Organisational Theory - 230255 Words

. Organization Theory Challenges and Perspectives John McAuley, Joanne Duberley and Phil Johnson . This book is, to my knowledge, the most comprehensive and reliable guide to organisational theory currently available. What is needed is a text that will give a good idea of the breadth and complexity of this important subject, and this is precisely what McAuley, Duberley and Johnson have provided. They have done some sterling service in bringing together the very diverse strands of work that today qualify as constituting the subject of organisational theory. Whilst their writing is accessible and engaging, their approach is scholarly and serious. It is so easy for students (and indeed others who should know better) to trivialize†¦show more content†¦This requires that they have a deeper than superficial understanding of management and organization issues. McAuley et al. helps student and managers understand organizational performance without having to go through extensive reading. It deepens their understanding of issues with which they are confronted in practice, by puttin g them into a larger context. This book really helps students and managers to become wiser. Professor Renà © Tissen, Nyenrode Business University, The Netherlands This book will appeal to the student who seeks a thorough and critical understanding of organization theory. It is both rigorous and accessible, clearly and unashamedly pitched for readers who wish to engage with theoretical issues whilst also maintaining a practical focus on why organization theory matters. I felt in good hands here, confident that I was being offered a deeply informed, reliable and intelligently constructed account. The opening chapter carefully and helpfully explains terms, including ‘theory’ and ‘epistemology’ that can form an unexplored bedrock to texts in the field. It then offers thoughtful, scholarly and well-illustrated discussions of prominent theoretical perspective, including managerialism and postmodernity, supported by specified learning outcomes and guides to furth er reading. Dr Paul Tosey, University of Surrey, UK The field of organization theory is extremely fragmented and there is no agreement concerning the underlyingShow MoreRelatedA Review On Organisational Theories1677 Words   |  7 PagesBUS 5113 - Assignment Unit 1 - A review of organisational theories A review of organisational theories Craig Morley University of the People A review of organisational theories 1 In Chapter 2 of the Organizational Theory text we reviewed four theoretical contributions which are central to the understanding of today s Organizations. Offer a brief analysis of all four theoretical concepts and then pick the one you the feel is the most influential from both historical and managerial perspectives. ExplainRead MoreThe Theories Of Organisational Management1164 Words   |  5 PagesOrganisational management is the art in which those with authority organise and control re Organisational management is the art in which those with authority organise and control resources in a particular so that they can achieve a predefined goal. Organisational management should give a sense of direction to their workers, so that everyone is aware of their roles and responsibilities. There are number of theorist who have taken up a central position regarding the discussion of organisational managementRead MoreOrganisational Behavioural Theories Essay1425 Words   |  6 Pages Organisational Behavioural Theories Organisational theory is the idea and principle about how the work could be done by investigating through different perceptive. Throughout the last century, scholars, psychologists and behaviour scientists have contributed in developing of new theories for the organisations to achieve more by allocating their workers to make more productive and most of those theories did well in old times. But at the turn of the next century, thing haveRead MorePower and the Limits of Power in Organisational Theory3702 Words   |  15 Pagesunderstood in many different ways due to different perspective in organisation theory .This essay will be talking about two theoretical perspectives of organisation theory, modernism and critical theory and how these perspectives contribute to the different ideas about power and the limits of power in organisations. To begin, this essay will start by differentiating the basic perspective of modernism and critical theory in organisations. In ontology, assumption for modernist takes an objectivistRead MoreOrganisational Behaviour Goal Setting Theory2552 Words   |  11 Pagesbehaviors of their employees, goal setting has been an essential item in every firm. Other than identifying the target and achievement of the company, goal setting is also used to motivate employers, as well as employees to succeed. Goal-setting Theory and Work Motivation What is goal-setting? Goal-setting is used to motivate both employers and employees. Other than that, it is an essential tool to clarify and to identify the roles and perception of the organization by the implementation of performanceRead MoreOrganisational Behaviour Goal Setting Theory2563 Words   |  11 Pagesbehaviors of their employees, goal setting has been an essential item in every firm. Other than identifying the target and achievement of the company, goal setting is also used to motivate employers, as well as employees to succeed. Goal-setting Theory and Work Motivation What is goal-setting? Goal-setting is used to motivate both employers and employees. Other than that, it is an essential tool to clarify and to identify the roles and perception of the organization by the implementation of performanceRead MoreThe Organizational Change Using Theories Of Organisational Change1642 Words   |  7 PagesAndriopoulos, 2014). Organizations are tested to push into new projects and advance their performances. These days, maintainable success relies on upon managing change. As organisations, it is the basic culture - the construction itself, which means organisational arrangement for decision making, responsibility, management and distribution of power, and how the organisation administrates, reacts to and related to its external environment (Tushman Romanelli, 1985). However, change is not commonly an issueRead MoreA Case Study in Organisational Change Implication for Theory8390 Words   |  34 PagesA case study in organisational change: implications for theory Lindsay Nelson Introduction Organisation theory has developed through major epochs of classical, human relations and contingency approaches, all of which have contributed to the accumulation of knowledge about implementing change. The legacy of these approaches has been to regard organisational change as something of an aberration or a departure from the more usual static position of organisations. Hence, for example, Lewin’ s (1951)Read MoreOrganisational Behaviour1542 Words   |  7 Pagesexperiments, which is one of the most influential theories in the subject of organisational behaviours and is analysed by Elton Mayo. The term ‘’Hawthorne Effect’’ has come to mean any short term increase in productivity. For instance, people will work more efficient when they are being watched. Another main feature of this approach is Neo-Human Relations. This concept includes three theories. The first theory is Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory, which comprised of five human beings needs. WhenRead MoreExamining Different Approaches to Management and Theories of Organisation and Evaluating How Organisational Structure and Culture Contribute to Business Success2317 Words   |  10 Pagesapproaches to management and theories of organisation. • Evaluate how organisational structure and culture contribute to business success. To do this I need to answer the following questions in the form of a business report: • Identify the organisations approach to management, supported with examples. • Identify the type of structure and provide an overall organisational chart • Identify the organisations management style and give examples • Highlight any variances between theory and practice in Qs 1

