Developing the Professional Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3500 words

Developing the Professional - Coursework Example Reference List 15 Appendices 17 Appendix A 17 Appendix B 18 Skills and Character Audit In this essay, I will shed light on my personal skill set and try to create a framework with which I can develop my existing skill level up to a greater extent. This document will also try to analyze my character and skill set that I developed during Masters Programme. After auditing my present skill set, I will conduct a personal SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) in order to identify critical skill areas which I need to improve in order to ensure my academic and professional development. Before going to the discussion about my skill level, I will try to shed light on the question that why personal skill development is an essential part for a management professional or for a student pursuing management course? Wilson (2009) pointed out that students in the management course should be encouraged to write reflective essays and such reflective writing helps them to identify their skill gaps. Ertmer and Newby (1996, p. 18) defined importance of reflective skill auditing as â€Å"reflection is critical for transforming the knowledge gained in and on action into knowledge available for action.† ... halyi (1996) and Maani and Maharaj (2004) defined intellectual skills as the combination of linear thinking approaches such as empirical testing, analytic thinking, imagination and visualization, creativity, intuition, holistic evaluation and emotional intelligence. However, I cannot boast myself for having all the above mentioned linear intellectual skill sets but I believe that at present, I am complemented with certain level of intellectual skills. Losada and Heaphy (2004) and Vance et al. (2007) stressed on the fact that modern managers use non-linear dynamic pattern of intellectual thinking in order to solve complex business problems. Hence, it is evident from the discussion that developing intellectual skill plays vital role for a modern day managers. In such context, auditing my intellectual skill set will definitely help me to judge whether I am competent enough to handle corporate world challenge or not? Intellectual (thinking) skills Strongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly D isagree 1. I am a creative person who can adapt my thinking to circumstances 2. I am able to organise my thoughts, analyse, synthesise and critically appraise situations 3. I can identify assumptions, evaluate statements in terms of evidence, detect false logic or reasoning, identify implicit values, define terms adequately and generalise appropriately The first skill set is identifying my capability of being flexible and creative enough to adapt to the situational demand. I believe that my instinct works in well balance manner when it comes to being creative or develop new thinking. For example, during my MSc program in Management from University of Glamorgan, I got the opportunity to showcase my creative when it comes to preparing project with team members or solving a business case study

The Relationship Between Media and Politics Essay Example for Free

The Relationship Between Media and Politics Essay Introduction The Access to Information and Privacy Bill, 2001 (Media Bill) is currently being considered by the Zimbabwean Parliament. Passage of this Bill, which is part of a series of restrictive measures proposed by the Government, was recently delayed when the parliamentary legal committee failed to report on it in advance of the second reading, as required by the Constitution of Zimbabwe. This Bill, if passed into law, would severely restrict freedom of expression in Zimbabwe. The timing of the Media Bill, just prior to the presidential elections scheduled for March of this year, makes ARTICLE 19’s concerns about it all the more poignant, given the crucial importance of freedom of expression to free and fair elections. As the name of the Media Bill implies, it does formally establish a right to access information held by public bodies, something ARTICLE 19 welcomes. However, this right is so limited by exclusions and exceptions that its practical impact is likely to be extremely limited. The Media Bill does also impose limits on the collection of personal information by public bodies and the uses to which such bodies may put this information, again something we welcome. However, the bulk of the provisions in the Media Bill have nothing to do with access to information or privacy. Instead, they impose a range of harsh restrictions on media freedom. This gives the impression that the name and information/privacy provisions have been included simply to draw attention away from the real import of the Media Bill. Key problems with the Media Bill are as follows: the exceptions and exclusions to the right to information are so comprehensive as to effectively negate the right; all media outlets and any business disseminating media products or even video or audio recordings must obtain a registration certificate from a government controlled body; all individual journalists must also obtain accreditation from the same body;  all foreign ownership of the media is prohibited and no non-citizen may work as a journalist; and excessive restrictions are imposed on the content of what the media may publish or broadcast. This Memorandum analyses the Access to Information and Protection of Privacy Bill, setting out ARTICLE 19’s main concerns, along with recommendations as to how to address them. Our concerns are grouped into five main categories. First, the provisions on freedom of information are seriously undermined by an extensive regime of exclusions and exceptions. Second, the Media Bill allocates broad regulatory powers to an Information and Media Commission but this body is firmly under the control of the Minister responsible for information. Third, all media outlets, as well as those who disseminate information, including through video and audio cassettes, are required obtain a registration certificate from the Commission. Fourth, conditions are placed on who may practise journalism and all journalists are required to obtain accreditation from the Commission. Fifth, the law imposes strict restrictions on media content, including by reintroducing provisions which were recently struck down as unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Zimbabwe. International and Constitutional Standards International Guarantees of Freedom of Expression The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) is generally considered to be the flagship statement of international human rights, binding on all states as a matter of customary international law. Article 19 of the UDHR guarantees the right to freedom of expression and information in the following terms: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes the right to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), a legally binding treaty which Zimbabwe ratified in 1991, guarantees the right to freedom of opinion and expression in very similar terms to the UDHR, also in Article 19. Zimbabwe is also a party to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, which guarantees freedom of expression at Article 9. These guarantees allow for some restrictions on freedom of expression and information but only where these are prescribed by law, pursue a legitimate aim and are necessary in a democratic society to protect that aim. Constitutional Guarantees Article 20(1) of the Zimbabwean Constitution guarantees freedom of expression in the following terms: Except with his own consent or by way of parental discipline, no person shall be hindered in the enjoyment of his freedom of expression, that is to say, freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart ideas and information without interference, and freedom from interference with his correspondence. As under international law, the Constitution does permit some restrictions on freedom of expression, but only where such restrictions are â€Å"reasonably justifiable in a democratic society† The Importance of Freedom of Expression International bodies and courts have made it very clear that freedom of expression and information is one of the most important human rights. In its very first session in 1946 the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 59(I) which states: Freedom of information is a fundamental human right and the touchstone of all the freedoms to which the United Nations is consecrated. As this resolution notes, freedom of expression is both fundamentally important in its own right and also key to the fulfilment of all other rights. It is only in societies where the free flow of information and ideas is permitted that democracy can flourish. In addition, freedom of expression is essential if violations of human rights are to be exposed and challenged. The importance of freedom of expression in a democracy has been stressed by a number of international courts. For example, the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights has held: Freedom of expression is a basic human right, vital to an individual’s personal development, his political consciousness, and participation in the conduct of public affairs in his  country. Similarly, the Inter-American Court of Human Rights stated: Freedom of expression is a cornerstone upon which the very existence of a democratic society rests. It is indispensable for the formation of public opinion. [I]t can be said that a society that is not well informed is not a society that is truly free. This has repeatedly been affirmed by both the UN Human Rights Committee and the European Court of Human Rights. 1 Constitutional Rights Project and Media Rights Agenda v. Nigeria, 31 October 1998, Communications 105/93, 130/94, 128/94 and 152/96, para. 52. 2 Compulsory Membership in an Association Prescribed by Law for the Practice of Journalism, Advisory Opinion OC-5/85, 13 November 1985, Series A, No. 5, para. 70. The fact that the right to freedom of expression exists to protect controversial expression as well as conventional statements is well established. For example, in a recent case the European Court of Human Rights stated that: According to the Court’s well-established case-law, freedom of expression constitutes one of the essential foundations of a democratic society and one of the basic conditions for its progress and for each individual’s self-fulfilment. Subject to paragraph 2 of Article 10, it is applicable not only to â€Å"information† or â€Å"ideas† that are favourably received or regarded as inoffensive or as a matter of indifference, but also to those that offend, shock or disturb. Such are the demands of that pluralism, tolerance and broadmindedness without which there is no â€Å"democratic society†. These statements emphasise that freedom of expression is both a fundamental human right and also key to democracy, which can flourish only in societies where information and ideas flow freely. Media Freedom The guarantee of freedom of expression applies with particular force to the media, including the broadcast media and the Internet. As the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has stated: â€Å"It is the mass media that make the exercise of freedom of expression a reality.†4 Because of their pivotal role in informing the public, the media as a whole merit special protection. As the European Court of Human Rights has held: [I]t is †¦ incumbent on [the press] to impart information and ideas on matters of public interest. Not only does it have the task of imparting such information and ideas: the public also has a right to receive them. Were it otherwise, the press would be unable to play its vital role of ‘public watchdog’. This applies particularly to information which, although critical, is important to the public interest: The press plays an essential role in a democratic society. Although it must not overstep certain bounds, in particular in respect of the reputation and rights of others and the need to prevent the disclosure of confidential information, its duty is nevertheless to impart – in a manner consistent with its obligations and responsibilities – information and ideas on all matters of public interest [footnote deleted]. In addition, the court is mindful of the fact that journalistic freedom also covers possible recourse to a degree of exaggeration, or even provocation. This has been recognised by the constitutional courts of individual states around the world. For example, the Supreme Court of South Africa has recently held: Nilsen and Johnsen v. Norway, 25 November 1999, Application No. 23118/93, para. 43. Compulsory Membership in an Association Prescribed by Law for the Practice of Journalism, op cit., para. 34. 5 Thorgeirson v. Iceland, 25 June 1992, Application No. 13778/88, para. 63. 6 Fressoz and Roire v. France, 21 January 1999, Application No. 29183/95 (European Court of Human Rights). The role of the press is in the front line of the battle to maintain democracy. It is the function of the press to ferret out corruption,  dishonesty and graft wherever it may occur and to expose the perpetrators. The press must reveal dishonest maland inept administration. It must also contribute to the exchange of ideas already alluded to. It must advance communication between the governed and those who govern. The press must act as the watchdog of the governed. Restrictions on Freedom of Expression The right to freedom of expression is not absolute. Both international law and most national constitutions recognise that freedom of expression may be restricted. However, any limitations must remain within strictly defined parameters. Article 19(3) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights lays down the benchmark, stating: The exercise of the rights provided for in paragraph 2 of this article carries with it special duties and responsibilities. It may therefore be subject to certain restrictions, but these shall only be such as are provided by law and are necessary: (a) For respect of the rights or reputations of others; (b) For the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals. It is a maxim of human rights jurisprudence that restrictions on rights must always be construed narrowly; this is especially true of the right to freedom of expression in light of its importance in democratic society. Accordingly, any restriction on the right to freedom of expression must meet a strict three-part test, approved by both the Human Rights Committee8 and the European Court of Human Rights.9 This test requires that any restriction must a) be provided by law; b) be for the purpose of safeguarding a legitimate public interest; and c) be necessary to secure that interest. The third part of this test means that even measures which seek to protect a legitimate interest must meet the requisite standard established by the term â€Å"necessity†. Although absolute necessity is not required, a â€Å"pressing social need† must be demonstrated, the restriction must be proportionate to the legitimate aim pursued, and the reasons given to justify the restriction must be relevant and sufficient.10 In other words, the government, in protecting legitimate interests, must restrict freedom of expression as little as possible. Vague or broadly defined restrictions, even if they  satisfy the â€Å"provided by law† criterion, will generally be unacceptable because they go beyond what is strictly required to protect the legitimate interest. The Freedom of Information Regime Government of the Republic of South Africa v. the Sunday Times, [1995] 1 LRC 168, pp. 175-6. See, for example, Mukong v. Cameroon, 21 July 1994, Communication No. 458/1991, para. 9.7. 9 See, for example, Goodwin v. United Kingdom, 27 March 1996, Application No. 17488/90, paras. 2837. 10 Sunday Times v. United Kingdom, 26 April 1979, Application No. 6538/74, para. 62 (European Court of Human Rights). These standards have been reiterated in a large number of cases. The Media Bill establishes a general right to access information held by public bodies (section 5). ARTICLE 19 has long advocated in favour of legislative protection for the right to information and, to that extent, welcomes this development. However, the regime of exceptions is so comprehensive as to render any right to information largely illusory. Furthermore, review of refusals to disclose information are heard by the Information and Media Commission, a body controlled by the government, rather than by an independent body. Several provisions in the Media Bill provide for exceptions. The First Schedule lists a number of bodies to which the Act does not apply (pursuant to section 4). These include, among others, records held by officers of Parliament which relate to their functions, records of an elected local official which are not held by the local body and any record relating to the exercise of the functions of the President. Indeed, the First Schedule formally excludes from the operation of the Act any record which â€Å"has no bearing on the election campaign itself†, thereby restricting the scope of the Act in this regard to the election period, although it is possible that this is a drafting error. Section 9(4)(c)  provides that public bodies do not have to provide information where granting access â€Å"is in the public interest†. This again is presumably a drafting error, with the word â€Å"not† missing from this phrase. Sections 15 – 26 provide for a comprehensive regime of exceptions from the duty to disclose information. Exceptions include all cabinet documents, including draft legislation, advice or recommendations provided to public bodies (with some exceptions) and information whose disclosure would â€Å"affect† relations between different levels of government or which may result in harm to the economic interest of the public body. Pursuant to section 5, non-citizens and any mass media outlet which is not registered do not have any rights under the Act. The Media and Information Commission is responsible for reviewing, upon request, any refusal to grant access to information (sections 9(3) and Part X). ARTICLE 19 is of the view that the right to access information held by public bodies is part of the general right to freedom of expression, which includes the right to seek and receive information. We therefore welcome any moves to provide for this right in national legislation. However, the right to information as provided for in this Bill is so thoroughly undermined by the very broad regime of exclusions and exceptions, as described briefly above, as to render the right essentially nugatory. A detailed analysis of the regime of exceptions and exclusions is not provided in this Memorandum; instead, a general critique is made. Exceptions are only legitimate according to international standards if they meet a strict three-part test as follows: †¢ the information must relate to a legitimate interest clearly defined in the law; †¢ disclosure must threaten to cause substantial harm to that interest; and †¢ the harm to the aim must be greater than the public interest in having the information (in other words, the law must provide for a public interest override).

