International business Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 10

International business - Essay Example It means the values reflect the country’s ideologies of democracy after coming from a Civil War and their Muslim dominated populace at approximately 71.3 percent. Christianity follows closely at 20 to 30 percent of total population meaning religious violence is hardly witnessed in the country. On that account, most of above cultural analyses often result to various opportunities such as encouraging ethnic tolerance between citizens who still bear fresh memories of the Civil War. Other opportunities include fostering an African identity and nationalism to promote virtues such as honesty, trust, and love (Duncan et al 133). However, there are also threats that could be orchestrated by aspects of culture in terms of religion domination that could erupt into sectarian violence to another ethnic conflagration. Another imminent threat entails backward beliefs that fail to integrate emerging changes occasioned by technology and globalization as noted with the country’s immense potential. Geography and climate are vital factors for anybody with prospects of establishing any international meant to attract a global clientele. In Sierra Leone, for instance, with its location at the west coast of Africa has lowland plains, which harbour forests, farmland, and bush. It implies that the country’s weather is moderate for exploring opportunities such as creation of different forms of infrastructure. On that note, infrastructure entail passable roads and railway lines that can facilitate transport of goods and services. Another opportunity involves the forest-savannah ecoregion that equally supports a business that can thrive in tropical areas such as Northern parts of Sierra Leone. Unfortunately the geographic and physical parts of the nation have also elicited numerous threats for potential investors particularly for doing international business (Haggett 108). Unsustainable

