The Concept of Equitable Globalisation

The Concept of Equitable globalizationRebecca Knighton worldwideisation Debates The Concept of Equitable Globalisation and the Offshoring of JobsOne of the fundamental questions of todays world is undoubtedly the question of trustworthy globalization, these were the words of Dr Janez Drnovek (2004), then President of the Republic of Slovenia, in a speech addressing members of the league of Liberals and Democrats for Europe. In order to realise the importance of that sentence, an understanding must be gained of what is meant by globalisation. A word that Godin (2006) described as a buzzword globalisation is today used to define, justify and legitimise the interconnectedness of the world. Theodore Levitt and his 1983 article The Globalisation of Markets in the Harvard Business Review argon accepted by many commentators as the origin of the mainstream use of the bourn (Mullen, 2006 Abdelal Tedlow, 2006).Equitable globalisation abide be defined as an interconnected world in which p rogress made is second-rate and development is impartial. When comparing this ambition to how modern day global relationships operate, its clear that globalisation today does non possess these qualities. Joshi (2009) explores globalisation and describes it as the switch magnitude economic interdependence of national economies across the world, attributing this interdependence to a rapid increase in the cross-border movements of goods, suffice, engineering, and capital, while this idea does not contradict the pursuance for fairness, the real and tangible effects of global interconnectedness do not always embody fairness or impartiality.The debate that give be the rivet of this discussion, one that routes from the equality or lack of equality at bottom global interconnectedness, is centred on offshoring. Offshoring is the process of moving parts of a businesss operations to a different country this dirty dog be either through subcontracting with a contractual agreement or setting up business pass on premises in an other carrying out tasks in that respect. Mankiw (2004) describes the notion as the latest manifestation of the gains from trade that economists stick talked about at least since Adam metalworker, his opinion is that this so-called phenomenon (Vedder, Guynes and Reilly 2010) is simply the next step businesses can take to salary in many ways in a progressing business environment. The root word of the debate cuts on from the aforementioned pursuit of equitable globalisation and the contrasting opinions, and justifications of those opinions, mingled with those who support or disparage offshoring. The debate itself can be quarantined between the country a business originates from and its elect destination of offshoring, arguments from both locations identify reasons either for or against. Throughout the debate, the economic, political, social and cultural elements of this element of globalisation will be examined.The first of all area of the debate to be examined is the contrasting opinions about offshoring in the country of the businesss origin. For the purpose of this discussion, there will be a focus on the USA. A word that seems synonymous with these contrasting opinions is protectionism Mankiw and Swagel look into the term in their insightful 2006 article and conclude that in different arguments it come with entirely different connotations. Members of the the Statesn public are looking for some security and consistency in their blood line and the services they receive, and the term protect is tantamount to this, and something they feel the US Government should prioritise. Brothers Ron and Anil Hira are bad authors within this globalisation debate, and their book Outsouring America (2005) represents the debate well. Their view is that America policy, representative of MEDCs around the world, is nave stating that the formula of free, deregulated markets and faith in American superiority ignores how the in ternational parsimoniousness has slowly and gradually shifted in the determination few decades . Their point follows on from books foreword by Lou Dobbs, in which the accusation is made that globalisation and its consequential offshoring have and continue to lead to economic insecurity which is in direct contradiction of the American Dream.This argument is somewhat fuelled by the media (Mankiw Swagel 2006 Amiti Wei 2005). Within the last decade, political events much(prenominal) as the publishing and the controversy surrounding CEAs February 2004 Economic Report for the President Report in the run up to the 2004 election which mentioned offshoring have coincided with impartial reports and media attention regarding hypothesize losses and economic slowdown. These overlapping events have led to the domain of offshoring becoming thought of as a justification for a faltering labour market.In addition to the argument of a loss of American jobs, an element of this debate is about the quality of exported services. A customer survey by American Banker/Gallup (2004) embed that of the two thirds of respondent aware of offshore outsourcing, the vast majority (78%) held an unfavourable opinion. Exemplifying this point