How to Maintain Good Laboratory Practice

How to Maintain Good Laboratory Practice Good laboratory practice Introduction Good laboratory practice have principles which give structure to the studies of which they are planned, performed, monitored, recorded, reported and archived. These studies are undertaken to generate data by which the hazards and risks to users, consumers including the environment, can be assessed for pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, veterinary medicines, industrial chemicals, cosmetics, food and feed additives and biocides. Purpose Good laboratory practice provides results from the study which are reliable and can be used for making risk/safety assessments. The Good laboratory practice regulations provide an interpretation of the terminology used in defining the elements of GLP. Here are few examples Study plan – this is a document which shows why an experiment is being carried out and how it should be performed in order to comply with Good laboratory practice. Study Director- dealing with Good laboratory compliant Study personnel- all the people that carry out the experiments Study initiation Date – Date that the study first signs the study plan Study Plan Amendment – an intended change to study plan after the initial study date Standard operating procedures – sufficiently detailed work instructions to allow the procedure to be repeated exactly the same way each time by any operator. Findings Raw materials Raw materials are reagents used in processing. They are classified regarding identification of samples for example Enzymes which are used in the study. Storage instructions Expiry date Quality e.g. purity of a chemical Source of the material, preparation date and stability Cell culture Equipment maintenance and calibration All the equipment must be clean to function reliably. For each piece of equipment there should be: A number for identification of the apparatus. A calibration check (should be traceable to national or international standards) Validation that equipment fir for purpose Staff should be trained to use equipment Operating and parameters Clean equipment Data logging and tracking Transport Delivering chemicals by roads or by train have the possibilities of accidents. If there is a leak it could cause a spillage which can cause cars to slide and hit each other which could potentially lead to an explosion which could cause fatalities as well as damage to the nearby surroundings. Customer services The aim is to build up a trust between clients and the company. Any reported problem from any client should be followed up and dealt with to the highest standard possible. Labelling, storage, packing All the reagents must be fully labelled with: Name of reagent Who made it? Date the item was prepared Expiry date Storage conditions Hazard labels Name of the company or institution If the reagent is not labelled there is no evince of what it is! Storing/Packing of data Materials required to be stored include: The study plan, raw data, samples of test and reference items, specimens and final report of each study The records of all inspection performed by the quality assurance Personal records Records and reports of the maintenance and calibration of equipment Validation documentation for computerise systems SOPs Environmental monitoring records The materials retained should be properly indexed and movement of information should be noted. Training For high quality GLP training, you need experienced Course Directors. Each Course Directors have to be from senior level scientific, regulatory and management positions in a variety of organisations and industries. Procedures SOPs stands for Standard operating producers SOPs is a factor which in the production of products fit for their intended use. All the operators must be aware of all the relevant SOPs and implement them correctly. If there is a failure carrying them out correctly it means that it can lead to the production of products harmful, and potentially lethal to customers. Implementing of quality standards for example what must happen in a work place to ensure compliance? Everyone in the lab should know what they are doing. In implementing Good Lab Practice the study director is the single point of control for a given study and has the responsibility for its overall conduct and finial report. Standard Operating procedures A key aspect of the study personnel’s role in ensuring good lab practice compliance in their work is the writing and implementation of standard operating procedures. These are work instruction, which are accurately detailed to allow the procedure to be repeated exactly the same way each time by any operator Internal mentoring Those who have been in long term employment would be expected to encourage and support new and younger staff members. Giving guidance where it is needed. Quality assurance (QA) Quality assurance refers to all actions necessary to provide confidence that the product or service will satisfy the prescribed requirement for quality. QA involves the setting up of a quality system, and overseeing that this system is being implemented correctly. In short, quality assurance does exactly what it says. By considering all the aspects of the business process it ensures that the work being done will meet the required standard. The responsibilities of the Quality Assurance: maintain copies of all approved study plans and Standard Operating Procedures in use in the test facility and have access to an up-to-date copy of the master schedule Verify that the study plan contains the information required for compliance with these Principles of Good Laboratory Practice. Recording of primary data Log Book is a primary source of raw data in any process. It provides evidence which may be used in a court law it might also be sued in patent applications or used as a cross reference in auditing work. Monitoring temperatures in incubators or fridges Monitoring temperature is very important in lab. For the operation of fridges and freezers we need to consider what temperature should it run at ? The required limit e.g. 4oC +/- -2oC All fridges used for the storage of medicines must have the temperature monitored daily to ensure the correct storage of those medicines. Maintenance of log book: Bound note book should only be used. The hand writing should be clear so that operators can understand it. Blue or black ink must be used in order to prevent fading and allow documents to be photocopied easily. All pages should be numbered to prevent pages being removed. All data should be recorded. All data should be verified through the use of signatures and witnesses. Correction should be verified by being signed and dated. Blank lines or pages should be crossed out with a diagonal line signed and dated. All detailed information about instruments, samples, materials, and equipment should be included. The logbook should be stored in a secure location. Regulator Bodies which are involved in ensuring compliance with the chosen standard are the governments and the trade association. Inspectors carry out biennial inspections of all labs within the UK that perform regulatory studies that require to be conducted to Good Lab Practice After a satisfactory inspection by GLPMA, be issued with a statement of GLP compliance. The GLPMA provides information to trade association and other Governments departments on aspects of GLP. Regulators: Governments The Governments are responsible for enforcing the regulations in GLP on the behalf of the UK Monitoring Authority MHRA Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Veterinary Medicines Directorate (DEFRA) Pesticides safety Directorate (DEFRA) Food standard Agency for example feed addictives, novel and foods, food additives and food contaminants ) Health and safety executive Environment Agency Trade associations Monitoring compliance; Association of British pharmaceutical industry Association of consultant bioscience industry Crop protection association British Association of research quality Assurance Chemical aspects of Toxicology Discussion Group. Association of independent research testing organisations United Kingdom accreditation service.