Business Model and Strategic Plan Essay Example for Free

Business Model and Strategic Plan Essay For more than four decades, the semiconductor industry has distinguished itself by the rapid pace of improvement in its products. Trends have resulted principally from the industry’s ability to exponentially decrease the minimum feature sizes used to fabricate integrated circuits and other products. Of course, the most frequently cited trend is in integration level, which is usually expressed as Moore’s Law (that is, the number of components per chip doubles roughly every 24 months). The most significant trend is the decreasing cost-per-function, which has led to significant improvements in economic productivity and overall quality of life through  proliferation of computers, communication, and other industrial and consumer electronics. All of these improvement trends, sometimes called â€Å"scaling† trends, have been enabled by large RD investments. In the last three decades, the growing size of the required investments has motivated industry collaboration and spawned many RD partnerships, consortia, and other cooperative ventures. To help guide these RD programs, the Semiconductor Industry Association (SIA) initiated The National Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (NTRS), which had 1992, 1994, and 1997 editions. In 1998, the SIA was joined by corresponding industry associations in Europe, Japan, Korea, and Taiwan to participate in a 1998 update of the Roadmap and to begin work toward the first International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS), published in 1999. Since then, the ITRS has been updated in even-numbered years and fully revised in odd-numbered years. The overall objective of the ITRS is to present industry-wide consensus on the â€Å"best current estimate† of the industry’s research and development needs out to a 15-year horizon. As such, it provides a guide to the efforts of companies, universities, governments, and other research providers or funders. The ITRS has improved the quality of RD investment decisions made at all levels and has helped channel research efforts to areas that most need research breakthroughs. It is forecasted that by the end of this next decade (2019) it will be necessary to augment the capabilities of the CMOS process by introduci ng multiple new devices that will hopefully realize some properties beyond the ones of CMOS devices. However, it is believed that most likely these new devices will not have all the properties of CMOS devices and therefore it is anticipated that heterogeneous integration either at the chip level or at the package level will integrate these new capabilities around a CMOS core. The participation and continued consensus of semiconductor experts from Europe, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and the U.S.A. ensure that the 2011 ITRS remains the definitive source of guidance for semiconductor research as we strive to extend the historical advancement of semiconductor technology and the integrated circuit market. ON Semiconductor Corporation was founded in 1999 and acquired Cherry Semiconductor the next year. In the next six years, from 2005 to 2011, the company opened seven Solution Engineering Centers in Korea, Oregon, Taiwan, and Germany, California, China, and Japan. In addition, the company also acquired ten  companies, namely LSI Logic Gresham, Oregon Design Manufacturing Facility, ADI Voltag e Regulation Thermal Management Group, AMI Semiconductor, Catalyst Semiconductor, PulseCore Semiconductor, California Micro Devices, Sound Design Technologies, Cypress Image Sensor Business Unit, and SANYO Semiconductor. The Application Products Group offers analog, mixed-signal, and advanced logic application specific integrated circuits (IC); power conversions and interfaces between AC and DC. The Standard Products Group offers discrete and integrated semiconductor products, such as power switching, signal conditioning and amplification, circuit protection, and voltage reference. The SANYO Semiconductor Products Group offers microcontrollers, analog and digital tuners and signal processing, and memory semiconductors. In 2013, the company introduced the industrys highest resolution optical image stabilization (OIS) integrated circuit (IC) for smartphone camera modules. Strategic Plan Part I: Conceptualizing in Business A solid strategic analysis is beneficial to shareholders, employees, customers, and decisions makers within a company. The core of an effective strategic plan contains a well-thought and informative mission statement. Using the ON Semiconductor Corporation as a benchmark, a mission statement has been developed to differentiate the company’s products from the competition. In addition, the vision statement as plays an important role in communicating the ultimate goal of the company’s strategic decisions. A driving force behind the mission and vision is the company’s values and ethical principles, which often dictate the choices made during strategic planning. When it is fully implemented, the strategic plan will allow ON Semiconductor Corporation to gain a strategic advantage over its established competitors. Mission Statement We will transform ON Semiconductor Corporation from a traditional broad-line semiconductor company to the leading supplier of programmable solutions in systems everywhere. Semiconductor consolidation is the recent trend of semiconductor companies collaborating in order to come to a practical synergy with the goal of being able to operate in a business model that can sustain profitability. Newly established solutions will be able to supply  local communities with quality products at competitive prices while simultaneously creating value for shareholders. Vision Statement ON Semiconductor Corporation will grow into the largest provider in emerging markets. The brand will have an established presence in Asia, South America, and Europe with locations being found within the top 10 major cities on these continents. By saturating the world’s most populous metropolitan cities, ON Semiconductor Corporation will be the most recognizable Corporation in the world. Guiding Principles, Values, and Culture ON Semiconductor Corporation has several important ethical principles that influence major decisions in the strategic planning process. First, the company is concern about making quality products available to the lowest income groups. Therefore, it is important to keep a wide selection of low cost products available on the market. This becomes an especially important consideration as we expand in markets that experience high levels of economic struggle. Second, the company is committed to delivering exceptional customer service to its patrons. Customer loyalty is a driving factor towards the long-term success of the brand. Failing to deliver exceptional customer service could seriously hinder the ability to grow into new markets. In order for employees to express ON Semiconductor Corporation’s guiding principles, it is essential to create a corporate culture that reflects these principles. Providing ample opportunity for advancement within management hierarchy and the ability to participate in supplemental training will keep employee motivation high. As a result, employees will be eager to follow the ethical values set forth in the strategic plan. It is likely that the company will need to make slight modifications to organization culture to meet the preferences of various world cultures. Impact on Strategic Direction The mission, vision, and values of ON Semiconductor Corporation serve as the foundation for strategic decision making while the company gears up for expansion. When an unexpected variable causes a change in direction, the company will continue to use its mission as a guide for future choices. The primary mission is always to maximize shareholder profits, but the values  determine the approach the company will take to achieve this goal. Overall, this will help the company build a corporate culture in these new markets that gains the respect of the community. If the company is considered to be helping the local community, the chances of creating an effective strategic plan are highly unlikely. Addressing Customer Needs Expanding into emerging markets presents a unique challenge to address customer’s needs. Every country exhibits its own unique culture and it is essential to pander to the preferences of each individual culture. A system that works in the United States is not likely to see the same level of success in Bangladesh, unless serious modifications are made to the business model. To overcome this challenge, the company will conduct independent research and use paid consultants to determine how to tailor the brand’s image for success in vastly different cultures. As time progresses, the company will be able to assess strengths and weaknesses by testing different models in each regional area. Gaining insightful knowledge about each country’s cultural preferences will allow the company to attain a competitive advantage. The nature of strategic management today is seen in the environment-driven strategies of successful firms competing in a diverse market. We must understand that faulty assumptions and false information can result in the formulation of poor or even disastrous plans, and change is constant and continuous; that yesterday’s good plan may not be relevant or of any value today (Pearce Robinson, 2009). We have to realize that we live in a changing world and business organizations, governmental units and other entities, just like people, have to adjust and adapt to survive. Strategic Plan Part II: SWOTT Analysis SWOTT Analysis of ON Semiconductor Corporation is one of the most important components. By providing quality products and prices, the corporation has established a worldwide presence. This SWOTT analysis shows the various strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and trends that will impact the company in the future. With promising growth prospects in emerging markets, the company has implemented an aggressive plan to be established  throughout the world. This strategy poses several important risks and opportunities that shape the contents of the SWOTT analysis. Economic Trends Economic trends play a major role in the strategic decisions. The brand has an ambitions global growth plan that is sensitive to economic changes. For example, the company reports that China and India are it’s main targets for new locations and expects to see significant growth as economic conditions improve. As income levels rise in these countries, it is expected that new owners will be eager to implement proven concepts into the local community. In addition, higher incomes will provide greater opportunity for a loyal customer base. However, if economic conditions start on a downward trend then an aggressive expansion could be threatened by insufficient demand for their product. If franchise owners are not finding the locations profitable, it could create irreparable damage to the company’s image abroad and force the closure of new locations. Legal and Regulatory Forces Each new emerging market presents a unique mix of regulatory and legal challenges. For example, the company must adhere to specific regulations. Any major violations could create a major backlash to the brand to that could prevent future growth in the country. Supply Chain Operations Maintaining a consistent product is key to building customer loyalty for ON’s. Customers expect to purchase an identical product each time they make transactions with their company. In order to make this possible, the company has a sophisticated supply chain network in place to ensure every location has products available. This feat is achieved by utilizing regional distribution networks that supply owners with the proper equipment. Building a distribution network in overseas markets is significantly more risky than the United. Unknown distributer and freight companies must be chosen by the company to handle these important operational tasks. In the future, ON’s will be able to establish a strong supply network to minimize the threats  faced in international supply chain operations. Opportunities Based on SWOTT Analysis The greatest opportunities for ON’s can be achieved by differentiating the brand from its main competitors. Primary competitors to ON’s market share include Intel Corp, Texas Instruments, Altera Corp and Xilinx Inc., which have established a dominating presence in international markets over the last several decades. ON’s has the ability to demonstrate value to their customers by delivering a product that is completely unique from most other companies. A marketing plan that outlines their unique experience that ON’s offers will help penetrate markets that are already occupied by competing companies. ON’s also has a great opportunity to achieve new innovations that can reduce labor costs. By implementing technology that can automate the duties of employees, the company can increase its operational efficiency. The company can also reduce operational costs within the supply chain by drawing on experiences in the US market. Building a new supply chain in an emerging market will allow the company to design it in the most cost effective manner. Each of these opportunities will play an important role in strategic success of the brand. SWOTT Table External Factors Factor Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Trends Global ON’s has an established image in overseas markets Supply Chain management requires additional investment to establish in global markets Massive new markets in Asia, especially China and India Political unrest in African and Middle East Markets Growing markets overseas will provide exception growth opportunities Economic Improved economic conditions will provide suitable owners. Greater disposable income will prompt some buys to seek more expensive alternatives. Commercial real estate recovery will provide more restaurant locations domestically. Economic collapse and rising materials costs could impact prices. Global economic recovery is remaining consistent Legal and Regulatory Strong safety record New global markets present new regulatory challenges Establish strong relationships with foreign business partners Legal costs for breaking foreign regulations Increased regulation in the USA could raise labor costs. Environmental Strong history of supporting clean environment practices Increasing public disapproval in the USA Show a commitment to environmental friendly initiatives Environmental infractions could create media backlash Consumers place greater importance on environmental initiatives. Competitive Analysis ON’s unique product line separates it from the competition Stronger brands, such as NXP have more overseas locations Differentiate from competing brands Closely related brands establishing locations in emerging markets. Most major brands and expanding globally SWOTT Table Internal Factors Factor Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats Trends Strategy Aggressive strategy will provide rapid growth Rapid growth could cause investment in new innovations to lag behind Continue to build presence in emerging markets. Aggressive strategy may be rejected by some cultures Asian countries are showing increasing demand for electronics Technologies Optimized efficiency for product processing Technology still requires significant human capital Automation to cut down on manual labor needs Competitors may develop tech at a faster pace Technology is decreasing in cost overall Innovations Social media marketing in place to build customer loyalty Competitors are offering items that appeal to higher quality Automate payment processing for rapid ordering Negative media coverage could spread on social media Customers prefer products that efficient Intellectual Property ON’s brand is recognizable worldwide Brand is associated with low quality budget oriented products Increase awareness of high quality items Use of IP by foreign competitors without legal recourse Internet makes it possible to market the product rapidly Summary ON’s faces a complex set of challenges as they conduct their aggressive expansion into emerging markets. Ahead of all, the global economic climate poses the greatest risk to the company, as major changes could have a significant impact on the strategy’s effectiveness. However, competitive pressure dictates that ON’s must establish its presence in overseas markets as soon as possible. If the company waits to establish new locations, it many lose the opportunities provided by the current trend of global economic growth. The SWOTT analysis above provides insight that will help the brand mitigate risk as it continues to move forward with the strategy. Strategic Plan Part III: Balanced Scorecard As a method of further analyzing the strategic goals of ON Semiconductor Corporation, the balanced scorecard provides valuable insight into vision, mission, and values of the company. An analysis from the perspective of shareholders, customer, managers, and employees allows the company to gain a  stronger understanding of how strategic initiatives will affect these relationships. Each strategic initiative can have a differing impact, depending on the relationship a person has with the company. A strategic initiative aimed at lower costs might be beneficial to shareholders in the short term, but could have a negative impact on customer and employee values. The balanced scorecard attempts to organize strategic objectives based on their specific relationship to ON Semiconductor Corporation. Shareholder Value or Financial Perspective Objectives Targets Measures Risk Mitigation Increase customer base by expanding product variety Increase domestic revenue by 10% with a new product line over 5 years A trend of 0.5% growth in domestic sales per quarter. Test new items in a limited number of locations to determine nationwide viability. Decrease international supply chain costs. Lower supply chain costs in international markets by 5% over 2 years This objective should also result in higher operating margins Invest in long-term solutions to supply chain management. Improve price-to-earnings ratio. The current PEG ratio sis 9.05 (NASDAQ 2014) and should be increased to 1.50 A quarterly trend of improvement should be seen in the PEG ratio. Expand into international markets that present the highest overall value. Customer Value Perspective Objectives Targets Measures Risk Mitigation Improve company image by marketing new products Increase customer recognition of new product offerings. Growth of new product sales of 10% relative to traditional products. Conduct custom surveys to gain insight into new product reception. Improve overall customer service Increase positive feedback from loyal customers Improve customer feedback by 25% over 1 year. Implement an employee training program focused on customer service Implement delivery to large markets Make ON’s products available with rapid delivery. Implement ON’s delivery in at least 5 US cities Test the delivery system in limited markets before mainstream launch Process or Internal Operations Perspective Objectives Targets Measures Risk Mitigation Streamline payments with mobile devices Allow customers to pay with mobile devices Enable mobile POS systems at 25% of locations Survey customer preferences for mobile payments Increase ordering speed with improved automation. Eliminate need for full time staff by automating production. Reduce total labor costs by 5% over 2 years. Determine long term ROI of investment in automation Learning and Growth (Employee) Perspective Objectives Targets Measures Risk Mitigation Offer new opportunities for advancement within the company Promote more internal employees to middle manager positions Track the progression tenured of employees within the management hierarchy. Implement a training program for employees who desire management positions Improve corporate culture with social media Allow greater communication at all levels of company 25% employee participation on ON’s blog conversations Monitor and track system to ensure conversations are beneficial Summary Strategic initiatives are always associated with a certain level of risk. As an internationally recognized brand, it is essential for ON Semiconductor Corporation to make an effort to safeguard its image with any new strategic choice. Failing to maintain the image that has been developed could lead to a decreased ability to move forward with international growth of the brand. In addition, many of the strategic goals require a significant financial investment. Any large financial investment should show promise of delivering long-term value to shareholders. This is especially important in the process and internal operations category because it directly impacts the operational success of the company. A strategic initiative in this category must be designed for the long-term sustainability of the company. Each perspective on the balanced scorecard has unique strategic implications. For example, the strategic goals of the shareholders are significantly different than those of the employees or customers. The managers in charge or implementing a strategic plan must find middle ground between the objectives of each category listed on the balanced scorecard. Each category plays an important role in the success of the organization at large and it is essential that every category be considered during the process. Ultimately, the balanced scorecard will ensure the strategy meets the objectives and values of ON Semiconductor Corporation. ONs competition in the semiconductor industry is widely varied. Direct competitors are other established brand manufacturers, such as Intel, Defunct, Sony, Silicon Wafer Producers, Foundry and Qualcomm. The closest competitor in terms of popularity, growth, and product line is the Samsung Electronics. In such a climate, the best investment opportunities will be awarded to companies that have the ingenuity and creativity to meet the customers demands for fashion in an industry driven by economic conditions, demographic trends, and pricing. The industry has moved from a buy now, upgrade later consumer to a buy now, upgrade now consumer. The companys management is confident that the ONs’ can achieve its aggressive sales  forecasts, generating total sales of approximately $20.6 million in years to come. In addition, ONs management has carefully considered its market, potential customer base, and its ability to grow its sales average to capture 10% of the semiconductor industry. ON’s has the potential to become a highly regarded resource in local, regional, national, and international markets. Due to the companys aggressive marketing strategy, establishment of the company as a unique entity in its industry, careful development of its products coupled with strategic partnerships with some of the industrys headliners, and the companys profitable revenue model, ON’s has the potential to provide lucrative returns to potential investors. For ON’s to achieve status as an industry leader, it must secure initial capital. This capital will be used for start-up costs, to establish a reputable storefront, and to further develop the business, business infrastructure, internal systems, product development, and extensive marketing and geographic positioning. Providing that the company is able to acquire its funding requirements, ONs should be able to achieve operational success for many years to come. References Pearce, J. A. II, Robinson, R. B. (2009). Strategic management: Formulation, implementation, and control(11th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Thompson, A. A., Gamble, J. E., Strickland, A. J. (2006). Strategy: Winning in the marketplace: Core concepts, analytical tools, cases (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