is the relocation, and consequential return, of a call centre for the computer technology firm Dell repayable to customers complaining that upon its move to India, standards dropped and customer service quality was reduced, this was discussed by Taylor and Bain (2004). Although this case is not alone it its controversy, may call centres have remained in India and other popular offshoring locations part of the Asian information technology enabled services (ITES) industry estimated to be worth US$1.51.6 trillion in 2020 (NASSCOM 2009a).To abduce back to the aforementioned point of varying connotations of protectionism, the opinions found in academic and particularly economic literate are that the notion carries electronegative implications. This a cademic belles-lettres forms part of the discourse that offshoring is a positive contribution to a countrys economy. In order to justify the concept of outsourcing, economists look into the theory that defines their subject area a part of this theory is comparative advantage. This is the ability for one party to produce a good or provide a service at a lower marginal cost to its competitor (Baumol Minder 2009) and can also be applied to whole countries. The comparative advantage that, for example, India can offer US companies for elements of their business that can be outsourced, is the driver of offshoring. One view of this concept is that of Bhagwati (2008), who labelled the phenomenon kaleidoscopic comparative advantage is recognition of its complexity. In direct contradiction to the so-called protectionists opinion of a negative effect on the economy, McKinsey Consulting (2003) calculate that overall net US income rises by about 1214 cents for every dollar of outsourcing this is out-of-pocket to the increased profits of companies being contributed to tax, being used to develop and grow the business leading to more US employment, and consumers paying lower prices for products and services that have been made cheaper by offshoring. A go on point in the debate that this embodiment of globalisation is good for the economy is that these global economic developments could be liken to a third Industrial Revolution. Blinder (2006) explored this idea he identified that such vast and unsettling adjustments are not unique today as the same repercussions were felt during both the agricultural and the manufacturing industrial revolutions, but added that both of those economic changes are looked back upon as made and relevant steps forward. The article goes on to address the opinion that jobs are risk of being relocated are those that are typically lower stipendiary development an example of taxi drivers, aeroplane pilots, janitors and crane operators as safe jobs, compared with accountants, computer programmers, radiologists and security guards as jobs that could potentially be outsource. The range of jobs that are or are not at risk do not correspond to traditional distinctions between high-end and low-end work.A further point opposed to the argument against the offshoring of job to America is the contest to opinions that it lead to a reduced quality of customer service. Blinder (2006) comments on the constant improvements in technology and global communication, says that due to this there has been little or no degradation in quality. The education of the employees in foreign companies is discussed by Doyle (2012) he used the example of the late(a) vast improvements of side Language education in India and puts forward the point that this in turn eliminates a potential language barrier that may have supposed negative effect on the customer service provided by companies that outsource their call centres to country that dont have English as a first language.Having explored both view of offshoring in the country of the business origin, the nest step to gaining an understanding of this globalisation debate is that of the country hosting these outsource jobs. Similarly to the previous arguments, using a case study will allow a more in depth investigation into the opinions and justifications of this debate. India will be the focus of this debate chosen due to its popularity amongst business as a destination for offshoring jobs. According to the Tholons 2013 report of the top worldwide outsourcing destinations, six Indian cities are within the ten roughly favourable, including the 1st and 2nd being Bangalore and Mumbai respectively.The offshoring of jobs to India is regarded as the main vendor of offshored jobs, with some estimates that an additional 400 people are employed a day due to jobs that have been offshored (Bergh et al, 2011). This contribution to the economy is the main positive with this globalisation deba te in favour of outsourcing jobs to India a contribution estimate by Nasscom to be festering 19% per year (Nasscom, 2012). Bergh et al (2011) go on to discuss the impacts of this input into the India economy, such as vast improved have been made to infrastructure that has in turn allowed further expansion and an increased quality of life.A further part of the debate is the social side of this embodiment of globalisation this impacts of increased employment. disdain criticism, that will