Essay --

Daily someone is diagnosed with a mental health disorder. Throughout the mental health aspect, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) has been a prevalent clinical problem. From nursing care and evidence based practice, studies have shown that PTSD has been diagnosed because they were trying to escape from a situation that seemed impossible to deal with or to get relief from immoral thoughts and feelings. Throughout this paper the clinical concept of hope will be discussed along with nursing care interventions. The evidence-based literature presented will display how nursing interventions can assist in treating clients who have no hope, into a future which is promising and worth fulfilling. Hope is considered a state where a person has an aspiration or desire for a certain thing to happen. Throughout my clinical experience at the VA Hospital located in Montrose, NY, many of the patients stated they were present due to the loss of hope in themselves. In a nurse’s perceptive, hope is something they believe in. Nurses believe that their patients can achieve their goal of getting well and continuing with their lives to the best of their abilities. The purpose of the paper is to state how clients such as ones who are diagnosed with PTSD have lost hope in themselves. They need support and guidance from families, friends, and staff that work with them. A nursing model that can help the patients who have lost all hope is based on Jean Watson’s human caring theory. The theory states how caring is a part of the nursing job and one the duties for a nurse. Caring for a patient can help instill hope to improve their well-being. Reviewed literature will be pres ented and discussed along with the nursing model as well as with the co... ...d friends to strengthen their mind and body. Watson defines nursing as a human science of persons and human health illness experiences that are mediated by professional, personal, scientific, esthetic, and ethical human care transactions. By treating the patients as a whole instead of parts health care professionals such as nurses can help care for the patients and enhance hope in their hearts. Recommendations for the best nursing practice were to intervene as early as possible. It helps to group people who are going through similar situation to talk to each other to get insight on how they are dealing with the situation. Lastly, it would best to promote education and interventions when needed to allow the patients know that hope is always attainable but they have to be willing to care and listen to themselves and close ones among them to achieve hope.

Are private beliefs the legitimate concern of employers? Essay

Employers should be concerned with most of what there employee believes in, however private beliefs may be taking this too far. An employer should be watchful of their employees, to make sure that they don’t get in to trouble, and are not suffering from stress. It is in the employer’s best interests that this is done so that the employee is the most productive that he or she can be. However in a world where peoples privacy is becoming less and less, is it right for an employer to be concerned with the private beliefs of their employee? I think that it is, because the welfare of the employer and all of the workers could in the most extreme case be in jeopardy. We have controversy concerning employee privacy. Today workers’ every keystroke leaves a trail of information that employers generally have the legal right to examine and use as the basis for disciplinary action against employees. Employees have been fired because of the content of e-mails or for surfing to internet sites deemed inappropriate by the employer. Employees have been forced to supply urine samples for drug testing, given personality tests in job interviews, and secretly videotaped–even in company restrooms. Yet very few laws protect employee privacy; the political power of business has been able to fend off most attempts to limit employer discretion. A few notable exceptions exist– for example, federal law prohibits employers from administering lie-detector tests in job interviews. If an employer is trying to hire a fundamentalist, or a freedom fighter for example, then I think that it is in the employers benefit that they know this information. It is in the interests of the company’s security that this information should be known to them. The worlds growing diversity; cultural, racial, ethnic and religious, poses significant challenges and opportunities for the corporate workplace. The transformation from a relatively homogenous society to the present â€Å"multicultural† situation calls for special efforts to foster a work environment free from intimidation, harassment and discrimination, and which promotes productivity and a strong bottomline. Unfortunately, the very programs designed to reduce problems are actually creating new ones. The issue of â€Å"sexual orientation† within diversity training courses is particularly problematic, and the topic of heated discussions. While there is a genuine need to address the issues raised by employees who identify as gay or lesbian, many current attempts to do so end up discriminating against other employees. Given the strong feelings and sensitivities that surround the subject of private beliefs and feelings, poses a difficult challenge to employers. If business survival depends upon contented and loyal employees who sense that their beliefs and values are respected, then focus upon sexual orientation as a diversity category is clearly counter-productive. For a great many Americans, the â€Å"celebration of diversity† is a thinly disguised attempt to legitimize a behavior that they believe to be immoral and, what is more, to persuade them to change their beliefs. Prudence in the workplace can resolve potential religious discrimination problems before they become legal suits. If an employer is truly seeking to affirm the diversity of the workforce, for both moral and practical reasons, avoidance of all forms of coercive â€Å"sensitivity training†, of whatever kind, should be the norm. Apart from the promotion of specific social agendas, there is no need to require employees to endure lectures, presentations, role playing or simulations that are an affront to deeply held moral and religious beliefs. Civility programs recognize and acknowledge the real differences that exist between people, differences of experience and belief. Yet, in spite of these differences, it is possible to work with others different from oneself in positive and productive ways, even when strongly held beliefs differ and clash. It is possible to be civil toward those with whom we disagree, and to build a significant degree of unity and community in the workplace. For companies who seek to be globally competitive, this is a necessity.

Should Richard M. Nixon visit Red China?