Zappos Case Study Free Essays

Case Description: If you like shoes and shop online, you probably have heard of Zappos. com. Nick Swinmurn was inspired to found the firm after a frustrating shopping excursion in San Francisco where he failed to find a properly fitting pair of shoes in the right size, style and color. We will write a custom essay sample on Zappos Case Study or any similar topic only for you Order Now Swinmurn translated his unpleasant shopping experience into new business expressly designed to meet the demanding needs of serious shoppers. As a result of his entrepreneurial zeal and his shrewd exploitation of the tools of e-commerce, Zappos grew from its start in 1999 to over $1 billion in gross annual sales by 2008, and was such a success that Amazon. om decided to acquired the firm for $ 1. 2 billion in 2009. In 1999, the U. S. shoes industry was estimated to be a $40 billion market. As of that date the shoes industry was heavily dependent on direct retail channels such as established chain stores. It is also noteworthy that approximately 1 in 3 retail sales were lost due to out of stock issues, including: inventory limitations, constrains on the number of brands sold in a given location, the number of sizes and styles carried in each store, and so forth. Like its now parent company Amazon had done with books, Zappos overcame these limitations through the stocking of a vast inventory of all makes, styles, colors, and sizes, displayed and sold through their e-commerce platform. From Idea to Business Venture In 1999, there was no web site that had a large enough scope of shoes online. To his surprise, Swinmurn found that there was no major online retailer who focused primarily on selling shoes. Knowing little about shoe retailing, he decided to test the idea of an online shoe retailing web site by approaching brick and mortar shoe retailers close to his home and he asked for permission to photograph their shoes. He posted his pictures to a modest eCommerce Web site. To fulfill orders that were placed through his Web site, Swinmurn would physically go to the store that carried the product buy the pair of shoes and ship it to the customer. This prototype of an eCommerce shoe business provided Swinmurn with the proof of concept he needed to build a real online business. Soon, he signed a collaborative relationship with three major shoe distributors, whereby they would drop ship shoes to customers who ordered them off Swinmurn’s Web site. Zappos. com grew out of this initial set of activities – a new eCommerce giant was born. As Zappos rapidly grew, order fulfillment became a challenge. The firm could not always guarantee the timeliness of supplier drop shipments to individual customers. To meet the expectations of its online retail clientele, Zappos began to open its own warehouse and fulfillment centers, employing approximately 1,600 workers. By 2004, these centers carried in excess of 3 million shoes, handbags, and other clothing items and accessories, drawing on over 1,100 different brands. As a result, Zappos. com offered the best selection of shoes available anywhere online. Customer Service While the original idea behind Zappos was to create a web site that offered a huge selection of shoes, the founder also believed that to compete in the eCommerce marketplace, the firm must provide the â€Å"best service† as well as a vast product mix. Therefore, like Amazon, Zappos’ fulfillment focused on fast and accurate order processing and speedy delivery to the customer. The firm offered free deliveries and returns as well as a guaranteed 4-day delivery window and a 365-day return guarantee. Furthermore, Zappos allowed its fulfillment center personnel broad latitude in addressing customer needs and complaints. The focus was on customer satisfaction and hence there were no call center scripts, time limits on calls, or predefined responses to customer issues. Every employee was given four-weeks of training in the company’s business strategy, culture, and customers focus. New employees were paid their full salary during this training period. Use of web-based Information Technology Zappos embraced Twitter as a valuable tool for building company culture. From its beginning, everyone in the entire organization was expected to use Twitter for communications within the company. When the CEO saw that it helped people connect at a more personal level, he began to encourage everyone to use Twitter to create a more collaborative corporate culture. However, Zappos also realized social media’s value in building an interactive customer community – deemed â€Å"Zapponians. Customers could send a tweet to Zappos from most of the web pages on firm’s Web site and Zappos directly interfaces with Twitter servers in order to monitor and track Zappos-related conversations (including setting up a separate website called â€Å"Zappos Conversations†). The employees also used blogs to interact with customers. Of course, not all interactions were positive, but the overall result includes 1,200 social media â€Å"con versations† with customers per month, 600 positive monthly fan tweets, and over 2. 6 million Twitter followers. As its business grew, the firm opened more web sites, including Couture. zappos. com, Outdoor. zappos. com, Rideshop. zappos. com, Running. zappos. com, Blogs. zappos. com, and Deliveringhappiness. com. [Note: Students should visit at least one Zappos Web site and assess its quality in terms of content, design, and functionality. ] Worker Retention In most retailing companies, employee turnover was generally high. Zappos had a unique way of dealing with the problem. New employees went through an intensive four-week training program, immersing them in the company’s culture, strategy, and processes. After a week or so into this training program, the firm proposed what was known at Zappos as â€Å"The Offer† to its new employees. The firm offered to pay its newest employees money if they chose to quit at that point in their tenure with the firm. The offer went something similar to this: â€Å"If you quit today, we will pay you for the amount of time you’ve worked, plus we will offer you a $ 3,000 bonus. † Zappos actually offered an incentive for its employees to quit! But of course the objective here was to ensure that only those committed to the success of Zappos stayed with the firm. Culture Zappos’ employees live by a set of core values. First among these was that the employees were encouraged to create a fun atmosphere at work. For example, the staff could dress in funny costumes. They could bring their pets to work and organize entertaining events during office hours. All these activities were intended to maintain a creative and open atmosphere in the work place, and a sense of â€Å"coolness. † For his part, Swinmurn was very much part of this fun culture, communicating with the company via blogs and Twitter. Overall Zappos’ corporate culture celebrated and embraced diversity and each worker’s individuality. Even with all the fun, the firm achieved considerable business success. [pic] Tony Hsieh, chief executive of Zappos. Photograph: Zappos Twitter account Case Questions: 1. What is the business model (re: how do they make money, what is their value proposition) for Zappos and what are three critical success factors for the firm? 2. List and describe the application software supporting the respective business process and the IT infrastructure enabling the application software. Business Process |Application Software |IT Infrastructure | |Order processing | | | |Supply chain logistics and warehousing | | | |Customer servicing | | | |Human resource management | | | |Financial management | | | 3. Describe the role the Zappos’ Web site and related services support its customer intimacy and operational excellence business objectives. Your answer should address the web sites design (layout, functionality, and content). 4. Describe the reasons it made sense for Amazon to acquire Zappos. Separately, describe the expertise (in terms of information systems and the use of IT) that Amazon brought to the deal that might improve Zappos’ eCommerce capabilities. How to cite Zappos Case Study, Free Case study samples Zappos Case Study Free Essays Before starting the analysis It should be taken In consideration that Zappers business is done thru e-commerce and it managed to introduce itself at the early sass’s when society had trust issues with making business online, which is the platform that Capos used to create trust and enhance it’s value proposition. 1. Acquisition Capos strategy for calculations Is to aim to prospect customers by: Word of Mouth – The best policy for quelled a client trust Is thru a good referral, this fact is exponentiation when applied to e-commerce Excellence in Customer Service – Achieved by an easy contact either thru the website and most importantly thru the call center, whose goal is not only help the client to complete their transaction and resolve any problem they may encounter, but to go beyond and create a connection with every customer. We will write a custom essay sample on Zappos Case Study or any similar topic only for you Order Now Actions speak louder than words. This is true for the WHOM policy on Capo’s which have made them famous since the company started, Capo’s understood in their early stages that the influence of â€Å"external effects† such as advertising or direct marketing, where not good enough tools to convince society to engage with the new rend of e-commerce. One of the mall problems with e-commerce Is trust (Specially In sass’s), Capos managed to break the trust barrier by making themselves available 24/7 and by implementing one of the most flexible return policies in the market. This two elements take away the risk of buying online, since the client has the chance to give back the product if they don’t like it or it doesn’t fits, because of these, the buying experience Is just as if you go buy the same product on a store. Once the risk has been stable, capos creates value by providing an easier shopping experience here customer can go thru an online catalogue and buy from home. Retention By excellence in customer service, clients are constantly in a delight stage bringing high satisfaction levels since they receive way more than what they would expect from any other company and even from capos Itself! Client service and returned policies have created several switching cost, which enable them to retain their clients and also very important they created strong imitation barriers against competitors Evaluation cost – once the customer has tried and trust Capo’s service, buying the risk, which makes it simpler Just to stay with capos. Benefit loss cost – This is not a â€Å"premium customer† benefit, but the generous return policy is given to every capos client, and it represents a big switching cost that might be stronger than strong price reductions, since the money being saved on buying the product, might not be worth nothing if they can’t trust that the product will be delivered in time, with the quality expected, with a return policy, etc.. Relational Switching Cost – The call center staff is instructed to create personal bonds with customers, even if it means to talk about non-purchasing themes for hours, everything so that clients have a personal relationship with the brand (not only one staff member, but all of them) Development All these combined had created both attitudinal and behavioral loyalty, which translates into positive whom and continued repurchase habits. No matter the cost, the repurchase habits on clients must be kept specially if we take in mind that capos might constantly increase their product assortment. Having this in mind, even when the cost of the returned policy and the call center seem high, the company is investing in the Customer Lifetime Value, as said in the article, once a customer gets acquainted with the shopping experience thru Capos their repurchase levels increase as Capos keeps growing their catalogue it’s assuring future purchases of their loyal customers. As seniority in clients grows so does their social value, which completes a cycle for new clients acquisitions by making WHOM a major drive for consumption in this industry, thus making the investment on loyalty measures completely worthwhile. . Returned Merchandise Policy Capos brand has been built from gained trust from clients, this is what makes it exceptional, since it has created customer experience of delight that comes not only from exceptional operational process but from the service provided, making client’s needs a first priority. As previously explained, the returned merchandise policy is a main component in the customer life cycle, not only is present in all stages, but its relevant for throughout acquisition, retention and development. As if it wasn’t enough, this policy is crucial to the product value proposition and its a main differentiation factor from all competitors, since there’s no other company that’s so flexible on the returned researched. Customer equity, might be affected â€Å"negatively’ by high acquisitions/retention costs, but rather than an expense, this should be counted as an investment (as Capos attract more customers induced by a social network effect. If Capos decided to cut down on returned policy, it would create a â€Å"dissatisfied effect† since as we had learned, the problem with delighting customers is that from now on this special treatment is now an expectation that if its not fulfill would bring to disappointment. Secondly, e-commerce is filled with competitors, big and small, you can find any kind f product assortment on the web and most importantly most of this companies try to attract their clients thru advertisement (mainly on web) and low prices. If Capos applied the same strategy, it might destroyed value, since it won’t be able to differentiate from the rest of competitors that rely on publicity instead of being a one of a kind company that you will discover thru a very good referral. The proposition of cutting down on returned merchandise to invest on advertisement should be completely rejected, rather than advertise, it would be a better idea for the many to invest on social network management Just to make sure they are present and to empower their spokespersons to amplify the social network effect. The merchandise returned policy might have room for improvement for profitability purposes, we haven’t been provided with the numbers, but for instance the time lapse of a one year could be cut down without having a big negative effect on clients, allowing the company to recognize profits accounting wise at an early stage. 3. Client Service by Ranking As discussed before, the call center is the key for profitability, since its the element hat creates a personal bond and the element of trust. If Capos decides to apply a distinctive service to their clients, they will no longer be providing an exceptional customer service, at least not to all of them. The commerce industry is still in the initial phase, they are new customers buying products for the first time, they are the late adopters and they might need an incentive to take this step. The call center is exactly what this potential customers need, they are interested enough to try to contact the company, they need to check that everything is legitimate and a good client service will assure them that they can trust Zapped. The call center is even more important for new clients, by applying a priority service based on seniority, Capos might lose a big share of their potential customers, since they will provide a disappointing first impression and some of them will defect even before they become customers. If the company is forced to cost reduction, they must do everything in their power to keep providing the excellence in customer service, because this is what the brand transmits to both new and current clients. By changing this factor, the brand will lose reduce its operational cost on logistics, their inventory, anything else before affecting client service. How to cite Zappos Case Study, Free Case study samples

Transforms Trendy Restaurants Temper Spaces -Myassignmenthelp.Com

Question: Discuss About The Transforms Trendy Restaurants Temper Spaces? Answer: Introducation The news report titled Canadian Digital Service takes startup approach to building better IT for government by Julie Ireton was covered by CBC News on December 14th, 2017. The story describes how the Canadian Digital Service (CDS) has been started by 39-year-old data programmer Jason White. This initiative rises as a startup for helping the federal government and serving the nation by creating better online connections to citizens of Canada (1). In my opinion, the article was written as a story pitched to the media. Though CDS is less than six months old, it has the aim of growing with a fast rate. The work done by Whites is fundamentally mission-driven. The story aims to bring into the limelight the honorable and noble initiative CDS has taken up so that the same can get the worthy recognition. The story under scrutiny highlights more than one news criteria, making it a suitable one for media coverage. The story highlights the Whites plan to leave behind his alluring job at Shopify to work with the federal government, giving a background to the mission outlined. It further moves on to point out the organizational functioning of CDS as it operates in a non-descript federal government building. A detailed discussed is being put up regarding the recruitment being done to expand its system, drawing interest of those wishing to work with the company. The story further highlights that CDS is following a government model, that aims to address the issues existing in the previous IT models. Moving into the potential CDS holds, it has been mentioned that CDS is focusing on small projects that are easier to be implemented and make appreciable. Rules are being followed regarding privacy legislation and how business data are being handled. The article reflects the positive aspects related to the business and brings to light the good impact on the society. The story is a motivating one that can encourage more professionals from the field of IT to come forward and play a role in integrating technology into government services. Such approaches would be beneficial in The article titled Local startup transforms trendy restaurants into temporary office spaces focuses on how world-class restaurants are being transformed into temporary office spaces that can be profitable for both the restaurants and entrepreneurs with flexible working schedules (2). This particular business idea forms the basis for another business idea of interior designing that can help in transforming restaurants into temporary office spaces. Since the innovative idea outlined in the article entails highly detailed interior decoration and furnishing, a business that looks into catering to the need of the restaurants would be highly beneficial. A startup initiative can be started that identifies the need for the restaurants and provide necessary amenities. The article points out that the freelance, independent entrepreneurs and startup world is expanding speedily. It is expected that the number of nomadic workers would form a third of the workforce in the next two years. Consideri ng this, the proposed business plan would bring in economic benefits. References Ireton J. Canadian Digital Service takes startup approach to building better IT for government [Internet]. CBC News. 2017 [cited 19 February 2018]. Available from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/ottawa/canadian-digital-service-recruiting-it-brains-prevent-phoenix-1.4445010 Local startup transforms trendy restaurants into temporary office spaces [Internet]. CBC News. 2017 [cited 19 February 2018]. Available from: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/flexday-restaurant-office-space-1.4507588

Skills that make teachers effective

Skills that make teachers effectiveAdvertising We will write a custom essay sample on Skills that make teachers effective specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Teaching is a task that can be entrusted to any determinant person. Teachers should be passionate about their job. This can motivate them and hence make them achieve success in their teaching profession. Most developed countries have many educated persons because most teachers in these countries use effective teaching strategies to their students. Some of the effective teaching skills that one can bring to the 21st Century classroom include good communication skills, student-teacher engagement, and giving room for individualized learning among others. In this case, a teacher becomes successful if he or she is capable of creating a rapport with his or her students. This can help him or her connect easily with the learners and feel their needs on an individual level. Good communic ation plays a significant role in ensuring that students and teachers understand each other well, both inside and outside classrooms. Through good communication, students can comprehend everything that teachers present to them. A teacher too can tell whether his or her students get what he or she puts across, and hence make rectifications where necessary. It is also critical for educators to get their students engaged. This may include involving students in social but educative activities such as games and humour among others. Nevertheless, teaching should be student-centred. Teachers should try as much as possible to relate their teachings to the immediate real environment. Effective teachers also need to incorporate relevant doses of humour in their teaching, which can help students gain confidence in their work. To be an effective teacher within the current century, one needs to act and not to react. This can create good relations with students; hence improve their performance in studies. An effective teacher has to be precise and clear when giving out instructions. To make things different from the obvious routine, a teacher needs to give room for individualized learning. Students have different learning abilities, particularly with regard to the speed of grasping various contents taught in class. Putting all these into consideration, a teacher can do his or her best to attend to each learner in their class. A teacher has to give a positive feedback to his or her students whenever they do a good job. This encourages them to do even better. Moreover, a teacher has to involve students in making decisions. They should love their job because this can make them very determined in educating students. Reasons to educate in Virginia One would teach in Virginia because of the desire to join the best quality and diverse teachers that will enable him or her to add to his experiences and qualities. The institution emphasizes on the need to make students capable, self- reliant and responsible. Any teacher would love to be part of this mission increasing students’ academic achievements and learning. Having a teaching license in Virginia gives one the credit to teach in other high institutions, due to the high quality associated with the teaching careers.Advertising Looking for essay on education? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More This essay on Skills that make teachers effective was written and submitted by user Carl Nielsen to help you with your own studies. You are free to use it for research and reference purposes in order to write your own paper; however, you must cite it accordingly. You can donate your paper here.

