Sprint Swot Paper

Sprint Nextel Corporation SWOT Analysis Edgardo L. Cartagena Luna Management 521 University of Phoenix February 14, 2013 Sprint Nextel Corporation SWOT Analysis Background Sprint Nextel Corporation (Sprint) is a communications company. The company provides a range of wireless and wireline communications products and services to individual consumers, businesses, government subscribers and resellers. It provides wireless services on a postpaid and prepaid basis to retail subscribers and also on a wholesale and affiliate basis.The company markets its postpaid services under the Sprint and Nextel brands, and prepaid services under the Boost Mobile, Virgin Mobile, and Assurance Wireless brands. The company offers its services through wireless networks, an all-digital global long distance network and a Tier 1 Internet backbone. (www. alacrastore. com, 2013) Mission Sprint’s mission is to be number one in providing a simple, instant, enriching and productive customer experience. (Spr int Nextel Corporation, 2013). VisionSprint’s vision is to be a world class company, with standards by which others are measured, including a commitment to developing a world class supplier base that is reflective of the communities we serve. (Sprint Nextel Corporation, 2013). History Sprint's red diamond logo represented the combined achievements of many legendary predecessors, including United Telecommunications, US Sprint and Centel. Each embraced the same bold approach that Sprint's founder Cleyson Brown showed in 1899, when the Brown Telephone Company successfully went toe-to-toe with the Bell monopoly in Abilene, Kansas.By the mid-1970s, the company's aggressive growth strategies had firmly established it as the nation's largest independent local telephone provider. (Sprint Nextel Corporation, 2013). During the 1980s Sprint led all U. S. telecom companies by completing the first nationwide, 100% digital, fiber-optic network. It was The Company that gave America pin-drop clarity and also became a global leader in voice and data services during the early 90s. Sprint took its wireless strategy a big step further in the late '90s by building the only nationwide PCS network in the U. S.Meanwhile, a visionary entrepreneur named Morgan O’Brien founded a company called Fleet Net in 1987. This company was renamed Nextel in 1993 and rapidly established itself as a nationwide force in the burgeoning world of wireless communications. In September 1996, the company introduced Motorola's breakthrough iDEN technology. This marked the first combination of enhanced digital cellular, two-way radio and text/numeric paging in one phone – the famed Nextel phone. (Sprint Nextel Corporation, 2013). By 2005 the company was launched as Sprint Nextel Corporation after a merge done between the two, Sprint Corporation and Nextel Corporation.Both companies with proven records of successful achievements were brought together to continue opening new doors for cust omers and the industry. (Sprint Nextel Corporation, 2013). Stakeholders A stakeholder is defined as a party that has an interest in an enterprise or project. The primary stakeholders in a typical corporation are its investors, employees, customers and suppliers. However, modern theory goes beyond this conventional notion to embrace additional stakeholders such as the community, government and trade associations. (www. investopidia. com, 2013).Going forward in the discussion let’s take a look on Sprints Internal and External stakeholders. External Stakeholders Sprint engages a broad range of Non Government Organizations (NGOs) that have experience on specific issues such as green electronics, paper certification, e-waste, human rights and scope 3-emissions measurement. Each Corporate Responsibility working committee seeks to establish relationships with one to three NGOs and/or investor stakeholders for dialog on the related issue as well as strategy, proposed policy, measurem ent and reporting.These relationships have been invaluable and have resulted in more knowledgeable team members on the working committees and stronger, more comprehensive policies that incorporate the perspective of stakeholder partners. (Sprint Nextel Corporation, 2013). Internal Stakeholders Sprint uses a multi-tier Corporate Responsibility (CR) Governance Model that effectively incorporates all levels of the employees, ensures tight linkage with their operations and strategy, and drives accountability for performance against their CR operating priorities and long-term goals.The structure includes the CR Steering Committee, chaired by CEO Dan Hesse; the CR Leadership Committee, chaired by Ralph Reid, vice president of Corporate Responsibility; an External CR Stakeholder Panel; CR working committees; and a CR scorecard. The CR Steering Committee provides periodic updates to the Sprint Board of Directors about Sprint's ongoing efforts in the area of social responsibility and environ mental sustainability. (Sprint Nextel Corporation, 2013). SWOT Analysis Strength One of Sprint strengths is their Average Revenue Per Unit (ARPU).The company has the higher ARPU within the three largest telecommunication companies in the U. S. An advantage of 2. 6% and 2. 1% increase over AT and Verizon’s ARPUs respectively, from 2010 to 2011, put Sprint finishing the 2011 fiscal year with a $57. 3 ARPU. These results came with new strategic plans implemented to acquire the rights to offer the Apple’s iconic models of smart phones the well known Iphones. Also in the postpaid, by the second quarter of 2012 ARPU increased to $63. 4 thanks to a $10 premium data add on charge established to all smart phones.The increase has been registered as the best ever Sprint platform postpaid ARPU as well as the best record for any major wireless company in the U. S. (â€Å"Company Profile Sprint Nextel Corporation,† 2012) Weakness Churn rates are one of the Sprint weaknesses. These rates are the percentage of subscribers to the services that discontinue their subscription in a given time period. (Investopedia, 2013). Sprint being a significant company in the U. S. wireless communications market ended in 2011 with 55 million wireless subscribers of which 33 million are postpaid and 14. million are prepaid subscribers and 7. 2 million are wholesale and affiliates subscribers. (â€Å"Company Profile Sprint Nextel Corporation,† 2012). During four straight years (2008-2011) Sprint lost about 8. 6 million postpaid subscribers while AT and Verizon took advantage and increased their respective subscriber based. Churn rates for Sprint where 0. 48% over AT and in comparison with Verizon came up to 0. 59% over by 2011 fiscal year. This represents to investors and public that there are some issues with services, devices or networks that make them difficult to retain customers. â€Å"Company Profile Sprint Nextel Corporation,† 2012) Oportunity In this i ndustry there is always a need to improve coverage, data speeds, voice quality and to find the most efficient way of doing that. Sprint has a plan of implementing a network called Sprint Vision. This modern network will have the flexibility to manage multiple technologies in just one network. One of the primary causes for Sprints lack of growth is precisely the operation of two different networks, the formerly Sprints network and the Nextel’s IDEN network.This plan will integrate this two network technologies into one low operating cost network with more efficient ways of delivering what customers expect. (â€Å"Company Profile Sprint Nextel Corporation,† 2012) Threat In the last couple of years we have seen smartphones are made with more technology and features. These technologies make them more expensive to companies and customers. Most telecommunications companies subsidies the cost of this devices in order to make them more affordable to consumers who subscribes to their services.This is considerate a threat for Sprint because it could put at risk the balance of growth and profitability. For example, during 2011 Iphones penetration and other new devices helped Sprints revenue to increase 8% or $208 millions in comparison to 2010 fiscal year. In the mean time during the same time period equipment subsidies increased 16% or $1. 1 billion. (â€Å"Company Profile Sprint Nextel Corporation,† 2010) Conclusion After 114 years of history, Sprint has proven to be an innovative company and a leader in the telecommunications industry.It is a company with corporate responsibility compromise that conducts businesses in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. It’s based on the premise that a company is much more than the products and services it sells. (Sprint Nextel Corporation, 2013). Sprint has great possibilities to succeed in today’s market environment and increase their profitability. By using what they have learned fr om his strengths, they can set the phase to reach their goals. When we looked at the Average Revenue Per Unit they have been making, it can be established that Sprint can be more profitable than its competitors.If it can be done once it can be done every time. Even though, Churn rates weaknesses Sprint credibility to maintain its subscribers, during 2012, Sprint reported the lowest churn rates ever at 1. 7%. (Sprint Nextel Corporation, 2013). Customer service experience has increased also to best ever levels. Also the line of devices like the Iphone is helping to keep customers happy and loyal. (Sprint Nextel Corporation, 2013). Sprint Vision network will help to . reduce cost of operations of the company and will provide customers with better services.Customers should be happier and more satisfied with Sprint products and services. Profitability will also be less affected by devices subsidies since network operations will be more cost efficient. After analyzing all the information gathered, it look that might be a bright future for Sprint Nextel Corporation. References Company Profile Sprint Nextel Corporation. (2012, August 10). MarketLine, 24-29. doi:8613378D-5CF0-49B7-93F8-346EE511D261 Sprint Nextel Corporation (2013). History. Retrieved from http://www. sprint. com/companyinfo/history/ Sprint Nextel Corporation. (2013). Corporate Responsibility GovernanceModel. Retrieved from http://www. sprint. com/responsibility/approach/cr-governance. html www. alacrastore. com. (2013, January). Sprint Nextel Corporation (S) – Financial and Strategic SWOT Analysis Review. Retrieved from http://www. alacrastore. com/storecontent/GlobalData_Company_Reports-Sprint_Nextel_Corporation_S_Financial_and_Strategic_SWOT_Analysis_Review-2087-25542 Investopedia. (2013). Stakeholder. Retrieved from http://www. investopedia. com/terms/s/stakeholder Investopedia. (2013). Churn Rates. Retrieved from http://www. investopedia. com/terms/c/churnrate. asp#axzz2KsiBeGpW

My Body Essay

When I face in front of the mirror, I can see a woman with short hair, round eyes, pale lips, and with an average height, â€Å"that† is my body. When I do things like brushing my teeth, eating dinner, walking, writing homework, sitting, and etc, â€Å"which† is what I am, I am a human because of what my body can do. But who or what am I? As simply as it sounds, it’ll take time to internalize and answer this question. People would start to think from the simplest to complex things and varying answers would come and go. Without looking in front of the mirror, without thinking the things that I can do, without thinking of what others might answer, but with my perception, experiences, and surroundings to answer the question – Who or what am I? Well, I have answers. With my body as a basis, I know that I am Marjerie Valencia Hamili, 19 years of age, residing at Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City since 1995, the seventh child, fourth daughter of my mother and father, studying at Western Mindanao State University, taking up Bachelor of Science in Biology. With my answer above, it seems like there is something lacking like a missing puzzle piece. With my intimate relation of myself to my body, I have also a spirit, which gives me the ability to control and claim my body in which Gabriel Marcel stated in his Second Reflection. With this body, I am able to interact with other people like having new friends and sharing experiences together. I am also able to participate in the events that have been happening like family gatherings, celebrating holidays, and even supporting organizations. I am also able to see and appreciate God’s creation with my own two naked eyes. With this body, I am able to express myself to the other people. I can say what I feel inside of me. I may also show it along with my gestures. With all the experiences of my body and my soul, it formed me to become the ‘me’ of today.

