising its ethnic origins, flamenco primarily is seen to have been used as a means by which to express an outcry from the conditions of oppression in which marginalised people found themselves. This account merits these oppressed artists as the creators of flamenco, their cante jondo marked by a deep and moving performance brought to life by duende. ‘For Lorca, the supernatural force of the duende enters human beings and possesses them as they create inspired, deeply moving work (Hayes 2009: 40). A performance which lacks the essence of duende would be considered as shallow and ‘unpure; a common accusation of the flamenco purists of modern, more commercial, performances. This populist account suggests that the flamenco style persisted in Andalucà ­a for nearly 500 years. However, ‘during the nineteenth century that resistant song of the lower classes began to lose its bite with the commercial developments of the art form (Washabaugh 1996: 36). Still others argue that the spirit of duende continues. The sense of Andalusian oppression has been a central theme in flamenco, and the present political freedom and crisis of mass emigration have, if anything, intensified the use of flamenco as a vehicle of social commentary both through text content and, less overtly, through stylistic innovations (Tong 1998: 176). The sociological perspective is that flamenco is a phenomenon that brings classes together, and disagrees with many populists assessment of the  ´degrading ´ transition flamenco went through in its commercialism. Flamenco remained a voice of the lower classes though it became popular and began to be heard by the upper classes in the  ´golden age ´ of the cafes cantantes. It was on this stage that performers were able to vent their tragic past to their audience of wealthy oppressors. Washabaugh explains that  ´the song, on this account, performs a double catharsis, exposing and relieving both the pain of the poor and the guilt of the wealthy ´ (Washabaugh 1996: 36). In this way, flamenco is a means of connecting both sectors of society as both poor and wealthy can walk away from the performance psychologically unburdened by the awareness of their different social standings. Focussing on the sociological history of flamenco, this perspective coincides with what is described as the ‘second wave of the genre, a time when flamenco embarked on a process of what Biddle and Knights term as  ´re-Andalusianisation ´, finding its identity in both a local and global dynamic (Biddle and Knights 2007: 14). Though this point in flamencos development is seriously criticised by flamenco purists, for sociologists it was here that flamenco truly came into being, reaching the popular scene, and finding its  ´Golden Era ´. In this way, some authors believe ‘there is no point in searching in the distant past for origins or a genre that really did not come into being until the middle of the last century (Leblon 1994:77). Upon reflection, the tradition of flamenco has not enjoyed the same faithful written record as other classical forms (Hayes 2009: 53). The origins of flamenco seem likely to remain shrouded in mystery for some time to come, due to the circumstances surrounding its birth and musicologists ´ unwillingness to tackle the question. As long as the only efforts made in this field have as their sole aim the ruthless elimination of a given community from the competition, there is no chance of our knowledge progressing (Leblon 1994:73). To conclude, this chapter has exposed the variation in the historic accounts of flamenco, and the ideologies that have emerged from four different perspectives. It is therefore evident that flamenco has not followed a  ´pure ´ linear history, but has encountered many different components equally indispensable to the process of its creation. Chapter Three The Voice of Flamenco in Society Flamenco has been described as ‘a way of life, a way of perceiving and interpreting daily existence (Martinez 2003: 5). Its central position in its communities distinguishes the art form from many other musical genres, and only in understanding its voice in society can one appreciate the passion that flamencos feel for their music. This chapter therefore sets out to discover the significance of flamenco and its legacy by studying the messages that its song forms carry, which serve as a window into the lives of the flamenco community. It will also examine the importance of personal expression channelled through the three musical elements of flamenco: cante, baile and toque. Furthermore the chapter accounts for the different subdivisions of the genre, also suggestive of the fact that there is not one ‘pure form of flamenco but many branches that serve as a reflection of different flamenco communities. Though there is much discussion concerning the exact origins of flamenco, it is evident that, at first, it was an art form in the hands of the minorities. There are many song forms within flamenco that serve as a window into the lives of these communities. Flamenco was a reflection of social life, engaging not only with universal themes such as love or death, but also referring to religious and political issues affecting personal life. Many have examined the way in which the community expressed their ways of life through flamenco; lifes pressures, work conditions and the inequality of hierarchy in labour, social structure, and social divisions. En este aspecto, la desigualdad es el eje vertebrador del cante a travà ©s de diversas temà ¡ticas que, aun referidas a lo universal, al amor, a lo panhumano de la muerte o el dolor, està ¡n siempre socializadas traspasadas por una experiencia cultural no abstracta ni confundible con otras: la andaluza (Roldà ¡n : 112). Flamenco palos, or song forms, convey these themes, many categorically giving emphasis to one theme in particular. For example, amongst many, Carceleras are prison songs, alboreà ¡s are gypsy wedding songs, and mineras are miners songs. Other song forms emphasising a more general theme accentuate a specific musical element of flamenco: the cante, toque or baile. Flamenco in its original form was only cante, a primitive cry or chant accompanied only by the rhythm which would be beaten out on the floor by a wooden staff or cane. These styles are known as Palos Secos and they are the oldest forms of cante known today. These including the tonà ¡s, and the saetas, religious songs thought to be of Jewish decent used during processions, improvised without any accompaniment. Other palos are above all rhythmic which have also given rise to leading dance forms, such as the soleà ¡, and bulerà ­a. In the revelation of these mostly tragic song themes, it is important to convey the difference between flamenco and western music, primarily in the way in which, in the west, one hears the tune first, and then only then, perhaps, the harmony, rhythm and words. To the flamenco, the tune is little or nothing, and the harmony less, being aware, above all, of the words and their rhythmic and forceful expression (Totton 2003: 84). Fà ©lix Grande has defined flamenco as ‘a tragedy in the first person and ‘a protest without hope or destination (Grande 2007). The siguiriya is an example of this concept, the heart of cante jondo. ‘It expresses anguish, lament, and despair, and has been described as an outcry against fate and quintessence of tragic song (Totton 1995: 90). It is an example of how the transmission of song serves as a window into the lives of the flamencos. The following copla from a traditional siguiriya is an example of how the history of these Andalusian communities is communicated through the art form: Seà ±or Alcalde mayor Lord high mayor Y demà ¡s seà ±ores And other fine lords Estas penitas a este cuerpo mà ­oThe pain in this body of mine No le corresponden Is not deserved (Kirkland 2001 :9) Felix Grande would respond to such an example by saying : Listen closely to a tonà ¡, truly hear a seguiriya; let some tientos slide through the hairs of your arm. Perhaps you will sense something resembling the hand of Philip V signing a paper in 1745- surely without trembling- to authorize those pursuing a Gypsy to enter a church and take him from its protection (Kirkland 2001: 9). The striking imagery and emotional purity of cante lyrics is also evident in the following coplas: El tiempo y la marea todo me viene en contra; los golpecitos de este mar furioso salen por la popa ( : 94). Hasta las piedras saben la desgracia mà ­a que yo las vendo -mis desgracias- de noche y de dà ­a (: 95) On one level, the coplas serve as a descriptive reflection of the lives of the flamencos, and on another, serve as a representation of complaints, hopes and vindication. El flamenco sirve para descubrir la realidad, para exponer las formas de vida y hasta cuadras de costumbres, pero tambià ©n para reflexionar sobre ellas y denunciar las desigualdades. Pasa de lo descriptivo a lo analà ­tico sin saberlo, y a veces a lo crà ­tico (Roldà ¡n : 112). It is therefore evident that the role of flamenco in society is not merely aesthetic, or for ephemeral enjoyment, but that it has become a living testimony of the flamencos themselves, and an outlet for emotional unburdenment. No canten, pues, con el à ºnico objetivo de hacerlo mejor que la vez anterior o mejor que otros cantaores: cantan porque es sus propias carnes o en las carnes de su propio grupo social o clase han padecido marginaciones y atropellos que a su vez se convierten en exponentes y portavoces de sus propios grupos, familias o entornos. (Gelardo y Belade :21) This is also suggestive of the reason why purists seek to protect the purity of this expression. Clemente believes that dealing with cantes, palos, compà ¡s, and melody is like dealing with living beings, ‘they deserve the respect involved in keeping them alive (Clemente n.d). This reveals an intrinsic link between the lyrics and expressive aspects of the music. Early developments of flamenco show that the socio-political dimension of the art form is manifested in both these