Three Strikes Law Essays - Criminal Law, Criminology, California Law

Three Strikes Law Essays - Criminal Law, Criminology, California Law Three Strikes Law CJC2000 Prof. Taylor, Patrica 02/19/2015 All round the world there has been an ongoing issue with crime. Many of the crimes committed are both violent and nonviolent actions towards innocent people or places. What can possibly be done by law makers and enforcers to stop this ongoing problem? To help minimize these offenses the states has develop a way to take a stand against it being done, the Three Strikes Law. It basically states that if you are a convicted felon, on your third offense, misdemeanor/felony, youre out. With the states passing the three strikes law, it allows repeating offenders to remain behind bars for the rest of their lives. But is it fair to all offenders that continuously commit a crime to remain behind bars or should the ones that commit petty crimes be punished because of this law? In my opinion, if a person consist of committing a crime he or she shall be held responsible after the second time. Committing a crime in the first beginning can be more than enough times. Depending on the type of the crime such as murder or molestation, the person should be behind bars and stay there for the rest of their lives after the first offense. Think about it for a minute, if all the habitual offenders are force to remain behind bars, our crime rates should drop opposed to if they are still on the streets committing the crimes. I think the three strikes law is a good effect on crime because it will make offenders think twice about committing a crime. Besides, lets be realistic, a person knows if they will constantly commit the same crime or another one for that matter.

Free sample - The Economic Report. translation missing

The Economic Report. The Economic ReportNational bank of Kenya limited is a financial institution engaged in the provision of services such as banking, financial and others related to these. The bank owns two subsidiaries namely: Natbank Trustee and Investment Services Limited and the Kenya National Capital Corporation Limited (Kariuki 2010). This bank has encountered several problems over the last few years and the country’s central bank which monitors the operations of all financial institutions in the country has predicted that unless the bank changes tact, it will be bedeviled by the same problems over the next couple of years. These problems include demand and supply problems, economic problems, non performing loans portfolio as well as technology problems (Kariuki 2010). According to reports from the central bank, the bank’s nonperforming loans accounted for about 43.5% of the total loans in the month of June (Kariuki 2010). This was above the industry range which was estimated to be 15.8%. These nonperforming loans can be attributed to reckless lending policies. Statistics from the central bank also indicate that the bank has a huge revenue deficit of four billion Kenya shillings (Kariuki 2010). This deficit is to be settled through realized profits. Economists from the central bank however indicate that this may not be feasible as the bank is unlikely to issue dividends, a move that may see many share holders desert the bank hence a profit dive (Kariuki 2010). The bank’s total capital base as a percentage of total risk weighted assets has not reached the statutory threshold which is placed at 12%. Its estimated to be at 10%, a fact that makes payment of dividends further impossible. Due to the huge nonperforming loans, the bank decide d to go slow on lending, a move that saw many of its customers move to the less risky investments. These investments include but not limited to: Government securities such as treasury bonds and treasury bills (Kariuki 2010). Statistics from the central bank show that the bank’s loans to private households declined by 19.7% while lending to finance and insurance sectors reduced by 25.3% last year (Kariuki 2010). The central bank predicts a further reduction in these two for the next few years. The emergence of many micro-finance institutions such as K-Rep, Jamii Bora Trust, and Kenya Women Finance Trust, which have captured the low-end of the market has compounded the problems facing the bank further (World Bank [WB] 2010). This is because, these microfinance institutions offer lower lending interest rates on their loans hence attracting many unbanked citizens who may have been absorbed by the National Bank (Kariuki 2010). The location of these micro-finance institutions enable them to capture more customers. This is because they are spread throughout the country’s rural areas where majority of the unbanked citizens reside. The bank adopted a policy of high interest rates on its loans so as to cover their level of exposure, a move that greatly reduced the demand for the bank’s loans (WB 2010) The introduction of mobile banking by the country’s leading telecommunication company, Safaricom limited has also been a thorn in the bank’s flesh. Many people in Kenya who had not been captured by the banking world found it simpler to start accounts with the telecommunication company (Omwansa 2010). This is because of the convenience involved in carrying out transactions which involves simply the use of mobile phones. Mpesa is the name given to the mobile banking of the telecommunications company (Omwansa 2010). Mpesa customers are able to carry out transactions such as paying bills, money transfers, shopping in supermarkets using phones, and many more other transactions. The demand for accounts in this bank and others in the country is expected to reduce as more people jump into the mobile banking band wagon (Omwansa 2010). The problem is expected to get worse as more telecommunication companies in the country have emulated Safaricom. For instance, the country’ s second largest telecommunication company by customer base, Zain Kenya has introduced a similar mobile banking program called Zap (Omwansa 2010). Many banks in the country have introduced a technology that enables bank customers to manipulate their bank accounts using mobile devices. Failure by this bank to follow suit has made it fail to attract potential customers (Omwansa 2010). This technology allows customers to transfer money from their banks to their mobile phones which they can then withdraw through the telecommunication companies’ money outlets such as Mpesa and Zap (Omwansa 2010). This saves them the inconvenience of travelling to the banks to transact. The country’s third largest telecommunication company by customer base, Yu has also entered the mobile banking band wagon through its Yu cash. This has captured even more customers whose destiny would otherwise have been in the banking world (Omwansa 2010). The country has witnessed an explosion of pyramid schemes which have lured many citizens into depositing money with them. These schemes have convinced many people to withdraw money from their bank accounts which has led to a poor performance by the banks (Jack 2010). This is because, money which the banks could have issued as loans is now disappearing into the pyramid schemes. These schemes operate on a simple principle; people who bank with them first benefit from funds brought in by subsequent customers when their pay time comes (Jack 2010). If the number of people qualifying for payment exceeds the amount of money brought in by new customers, the owners of the schemes disappear with all the investments. If the country’s central bank doesn’t control the operations of these pyramid schemes, then banks are expected to suffer more in the next few years (Jack 2010). The economy of the country performed poorly in the last financial year as a result of a post election violence. This has also greatly affected the bank since the government is its largest shareholder . Poor economic performance also translates to lack of funds to put into bank accounts by the bank’s customers hence the bank is affected adversely (Jack 2010). If the performance of the economy is not turned around in the next few years, then the bank is expected to perform more poorly. The diagram below shows the likely demand and supply situation in the bank over the next three years. This is still the current situation. Reduction in supply has been witnessed since the bank has been forced to close down some of its branches due to the poor performance. The bank is expected to close more of its branches in future if the problems are not solved. Closing down of accounts coupled with the problems discussed earlier has led to a decrease in demand for the bank’s financial services. To turn around this poor performance, the bank should consider a number of solutions. Firstly, the bank should consider expanding to the rural part of the country in order to capture unbanked people from the low-end of the market (Jack 2010). The bank should also consider a reduction in its loans interest rates in order to increase the demand of the same (Jack 2010). The bank should also consider introducing a technology that would allow customers to manipulate their bank accounts using mobile devices. However, for the bank to keep a competitive edge over the others in the same line of production, they should do this differently. Instead of cooperating with the existing mobile networks, the bank can consider coming up with its own platform. This is because, the telecommunications firms are also themselves involved in mobile banking, so collaborating with them amounts to collaborating with a competitor. This can only be to the advantage of the competitor (Jack 2010). The bank should a lso reduce the requirements for opening an account with them. These requirements include minimum deposit, passports, ATM processing fee etc. while passports are quite important, the bank can consider purchasing cameras for taking the passports without charging the customer (Jack 2010). The bank should also consider increasing the number of marketers so as to capture as many potential customers as possible. Opening many ATM machines throughout the country would also go a long way in helping the bank turn around its poor performance. Lastly, the bank should pressurize the central bank to come up with policies which discourage the mushrooming of pyramid schemes (Jack 2010). This paper has discussed the problems afflicting the National Bank of Kenya. These problems have included: nonperforming loans, huge revenue deficit, competition from micro-finance institutions which offer loans with lower interest rates, low customer base due to failure to capture rural areas, competition from telecommunications companies which have invested in mobile banking, failure to take advantage of modern technology involving mobile banking and finally competition from rogue pyramid schemes. Solutions which can turn around this poor performance have also been discussed. These have included: expanding to the rural part of the country in order to capture unbanked people from the low-end of the market, introducing a technology that would allow customers to manipulate their bank accounts using mobile devices, reducing the requirements for opening an account with them, introducing more ATM machines and finally pressurizing the central bank to come up with policies which discourage the mushrooming of pyramid schemes.