That is an interesting question to which one could offer many good reasons to both sides of the argument. However, to fully examine the decision made, one would have to look at many of the background information surrounding the voyage. This includes; Nixon's popularity with America as well as the Vietnam War, which at that time had yet to be resolved, America's relationship with the Soviet Union, America's relationship with Taiwan and the Republic of China, the relationship between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China, America's past relations with China as well as their distrust on Communism, and China's relationship with the world. After studying each of these, one can form a decision of whether Nixon should or should not go to Red China. Richard Nixon was an extremely unpopular president. This was primarily due to the war in Vietnam that he didn't even get America into. However, while he was not the one who got America into Vietnam he had the important job of getting America out, a task, which would take him four years, four years of discontent in America. Nixon had decided to invade Cambodia, which had been completely off-limits, however the Communist troops had been using it as a rest area and supply base1. While the invasion itself was a successful operation it caused havoc back in the United States. As demonstrated when 100,000 protesters showed up in Washington D. C. to demonstrate their anger with the decision of invasion2. Nixon's policy of â€Å"Vietnamization†3, which included training Vietnamese soldiers to replace American soldiers, worked well and by 1971 has sent many American troops back to the United States. At the same time Nixon also had his right-hand man Henry Kissinger in secret discussion with North Vietnamese forces, discussing peace negotiations. America and North Vietnam reached a ceasefire agreement on January 27, 1973, which officially withdrew Americans from Vietnam and allowed them to achieve â€Å"peace with honor†4. The war itself however, did not end until April 29, 1975. This war had a large effect on Nixon's decision to visit Red China as China had been supporting the Communist North Vietnam forces throughout the war, while America had been in Vietnams fighting against them, supporting the Southern side. This created another time for Americans to show their dislike and distrust of Communism. However, China was a powerful country and if America could make good relations with them it would help to keep negotiations strong between the North Vietnam and America. Therefore, the war in Vietnam was an important thing to consider when deciding whether Nixon should visit the Communist, Red China. America had not always had a very strong relationship with the Soviet Union. Two of the world superpowers had been at constant fear of attack by each other during the Cold War. This Cold War came about for many reasons, two being, Truman's desire to stop the spread of communism5, and the atomic weapons that each country had. However, the most important factor that created this Cold War was fear. Each country had large, irrational fears of the other, the Americans feared another dictator trying to take over the world, and the Soviets feared a powerful invader6. The Americans had a monopoly on the atomic weapons, and weren't sharing their secrets; this alarmed the Soviets and prompted them to make atomic weapons of their own. Each country was unsure of what the other had, thus creating the constant suspicion. Also feeding this fear was propaganda that each country used. In America politicians were constantly telling the American public about the terrors of Communists and how everyone was in danger because of the evil Soviet Communists planning an attack7. The Cold War was an important thing for Nixon to consider because it was still going on and America had been expressing hated toward Communists since the beginning. Visiting China would be good though because it could speed up the end of the Cold war that they were stuck in. Also recognizing a Communist country that was so close to the Soviet Union would be handy for intelligence purposes, as they would be closer to the enemy and could get a better idea of what was going on, it could also make the war less between Communism and America and focused on the Soviet Union and America. The relationship between the United States and the Soviet Union eventually did ease up slightly. This started in 1952 when Nikita Kruschev paid a visit to America with talks of â€Å"peaceful coexistence† between the two countries8. At the time that he did this he had begun to see his ally China as more of an enemy than America was9. Also at the time the Soviets had, had recent victory over the Americans with the success of the Sputnik satellite, two years prior to the visit. This visit did not create any drastic change or movements towards peace between the two countries, however it was one good step in the direction towards â€Å"peaceful coexistence†. This meeting would be a good reason for Nixon to go to China as it shows that two countries that believe and practice completely different forms of government can still meet and recognize one another. He would want to take pointers from this meeting of good things that Kruschev did while visiting America and expand upon those so that his meeting in China would not only be successful but productive as well, something that Kruschev's visit was not. During the Cultural Revolution American aided the Nationalist, Republic of China, by giving them nearly 1 billion dollars worth of weapons and other necessities10. America pressured the Nationalist party, led by Chiang to accept some of Stalin's demands, such as the use of northern ports to expand the Russian economy. By them meeting these demands they were given full Soviet support, and were recognized by both America and the Soviet Union as the only China11. Having Americans helping the Nationalists very much upset the Communist party, and they ceased peace talks. Then Chaing's army completely disregarded some advice given by General Marshall, whom was later made the Secretary of State. When Marshall became the secretary of state he would not allow America to further heavily involve itself with the Cultural Revolution. The Korean War was the first time that American and Communist forces had the opportunity to compete. American forces were helping South Korea from the invading, communist North Korean troops. China had never intended on entering into the war, however when American forces continued to get too close to their border in the intent of taking over North Korea, instead of just helping South Korea in keeping their territory. China had sent out warnings to them, not to get close and so when America got too close, Chou En-lai, the Chinese premier sent out masses of troops, which easily surrounded American and South Korean troops12. Nixon would have wanted to consider this event before going to China because it was another event in which the Americans were fighting against Communism as well as the Chinese. However, it would be good to go to China because then Nixon would be able to show the world that America was not a sore loser, that despite being brutally attacked by the Chinese they were still able to make relations and work towards peace and prosperity together. The People's Republic of China and the Republic of China had a very poor relationship ever since their split after the Cultural Revolution. The ROC got Taiwan as their mainland as well as two small islands, Quemoy and Matsu13. These two islands were very close to the mainland of PRC's China, which was a fact that had always irked Mao. Mao tried to take the islands by force with his military, however unfortunately he was unsuccessful as the ROC had America to support them and Mao had no one as the Soviet Union had not come in time. This was a small event, yet it would be another thing for Nixon to look at. It would be a good thing for America to recognize Red China, as it would be a form of apology for fighting against them previously with their enemy the ROC. It would show that America has realized which China is the true China, which is something that would please Mao and would make him more likely to be open to trade with America. After the Cultural Revolution in China the issue of their seat in the United Nations Security Council arose. After World War two the UN was created and five of the powerful, victorious countries were placed into permanent seats on the Security Council. These were the Soviet Union, France, Great Britain, the United States, and China. When China split the People's Republic felt that they should replace the Republic of China on the Security Council as they now represented China. This did not go over well with the United States, who did not want more Communist countries on the council, also the United States were allies of the Nationalist China. An early solution was dual representation, however Mao refused to sit next to another China, as this gives the idea that there were two Chinas, when he was so adamant that his China was the only one. 14 Albania then proposed to admit the People's Republic of China into the UN, and they were successful in getting the votes. This got Taiwan out of the Security Council and the People's Republic in15. The Americans were unhappy about the results, as they had lost face when everyone voted against Nixon's proposal of dual representation. It would be a good thing for Nixon to go to China and recognize them because it would show that they were still a strong country and that they were ready to move past this one incident. By moving past it they would be able to work together and agree on things, which would be good for both of them to have allies as the more allies a country has the more powerful they become. Americans, had for a long time completely distrusted all things Communist. The American government used propaganda often to portray to the American public how scary and evil Communists are. They were mostly stories that they built off of the Soviet totalitarian system16. They did this propaganda through books, pamphlets, comics, films, and radio throughout the entire Cold War. The American people were forced to believe that China was a part of this world wide Communist conspiracy to overthrow American power and destroy Western Democracy. Movies were a popular way of propaganda, as it could show with full images how bad the Communists were such as â€Å"Red Nightmare: The Commies are Coming†. Movies, such as that one show Communists coming to America and just destroying everything that made America run. Not all the movies made to demonstrate the evil of Communists had to be just about them, in the James Bond movies filmed throughout the Cold War feature Russians as the bad guy and Bond coming to save the day18, this movie was not about Communism, it just found a very subtle way to further demonstrate that Communists are bad. Since all the propaganda was fed by the government, Nixon visiting China, a Communist country would be a good first step into changing the views of the American people towards Communists. While America would not need to switch and become a pro-Communism country they could start to settle the dispute against Communist countries. If America could make alliances with a powerful Communist country that could make other Communist countries like them. The United States and the Republic of China had, had amicable past relations. America had traded with the Republic of China, mostly weapons for years and continued to do so after their split from the Mainland China. The United States really helped Taiwan get started shortly after it formed it's own China. They did this through enforcing it's military so that in the event of an attack by the People's Republic of China, they would be well protected. They also traded with them so that their economy could get going and perhaps gain them some relationships with other countries in the world. This relationship between Taiwan and the United States is something that Nixon would have wanted to consider before going over to the People's Republic of China. This is because Mao was still completely refusing to speak the Republic of China, because he hated the idea of Two Chinas. In Taiwan they refused to talk to he People's Republic until they were no longer a Communist country. By going to Red China Nixon would not necessarily be apologizing to Mao and Chou En-lai about what happened in the past, but would rather be moving on and working towards an alliance, with which they can help each other in becoming even more powerful. In conclusion, America should recognize the People's Republic of China. The decision would have taken a lot of consideration but all the good things that would come out of the decision would heavily out-weigh anything negative. Visiting Red China would be a big step in the right direction and would help out the United States in many ways. So despite the American hated for all things Communist an official visit to Communist China would be a very good thing to do.

gays in the military essays

gays in the military essays The main thesis of this book is really not stated but rather it is really a given, to go to learn more about the moon. Alan Shepards ear infection had flared up, therefore his crew was bumped from the primary flight crew to a later mission, and instead Jim Lovells crew was bumped up to the primary flight crew for the Apollo 13 mission. Two days before the scheduled Apollo 13 mission. Blood work came back from the flight surgeon and according to the surgeon, ken Mattingly das the measles and everyone had been exposed to it. All of the other astronauts had been exposed to it and have had it except for Ken. Naturally Ken was extremely devastated and shocked. So the man that replaced Ken as the navigator was a back-up crewman whose name was Jack Swagart, Jack was a little rusty with the controls since he had not practiced for the past two weeks. Soon after the launch of the Apollo 13 rocket, there was a big problem with the number 5 main engine cutoff, but mission control said there would be no big problem unless there was a loss of another engine. Soon thereafter, Jack was in charge of stirring the oxygen tanks and he did so, but something incredibly bad went wrong. Thats when the famous term, Houston, we have a problem, was derived from that very oxygen stir. Everything was in complete disarray and everyone was so confused. Of the 3 total oxygen tanks, two of then were completely down and not giving any kind of reading whatsoever. Some of the flight control crew just reasoned with themselves and just thought that there was a problem with the instruments reading. But Gene Crantz, the head of mission control, knew that it was a lot more than just a wrong instrument reading, he Thought it was really bad. Since the crew was running out of valuable time and oxygen, a man in flight control suggested that they close the reaction valves because it is the only way out. By closing t...

Watching television is a waste of time Essay Example

Watching television is a waste of time Essay Example Watching television is a waste of time Paper Watching television is a waste of time Paper Nowadays, television has become a major part of our lives. Almost every home has a television. In fact, even restaurants, grocery shop, clinics and also mamak stores have televisions as a way to attract customers. We are now a television nation but this is not something that we should be proud of because television is not a vital necessity in our lives. Furthermore, too much television is eating our life away. Watching television is a waste of time. When we watch television, we give it our visual and audio attention and there Is very little we can do while watching television. We may enjoy a snack or two but that only ad up to the television does not allow us to do something else beneficial. A television maybe a source of information but not all that it shows consists of useful information. We will find more beneficial knowledge from books and other resources compared to television, things like sobe opera, telecommersial, entertainment programs are obviously Junk but many of us seem to enjoy feeding on it every day. Besides that, people like students tend to spend too much time on television and forget that they have other responsibility. They will not e a good student when televlslon time has occupied most of their time. Consequently, they will have home works not done, revisions forgotten, project incomplete and soon their great will decline. As a conclusion, watching television maybe a good way to relax our mind but it is never a good thing to overdo the habit. If we spend too much time on television, we will only end up missing out on other good things In life one day. Therefore it is time to switch off the television and start doing something else Instead. Ways of spending leisure time usefully Nowadays. people are getting busier and busier every day. We can hardly find time to relax and unwind but when we do, there are plenty of ways to spend our leisure usefully. First of all, doing exercise is one of the beneficial things we can do when we are free. When we exercise, we can maintain our health and strength. Therefore, we will not come sick and tired easily. Besides that, we can use our leisure time to read. Reading Is a good habit because we can Increase knowledge and Improve our language. We became more confident from reading. In addltlon to this, we can try gardening during our free time. Gardening can calm our nerves and beautify our iving surrounding. Therefore, our home can look more beautiful and natural which will further enhance our sense of pleasure. Finally, doing house chores is also one of the beneficial ways to spend our leisure time. We get to understand the hard work and effort needed to maintain appreciate our parents who have been working hard maintaining our home to the tip top condition. As a conclusion, time Is precious, let alone leisure time which are hard to get for some people. Therefore, we must use our time wisely and beneficial so we will not waste our life away. Do you agree watching television is waste of time? Most people agree that television Is one of the most Important Inventions of the past century. Oplnlons vary as to Its value, but no one can deny the great effect that television. I think watching television can be beneficial if we do not abuse using it. Firstly, television is one of the greatest educational tools of all time. Documentary programmes about foreign countries and their inhabitants, instructional programmes on science, medicine, engineering, natural history and many others are all brought to the homes of ordinary people, who without television would have nown very little or nothing about these things. In connection to that, special School Television has been introduced in many parts of the world including Malaysia where Astro broadcast an educational channel specially designed for our schools in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. Teachers can make full use of the channel as a teaching aid since many of the programmes are prepared according to the syllabus taught in schools. In these programmes, instructional tools such as pictures, films, and diagrams are used to greatly add to the knowledge of the pupils. What is the entertainment value of watching television? At best, TV is good form of entertainment which either stimulates or creates an interest in the arts. We can see top line artists cheaply and from comfort of our homes. A concert by Justin Bieber, a movie directed by Steven Spielberg, a tour of Europe visiting all the top draws and an hour with the wild animals from Africa. All these would be beyond the resources of most of us. In the past, movie-going was limited to the rich. Nowadays there are many good movies that can be seen on television with first class actors and actresses. Consequently, access to entertainment becomes more affordable with television. Watching televisions is one of the most popular hobbies for students nowadays. But some peoples said that television is not important modern inventions for students. But most students have the opinion that the television is important and needed. By watching television, it can provide a good source of information. Examples like National Geographic and Animal Planet TVs show. It tells us about world and animals around us, some students cannot understand if there is Just only learn about theory. This channel provides some 3D show like how an animal grows so students can understand it easily. Next, students can watch lives events or news on television. In that time, they could spend more time with family by watching the television together. After that, students could watch interesting programs on TV like dramas, comedy and many more with their family. Means students were not only could explore what is going on around them but they can gain more interested to be with their family from their friends. By watching news or dramas in TV, they could get moral value because every act by ctor in the film, they could be more understanding on why and how to be a good person. Generally, students could fill their time more wisely. Because some students nowadays, they cannot spend their times correctly examples like smoking, loafing gaining frequently nowadays and no wonders, they are lack of moral values and cannot respect anybody that are older than them anymore including their parents. In a nutshell, watching television is not a disaster thing or hobby for students but it was very important for them to gaining more knowledge and new information