facets. Pohen (1995) believes that it can not be overemphasised that flamenco, above all the jondo flamenco, is in essence an emotional art. Moreover, the artist needs only enough technique to enable him to convey his emotions to himself and to his public: The improving of technique to the point of virtuosity is not usually synonymous with the improvement of the artist ´s ability to communicate. Conversely, the opposite is more often true. The virtuoso often becomes a cold machine, too concerned with his technique, too complicated, too entangled in his own virtuosity, too conscious of the fact that the majority of the public is awaiting this virtuosity more than any duende he may impart (Pohen 1995: 58). This emotion is woven through the cante, baile, and toque, each embodying the rhythm and expressive force necessary to bring the words of the coplas to life.The cante is said to have been developed in isolation by Andalusians, and especially gitano Andalusians, ‘and which redeems humans from the prison of language and the darkening isolation of social life (Washabaugh 1996: 90). The flamenco cantaor recreates and embroiders the song form in a personal way, expressing to the audience what the words mean to him (Totton 2003: 84). The quejà ­o, melisma,the manipulation of the compà ¡s, and the quality of voice itself are ways to enforce the power of the cante. The cantaor also adds emotion by spontaneously weaving his voice around the words, envoking duende. The intensity of the cante means that many cantaores prefer to sing al golpe,accompanied only by knuckles on the table and the cries of encouragement from the jaleo. The baile also takes on the character of the coplas by concentrating on forceful rhythms. This contrasts from the graceful movements given importance by modern music academies, a feature of modern flamenco also criticised by purists. Prejudices run deep on the subject, and the Spanish language marks the difference: the classically trained dancer (whether or not also dancing flamenco) is a bailarà ­n; the flamenco dancer is a bailaor or bailaora (Totton 2003: 51). ‘Pure flamenco baile is expected to be individual, forceful, downward, and introvert. A similar prejudice has been established between classical guitarists and a true, flamenco tocaor. The difference can be seen in the very way the guitar is held to the emotional way the tocaor marks out the rhythm and compà ¡s through plucking, strumming, tremolo and banging the wood, and also the ability to improvise, adding his own falsetas. Toca de oà ­do, por intuicià ³n, improvisando continuamente, y aporta, como productos de cosecha propia, las falsetas (Ruiz 2007: 90). Though the toque element was introduced later on in the evolution of flamenco song forms, it is still seen to be an important element. La gran originalidad de la mà ºsica flamenco de guitarra se resume en el hecho que los elementos melà ³dicos, armà ³nicos y rà ­tmicos que la componen tienden a inferirse en provecho de un elemento expresivo superior que engloba y enriquece a los demà ¡s y que podrà ­a calificarse de dinamismo (Hilaire Ruiz 2007: 91) Uniting all elements of flamenco, lyrical, musical and emotional, is the strong sense of tradition and heritage manifested in the art form itself. In this manner, flamenco receives and keeps giving back its communities, allowing the flamenco legacy to live on. It is important to note that until recently, music and lyrics were never written down but transmitted orally. Compositions from the past have been handed down through the generations, and the extensive categorisation of palos reveal that there are many branches of flamenco, originating from numerous communities from different parts of Andalusia and further afield, all adding their musical flavour and history. These branches can be as contrasting as the discussed traditional tragic siguiriya and cante jondo to the cantes de ida y vuelta which were exported from Spain to the New World where they acquired new influences, later to be re-imported again to Andalusia by returning emigrants. These contribute to the rich diversity of so ng forms which have evolved from the original palo seco to varying rhythmic song forms which incorporate baile and toque, two main elements of flamenco that were integrated later on in the evolution of flamenco. Throughout the evolution of flamenco song forms, purists insist that the ablility to evoke duende distinguishes the ‘true flamencos from modern, experimental musicians, due to their ability to identify with the anguished themes of the cantes, re-living these emotional experiences. This chapter has discussed the role of flamenco in society through analysing the dual function of the art form. Firstly, it is evident that the genre transmits the history of a marginalised people through the coplas. Secondly, and entwined with the first, is the expressive, mainly painful, release of emotion associated with life experiences through the three channels of flamenco; cante, baile and toque. In this process, the evoking of duende is what sets flamenco apart from other musical forms, and is suggestive of the purists insistence of protecting a ‘traditional and ‘pure music. However, the many branches of musical style within flamenco also alerts one again to the fact that, though flamenco demands a purity of emotion, there is not one ‘pure song form and single history within the genre, but many stories with diverse themes and musical influences, inevitable in an art form of oral tradition. Chapter Four A New Era of Flamenco When evaluating the different phases of flamenco, flamencologists have tried to define the time line into conveniently identifiable eras. ‘The stages flamenco has passed through until the present day are identified by the venues where it was staged, as well as the artists who were most popular at any given moment (Martà ­nez 2003 :66). Biddle and Knights (2007) refer to these historical stages as ‘waves, while Steingress (2003) refers to them as  ´steps of hybridisation ´, both studies highlighting exhaustive influential causes of change undergone by flamenco. The phases which have contributed to the modern evolution of flamenco are important to highlight because of the way they have changed the face of flamenco, both musically and culturally, not only adapting its sound but its audience also, taking it from the primitive privacy of the juerga to the very public showcasing platform. This chapter will examine the stages marked by three main venues that changed the ima ge of flamenco: the cafà ©s cantantes (1860-1920), the theatre which hosted à ³pera flamenca (1920-1950), and the tablaos and peà ±as (1950-1975). Through describing their effect on flamenco, the chapter will also study the way in which these periods have provoked a debate which accuses this period of evolution of either the ‘degeneration or ‘making of the art form. The study will account for the perspective that, whilst many look to the past to define flamenco, the genre has encountered many different components equally indispensable to the process of its creation. The cafà ©s cantantes laid the groundwork for what has been termed the ‘Golden Age of flamenco. ‘Having only existed as a way of life, little by little flamenco gained popularity, and by the middle of the last century, sharp businessmen realised that flamenco could be exploited profitably in commercial exercises (Pohren 1995: 146). Flamenco was introduced as a public attraction and customers flocked to witness the novel presentations of the flamencos who complied to life as a paid artist and higher standard of living. One of the things that the cafà © cantantes achieved for flamenco was to broaden the range of non-gitano performers who were willing to make crowd-pleasing innovations and modulations, as neither the payos nor their audiences had quite the same distaste for broad popular appeal (Drummond 2006: 168). Those who performed in the cafà ©s naturally followed the tastes and whims of the customers and it is argued that thistrivialised flamenco, ‘since patrons requests favoured ‘festive rather than ‘deep flamenco performances (Hernà ¡ndez 2008: 15). Furthermore it is contested that this enforced a staged professionalisation inspiring competition amongst performers, not a feature of flamencos emotive purity and unconcern for virtuosity. ‘The guitar, in particular gained eminence in cafà © performances and, from being an instrument to accompany song and dance, it became a show in itself, and solo guitar performances soon became popular favourites (Hernà ¡ndez 2008: 15). In addition, ‘artists from the different provinces of Andalusia contributed to an enhancement of flamenco by elaborating their regionally distinctive substyles (Washabaugh 1996: 33). An important artist to emerge from this era was Silverio Franconetti, a non-gitano who opened his own succes sful cafà © cantante, and is amongst a group of flamenco  ´legends ´ to emerge from this era. His legendary fame for contribution to the flamenco scene, even recognised amongst gitanos themselves, however, is ironically criticised. This accounts for the parody of the  ´Golden Age ´. On one hand, condescension for the beginnings of crass commercialism, and on the other, an excitement for the new wave of creative and technical competence. Nevertheless, in the light of the modernisation that was to come, many  ´pure ´ artists were still able to enjoy the profit of this time, being able to make a decent living from what they loved most. Desperate to preserve tradition in the threat of modern change, Spanish Intellectuals Manuel de Falla and Federico Garcà ­a Lorca attempted to revitalise the  ´true ´ and  ´pure ´ spirit of Andalusian flamenco by promoting the Concurso de Cante Jondo in 1922. They rejected the name  ´flamenco ´, embracing the term  ´cante jond o ´ in order to stimulate interest in uncommercial styles of flamenco which were in decline. However, the initiative could not prevent the second wave of modernisation which replaced the cafà ©s cantantes with