Political Parties in the American Revolution

By the beginning of American Revolution, the 13 Colonies already had a profound experience of own political living. Such brilliant personalities as Benjamin Franklin, Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams and Thomas Paine, later becoming Founding Fathers of a new nation were known as original philosophers, lawyers and politicians   far behind the Colonies. Each of them, naturally, had his own idea of principles, upon which a State should be grounded and this lead to many years of debate, in which modern American political system was born. Most of them were followed by groups of supporters, who formed that, what later became fractions and political parties. In this paper I will investigate the origins of political parties in American Revolution and how their political concepts have been influenced by the views of their founders. The first matter, which has been debated by political fractions regarded the most basic question: whether to struggle for independence or not. On this grounds the colonists separated themselves into the Revolutionists (Patriots), the Loyalists and the Neutrals. Patriots included a wide range of social groups, united by the idea of independence. The minority, estimated about 15-25% of the population kept supporting the British rule[1]. They were typically older, than the Revolutionists and were known for their conservatism, as well as recent immigrants from Great Britain. After American victory in the War of Independence, some of the Loyalists moved to the neighboring British colonies of Quebec or Nova Scotia. However, Patriots and Loyalists can not be yet called â€Å"real† parties. Associated essay: What Led to the Rise of Political Parties in the 1790s Essay The first separation of the Founders themselves to distinct groups, struggling against one another, has happened at the ratification of the Constitution. The basic division was into Federalists and Anti-Federalists. Articles of Confederation were signed separately by representatives of each State and initially nothing, but a broad confederation of independent states was meant as a form of state structure for the USA. However, the most influential Founding Fathers, including military leaders, such as George Washington and politicians, such as Franklin, quickly came to understanding, that confederacies is a too weak form of state system, which would likely lead to further conflicts between separate states. After Shays' Rebellion Washington came to understand, that the Government can not be effective under Articles of confederation. Those could not satisfy their demands, and the federalists believed, that a new document, specifying basic grounds for a State must have been introduced. So, the Federalists started advocating a closer union with stronger powers of central government. And these were the Federalists, who proposed a project of the Constitution. To gain public support the Federalists issued that, what is now known as â€Å"Federalist Papers† and has been actually called simply â€Å"Federalist†. The writing included a series of 85 articles in support of Federalism with philosophic, politic and legal explanation of it’s benefits, authored by Madison, Hamilton, Burr and John Jay[2]. The Anti-Federalists included much less known representatives of lower classes, fearful, that stronger government would lead to hegemony of rich plantation owners and wealthy people. They pointed, that Articles of Confederation was a sufficient and effective document and the Constitution was simply unnecessary and dangerous for principles, upon which the American Revolution has been grounded. Under their opinion, that centralization would lead to abolition of freedom and corruption. Notably, Patrick Henry opposed the Constitution in his speeches, accusing Federalists of intention to make President an actual King. As he noted: â€Å"The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government — lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.†[3] Anti-federalists also strongly opposed the idea of Federal Court, declaring, that it will turn into a body of oppression and make local governments dependant on the will of the centre. Same as Federalists, the Anti-federalists tried to influence public opinion by their articles, issued under pseudonyms such as Brutus or Federal Farmer. Contemporary historicists gathered them into a collection, sometimes referred as â€Å"Anti-Federalist Papers†. Opposition appeared to be so strong, that in North Carolina and Rhode Island it managed to take over the public opinion and block ratification of the Constitution. Only the establishment of new governments allowed to adopt Constitution in those states. However, the opposition has not put up with the victory of Federalists, and their massive protests, led by Judge William West almost resulted in a civil conflict[4]. However, victory was on the side of Federalists, to a great extent due to Washington’s authority. As the first President said: â€Å"Constitution is a guide, to which I never will abandon† After weeks of fierce debate an accord, known as â€Å"Massachusetts compromise† has been signed between Federalists and Anti-Federalists and a recommendation has been included to the Constitution, that it must have been amended by a Bill of Rights. As the Constitution has been passed and became operative, both movements were so exhausted, that they started to decay. A new wave of Federalism emerged, based on the based policies of Alexander Hamilton, who stressed the necessity of strong national government and protectionist economy. Together with his allies Hamilton organized a national Federalist Party, which lead John Adams to be elected President. Nevertheless, with defeat of Adams at elections in 1800, the second Federalist party also felt into disfavor, until it took exit in 1821. The Anti-Federalists continued to advocate strict-constructionism and popular rights and was finally transformed into the Democratic-Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson[5]. The adoption of Constitution and early political of America has been characterized by sharp discussion and struggle of opinions. From the historic perspective, it is impossible to say, that Federalists were winners and Anti-Federalists were losers. Both parties made an outstanding contribution to the legal base of the USA – the Federalists by the Constitution, and the Anti-Federalists by the Bill of Rights. Therefore, it is possible to speac of normal democratic process, where every opinion is taken into account. SOURCES USED 1. Howard Zinn, A People's History of the United States: 1492-Present, Harper Perennial (Reprint edition), 2003 2. T. H. Breen, George M. Fredrickson, and R. Hal Williams, America, Past and Present, vol. 1 (until 1865), 8 ed. Longman, 2006 [1] Howard Zinn, A People's History of the United States: 1492-Present, Harper Perennial (Reprint edition), 2003, p.-243 [2] T. H. Breen, George M. Fredrickson, and R. Hal Williams, America, Past and Present, vol. 1 (until 1865), 8 ed. Longman, 2006, p.-190 [3] Howard Zinn, Ibid, p. 246 [4] T. H. Breen, Ibid, p. 201 [5] Supra Note, 203

Decomposition Framework for Financial Analysis. Kforce Inc. and Morson Essay

Decomposition Framework for Financial Analysis. Kforce Inc. and Morson Group Plc - Essay Example Moreover, the investors needed to determine the underlying value of these investments in order to make sure that prices are rightly placed before making any decision related to purchase. These investors are generally called as rational investors who conduct analytical studies before making any decision related to investments. In this regard, the security valuation and financial statement have become very important. Financial analyses are those financial tactics and methods which help in comparing and evaluating the different investment opportunities such as projects and firms, to ensure and evaluate that the available opportunities are appropriate for making investments. Generally, the procedure of conducting financial analysis is based upon the past performance of a firm. The historical data is then used to evaluate the future performance of the company; therefore it is not at all necessary that evaluations are 100% accurate. Financial analysts usually obtain data from a variety of sources available, including income statements, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Through these financial statements, analysts determine the ability of a firm to meet its liabilities and obligations, stability of a firm, level of profitability and liquidity and then compare them with their competitors in order to provide insights into the firm’s position as compared to the industry or its competitors. In balance sheet, the underlying financial position of of a company is present. The three main categories of which balance sheet is comprised include: assets, which demonstrate the long term and current investments of a firm through which revenues are expected to be generated; liabilities depict the long term and short term claims that stakeholders have; and equity which demonstrates the claim of the owners. This paper aims to analyze a U.K company, namely Morson Group PLC, in comparison with a U.S based firm known as Kforce Inc. The analytical methods utilized in this paper for analysis include: common-size analysis, trend analysis and profitability analysis. Understanding the Industry Companies which want to improve their performance need to provide training to their staff in recruitment centers. Leaders also get training so as to motivate their workers and working with efficient employees. A real competition among organizations has taken place nowadays. Every other company is st riving hard to develop the skills of its employees. In this regard, a lot of training and development programs are being established every other day. Subsequently, a new type of competition between employees and management has also taken place. For this reason, companies are looking for recruitment companies so as to develop the special needs of their staff. Recruitment companies play a vital role in improving the facilities and skills of employees. Moreover, they are also looking to maximize their profits. Therefore, they provide best possible offers, contracts, training and development programs through professional lecturers and trainers so as to improve their own credibility. In addition to that, they also offer some special contracts including free contract for more employees, discounts for contracts having longer tenure etc. KforceInc – U.S based firm KforceInc provides professional and technical services specially for staffing companies. This company is primarily based upon four departments which include: Government Solution (GS), Technology (Tech), Health and Life Sciences and Finance and Accounting (FA). The two activities of Tech and FA are delivered in the specific regions of North, Atlantic and Western markets. Morson Group

Indigenous Studies Article Summary & Analysis Essay - 1

Indigenous Studies Article Summary & Analysis - Essay Example Likewise, it clarifies how the marginalized groups keep on agitating for legitimacy and political acknowledgment as a way towards liberation1. Borrow tries to bring out the courts definition of indigenous rights, and it is to my consent that its definition is based on distinctive cultures of indigenous communities as they existed in the old days. Additionally, I note that he recognizes indigenous rights as being founded on continued recognition of the customs and the laws of the indigenous people. Borrow has additionally highlighted the subject of the rule of law. I agree with his writing that oppression of the indigenous communities can be prevented through the continuous application of the rule of law. Based on indigenous communities, affirmation of the Crown Sovereignty has been the main cause of disruptions and chaos. He views the rule of law as a supreme ideal that can be realized if unbiased and non-arbitrary approach to legitimacy of Crown sovereignty is put into practice. I find that Crown Sovereignty is the foundation for the establishment of the colonial supremacy which led to things such as peace, stability and order to colonial settlers2. In the meantime, colonial supremacy brought about disturbance to the colonized. Borrow sees the rule of law as subject to sovereign power that is characterized by its monopoly nature of power. It is from his book that I figure out that since there was and is no foundation for the attestation of colonial sovereignty, there emerged ill-use of power that demeaned the value of the rule of law. The book also helps me to identify several cases where indigenous law has failed to be recognized. Historically, native law and interests have been alleged as a problem to the Crown law that is dominant in Canada. This line of thinking has aided me to note the disappointment of recognition of Indigenous law and interests, which, has thus, brought about the legitimate, political, social and economic

Afterschool programs for kids in saudi arabia Essay

Afterschool programs for kids in saudi arabia - Essay Example While education is developing in Saudi Arabia, kids still don’t have the programs that can help them discover their potential skills and talents. Most kids waste their time during after school time either watching TV or playing video games at home. Having an after school program would be a very positive addition learning in Saudi Arabia. The concept of after school programs is not well developed in Saudi Arabia with very few programs available in the kingdom. According to Hirsch (year), After school programs have shown results of improved â€Å"homework completion, better test scores, higher grades, and even better psychological development of the student†. This is the main project that I will pursue as soon as I get back home. I am going back to Saudi Arabia in July 2012. My project will commence as an after school program by September 2013. In the USA, after school programs have seen a tremendous growth in the recent decade. According to an estimate by Afterschool Alliance (2009), â€Å"at least 6 million ( eleven percent) of school-age youth regularly participated in after-school programs during School Year 2002-2003†. The numbers of after school programs participants have increased lately with about 8.4 million K†12 children (roughly fifteen-percent) attending afterschool Programs by 2009 (Afterschool Alliance, 2009). There are a many good reasons why parents want their children to attend after-school programs. Primarily, Carver and Iruka (2006) believe that these programs â€Å"provide diverse services such as academic instruction, cultural enrichment, safe places to stay, and adult supervision for children â€Å". ... TASC created a model for daily after-school programs that community organizations operate in partnership with schools, offering kids sports, arts, academic help and support for their healthy social and emotional development. TASC is dedicated to reversing that inequality and giving every student a fighting chance to succeed. Knowing that most US kids spend eighty-percent of their waking hours outside the school, TASC became determined to fill that gap with a useful activity. Since its establishment, TASC has helped 376,000 New York City kids, supported 486 New York City public schools, partnered with 328 community and cultural organizations and colleges and trained 16,000 community members to work in schools (TAC Annual Report). Education in Saudi Arabia From the time of its foundation in 1932 until now, Saudi Arabia has made tremendous progress in the field of education. In 1925, King Abdulaziz (in his capacity as the King of Najd and Hejaz – before the establishment of the K ingdom of Saudi Arabia) established â€Å"the Directorate of Education," the first formally organized educational center under the Ministry of the Interior because there was not enough qualified and educated people to establish an education department that represented what’s now known as the Ministry of Education. During its early years, Saudi Arabia made use of Egyptian assistance; however, not only as an aid for teaching by providing both the manpower as well as the knowhow . Furthermore, it has also helped subsidize the curriculum and organize the Saudi educational system. At that time, the Egyptian educational system was based on the English model; hence, it was but natural to also adopt the same educational model in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia’s first public school was