Aims And Objectives Of Primark Economics Essay

Aims And Objectives Of Primark Economics Essay In June 1969, the first Penney’s store opened in Mary Street, Dublin. Within a year, four more stores were added – all in the Greater Dublin area. In 1971, the first large store outside Dublin was opened in Cork and by the end of that year there were 11 more stores in Ireland and one in Northern Ireland. Move into Great Britain By 1973, the number of stores had reached 18 in Ireland and Primark began trading in Great Britain with four out-of-town stores. The following year saw the opening of the first UK High Street stores in Derby and Bristol. In the next ten years, 18 stores were added in the UK and nine in Ireland, bringing the number of stores in the UK and Ireland to 22 each. Also in 1984, the first multiple acquisition took place with the purchase in Ireland of five Woolworth stores. PRIMARK OBJECTIVES AND AIMS To provide good quality products for the public; we want the public to realize we are a good company and just because our products are cheap, it doesnâ₠¬â„¢t mean that they are rubbish. We will achieve this by having our products made by people that know what they are doing and test them to check that they are good quality. To sell goods at reasonable prices; We want the public to have a wide range of options to them, so we offer them good quality products at reasonable prices; This will be achieved by looking at other stores, selling similar products, and making our prices lower than other places. To be friendly and helpful towards customers and staff; The public need to think that we are a friendly company; this will make them want to come to our store if they feel welcome. We will achieve this by greeting customers as soon as possible and making them feel welcomed. To treat everybody the same; The public need to feel like we treat everybody the same. The people with less money will be treated the same as people that have lots of money. PRIMARK’s AGM is the most important opportunity this year to put pressure on PRIMARK. T his annual shareholder meeting is when important decisions get made regarding PRIMARK’s policies and procedures. It is PRIMARK’s shareholders who take home the lion’s share of PRIMARK’s profits and who have the power to make PRIMARK introduce policies and procedures that will ensure the lives of workers are put ahead of PRIMARK’s pursuit of profits. So join us on Friday 5 December from 10.30 onwards to make your voice heard. We have seen how fearful PRIMARK is of us publicly shaming them, so please help us make sure their shareholders deliver justice to the workers making PRIMARK clothes.It beggars belief that PRIMARK has been caught on the back foot again. Just five months on from the BBC exposà © that highlighted the appalling conditions faced by Indian workers producing clothes for the famous high street store and PRIMARK has yet again been caught out disrespecting these workers. Join us on 5 December to hammer the nail in PRIMARK’s ethi cal coffin.

Paper 3 Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 2

Paper 3 - Essay Example Therefore according to the engineering code of conduct, such a scenario falls under the technical coordination, the behavioral responses and drawing up conclusions based on the cultural knowledge. Therefore, the actions that I will most likely take are based on placing at heart the issue of quality control and in accordance to the context of the engineer’s code of conduct. In accordance to the above engineering case study, the applicability of the code of ethics and consideration of engineering as a social experiment comes out clearly. For instance, according to the ASCE code of standards, engineers are supposed to take actions based on the social and ethical responsibility and within the context of divergent cultures. Therefore the actions that were likely taken and also that were least likely to be taken were based on the fact that engineers have a moral responsibility to ensure improved safety and societal conditions and also take actions regardless of the diversity of the engineering setting case presented. Therefore in accordance to the responses and the case study presented, it is clear that the issues of ethical, social responsibility and regulations difference

The cost of rising gas prices Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

The cost of rising gas prices - Essay Example â€Å"Chris Christopher, an economist at IHS, figures that for every $0.24 increase in the price of gasoline, employment is lower by 410,000†(Stiphen Gandal 2011). This unemployment that occurs due to rising gas prices affects the entire economy. It results in lower standard of living of those who lose their jobs and poverty prevails. The government also pays the price because its spending rises as unemployment befits have to be given to more people. Due to industrialization in the last century, every other commodity is produced by using machinery. Agricultural products, minerals, or manufactured goods, all the production processes use fuel at some stage. For instance, minerals are extracted using heavy machinery that consumes gas as fuel and crops have to be transported to retailers from farmers. Since gas is an essential component o cost o production, it pushes up the price o commodities. Study shows that due to rise in gasoline prices , the cost of production of consumer go ods increased by 0.8% in April 2011 and a rise in consumer price index of 0.5% in both February and March 2011. A comparison of prices in January 2010 and January 2011 showed how rise in gas prices resulted in huge rises in prices of other commodities. This comparison showed that corn prices increased by 58%, rubber prices increased by 78%, Aluminum by 9%, cotton by 131% and wheat by 37%. These are only a few commodities but the impact was not restricted to these only.(Micheal Kopoly, 2011) The entire cost o production increase due to rise in gas prices is not transferred to consumers only but in many cases it results in lower profit margins of firms and job cuts to compensate the costs. Hence it is the entire community that incurs the costs. Increased gas prices have altered spending and saving patterns. 21% of the households have reduced spending to great extent by buying economy sized packs o groceries and buying cheap brands. A large number of consumers are using loyalty cards a nd other promotional services offered by retailers to save money. Increased gas prices increase cost o living. Individuals have less money available to spend on vacations and leisure activities. According to Danita Blackwood , â€Å"The number of Americans making plans to take a vacation over the next six months has fallen to a 30-year low according to a leading business membership and research organization, The Conference Board.† (Doug Caverly, 2008). This means that the businesses that rely on tourists suffer a lot for instance resorts, museums, theme parks and so forth. 21% of the households say that they have reduced eating out. This means that restaurants and hotels have faced a decline in their profits.(Micheal Kopoly, 2011) Five out of six US recessions witnessed after 1970 were linked with rising fuel prices.(Berk, 2011) . High gas prices lead to higher cost of production, reduced profits and a decline in aggregate demand. Though the immediate response to the question of the effects of rise in gas prices would be the above mentioned, a few opposing views may also be found. A few businesses still benefit despite the increase in gas prices. These businesses are those which produce goods that have an inelastic demand. When cost of goods increases, the cost is transferred to the consumer and the businesses maintain the profit margins. Information technology industry is still flourishing despite the energy crises. When meetings have become more costly due to increased driving

Human Sexuality Topic (You can pick one from the sample topics in the Research Paper

Human Sexuality Topic (You can pick one from the sample topics in the instructions) - Research Paper Example des the acceptance of homosexuality into the society that involves sexual attraction to the same gender and in this case, the relationship between two males. Developing an understanding of this sexual orientation is important because there is conflicting literature regarding its existence. While there is a school of thought that believes homosexuality is as a result of genetic predisposition, opponents to this sexual orientation view it as behavioral. Homosexuality has been there since time in memorial and is now a visible reality within the society as another form of sexual orientation. In respect to ethical considerations, the question that linger in minds of many people emanate from a secular versus a religious point of view regarding same sex attractions. In the religious circles, homosexuality is a sin considering the belief that God’s plan for sexual relationships was between a man and a woman (Guittar and Pals 53). However, from a secular point of view every person has a right to choose the sexual orientation he or she desires. In secular terms, the society is liberal and nobody should question the behavior of another person as this amount to invading privacy. However, while homosexuals consider  their sexual orientation  as  normal behavior, the question that lingers in mind of many is why they hide their sexual orientation. In case it is a normal occurrence. Homosexuals are not always open and free about their sexual orientation partly because of personal reasons or fear of stigmatization. The topic of homosexuality is an important area of discussion because it is part and parcel of the modern society and in some western countries homosexuality is now legal. In this respect, it is important to understand the origins of homosexuality so as to avoid the conflict being witnessed between religious and secular views regarding homosexuality (Wright and Bae 492). While homosexuality has existed for ages, it is a sexual orientation that no one likes to talk

Hypercholesterolemia in the Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Essay