be explored further into this discussion, there is evidence within academic literature and other publications that improvement are made to the quality of lives of those employed by companies that have offshored their jobs to India, Ball et al (2005) explore this point, their findings indicate that those employed by subsidiaries of the original company that has outsourced the jobs benefit from working conditions better than if they were employed by companies ground in India, as well as a better sens e of job security. Another point is the claims that these companies recognise the nature of the work, identifying that by working and travelling home overnight employee would be increasingly vulnerable, and by offering security and transport services care is taken of these employees (Messenger and Ghosheh, 2010).Whilst this argument of the positive effects on the vendors economy and the satisfactory to good working conditions provided is legitimised by academic papers on the subject, the opposing opinions come from a strong stand point and are very well justified by both academic research and events in the media.One underlying point of this discourse relates back to the point of equitable globalisation and the impartiality of development a concept which ties in with the opportunity to develop sustainably. A major criticism of the presence of outsourced jobs and the effects of these in India and other vendor nations is the instability of and speed in which changes are being made. W hilst governments, such as in India, have been recognised as paramount in facilitating an influx of not only foreign capital but also knowledge and technology. Winters and Yusuf (2007) highlight the pressure felt governments by internationally trading companies to aid their oversea operations attributing this to the fast growth and lack of forward planning when implementing incentive schemes. This potential instability is worsen by claims that India may be losing its popularity amongst multi-national companies leading to a slowdown in investment (Helyah, 2010 The Economist, 2013).A second element to this discourse is explored by Messenger and Ghosheh (2010), and is based on the deep rooted cultural differences between vendor countries, i.e. India, and the companies country of origin. This leads to difficulties in integration and segregation between higher management and workers, which is turn can very negatively affect moral. A further point in the issue of cultural difference, is the westernisation of the nation a company is operating an example of this is demonstrated in a Post-Colonial perspective investigation into recent changes in Indian culture and an example within the paper, by Ravishenkar et al (2013), is the education system in India that is said to mimick Western concepts and ignore local stakeholder. Whilst this change would not be considered a negative by all commentators, it exemplifies a potential loss of national identity which has been explored in the wider sense of globalisation by Featherstone (2005).A final point in the discussion of this debate is the working conditions of people employed in offshored jobs. Ghimire (no date) commentates the topic and highlights the following point as issues within the sector disturbed social and family life due to overbearing work commitments and a lack of flexibility by employers detachments from local culture and lifestyle racial abuse from customers abroad. This list is increased by further contribu tions from Messenger and Ghosheh (2010) who explain that of their sample over 50% have suffered from work related illnesses and conditions including back and have it off pain, sleep problems and headaches they also reveal that many regulations set out by Indias government are not adhered to or are interpreted in the favour of employees example are having the breaks required by law being dependant on outputs and call levels (in call centres) or breaks cut short due to overloading workloads and missed, sometime considered unattainable, targets. Due to the nature of companies with insufficient working condition, data is not available across the board due to secrecy and strict employee contracts information in the media gives an insight into how conditions are worse than this, but cannot be relied on to be true and legitimate sources in an academic discussion.By investigating the debate with what can be identified as four separate discourses, a comprehensive understanding can be gained of the opinions, justifications and evidence of each opposing argument. The exploration of such a topical and global debate bring some difficulties such as contradicting literature and misinterpretation of statistical evidence. The question of the practice of offshoring is a prominent debate within globalisation and due to its so called kaleidoscopic complexity (Bhagwati, 2008) and multiple standpoints it demonstrates the complexity in the global interconnectedness of todays world. When reversive to the initial concept of equitable globalisation, this debate highlights how the pursuit of that ideal is somewhat unattainable the impartiality of the concept is impossible to obtain due to the nature of the profit driven forces that dominate the global relations and drive globalisation itself.ReferencesAbdelal, R and Tedlow, R S (2003) Theodore Levitts The Globalization of Markets An Evaluation after Two Decades. Harvard NOM working(a) Paper No. 03-20 Harvard Business School Working Paper No. 03-082. Online Last accessed 04/01/14 at http//papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=383242American Banker/Gallup (2004), What Americans think about overseas outsourcing? American Banker. 