Career management in business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Career management in business - Essay Example These consequently affect the performance of an organization. These contracts are in a moment of transition. In this way, organizational relationships are turning into transactional contracts. In transitional contract, security of assets is ensured by creating safe returns from uncertain returns. There are examples of these contracts which include intermediaries offer insurance to their customers. Others include commercial paper markets working together with intermediaries likened to money market mutual funds. These changes in relationships have interfered with labour market within organization. Understanding intrapersonal and interpersonal relationships in organizations affects the means through which career management can be understood. It will influence individual career management and organizational career management (Kase and Zupan, 2007, 16-17; Gorton and Pennachi, 1988, 1-3). According to Adekola (2011, p100), a career is a lifelong process that constitute of a pattern of unde rtakings and related perspectives or conducts that happen in the life of a person as long as they are working. It is also perceived as a sequence of experiences during work, such as work related decisions; job positions, duties, and work related events as interpreted subjectively by individuals, for example, values, aspirations, things hope for, needs and feelings work that prevail within the time an individual is working. The plan and execution of organizational processes that facilitate the careers to be intended and controlled in a way that satisfies completely both the what a person prefers as per their capabilities and they are also designed to meet requirement of an organization (Yahya, Othman and Meruda 2004, p75). With the changing nature of work, it has become important for individuals and organisations to manage their careers. This is because every individual is expected to produce results that are meeting the needs of the organization. The realisation that effective usage of skills and knowledge can cause a great improvement in performance has caused many people and organisations to device ways to manage human capital. Career management is a continuous process that involves preparation, development, implementation, and tracking career plans and means to achieve career goals. Career management can be done by an individual or by an organisation. Individual Career Management (ICM) is done personally and it involves data collection about how to solve emerging challenges of the work and plans to develop their career. In this kind of career management, a person is responsible for decision making affecting their career development (Dargham, 2011, p4). Organizational Career Management implies effort an organisation put to improve the quality of life of an individual who is an employee. It involves policies, activities and programmes that are put in place to ensure that an organisation or employers facilitate the development strategies and designs of their e mployees’ careers (Adekola, 2011, p102). Career management requires analysis of the changing trends of jobs and careers in the present time. Both the organization and individual should carry out an analysis of the strengths and weaknesses they have so that they can focus on development (GMP, Not dated, p1-3). In the past, organizations could ensure job security even with changing environment. In the current days because of the competitive nature of the external market,

Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists Assignment

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Discussion Board 1-2 Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words - 1

Discussion Board 1-2 - Research Paper Example h a 2005 estimate showing more than 32 million Americans suffer addiction disorders (excluding tobacco addiction), more studies have become necessary (James & Gilliland, 2005). Over the years, public policies, especially those regarding alcoholic beverages established that the problem with alcohol use lies in the abuser and not the beverage. Although this stand shaped policies that either legalized or illegalized certain beverages, it also called for specialized ways to explain the etiology of addiction. However, none addressed the entire field of addiction comprehensively, neither were they dismissed as being incorrect. Therefore, experts in the field had to come up with more than one etiology, which served the mutual role of complementing each other. To that end, they came up with etiologies that attempted to explain addiction from various perspectives including moral, socio-cultural, psychological, disease and family. The most significant reason for having more than one etiology is for a wider and better understanding of addiction in an attempt to make plans in diagnosis and treatment as effective as possible. The scope of addiction itself is too wide f or a single etiology, with each aspect calling for its own kind of

Literature review Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Literature review - Assignment Example Students that learn English as a foreign language naturally come from countries where English is not the native tongue that is spoken. These countries often speak other languages and therefore have cultures that are diverse and different from the basic English culture. But as students of the English language, can their understanding of it be complete without a proper cultural understanding? And if not, how much culture do they need to be functionally taught, and more so, in what manner? The conflict over the syllabus design used to teach English as a foreign language is divided over one basic difference. Some writers argue that the target language's culture should be incorporated into the syllabus, while others argue that culture may be incorporated into the learning process, but through additional activities, not necessarily as an integral part of the syllabus design itself. To investigate the debate, it is first necessary to explain what culture in terms of languages actually is. I n fact it is this definition, and thereby the methods of incorporating it, where the debate arises from. The four integral part of learning any foreign language, English naturally being no exception, are listening, speaking, reading and writing. Grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure and other such sub-clauses are divided across all four categories, with each category playing its part in teaching each sub-category. Culture is considered the fifth skill. But should this skill be taught independently of all other skills, or should all four incorporate culture into themselves? Those such as that support incorporating culture into English as foreign language curriculum support that culture is an integral part of any language: so much as to say that language is basically verbal depiction of a particular culture (Damen, 1997). To simply learn the vocabulary and grammar of a language does not necessarily enable one to be able to use that language (Vernier et all, 2005). Furthermore, accor ding to According to Brown (2000), the basic purpose behind learning a language is to be able to communicate effectively, and that arises not only from studying a language, but also from fluency and accuracy in a particular context, outside of a classroom setting. So much so, that it is not something that can be taught independently but rather it should be the core of all other lessons (Kramsch, 1993). The basic methodology adopted when teaching was that of Segregated-Skill Instruction (SSI) where each skill, reading, writing, speaking or listening, was independently taught, with specific emphasis on the clauses and specifics of each, in technical terms, rather than actually teach how the skills would be used in a practical situation (Brown, 2000). But over the decades, this is being seen as an obsolete system of teaching and instructors are looking to move towards Intergrated-Skill Instruction (ISI). ISI is further divided into two sub-schools of thought, Content-Based Language Ins truction (CBLI) and Task-Based Instruction (TBI). The former is when the lanugage itself is not the focus of interest, but rather just a medium through which other content is explained (Brinton, Snow & Wesche, 1989). Whether this is a successful approach is debated however, but Oxford (2001) states that if the content is at a level directly proportional to the skill of the learners, then it