Mid Term Exam Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Mid Term Exam - Assignment Example This depends upon where and how the company markets its products or services. In addition, when it comes to marketing or promoting a service or product, one sixe does not fit it all. There are various elements of the marketing strategy that may need to change depending on whether the company is marketing globally or domestically. In order for the Apollo Company to gain enter and gain control of new markets, the marketing managers needs to conduct a situation analysis. A situation means the state of things that occur at the same time. Situation analysis interprets the environment that an organization operates. The situation analysis gives the knowledge and context for planning. It shows the competitive position, financial and operating condition and the state of external and internal affairs. In situation analysis, SWOT analysis is the commonly used analysis. SWOT refers to the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to a company. In our study of the Asian pacific and North America markets, the positioning statement should be believable, important and unique. After the positioning statement has been developed, supporting claims have to be implemented. The statements are used in satisfying a similar criterion to the positioning statement. Then support points usually reinforce the uniqueness, believability and the importance of the positioning statement. The support points usually give a structure for demonstrations of the products. The positioning statement articulates the abstract benefit while the supporting points usually are readily available for demonstration. International marketing means to provide one’s services or goods worldwide. It is a tradition for most companies to start marketing their products or services domestically and expand to international market to capture wider market share and increase avenues for sales of their services or

The Possibilities of Progress in International Politics Research Paper

The Possibilities of Progress in International Politics - Research Paper Example â€Å"The Possibilities of Progress in International Politics† Therefore, data will be collected from secondary sources. The qualitative research methodology will correspondingly include three approaches of research. These would incorporate the grounded theory, historical research and critical social research approaches. In this regard, grounded theory research approach suggests of a research based on grounded data from secondary sources as well as primary sources. Based on the collected data obtained from the sources, the research approach will lead to the generation of relevant theory to suffice the determined goal of the study. This approach is highly important in the current context, as it would lead to the establishment of relevant theories related to international political conflicts and resolutions (Leavy, 2014). Another research approach will be used in the study is the historical research approach, wherein the researchers use historical data for conducting the research. These historical data will both be primary and secondary. Primary data will be collected from archaeological evidences and others, while the secondary sources will be collected from several scholarly articles and books (Leavy, 2014). The third approach used in the research study will be the critical social research approach. Through this approach, data collected from social and cultural evidences will be critically analyzed. Applying this approach, the concepts of humanities and social sciences will also be simultaneously used.

Junk Food Essay Example for Free

Junk Food Essay Junk food is considered an unhealthy food which only contains a small amount of nutrients, or provides much more energy than body needs. Examples of junk food include frozen desserts, hamburgers, pizzas, carbonated beverages, fried chickens. Nowadays, a great many individuals buy junk food frequently. At the same time, people are overweight from day to day. This essay will analyse why junk food is particularly popular. To some extent, junk food has negative effect on health and eating less junk food might be better. Firstly, junk food is harmful to people’s health. It is not only non-nutritious but also including a large sum of oils, sugars, fats, salts, calories and antiseptics. Some serious problem will be generated with eating numerous junk foods for a long time, such as obesity, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and heart disease. My experience is a convincing example. When I was a freshman in the university, my course schedule was extremely busy. I ate Junk Food for lunch everyday. Fresh food was replaced by junk food and my weight rose sharply. At the beginning, I did not realize that it really made me overweight until the semester finished. I found junk food can increase people’s excess weight. It can be seen that junk food has many disadvantages as previous study. However, why do people buy it frequently? On the one hand, an increasing number of fast paced life makes people have to choose the junk food as their daily diet. It is obvious that eating junk food is a time-saving and money-saving way to resolve their problem perfectly, when they working and studying very busily, which makes people ignore the fact that junk food is frequently harmful. The awareness of individuals need to be improved on behalf of people’s health. On the other hand, why do individuals buy junk Food is the result of excellent marketing strategy. Firstly, people are usually misleaded by overwhelming advertisings. For instance, the advertisement of vitamin water from the Coca-Cola always repeats that it just contains vitamin and nothing  about sugar. In fact, the main component of the vitamin water is the fructose which is the major cause of obesity and drinking a bottle of vitamin water is equal to drinking a can of coke almost. It is witness that the advertisings make up the misleading to consumers. In addition, some brand of junk food, like KFC, McDonald’s, push out a meal with toys for children. There is a straightforward purpose to attract children’s attentions. Thirdly, some junk food restaurants have a playpark which supplies several small slides and plentiful plastic balls for children. Parents prefer to choose a table near by the playpark to take care of their children in the McDonalds’ or KFC. Apart from above examples, there are a variety of marketing methods or skills, which influences individuals imperceptibly. Despite the fact that junk food is not only non-nutritious but also destructive, individuals often choose to eat it, due to a series of extraordinary marketing strategies which is hard to resist and fast paced life makes people just have limited choices. Therefore, trying to eat less junk food as far as possible is beneficial to people’s health.

Solutions to the Church Music Controversy Essay -- Music

Solutions to the Church Music Controversy There are many different approaches churches are taking to solve the controversial issue of the use of instrumental accompaniment to singing and contemporary ways of worshiping in churches. Contemporary churches are encouraging the use, whereas traditional churches are preaching against the use and are educating the people of their churches with what God and the Bible say about music. Some churches that use instruments in their services are holding different services for different types of audiences, like one for the elderly that will use the more traditional songs and hymns, and then another for the youth, or divorced, or the single people, or the married. Then there are those who say that this should not be something churches should even be arguing about, and that there are worse things happening in the church that should be focused on eliminating. In the article, â€Å"Churches Use Hip-Hop to Draw Teens† of the Rockford Register Star, reporter Edith Webster writes from an interview with minister Ralph Hawthorne, director of Let’s Talk It Out; which was part of the ‘Summer Showcase 2003’ program in Rockford, Illinois, â€Å" ‘Summer Showcase 2003’ includes free food, giveaways, a puppet show and a variety of gospel music for the entire family, but the young people will most likely be all into the gospel rap. ‘There is a generation of people who are unreached,’ said minister Ralph Hawthorne,’ † and to justify his actions he claims, â€Å" ‘To get the gospel out and to be relevant, we need to not change the message but maybe change the method’ † (Webster). Assuming that this is how God wants His message to be taught, I think there exists a tremendous amount of wrong in this way of think... ...Works Cited Deville, Nancy. "Gospel Singing at Mass is Break from Tradition." The Tennessee [Nashville, TN] 24 Jul. 2003: M1. InfoTrac Custom Newspapers. TexShare. Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. 29 Oct. 2003. Furr, Joe E. "Working Around Tradition."17 Nov. 2003. Christian Homesite. 29 Oct. 2003 . Smith, James B. Rich Mullins His Life and Legacy: an Arrow Pointing to Heaven. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 2000. Webster, Edith C. "Churches Use Hip-Hop to Draw Teens." Rockford Register Star 2 Aug. 2003: 6C. InfoTrac Custom Newspapers. TexShare. Mary and Jeff Bell Library, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. 29 Oct.2003. Zondervan Study Bible: New International Version. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1985, 1999, 2002.

College Athletes Essay

For the longest time the NCAA was never a multi-billion dollar industry; many years they did not make half of that. Many big colleges had budgets that would make teams such as Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Oregon, Etc. laugh about what they were able to provide for sports. There have been questions for years about whether a college athlete should be paid or not and if athletes deserve to be paid for what they do at that level, after already being paid to go to school there, for most of the players. When athletes go to college they still put themselves in the same physical danger as a professional athlete does. The NCAA alone is a multi-billion dollar industry that generated over 845 billion dollars last year in 2011. Facts have shown that college athletes in the NCAA, on an annual salary, make zero dollars; however, it is a blessing that they are going to school for free. This business is that they get all the work done and the business they want to come in and basically the NCAA athletes work for free. Having a scholarship and having their education paid for is something great but the money they get for school is not the only money they need for the bumpy road to their profession. The billions of dollars that is received annually is nowhere close to being equitable to just a bachelor’s degree. What the student athletes are earning is a big slice of heaven to some students and their families of course, but it showed accumulate to something higher than that degree of college education. â€Å"The NCAA has been historically stubborn over changing its ways to adapt to the times. But lately, even NCAA President Mark Emmert has conceded that it may be time for college players in big money sports to start getting a cash stipend amounting to as much as a few thousand dollars per year. † (Blake Baxter, Eureka College) At least the president of the NCAA has been admiring the idea of giving money to the players and helping them through their college years. Being an athlete in college is having a job, and their job is to bust their butts at practice, come to play on game day, and repeat that cycle, with no pay. Many athletes with their schedules do not have time to make themselves meals, so they have to buy food or they drive to places where they could get it- which costs money in gas. Football and basketball at the Division One level have been the biggest suppliers of money because many of their revenues. These two sports have evolved to the level that coaches and universities are making staggering amounts of money off of the talent of their student-athletes. With the amount of money coaches and schools make, the athletes should be able to get paid for their hard work, all the pain that they put their bodies through, the countless hours of practice workouts, and classes. Surely they need to be paid for putting it all on the line. Argument #2 Many college athletes make decisions that will change their lives- such as Trent Richardson, who played for University Of Alabama. Richardson had to deal with the decision of having to raise two children while being a full time college athlete. When all this was going on, Richardson had no income what so ever, no time, and was dedicated to the football program at U of A. Richardson brought publicity to his school and to other athletes with children that they were trying to raise. While Richardson was at school playing, his two daughters would be at home with their mother watching their daddy play and kissing the screen when he would appear. â€Å"He’s a big strong guy, he’s hitting everybody in practice. And when he’s around his kids, he’s a completely different person,† running back Eddie Lacy said. â€Å"He’s real sweet. He’s a good father. † With all the strength he shows on the field and the sweetness he shares with his daughter, and the hard work he and others put out, they still earn zero dollars each year. It shows and tells all the time- he puts in time and effort to make it in life and take care of his girls â€Å"It’s a level of maturity you don’t normally find among guys his age,† running backs coach Burton Burns said. â€Å"They are a priority for him. He has a tough schedule with school and football, but he is going to find time to spend with those girls. † That level of maturity should never be second guessed and overlooked to give certain players money to get through school and help raise their family like in Richardson’s situation. He is basically working a full time job, going to school, and playing football for Coach Saben. He needs to get what he earns, which would be a little salary. A father and athlete that could say this â€Å"I don’t want them to struggle like I did, to go through the stuff I had to go through,† Richardson said. â€Å"That’s really motivated me on the field. â€Å"Because when I play with my girls on my mind, I feel like nobody can stop me. † Richardson is not the only struggling college athlete. There are a lot of other teams in college that have athletes that participate in the games and practices but do not get any profit from their hard work and dedication. Argument #3 Eric LeGrand, the former Rutgers University football player who was paralyzed from the neck down during a 2010 game, GIving the same effort that each professional athlete makes each game day. Players putting their bodies in this physical danger, and only getting a certain degree when graduating after four years of college. LeGrand the Big Defensive Lineman was on kick off team running down the field trying to make a tackle, and when hitting a player he fell to the ground and was motionless; it was devastating. â€Å"The way Eric lives his life epitomizes what we are looking for in Buccaneer Men,† Schiano said. If the NCAA would recognize the effort and the danger these athletes are put in, they would be generous and give college athletes a little salary. Players like LeGrand are why i stand behind the decision to pay the players a little profit of what they help make. Without all of these amazing athletes i dont beleive the schools would encounter most of the money they make as a university or college. NOt just football, other sports bring in huge amounts of money from ticket sales, team apparel sales, etc. College Athletes are the epitome of where all the money comes from and deserve more then a bachelor degree, and deserve a little allowance for all their hardwork, bringing in a lot of the income. Works cited http://usatoday30. usatoday. com/sports/college/football/acc/story/2012-01-08/tough-guy-richardson-softens-up-as-a-dad/52458854/1 http://www. cbssports. com/collegefootball/story/21575106/if-college-athletes-really-owe-schools-money-then-they-must-be-paid