Our Guys Essay -- essays research papers

The novel Our Guys, written by Bernard Lefkowitz, is a very dynamic story about the heinous actions of a dozen middle-class athletes, from a small New York suburb, against a defenseless mentally handicapped girl. Lefkowitz describes a brutal gang rape involving a baseball bat and broomhandle, which took place in this unsuspecting town, by these upstanding young group of boys, as the town would describe them. Lefkowitz looks at the incident which took place and then examines the â€Å"jock clique† sub-culture that allowed such atrocities to happen, and spawned the scandal to cover it up. The town of Glenridge is at the surface not any different than any other surburban American town. Like most towns it has its â€Å"cliques† and the â€Å"jocks† are at the pinnacle of the town. Idolized by the students and a sourse of pride for the entire town, however the Glenridge boys were not like most high school athletes. The â€Å"Jock clique† formed at a very early age,and invaded their surroundings taking over where ever they went, whether it be school, games or around town, protected by the â€Å"boys will be boys† attitude held by the rest of the town. The boys started showing signs of beligerance as early as elementary school, with a common ignorance for authority. The group was later easily passed through middle school to relieve the teachers of another year enduring the â€Å"problem† class. Once in high scholl the boys became the leaders of the school, andpride of the town. In Glenridge sports were valued higher than academics, turning these young men into heros, and everyone else into nobodies. There was not anything anyone could do to derail this movement, nor did they try to. Glenridges attitude towards women was very outdated. Women were regarded as mothers and wives, their jobs weere to make the men of the town happy. They were treated as objects and rarely held positions of authority-there were not any women mentors, therefore everyone lokked up to their fathers and saw that men were the supreme beings. Most of the boys did not even have any female influences other than their mothers; infact only two of the boys involved had sisters, Bryan Grober and Phil Grant. Thes boys were raised in dressing rooms by males and taught to respect the institute and brotherhood of a team. That if they respected their sacred bond they could do anything. Nothing was more important than the team or eac... ... athletes to do as they please. However he does not do a good job of being non-partisan. He leads his readers to believe the only group of people who would do such things are â€Å"jocks†. This bias is not true. The newspapers report that University fraternities, and secret societies are as likely, if not more likely, to commit these very same acts. He also leads the reader to believe that all athletes and athletic teams are similar. The impression he leaves about the majority of teams and their members is prejudicial and unfair. It is very unfortunate and disheartening that members of a community that were so highly reguarded, would commit such acts. It is even more disturbing to hear about the scenario leading up to the rape, and the community which produced these troubled young men. It is more important to look at why the events took place rather than who committed them, because ultimately the only innocent person involved is the victim, a mentally handicapped young gir l, named Lesli Faber. This book shows that the community is to blame when tragedies like these occur, and that if it happened in Glen ridge, what is to stop it from happening in our own back yard by â€Å"our guys†?

David Suzuki Essay

David Suzuki is an award-winning environmentalist, scientist and broadcaster. He also dabbles in radio and television series that go into detail about the complexities of the natural sciences in an easy and fascinating way. Finish Intro Paragraph – any tips, mother? David Suzuki is first and foremost, a geneticist. He graduated from Amherst College in 1958 with an honors degree in biology. He moved onto graduate school at the University of Chicago with a PhD in Zoology. Suzuki’s first academic position was an assistant professor in Genetics at the University of Alberta. After his assistant practices at Alberta, he moved on to where he now resides, at the University of British Columbia. David Suzuki has been honored with many awards. In 1972, he was awarded the E.W.R. Steacie Memorial Fellowship for being an outstanding research scientist under the age of thirty-five and he held that award for three years straight. He won many academic awards and holds twenty-five honorary degrees in Canada, the United States, and Australia. Suzuki has written fifty-two books, including nineteen children books. He wrote a textbook, in 1976, named An Introduction to Genetic Analysis that is the most widely used genetics textbook in the United States. This book has been translated into many other languages, including Italian, Spanish, Greek, Indonesian, Arabic, French, and German. Suzuki has not only tinkered around in writing, but broadcasting as well. In 1974, he developed and hosted a science program called Quirks and Quarks that was displayed on CBC radio for four years. Since then, he has presented two documentary CBC radio series relating to the environment, named It’s a Matter of Survival and From Naked Ape to Superspecies. His national television debut began with CBC in 1971 when he wrote and hosted his two season series, Suzuki on Science. He created and hosted a number of television specials, and in 1979, he became of host of The Nature of Things with David Suzuki, which rewarded him with numerous awards. He participated in a series, A Planet for the Taking, which won an award from the United Nations. In 2002, he received an award for his broadcasting excellence. David Suzuki is also a world leader in sustainable ecology. He is the recipient of many world-known prizes and medals, and has been granted with the Right Livelihood Award, which is known as the Alternative Nobel Prize. Not only has he received awards and presented series, but also he has co-founded his own Foundation. Suzuki felt as  though he was just â€Å"a messenger telling people about the crisis that is happening† and that he didn’t have any solutions (Suzuki 219). As he was working on making people more aware, he was receiving feedback of people feeling motivated from his words. With this feedback, Suzuki realized that he â€Å"had a responsibility to suggest potential answers† (Suzuki 220). With the help of Tara Cullis, an award-winning writer and former professor at Harvard University, the David Suzuki Foundation was instituted on September 14th, 1990. The goals of the Foundation are to protect the climate, create livable communities, establish environmental rights and justice, transform the economy, connect with nature, and build the community. The David Suzuki Foundation has worked with doctors to fight for clean air, published energy solutions, brought voices from NHL hockey players and Olympic Skiers to advocate for going carbon neutral, helped governments ban pesticides, protected species at risk, researched contaminants in farmed salmon, and worked with chefs to switch to sustainable seafood. The Foundation has even addressed economics, assessing the value of greenbelts (an area which is kept and reserved to ensure that there is open space), farmland, and other ecological services, and published a guide on how businesses can shrink their environmental impact. Nat ure sustains the economy. At least that is what Herman Daly, a senior economist at World Bank and teacher at University of Maryland’s School of Public Affairs, states in David Suzuki’s (and Holly Dressel’s) book, From Naked Ape to Superspecies. Daly states that, â€Å"’you sacrifice some of the natural system when you convert it into man-made things’† (Dressel and Suzuki ?). There needs to be a balance between the costs and benefits. In the past, there hasn’t been a focus on that balance. A cause of this unbalance and sacrificing lays with corporations. In Professor Brad Howard’s Journalism 190 class, the movie, The Corporation, was assigned for the students to watch. The Corporation is a Canadian documentary film that examines the modern-day corporation. The corporation is legally bound to put its bottom line ahead of everything, even the public good. In From Naked Ape to Superspecies, corporations are explained from a variety of sources. Jane Ann Morris, a corporate anthologist who works with a group called Program on Corporations, Law, and Democracy, stated that corporations have squeezed themselves into democracy, replacing the human persons. Even though the corporations are not people, they have been given  the same rights. The corporations are â€Å"reducing the rights of humans† (Suzuki and Dressel ?) and putting itself ahead of the people. According to the textbook in Brad’s class, The Problem of the Media by McChesney, â€Å"corporate societies† or â€Å"corporations† are corporate bodies that are legally authorized to act as a single individual. Brad assigned an academic journal for us to read, called Corporations, Democracy, and the Public Good by Stephen Barley. Barley states a thesis about the republic, â€Å"people are now separated from their representatives by an asteroid belt of organizations and among the most powerful of these are corporations and their trade associations† (Barley 203). In an interview with Lynette Thorstensen in Habitat Australia, David Suzuki stated that this situation with the corporations is not beyond the people’s grasp just yet. What is needed to occur are regulations and controls on the global level. An example that Suzuki provides is if a multinational company was found to be profiting through the dumping of wastes, the company should be fined to such a degree that continuing to behave like a pirate would cost more than the actual profit. Suzuki thinks that we need to keep the corporations exposed. David Suzuki is related to journalism and corporations, or at least his opinions are. Sustainable ecology is related to journalism and corporations. David Suzuki is a world leader in sustainable ecology. In order for the environment to be protected, the government needs to be involved. In order for the government to prosper, the environment needs to be cared for. As an environmental enthusiast, I had no clue that corporations played such a crucial role in the environment issues. Not only was I unaware about how the corporations were linked with environment issues, but I did not know that David Suzuki had ever addressed it. I think that’s something that Brad has tried to include in the class – corporations and their hiding. The reason I didn’t know corporations were involved in this issue, was because corporations influence the media and by their influence, they wish to be invisible in their link with th ese issues. Framing is what they call it. Framing is where a news media puts the shareholders first. If a corporation invests in a news media, the media shapes the information being shared and how we see topics/issues. So, I didn’t get to see the corporation’s influences, since they didn’t want the public to see them. Framing is a popular topic in Brad’s class. The media  frames issues all over the place. So once I discovered that issue among David Suzuki’s research, my mind was opened and aware. I think it all brings a new light to David Suzuki. Not only does David Suzuki care about the environment and protecting it, he cares about the impact of the government and corporations. David Suzuki †¦ any tips for the conclusion, mother?