Hypercholesterolemia in the Secondary Prevention of Coronary Heart Disease - Essay Example In the developed world, it is one of the leading causes of death both in men and women. Around 94,000 deaths each year in the UK are attributed to this condition and the prevalence of this condition is about 2.6 million. The most common symptom associated with coronary heart disease (CHD) is angina and about 2 million people are affected with it each year. With age the prevalence and severity of CHD would only increase (NHS 2009). The two most notable conditions that are associated with CHD are angina and myocardial infarction. Myocardial infarction arises when coronary arteries are completely blocked and angina arises when the coronary arteries are partially blocked. Some of the common symptoms that are associated with CHD include breathlessness, chest pain, palpitations, a feeling of heaviness or tightness over the chest, sweating, confusions, anxiety, light-headedness, breathlessness, and dyspnea. Some of the common complications that can arise with the progression of CHD include heart attack, angina, heart failure, and arrhythmia (Mayo Clinic 2012). The main pathophysiology associated with CHD is the build-up of plaque in the coronary artery. As the plaque builds up, the lumen of the vessel becomes narrower, and so does the heart receive reduced supply of blood, resulting in the development of several symptoms of CHD including chest pain, breathlessness, and light-headedness. ... Following the process of atherosclerosis, there may be breakage or rupture of the plaques resulting in deposition of platelets at the site of repair. This platelet clump may block the lumen resulting in partial or complete arterial blockage causing angina or myocardial infarction (Mayo Clinic 2012). Figure 2: Complications of CHD In the UK, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia is high. About 1 in every 500 individuals is affected with familial hypercholesterolemia (an autosomal dominant condition characterised by high levels of Low Density lipoproteins (LDL) in the blood resulting in the development of atherosclerosis at a very rapid rate). Further the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia due to sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercises and diet has resulted in very high prevalence of CHD in the population. About 10 to 15% of the 110,000 population that have familial hypercholesterolemia are unaware of their condition, due to which they may be at a very high risk to suffer from angina o r myocardial infarction (Wadwa 2007). Almost every patient with coronary artery disease has a minimum of one modifiable cardiovascular risk factor, and that most of the risk factors remain insufficiently controlled even after patients are diagnosed for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD). â€Å"Hypercholesterolemia is a condition characterized by very high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that is produced in the body and obtained from foods that come from animals (particularly egg yolks, meat, poultry, fish, and dairy products). The body needs this substance to build cell membranes, make certain hormones, and produce compounds that aid in fat

Financing Health Care In The US Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financing Health Care In The US - Term Paper Example Health insurance can actually be availed through an employed individual’s employer or through the employers of either the spouse or parents’, as applicable. Health insurance can also be purchased individually depending on one’s capacity or financial status, and the required scope and contents of health insurance coverage. The problem is eminently evident for those Americans who are unemployed and could not afford to purchase health insurance coverages. Further, those who are employed also opt to drop insurance coverages because of two reasons as proffered by Siegel, Mead and Burke (2008), to wit: (1) the number of employers offering health insurance benefits to their personnel (including beneficiaries) have significantly declined; and (2) those employers who offer health insurance benefits have opted to require increasing amounts of employee participation in premium payments, which are deemed by employees as virtually unaffordable. With increasing number of peopl e who opt to waive availment of health insurance coverages, more unemployed and employed people without health coverages opt to tap the government’s health packages for Medicare and Medicaid, thereby increasing the need for more financial resources to support and sustain the expenditures for this sector. Components of Health Care Sector Expenditures The paper written by Seshamani, Lambrew and Antos (2008), one of the most significant revelations was that the increasing cost in health care expenditure is accounted for by tax subsidies shouldered by the federal government from the health insurance premiums and related costs declared by employers. As indicated, the cost of tax exemptions from contributions made by employers and employees are... A more structured and plausible approach was recommended by Flier, who suggested that accurate and effective reforms could only provide the needed solution to the health care dilemma when the root causes are truly identified. In his article, the root causes were identified as: the unjust employer-based tax advantaged system, restrictions and overregulated health insurance market, and the presence of both Medicare and Medicaid programs. In this regard, Flier recommended the following: a restructuring of the tax shelter system; to encourage increased players in the delivery of both health care and insurance to decrease the exorbitant health care costs; and to evaluate and closely review the possibility of reforming both Medicare and Medicaid programs in terms of the kind and quality of expenditures, as well as closer screening of the beneficiaries to determine alternative options for cost reduction and the use of cost effective interventions, in the long run. The objective of the essay to proffer relevant and critical issues pertinent to financing and the delivery of health care services in the U.S. was hereby accomplished through provision of the current status of health care in the U.S. prior and by determining the significant components in health care expenditures that are the real culprits of the health care dilemma.  The proposed measures to reform the health care system in the US using strategies and plans should encompass policies and regulations that have the ultimate welfare of the population in mind.

Human Sexuality Topic (You can pick one from the sample topics in the Research Paper

Human Sexuality Topic (You can pick one from the sample topics in the instructions) - Research Paper Example des the acceptance of homosexuality into the society that involves sexual attraction to the same gender and in this case, the relationship between two males. Developing an understanding of this sexual orientation is important because there is conflicting literature regarding its existence. While there is a school of thought that believes homosexuality is as a result of genetic predisposition, opponents to this sexual orientation view it as behavioral. Homosexuality has been there since time in memorial and is now a visible reality within the society as another form of sexual orientation. In respect to ethical considerations, the question that linger in minds of many people emanate from a secular versus a religious point of view regarding same sex attractions. In the religious circles, homosexuality is a sin considering the belief that God’s plan for sexual relationships was between a man and a woman (Guittar and Pals 53). However, from a secular point of view every person has a right to choose the sexual orientation he or she desires. In secular terms, the society is liberal and nobody should question the behavior of another person as this amount to invading privacy. However, while homosexuals consider  their sexual orientation  as  normal behavior, the question that lingers in mind of many is why they hide their sexual orientation. In case it is a normal occurrence. Homosexuals are not always open and free about their sexual orientation partly because of personal reasons or fear of stigmatization. The topic of homosexuality is an important area of discussion because it is part and parcel of the modern society and in some western countries homosexuality is now legal. In this respect, it is important to understand the origins of homosexuality so as to avoid the conflict being witnessed between religious and secular views regarding homosexuality (Wright and Bae 492). While homosexuality has existed for ages, it is a sexual orientation that no one likes to talk

Financing Health Care In The US Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Financing Health Care In The US - Term Paper Example Health insurance can actually be availed through an employed individual’s employer or through the employers of either the spouse or parents’, as applicable. Health insurance can also be purchased individually depending on one’s capacity or financial status, and the required scope and contents of health insurance coverage. The problem is eminently evident for those Americans who are unemployed and could not afford to purchase health insurance coverages. Further, those who are employed also opt to drop insurance coverages because of two reasons as proffered by Siegel, Mead and Burke (2008), to wit: (1) the number of employers offering health insurance benefits to their personnel (including beneficiaries) have significantly declined; and (2) those employers who offer health insurance benefits have opted to require increasing amounts of employee participation in premium payments, which are deemed by employees as virtually unaffordable. With increasing number of peopl e who opt to waive availment of health insurance coverages, more unemployed and employed people without health coverages opt to tap the government’s health packages for Medicare and Medicaid, thereby increasing the need for more financial resources to support and sustain the expenditures for this sector. Components of Health Care Sector Expenditures The paper written by Seshamani, Lambrew and Antos (2008), one of the most significant revelations was that the increasing cost in health care expenditure is accounted for by tax subsidies shouldered by the federal government from the health insurance premiums and related costs declared by employers. As indicated, the cost of tax exemptions from contributions made by employers and employees are... A more structured and plausible approach was recommended by Flier, who suggested that accurate and effective reforms could only provide the needed solution to the health care dilemma when the root causes are truly identified. In his article, the root causes were identified as: the unjust employer-based tax advantaged system, restrictions and overregulated health insurance market, and the presence of both Medicare and Medicaid programs. In this regard, Flier recommended the following: a restructuring of the tax shelter system; to encourage increased players in the delivery of both health care and insurance to decrease the exorbitant health care costs; and to evaluate and closely review the possibility of reforming both Medicare and Medicaid programs in terms of the kind and quality of expenditures, as well as closer screening of the beneficiaries to determine alternative options for cost reduction and the use of cost effective interventions, in the long run. The objective of the essay to proffer relevant and critical issues pertinent to financing and the delivery of health care services in the U.S. was hereby accomplished through provision of the current status of health care in the U.S. prior and by determining the significant components in health care expenditures that are the real culprits of the health care dilemma.  The proposed measures to reform the health care system in the US using strategies and plans should encompass policies and regulations that have the ultimate welfare of the population in mind.