Thursday, September 19, 2019

Cool Hand Luke :: essays research papers

In Cool Hand Luke, the movie begins with the word, VIOLATION, across the screen. The word is from a parking meter and sets the tone for the entire movie. Luke Jackson, the title character, is arrested for cutting off the heads of the town’s parking meters while drunk, or in legal terms, for destroying municipal property while under the influence of alcohol. When asked why he cut the heads off the parking meters, Luke answers, â€Å"You could say I was settling an old score.† While it leaves the viewers believing that he probably received a parking ticket at some time in the past, no clues are given to what the old score may have been. He is sentenced to two years in a road prison, in a chain gang. His punishment did not fit the crime, and today, such an act would probably result in time spent in community service rather than a hard labor prison gang. To further accentuate that his sentence is worse than his crime, Luke Jackson dies at the end of his story. Luke is a decorated veteran, yet left the military service just as he went in, as a Private. This indicates that he had authority problems while there. He received the Silver Star, Bronze Star and a couple of Purple Hearts and that indicates that he is brave and probably humanitarian, because the Silver Star is usually given in recognition of a life-saving deed of valor. That he was never promoted, or else promoted and consequently demoted, (the story does not elaborate on the details) indicates that his superiors, those who had the authority to promote him, did not react well to his achievements. For Luke, death represents ultimate freedom. There is no doubt that he believes in God, in that he talks to God several times throughout the movie, yet his conversations are always more like arguments than prayers. In one of the final scenes, the empty shell of a church represents Luke’s relationship with God, and even the emptiness in himself. Luke feels that God has never been there for him. He tells God just before the end of the story that God hasn’t ever dealt him a good hand. That military authorities considered him a hero, decorating him with medals, doesn’t make him a hero in his own eyes. Luke is a tortured soul, in that he tells God that he doesn’t deserve any good thing because he killed people in the war. Still, Luke is a free spirit, true to himself, with no regard for the rules and regulations of other human beings. The crime he is arrested for is not one of violence toward any person, it is

Wednesday, September 18, 2019

Comparing the Managerial Styles of Males and Females Essay -- Business

Comparing the Managerial Styles of Males and Females Nearly half of the U.S. workforce is now made up of women, and women are a growing percentage of the workforce in most countries throughout the world (Robbins, 2005:18). It is common to find a woman supervising or managing a group of men. This paper will discuss the difference, if exists, between the managerial styles of males and females. First, we will shed some light on the basic differences in personality traits and competencies between men and women, and then will analyze the different cultural perceptions of a working man and woman, after that, we will discuss the interaction effect of gender of supervisor and gender of subordinate on perceived mentoring, and finally will discuss the selection differences in recruiting men and women for a managerial position. Differences in personality between men and women: Intellectual Ability There is an interesting pattern of gender differences on the various cognitive measures. Women performed better than men on most of the memory tests, while men performed better than women on most of the executive function tests. The gender difference on memory is in line with many published studies, but the gender difference on executive function measures has received relatively little attention to date. Socially, women are encouraged to be good mothers while men are encouraged to work and protect family and to make money. Commonly held views regarding men and women continue to suggest that women are more committed to family than to work and that men are more committed to work than to family (Cook, 1994: P85-95). Further, employers are likely to view family responsibilities as a sign of limited work commitment... ... L. McShane & Mary Ann, 2000, Organizational Behavior, McGraw-Hill, US. The CPA Journal, 1996, ‘Female management accountants are better off’, [Online], Mar 1996.Vol.66, Iss. 3; p 13, Available: Proquest 5000, [Accessed 30 June 2005]. Training Strategies for Tomorrow, 1998, ‘Women, management and change’, [Online], Nov/Dec 1998.Vol.1, Iss. 6; p 12, Available: Proquest 5000, [Accessed 30 June 2005]. Williams M. Lee, 1999, ‘Supervisor Mentoring: Does a Female Manager Make a Difference?’, Metacomm, Available: http://www.imetacomm.com/otherpubs/pdf_doc_downloads/supervisor_mentoring.pdf#search='williams%20male%20and%20female%20mentoring' [Accessed 23 June, 2005]. Wood, Chapman, Fromholtz, Morrison, Wallace, Zeffane, Schermerhorn, Hunt, Osborn, 2004, Organizational Behavior a Global Respective, 3rd Edition, John Wiley & Sons Australian Ltd, Australia.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019