The Angel-William Blake

I dreamt a dream! What can it mean? And that I was a maiden Queen Guarded by an Angel mild: Witless woe was inner beguiled! And I wept both night and day, And he wiped my tears away; And I wept both day and night, And hid from him my heart's delight. So he took his wings, and fled; Then the morn blushed rosy red. I dried my tears, and armed my fears With ten-thousand shields and spears. Soon my Angel came again; I was armed, he came in vain; For the time of youth was fled, And grey hairs were on my head.Analysis Personal- I believe that Blake is emphasizing that fact that when we are younger we are encouraged to dream and to have fun because of our innocence and lack of knowledge of the consequences. But as we become older we are guided into achieving certain goals because we now understand the situations that we face. I believe that Blake is saying that we should live in the present and not the future, because our innocence (our youth) can never be regained but our imagination is c ontinuous.I believe that the ‘Angel' in this poem is referring to our parent's, because wrought the good and the bad, our parent's will be there to help us. Literal- when Blake refers to the word â€Å"l†, he is referring to himself. He believed that he was the Maiden Queen. In the second stanza, the Angel offers its love to the Maiden Queen, but the Maiden Queen does not accept it. In the third stanza we read that the Queen is now willing to accept the Angel's love, by arming his self with 10,000 shields and spears. The shields represent protection from being hurt, and the spears represent inflicting damage against people who wrong him.In the fourth stanza we read the Angel had come again but came in vain. So Blake was now willing to love the Angel but as he had become old with grey hair, the Angel came in vain, this meant that the Angel could not love Blake. Time Period The Angel was written during the Romantic Era. It is a four-stanza poem written in quatrains, consi sting of 4 lines and two sets of rhyming couplets in each. Relation to the Romantic Era The Angel written by William Blake demonstrates an emphasis of emotion, lack of redeem and the recognition of personal experience.Emphasis of emotion it demonstrated when Blake writes â€Å"And I wept both night and day, And he wiped my tears away'. This indicates that the Angel has an impact on Flake's life, which had impacted him in many different ways. A lack of freedom is demonstrated when Blake writes â€Å"Soon my Angel came again† as he spent many years devoted to preparing for the Angel's return. Also when he writes â€Å"Guarded by an Angel mild†, indicating that Blake was sheltered by his Angel during his childhood.Recognition of personal experience is exemplified throughout the entire poem. Some examples are demonstrated when Blake writes â€Å"And that I was a maiden Queen, So he took his wings, and fled, Soon my Angel came again,† these statements highlight the experiences Blake had his Angel. Stylistic Devices Rhyming couplet Biblical allusion Why I chose this poem I chose this poem because I believe that Blake was one of the best poets during his time. Even though he may have been a greatest poet, this is one of the only poems that I truly enjoy.

Change Of Chinese Theory Essays - Cinema Of China, Film Theory

Change Of Chinese Theory Essays - Cinema Of China, Film Theory Change Of Chinese Theory Western film theory is generally subdivided into classical theory and contemporary theory. Contemporary theory consists of a theoretical system, which employs psychoanalysis, ideological critique and feminism to interpret cinematic forms. It originated in the mid-sixties and flourished in the 1970s. It was first introduced to China in the early 1980s and brought in as a complete theoretical system a few years later. Peaking in the late 1980s, it should have taken up an important position in the development of China's film theory. Classical film theory had developed very slowly in China, and by the end of the 1970s it had acquired the following features: It was a theory about social politics, not about art or cinema, and frequently used as a tool in political struggle, directly serving the politics of the day. (Ke 66) Mikroulis 2 Its artistic theory was insipid, simple and ossified, consisting merely of theories about production transplanted from philosophical dogmas. China had been closed for a long time, and there had been little international exchange, borrowing or debate. Therefore, widespread assimilation of the scholarly achievements of foreign film theory had been impossible and numerous lacunae and defects existed.(Ke 66) Toward the end of the 1970s China chose reform and opening to the outside world. Major changes in film theory were inevitable in order to adapt to the needs of social reform and cinematic innovation and to enrich and improve theory itself. Importing foreign film theory and changing Chinese cinematic concepts were also inevitable. The adoption of any film theory by society is not random but socially and historically determined. A society invariably adopts theories suitable for social development independent of any individual's will. Mikroulis 3 As contemporary film theory was being given a cold reception, making up for what had been missed in classical theory proceeded on a grand scale and along the following lines: Establishing cinematic concepts by exploring the specificity of the cinema, making cinema an art form independent from others, and distinguishing film theory from general art theory to turn it into an independent field. Beginning to focus on cinematic forms of expression and artistic techniques in an attempt to break away from outdated methods centered on the Soviet montage theory, and beginning to use original forms to express fresh contents and feelings. Almost all these efforts to catch up on classical film theory provoked heated debates within the Chinese film world. There were both conflicts and compromises with the old theoretical system. Both sides attempted to devise an authoritative and socially accepted theory that would direct film production and criticism. In the absence of Mikroulis 4 common ground, struggles both open and covert broke out between the left and right. The gap between traditional Chinese film theory and classical foreign film theory was considerably narrowed as a result of these efforts to catch up. However, different social conditions mean that no Western theory can be brought in unchanged, and because of the speed of their introduction, the essence of many theories was not fully understood. Superficial understandings, out-of-context interpretations, misreading and even misrepresentations were unavoidable. Practice had yet to show whether these theories suited Chinese circumstances, and whether they could become a part of a dominant theory. But as the pace of China's reforms and opening to the world increased, classical Western theory found itself unable to satisfy the intellectual needs of China's film theorists. The film theorists were already casting their gaze toward the outside world again. In the summer of 1984, contemporary Western film theory entered China again, this time through the unusual Mikroulis 5 method of inviting American film scholars to Beijing to run a summer session on film theory. Although unprecedented anywhere in the world, such a method of disseminating contemporary film theory suited the organization of the Chinese cinema studies world. The two Chinese scholars responsible for this event were Cheng Jihua and Chen Mei. Cheng and Chen had been invited to give a course on Chinese films in 1983 by UCLA. It was well-received. In the course of extensive contacts with American scholars, they came to feel deeply that Chinese film theory was so narrow, ossified and monolithic that it precluded academic dialogue with foreign countries. A number of American film scholars also wished to see

leukemia1 essays

leukemia1 essays According to the Cancer Book from the American Cancer Society, Leukemia is a cancer of the blood. It was first identified as a new disease in around 1830 in Germany. The scientific term, "leukemia," comes from the Greek words that mean "white blood." The disease is described as a cancerous disorder not just of the blood itself, but also of the organs that produce the blood cells in the body. The organs are mainly the bone marrow and the lymph system, where normal red and white cells, lymph cells, and platelets grow before entering the bloodstream. Normal cells usually go through the same process but with differences in rate, number, and function ability. With the disease, the bone marrow will not be able to produce the sufficient levels of red blood cells and platelets, while the white blood cells will produce so rapidly that the cells will not become mature enough to fight off infections. As the disease progresses, the whole blood system will become useless due to the vast a mount of immature cells produced. If a person with the disease is not treated, there will be excessive bleeding and infections until the body reaches the point where it becomes defenseless. The body will make minor injury or infection very serious. Leukemia itself does not always kill people. Instead, people die from infections such as small virus or bacteria because there are not enough normal white blood cells in the body. Also, people could die form internal bleeding, which could have been prevented by the platelets. Leukemia appears more commonly in adults then children. A survey in 1989 stated that approximately 25,000 new cases of the disease are diagnosed annually in the United States, 22,500 of them are adults and only 2,500 are children. It also shows that men are affected by leukemia 30 percent more frequently than women. Ten years ago, about 17,000 people die from the disease each year. Many of the advanced industrial nations have in...

Still More Words That Turn on the Root Vert

Still More Words That Turn on the Root Vert Still More Words That Turn on the Root Vert Still More Words That Turn on the Root Vert By Mark Nichol Two recent posts (here and here) dealt with many of the English words based on the Latin verb vertere, meaning â€Å"turn,† focusing on those based on the root vert. This follow-up post defines some additional words in the vertere family: those with the root vers. Versus (abbreviated vs. or, in legal contexts, v.) comes directly from the Latin adverb meaning â€Å"so as to face† and means â€Å"against† or â€Å"in contrast to.† As a Latin noun, versus meant â€Å"furrow† or â€Å"row,† alluding to how a plow was turned at the end of each row, and later acquired the sense of a line and a line of writing, hence verse. That word pertains to a line of metrical writing, a poem in particular or poetry in general, a stanza (one of two or more sections of a poem) or a similar segment of a song, or a brief division of the Bible. Interestingly, an antonym of verse in the sense of â€Å"poetry,† prose, which refers to more loosely structured forms of writing that resemble speech- and to ordinary written and spoken language or, pejoratively, something dull or ordinary (described with the adjective prosaic and the adverb prosaically)- is a contraction of proversus, meaning â€Å"turned forward.† Prose itself functions also as an adjective (as in â€Å"prose poem,† referring to a hybrid form of writing) and as a verb. Verso (â€Å"the page being turned†) means â€Å"left-hand page† or â€Å"reverse side of a page.† (The opposite term is recto.) â€Å"Vice versa,† taken directly from Latin, means â€Å"with the order turned.† Versatile (from versatilis, meaning â€Å"able to or capable of turning† or â€Å"operated by turning†) usually describes being able to turn from one thing to another, such as two distinct skills, or having variability or various applications; such a quality is called versatility. In biology, it describes free movement of an appendage or segment of an animal or plant. Version, borrowed directly from the medieval Latin verb meaning â€Å"act of turning,† refers to a variation of a description of something or a type of something, and in medicine pertains to an organ of the body turned from its normal position or to the turning of a fetus during childbirth to facilitate delivery. Anniversary literally means â€Å"year turning† and describes a recurrence of a date, whether annual or on some other scale, or refers to a celebration of such a date. Adverse, which literally means â€Å"turn against,† refers to an action or attitude that is harmful, hostile, or unfavorable; an adversary is an enemy or opponent. Malversation, literally â€Å"bad turn,† pertains to corruption or a corrupt government administration. Obverse (literally, â€Å"turned toward†) means â€Å"facing† or â€Å"opposite† but also describes something wider at the top than at the base. Transverse means â€Å"placed across† or pertains to something so positioned, while traverse means â€Å"travel across or over,† â€Å"move or pass along or through,† â€Å"examine,† or â€Å"survey†; in legal contexts, it means â€Å"deny† or â€Å"oppose.† As a noun, it describes a course or crossing or other movement, or an obstacle or something that crosses. Universe, from universus, meaning â€Å"whole,† describes, in contexts ranging from astronomy to philosophy, the entirety of existence or experience, or something similarly comprehensive or of great quantity; the adjectival form is universal, and the noun describing the quality or state of comprehensiveness is universality. The related term university, derived from the Latin phrase universitas magistrorum et scholarium (essentially, â€Å"community of teachers and scholars†), refers to an institution of higher learning, often composed of several colleges, schools, or other divisions. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:70 "Home" Idioms and ExpressionsCapitalization Rules for Names of Historical Periods and MovementsIs "Number" Singular or Plural?