Prevention of teen pregnancy Essay

Explain the level of prevention with teen pregnancy (can choose your own level out of the three levels).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Teenage pregnancy has been a major problem not only in the developed world but also recently in the developing nations.   In the US and Canada, due to the increased awareness amongst teenagers, the prevalence of teenage pregnancies is decreasing.   However, in several developing nations, the incidence of teenage pregnancies is on the rise.   In the year 1999, it was found that about 97 teenagers out of every 1000 between the ages of 15 to 19 years were pregnant and about 80 % of them were not desired.   Before the age of 18 years, 80 % of the teenage girls have sex.   The age of menarche has also dropped to 12 to 13 years (Weiss, 2000).   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Teenage pregnancies may not be intended for social reasons but due to other including medical and psychological.   The chances of the girl to have a miscarriage, abortion, stillborn baby, etc, are reasonable higher.   These girls are usually the ones who belong to the lower socioeconomic groups and the chances of living in poverty are realistically higher.   The financial burden on the woman would also increase, as she would now have to leave her studies and pick up some job in order to support her child.   Children born from a teen mother are frequently underweight and are at a high risk of developing health problems.   Due to a number of causes, it is always preferred that teenage pregnancies are prevented.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are three different levels of prevention when it comes to teenage pregnancies.   These include primary prevention, secondary prevention and tertiary prevention.   Primary prevention includes measures to prevent pregnancies through physical or other methods.   These include use of contraceptive pills, condoms, etc.   This helps to reduce minimize the risk of getting pregnant.   Secondary prevention includes checkups, scans, etc, to ensure that the girl does not get pregnant.   This is usually followed if primary prevention is not enabled.   Tertiary prevention of includes taking measures to prevent any further pregnancies after one has already occurred in the teenage girls.   The best level of prevention would be primary prevention (Connelly & Inui, 2004).  Ã‚               How might this specific level of prevention be addressed in a community experiencing an increase in family violence.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   There are several measures which need to be adopted for primary prevention of teenage pregnancies.   These include health education, sex education, school and college based programs, health services, use of condoms, use of contraceptives (birth control pills), etc.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the teen pregnancy prevention program several people belonging to the community should be involved including the teenagers, parents, teachers, legislatures, administrators, professionals, media, medical professionals, School authorities, etc.   It is important that the entire community be involved in the program, as teenage pregnancy is a multi-faceted issue.   People are advised to develop responsible health attitudes, behavior and practices regarding teenage pregnancy.  Ã‚   The program should be much more than just offering health services and counselling services.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   The program should take place at several places including schools, colleges, health centers, public health centers, community discussions, etc.   The targets of such programs should be more realistic and achievable.   Both the boy and girl should actively take part in such programs.   At all stages, it is very important that the family and the parents are involved.   Besides, resources and materials such as condoms, birth control pills, education material, counselling services, etc, should be provided.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   In the teenage pregnancy prevention program, multiple agencies should be involved.   In the planning and implementation of the program, teenagers themselves should be involved.   The parents should educate and create awareness in their children about sex and pregnancy during the childhood stage itself.   Hence, involvement of the parents is also required.   Mobile services would also help to create awareness in rural and far-flung areas.   The trust should be in creating increased levels of confidence, self-esteem and decision-making amongst teenagers.   Teenagers should also be educated about drug abuse and alcohol abuse.   Drug abuse can affect judgment, which can lead to irresponsible sex behavior. Explain why a comprehensive health program should address all three levels of prevention.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚   Teenage pregnancy programs need to address all the levels of prevention, as focusing on one single level of prevention and ignoring others would create bias and negative attitudes of the community to those girls who have already become pregnant.   As the rates of teenage pregnancy are reasonable high and a significant number of girls become pregnant during the teenage period, there are high chances that they would lead a miserable life.   This may make it all that more difficult to enable the process of primary prevention.   Several facilities such as health education, medical services for the mother and the child, housing, financial support, nursing homes, counselling, etc, need to be provided.   It is important that teenagers who become pregnant be given all the care and love during the pregnancy period and not be driven out of the house.   Pregnant girls should also be given counselling services as they would not know much of the manner in which their healthcare needs have to be met.   They should be specifically warned about drug abuse and smoking during this period. The focus should be on ensuring that the mother and child are healthy and do not suffer.   During the pregnancy period, the young father should be supportive of the girl.   The young mother should also be educated about the manner in which abuse and neglect need to be tackled. References: Connelly, M. T. & Inui, T. S. (2004). â€Å"Principles of Disease Prevention.† In: Braunwald, E., Fauci, A. S., Kasper, D. L., Hauser, S. L., Longo, D. L. and Jameson, J.L. (Eds) Harrison’s Principles of Internal Medicine, New York: McGraw-Hill. Huberman, B. (2005). â€Å"National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month (NTPPM) Planning Guidebook.† Retrieved on December 9, 2007, from Advocates of Youth Web site. Ontario’s Maternal, Newborn and Early Child Development Resource Centre and the Sex Information and Education Council of Canada (2007). â€Å"Update report on Teen pregnancy prevention.† Retrieved on December 9, 2007, from OMNECD Web site: SHPPS (2006). â€Å"Pregnancy Prevention.† Retrieved on December 9, 2007, from SHPPS Web site. Weiss, D. (2006). â€Å"Reducing Teenage Pregnancy.† Retrieved on December 9, 2007, from Planned Parenthood Web site: http://www.plannedparenthood.org/news-articles-press/politics-policy-issues/teen-pregnancy-sex-education/teenage-pregnancy-6240.htm

Essay Sample on Spectrometry The Study of Light

Essay Sample on Spectrometry The Study of Light Free sample essay on Spectrometry: Spectrometry is the study of the light spectra, to accomplish a task like this; scientists use devices called â€Å"Spectrometers†. A spectrometer is an instrument, which is used to study the light spectrum. The atoms and molecules of all substances known to man give off a different spectrum. By analyzing the spectrum given off by different items, the substance, which the item is formed of, can be determined. There are three main types of spectrometers; they are the infrared spectrometers, the visible spectrometers, and the ultraviolet spectrometers. Each of the spectrometers of used for measuring their respective spectra’s. The function of a spectrometer is to allow us to view, and record the pattern of the light spectrum off of different substances. Because all of the same types of atoms emit the same pattern, and different atoms emit different patterns, we can use the information gathered by the spectrometer to determine the type of atom that is being studied. How knowing the spectra of certain substances help us is because in the industry, it can be used to help to produce more efficient products. Spectrometry can tell us if there are any impurities in wood, steel, and water. Finding impurities in water is helpful in water process and cleaning plants, and can allow us to have safer water into our homes for domestic usage. Finding impurities in wood can help in the construction business, because a spectrometer can be used to find chemicals on the lumber, which in the case of a flammable chemical found, can prevent the structure build with the lumber, to burn later. In steel and other metals, the spect rometer can determine the purity, and thus the overall quality of the final product. As mentioned in the World Book 2000 CD-ROM Encyclopedia, the typical appearance and function of a spectrometer is this. A spectrometer is an instrument, which is used to study light, so it only makes sense that it is a case, which keeps all other light out. The case allows only a small slit of light into the box, and from there a lens diffracts the light into singular, parallel rays which are them sent through a prism which separates the colours of the light, and arranges it into the spectrum. Another lens then directs one stream of light through a projection slit and allows only one colour of light to be shone through at once. A rotator inside the case is connected to a rotator outside the case, which turns the prism to allow different colours of light to be sent through the exit slit. There is a circular scale that states the angle of the prism, when the different colours are shown. Not all spectrometers use prisms, some use mirrors that have thousands of tiny grooves dug into them , to diffract the light at different angles. The purpose of a spectrometer is to determine the spectrum from different substances. That is why it is used, as mentioned before, in many different industries to evaluate the purity of their manufactured materials. If the aforementioned industries were not enough of an example, other places where spectrometers are used are at crime scenes. During criminal investigations, spectrometers can be used to find traces of biological and chemical remains, and can be used to help identify DNA matches, and are helpful to determine causes of fires, chemical reactions, and explosions. More advanced purposes of spectrometer’s are taking readings of planets and other celestial bodies in the sky. Spectroscopes allow us to view the infrared and ultraviolet rays radiating from planets and suns in outer space, and give us more accurate readings on finding other habitable planets, or just more planets in general. The price of a spectrometer will greatly vary; depending on the use you need it for. A small portable spectrometer can start at approximately $110 and range to about $750. A large, laboratory based spectrometer can range from $11,000 and reach upwards to skyrocket in price. And even furthermore, the spectrometer’s used in outer space, the one on the Hubble Telescope, cost multiple million and even billion dollars. The durability of the device depends on the usage and price. One can expect a laboratory spectrometer to last longer than a hand held one taken out into the field, as it may be dropped, lost, forgotten, or any other of many misfortunes. Spectrometers out in space are subject to zero gravity, no atmospheric pressure, and no erosion so this makes them more resistant to damage. On the other hand, they run the risk of being damaged in space related collisions (though it is a bit farfetched). In the end, this is the information about spectrometers. This covers their usage, design, durability, prices, and some other random information about these devices. Now that you know all about them, don’t you want to go out and buy one for yourself?

Iris, the Greek Goddess

Iris, the Greek Goddess Iris was a swift messenger goddess in Greek mythology and a popular subject for vase painting, but better known as the goddess of the rainbow because Hermes (Mercury) is known as the messenger god. Iris is shown with wings, a (kerykeion) heralds staff, and a pitcher of water. She is a beautiful young woman described as wearing a multi-hued gown. Family of Origin Thaumas, son of the sea (Pontos), and Elektra, an Oceanid, are possible parents of Iris. Her sisters are the Harpiea Aello and Okypetes. In Early Greek Myth. Timothy Gantz (Early Greek Myth, 1993) says a fragment of Alcaeus (327 LP) says Iris mated with the west wind, Zephyros, to become the mother of Eros. Iris in Roman Mythology In the Aeneid, Book 9, Hera (Juno) sends Iris to incite Turnus to attack the Trojans. In Metamorphoses Book XI, Ovid shows Iris in her rainbow-hued gown serving as a messenger goddess for Hera. The Homeric Epics Iris appears in the Odyssey when Zeus sends her to convey his orders to the other gods and to mortals, when Hera sends her to Achilles. Iris also appears when she seems to act on her own to convey information while appearing disguised as a human- unlike the other times. Iris also helps a wounded Aphrodite from the battlefield and to carry Achilles prayer to Zephyros and Boreas. Iris seems to have revealed to Menelaus the fact that his wife, Helen, left with Paris in the Kypria. In the Homeric Hymns, Iris serves as ​a  messenger  to bring Eileithuia to help with Letos delivery and to bring Demeter to Olympus to deal with famine. Iris and the River Styx According to the Greek poet, Hesiod, Iris went to the Styx to bring water back for another god to swear an oath by.