Some People Think Parents Should Read or Tell Stories to Children

Some people think parents should read or tell stories to children, while others think parents need not do that, as children can read books, watch TVs or movies by themselves. Discuss both views and give your opinion. Parenting is always a heated topic in our society. What is the best way for children to read and learn? Some people insist on the more traditional method by reading or telling stories to children rather than letting children learn by themselves through books, TV and internet . As far as I am concerned, two complementary methods are necessary to be applied to motivate children to read and learn.It is evident that reading or telling stories to their children is not only a way of learning but also a good approach to strenghten the tie between parents and children. It brings much more happiness to families and make family bond closer. Furthermore reading or telling stories to children is a a more entertaining method thought which children get more enjoyment and a metheod chi ldren perhaps prefer. Consequently children`s interest in reading and learning would easily be motivated. Many of us could remember the lovely moment when we were looking forward to listening for stories before we went to bed.However, independent learning is a vital capacity for â€Å"old† children and young adults. Therefore parents should encourage their children to read and learn by themselves, searching information through various sources such as books, internet as well as TV. For children would be growing up and be independent to face the complicated society one day. This ability would help them much no matter what they do in the future. To sum up, each method discussed above has its merit to be considered as a proper way which parents employ to foster their children a good reading and learning habit and ability.

Monday, September 16, 2019

Tobacco Industry Csr Malaysia

1. 0 INTRODUCTION Major tobacco firms in Malaysia have begun investing aggressively Corporate Social Responsibility activities to build a positive public image and brand activities via large contributions into social programs nationwide, and to be recognised as contributors to the greater common good. Although CSR is considered as a corporate entity along standards of business ethics, tobacco industry philanthropic activities encounter much criticism and threat of a comprehensive ban on CSR atop present legislations for Tobacco Advertising, Promotion & Sponsorship worldwide.Many concerns have been raised over the practice; alleging that the motives behind tobacco industry CSR are to manipulate public perception of responsible marketing practices and gain favourable position for the individual firms in Malaysia. 2. 0 CSR AND ITS STRATEGIC ADVANTAGES Holme and Watts define CSR as an ongoing pledge by corporations to conduct themselves in an ethical manner and contribute to economic gro wth while developing the quality of workforce livelihood and their families, and the overall local community and societies.CSR programs were developed to answer public urges for corporations to advocate ethical, environmental, health and labour regulations. The Sustainability Entrepreneurship Model by Young and Tilley, as shown in Appendix I, comprises of six decisive factors: eco-efficiency, socio-efficiency, eco-effectiveness, socio-effectiveness and sufficiency and ecological equity; for corporate sustainability which adds to the business’s social responsibilities and enhances its effectiveness, bringing higher cost savings and better profit margins. 8% of consumers said they were more likely to purchase from companies that engages in initiatives to develop society. 3. 0 TOBACCO INDUSTRY AND TOBACCO USE IN MALAYSIA Malaysia is a major cigarette-manufacturing showpiece for tobacco transnational corporations operating in the South East Asian region. Among 92 sectors, the tob acco industry ranks 5th with an economic output totaling to RM11. 7 billion or 3% of Malaysia’s GDP. The tobacco industry in Malaysia comprises of large corporations such as British American Tobacco, market share 68%; Japan Tobacco Inc. 17. 7%; and Philip Morris International, 15. 3%. The industry considers itself a vital contributor in developing Malaysia’s socio-economic condition of the rural population. Tobacco is Malaysia’s most largely cultivated non-food crop, with 12,148 hectares and 1,200 hectares of land solely for tobacco cultivation in Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysia respectively. The industry’s activities range from tobacco leaf cultivation and curing, tobacco production to marketing and distribution.Records show that more than 190,000 people are employed in the industry, and 120,000 people involved in tobacco farming and curing. Smoking statistics show that 10,000 Malaysians succumb to smoking-related ailments annually, making it the t op killers in the country since the 1980s. According to Global Adult Tobacco Survey based in Malaysia, 23. 1% or 4. 75 million adults currently smoke, 43. 9% (4. 64 million) being men and 1. 0% (0. 10 million) women. The study also suggested that the expenditure on manufactures cigarettes cover 3. % of the GDP in 2011, its data showing present smokers using an average of RM 178. 80 monthly on manufactured cigarettes. 4. 0 PRACTICE OF TOBACCO INDUSTRY CSR IN MALAYSIA The industry engages CSR in various methods to achieve maximum public exposure and influence. The common approach of tobacco industry CSR is corporate philanthropy in which the firms provide monetary aids in areas such as culture and arts, education, shelter, social welfare and the environment. In addition, they offer support to government policies and sponsorship of events such as youth smoking prevention programs.Several firms have even established charitable foundations to fund their initiatives, such as the British A merican Tobacco Foundation which was set up with the aim to obtain and manage funds for education, scientific and other charitable purposes. In conjunction with National Kenaf and Tobacco Board, the foundation has rewarded over 2,000 recipients RM 1. 1 million since its initiation in 2002. Formation of alliances between tobacco firms with non-governmental organizations exist as well.Yayasan Salam Malaysia is a long-term NGO partner of Philip Morris since 2006, both supporting a variety of CSR programs concerning poverty and society’s wellbeing. Their annual partnership had revolved around building information and communication technology (ICT) centres in rural places and providing financial aids for the underprivileged. BAT is also the first local tobacco company to publish Social Reports since 2001; these reports highlighting the firms CSR activities conducted year-round, looking forward to aligning itself with other businesses that conduct CSR activities.The company had rec eived the Malaysian Sustainability Reporting Award from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants for BAT’s efforts in cancer research. 5. 0 CRITICISMS TOWARD TOBACCO INDUSTRY CSR The tobacco industry is one of the most criticised members of the modern business community. Several disputes have arisen worldwide declaring that tobacco industry products are lethal to their consumers, and the CSR activities will be unable to resolve the fundamental contradiction with ethical corporate citizenship.WHO defines tobacco industry tactics utilizing CSR as a tool â€Å"to promote voluntary measures as an effective way to address tobacco control and create an illusion of being a ‘changed’ company and to establish partnerships with health interests. † These charitable campaigns purposefully influence the perception among youths and adults that the tobacco industry is deceitful and guilty for advocating smoking among youths and adults. Tobacco companies’ internal documents have revealed the motives behind industry-sponsored programs, aimed to increase profits and stimulate company investments.It is alleged that by conducting CSR, tobacco firms aim to build favourable views regarding the industry and tobacco issues by demonstrating their responsibility and concern about the wellbeing of consumers and stakeholders. Another tobacco industry goal is to achieve political influence with the intention of obstruct government efforts to regulate tobacco control, as evident in Malaysia. These CSR initiatives also pose as protection against litigations or lawsuits.The sponsorship of tobacco firms in youth anti-smoking campaigns is claimed to be a scheme to access youths for market research, to normalise brands and to avert success of anti-tobacco campaigns. A report by the British Medical Association stated that tobacco industry CSR as a form of marketing for firms, and as such it should be prohibited under the terms of Article 13 of the Fram ework Convention on Tobacco Control, which calls for Parties to impose a full ban on tobacco advertising, promotion and advertising, including CSR.CSR functions in favour of the industry by creating goodwill with lawmakers and the public, crushing bad publicity for its lethal goods, and resolving conflict from tobacco control advocates. The tobacco-caused death and disease suffered by societies and families contradict the advantages of charity or sponsorship for social interests. Tobacco consumption offers zero merits to the underprivileged, and any financial aid offered by tobacco firms accountable for smoking-related ailments and financial woes of the nation fails to relieve poverty, environmental, or health problems. . 0 POLITICAL ECONOMY AND CONTROL OF TOBACCO IN MALAYSIA Advocacy for tobacco control in Malaysia had begun in the 1970s, with gradual growing initiatives to institute specific legislations to regulate tobacco manufacturing and consumption. Compliant to the FCTC, Mal aysia enacts legislation compliant with the FCTC by providing extensive regulation and banning of advertising, promotion and sponsorship. Presently, Malaysia allows tobacco industry CSR, and it has been abused by the industry as a strategic tool to change its public image.Measures to undertake the Malaysian smoking epidemic is inconsistent – from one point of view, the cost of lives and health interests; while the other, the critical consequences of tobacco control on tobacco farmers and alleviating poverty. The Malaysian government is an active shareholder and advocate of tobacco. They are major partners in two of Malaysia’s largest tobacco corporations with direct financial interests in the industry.Major shareholders of BAT and JTI include statutory bodies such as the Skim Amanah Saham Bumiputera, Employees Provident Fund, and Amanah Saham Malaysia, demonstrating the Malaysian state controlled ownership of shares in the tobacco industry. A large number of Bumiputera s partake in tobacco cultivation with Bumiputera partners being of key importance in the ownership of tobacco firms. Corresponding to the government policy to promote foreign investment, BAT, Philip Morris, and R. J.Reynolds Tobacco Company have set up their subsidiaries and established manufacturing facilities within the country. 7. 0 CONCLUSION In averting the overall poor public image, weak knowledge regarding individual tobacco firms, and more litigations and restraints, the tobacco industry CSR activities are meant to improve public perception of the industry. CSR activities by tobacco firms purposefully highlight their philanthropic contributions to the society and also promote youth smoking prevention programs.As long as there is absence of major restraints and public criticism, the tobacco industry will continue to operate unreservedly, utilising CSR to promote its â€Å"responsible† marketing practices and to receive favorable ratings for individual firms within the country. The tobacco industry’s public relation efforts may possibly influence Malaysian audiences to develop further resistance against the objections faced by the industry, alleviate jurors’ negative scrutiny toward the industry, and thus deteriorating public or legislative support for tobacco control policies in Malaysia.