Global Poverty, Development, and Global Processes Uganda Essay Example for Free

Global Poverty, Development, and Global Processes Uganda Essay It was British Prime Minister Winston Churchill who conceived the term â€Å"Pearl of Africa† pertaining to the small country teeming with magnificent scenery, wildlife, and friendly people. Uganda was really beautiful, until war tore it apart and left it in the clutches of poverty and underdevelopment. Uganda is a country in East Africa surrounded by other countries, making it a landlocked country. Its borders include Kenya on the east, Sudan on the north, the Democratic Republic of Congo on the west, Rwanda on the southwest, and Tanzania on the south. The name â€Å"Pearl of Africa† may have been based on the fact that it is at the center of different countries and it had great wildlife and natural resources, as well as a very welcoming people. With all the good qualities Uganda possessed at that time, Winston Churchill was merely stating the obvious in saying that it was Africa’s pearl. At the time when Uganda was given the â€Å"pearl† recognition, the country was really a picture of abundance in terms of natural treasures. It was considered to be one of the most bio-diverse countries in the African continent (Kasirye, 2005). It was blessed with jungle rainforests, boasting of more than a thousand species of birds, as well as other types of wildlife including mountain gorillas, chimpanzees, and other primates. It also has a site being passed by the Nile River, giving life to various animals and people inhabiting near the waters. Its diverse environment includes snow-capped glacier peaks, healthy and surviving rainforests, and a lot of wildlife all of which are great ecological importance to the people. At present, it is hard to say that Uganda still is the pearl of Africa because a lot has changed, following Churchill’s visit, when he gave Uganda its moniker. It wasn’t only the physical characteristics that changed in Uganda but also its people. This aspect is really crucial because it is what defines a country, and the changes that took place in Uganda may have long-term effect on the country and its people. Uganda may still have teeming wildlife and abundant natural resources, but in the present time, this may not be enough for it to be considered the pearl again. The changes that happened were really formative, affecting people’s prejudices and biases, thus affecting their decisions and activities. It was a common in Uganda’s politics to see one president getting overthrown by another. Most of their changes in leadership back in those days were results of drastic measures like coups and counter-coups. It was during the rule of Idi Amin when Uganda saw a really big change. It was not on the positive aspect though. Amin ruled over Uganda alongside the military, so anything that crosses his path would have to be illuminated. Many Ugandans died, while some were forced to flee to nearby countries. The Indian minorities which served as a backbone of their economy were driven away, causing a great fall in the country’s economy. Idi Amin tried to make his decade-long stay in power worthwhile by passing stricter laws to regulate the people and maintaining peace in the country (Short, 1971). His cruel means wouldn’t go unchecked when the neighboring Tanzania invaded Uganda with the help of Ugandan exiles. The Uganda-Tanzania war overturned the whole country, all in order to remove Amin from his position. His rule ended in 1979, replaced by another person that would also be removed shortly after (Fallers, 1955). After a series of coups and wars, the abundant resources that gained Uganda the titular â€Å"pearl of Africa† seemed to be getting smaller and smaller. It is true that the country is still teeming with wildlife, but the problem is that Uganda is running out of space to house that wildlife and its people. Uganda’s people aren’t just expanding in numbers but also expanding in expectations (Myers, 1971). After the problematic years of wars and settling political differences between leaders, they seem to be facing a problem of a different level, something that can’t be easily solved by taking arms and fighting one another. Uganda has a land area of less than 200,000 sq km, about twice the size of Pennsylvania. However, Uganda’s population of more than 30 million is ten times more than that of the said state. Now, we can no longer say that Uganda is still the pearl of Africa. Even though it has the resources and wildlife to boast, it’s still not enough to support the consumption of its population. It would have stood out if it could cater to the needs of the people of Uganda along with being a global wildlife landmark. But the predicament it is on right now is more of a pressing concern than maintaining its position as the pearl of Africa. Many people are cramped up in a small country, so it is expected that there would be a shortage of space and opportunities for the people. Uganda is more of a dead fish right now, instead of being the pearl of Africa. It tries to survive with the international aid from other countries, but still the problem continues. The population continues to grow, the number of moths to feed increases, the number of food and space available continue to shrink. In a nutshell, Uganda is suffering and is barely able to support its people. If these events continue, then the future would be vague for country. One problem that was worsened by wars and political unrest in Uganda was the HIV/AIDS pandemic, which was evident not only in the country, but all throughout the continent of Africa (Hooper, 1987). Sexual abuses brought about by war worsened this problem, as it spread throughout the country, affecting 20% of the population back in the early decades. It easily spread throughout the country because it was left unchecked, with political leaders more concerned about their positions instead of focusing on the welfare of the people. Coupled with poverty and overpopulation, HIV/AIDS easily spread throughout the population. It is common to expect this kind of problem in countries like Uganda. With political unrest, leaders give little interest to the things that really matter to the populace. There is insufficient funding for the efforts to solve the problem; worse, there could be no efforts at all in solving this kind of situation. Less developed countries like Uganda have very limited funds, and they’re often spent on things that won’t do the people any good. These funds would also be subject to the corruption of the political leaders, so only a small portion of the small budget would be appropriated for large scale problems like spread of diseases. On a lighter note, when the government of Uganda settled after the war and political unrest was resolved, the HIV/AIDS problem was given proper attention. Uganda’s HIV/AIDS problem was a success story because they were able to reduce the prevalence of the disease from almost 20% in the 1990s to just 5% in 2002. Well, compared with other countries, it is still high, especially with a population of 30 million. But the degree of the problem was greatly reduced, proving that it is not too late for Uganda. If they’re able to solve one problem, it is likely that they can solve more. Another matter of concern for Uganda is education. With the increasing number of population, more and more people are not able to go to school, both because of poverty and the lack of educational facilities. Consequently, the decline in the quality of education available for the people is hurting Uganda, as it causes them additional financial constraints. Education provides the people a chance to land a stable, good paying job, and for the government, this means efficient taxation. But with people unable to get good jobs or at least any job, then they would be a great blow to Uganda financially. The education problem is prevalent not only in Uganda but also to other parts of the world. It goes along with poverty, since poor families wouldn’t really be able to send their children to school. Instead of paying for education, they’d rather use whatever money they have to put food on their plate. The children are also expected to work to earn additional income for the family, instead of attending school. With the sheer number of Uganda’s people, the schools get filled easily. Even if a student is willing and able to go to school, if there is no school available, then they have no other choice but to do other things. Because of the wasted opportunities and financial constraints brought about by Uganda’s education situation, the government exerted more effort to finance education in the country. One set-up that they focused on was the introduction of student loans for the higher education in Uganda (Kajubi, 1992). Through this way, students would be encouraged to finish their studies even if they don’t have the money. Those who would be able to finish their studies with the help of these loans would be able to land better jobs or work for the government, and that would be the time for them to pay their loans. Currently, government efforts to solve education problems are just being executed. The short run effects aren’t really obvious, but the long run outcomes are the ones being anticipated. Focusing on education problems would hopefully solve their problems, though it would take some time to really see some concrete effects of their efforts. But still, there are a lot of children who are unable to go to schools, so the government still has to intensify their efforts to solve the problem of education in the country. There are also government efforts to revive Uganda’s title â€Å"pearl of Africa†. Promotion of the country is being done through websites and magazines, featuring Uganda’s nature spots and rich wildlife (Africapoint. com, 2008). Through these campaigns, Uganda is again being promoted as a tourist spot, just like what Winston Churchill did a few decades ago. With the help of contemporary mass media, people from different parts of the world learn about Uganda, and hopefully, attract them to come and visit. Tourism offers a source of income for the people, which could in turn help them with their daily needs. Uganda is a good example of how political mismanagement, wars, and other factors affect the development of a country. Uganda is not an isolated case. A lot of other countries experience the same situations as that of Uganda. But that shouldn’t stop them from desiring to improve and develop. Despite the constraints experienced by Uganda because of wars and political unrest, they are slowly recovering, with the help of the international community. More and more projects are pushed through, all for the improvement of the country and its people. Its global connections are really a big help, and hopefully, it would continue to benefit Uganda, so that they would again deserve to be called the Pearl of Africa. References: Africapoint. com. (2008). Uganda – The Pearl of Africa Glows Again. Retrieved April 1, 2009, from http://72. 14. 235. 132/search? q=cache:OqX1jq7MkQQJ:www. africapoint. com/downloads/Uganda-Tour. pdf+pearl+of+africacd=5hl=tlct=clnkgl=ph Fallers, L. (1955). The Predicament of the Modern African Chief: An Instance from Uganda. American Anthropologist, Vol. 57(No. 2). Hooper, E. (1987). AIDS in Uganda. African Affairs, Vol. 86(No. 345). Kajubi, W. S. (1992). Financing of Higher Education in Uganda. Higher Education, Vol. 23(No. 4). Kasirye, V. (2005). Uganda the Pearl of Africa. Retrieved April 1, 2009, from http://72. 14. 235. 132/search? q=cache:55WX2tzvlaYJ:www. worldharvestmission. org/Uganda_Report. pdf+pearl+of+africacd=10hl=tlct=clnkgl=ph Myers, N. (1971). Wildlife and Development in Uganda. BioScience, Vol. 21(No. 21). Short, P. (1971). Amins Uganda. Transition(No. 40).

Existentialism is Humanism Essay Example for Free

Existentialism is Humanism Essay The assumption by Sartre that existence precedes essence takes back the traditional thinking of philosophers about essence and existence. In general they thought that essence precedes existence in certain ways. Sartre posits that they are right to some extent. When he observes that â€Å"Existence precedes essence† he does not mean that this is always the case, but rather that sometimes it is so. This can be explained using his example in the essay about the â€Å"paper knife†. In this case of the paper knife, Sartre argues that essence precedes existence, â€Å"that is to say the sum of the procedures and the qualities which made its production and its definition possible – precedes its existence† (Sartre 1946). Essence is the expression created when something is given a definition. Essence sets the limits of an object and provides the basic properties of a thing; that is what it has or what it doesn’t have in order to serve its purpose of existence. In this case, essence precedes existence in the logic that before a designer manufactured the knife there was some plan for it that existed in his or her mind. This plan is the essence (Sartre 1943). Therefore when Sartre says that essence precedes existence in this case he is simply recognizing the fact that the knife was premeditated first and later on it was produced. This means the plan to produce the knife was there first and later it was produced following that plan. From this example it is easy to track down the general principle that Sartre is trying to bring out. First for all manufactured objects or articles, essence precedes existence. Since God lives and as he is thought to be the creator of the whole world then it follows that the whole world and everything in it can be assumed to be an artifact. God was the master planner and He created everything according to His plan. God, when He creates man he uses the same procedure just as the manufacture of the paper knife since when he creates he knows what he is creating. The idea of God was suppressed in the 18th century but the idea of essence preceding existence was universally accepted in the philosophies of Diderot, Voltaire and Kant. Sartre observes that â€Å"In Kant, this universality goes so far that the wild man of the woods, man in the state of nature and the bourgeois are all contained in the same definition and have the same fundamental qualities. Here again, the essence of man precedes that historic existence which we confront in experience† (Sartre 1946). From this analysis we get to the next step. If God lives this means essence comes first for everything that is in world. There is a traditional explanation of this divine plan generally referred to as Providence in theological circles. It refers to the plan that God worked in advance before he created the universe and humanity. But this plan is not just for the whole because He has also premeditated all the details since he is an all knowing God. This means we do not have the human nature in general to set boundaries on what we can do or what we cannot do. In addition there is also a divine plan for individuals. For example Socrates has his own essence that confines him within the universal plan of human nature (Zunjic 2010). Being an atheist, Sartre observes that if God does not exists then there is one being whose existence comes before its essence and that is man or human reality as Heidegger puts it. When he says existence precedes essence Sartre provide the meaning by saying that â€Å" this means that man first exists, he encounters himself, goes into the world and later on discovers or defines himself. When the man is not definable as the existentialist sees him it is because to start with, man is nothing† (Sartre 1946). Man will not be anything until some times later and then he will be what he makes himself to be at the end. In other words man is responsible for his actions if existence preceded essence. â€Å"Therefore existentialism puts place every responsibility for his existence on his shoulders. This means man is not only responsible for himself but also for all men† (Sartre 1946). Sartre observation that people must create themselves and give themselves meaning meant that people have to protect themselves instead of calling on God to intervene on their behalf. He saw people as the ones responsible for their politics and individual lives. He refused the notion that the devil was responsible for individual acts or the explanation that one was following God. He also did no accept the excuse of being only human or unloved by ones parents. It was not an excuse to follow the crowd for Sartre. He believed that people create their own moral values through the choices that they make in life. The people are the ones responsible for drawing their plans as to what they will or will not do (Sartre 1943). The philosophers of the traditional forms of humanism thought they could keep this idea of a kind of prior nature without having God in mind. They had in mind an atheist view of nature as well as the notion of an ordered universe where things happened in a predetermined and ordered manner. According to Sartre they were all wrong. This is because if essence precedes existence in general, that is ,if the laws that sets the limits of what things are and what they are able to have been established and determined before the things came into existence, then where would they exist? (Zunjic 2010). These philosophers have connected the concept of existence and essence in such a manner that existence signifies the instantiation of essence. If essence describes what a thing is and existence â€Å"that it is† then it follows that what is reasonable about any particular object and what can be thought about it will fit in its essence. It’s from this kind of thinking that traditional philosophy drew its description for ones way of life. To them having essence meant that people could be placed within the universe that provided the ability for the human development. But Descartes disagreed with this type of thinking preferring a radical first person reflection of his own version of existence the â€Å"I am†. Nevertheless he later on modified the old model by incorporating his existence as that of a substance determined by an essential property â€Å"thinking†. Thus the idea of reality according to Sartre is similar to that of Descartes’, â€Å"I am, I exists, therefore I am; I am because I think, why do I think? I don’t want to think any more; I am because I think that I don’t want to be. † (Existentialism Is Humanism. 2010). In summary when Sartre says that existence precede essence he means that man first exists, he encounters himself, goes into the world and later on discovers or defines himself. When the man is not definable as the existentialist sees him it is because to start with, man is nothing. He will not be anything until some times later and then he will be what he makes himself to be at the end. Traditional views give priority to essence and high values for its features whereas Sartre gives priority to existence with its positive reevaluation of its contingency and temporality. With this reversed view Sartre believed we can give full tribute to man and his self creative capabilities. References Existentialism Is Humanism. (2010). In Encyclopedia Britannica. Retrieved May 17, 2010, from Encyclopedia Britannica Online: http://www. britannica. com/EBchecked/topic/198165/Existentialism-Is-a-Humanism Sartre J. P. (1946), The Humanism of Existentialism. London: World Publishing Company Sartre (1943) Being and Nothingness. London: World Publishing Company Zunjic Bob (2010). The Humanism of Existentialism. Retrieved May 17, 201017th, ,from http://www. uri. edu/personal/szunjic/philos/human. htm