Systems of governance and authority Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Systems of governance and authority - Essay Example This resulted in significant losses among the European nations, both economically and politically, that had controlled resources in the Americas. The European countries ventured in Africa with a desire to maintain their wealth and political power. They promoted this new form of imperialism as a â€Å"moral obligation to civilize† the African communities (Louis, 2006). They also justified their entry and scramble for Africa with views such as seeking new markets and accessing resources for their newly formed industries. However, the main underlying reason for colonization of Africa was to seize the opportunity to demonstrate political and economic superiority over their rivals. Different countries used different approaches in exerting their influence on the African continent. The British used indirect rule while the French implemented the assimilation policy. The Belgians and Germans, on the other hand, used cruelty to maintain their control over African communities they ruled (Louis, 2006). Regardless of the tactics used, however, the hegemony over the African continent would only last a few generations before independ ence movements and revolutions emerged to help Africans regain control of their continent. Most of the communities in Africa reacted angrily to the control of the Europeans. Many of them rejected the colonial rule from the very onset. In Nigeria, for instance, the British Empire took over the region and exerted its control over the local communities. The Western African region the British took over was made up of different communities, some of which had their own leadership structures (Louis, 2006). Modern countries such as Nigeria, Benin, and Cameroun did not exist at the time the British gained control of the massive area in West Africa around River Niger. The British tried to bring the different communities together under one rule and one structure of governance. This move was met with great resistance,

Week 4 DisscussionQ&A Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 4 DisscussionQ&A - Assignment Example unity psychiatric health medics are reluctant to medicate the offenders, resulting to let them stay in jails (Draine, Solomon, & Meyerson, 1994 as cited in Lamb & Weinberger, 1998). This is also because of inefficient psychiatric personnel and available facilities (Moras, 2004). The best approach to cure them is to stipulate an effective framework of facilities, which secure staff, and criminal law and psychiatric health personnel integrate. Consistent medication is significant to alleviate the state. The discharge plan should comprise hospitalization, so the offender can reinvigorate by regular monitoring and consumptions of healthy foods, rest and exercise. Family support is the most significant notion to help these offenders recover immediately (â€Å"How is Psychosis† 2007). Question #2. Imagine you have been hired by a prison to develop and implement a sex offender treatment program. Following your development and implementation, you will be the continuing coordinator at this prison. Discuss how you would design such a program, taking into account the challenges of treating this population and approaches that have been found to be beneficial. Be detailed and specific in your answers. As a program coordinator, I should include the concept of morale into the general aspect of the treatment program. Two of the therapeutic approaches that I would adopt are cognitive-behavioral and psycho-educational approaches. Cognitive-behavioral approach may refer to revitalizing the offenders thought about their sexual behavior. This can be done by altering their sexual aspects such as letting them know how a person reacts after a relative incident happens. Psycho-educational approach may be instilled with Godly messages, and empower His words to alter and develop empathy for the victim and be accountable for the offender’s actions (Bureau of Justice Assistance, n.d.). Lastly, the pharmacological approach utilizes medication to diminish sexual reaction of the offenders

Rapid Urban Growth Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Rapid Urban Growth - Research Paper Example Planning and controlling the rapid urban growth is a matter of utter importance. It ensures that there is organisation and an intention for consideration of all areas and people in them.  Rapid growth of urban population may imply there is increase in the productivity of urban areas. This results to numerous economic benefits for distribution to all the people even in rural areas of least developed countries. Urban growth initiates realisation of specific potentials within the localities (Glover 1972, 31). If these potentials are exploited for the good of all people rather than for the benefit of the few, then democracy can be on the high.Negative contributions to growth of democracy  Urban growth in least developed countries puts immense pressure on the government functionality. The need to provide the population with necessary amenities as well as facilities for maintenance of better lives is tasking to the government. The efforts of the government in meeting the socialized nee ds of the urban population are the bargaining power.   This means that areas with high urban tend to vote for socialized programs. In least developed countries, this is the main determinant of losing or retaining a power position in the government.Legislative positions in urban areas of least developed countries vary. The urban areas where larger populations dwell seize the main positions and power in the government. When the apportionment responsibility lacks, urban growth would lead and compel the government.

Elements of Sustainable Business Models

Elements of Sustainable Business Models The title of the journal is Elements of Sustainable Business Models which was written by Talonen, Tapani, Hakkarainen and Kari for the research conducted by Kone Corporation and Virike Consulting, Finland. They had conducted a study about the elements contributing a beneficial business model. This research aimed to provide the detailed explanations regarding the complex aspects of business models and the actions or methods required to handle them. The study reveals the failures of some companies such as Kodak and Nokia to plan and implement the effective business models which causes their operations to face big problems and lose in the highly competitive business world. The investigation of the reasons of the failure in planning or implementing business models and the ways to overcome them is very important so that the current and future generation of the corporate leaders or managers can be aware of those issues and raise the possibility for them to implement successful business mod els. The technical product supremacy in the business world of nowadays is no longer enough. Customer experience became the most critical differentiator in the highly competitive business world. This incident made the business competition transforming rapidly from competition of various products to competition of business models. Innovation is playing an important role in business competition. It is not necessarily must be derived through an invention. The technological changes in the production of existing goods, the discovering of the new markets and supply sources, work tailorization and new organizational structure are various innovations that contribute technological advancement. Most of the efforts to replace the technologies will fail in innovation. Value is shifting from products to solutions to experiences nowadays. The products nowadays must meet an expectation or need in order to create great customer experiences. There is no any individual idea or factor that can ensure the win ning in the competition, it requires various elements such as enabling and supporting elements that combined together to create the winning edge. Business model is important because it decides how a company going to approach customers. Adjusting the approach based on the market conditions is not enough because the competitors can do the same thing too. A company needs a wider mindset to make itself extraordinary. A series of continual discussions need to be held between the business and technological experts to come out with a strategic plan which will then be further involves in the planning at tactical level and operational level. The key factor of tactical level is fast decision making in the forever changing business environment. A flexible business model is always better than those rigid funneling and long-span models. In order to enable the success of an innovation for the products, the company needs to ensure people to trust that it is not about something temporary only and the company will make a long term commitment to provide services or helps that might needed for those new products. Many companies would like to rely on their current products in the market rather than continue to make more innovations due to reluctance which is caused by mindset, misleading signals and the illusion of progress. Mindset is the biggest barrier among these three factors, it is often caused by the preoccupied thoughts or offensive satisfaction of a company’s leader about the company itself, behavior of avoiding losses and sunk cost dilemma where people tends to do something which is wrong or not worth it after spent so much on it. Besides that, all the company managers or leaders need to know clearly and accept that no matter how brilliant they had done in their plans and implementations of the business mo dels they might still have high possibility to fail at the end. They need to follow all the disciplines required but at the same time still remain agile and flexible to lower the possibility of failure. As long as they had done all the essential early preparations, failure would not become a disaster for their company. Strategic resilience is what a company needs in order to be successful where company will change according to the conditions of business ecosystem and competitions before it is too late. In order to be resilient, the company needs to get ready for cognitive, strategic, political and ideological challenges. The company leaders should also be aware that workers are still the crucial assets since the system do not do thinking. The title of the journal which is Elements of Sustainable Business Models is not really appropriate since the journal is all about both of the elements and complex barriers for sustainable business models. Our group feels that most of the information given in the journal is believable since the authors had supported it with so many real examples as strong evidences. The authors had made great efforts to help the readers to know and understand about more details regarding business models by inserting many figures and tables into the journal. However, we had found that the figure 2 inside the journal might leads to misunderstanding or confusing of the readers on the first sight because it did not been clearly labelled to show what is the meaning of the size or length of each arrow in the figure. The authors also had been using some words which are not commonly seen such as ‘tailorization’ and ‘tenet’ which might not be understood by many readers. There is a very interesting point inside the journal where the authors state that losses have much larger psychological effect than the same amount of gains on people. We feel that it is really interesting because many businessmen would not notice about that and lower down their fighting spirit when they won in a highly competitive business war. Inversely, if they had lost in a competition they would feel threatened and force themselves to work harder to boost their performance. Besides that, we are strongly agreed with the point of the sunk cost dilemma mentioned by the author inside the journal where people cannot abandon something that they had put so much effort into it. It revealed the real and commonly seen human nature of businessmen where they will normally make mistake by acting emotionally instead of rationally to terminate some projects that would not benefits the company since it had been long running halfway. However, we are disagreed with the statement where the authors says that those companies already facing problem are better off since they are forced to renew because it does not match with the statement of the authors saying that businessmen should be resilient to morph itself before it is forced by a performance crisis. We feel that the companies that only take action after started to face big problems normally would not be succeed because it would most probably always been too late to take any action at that time. There would be only very few companies that might lucky enough to succeed in reality especially in the highly competitive business world of today. As a conclusion, a business model that able to create extraordinary customer experiences is the main key element of winning in the cruel business war of today. Unluckily, every business model has a limited life span and also a surprisingly high risk to be failed in implementing it which somehow might still can be succeed with careful planning and correct timing. The journal can be considered as an excellent journal which might able to influence many readers with plenty of powerful explanations and evidences if all the weaknesses that had been pointed out by us can be modified correctly. The authors may change the title of the journal as ‘Elements and Barriers of Sustainable Business Models’ instead of the earlier one because it is more suitable with the major contents in the journal. On the other hand, the authors should also clearly label in the figure that the length of the each arrow in Figure 2 represents the correct timing of action or process that had been written under it so that the readers can easily understand the figure on the first sight. The authors should also replace those words in the journal which are not commonly seen by most of the readers with some simpler words. For an example, the authors can replace the word ‘tenet’ as ‘principle’ or ‘opinion’.

Theories of Criminal Behavior Essay example -- Sexual Offenders, Child

In this essay, two theories specifically focusing on sexual offending against children are compared and critical evaluated. Finkelhor’s (1984) Precondition model integrates four underlying factors that might explain the occurrence of child sexual abuse and categorizes them into four preconditions: motivation to offend, overcoming internal inhibitors, overcoming external inhibitors and overcoming child’s resistance that occur in a temporal sequence where each is necessary for the other to develop. The Precondition model provides a framework for assessment of child molesters but is criticized for a lack of aetiological explanations and for paying to little attention to cognitive factors. Ward’s (2003) Pathways model suggest that clinical phenomena evident among child sex offenders are generated by four distinct and interacting mechanisms: intimacy and social skills deficits, distorted sexual scripts, emotional dysregulation and cognitive distortions where each mech anism generates a specific offence pathway. Both theories have been influential in providing treatment goals and informing clinical assessment of child sexual abusers. Finkelhor ´s precondition model (1984) is widely recognized in the literature as a groundbreaking theory in the fact that it represents the first attempt at incorporating multi-factorial explanations to account for sexual offending against children (Howell, 1994; Marshal, 1996; Ward & Hudson, 1998). Finkelhor (1984) argues that child molestation is a complex phenomena caused by a variety of psychological, sociological and cultural factors. In order to explain differences within perpetrators as well as situational aspects of the offence, Finkelhor (1984) proposes four preconditions that need to bee met in ... ...y of multiple dysfunctional mechanisms, or ‘pure’ pedophiles – those with a primary sexual interest in children, consisting of individuals who portrait elements of all the pathways discussed above: deviant sexual scripts; distorted ideas about children’s sexuality; intimacy deficits and; dysfunctional emotional regulation. Ward & Siegert (2002) argue that their attempt to build on existing theoretical work such as Finkelhor’s (1984) Precondition model, the Pathway model constitutes a multifactorial theory evident in fact that it addresses psychological, contextual and biological mechanisms in its claim that vulnerability to sexually offend against a child originates from various learning, cultural and psychological variables. Both of the models mentioned above have some clinical utility and can be used in the assessment and treatment of child molesters.