Company Research of Wal-Mart Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Company Research of Wal-Mart - Essay Example This means that 537 new international stores have been added to Wal-Mart's retail space. To enhance its international operations, the company has also experienced switch in leadership roles. Mr John Menzer is now in charge of US operations and several other divisions, while Mr Mike Dune currently heads international operations. In view of the recent developments, it can be seen that the company is seeking to grow externally as it focuses on its international operations. Moreover, Wal-Mart continues to have a positive outlook as it remains committed to the improvement of merchandise mix by constantly offering new products that target a wide market range. The firm also continues to control expenses as it implements various cost-cutting measures such as the recruiting of younger and healthier workers to save on healthcare cost. Given the company's strategy, I believe that continuous growth may be expected as Wal-Mart focuses on expanding internationally. With the firm's established brand equity not only in the US but throughout the world as well, it could easily capture a fair share of the overseas retail market. Accompanied by an appropriate financial strategy, the company's expansion binge may have a positive effect on the value of its shares. This conclusion is further supported by the firm's financial prudence.

Jeremy Lin Biography Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Jeremy Lin Biography - Essay Example At the end of the day, experts in the world of professional basketball say one thing – Lin is good but not that good to be a basketball sensation like Bryant or Jordan. I do not agree that he should be a symbol for Asian Americans. Putting up Jeremy Lin as the epitome of Asian Americans is telling the world athletes who are Asian Americans only succeed out of luck which as proven by history is not true. The sensationalizing of Lin has also made China put a claim on his ancestry when he is actually a mixture of Chinese and Taiwanese. Thankfully Lin has not shown any kind of stressing out over his new status symbol which is fortunate because it is too soon to ruin his career like other people who had let their sudden fame get to their heads. Jeremy Lin was born in Palo Alto, Los Angeles to Taiwanese parents who had permanently moved to the United States from Taiwan in 1970. (Taylor) By American law, his nationality is American. His schooling came from American schools. With the guidance of their father, Gie-Ming who was self-taught in the sport, Lin and his brothers learned basketball at the local YMCA. (O’Neil) What started as a way for Gie-Min to release the stress brought about by long hours of work became a way to teach his boys basketball at an early age and a three-nights-a-week routine for him and his boys. (O’Neil) Their mother was on hand to support the hobby but also to make sure that the kids did not lose sight of their academic requirements. Although Lin played the sport really well while in school, he was continuously taunted because of his ethnicity. Basketball was after all America’s beloved sport. Naturally, Americans typical image of a basketball player would be someone like Larry Bird or Michael Jordan - tall and American. Asian Americans were not very common in the scene. When 7-foot tall Chinese national Yao Ming first appeared in the NBA in 2002, a similar hype surrounded him because people were still skeptical abo ut Asian Americans excelling in the sport. Of course, Yao Ming and Jeremy Lin are proving them wrong. It is therefore no surprise that Jeremy Lin’s countrymen, as with Yao Ming, would be so proud of him that they would make him a representation of the Asian American community. Without all the media announcing it, Jeremy Lin is already an inspiration to many Asian Americans. Like how Lin idolized the basketball greats introduced to him by his father, today’s younger generation is also looking up to the promising basketball player. Especially in China where the practice of religion is limited, Lin, who has openly referred to his faith in God many times, has given hope to the Chinese community. For someone as young as Lin, being the image for Asian Americans would be a daunting task that could be detrimental to his career. As with all popular public figures, the young athlete would be in the spotlight at all times. (Zimmerbucher) He would need to ensure that whatever he d oes or says would always please his audience so as not to lose their support. For athletes, performance and mass media are very important aspects of the job. These can play a role in the negotiation of their contracts with their teams and endorsements. Even though this would prove to be beneficial to Lin monetary-speaking, the young man only wants to enjoy the game at this stage in his career. (O’Neil) He also needs to continue improving his skills and he cannot do this with everyone in

The Joy Luck Club versus Moveable Feast Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words - 2

The Joy Luck Club versus Moveable Feast - Essay Example Significant cultural similarities and differences emerge in the two texts, especially with regards to interactions in the family, friendships, and in marriage. Cultural differences and similarities between the French culture, which is presented in Ernest Hemingway’s A Moveable Feast, and the American culture, which is presented in Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club, have a great influence on social relationships, especially in families, friendships, and marriages. In Amy Tan’s The Joy Luck Club, the writer highlights some of the conflicts that ensue between Chinese immigrant mothers and their American-raised daughters, thus pointing to the cultural gap between the mothers and their daughters. A Moveable Feast narrates everything from the weather and Boulevards to places such as cafes in Paris, and people; it is an intricate tale of love and loss, and the passing of time in Paris. The main similarity between the American culture and the French culture as portrayed in The Joy Luck Club and A Moveable Feast is that both the Americans and the French place value on autonomy and personal happiness. The novels reveal a lot of instances where the characters are closely engaged in fun and merry-making, experiences, which are not only gratifying, but also memorable due to their extrinsic nature; individuals in both cultures enjoy the freedom of will and choice, and there are no restrictions to live whatsoever. Personal happiness and freedoms are cultural ideals that are highly valued in both the French culture and the American culture, and friendships, family, and marriages in those cultures are strongly embedded in these notions. Nonetheless, stark differences between the American culture and the French culture are also revealed in the two novels; for instance, whereas the French culture as presented in A Moveable Feast reveals high tolerance on loose morals and manners of others, the American culture is very strict on morality.

American Flag Desecration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

American Flag Desecration - Essay Example George Washington said "We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing we are separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing Liberty" ("History of the Flag," 2007). Other nations often take the red as the blood of those who risked their life for the nation's freedom, and white as purity for the ideal freedom they fought for. The Congress in 1977 was credited for speaking of the flag's symbols as "the star is a symbol for heaven and a divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; and the stripe is symbolic of the rays light emanating from the sun"("The United States Flag," 2006.) This is how much Americans value their symbols of nationalities. However, through freedom of speech and expression towards presidential governance, some use the flag to extend their disagreement; such as burning, ripping or any indecent display that could attract the administration's attention to listen to their stipulations (Foppian, 2007). The massive public burning of flag during the Vietnam conflict on 1968 alarmed the Congress that was forced to come up with the first federal flag protection of general applicability. However, due to the Supreme Court's refusal to review the statute, it took a couple of decades that only the lower courts were the ones that upheld its constitutionality (Luckley, 2003) According to John Luckley's (2003) study of Flag Protection, up until now, the Congress finds difficulty in fully enforcing the federal law of flag desecration. To fully constitute the statute is to suppress the freedom of speech, but it may appear also as if the constitution is tolerating the desecration of the American flag (Luckley 2003:4). The 108th Congress Report of the House of Representatives (Library of Congress, 2007) cites that flag desecration is protected under the First Amendment as expressive conduct. The only stated law from the same source is that "The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States." The ineffectivity of this law is due to the conflict of freedom of speech which the Supreme Court favors more and is the inclined stance taken mainly by the State (Luckley, 2003). Federal Law of Flag Desecration about Burning The United States Flag Code outlines flag etiquette. The Federal law states that "when American flag has worn out due to regular use and no longer fit for display, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner" ("Cracking the Flag-Burning," 2005). The specified term allows the burning of the flag in order to discharge the worn-out flag in respectful conduct. Its implication is that any manner and intent of the flag burning act aside from the mentioned tolerable act is punishable. As accounted for by the Library of Congress, House Joint Resolution 4 gives Congress authority to legislate the federal law even though not precisely recognized by the State (Luckley, 2003). The United States Veterans of Affairs stated that "there is no penalty for failure to comply with the Flag Code, and that it is not widely enforced." This insinuates that to emphasize or enforce the flag code of conduct would conflict with the First Amendment's right of freedom of sp

Evolution of Transformational Leadership Assignment

Evolution of Transformational Leadership - Assignment Example Transformational leadership is perhaps the modern category of leadership which not only conceives from the point of view of leaders but it also attempts to renovate the followers or subordinates into leaders. " facilitates a redefinition of people's mission and vision, a renewal of their commitment and the restructuring of their systems for goal accomplishment. It is a relationship of mutual stimulation and elevation that converts followers into leaders and may convert leaders into moral agents. Hence, Transformational leadership must be grounded in moral foundations." (Leithwood, as cited in Cashin et al., 2000, p.1). 1. Genuine Transformational leadership builds indisputable trust between leaders and followers. They believe that without constant commitment, enforcement, and modeling of leadership, standards of business ethics cannot be attained in organizations. 3. They increase the awareness of what is right, important, and beautiful when they help to elevate followers' needs for achievement and self-actualization, when they foster in followers higher moral maturity, and when they move followers to go beyond their self-interests for the good of their group, organization, or society. The truly transformational leader is who seeks the greatest quality for the greatest number and thus sets an example to followers about the value of valid and accurate communication in followers. 4. In organizations where Transformational leadership has a broad influence, at times both leadership and follower-ship are equal but they perform different activities at different times. Individuals who assume leadership roles have sound visioning, interpersonal and organizational skills, and the desire and willingness to lead. Effective followers are distinguished by their capacity for self-management, strong commitment, and courage (Kelley, 1995).