Sunday, September 15, 2019

Thesis Sample

Thesis sample ******GIVEMEFREEART. COM******* About This File Resolution: 1280Ãâ€"720 Run time: 26 seconds Codec Used: photo jpeg File Type: Quicktime Created by: Logan Kenesis Programs Used to make it: After effects Cinema4d Thank you for downloading i hope you enjoy it If you like the art here at givemefreeart. com Help Support Us here is how 1. Make a donation 2. Sign up for our Newsletter on the homepage 3. Participate in the forums 4. Comment on the files you download 5. Link to our website in your projects or on your website If you have any questions or suggestions please post them in the forum here http://givemefreeart. om/phpBB3******GIVEMEFREEART. COM******* About This File Resolution: 1280Ãâ€"720 Run time: 26 seconds Codec Used: photo jpeg File Type: Quicktime Created by: Logan Kenesis Programs Used to make it: After effects Cinema4d Thank you for downloading i hope you enjoy it If you like the art here at givemefreeart. com Help Support Us here is how 1. Make a donation 2. Sign up for our Newsletter on the homepage 3. Participate in the forums 4. Comment on the files you download 5. Link to our website in your projects or on your website If you have any questions or suggestions please post them in the forum here http://givemefreeart. om/phpBB3******GIVEMEFREEART. COM******* About This File Resolution: 1280Ãâ€"720 Run time: 26 seconds Codec Used: photo jpeg File Type: Quicktime Created by: Logan Kenesis Programs Used to make it: After effects Cinema4d Thank you for downloading i hope you enjoy it If you like the art here at givemefreeart. com Help Support Us here is how 1. Make a donation 2. Sign up for our Newsletter on the homepage 3. Participate in the forums 4. Comment on the files you download 5. Link to our website in your projects or on your website If you have any questions or suggestions please post them in the forum here http://givemefreeart. om/phpBB3******GIVEMEFREEART. COM******* About This File Resolution: 1280Ãâ€"720 Run time: 26 se conds Codec Used: photo jpeg File Type: Quicktime Created by: Logan Kenesis Programs Used to make it: After effects Cinema4d Thank you for downloading i hope you enjoy it If you like the art here at givemefreeart. com Help Support Us here is how 1. Make a donation 2. Sign up for our Newsletter on the homepage 3. Participate in the forums 4. Comment on the files you download 5. Link to our website in your projects or on your website If you have any questions or suggestions please post them in the forum here http://givemefreeart. om/phpBB3******GIVEMEFREEART. COM******* About This File Resolution: 1280Ãâ€"720 Run time: 26 seconds Codec Used: photo jpeg File Type: Quicktime Created by: Logan Kenesis Programs Used to make it: After effects Cinema4d Thank you for downloading i hope you enjoy it If you like the art here at givemefreeart. com Help Support Us here is how 1. Make a donation 2. Sign up for our Newsletter on the homepage 3. Participate in the forums 4. Comment on the files yo u download 5. Link to our website in your projects or on your website If you have any questions or suggestions please post them in the forum here http://givemefreeart. om/phpBB3******GIVEMEFREEART. COM******* About This File Resolution: 1280Ãâ€"720 Run time: 26 seconds Codec Used: photo jpeg File Type: Quicktime Created by: Logan Kenesis Programs Used to make it: After effects Cinema4d Thank you for downloading i hope you enjoy it If you like the art here at givemefreeart. com Help Support Us here is how 1. Make a donation 2. Sign up for our Newsletter on the homepage 3. Participate in the forums 4. Comment on the files you download 5. Link to our website in your projects or on your website If you have any questions or suggestions please post them in the forum here http://givemefreeart. om/phpBB3******GIVEMEFREEART. COM******* About This File Resolution: 1280Ãâ€"720 Run time: 26 seconds Codec Used: photo jpeg File Type: Quicktime Created by: Logan Kenesis Programs Used to make it: After effects Cinema4d Thank you for downloading i hope you enjoy it If you like the art here at givemefreeart. com Help Support Us here is how 1. Make a donation 2. Sign up for our Newsletter on the homepage 3. Participate in the forums 4. Comment on the files you download 5. Link to our website in your projects or on your website If you have any questions or suggestions please post them in the forum here http://givemefreeart. om/phpBB3******GIVEMEFREEART. COM******* About This File Resolution: 1280Ãâ€"720 Run time: 26 seconds Codec Used: photo jpeg File Type: Quicktime Created by: Logan Kenesis Programs Used to make it: After effects Cinema4d Thank you for downloading i hope you enjoy it If you like the art here at givemefreeart. com Help Support Us here is how 1. Make a donation 2. Sign up for our Newsletter on the homepage 3. Participate in the forums 4. Comment on the files you download 5. Link to our website in your projects or on your website If you have any questions or su ggestions please post them in the forum here http://givemefreeart. om/phpBB3******GIVEMEFREEART. COM******* About This File Resolution: 1280Ãâ€"720 Run time: 26 seconds Codec Used: photo jpeg File Type: Quicktime Created by: Logan Kenesis Programs Used to make it: After effects Cinema4d Thank you for downloading i hope you enjoy it If you like the art here at givemefreeart. com Help Support Us here is how 1. Make a donation 2. Sign up for our Newsletter on the homepage 3. Participate in the forums 4. Comment on the files you download 5. Link to our website in your projects or on your website If you have any questions or suggestions please post them in the forum here http://givemefreeart. om/phpBB3******GIVEMEFREEART. COM******* About This File Resolution: 1280Ãâ€"720 Run time: 26 seconds Codec Used: photo jpeg File Type: Quicktime Created by: Logan Kenesis Programs Used to make it: After effects Cinema4d Thank you for downloading i hope you enjoy it If you like the art here at giv emefreeart. com Help Support Us here is how 1. Make a donation 2. Sign up for our Newsletter on the homepage 3. Participate in the forums 4. Comment on the files you download 5. Link to our website in your projects or on your website If you have any questions or suggestions please post them in the forum here http://givemefreeart. com/phpBB3 Thesis Sample Lyceum of the Philippines University Research and Publications Center RESEARCH PROPOSAL 1. 0 (Working)/ Title : An Assessment on the Impacts of Gastronomic Tourism in Intramuros Restoration| 2. 0 Name of ProponentFrance Kayla M. VillamorH-444B| 2. 1 College/DepartmentCollege of International Tourism and Hospitality Management| 3. 0 Statement of the Problem Generally, the study seeks to assess the impacts of Gastronomic Tourism in the restoration of Intramuros.The researcher would like to know if the said subset of Cultural Tourism can have a great effect in the program of the Department of Tourism in restoring a heritage site of Intramuros. Specifically, the study aims to answer the following questions: 1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of: 2. 1 Age 2. 2 Gender 2. 3 Frequency of visit in Intramuros1. 3. a Local tourist1. 3. b. Foreign tourist 2. 4 Reasons for visiting Intramuros 2. What are the programs being implemented to restore Intramuros? 3. 