Filipinos and the Reproductive Health Bill Essay

The Reproductive Health Bill – more commonly known as the RH Bill – is one of the most controversial bills that are being discussed today. It was only recently, however, that much attention had been directed towards it. The implementation of laws provisioning almost the same contents as the RH Bill today dates back in the late 1960’s during the reign of former President Ferdinand Marcos. At that time, Family Planning was adopted by the government purely for the purpose of population reduction towards the alleviation of poverty, as is the government’s commitment to population control stated in The 1973 Constitution, â€Å"It shall be the responsibility of the state to achieve and maintain population levels conducive to the national welfare† (Likhaan and ARROW 17). Unfortunately, when the Marcos administration was replaced by the Aquino administration, the ground for the government Family Planning Program became shaky. It was attempted to be abolished twice but was saved through its transfer from the Department of Social Welfare to the Department of Health in 1988 due to both local and international pressures (17). During the Ramos administration, the Philippine approach towards population control shifted from the previous population control framework to the reproductive health approach (Likhaan and ARROW 17). This was a result of the Philippine participation to the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) held in Cairo, Egypt (17). It was also under this regime that Secretary of Health, Dr. Juan Flavier funded the purchase of contraceptives and launched an anti-AIDS campaign heavily featuring condoms despite fervent opposition from the rulers of the Catholic Church (17). A legacy that perhaps he passed on to his successor Dr. Carmencita Reodica who was the brain behind the implementation of an Integrated Reproductive Health Program within the DOH (17). As another change in administration took place however, the reproductive health programs stated above were abolished and while the new regime have tried to present newer programs for the improvement of Philippine reproductive health, none were implemented due to the ousting of Estrada which then brought us the Macapagal-Arroyo administration (Likhaan and ARROW 17-18). It is said that it was in this administration that government reproductive health programs previously implemented by former administrations â€Å"regressed† (18). Two big events happened during this time. First was the banning of the emergency contraceptive pill called Postinor which raised a torrent of rallies and protests from health and women’s NGOs and the second was Arroyo’s announcement that she would veto the proposed Reproductive Health Bill at that time even if it were passed because she believes that it is â€Å"a pro-abortion bill†(18). The struggle for the passage of the RH Bill, however, did not stop there. As the current regime led by Pres. Benigno Aquino, Jr. took over, the fire brought by this controversial debate has been lit once more. The bill has undergone a few revisions and the anti-RH and pro-RH factions have continued their unceasing debate. The anti-RH faction, supported by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP), other so-called Pro-Life Organizations, and some famous personalities like Manny Pacquiao, argue that the bill is anti-Life, anti-Poor, unconstitutional and anti-God. The pro-RH faction – supported by Health and Women NGOs, International Organizations, and also various personalities like Lea Salonga and Sen. Mirriam Santiago – on the other hand, believes that the RH Bill is pro-Life, pro-Poor, pro-Choice, constitutional and NOT anti-God. On my part, I stand by the pro-RH faction. The Reproductive Health Bill is an important step towards the improvement of the quality of life of every Filipino, and I believe that it is the government’s responsibility to allow its people to take this crucial step forward. In what follows, I will explain why I think that the Reproductive Health Bill should be passed. Women Empowerment Many Filipinos are unaware of the real purpose behind the Reproductive Health Bill, or to be more exact, The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health, and Population and Development Act of 2011. Most usually, debates between the anti-RH faction and the pro-RH faction end up with the topic of overpopulation and whether decreasing the population growth rate would solve most of the problems plaguing the Filipino nation. I myself had been misled by these recurrent arguments and thought that perhaps the point behind this bill was to decrease the rate by which our population grows. Further examination of the bill however proved me wrong. The purpose of the legislators in presenting this bill was not to decrease the population growth rate of Filipinos; rather it is to empower them most especially its most vulnerable sector, the Filipino women. Reproductive Health, as defined by the World Health Organization (WHO), is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being that implies that people are able to have a responsible, satisfying and safe sex life and that they have the capability to reproduce and the freedom to decide if, when and how often to do so. Also, they added, it implies the presence of the right of access to appropriate health care services that will allow women to go through pregnancy and childbirth safely (WHO). Unfortunately for the Philippines, the lack of a comprehensive reproductive health law has drawn its toll on women producing a high Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of 162 per 100,000 live births (Pernia, et.al.). This means that about 11 women die every day during childbirth (NSO, 2006). Another effect of the absence of a comprehensive law that offers effective reproductive health care services is an Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) of 25 per 1000 infants (Dizon). In other words, there is a total of 62, 000 infant deaths every year, or 169 deaths every day (Dizon). Aside from those, there is an estimated 473,400 women who have abortion every year, 90% of them done by married women, producing a rate of 27 abortions out of 1000 women aged 15-44 years old (Pangalangan, Juarez, et.al). Also, 78,900 women among those who had abortion are hospitalized due to post-abortion complications (Juarez, et.al). What is sad about this is that all this deaths and complications could have been prevented and attended to if women were provided with proper and sufficient family planning and health care services. The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011 aims to protect women from the aforementioned complications of having no readily available reproductive health and family planning services (HB 4244). In Section 5 of House Bill 4244, entitled Midwives for Skilled Attendance, the bill ensures the availability of full time, skilled and properly trained birth attendants for women at a ratio of one (1) birth attendant per a hundred and fifty (150) deliveries per year (HB 4244). Also in Section 6 of the same bill, each province and city, assisted by the DOH, would establish or upgrade hospitals with sufficient and qualified personnel, facilities and supplies that would enable them to provide efficient and effective emergency obstetric care (HB 4244). Aside from that, private and non-government reproductive health care service providers – including but not limited to gynecologists and obstetricians – are mandated in House Bill 4244â₠¬â„¢s Section 22 to provide at least 48 hours annually of reproductive health care services which involves information and education, and rendering medical services free of charge to indigent and low income patients, especially to pregnant adolescents (HB 4244). However, these are not the only provisions that the Reproductive Health Bill offers women and their children. In Section 8 of House Bill 4244, the government ensures that a Minimum Initial Service Package (MISP) for reproductive health – includes maternal and neonatal health care kits and services defined by the DOH – would be ensured for women in crisis situations such as disasters (e.g.; earthquakes, flood) and humanitarian crises (e.g.; famines, epidemics). The MISP will become a part of the initial response of government units and national agencies at the onset of crises and emergencies (HB 4244). Also, in House Bill 4244’s Section 14 maximum benefits as provided by PhilHealth programs would be given to serious and life threatening reproductive health conditions such as AIDS, breast and reproductive tract cancers, obstetric complications and other similar conditions. Aside from maternal health care services, the bill also promises to provide a full range of modern family planning methods to be available in all accredited health facilities which, for poor patients, shall be fully covered by PhilHealth Insurance and the government on a no balance billing (Section 7, HB 4244). These provisions of the bill are important in protecting women from the risks brought by pregnancy and from the difficulties caused by unplanned pregnancies. According to a research report published jointly by the Guttmacher Institute and the United Nations Fund for Population Activities (UNFPA): Better timing and spacing of births can reduce complications related to pregnancy and delivery, and improve the health of women and their infants (Singh S, et.al). Also, according to this same research, if contraceptive needs for women are met sufficiently, the number of induced abortions would decline by 70% in the developing world (Singh S, et.al).   Providing women with these reproductive health services also move in accordance to the Magna Carta for Women. In Section 13 of House Bill No. 4273, the law insures women the access to information and services related to their health. This includes maternal care which involves pre-natal and post-natal services that would address a woman’s pregnancy, and the health and nutrition of both the mother and the infant, and legal, ethical, medically safe and effective family planning methods (HB 4273). Despite the many advantages that the Reproductive Health Bill offers to women however, there are still those who desire to hinder the passage of this bill. One of these detractors is the CBCP who claims that the bill is anti-life and unconstitutional. What saddened me however is that in one of their statements, they have summed up choosing to defend the RH Bill as â€Å"choosing death† (Odchimar). I quote: We are at a crossroads as a nation. Before us are several versions of a proposed bill, the Reproductive Health bill or sanitized as a Responsible Parenthood bill. This proposed bill in all its versions calls us to make a moral choice: to choose life or to choose death (Odchimar). Reading this statement caused a moment of irritation which swiftly turned to sadness as I realized how misinformed my fellow Filipinos were. The Reproductive Health Bill is not anti-life; it is, through thorough examination, explicitly pro-Life (Pangalangan, Pernia et.al). The Reproductive Health Bill will not only protect a woman’s right to make a choice but also protect her life and the life of her child. Providing quality health care services to women will help fight the complications of pregnancy and even help avoid induced abortions (Pernia, et.al, Pangalangan, Lagman). Choosing the Reproductive Health Bill would never be equal to choosing death. In this same statement by the CBCP, they also shared one of the reasons why they specifically object to the RH Bill: Advocates also assert that the RH Bill empowers women with ownership of their own bodies. This is in line with the post-modern spirit declaring that women have power over their own bodies without the dictation of any religion. How misguided this so-called â€Å"new truth† is (Odchimar)! That women own their bodies is subject to each and their own beliefs. I myself, even as a woman, do not believe that I own this body with which I move and act. I acknowledge that this body of mine was something given to me by the Lord and therefore his, yet it must also be acknowledged that not all Filipinos share this same belief. First of all, not all Filipinos are Catholics and it is wrong to deprive them of the support they ask of the state simply because the religious leaders of the most prevalent religion disagree with it (Pangalangan, Pernia, et.al). Second, 90% among the 97% who claim that they want the RH Bill to be passed are Catholics which shows how pressing this matter is (Pangalangan). Whether or not our bodies were our own or just borrowed from the Lord, the fact that it needs protection, support and sufficient health services could not be denied. About 60% of Filipinos are dependent on the government for the provision of family planning services and it is the government’s responsibility to make it continuously and readily available for them (Pangalangan). The Reproductive Health Bill will provide women with sufficient, efficient and effective family planning and reproductive health care services. This will not only benefit women but their children as well. It would protect them in many ways and help preserve lives