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Positivism

Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Positivism Critical Essay on Positivism with Special Reference to the  Hong Kong Special Administrative Region[S1] Introduction The[S2] word ‘positive’, as used in jurisprudence, is derived from the Latin word positum, meaning â€Å"having been laid down†. Its foundation consists in the pedigree thesis, separability thesis and the discretion thesis[S3]. The positive law school has its main pillars, such as Jeremy Bentham, John Austin, H.L.A Hart, Hans Kelson. This essay will study their views with reference to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR[S4]). 1. The Pedigree Thesis Every society has some form of social order, some way of marking and encouraging approved behaviour, deterring disapproved behaviour, and resolving disputes. The pedigree thesis asserts that legal validity is a function of certain social facts[S5]. 1.1 Bentham and Austin: According to Bentham and Austin[1][S6], law is a phenomenon of societies with a sovereign;: a determinate person or group who have supreme and absolute de facto power. The laws in that society are a subset of the sovereigns commands: general orders that apply to classes of actions and people and that are backed up by threat of force or â€Å"sanction[S7].†. This imperatival theory is positivist, for it identifies the existence of legal systems with patterns of command and obedience that can be ascertained without considering whether the sovereign has a moral right to rule or whether his commands are meritorious. Imperatival theory has two other distinctive features, monism and reductivism. The mMonism: the theory represents all laws as having a single form, imposing obligations on their subjects, though not on the sovereign himself. The Reductivism: the theory on the other hand maintains that the normative language used in describing and stating the law talk of authority, rights, obligations, and so on can all be analyszed[S8] without remainder in non-normative terms, ultimately as concatenations of statements about power and obedience[S9]. Imperatival theory does not accord with the complexities of the present time:. fFor example, in Hong Kong (HK), according to the Basic Law Article 1,[2][S10], HKSAR is an inalienable part of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Under the system of ‘One Country, Two System’, sovereignty of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) belongs to PRC. PRC delegates power (executive, legislative and final adjudication power) to HK through Basic Law (‘commands’). The Basic Law has the feature of being reductivist, as it is concatenations[S11] of statements about power and obedience. Basic Law Article 22 states that Basic Law is not only binding on HK, but also binding on PRC’s institutions (sovereign),[3], therefore it does not haves the feature of monistic[S12]. In addition, the law is not backed up by threat of force or â€Å"sanction† from PRC. HK citizens agree with the Basic Law because they realise[S13] that the law provides various advanta ges to them all, other than by fear. 1.2 Hans Kelsen: Hans Kelsen, as a positivist, presents a normative approach and is concerned with what the law was and not what it ought to be, and sought a science of law free from metaphysical elements (hence a pure theory). In addition, Kelsen retains the imperativalists monism but abandons their reductivism[S14]. On Kelsen’s view, law is characteriszed by a basic form and basic norm. The form of every law is that of a conditional order, directed at the courts, to apply sanctions if a certain behaviour (the â€Å"delict†) is performed. On this view, law is an indirect system of guidance;: it does not tell subjects what to do,; it tells officials what to do to its subjects under certain conditions. In HK, if Cap 210 Theft Ordinance s24 creates an offence of handling stolen goods which has penalties attached to it and the defendant handles stolen goods then the judge ought to apply the appropriate penalty[S15]. For Kelsen, as opposed to Austin, this is not just a case of the official being under a duty, but also having power or discretion in such situation. What we ordinarily regard as the legal duty not to handling stolen goods is for Kelsen merely a logical correlate of the primary norm which stipulates a sanction for handling stolen[S16] goods [4]. For the imperativalists, the unity of a legal system consists in the fact that all its laws are commanded by one sovereign. According to Kelsen[S17], it consists in the fact that they are all links in one chain of authority. For example, a by-law is legally valid because it is created by a corporation lawfully exercising the powers conferred on it by the legislature, which confers those powers in a manner provided by the constitution, which was[S18] itself created in a way provided by an earlier constitution. The very first constitution’s authority, says Kelsen, is â€Å"presupposed.†. Kelsen’s will view is that an HK Ordinance is legally valid because the Basic Law confers members of the Legislative Council[5] and the HK Government[6] the power to propose new legislation,, in the form of bills, which are considered by the Legislative Council for enactment.[7]. The Basic Law confers those powers in a manner provided by the Chinese Constitution Article 31,[8], whi ch was itself created in a way provided by an earlier constitution, Organic Law.[9][S19]. However[S20], it is not easy to identify the basic norm in HK society as Kelsen’s idea of the nature of the basic norm is unclear. Since basic norm does not have a specific content, and since it is primarily presupposed, its role in the validation of the other norms in the hierarchy can be fraught with obscurities. 1.3 H.L.A. Hart If law cannot ultimately be grounded in force, or in law[S21], or in a presupposed norm;, on what does its authority rest? H.L.A. Hart comes up with an answer for the above question,question[S22]; he resembles Kelsens emphasis on the normative foundations of legal systems, but rejects Kelsens view of authority in favour of an empirical one[10]. For Hart, the authority of law is social. The ultimate criterion of validity in a legal system is a social rule that exists only because it is actually practiced. Hart makes use of two types of rule – primary and secondary[S23]. Primary rules are those of obligation, which state what must or must not be done;. tThese are duty-imposing rules. Secondary rules are those of recognition, change and adjudication;. tThey are power-conferring rules designed to supplement the primary rules. The secondary rules affect the operation of the primary rules. People obey the primary rules under the legal system and the administrators of the system woul d also have to accept the rules of change, adjudication and recognition. It is an important feature of Harts account that the rule of recognition is an official custom, and not a standard necessarily shared by the broader community. If the imperativalists picture of the political system was pyramidal power, Harts is more like Webers[S24] rational bureaucracy. In HK, by looking at the legislation, we can identify many ordinances as primary rules. Examples are to be found from Cap 200 Crimes Ordinance and Cap 210 Theft Ordinance, etc. Hart[S25] tells us that these primary rules are needed concerning the free use of violence, theft and deception to which citizens are tempted but which they must, in general, repress if they are to coexist in close proximity to each other. The rule of recognition, classified as a secondary rule, is the ultimate rule which determines the existence and validity of other rules in a legal system[S26]. The rule of recognition resolves the problem of uncertainty as to the legality and validity of rules. HK’s rule of recognition can be found in the General Principles Chapter One of the Basic Law. For example, in the chapter, Article 2 of the Basic Law mentions that the National Peoples Congress (NPC) authoriszes the HKSAR to enjoy legislative power. Article 2 states that HKSAR shall safeguard the rights and freedoms of HK people. Article 8 states The laws previously in force in HK shall be maintained[S27]. Article 11 states that legislative and judicial systems, and the relevant policies, shall be based on the provisions of the Basic Law. No law enacted by the legislature of the HKSAR shall contravene the Law. Another type of secondary rules, the rules of change, enables changes to be made in the legal obligations which people may have under the duty-imposing primary rules of a legal system. There are two types of the rules of change: Private rules of change: these rules enable changes to be made in the legal relationships between private persons, for example, the rules of contract law and Cap 26 Sale of Goods Ordinance. Such rules confer power rather than imposing duties on HK residents in their private capacity. Public rules of change: these rules give public legislative officials the power to change the primary and other rules of a legal system. In HK, the main part of this rule lies at Article 73 of the Basic Law where it states that the Legislative Council has the power to amend laws in accordance with the provisions of the Basic Law and legal procedures[S28]. The last type of secondary rules, the rules of adjudication confer power on judicial officials to carry out the process of adjudication where a law has been breached or a dispute has risen. In HK, the rules of adjudication can be found in Article 2 of the Basic Law which states that the NPC authoriszes the HKSAR to enjoy independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication. In addition, Article 84 of the Basic Law confers the courts to adjudicate cases[S29]. 2. The Separability Thesis Positivists insist on the importance of the separation of law from morality. This thesis comprising the foundation of legal positivism is the separability thesis. This abstract formulation can be interpreted in a number of ways:. tThe most common view is that the separability thesis is interpreted as making only an object-level claim about the existence conditions for legal validity[S30]. As H.L.A[S31]. Hart describes it, the separability thesis is no more than the simple contention that it is in no sense a necessary truth that laws reproduce or satisfy certain demands of morality, though in fact they have often done so.[11]. According to Kelsen’s Pure theory of Law[S32], all elements impure or extraneous to law had to be split off, to leave a remnant of material which is essentially legal. Accordingly, all natural law, moral, religious, social, and other accretions that are not strictly law had to be eliminated. More recently, Klaus Faber[12][S33] interprets it as making a meta-level claim that the definition of law must be entirely free of moral notions. This interpretation implies that any reference to moral considerations in defining the related notions of law, legal validity, and legal system is inconsistent with the separability thesis. Based on these views, we can come to a conclusion that the object-level interpretation of the separability thesis denies that there are moral constraints on legal validity;, it implies the existence of a possible legal system in which there are no moral constraints on legal validity. In HK, it is beyond doubt that moral considerations bear on legal validity:. Ffor example, in the discussion of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Amendment) Bill 2006 at the Bills Committee and the judicial review on the age of sexual consent for homosexuals, moral played an important role on legal validity. 3. The Discretion Thesis Discretion thesis is the view that judges make new law in deciding cases not falling clearly under a legal rule. A judge cannot decide a case that does not fall clearly under a valid rule by interpreting or applying the law; he/she must decide the case by creating or promulgating a law that did not exist prior to the adjudication.[13][S34] The discretion thesis does not belong to positivisms theoretical core, but many positivists regard the discretion thesis as a contingent claim that is true of some, but not all, possible legal systems. For example, Hart[S35] believes that there will inevitably arise cases that do not fall clearly under a rule, but concedes a rule of recognition could deny judges discretion to make law in such cases by requiring judges to disclaim jurisdiction or to refer the points not regulated by the existing law to the legislature to decide[14]. In HK, an example can be found in the case of HKSAR v Ng Kung Siu Others[15] (decided on 15 December 1999) (Ng Kung Siu). In this case, the Court of Final Appeal (CFA) has to decide whether s7 of the National Flag Ordinance and s7 of the Regional Flag Ordinance which criminalise the desecration of the national flag and the regional flag are inconsistent with the guarantee of the freedom of expression (Article 19 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Article 39 of the Basic Law). The court finally decided that Freedom of expression’ is not absolute and subject to certain restrictions: (a) respect of the rights or reputation of others; (b) the protection of national security or of public order (ordre public), or of public health or morals. Further, it created or promulgated a law by stating that it is common ground that the burden [of proof] rests on the Government to justify any restriction[S36]. 4. Conclusion From the above discussion, we can see that Positivism’s Imperatival theory cannot explain why HK citizens agree with the Basic Law. In addition, it is not possible to identify the basic norm in HK society as Kelsen’s idea of the nature of the basic norm is unclear. Also, in HK, moral did play an important role on legal validity. Positivism theory can hardly fully explain the current HK legal system. Kelsen, Hans (1945). General Theory of Law and State, trans. A. Wedberg, repr. 1961. New York: Russell and Russell, p.61 Footnotes [1] Austin, John, The Province of Jurisprudence Determined (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1995) p166. [2] Article 1 of the Basic Law: The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is an inalienable part of the Peoples Republic of China. [3] Article 22 of the Basic Law states: No department of the Central People’s Government and no province, autonomous region, or municipality directly under the Central Govt. may interfere in the affairs which the HK SAR administers on its own in accordance with the Law. [4] Kelsen, Hans (1945). General Theory of Law and State, trans. A. Wedberg, repr. 1961. New York: Russell and Russell, p.61. [5] Article 74 of the Basic Law. [6] Article 62 of the Basic Law. [7] Article 73 of the Basic Law. [8] Chinese Constitution (CC) Article 31: CC will not apply to HK directly, except CC Art 31 from which HK Basic Law was derived. â€Å"the state may establish special admin regions when necessary. The systems to be instituted in special admin regions shall be prescribed by law enacted by the NPC in light of specific conditions. (therefore BL apply to HK, without any other explicit endorsement from NPC). Art 31 for HK, Macao and Taiwan. [9] Organic Law of the National Peoples Congress of the Peoples Republic of China was adopted by the Fifth Session of the Fifth National Peoples Congress on Dec 4, 1982 as Chinas Constitution. [10] Legal Positivism, First published Fri 3 Jan, 2003, Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy. [11] Hart, H.L.A., The Concept of Law, Second Edition (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1994) pp. 181-82. [12] Faber, Klaus, Farewell to Legal Positivism: The Separation Thesis Unraveling, in George, Robert P., The Autonomy of Law: Essays on Legal Positivism (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1996), 119-162. [13] Dworkin, Ronald M., Taking Rights Seriously (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1977), p.17. Ronald Dworkin describes this thesis as follows: â€Å"The set of these valid legal rules is exhaustive of the law, so that if someones case is not clearly covered by such a rule . . . then that case cannot be decided by applying the law. It must be decided by some official, like a judge, exercising his discretion, which means reaching beyond the law for some other sort of standard to guide him in manufacturing a fresh legal rule or supplementing an old one. [14] Hart, H.L.A., The Concept of Law, Second Edition (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1994), p. 272. [15] Ng Kung-siu Anor v HKSAR [1999] 1 HKLRD 783, 2 HKC 10 (Court of Appeal) and HKSAR v Ng Kung-siu Anor [1999] 3 HKLRD 907, [2000] 1 HKC 117 (Court of Final Appeal). [S1]You must have a title, it acts as a focus for the first page. [S2]Indented paragraphs look better. [S3]You must cite your source for everything you say like this. The marker must have the option of checking facts. [S4]A longer introduction required, elaborate more on what positivism is and what you intend to argue for. [S5]OK, true enough, but you must cite your source. [S6]Good use of footnotes, excellent. See end for my notes on what to put in a footnote though. [S7]good [S8]Don’t use American spellings [S9]Good, but you need to cite a source. [S10]The footnote should always come after the punctuation. [S11]Consider re-writing, good to use words like this, but used in slightly the wrong context, perhaps sentence structure needs work. [S12]Again wrong word, probably monasticism. [S13]Good to use the English spelling here when you did not earlier. [S14]Cite your source. [S15]Are you intending to imply that this does not happen on occasion? [S16]Good. [S17]You must cite the reference. [S18]Looks untidy having two whiches like this in the same sentence. [S19]This paragraph contains good information, but the English needs cleaning up a little, it does not read well. [S20]Should not start a paragraph with however. [S21]â€Å"or in law† doesn’t make a lot of sense. [S22]Cite your source. [S23]Source. [S24]Cite weber [S25]Where? cite a reference. [S26]Good. [S27]If you are quoting, use quotation marks â€Å" â€Å", not ‘ ‘. [S28]Good [S29]Again, good. [S30]Good. [S31]No need to use his initials, Hart will suffice. [S32]Cite your source. [S33]Good, you cite your source here but not elsewhere!!! [S34]Good. [S35]Reference. [S36]Good.