Content and language Essay Example for Free

Content and language Essay In this piece of coursework I will be comparing the front cover of a broadsheet and a tabloid newspaper on the day that labour won the 2001 Election. To do this I will be concentrating on three main attributes, which are design and layout, content and language. First of all I will look at how effective the design and layout of the front cover is. On my chosen tabloid, The Sun, there is of course the bright red Sun logo but even more striking is the headline, Blairs Back. This headline is over double the size of The Sun logo. There is then on the left-hand side of the page a big picture of Tony Blair. Below the big heading is a sub heading which reads, Labour romps in with epic second landslide. Below the sub heading is a small section of text that carries on inside the paper. Overall the design and layout of this front cover is quite effective because the bold headline stands out and really hits you in the face which makes you want to buy the paper to see what the headline means. The sub heading then gives you more information, which shows that the paper is quite informative. The photograph on the front cover ads a bit of colour and life to the paper to show the reader that it isnt a dull paper. There is also a lure at the bottom of the page that says, See pages 2, 3, 4, 5 and 4-page pullout. This shows the potential buyer that there is a lot more information inside the paper about the election that encourages them to buy the paper. Basically, the front cover of The Sun concentrates entirely on the election. On the other hand in my chosen broadsheet, The Times, it is a very different story. The front page of The Times doesnt just concentrate on the election but on many other topics including things like sport. Like The Sun it has a date and price at the top of the page. The main headline reads, Election reward for Prescott. This is referring to the new job John Prescott will get now that Labour has been re-elected. Below that in the centre of the page is a picture of Tony Blair enjoying a day out with his family. Below that is another smaller story about the election. The headline says, Blair forecasts further growth. There is another smaller picture of the Blair family to the left of the headline. Below that is a completely unrelated article about Lord Archer. To the right of this story is an advertisement for Tiffany Co. diamonds. Overall the design and layout of The Times is very effective. The main headline is bold and simple which stands out. The photographs add life and colour to the paper. The amount of text shows the buyer it is a very informative paper that will appeal to a lot of people. The second story and the advertisement shows the buyer that the paper is interested in the election but the final story shows the buyer that it is also interested in the rest of the world. There is also a lure at the bottom of The Times. It reads, The Times Today: page 2. Crossword: p 32. Media: Times 2, p 21-25. TV radio: Times 2, p 27-32. This also encourages the buyer to buy because there are other things inside apart from news. The photographs on both papers are also important. In the Sun it shows a smiling Tony Blair in a shirt and tie. I think that the picture is trying to say that Tony Blair is happy to be back in office and he is going to try his hardest to make a difference. In The Times there are two photographs which show a very similar thing. Both of the photographs show Tony Blair acting very relaxed with his family. The bigger photograph was taken this year just before the election but the smaller one was taken in 1997 before the election. I think the photos are trying to say that Tony Blair is almost taking it too easy and that he thinks he has already won. The headline of a newspaper and the way it is presented is also very important. On the front cover of The Sun the headline is short, snappy, bold, big and close together. The headline reads, Blairs back, which is in block capitals. The headline takes up just over half the page even though it is very short. I think the headline is trying to create the effect that Labour is back, bigger and better than ever. On the front page of The Times it is very different. The main headline on the front page is a lot smaller and less bold than the one in The Sun. It is a lot more spaced out and not as to the point as The Sun. The headline reads, Election reward for Prescott. The headline is in lower case writing but is bolder than the text in the article. I think the headline is trying to create the effect that if Labour win the election people involved get rewards. In other words if you work hard you will get a treat! The arguments and issues presented in the lead story are a very important part of a front page. On the front page of The Sun it is obvious straight away that The Sun is very pro Labour. You dont even need to read the article to know this. At the top of the page there is a badge with the Labour symbol in the middle. In the article though it says, Tony Blair powered back into No10 early today after a SECOND landslide victory. You can see straightaway that The Sun is persuading the public that Labour deserves to be back in office. After reading the article you can also tell that The Sun does not like the Torys. In the article it says, Jubilant Mr Blair crushed Tory dreams of a revival-and put William Hagues job as Opposition leader in peril. This is a very blunt and uncaring comment and it shows The Suns loyalty to Labour. In the article it also gives you all the statistics to show you by how much Labour won, as if they havent already! The ITN exit poll gave Labour 417 seats. The Suns article is also very brief with not much detail in it. The Times article though is very different. It has a very neutral attitude and it is almost being unfair to the Labour party. In the article the writer raises the issue that although John Prescott has been given a new title he has been doing that job all along. Mr Prescott is being switched from his role as Environment Secretary to become Mr Blairs deputy in fact as well as name. The writer then raises the argument that John Prescott wont be with Labour come next election. Even so, some ministers believe it will be surprising if he stays in the Government throughout the new Parliament. The article in this paper is a lot longer and more detailed. The language in the two newspapers is very different. This is because The Sun appeals to the working class person where as The Times appeals to the more professional classes. That is why The Times uses more sophisticated language and The Sun is very blunt and to the point.