that need not be lost. Family Planning Methods Family Planning allows individuals and couples to anticipate and achieve their preferred number of children and the spacing and timing of their births (WHO). There are many mediums of contraceptives that have been invented and developed through time. Mostly, they are divided into two categories: Natural Family Planning (NFO) methods and Artificial Family Planning (AFP) methods. Natural Family Planning Methods mainly involves determining when a woman is fertile or not and having intercourse during days when fertilization would not occur (IRH). The effectiveness of this method is dependent on many factors however, these include faithful participation between sexual partners, accuracy in predicting the woman’s fertile days and ability to perfectly follow the methods they choose (IRH). Aside from that, there are women, in fact a lot of them, for whom Natural Family Planning methods may not work, considering this, the success rate of NFP methods are comparatively lower than Artific ial Family Planning methods (IRH). Artificial Family Planning Methods are methods that employ external factors. This involves pills, injectables, patches, vaginal rings, implants, Intrauterine devices (IUDs), male and female sterilization, condoms, etc (WHO/RHR). A variation of these methods may work depending on the situation of the women or men involved, however, most of the time the success rates of these methods are fairly higher than NFP methods (WHO/RHR). In the Reproductive Health Bill, a full range of Family Planning (FP) methods would be made available in all accredited health facilities (Section 7, HB 4244). Also, they would be labeled as essential medicines, which means that they would be part of the National Drug Formulary and would be included in the regular purchase of essential supplies of all public hospitals and health units (Section 10, HB 4244). This would help many Filipino families, especially the poor, in achieving only the size of the family they desire (Pernia, et.al). In recent statistics, evidences that the poor prefer smaller families but are incapable of achieving t his because of lack of accessibility of Family Planning Methods have been found (Pernia, et.al). Recently, a survey by the Social Weather Station showed that 97% of Filipinos want to be able to control their fertility and plan their families (Pangalangan). Allowing access to readily available Family Planning Methods would be an efficient response to this call. Aside from that there is good reason for promoting both Natural and Artificial Family Planning methods. In a discussion paper released by the UP School of Economics, they said that: †¦ensuring access to the full range of modern (â€Å"artificial†) FP methods cum appropriate information raises the success rate of achieving the desired family size. Limiting FP options to â€Å"natural family planning (NFP) methods only† fails to address the private and social costs of mistimed and unwanted pregnancies (Pernia, et.al). Providing both Artificial and Natural Family Planning methods would allow for greater success rate in achieving the desired family size of Filipinos. However, this is not the only good effect of Family Planning methods. Some Family Planning methods, when correctly used, may help prevent the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (WHO). Use of Family Planning methods also reduces occurrences of induced abortions (WHO). This provisioning of FP methods also supports the recognition of the family as an autonomous institution that has the right to found a family in accordance to their desired number and spacing of children (WHO, 1987 Constitution). Despite the advantages of offering both Natural and Artificial methods of Family Planning however, there are those who say that only Natural Family Planning methods should be supported by the bill. This is because, for these anti-RH groups, Artificial Family Planning methods are abortifacients and are unsafe. First of all, there is a big difference between a contraceptive and an abortifacient. To put it in simple terms, a contraceptive is something used to prevent fertilization between a sperm and an egg while an abortifacient is something used to kill an already fertilized egg. Despite my belief that there is no need to elaborate further, I still shall reiterate it: Contraceptive methods are not abortifacients. Second, the provision of family planning metho ds requires counseling with a family planning provider (Magallon). These family planning provider/counselors function to advise a couple of the most appropriate method for their situation and also to screen those who wish to avail of these methods (Magallon). One of the things they require of the couple is information on whether the woman is pregnant or not, or if sexual intercourse happened between them inside a certain period of time (Magallon). If it so happens that sexual intercourse occurred and/or the woman were pregnant, the family planning counselor would either ask them to wait and confirm first if the woman is pregnant or not provide a method of family planning to the woman (Magallon). This they do to avoid any bad effects that a contraceptive might have on an already existing child (Magallon). Another claim against artificial contraceptives, especially of oral contraceptive pills, is that they have been found to be carcinogenic agents in a recent research conducted by the Women’s Health Initiatives and was classified so by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (â€Å"Position Paper on the RH bill†). In all fairness, further research on my side lead me to the conclusion that this information is true. However, while it is true that OCPs are Group 1 carcinogens, it is also true that use of OCPs prevent endometrial and ovarian cancers (Associated Press). Aside from that, I think it is worthy to point out that the dosages used in the studies from which the conclusion was made were, to quote Dr. Steven Goldstein, professor of the New York University Medical Center, â€Å"2  ½ to 4 times higher than the dosages I’m using today in most wo men [referring to the pills she provides her clients with]† (Associated Press). Also, according to director of analytic epidemiology of the American Cancer Society Eugene Calle, the evidence of increase in breast cancer risk is very small and transient, which means that it disappears as soon as the intake of the pills is stopped (Associated Press). Providing Filipinos with both Artificial and Natural Family Planning Methods may have a few disadvantages but I believe that the advantages of these actions outweigh all the cons. If the Reproductive Health Bill is passed, considering its main thrust is promoting full information and providing access to and choice amongst the full selection of family planning methods – whether natural or artificial – more unintended pregnancies would be prevented thus reducing the current MMR of the Philippines and saving the lives of not only women but children as well (Pernia et al.) Effects of the Reproductive Health Bill A lot of effects other than those mentioned before may come from the passage of the Reproductive Health Bill. One of these miscellaneous effects is that it would help reduce the population growth rate which would then produce a sort of chain reaction that would help alleviate poverty especially in the poorest areas here in the country (Alonzo, et.al, Pernia, et.al). This happens because parents who are able to space their children and acquire their desired family size are more capable to bear the cost of raising and educating their children (Pernia, et.al). Once educated, these children would then be able to help raise their families above poverty through work and business (Pernia, et.al). Another effect of the Reproductive Health Bill is it encourages women to exercise their right to choose and their free will (Lagman). Women would be given the chance to make informed choices on matters that affect them the most (Lagman). The promotion of an age-appropriate sex-education program would also help teenagers determine how to act in the face of sexual confusion (Lagman). It will promote â€Å"correct sexual values† and instill both consciousness of the freedom of choice and responsibilities of exercising one’s rights (Lagman). Knowledge on these matters is important because health risks associated with mistimed and unplanned pregnancies are higher for women who become pregnant while still in their adolescent ages (Pernia, et.al). Against all these good effects however, there are those who claim that if the RH Bill would be passed then a so-called â€Å"demographic winter† – inverse triangle population, with the old above and the young below – would occur in the Philippines (â€Å"Position paper on the RH bill†). This, according to some UP Professors of Economics has been greatly exaggerated and could only be considered as a scare tactic that intends to instill fear in people’s minds and which was probably spread by people who do not understand population dynamics â€Å"or worse, who intend to mislead† (Alonzo et al., also cited in Lagman). Conclusion The RH Bill empowers women. It reinforces the people’s freedom to choose and freedom to be informed. It protects not only the sanctity of life but the quality of life that a child will have once he is born. It is pro-life, pro-women and pro-choice. The Reproductive Health bill also aims to protect women from the many complications of pregnancy and childbirth. It also aims to provide better care for every child born. Aside from that, the RH Bill will enable Filipinos to protect themselves better form sexually transmitted diseases such as AIDS. Both Artificial and Natural Family Planning Methods are essential for the implementation of a comprehensive reproductive health law. These methods are scientifically proven safe and though some might have adverse effects, the advantages of these methods outweigh the risks they may present. The Reproductive Health Bill is a bill that allows spouses to plan their families and gain only the children they can provide for. It will help many poor families in investing more for their children and can alleviate poverty even if it cannot make it disappear altogether. The Reproductive Health Bill will also enable the youth to understand their rights and their responsibilities and promote proper sexual values. Understanding all this, I call for the immediate passage of the Reproductive Health Bill for the good of the Filipino nation. Works Cited â€Å"1987 Constitution of the Republic of the Philippines.† The LAWPHiL Project. Arellano Law Foundation, n.d. Web. 5 September 2011. Alonzo Ruperto P., Arsenio M. Balisacan, Dante B. Canlas, Joseph J. Capuno, Ramon L. Clarete, Rolando A. Danao, Emmanuel S. de Dios, Benjamin E. Diokno, Emmanuel F. Esguerra, Raul V. Fabella, Ma. Socorro Gochoco-Bautista, Aleli P. Kraft, Felipe M. Medalla, Nimfa F. Mendoza, Solita C. Monsod, Cayetano W. Paderanga, Jr., Ernesto M. Pernia, Stella A. Quimbo, Gerardo P. Sicat, Orville C. Solon, Edita A. Tan, Gwendolyn R. Tecson. Population and Poverty; The Real Score* (DP 2004-15). Discussion Paper. UP School of Economics; December 2004. Web. 5 September 2011. PDF. Associated Press. â€Å"Hormone pills added to list of carcinogens.† msnbc.com. 29 July 2005. Web. 5 September 2011. â€Å"Contraception.† Gale Encyclopedia of Medicine. 2008. The Gale Group Inc. Web. 5 September 2011. Lagman, Edcel. â€Å"Reproductive health bill: Facts, fallacies.† INQUIRER.net. 3 August 2008. Web. 5 September 2011. Retrieved from: Likhaan and ARROW. State of Filipino Women’s Reproductive Rights: 10 Years Post Cairo Shadow Report. Research in Brief. 2004. Print. Pernia, Ernesto M. Stella Alabastro-Quimbo, Maria Joy V. Abrenica, Ruperto P. Alonzo, Agustin L. Arcenas, Arsenio M. Balisacan, Dante B. Canlas, Joseph J. Capuno, Ramon L. Clarete, Rolando A. Danao, Emmanuel S. de Dios, Aleli dela Paz-Kraft, Benjamin E. Diokno, Emmanuel F. Esguerra, Raul V. Fabella, Maria Socorro Gochoco-Bautista, Teresa J. Ho, Felipe M. Medalla, Maria Nimfa F. Mendoza, Solita C. Monsod, Toby Melissa C. Monsod, Fidelina Natividad-Carlos, Cayetano W. Paderanga, Gerardo P. Sicat, Orville C. Solon, Edita A. Tan, and Gwendolyn R. Tecson. Population, Poverty, Politics and the Reproductive Health Bill (DP 2011-01). Discussion Paper. UP School of Economics; February 2011. Web. 5 September 2011. PDF. Retrieved from: Philippines. Cong. House. The Responsible Parenthood, Reproductive Health and Population and Development Act of 2011. 15th Cong., 1st sess. HB 4244. PDF. â€Å"Position Paper on RH bill: by Individual Faculty, Students and Alumni of the University of the Philippines.† iPetition.com. n.d. Web. 5 September 2011. Retrieved from: Singh S et al., Adding It Up: The Costs and Benefits of Investing in Family Planning and Maternal and Newborn Health, New York: Guttmacher Institute and United Nations Population Fund, 2009. (Suggested citation) WHO. â€Å"Reproductive Health.† World Health Organization. n.d. Web. 18 October 2011. Retrieved from: < http://www.who.int/topics/reproductive_health/en/> WHO. â€Å"Family Planning.† World Health Organization. n.d. Web. 18 October 2011. Retrieved from: WHO.