Over-diagnosis and Medication for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disor

This research paper will include strict academic research. It will begin by introducing the existence of an over diagnosis of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and describing the many plausible reasons behind this diagnostic inflation. Although the reasons mentioned in the paper cannot be scientifically tested to provide a direct answer, factual evidence shows a valid correlation. Moving forward, the paper generally addresses the presence of mental disease within the American youth. However, one will see how mental disorders such as ADHD are classified in such broad terms. The format of the education system is examined as it creates a lack of sleep within the American youth. Education within America and inconsistent sleep patterns are looked at as possible links to an over diagnosis of ADHD. Think back to the days of elementary school and high school, did waking up half past the crack of down wear you down throughout the school day? Did your fatigue prohibit you from maximizing your potential? The latter reasons that link to an over diagnosis of ADHD are socio-economic factors. The main point of this research paper is to demand change within society. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder stands as America's capitalistic disease of choice. Abbreviated as ADHD, this mental disorder is prescribed to individual's who display a lack of focus and noticeably restless behavior. The diagnosis of the disorder is targeting the American youth and adolescents at a rapidly alarming rate. Treated with intense speed-like stimulants such as Vyvanse, Ritalin and Adderall, the qualifications and testing required to obtain these medications are becoming less stern. Leon Eisenberg discovered ADHD over a century ago; ... ...p and Student Achievement. Eastern Economic Journal 38.4 (2012): 512-24. ProQuest. Web. 11 Feb. 2014. Giedd, Jay N. "Linking Adolescent Sleep, Brain Maturation, and Behavior." Journal of Adolescent Health 45.4 (2009): 319-20. Print. Huelskamp, Robert M. "Perspectives on Education in America." Phi Delta Kappan. 74.9 (1993): 718-21. Print. Katel, Peter. "Teen Drug Use." CQ Researcher. 3 June 2011: 481-504. Web. 8 Feb. 2014. Koch, Kathy. "Rethinking Ritalin." CQ Researcher 22. Oct. 1999: 905-28. Web. 8 Feb. 2014. Mantel, Barbara. "Mental Health Policy." CQ Researcher. 10 May 2013: 425-48. Web. 8 Feb. 2014. Rogers, Ann E. "Sleep and Health." Healthy Sleep. Harvard Medical School. Web. 17 Mar. 2014. "What You Need to Know about ADHD." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. National Public Health Institute, 24 Oct. 2013. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.

A&P Queenie perspective Essay -- essays research papers

A&P-Queenie   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Every summer my family and I go to our house in the cape just north of Boston. One hot summer morning, I was leaving the house to meet my family at the beach, suddenly I remembered my mother asked me to pick up a jar of â€Å"Kingfish Herring† for her and her friend to snack on at the beach.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  I started to walk across the street to my friend Lacey’s house. Lacey lives just outside Detroit, but like my family, her family comes to the cape for the summer. Our families’ have been friends for about 10 years, but we normally don’t see or talk to each other during the year, only summertime seems to bring us together. Traditionally Lacey and I leave for the beach together, even at age 7 we walked with our mothers, so I knew I had to tell her about this errand before I left for town.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Arriving at Lacey’s house I walk to the backdoor letting myself into the house. Lacey was putting on tanning lotion in the kitchen, â€Å"Lacey,† I called to her, â€Å"my mom wants me to pick up snacks for the beach, do you want to go into town with me?†, â€Å"Sure,† she replied, â€Å"do you mind if my cousin comes with us?†, â€Å"Of course I don’t mind,â€Å" I answered, â€Å"but we have to get moving, my dad only left me the car to use ‘til noon.†   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  While driving, Lacey and I laughed while reminiscing, over old stories of love and trouble that we seemed to get into over the past decade at the cape, Lacey’s cousin Mary was quite, she seemed shy.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  We arrived at the A&P and I realized that the store was almost devoid of any human life, but it was mid Tuesday morning most towns people were either working, or at the beach.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Two men were working the front end, the cashier at register 3 was helping an older looking woman with a sun hat, Capri pants ,and far too much make up on, the other cashier was leaning on the bag rack behind him, enjoying a break in a slow day . Both of the clerks looked as if they were in their early twenties, definently townies, the townies hated summer vacationers. Townies never said a word to vacationers, and you could tell in their attitude; they all longed for Labor Day to roll around so everyone would go home, bringing peace to their little town again. My observations of the store and town politics were... ...u decently dressed when you come in here.† this man was entirely strict and conservative, as much was to be expected of a man around these part, he was most likely an avid church goer, Sunday school teacher, Boy Scout troop leader name your clichà ©. I started again â€Å"We are decent,† and before I could continue Lengel interrupted me, â€Å"Girls, I don’t want to argue with you. After this come in here with your shoulders covered. It’s our policy.† and then he walked toward the clerk with a disappointed look and asks â€Å"Sammy, have you rung up this purchase?† with an astonished expression caused by the event that just occurred before his eyes, Sammy simply replies â€Å"No† and rings me up with a great deal of haste, as to get my friends and I out of this self-righteous store before we disgrace it any further. He hands me the change then we hurry out of the store rushing to the car.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Driving out of the parking lot the car was silent, until Lacey started doing a bad imitation of the manager, â€Å"After this come in here with your shoulders covered. Its our policy.† laughing and returning to her normal voice â€Å"Even at 17 you still get us into trouble, will you ever change?†

Early Arizona Women in the Mormon Faith :: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Early Arizona Women in the Mormon Faith Imagine traveling across country, in uncharted territory without air conditioning. Believe it or not, thousands of people did it. These pioneers had to protect themselves, make good of the resources around them and try to have a normal family life on top of this. As if this was not hard enough, Mormon women had a much tougher challenge to face; they had to keep faith and teach the word of the lord to all they came in contact with. Many challenges had to be overcome even once they settled, building a house, a community, and a church, not to mention the boredom and loneliness of being far from their families. Pioneering was done mainly throughout the mid to late nineteenth century in America. Women were responsible for tending to the children, cooking whatever their husbands (or fathers or brothers) may have caught that day and cleaning. There were times when animals were hard to find and no kill was brought home that night to feast on; the women had to then compromise and pick plants around them and boil them into a soup. The types of animals that were mainly found were deer, buffalo and occasionally a dog was killed to feast upon. Some of the fears of traveling to Arizona consisted of Indian attacks, robbers and family and, or friends dying along the trail. Not all tribes of Indian’s attacked traveling settlers. In an account told by Mrs. Elvira Martineau Johnson, who, in 1876, traveled with her husband to Moen Copie tells of how Navajo Indians wanted justice, not revenge. According to her, three of the tribes cattle were killed and the Navajo’s wanted to know by whom. The head of the settlement, Jas S. Brown, was hospitable and fed the Navajos while he tried to get to the bottom of the story. Brown and the Navajos traveled to another settlement not far away and discovered half-starved colonists. The colonists admitted to killing the three cattle and explained they thought the cattle were owner less. Because of the time and effort Brown devoted to solving the problem, the Navajos were satisfied and did not ask for any reparations.1 Flagstaff became one of the first Mormon settlements in Arizona.