5 By the Department of Tourism 3. By the Intramuros AdministrationAmong these programs, what are for Gastronomic Tourism? 3. What is the current status of Gastronomic Tourism in Intramuros? 4. How can Gastronomic Tourism be beneficial to capture a huge volume of tourists coming in to Intramuros? 5. What are the impacts of Gastronomic Tourism in the restoration of Intramuros? Objectives of the Study (Formulate the research objectives) 1. To collect the profile of the respondents visiting Fort Santiago. 2. To list the programs being implemented to restore Intramuros by the Department of Tourism and Intramuros Administration; and to classify what is for Gastronomic Tourism. . To know the current status of Gastronomic Tourism in Intramuros. 4. To analyze the benefits of developing Gastronomic Tourism in capturing a huge volume of tourists coming in to Intramuros. 5. To enumerate the effects of Gastronomic Tourism in the restoration of Intramuros. | 4. 0 Background of the Study (Discuss the significance of the study, how the study contributes to existing knowledge, social relevance of the study, basic assumptions as well as the scope and limitation of the study) World Tourism Organization (2009) defines Tourism as, â€Å"It omprises the activities of persons traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business, and other purposes not related to the exercise of an activity remunerated from within the place visited. † Tourism in general has two forms; Mass Tourism and Alternative Tourism. Mass Tourism represents the traditional transportation of large scale of people in a short period of time, while Alternative Tourism represents a modern small-scale tourism.Furthermore, Alternative Tourism is classified from Natural Tourism, Cultural Tourism, Events Tourism, and other forms of Tourism. UNWTO’s Tourism 2020 Vision forecasts that international arrivals will reach 1. 6 billion by the year 2020. East A sia and the Pacific is on the second place in the top three regions that are expected to have a high volume of tourist arrivals of with a number of 397 million. According to the Department of Tourism (DoT), the volume of tourists from January to April 2012 has increased by 14. 61% from last year’s 1,306,944 to this year’s 1,497,851.Koreans are still in the 1st rank on the most numbered of tourist which accumulates to 330,343 which is 22. 05% of the total visitor inflow. Followed by Americans with a figure of 239,978 which is 16. 02% of visitor share. National Statistical Census Board (NSCB) used the 2010 data from DoT offices and come up that Metro Manila has 2. 3 million domestic arrivals. (Expat, 2012) One of the most popular tourist destinations in Manila is the walled city of Intramuros. It was built on 1571 by the Spaniards during their occupation.It came from Latin words â€Å"intra muros† which literally means â€Å"within the walls†. It is the old est district in Manila that is surrounded by thick, high walls. (Philippine Country) In 2003, former DoT Secretary Richard Gordon has chosen Intramuros to be the venue of â€Å"Best of Regions† – a year-long event for the â€Å"Visit Philippines 2003†. (Manila Bulletin, 2003)————————————————- In able to help in the preservation of the historical place of Intramuros, the researcher aims to assess the impacts of Gastronomic Tourism in the area. ———————————————— | 5. 0 Significance of the Study Research is an important tool to help specific group/s of individual to test, to evaluate, and to discover new things that will be later beneficial to them. Developing Gastronomic Tourism in a historical place like Intramuros can have a great effect to th e local community and to other related areas of Tourism. This study aims to benefit the following groups. 1. Department of Tourism. An increase in the volume of tourists coming in to your locality is a good indication of a growing industry.It is directly proportional to employment, income, and infrastructure. It also reflects the potential of the place in the field of tourism. 2. Intramuros Administration. The result will give them the information on how can Gastronomic Tourism affects the tourism business in Intramuros. 3. Travel Brokers. This includes Travel Agents and Travel Wholesalers that offer tour packages in Intramuros. They can attract more tourism consumer especially foreign tourists by including a more personal Filipino experience than their usual travel pattern. . Foreign and Local Tourists. One of the reasons why people travel is to satisfy their gastronomical cravings. Giving them the chance to experience authentic Filipino cuisine from different regions of the countr y by just visiting one place can help them to save time and money. 5. LPU. A huge part of the school’s population is from the College of International Tourism and Hospitality Management; hence this research may be useful to the students from the said college as their reference material. 6.Future Researchers. Tourism and Culinary related courses are now on its peak; the result of this study can give other students further information that they can be used in the future. | 6. 0 Scope and Limitation (with population and sample) The study will focus on Gastronomic Tourism, a subset of Cultural Tourism, wherein the researcher will enumerate all programs being imposed by the Department of Tourism and Intramuros Administration in order to restore the heritage site of Intramuros.This information will be used in weighing the impacts of Gastronomic Tourism in restoration of Intramuros and in weighing the current status and development of the said subset of Tourism. The researcher will give out survey questionnaire which will be delimited to international and domestic tourists coming in at Fort Santiago, Intramuros. The researcher will get the average number of tourist (N) from July 9 to 11, 2012 at 8a. m. to 5p. m. and will use the Slovin’s formula to come up to the total number of respondents (n) that will be used in the study.There will be an age bracket to maintain the reliability of data that will be gathered. | 7. 0 Working Bibliography (Include bibliography and web bibliography) 1. www. world-tourism. org 2. Best of Metro in Intramuros. Retrieved from October13, 2004, http://www. travelsmart. net/article/105571/ 3. Intramuros Manila Philippines. Retrieved from 2006, www. philippinecountry. com/philippine_tourist_spot/intramuros. html 4. Ramos, R. (2012, June24-July7).Battle Over Top Tourist Destination Not Over Yet? Expat, pp. 1| 8. 0 Gantt Chart of Activities| Type of Activity| June| July| | | | Gantt Chart| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | R efine your topic with your advisor| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Approval of topic| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Draft of chapter 1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Submission of research proposal chapter 1| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 9. 0 Research Related Costs| |Details| Amount (in Pesos)| Printing| | Panel Fees| | Research Binding (LPU Publications Office)| | 10. 0 Profile of ResearcherName: France Kayla M. Villamor Age:20 Gender: Female| | Birthdate: July 17, 1992 Course: BSIHM-HRA| | | | Proposal Evaluation Rating: _______| Endorsed by:Leonardo Hogar D. R. D. M_______ | Evaluated by:Joseph Monzon_______________| Evaluated by:_Dr. Gerald Abergos| Research Adviser | Research Panelist| Research Panelist|