American Flag Desecration Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

American Flag Desecration - Essay Example George Washington said "We take the stars from Heaven, the red from our mother country, separating it by white stripes, thus showing we are separated from her, and the white stripes shall go down to posterity representing Liberty" ("History of the Flag," 2007). Other nations often take the red as the blood of those who risked their life for the nation's freedom, and white as purity for the ideal freedom they fought for. The Congress in 1977 was credited for speaking of the flag's symbols as "the star is a symbol for heaven and a divine goal to which man has aspired from time immemorial; and the stripe is symbolic of the rays light emanating from the sun"("The United States Flag," 2006.) This is how much Americans value their symbols of nationalities. However, through freedom of speech and expression towards presidential governance, some use the flag to extend their disagreement; such as burning, ripping or any indecent display that could attract the administration's attention to listen to their stipulations (Foppian, 2007). The massive public burning of flag during the Vietnam conflict on 1968 alarmed the Congress that was forced to come up with the first federal flag protection of general applicability. However, due to the Supreme Court's refusal to review the statute, it took a couple of decades that only the lower courts were the ones that upheld its constitutionality (Luckley, 2003) According to John Luckley's (2003) study of Flag Protection, up until now, the Congress finds difficulty in fully enforcing the federal law of flag desecration. To fully constitute the statute is to suppress the freedom of speech, but it may appear also as if the constitution is tolerating the desecration of the American flag (Luckley 2003:4). The 108th Congress Report of the House of Representatives (Library of Congress, 2007) cites that flag desecration is protected under the First Amendment as expressive conduct. The only stated law from the same source is that "The Congress shall have power to prohibit the physical desecration of the flag of the United States." The ineffectivity of this law is due to the conflict of freedom of speech which the Supreme Court favors more and is the inclined stance taken mainly by the State (Luckley, 2003). Federal Law of Flag Desecration about Burning The United States Flag Code outlines flag etiquette. The Federal law states that "when American flag has worn out due to regular use and no longer fit for display, it should be destroyed by burning in a dignified manner" ("Cracking the Flag-Burning," 2005). The specified term allows the burning of the flag in order to discharge the worn-out flag in respectful conduct. Its implication is that any manner and intent of the flag burning act aside from the mentioned tolerable act is punishable. As accounted for by the Library of Congress, House Joint Resolution 4 gives Congress authority to legislate the federal law even though not precisely recognized by the State (Luckley, 2003). The United States Veterans of Affairs stated that "there is no penalty for failure to comply with the Flag Code, and that it is not widely enforced." This insinuates that to emphasize or enforce the flag code of conduct would conflict with the First Amendment's right of freedom of sp

Certificate training and assesment tafe Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Certificate training and assesment tafe - Essay Example Questions RESULTS Assessor to complete shaded areas: S NYS Questions relevant to all TAE40110 design field units 1. In your own words explain what Vocational Education and Training (VET) is and describe its key features. Explain key principles of how competency-based training and assessment (CBT/A) works. 1. Answer: Vocational Education and Training (VET) is a higher educational training delivered by further institutions, which provides people with occupational or work related knowledge and skills that is however not a degree or higher level programs. The three (3) features of the training program is that it industry led, national and client focused. By industry led, it means the program is focused on employers and people who are already in industry work. For this reason, the whole program is defined by representatives in the industry. This means that the program may serve as an in-service training, career enhancement program or career option for people who will want to switch their careers. By national, it means the program is government accredited and so it is carried out throughout the entire Australia. It is not only accredited by government but also managed by the state or government. The program is client focused because it serves the immediate needs of clients as long their job demands are concerned. The program is conducted in a flexible manner that meets the working needs of clients. This means that it considers the working conditions of workers so that training programs are not fixed at times that will ne inconvenient to clients who may be working already. The key principles on which the CBT/A works is includes the fact that i. The program focuses on what a person can do not how they learn to do it: This means that the primary aim of the program is to see a client who completes the course with an ability to undertake a certain competency without necessarily judging the way by which the person acquired those competencies. This brings to the fore, the i ssues of flexibility in training acquisition. The format for training is so flexible that a client may choose whatever learning strategy that works will for him. As far as organisers are concerned, the end justifies the means and that end should be the acquisition of a competency level. ii. Criteria-reference assessment: This principle talks about the uniformity in the assessment procedure for the program. Competency-based assessment focuses on giving all participants assessment based on criteria outlined by the relevant competency standards. iii. Recognition assessment: This is to say that the program recognises prior learning experiences and current competency of candidates and assesses them based on these current competencies. The program therefore places premium on prospective candidates with previous experiences and encourages that. iv. Flexible and personalised delivery: The program focuses on the relevancy for the client. It aims at meeting the employability needs of the clie nts. The program is also delivered to meet the occupational needs of clients. The assessment process also reflects the needs of the clients. It is therefore not surprising that two different RTOs will undertake the same course for different client groups and the assessments for the two groups will be different. v. Immediate application: Accessibility to application is easy and they are based only on skills needed by