B-Tec Sport Risk Factors

Figure 1: Head injuries (e.g. concussion, unconsciousness), spinal injuries, simple and compound fractures, joint injuries (e.g. dislocations, tennis and golf elbow, torn cartilage, twisted ankle), soft tissue, cuts, grazes and blisters, dehydration and hypothermia. Risk Factor Sporting Situation Most likely injury to occur Impact of injury on successful sports performance Short term Effects Long term Effects Lack of warm-up Football Pulled muscles e.g. pulled hamstring, pulled quadriceps etc†¦ The short term affect of a lack of warm up is that it you could pull your muscles. The time that you are out of action for will depend on the extent of the injury. The normal period of time that you will be out for with pulled muscles is 2-3 weeks. The long term affects of a lack of warm up is that it could take longer for you to recover from any injuries that you might have. A constant lack of warm up will result in you being out of action for a longer period when you are injured in the future. Lack of cool down Football Cramp The short term affect of a lack of cool down is that it can cause a build up of lactic acid which will lead to cramp. To prevent this, all you need to do is do a short cool down at the end of each physical activity e.g. light jog around the playing area. The long term affects of a lack of cool down is that you will be required to warm up more than usual to loosen up any tight muscles before participating in any future physical activities. Constant lack of cool down may cause you to get cramp persistently. Poor physical fitness/physique Football Pulled muscles e.g. calf strain, pulled quadriceps The short term affect of poor physical fitness and a poor physique is that it will cause pulled muscles. To prevent this, all that is required is for you to stay in shape by doing regular exercise. The exercise does not have to be done at a high intensity level as long as you exercise regularly. The long term affects of poor physical fitness and a poor physique is that it will take you longer to recover from injuries. For example if you get a hamstring injury, it will normally take you two weeks to recover from it. However, if you have poor physical fitness and a poor physique, it might take you 3-4 weeks. Risk Factor Sporting Situation Most likely injury to occur Impact of injury on successful sports performance Short term Effects Long term Effects Inadequate diet Boxing Back strain, dehydration, unconsciousness. The short term affect of having an inadequate diet is that can cause injury. Carrying extra weight can cause you to get a back strain. It can also cause you to perform poorly. Sports stars especially boxers need to have a good diet consisting of carbohydrates, calcium, fats (not too much), fibre, minerals, proteins and vitamins. The long term affects of having an inadequate diet is that it can limit the amount of time that you are involved in sport at the highest level. If you eat too much fatty foods it will lead to weight gain, which will then be harder to get rid of as you get older. Over dehydrating can also cause you to fall unconscious. This can be a big risk to your general health. Misuse of alcohol & drugs Boxing Unconsciousness, drowsiness, dehydration etc†¦ The short term affect of misuse of alcohol and drugs is that it can cause drowsiness and dehydration. Too much alcohol and drugs could even lead to you fainting. There are not many negative short term affects of taking performance enhancing drugs. However, there are negative long term affects. For misuse of alcohol and drugs. The long term affects of misuse of alcohol and drugs are that it can cause permanent damage to organs in the body which can affect performance in sport. Too much alcohol can cause damage to the liver which can make it difficult for the athlete to perform. Misuse and overuse of alcohol and drugs can also result in decrease in stamina. Stamina is one of the most important aspects of a boxer. Drinking alcohol and taking drugs excessively can also slow down your reactions. Environment Football Cuts, grazes and dislocations. The short term affect of an environment with dangerous surroundings is that you could injure yourself e.g. if a player slid into the advertisement boards he could get cut etc†¦ The long term affect of an environment with dangerous surroundings such as advertisement boards is that you can dislocate a part of your body which can result you being out of action for a while. Poor technique Rugby Dislocations, broken arm, broken leg, bruising etc†¦ The short term affect of poor technique can be a minor injury such as bruising. This might keep you out of action for about a week depending on the extent of the bruising. If a rugby player has not been taught the correct way to tackle, he could injure himself as well as the opposing player. The long term affects of poor technique are that it can cause a serious injury. These injuries can include a dislocated shoulder, broken arm, broken leg etc†¦ These injuries can keep you out for quite a long time. Another long term affect is that until you don't work on your technique, you will continue to cause injury and you will also be a technically poor athlete. Risk Factor Sporting Situation Most likely injury to occur Impact of injury on successful sports performance Short term Effects Long term Effects Lack of skill Basketball Twisted ankle, ligament damage. The short term affect of a lack of skill is that you can get an injury such as a twisted ankle. If a basketball player tries to a slam dunk but he lands awkwardly he might twist his ankle. The long term affects of a lack of skill is that you can get ligament damage. This is the type of injury that can affect your future performances even when you have fully recovered. Inappropriate clothing Rugby Torn ligaments, broken leg. The short affect of inappropriate clothing is that it can affect your performance. For example if you make good runs but you have a loose t-shirt, an opposing player is likely to take advantage by constantly pulling you t-shirt which will prevent you from playing your best. The long term affects of inappropriate clothing is that it can cause serious injury. If you have a loose t-shirt on and an opposing player pulls your t-shirt and you fall down in an awkward position you could get seriously injured. You could get torn ligaments there is even a possibility of you breaking you leg. This will keep you out for a long time. Overtraining Football Pulled hamstring, pulled quadriceps, cramp, muscle fatigue. The short term affect of overtraining if muscle fatigue and cramp. Overtraining is bad for the body. You should only train according to how much your body can endure. This will prevent muscle fatigue and cramp. The long term affect of overtraining is also muscle fatigue. If continue to persistently over train, your body will finally give in and you will have to take a long break from any physical activity. Constantly overtraining can also cause you to pull you muscles such as pulled quadriceps. Weather conditions Football Twisted ankle, ligament damage. The short term affect of poor weather conditions is that it can have a negative affect on your performance. If the football pitch is waterlogged, it will be difficult to play well. The long term affect of poor weather conditions is that you can get injured. The weather might be so poor that it might affect the pitch in a bad way which can cause the players to get injuries such as twisted ankles and ligament damage. Playing surface Football Twisted ankle, ligament damage. The short term affect of a poor playing surface is that can affect your performance in the game. If the pitch has lumps and big patches of mud, players will find it difficult to perform well. The long term affect of a poor playing surface is that it can cause injury. Your foot might get caught in the ground which can result in a twisted ankle or ankle ligament damage. Risk Factor Sporting Situation Most likely injury to occur Impact of injury on successful sports performance Short term Effects Long term Effects Lifting and carrying procedures for specialist equipment Rugby Back strain, twisted ankle. The short term affect of not using the correct procedure when lifting something is injuring yourself as well as the player you are lifting. The correct way of lifting something or someone is to bend your knees and back. The long term affect of not using the correct procedure when lifting something or someone is permanent damage. If you lift something or someone in an incorrect way you could do some permanent damage to your back. This will limit what you can do in future physical activities. Inappropriate or lack of specialist sporting equipment Rugby Bruising, cuts, concussion. The short term affect of having a lack of specialist sporting equipment is that it can cause injury. For example If a rugby player is not wearing a mouth-guard, he could get his teeth knocked out. The long term affect of having a lack of specialist sporting equipment is that can affect your performance and it can cause you to get injured more often. Misuse of protective equipment Boxing Groin injury, concussion etc†¦ The short term affect of misuse of protective equipment is that you will be more prone to injuries. For example if a boxer needs to wear a foul protector but he doesn't he will get injured if he gets punched in the groin. The long term affect of misuse of protective equipment is that you will get injured very easily. If you don't use a mouth guard when boxing, you could get damage to the mouth. Faulty and damaged equipment Football Twisted ankle, bruising to the shin, shin splits etc†¦ The short term affect of using faulty and damaged equipment is that it might cause injury. If you don't wear shin pads, you will come out with bruising to the shin in the least possible scenario. The long term affect of using faulty and damaged equipment is that you can get seriously injured. If a player tackles you with a lot of force on your shins, you can split your shins. This is a very painful injury and will keep you out of action for a while. Behaviour of other participants endangering others Football Bruising, cuts, grazes, concussion etc †¦ The short term affect of this is that you will pick up an injury that will probably keep you out of physical action for about a couple of weeks. The long term affect of this is that you might get permanent scaring or cuts if players start going out of order e.g. fighting.