Definition And Scope Of Relationship Marketing Marketing Essay

Definition And Scope Of Relationship Marketing Marketing Essay This chapter aims to evaluate the theoretical opinions of different theorist towards relationship marketing (RM) based on the objectives of determining the definition and scope of RM as well as understanding the different determinants and strategies used in RM and understanding current academic and industrial views and opinions on the values and effectiveness of RM. 2.1 Definition and scope of Relationship Marketing Relationship Marketing (RM) has been defined by various theorists and each has given their respective viewpoints about RM. In order to simplify and understand RM, an analysis by Palmatier (2008) of some well-known definitions by various theorists is illustrated to narrow down and obtain the essence of what is RM. The analysis is based on two key aspects found in RM (e.g. Gronroos 1997; Sheth and Parvatiyar 2000). The first aspect deals with strategies across stages of the relationship lifecycle and thereby suggests that a relationship is a process that develops over time through typical strategies (Dwyer and Oh 1987; Wilson 1995). The second aspect is the scope of RM activities; as some definitions only include customer relationships, and others include relationships with different stakeholders such as internal departments, competitors, customers and suppliers. The table below illustrates the common RM definitions by different theorists and identifies the stages the respective defini tions cover as well as the scope of the definition. Definition Stages/ Strategies Scope Attract/ Create/ Establish Enhance/ Develop Maintain Customers only Stakeholders Attracting, maintaining, and enhancing customer relationships. Berry (1983, p. 25) RM refers to all marketing activities directed toward establishing, developing, and maintaining successful relational connections. Morgan and Hunt (1994, p. 22) To establish, maintain, enhance relationships with customers and other stakeholders, at a profit, so that the objectives of all parties involved are met, where this is done by mutual exchange and fulfillment of promises. Gronroos (1997, p. 407) Based on synthesis of 26 definitions of RM: organization engaged in proactively creating, developing and maintaining committed, interactive and profitable exchanges with selected customers [partners] over time. Harker (1999,p. 16) RM is the ongoing process of engaging in cooperative and collaborative activities and programs with immediate and end-user customers to create and enhance mutual economic value at reduced cost. Sheth and Parvatiyar (2000,p. 9) RM is a philosophy of doing business, a strategic orientation that focuses on keeping and improving current customers, rather than acquiring new customers. Zeithaml and Bitner (2000) As illustrated above in the table all definitions excluding Sheths and Parvatiyars have covered all the relationship lifecycle stages in their respective definitions of RM which are:- Establishing, is the stage of RM or marketing process of advertising and attracting new customers towards a brand or product, Little Marandi (2003). Enhancing is the process differentiating from competitors offerings where more attractive offers and benefits are offered to customers (e.g. sales and price drops), Coyles Gokey (2002). Maintaining is the extra effort taken by sellers to retain and ensure that their existing customers obtain continuous benefits from the product or service they have to offer (e.g. loyalty scemes), Morgan Hunt (1994). Morgan, Hunt and Gronroos have explained RM to cover the scope of not only customers but other stakeholders as well; however the scope of RM in this research study will only consider customers. Therefore the analysis of RM definition suggested for this research study is RM is a continuous marketing activity which involves establishing, enhancing and maintaining customers loyalty towards a certain product or service that is being offered by the seller involved. 2.1.1 Relationship Lifecycle The relationship lifecycle consists of the different stages (establishing, enhancing and maintaining) as aforementioned in the definitions of RM. Various RM theorists such as (Kotler, 2000; Jap Ganesan, 2000; White, 2000; Zineldin, 1996) illustrated the relationship lifecycle according to the respective stages and definitions of RM. Therefore the relationship lifecycle differs with additional stages in certain RM lifecycles by different theorists of RM (Little and Marandi, (2003: 69)). A suitable relationship lifecycle according to the agreeable definition of RM for this research study is illustrated below:- Figure 1 Relationship Lifecycle Source: Adapted from Little Marandi (2003) Relationship Marketing Management. The cycle above illustrates up to the stage of maintaining a customer relationship. However several definitions for example White (2000) Jap; Ganesan (2000) suggest that relationship lifecycle declines after the maintaining stage. Morgan Hunt (1994) argued that, due to carelessness in handling the relationship it may decline but there is also a possibility of the relationship between the buyer and seller remaining constant, in cases where customers are continuously rewarded for their loyalty towards a certain company or continue to perceive value, (Morgan and Hunt (1994:22); Little Marandi (2003:70)). 2.1.2 Understanding Perceived Value Baines, Fill and Page (2008) explains value is the customers estimate of the extent to which a product or service can satisfy their need. Customers determine a products value by considering alternative solutions and the costs associated with satisfying their need. For example if a customer is to purchase a shower gel, there will be many alternatives of purchase, however a customer will chose from a seller that provides additional value to its product, for example a 20% extra amount of the shower gel for the same price. Added value to a product such as, a good price, special offers, and good customer service will lead to high customer satisfaction, (Baines, Fill and Page (2008:672)). History of Relationship Marketing Research on the history of marketing suggest that marketing emerged in the beginning of the twentieth century, however there is no evidence as to when the theory of marketing actually emerged. During the industrial age, exchange occurred in the local markets, where farmers and craftspeople (producers) sold their products directly to end users. Producers represented both manufacturers and retailers, and embedded relationships between producers and consumers provided the trust and business norms necessary to conduct the transaction because few institutionalized protections existed, (Palmatier (2008:8)). Gronroos (1994) argues that RM is a paradigm shift in marketing from the previous concept of the marketing mix and the Four Ps of marketing (product, price, place place) which was introduced to the academic world in the 1950s by Neil Bordan. Groonroos also states that the marketing mix is a list of marketing variables that has become obsolete therefore the marketing academic occasionally offers additional Ps to the list, thus this proves that the marketing mix is very limited. Type of Model Theorist (Year) Scope 4Ps McCarthy (1960) Product, Price, Promotion, Place 5Ps Judd (1987) Product, Price, Promotion, Place, People 6Ps Kotler (1984) Product, Price, Promotion, Place, Political power, Public perspective 7Ps Booms Bitner (1981) Product, Price, Promotion, Place, Participants, Physical evidence, Process Source: Gummesson, E. (1994) Making Relationship Marketing Operational, International Journal of Service Industry Management. The changes in the marketing environment and the various factors that contributed to customer sophistication are; globalisation internationalisation of markets; continuous development of technology; increasing brand competitiveness among customers and fragmentation of media, Little Marandi, (2003). These factors have contributed a gap in the market which became a need for a new approach to retain customers, to gain their loyalty and to establish competitive approach. Therefore Gronroos (1994) states that RM can be said to be an evolved strategy to the marketing mix approach, which assists in obtaining sustainable competitive advantage and retain customers in the long run. However there is no evidence to when it was actually implemented but research by Palmatier (2008) suggest that RM emerged as a separate academic domain of marketing in the 1980s and it became more comprehensible in the 1990s from a historical perspective. Among those who were contributory in developing the concept of RM were Evert Gummesson at Stockholm University and Christian Gronroos at the Swedish School of Economics in the early 1980s (Gronroos (1994;4); Little Marandi (2003;11); Palmatier (2008;9). Effectiveness of Relationship Marketing Many theorists have researched on the subject and made different judgments on the effectiveness of RM, some of whom are Reichheld (1996) who argues that the smallest efforts in customer maintenance can increase company profit because it costs less to serve long-term customers; loyal customers will pay price premium as well as generate word-of-mouth recommendations to other potential customers. A study by Reinartz and Kumar (2000) claims that loyal customers cost less to serve and are usually willing to pay more for product varieties than non-loyal customers, as well as acted as word-of-mouth marketers for the company. While McKenna (1993) claims that long-term customer relationships helps gaining competitive advantage which leads to higher lifetime profit for firms. Correspondence of RM with other marketing concepts RM shares some similarities with other marketing concepts such as, customer relationship management (CRM) and brand equity. Williams (2006) defined CRM as an information industry term for software, and Internet capabilities that help an  enterprise  manage customer relationships in an organized way. While Payne Frow (2005) stated that CRM is a management approach that seeks to create, develop and enhance relationships with carefully targeted customers using the potential of information technology. Kotler Armstrong (2009) maintains that CRM involves building and maintaining profitable customer relationships by delivering superior customer value and satisfaction. It deals with all aspects of acquiring, keeping and growing customers. From the various definitions of CRM above Palmatier (2008) concludes that if RM is the skill of relationships, then CRM represents its application. Keller (1993) argues that brand equity represents different effects of brand knowledge on customer action, for example customers behave more favorably towards a product when they can identify the brand. While Rust, Lemon and Zeithaml (2004) maintain that brand equity is a product-centered concept that does not capture drivers of customer behavior completely. Although RM and branding activities similarly focus on building intangible customer assets that positively influence customer loyalty, purchase behaviors, or financial performance while reducing marketing costs, they differ fundamentally where branding focuses on products with extensions to firms whereas RM focusses on relationships and their extensions to firms. However the effect of brands and relationships on a customers attitude towards the firm is difficult to distinguish, Palmatier (2008). Strategies of Relationship Marketing A strategy is a senior managements plan of action with which the effort of the staff is coordinated, Waterman et al (1980). Little and Marandi (2003) argues that RM strategies assist to manage the assortment of the customer to ensure an even flow of profits in the long term, and to determine when relationships should be established, enhanced and maintained. As Groonroos (1996) points out, however, the essence of RM is in the organisations processes, rather than its planning. Little and Marandi (2003) illustrates the key strategies as follows; establishing relationships involves target marketing techniques and advertisement programmes that are able to communicate relevant value. It is also established by simplifying the service offer by giving clarity regarding the benefits and terms and conditions of payment and use as well as encouraging trial. Relationships with customers can be enhanced by differentiating among competitors offerings. Relationships are maintained by not neglecting existing and safeguarding the customers satisfaction with and trust in supplier. It is also done by communicating with customers for building successful long-term relationships, by fostering trust and creating customer satisfaction as well as rewarding loyalty as customers remain loyal for as long as the perceived benefits outweigh the perceived sacrifice. Determinants of RM Outcomes Several theorist have mentioned different determinants of lengthening the lifetime value of an existing customer, such as Olivers (1981) model of customer satisfaction suggests that quality of the product or service offered by the seller is one of the most essential to obtain customer satisfaction which will later attract the buyer to return and buy the same product again. Whereas Hennig-Thurau et al. (2002) proposes that loyalty benefits are essential to obtain customer long term relationship, as every giving expects a return, even customers expect their share of return after shopping from a particular seller. An example of a loyalty scheme is the loyalty card which helps hooking up customers to buy from a particular seller to obtain benefits such as discounts from that particular seller. Hennig-Thurau et al. also stated price, customer service and convenience as other factors that drive relationship marketing outcomes. The relationship between price and quality are parallel to each other. Customers are willing to pay extra to obtain better quality products, however customers naturally get attracted to lowest prices that offer a reasonable quality and quantity for the amount paid for. Another essential part of retaining an existing customer is during and after sale service. This gains customer trust and satisfaction as they are given the liberty and ease to exchange, return and obtain additional information about the product or service they purchased. Convenience created for customers such as a strategic location (nearby their housing arrears) and is accessible at any time makes customers to frequently return. Dibb et al. (2006) argues that CRM systems which uses technology that allows marketers to practice effective customer maintenance strategies by monitoring, rewarding and reminding them about goods and services, is a major factor for developing RM outcomes. Technology is also used to ease the process of buying for customers, for example, having an online site that allows customers to purchase, refund, review and complaint at anytime and anywhere and having self-service cashier machines at stores and etc. Humby et al. (2007) also recognize product range as a determinant because it influences daily and frequent business transactions, which also influences the convenience factor aforementioned. Outcomes of Relationship Marketing RM determinants that are applied in a certain company to eventually obtain outcomes that bring an overall increase in the profit margin of a company, Little and Marandi (2003). These outcomes are classified into two key main RM outcomes that lead to customer loyalty which are trust and commitment, Morgan Hunt (1994). Trust is defined as willingness to rely on an exchange partner in whom one has confidence, Rotter (1967). The literature on trust argues on the confidence of the buyer towards the seller which results from the firm believed to be reliable and has high integrity and is responsible for their actions, Morgan Hunt (1994). Commitment is the variable believed to be central in distinguishing social from economic exchange, Cook Emerson (1978). For a company to achieve commitment from a customer is the most challenging task, as customers are vulnerable towards better quality and price offered elsewhere. To be able to maintain a committed relationship with a customer a firm has to keep updated with attractive return benefits for customers to continuously shop from them, Little and Marandi (2003). The commitment and trust theory (Morgan Hunt, 1994) suggests that RM can be achieved if customer satisfaction is exceptionally high. Customer satisfaction is achieved when all the determinants of RM are applied and practiced well by the firm. Highly satisfied customers will increase customer loyalty as well as spread the word of mouth to their circle of communication which gives a high possibility of attracting new customers. Demographic factors influencing Relationship Marketing Demographic factors such as age, gender, income, location, occupation and education are used to target consumers for marketing purposes, Schmidt Spreng (1996). Consumer behavior differs by demographic factors as Gaurav (2008) argues that significant gender difference in the trust loyalty relationship shows that women are significantly more loyal than men at higher levels of trust. Klein and Ford, (2003) maintained that the age of consumers is positively linked with knowledge and experience, such that older consumers could be more committed than younger consumers. According to Kotler et al. (2009) place or location of a business entity influences the type of target customers it attracts as well as the convenience it delivers to the consumers. Aforementioned demographic factors, such as gender, age and place are clearly linked to RM and therefore are used for this study. Criticism of Relationship Marketing Although there are many marketing theorist supporting the RM concept, however the subject is not without its critics. Blois (1998) has criticized RM by stating that developing a relationship inevitably results in some loss of control over matters such as resources, activities and intentions. Blois continues his argument by stating that a relationship is subject to continuous change, with an uncertain future which is determined by its history, current events and the parties expectations of future events. Other than that effort is required to build and maintain a relationship. This can be viewed as an investment and a maintenance cost. Moreover there is always a need to prioritize the use of limited resources and, hence, it may not be possible to pursue all of the individually attractive opportunities. Additionally, some relationships may be irreconcilable with an existing relationship. Reinartz Kumar (2005) adds that although some companies are happy with the results of their RM prog rams, yet they are unable to identify precisely the factors that explain such success, Summary The literature review enclosed different definitions of RM by various theorists which all proposed three different stages of RM which are establishing, enhancing and maintaining relationships; and the scope of RM which focuses upon stakeholders or customers only, however this analysis will only take customers into consideration. It then continued to discuss on the strategies used by RM which explains tactics to manage the relationship across the different stages of RM aforementioned, which are establishing, enhancing and maintaining relationships. It also includes view and opinions of different theorists regarding the effectiveness of RM. Followed by the views of theorists about the determinants of RM which lead to a discussion on several theorists views and opinions on how a seller-customer relationship is build. In order to test the opinions of the theorists between the relationship of RM determinants, customer satisfaction and word or mouth marketers four hypotheses are drawn out which are illustrated in Figure 2. An overview of the literature review is summarized in Figure 3. Figure 2 Hypotheses drawn from RM statements by theorists Figure 3 Process of Relationship Marketing The effectiveness and values of RM were further elaborated by discussing the relationship lifecycle and customers perceived value which explained the criteria of RM as well as the importance of having it and how do customers perceive it. Although some theorists claimed it as effective others such as Blois condemned the effectiveness of RM.