Qualitative Research Project Essay Example for Free

Qualitative Research Project Essay

Muslim Women: Wearing The Hijab

Muslim Women: Wearing The Hijab Literature on this topic is abundant as research has been conducted globally on the topic of the hijab as to the reasons why women should and should not wear the hijab. The research conducted was made possible through the use of surveys, interviews, questionnaires and observations. Katherine Bullock in particular, a Canadian community activist, author and lecturer did extensive research on the topic of the hijab and published her findings in the form of a book called Rethinking Muslim Women and the Veil which challenges Historical and Modern Stereotypes . She has also published articles on Muslim women and the media, and Islam and political theory. Purposes of the research The objectives of the study are to examine if the dominant negative Western perception affects the reasons why the Muslim community is divided on the subject of hijab. This research addresses the concern for a dialogue that could inform westernised societies about the personal reasons why some female Muslim students wear hijab and why others do not. I want my research to be meaningful, relevant to local communities and to open my mind and that of others by being taught through research and personal interviews about the subject. Scope and limitations The pool of participants is limited to the Muslim students at TSiBA Education. The data set is meaningful, but not representative of the vast range of Muslims in different contexts. It will however show a diversity of views within a common theology and faith. Plan of development METHODOLOGY 2.1 Participation The target group for the research is 20 South African Muslim women between the ages of 18 and 40. This age group is the target of this study because they are the current generation of TSiBA students and are experiencing modern South Africa in a time when it seems there is an ever increasing influx of Western culture. The age group is also likely to include married women who might be inclined to think differently about the hijab as their marriage might have changed the way each looks at the hijab. 2.2 Methods of data collection Two sets of data will be employed: 1) open-ended e-mail questionnaires with 20 Muslim students about the hijab 2) Conduct interviews and observations on the candidates if further data is required. The first data collection method I chose was a simple questionnaire. The research draws on qualitative data from questionnaires and interviews with 20 Muslim female students of varying ages within the TSiBA community. After many different drafts of the questionnaire I went to the Tertiary School in Business Administration (TSiBA) Education to distribute the final version. My questionnaire included the opinions of both young women who wear the hijab and those that do not. I did not ask for names in any section of the survey to ensure the anonymity of all my human subjects. In the end I collected 20 surveys in total. After gathering the questionnaire, I analyzed the results manually. As my second method of data collection, I conducted interviews, each having an approximate duration of between 30 minutes. I used a recording device on all my interviews. LITERATURE REVIEW Introduction Keywords: Islam, Muslim, hijab, veil, female, students, TSIBA Education, reasons, dominiant negative Western perception. The debate regarding the wearing of religious garb in public, specifically coverings worn by Muslim women has increased over the past few years resulting in a lot of controversy among those who agree with the practice and those who do not (iqraonline.net). The French, along with the west expected that the hijab would pass away into history as westernization and secularization took root. However, in the Muslim world, especially among the younger generation, a great wave of returning to hijab was spreading through various countries. This current resurgence is an expression of Islamic revival (Khaula Nakata, A View Through Hijab, 1994, pg 2). Hijab is seen all over the world, especially in places with a high concentration of practicing Muslims. The hijab has been the focus of often fierce media debates and has come to symbolise the clash of cultures supported by links between Islamic extremism and 21st century terrorism. While in several Islamic states such as Saudi Arabia, Afghanistan and Iran, the full covering, known as the burqa, has been compulsory. A hostile response against Muslim culture has seen such traditional clothing banned, along with the much more common hijab, in the interests of secularism. In this context, Muslim women are portrayed by the Western media either as veiled victims in need of liberation because of a lack of free choice in foreign lands, or a threat to the Western societies in which they reside because of their choice to adopt the hijab which is a traditional Islamic dress. Muslim women are almost consistently portrayed as oppressed and veiled, a terrorist threat or exotic, sexualised beings. This is in line with Saids theory of Orientalism (Said, 1978), which argues that the Muslim world and its inhabitants are considered backward, barbaric and outsiders to Western society. This portrayal of Muslims is notable in the media in terms of the coverage of Muslim women. Most representations of Muslim women involve them wearing traditional Islamic clothing such as the hijab, and their role in the media is generally limited to commentary on issues such as the veil. Western Influences Dominant negative Western perception The Western media and feminists often portray the hijab as a symbol of oppression and slavery of women. (http://www.al-islam.org). Many feminists, both Western and Islamic argue that the hijab is a symbol of gender oppression and that the Islamic veiling of women is an oppressive practice. Fadel Amara, an Islamic feminist and a Muslim female member of French government says The burqa is a prison, a straightjacket. It is not religious. It is the insignia of a totalitarian Political project for sexual inequality. (King,Islam, Women and Terrorism, 299.) Feminists argue that public presence and visibility is important to Western women. It represents their struggle for economic independence, sexual agency and political participation. In the West, celebrity is the peak of cultural legitimacy. The hijab is a challenge to the view of liberated visibility and freedom of self-expression unfettered by the male gaze.( www.theage.com) After a century of struggle for freedom of expression that included discarding the bra, some Western countries have called for banning the hijab in schools. They have developed, it would seem, a rather limited view of what public visibility might mean to different women. Frances 2004 law, known popularly as the law on the headscarf, reveals the difficulty of respecting conflicting ideas between diverse communities, especially when one community, in this case the Muslims of France, is a minority. According to this law, female students are banned from wearing the hijab as well as all other openly religious symbols in public schools. France bans women from wearing the hijab in public schools because many feminists and lawmakers argue that veiling women serves as an oppressing force, a force that silences women. Alia Al- Saji states in her article The Racialization of Muslim Veils: A Philosophical Analysis many feminists see the headscarf As a symbol of Islamic gender oppression that à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦should be banned from public schools, a space where gender equality is presumed (or desired). Supporters of the law believe it fights gender oppression and gives equality to women in the school system. Katherine Bullock sheds light on the differences in judgment over hijab by having identified themes from her research on the women and Islam field. She divides these themes into the descriptions of those who are for and those who are against the hijab. According to Katherine Bullock, critics of the veil rely on secular liberal assumptions about society and human nature and therefore the veil is supposed to be and described as a symbol of oppression because it: Covers up (hides), in the sense of smothering, femininity Is apparently linked to the essentialized male and female difference (which is taken to mean that by nature, male is superior, female is inferior); Is linked to a particular view of womans place (subjugated in the home); Is linked to an oppressive (patriarchal) notion of morality and female purity (because of Islams Emphasis on chastity, marriage, and condemnation of pre- and extra-marital sexual relations); Can be imposed; and Is linked to a package of oppressions women in Islam face, such as seclusion, polygamy, easy male divorce, unequal inheritance rights. 3.2.2 Media attitudes to reporting Islam and hijab While the media cannot be held solely responsible for the construction of national identity nor blamed for societal attitudes towards minority cultures and religions, they play a significant role by providing the lens through which reality is perceived (Bullock Jafri, 2000). While the Western media sees itself as a democratic institution, it is often held accountable for legitimising and spreading racism and bias against religious communities such as Muslims (Bullock Jafri, 2000). The media portrays Muslims as tricky, sleazy, sexual and untrustworthy, as uniformly violent, as oppressors of women, and as members of a global conspiracy (Bullock Jafri, 2000). Macmaster and Lewis identify the shift in the European medias portrayal of veiled women from exotic to a danger to society (Macmaster Lewis, 1998, p. 121). They point out the juxtaposition of representations of Muslim women as concurrently oppressed and threatening, while Kolhatkar highlights the depiction of Muslim women as shapeless blue-clad forms of Afghan women (Kolhatkar, 2002, p. 34). The identification of Muslim women in the media by the use of traditional Islamic dress has been noted by Begum, who argues that images of Islamic dress are increasingly used in the media as a visual shorthand for dangerous extremism, and à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Muslims all over Europe are suffering from the consequences of such associations (Begum, 2005, p. 1). In France, a breeding ground of media and political debate about the hijab, has had a polarising affect on the Muslim community and a divisive impact on society and feminism. (Begum, 2005, p. 1) The medias portrayal of these women went from sinister symbols of Islamic extremism to brave heroines of the republic overnight (Ezekiel, 2005). But since then, the French media have reported on the suspension of a Muslim meter reader who wore a hijab under her hat, the banning of a fashion show of veiled women, the prevention of hijab-wearing mothers from volunteering in schools; the refusal of service to a student wearing a hijab by a university cafeteria and the banning of a witness to a civil service wedding from signing the documentation because her hijab prevented her from being formally identified According to Ezekiel, sexism and racism intersect in this debate. On one side of the feminist debate about the hijab, there are those who demand veils be banned from French streets as they encourage the harassment of unveiled women. But at the other end of the spectrum, feminists advocating a Muslim womans right to choose to wear or not to wear a hijab have aligned themselves with fundamentalist Islamic leaders, arguing that its a Muslim womans obligation to wear a hijab and demanding the ban be overturned. The authors argue that because of the medias cultural fixation on Muslim womens dress as a symbol of oppression, Muslim women often have to focus on that aspect of their identity as well, even if they would rather discuss something else. They suggest that even responsible journalism about Muslim women tends to demote them to the role of a reactionary source in the hijab debate. In sum, it is clear that Muslim women are predominantly presented to the Canadian public as foreign, exotic, oppressed, or threatening others rather than as ones unexotic, unthreatening next door neighbours. (www.reportingdiversity.org.) Clearly, the hijab story remains newsworthy in Western countries, and Muslim womens identities are inextricably linked to the headscarf as a result. 3.2.2.1 The argument of oppression Although it is true that many women do choose to wear the Hijab, it is not the case for all women. In many Middle Eastern and North African countries women are forced and are persecuted and abused for noncompliance with the hijab. This Hirshmann, Western Feminism, Eastern Veiling, and a Question of Free Agency, was recently demonstrated in Pakistan, where an extremist killed a womens activist and government minister, because she refused to wear the Hijab. King states, From Afghanistan to Algeria to Sudan, Pakistan and Iran- women are systematically brutalized and caught in a deadly crossfire between the secular and fundamentalist forces. Some Islamic feminists argue that although the statement in the Quran about women covering themselves was not meant to oppress women, the interpretation of those verses by Islamic societies does in fact oppress women. Although it can be argued that the hijab is a symbol of the oppression that occurs against women in Islam, many Islamic women dont agree. It is true that under some Islamist rule, specifically in some North African countries, Afghanistan, Iran, and Saudi Arabia women are oppressed and forced to wear the hijab, but in an international context, this is the exception to the rule regarding womens practices of wearing the veil11. Salma Yaqoob, a Muslim woman who chooses to wear the hijab explains the veil is not only an oppressing force in Islamic countries that require the veil, but also in Western countries that ban the veil. Yaqoob adamantly contends that by infringing laws that restricts womens choice on whether or not to wear the veil, they are also being oppressed. I am opposed to the Saudi and Iranian governments imposition of the veil and that of the Taliban previously. But this is also why I oppose the ban on wearing the hijab. In both cases the woman herself is no longer free to make a choice. In both cases her dignity is violated.. Yaqoob explains that more women are currently banned from wearing the hijab, than are required to wear it. The argument of liberation It can be argued that rather than oppressing, the hijab is liberating. The oppressing force behind the veil is when members of the authority, both Islamic and Western, take away a womans right to choose. The veil itself is just a piece of cloth. We interpret the hijab according to our social and religious constructions. Through the Western discussion and banning of the hijab in public schools, the Muslim school girls of France lose their freedom to express their spirituality. This view on the veil serves to continually disable and oppress women by terminating their freedom of spiritual expression. Frances 2004 law on the headscarf disables Islamic females from wearing the veil in places of education. The desired effect of the 2004 law is to fight gender oppression and inequality in the public school system, but as a residual effect, it actually diminishes womens freedoms rather than enhancing them. The law on the headscarf supports the oppressing Western discourses about veiled women and attempts to Westernize French Muslim schoolgirls. Internal debate: Reasons for wearing and not wearing the hijab The opinions of Islamic women vary in their decision whether or not to wear the veil. Some feminists, both Muslim and non-Muslim, defend the veil as a mark of agency, cultural membership, and defiance. Tayyab Bashart, a feminist scholar and Muslim who teaches in France, explains her beliefs, A woman in hijab, who is a functioning member of society, symbolizes an empowered, independent woman, rather than someone who lacks self-determination and is a puppet of society (Tayyab, Basharat.Hijab as an instrument of Taking Women off the Sex Economy.). Muslim women see bans on the veil as creating or perpetuating stereotypes that are becoming harder to fight. Hirshmann states that Western society tends to oversimplify these cultural stereotypes without looking into the women whom they think are being degraded. Reasons for wearing the hijab in Islamic Tradition The most basic debate over the hijab is over the requirement of the hijab. This is an issue that is debated by many Muslim scholars. First in order to understand why there is an issue it is important to understand the power of the Quran. The Quran is the word of God brought by his last messenger the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him). Islam is the total submission to Allah (God the Father) and obedience to Allah, as the Quran is Gods word then it also means total submission and obedience to Quran. The first issue with the requirement of the hijab comes from whether the hijab is in the Quran or not. There are two sides to this argument; there are those who say that the hijab is a requirement because it is in the Quran and those who say that it is not because it is not part of the Quran. Amr Khaleds lectures have greatly influenced the Muslim youth, especially Muslim female youth on the topic of the hijab. He represents the school of thought that considers the hijab to be directly in the Quran and thus a requirement for Muslim women. In one of his lectures about the hijab he says Some people argue that this hijab is not obligatory and that it was not mentioned in the Quran. These are the Qurans verses that make the Hijab obligatory to Muslim women. O Prophet! Tell your wives and your daughters and the women of the believers to draw their cloaks (veils) all over their bodies. That will be better, that they should be known (as free respectable women) so as not to be annoyed. And ALLAH is Ever Oft-Forgiving, Most Merciful. (33:59) ( Amr Khaled). Here in this verse women are told to cover their bodies so that they should be known as modest women and are not harassed. The hijab, according to many Muslims, has multiple uses and meanings. The hijabs symbolism is one of modesty and morality. According to Islam, the hijab functions as a shield for a woman against the lustful gaze of men. The hijab also serves as a cover to preserve the modesty and piety of the woman, as that is her main role as stated in the Quran. Not only is this her role in her faith, but in society as well. The Quran also states that the woman is the familys main preserver of honour, piety, and modesty. Thus, the hijab is an aid in which the woman can successfully carry out this function as demanded by Allah through the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) (Kulenovic 714-715). Amr Khalad, a popular Islamic scholar, layman, and highly influential Muslim speaker, has had a strong influence on Muslim youth in on the issue of the hijab, especially in Jordan (Stratton 98). According to Amr Khalads lecture Al-Hijab, the hijab also serves the purpose of forcing men to not sexually objectify women but to see her as a vessel of intelligence and high moral values. Khalad says that the hijab reinforces the fact that Islamà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ made the beauty of women of a higher value in mens eyes by providing protection [in the form of hijab] to that beauty from uncontrolled lusts and desires, and instead ordering men to respect greater the inner beauty of her soul. Thus, the real value of women is associated with the degree of her bashfulness and her abidance by it (Khalad Al-Hijab). This is the tradition Islamic rational for the hijab and why it is important in Islam (Khalad AlHijab). A study about hijab in the West also provides another theory that I believe can also be applied in South Africa because it is a country heavily influenced by the West. The idea of the hijab as a symbol of resistance is explored by Tarik Kulenovic but not necessarily one that is strictly political. Tarik Kulenovics theory suggests that the hijab in the West is a matter of identity, a physical symbol of a womans Muslim identity. This symbol also carries a message of religiosity in a modernizing society which encourages a secular life style and scorns tradition. Kulenovic asserts that the modern identity of Muslim women, which includes the wearing of the veil, is primarily the identity of resistance to the values than individuals find foreign to them and as such imposed on them (Kulenovic, page 717). Thus, in modern society, the hijab can be thought of as a means of retaining a religious life style while assimilating to the demands of the modern world. Another reason women choose to wea r the hijab is that they find that the hijab serves as an empowering factor. Yaqoob states her personal reasons why she wears the veil, For me, the wearing of the hijab denotes that as a woman I expect to be treated as an equal in terms of my intellect and personality and my appearance is relevant only to the degree that I want it to be, when I want it to be. Katherine Bullock addresses dominant western assumptions by proving through her research that the reasons some women wear the hijab are that the hijab: 1. Does not smother femininity; 2. Brings to mind the different-but-equal school of thought, but does not put forward essentalized male-female difference; 3. Is linked to a view that does not limit women to the home, but neither does it consider the role of stay-at-home-mother and homemaker oppressive; 4. Is linked to a view of morality that is oppressive only if one considers the prohibition of sexual relations outside marriage wrong; 5. Is part of Islamic law, though a law that ought to be implemented in a very wise and women-friendly manner, and 6. Can and should be treated separately from other issues of womens rights in Islam. 4.2 Reasons for not wearing the hijab in the Islamic Tradition In the Quranic this verse although it says to draw the cloak all over their bodies, it does not specifically say the hair. In addition, it does not specify in what way, to what extent, and in what manner women should cover themselves. There are many modern alternative views to this idea that the hijab is compulsory because it is in the Quran. For example, Dr.Reza Alsan, an internationally acclaimed writer and scholar of religions,the founder of AslanMedia.com and also one of the leading scholars in the alternative view, considers the hijab not an obligatory aspect of being a Muslim woman. Reza claims, Although long seen as the most distinctive emblem of Islam, the veil is, surprisingly, not enjoined upon Muslim women anywhere in the Quran (Alsan). Instead he claims that the veil was in Arab culture before the arrival of Islam, through contact with Syria and Iran, where the veil was the sign of the upper class women. According to Lelia Ahmed and those who fall in the second school of thought like Reza, the only places that the hijab is applied to women is when it is addressing the wives of Prophet Muhammad. Thus the veil was only associated with the prophets wives and his daughters not all women of Islam. This school of thought does not deny that modesty was expected of all believers. Women should guard their private parts and drape a cover over their breasts when in the presence of strange men (Surah 24:31-32) (Aslan). Here specific parts of the body are named that women should guard and cover including the private parts and the breast but the hair is not mentioned. Thus those in this school of thought like Leila Ahmed and Reza Alsan do not believe that the hijab is mandatory for Muslim women because it is not mentioned in the Quran. According to Bullock, critics of the veil rely on secular liberal assumptions about society and human nature and therefore the veil is supposed to be and described as a symbol of oppression because it: Covers up (hides), in the sense of smothering, femininity Is apparently linked to essentialized male-female difference (which is taken to mean that by nature, male is superior, female is inferior); Is linked to a particular view of womans place (subjugated in the home); Is linked to an oppressive (patriarchal) notion of morality and female purity (because of Islams Emphasis on chastity, marriage, and condemnation of pre- and extra-marital sexual relations); Can be imposed; and Is linked to a package of oppressions women in Islam face, such as seclusion, polygamy, easy male divorce, unequal inheritance rights, and so on. 4.3 Spirituality Some women have a deep spiritual and religious connection to the veil and firmly disagree with the view of it as a sign of oppression. Many Muslim women feel uncomfortable without wearing it because the hijab is deeply-rooted in their personal values and religious tradition. A main reason women choose to wear the hijab, is as expression of spirituality. Bashart states in his book that Muslim women carry with them their sacred private space into the public space by use of the Hijab. (Basharat, Hijab as an Instrument of Taking Women off the Sex Economy). In this view of the hijab, the veil is not simply an article of clothing; or a symbol of oppression it is a tool of spirituality for women. Fadwa El Guindi, author of The Veil: Modesty, Privacy and Resistance, says veiling patterns and veiling behaviour are. about sacred privacy, sanctity and the rhythmic interweaving of patterns of worldly and sacred life, linking women as the guardians of family sanctuaries and the realm of the sacred in this world Conclusion This research investigates the reasons why the Muslim community is divided on the subject of the veil and if the dominant negative perception of hijab (as the hijab being oppressive) has affected, if at all, the wearing of hijab in TSiBA Education. In the attempt to answer this question, the research has presented two hypotheses. Firstly, the divide on the practice of the hijab exists within the Muslim community because there are different interpretations of the verses of the Quran where Allah commands females to over their hair. Secondly, that the dominant negative Western perception causes some Muslim women to fear wearing the hijab and to abandon it all together as wearing the hijab could result in more oppression to females- as portrayed in Western media. Thirdly, Some Muslim women choose to wear the hijab for spirituality reasons despite constant the pressures of the West.