Sports Drinks Industry Analysis

Executive Summary We have noticed an increasing number of businesses catering to the recent rise of a new target market: the health-conscious consumer. At Nike, our goal has always been to give consumers what they want now, as well as to anticipate their future tastes, and to thus tailor our strategy to accommodate those tastes. We have recognized an unfilled market potential in the non-carbonated energizing sports drink arena, thus developing an entirely new product category. Our branding strategy is to enter the market by carving a new niche of protein-enriched energizing sports drinks. Our objective is to educate consumers about the new drink, as well as to make a profit and gain market share in the industry. We hope that by being market leaders, our name will become synonymous with the new drink category, and will aid in our sustaining a competitive advantage over the copy-cats that are sure to flock the market after the new products’ introduction and subsequent success. Our primary target market is 18-34 year old females who will use our sports drink whenever they needed a boost: at work, in the gym, or just when they felt like it. The secondary target market is 18-34 year old males who fall into much the same socio-cultural and economic category as the primary target market. The Nike Motion energy drink will be positioned as a high-end item, costing $2 per environmentally-friendly can. It will come in a variety of fruit flavors and will boast the replenishment of electrolytes and other essential vitamins and minerals. We hope that high-frequency mass market penetration using multi-media advertisements will spread the word and raise awareness about Nike Motion. National distribution will follow in supermarkets, pharmacies, health food stores, and gourmet retailers. The Nike brand name, accompanied by its strong brand image, will differentiate the product and maintain its popularity via the market leader and differentiation strategy the company has chosen. [2. 0] Environmental Analysis Economic Trends: The X and Y generations, our target markets, comprise about 110 million people of the United States population. They are, generally speaking, well-educated, and earn relatively higher incomes, thus allowing for much of their disposable income to be spent on health-oriented products, such as the new beverage we are planning to launch, Nike Motion. Neither positive, nor negative economic trends, such as changes in interest rates, inflation, DGP, etc. are not likely to have a significant impact on our product, since it’s not a high priced luxury item whose demand would be affected by theses factors. The quality of sports drinks consumed doesn’t really depend on the income of the consumers, since these are relatively inexpensive, everyday products. As a general trend however it is worth mentioning that the economy as a whole is growing in the United States as well as in other parts of the world, allowing for an ever increasing standard of living. Cultural and Demographic Trends: Socio-culturally, our target market is health-conscious and youth-oriented. The individuals comprising our target market of 18-34 year old men and women, are generally perceived as individualistic, with a focus on making healthy decisions via food choices (salad bars and the organics market have boomed), and exercise (from going on athletics-oriented vacations, to spending lunch hours in the gym). There is also a change in the lifestyle of Americans, and people around the world: fast paced, always on the go, eating out and socializing more. These people rarely have the time to cook at home, decreasing the regularity of consuming healthy meals. One of the best alternatives of getting the needed vitamins and nutrition is via healthy beverages, such as Nike Motion. The U. S. population’s general aversion to high calorie, high sugar, and high carbohydrate beverages will likely be beneficial to our new product. Demographically, a traditional family structure is becoming less typical, with an increasing number of couples co-habitating without being married, lower birth-rates, and a greater concentration on health and weight maintenance. As a result of these trends, consumption of youth-oriented products has grown as people strive to be in good shape. The Nike Motion energizing sports drink will provide the energy these people need to accomplish their objectives. Ethnic trends are likewise changing, with baby boomers retiring, and an increasing young Latino population emerging, along with an influx of Asians. The Hispanic population, becoming the largest minority segment in 2002, has grown 70 percent over the past decade to approximately 37 million (14. 1 percent of the U. S. population). These youths lead fast-paced lifestyles, frequently juggling school, work, and personal lives. For the younger generation, regardless of ethnic background, feeling tired is not an option. The popularity of the sports and energy drinks has proven this fact. We at Nike thus believe that Nike Motion will be a tremendous success, appealing to a health-conscious population with our alluring natural ingredients, while simultaneously satis fying the increasing need for energizing products. Political and Legal Environment: The political environment could have a significant effect on us if we were to market Nike Motion in foreign countries. Constant changes in exchange rates and political systems are important to keep in mind. As to the legal environment, each and every firm operates in nations of laws and rules that have to be obeyed. Coca Cola recently got into trouble due to an advertising message in which they, allegedly, portrayed Gatorade in an unfavorable light. The case was settled outside of court, but has cost millions of dollars for Coke. 2 Physical Environment and Technological Trends: The current physical environment, especially in metropolitan areas such as large cities, is very much conducive to the use of our product. Available in a large number of various retailers, our goal is to be the Starbucks of sports drinks – on every corner, there when you need it. Retailers stocking our product will be dispersed throughout the city, with a significant concentration in areas of business and entertainment (for example, in the downtown financial district, as well as near the Broadway theaters), as well as near learning centers and gyms. We want to make sure that Nike Motion is widely distributed and readily available, both to impulse shoppers, as well as for the more traditional type of buyer. Changes in technology may lower entry barriers and create new product processes. To enter the sports drink industry, large capital investments are required for production facilities, marketing, and etcetera. Technological changes, such as the internet, can create additional possibilities for promotion, via viral campaigns via the internet and emails that are so popular with our target market. Global Trends: Due to advances in technology and communication, we can safely say that the world has never been as united as it is currently. The internet, along with television, and to a lesser degree, radio, have served as outlets for disseminating cultural views, and incorporating adaptations of traditional ethnic ideas and beliefs into the mainstream, both within a country and internationally. Products ranging from clothing to music to the culinary arts have become widely accepted. We feel that sports drinks fall into this global category as well. From Europe to Latin America to the United States, lifestyles are becoming faster-paced (though to varying degrees) and are influencing the demand for products that will accommodate such consumer choices. In the last year alone, sales of sports drinks have increased by 10%. 3 [3. 0] Mission Statement Nike’s mission states: â€Å"If you have a body, you are an athlete. † Nike Motion, the new protein infused energy drink brought to you by Nike, targets the athlete in us all, whether you are on the track or on the couch, by providing hydration and energy with essential vitamins, minerals, and exotic herbs, proven to enhance performance, raise energy levels, as well as enhance mental agility. Nike motion is crucial for both body and mind. [4. 0] Market / Industry / Competition Analysis Competition Analysis of Sports Drink Industry Sports drinks experienced a remarkable growth in the late 1990s and early 2000s, growing almost 56 percent between 1997 and 2002. As a result of this increase in demand for sports drinks, a large number of products started flooding the market. This influx, however, is controlled by a limited number of established and powerful companies, namely Gatorade and Powerade. Gatorade, produced by PepsiCo, is a market leader, boasting 80 percent market share. Its chief competitor, Powerade (produced by Coca Cola), accounts for 19 percent of the remaining sports drink market. PepsiCo’s market share however is not safe. Since 2002, its share declined by 4 percent, while Coke’s Powerade grew by nearly 30 percent. 4 Most of the industry’s growth is driven by reaching new demographics, including ethnic groups, children and more serious exercisers. Attempts by other companies to market sports drinks have often failed, or achieved considerably less success than the existing players. Nike, in an attempt to avoid territorial battles, plans to carve a new niche, the energizing sports drinks with various essential nutrients, thus emerging as a market leader in this new category. As mentioned previously, given its established, strong brand image, and its association with everything healthy, such a move should not prove impossible. Porter’s Competitive Forces According to Porter’s Five Competitive Forces, the power of suppliers is low because the ingredients used, as well as the packaging, are commodities that can be easily substituted, and therefore do not involve high switching costs. The market is not dominated by a few large suppliers, but is rather fragmented, allowing for price competition. The power of buyers is medium, because even though there are many buyers, some of them are rather powerful. There is little chance that existing customers would integrate backwards. Sports drinks are differentiated products but can be replaced by a limited number of substitutes, water being the biggest threat. The consumers, according to trends in the macro environment will increasingly search for sports drinks on the store shelves. The small number of firms makes for a high degree of rivalry, with a few large companies competing amongst themselves, as well as vying to establish a significant foothold in order to prevent smaller firms from entering the market. The energy and sports drink products are thus differentiated, and vary in more than just price. The threat of new entrants is low to medium due to the fact that the attractive high-growth industry of sports drinks has very high barriers to entry; namely, it is capital intensive, requiring a lot of marketing and advertising of these products, discussing their benefits, as well as positioning them apart from the rest. Likewise, it necessitates large economies of scale in production. Such resources are difficult to achieve, and if marketing to the masses, it is something only large, wealthy companies can achieve. The threat of substitutes in this arena is quite high, in that the products currently on the market often differ in little other than brand and consumer perception. The switching costs from one brand to another are virtually zero, but companies can succeed if they’re able to retain their loyal customer bases. [4. 0] Summary of marketing activity in the industry Pricing strategy It is safe to state that there are no significant pricing differences among the brands, they are competitively priced. Both Gatorade and Powerade sell at about $1. 50-2. 00 for a 32 oz. bottle, depending on the location and on the type of retailer. There are really no pricing wars in this industry, since consumers are very brand loyal. Looking at the distribution channels, we can see that these sports drinks are sold at most retailers that sell groceries and other beverages. Retailers include: supermarkets, delis, vending machines, street vendors, cafeterias at gyms, etcetera. We see a potential advantage in selling Nike Motion at existing Nike outlets, such as sporting goods stores, and in Nike’s flagship stores, Niketowns, that are located in major cities around the world. Advertising and Promotions When discussing advertising and promotional strategies, we have to note that even the most successful companies need advertising and other promotional vehicles to further the success of their brands. Sports drink makers, given the degree of competition in the industry are doing just this. Gatorade spent $180 million on advertisements last year while Powerade spent less than $20 million, per Nielsen Monitor-Plus. Since these sports drinks primarily target health-conscious consumers and athletes, some of the most important promotional vehicles include sponsorship of sporting events, and signing of top athletes for promotional deals. Coca Cola was, for example, the official sponsor of the summer Olympic Games in Athens with its Powerade Drink. â€Å"We f ocus on niche audiences of top athletes, either through major events such as the Olympics, close relationships with sporting bodies, or by working with sports experts to produce targeted advertorial,' says a Coca-Cola spokeswoman. ‘Consumer education is key,' she adds. 6 Powerade earlier launched an online version of its LeBron James comic in its quest to position the brand as the sports drink for the next generation. A first for Coke and its partner DC Comics, the interactive site included flash technology and voice-overs by Mr. James across 12 Webisodes, as well as an instant win component and video games. 7 Gatorade on the other hand is the official sponsor of the National Football League, the official sports drink of the National Basketball Association, WNBA, Major League Baseball, Major League Soccer and a host of others around the world. In all, Gatorade has struck roughly 900 sponsorship deals with sports events over time, according to tracking by the IEG Sponsorship Report. Gatorade also will sponsor branded content during the National Basketball Association's playoffs on ESPN, TNT and FSN networks. On TNT, broadcast personalities will air live sideline segments dubbed â€Å"Heard Around the Cooler† about game strategy, injuries, statistics and other insights, while ESPN will air branded â€Å"Cooler Talk† segments on its â€Å"Sports Center. † Challenges One of the biggest challenges these companies face is the problem of attracting more female consumers. According to the Mintel International Group, an industry observer, consumption patterns always leaned heavily toward males, but the trend showed signs of changing as more female teens reportedly were drinking more and more sports drinks. This reflected female teens' ongoing interest in losing weight and increasing interest in exercise. 8 Sports beverage producers also began targeting the fast-growing Hispanic population. Gatorade's Xtremo! was the first to appeal to this potential market with a line of more exotic and tropical flavors including mango and tropical. The effort was supported by bilingual packaging and Spanish-language advertising. Coca-Cola's Powerade brand also began using Spanish-language advertising to tap into this market. We think that the most important industry factors that will be influential in our planning is the degree of competition that we’re hoping to offset with powerful and wide-reaching marketing campaigns. As I’ve mentioned earlier, there is a very high level of competition especially between Gatorade and Powerade. Both these companies spend millions of dollars on building their brands and their loyal customer base. We can see, however, a slight difference between the promotional techniques of the two. Gatorade is more centered on the top-athlete, while Powerade tries to depict a more cutting-edge picture that appeals primarily to the iPod generation. There might be another niche that is underserved, and that could be just what Nike Motion needs. An underserved niche, such as women and men of Generation X and Generation Y, might have a need for nutritious, on-the-go beverages that fit into their busy life-styles. Nike could target these niches successfully due to its existing brand image. [5. 0] Marketing Objective The Nike brand is a well known brand, its swoosh is one of the most recognizable signs out there, having established brand loyalty among many. Based on our market research, the brand extension of Nike Motion would have great potential for being the next great beverage among athletes and non-athletes. We would pursue a mass market penetration strategy for a saturated market, while still allowing for a vast opportunity in high profits and gaining market share due to Nike’s brand recognition. Our primary objective is to create product awareness among the target audience by 30 percent in one year and our secondary objective would be to increase market share. We would also want to inform our target audience about the features and benefits of our product and its competitive advantage, leading to a 10 percent increase in sales in one year. Many individuals are unaware of Nike’s new brand extension of a sports drink. Therefore we would pursue a high reach and high frequency strategy in our advertising in order to have maximum exposure. In order to accomplish this we would conduct a SWOT analysis to gain a better understanding of our target market and market segment. We want to achieve this objective by using secondary and primary research to get an in depth understanding of our target and to formulate a strategy to develop our campaign. Based on our research, trends and attitudes are moving toward health conscious products.