Saturday, September 14, 2019

Atlantic Aquaculture

Atlantic Aquaculture, Inc. Capital Budgeting with Staged Entry Question 1 A – Even though Atlantic Aquaculture already bought the land needed for 300,000 USD, its value today is 900,000 USD. We can therefore conclude the 900,000 USD is an opportunity cost as the land can be sold at this value. B – In this case it is best for the company to use the option to the land acquisition. By calculating the NPV the option is worth $-852,093. 66. Buying the land without the option would bring the company back to $-900,000. 00. We used a discount rate of 6%, as this is linked with the appreciation of the land annually.The calculation of the NPV can be found in Appendix A. Question 2 A – The R&D cash flows are $48,000 annually for the years 1998, 1999 and 2000. In 1996 we are able to shield taxes with the appreciation. At a tax rate of 40% this result in a tax shield worth $144,000. B – From the case is known that the salvage value will only be taxed when the buildings are actually sold, as long as the asset’s value is half of the book value the sale will go through with. Take note that a 40% tax rate is used to calculate the tax shield. C – The cash flows are shown in the Appendix B.Question 3 As can be seen in the Appendix C the large project, while taking into account a rwacc of 9% and the expectation that there will be high demand and high growth opportunities for the firm’s products; the Net Present Value of the firm will be $17,140,000. 00. An Internal Rate of Return will be realized of 25. 83%. Furthermore the MIRR is calculated as 21. 54% and the payback period of the project is 7. 05 years. Taking all other factors the same, when the firm is building a small facility, the NPV would be $11,723,000. 00, the IRR 23. 39%, the MIRR 18. 5% and the period in which the costs will be paid back 7. 18 years. Question 4 A – In the Appendix the decision trees are shown and the following elements deserve attention. The node s start with having high/low demand being 10,000 or 5,000 respectively. There is a 75% chance demand will be high, while 25% probability that demand will be low. The following pair of nodes, given differing probabilities (as can be seen in the Appendix) leads to the yearly cash flows. In de first years it is obvious that the cash flows are negative as the start-up investments have some weight on the cash flows.From 1998 onwards, as sales start to increase and costs decrease the flows of cash are positive. In row three and four the cash flows, given a low demand of 5,000 units sold with their corresponding probabilities. It is clear that the costs definitely outweigh the revenues for the first few years, more than in the ‘best-case’ term in rows one and two. Interesting to see that in the final row, there is only a positive cash flow recorded in the final year of the project. In this case we can explain the NPV values of all probabilities very straightforward.With the gi ven information the cash flows will be negative in case the demand will be low. However we need to make a remark on this simplification of the results. By calculating the expected NPV (which is the sum of the probabilities of each high/low demand occurring times their corresponding NPVs). This gives in the end a positive NPV so investors can assume this project will be successful. B – The abandonment lines basically represent a situation in which the project is stopped for continuation. What is interesting to notice is that the NPV of the project that continued are lower than the projects where the project was dismantled.Note too that this only applies to the situation in where a low demand is expected. The NPV in those cases when the projects are abandoned is equal to the salvage value of the equipment and buildings. C – As the flexibility of the project gets smaller, the NPV will get smaller and due to higher volatility the standard deviation will increase. Question 5 A – Due to the fact that there is an extra decision node the tree looks bigger. This extra decision is namely the decision to expand the plant or leave it in its current state. B – As this is not possible to trace back from the information we can retrieve from the case.As the decision to expand or not to expand lies at the responsibility of the managers at the firm, probabilities are not able to be calculated here. However, the manager will always choose the option with the higher NPV. Question 6 As can be seen from the given data, in terms of expected Net Present Values, the large plant seems to have a big advantage over the smaller project with NPVs of $9,028,000 and $8,062,000 respectively. On the risk side however the standard deviation of the small project is almost half of the large project. It is important to mention at this point that building a new plant appears riskier.In accordance to that one should use a risk adjustment incorporated in the cost of capita l which should be higher that the discount rate of the small project. Question 7 As the risk coefficient of the large project is 1. 15 and it is known that most projects of Atlantic lie between 0. 5 and 0. 7 the large project is considered to be a lot more risky compared to the small project which has a risk coefficient of just 0. 