Lean Management :: Business, Manufacturing

Lean management is a thought process and a philosophy, not a tool, used to look at a business weather it is manufacturing, service or any other activity with a supplier and a customer relation with the goal of eliminating non-value added tasks (Womack, Jones, Ross, 1990). The principles of lean production include teamwork, communication, efficient use of resources and continuous improvement (Kaizen). It can be said that they pioneered the idea of applying the concepts outside of manufacturing environments. The objective of lean production is a system for organising and managing product development, operations, suppliers, and customer relation that requires less human effort, less space, less capital, less material and less time to make products with fewer defects to precise customer desires, compared with the previous system of mass production (Marchwinski & Shook, 2004). The concepts of both Ohno (1988) and Womack and Jones (2003) search for ways to reduce lead time by eliminating w aste it can be said that the terms â€Å"Lean† and â€Å"Toyota Production System† are synonymous. Lean management is not restricted to the actions that take place in the manufacturing function of a company, rather it relates to activities range from product development, procurement and manufacturing over to distribution. Together these areas create the lean enterprise. The ultimate goal of implementing lean production in an organization is to have the customer in focus when improving productivity, enhancing quality, shortening lead times, reducing costs etc. These are factors representing the performance of a lean production system. The determinants of a lean production system are the actions taken, the principles implemented and the changes made to the organization to achieve the desired performance (Karlsson & Ahlstrom, 1996) There are multiple ways to combine the individual practices to represent the multi-dimensional nature of lean manufacturing. In combining these practices, the researcher has to compete with the technique used to combine and the actual content of the combinations. The dominant method in operations management literature has been to use exploratory or confirmatory factor analysis to combine individual practices in a multiplicative function to form orthogonal and unidimensional factors (Flynn et al., 1995; Cua et al., 2001; Shah & Goldstein, 2006). A review of research from organization theory, and labour and human resource management shows less reliance on factor analysis and offers multiple ways for combining individual practices and creating an index. One such method is the additive index used by Osterman (1994) and MacDuffie (1995) in developing â€Å"bundles† of interrelated human-resource management practices.