65. Question 8 The reassessment of possibilities has the consequence that standard deviation, covariance and NPV change as well.Lrge Plant| D=60% G=50%| D=75% G= 80%| D=90% G=90%| Small Plant| D=60% G= 50%| D=75% G=80%| D=90% G=90%| E(NPV)| 3327,95| 9028,20| 13459,36| E(NPV)| 6314,35| 8008,17| 10049,99| Std. Dev| 9827,17| 10341,43| 7869,12| Std. Dev| 4871,06| 5375,57| 4017,85| Coeff. Of Var. | 2,95| 1,15| 0,58| Coeff. Of Var. | 0,77| 0,67| 0,40| The results show that an increase in demand and growth probabilities for both of the plants (small and large) results in a higher expected NPV, lower standard deviation and lower correlation, leading to a higher ri sk- return payoff.Decreasing initial demand to 60% and high growth possibilities to 50% simultaneously, leads to a decrease in expected NPV, while increasing standard deviation and the covariance leading to a lower risk- return payoff. Furthermore, one can observe that in absolute and in relative terms, the impact on the small plant of increasing/decreasing initial demand and growth opportunities does not have as a great influence as on the large plant. Question 9 A sensitivity analysis can help to underline the most important factors affecting the success of a firm or a project.In this case we have articulated success in terms of NPV and have used input factors such as variable costs, units sold, sales price and WACC). With respect to the two different plants one can observe that NPV is relatively more sensitive to the mentioned factors in the case of the small plant. Furthermore, regarding the line of sales prices one can see that this is by far the line with the highest positive slope (coefficient), while fixed costs has the shallowest slope. The interpretation therefore is that sales prices have the biggest impact on expected NPV.Furthermore it is worth mentioning that the slope (and the impact) of WACC is quite high (negative) for the large plant. Since the variable costs for the large plant are lower at a rate of 60% compared to 65% of the small plant, one can observe that the sensitivity of the small plant’s NPV is also relatively high. Question 10 In the Case of scenario analysis it is important to mention that in contrast to the analysis mentioned above, probabilities are appointed to each of the different scenarios. Atlantic Aquaculture Inc. uses best and worst case scenarios (high initial demand/ low initial demand).In addition to that, a scenario analysis appoints a base case as well. This should be done utilizing a probability of 50% for the base scenario and probabilities for the best and worst should lie at 25% respectively. Independent f actors should again be inputs such as variable costs, units sold, sales price and the weighted average of the cost of capital. These inputs should be appointed to a realistic assessment of range they could approach to. The dependent variable logically should be the net present values of the different scenarios.In terms of the ranges of independent variables it should be noted, that these could be obtained by examining historical data of the company in addition to an examination and assessment of company and market environment. Question 11 A Monte Carlo simulation typically provides one with an overwhelmingly high amount of simulations, whereas a change of all the variables occurs on a random basis. However, only the average of these is of importance. The input incorporates the correlations of all the variables included. The output is then expressed in the form of samples of NPVs.It is perceived as a more sophisticated way of conducting a scenario analysis. However, it is also percei ved as very delicate in terms of the conduction itself. Question 12 Indeed the abandonment opportunity represents a real put option. This is due to the fact that the company can abandon the project and receive a terminal value. However, this is only reasonable if Atlantic Aquaculture Inc. sells the plant when the salvage value is higher than the value of the discounted future cash flows otherwise received from the project. In this case the real put option would be in the money and vice versa.Regarding the decision tree, with respect to the low demand and low growth opportunity for plan L one can see that the decision of abandonment or not changes the NPV of the project from $-9. 316. 000 to $-6. 711. 000. Regarding the scenario of low initial demand and high growth opportunities the choice to abandon changes the NPV from $-6. 940. 000 to $-6. 439. 000. In both cases it appears to be feasible to abandon the project, thus the value of the put option is positive. Plan S on the other si de represents a call option since one can decide to buy the facilities or not.Furthermore, the put option for the large plant can be calculated as follows: This leads us to a value of $546. 050, which indeed is positive. Question 13 In general, it can be said that both plans have a positive expected NPV overall. However, the smaller plant is the favorable option, since it provides Atlantic Aquaculture with the best risk- return payoff.. Furthermore, if opting for the large plant it is important to mention that the value of the put- option is positive, so in the worst case Atlantic Aquaculture should opt out when facing low initial demand and either low or high growth potential.However, it is also worth mentioning that a risk adjusted cost of capital should be incorporated when calculating for the NPV. Appendices Appendix A Appendix B Cash flows large firm| | | | | | | | | Year| 1996| 1997| 1998| 1999| 2000| 2001| 2002| 2003| 2004| Net income| 0| 0| 436| 438| 1122| 1806| 2521| 3202| 3990| Depreciation| 0| 0| 954| 1566| 1146| 846| 630| 630| 630| Op cash flow| 0| 0| 1390| 2004| 2268| 2652| 3151| 3832| 4620| Cap cash flow| -1044| -12300| -427| -496| -574| -711| -814| -931| 7397| Net cash flow| -1044| -12300| 962| 1509| 1694| 1940| 2337| 2900| 43940| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Cash flows small firm| | | | | | | | | Year| 1996| 1997| 1998| 1999| 2000| 2001| 2002| 2003| 2004| Net income| 0| 0| 1083| 919| 1129| 1298| 1440| 1506| 1575| Depreciation| 0| 0| 553| 920| 668| 488| 359| 359| 359| Op cash flow| 0| 0| 1636| 1840| 1798| 1787| 1799| 1865| 1934| Cap cash flow| -1044| -8364| -95| -100| -106| -160| -167| -173| 4510| Net cash flow| -1044| -8364| 1542| 1739| 1691| 1626| 1632| 1691| 19042| Appendix C | LARGE FIRM| SMALL FIRM| WACC| 9. 00%| 9. 00%| NPV| $17. 140| $7. 633| IRR| 25. 83%| 22. 78%| MIRR| 21. 54%| 17. 92%| PAYBACK | 7. 05 years| 6. 97 years|