169 (192) 18Amiti, M and Wei, Shang-Jin (2005) Fear of Service Outsourcing Is it justified? Economic Policy. 20 (42) 308-347Anon (2004) Economic Report of the President, 108th Congress, 2nd Session Online Last accessed 06/01/14 at http//www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/ERP-2004/pdf/ERP-2004.pdfAnon (2013) India No Longer Automatic Choice for Services and Back Office Work. The Economist. (Special Report).Bain, P and Taylor, P (2004) Call Centre Offshoring to India The Revenge of History? grate and perseverance A daybook of the Social and Economic Relations of Work. 14 (3)Baumol, W and Binder, A (2009) Economics Principles and Policy. Ohio South Western Cengage LearningBergh, A, Israels, R, Mehta, S, Sheychenko, A (2011) A decade of offshore outsourcing to India Define your strategy for the n ext decade. Online Last accessed 07/01/14 at http//www.quintgroup.com/content/library/A_Decade_of_Offshore_Outsourcing.pdfBhagwati, J (2008) The selfish hegemon must offer a bare-assed Deal on trade. Online Last accessed 06/01/14 at http//delong.typepad.com/egregious_moderation/2008/08/jagdish-bhagwat.htmlBlinder, A (2006) Offshoring The Next Industrial Revolution? Foreign Affairs. 85 (2) 113-128Drnovek, J (2004) Speech by President Drnovek at the opening of the meeting of European Liberals in Ljubljana Online Last accessed 04/01/14 at http//www2.gov.si/up-rs/2002-2007/jd-ang.nsf/dokumentiweb/A28B9C6C3EC2ABFEC1256F95002CB360?OpenDocumentFarrell, D, Baily, M, Agrawal, V, Bansal, V, Beacom, T, Kaka, N, Kejriwal, M, Kumar, A, Palmade, V, Remes, J, Heinz, T (2003) Offshoring Is it a WinWin Game? McKinsey Global InstituteFeatherstone, M (2005) Undoing Culture Globalisation, Postmodernism and Identity. London Sage PublicationsGhimire, b (no date) Social Impact of Outsourcing. Understandi ng Outsourcing. Professional Education, Testing and Certification Organization multinational Online Last accessed 07/01/14 at http//www.peoi.org/Courses/Coursesen/outsrc/outsrc6.htmlGhosheh, N and Messenger, J (Eds) (2010) Offshoring and Working Conditions in Remote WorkGodin, B (2006) The Knowledge-Based Economy Conceptual Framework or Buzzword. The Journal of Technology Transfer. 31 (1) 17-30Guynes, C, Reilly, R and Vedder, R (2010) Offshoring Limitations. Review of Business Information Systems. 14 (1)Helyar, J (2012) Outsourcing A Passage out of India. Bloomberg Business Week Companies and IndustryHira, A and Hira, R (2005) Outsourcing America Whats behind our national crisis and how we can reclaim American jobs. New York AMACONJoshi, R M (2009) International Business. New Delhi and New York Oxford University PressLevitt, T (1983) Globalization of Markets. Harvard Business Review. May/June. 92-102Mankiw, G and Swagel, P (2006) The Politics and economics of Offshore Outsourcing. Journal of Monetary Economics. 53 (5).Mullen, J (2006) An pilot Mind of Marketing Dies. Advertising Ages. 77 (8)NASSCOM. (2009) Gender inclusivity in India Building an empowered organisation. Online Last accessed 06/01/14 at http//www.nasscom.inTholons (2013) 2013 Top 100 Outsourcing Destinations Rankings and Report Overview. p2Winters, A and Yusuf, S (2007) Dancing with Giants China, India and the Global Economy. Washington World Bank Publications

Tata Steel Marketing Strategy

Tata trade name Marketing StrategyIn this report, Tata trade name Group (Tata trade name) has been chosen as an organisation to analyze the strategic changes made over past five eld including strategic positioning, strategic capability, SWOT and drivers behind these changes.Tata Steel soon is a major player in global brace industry. In year 2005 (Figure 1), Tata Steel operation was mainly focused in Indian subcontinent and tax revenue generated was close to US$ 5.0 billion only. However their initiative to expand their operations glob on the wholey proven really successful over last five years. From populace a mere local stigma maker, they transformed themselves into a major global player in marque producers (Figure 2). They bugger off been aggressively involved in capacity expansion by acquisitions and organic evolution. Business Standard once commented that Tata Steel moved into its next target to become the worlds second largest stigma smart set by 2012 with the help of its most expensive bet worth US$ 12.9 billion on Corus Group.Last two years has been very difficult full point to global steel industry because of worldwide recession. The global crude steel production for year 2009 was 1220.0 mpta (million tonne per annum) as reported by World Steel Association low-toneder by 8% against that of 2008. The decline in accept was due to deterioration in economy experienced by key steel end users. Table 1, shows the ingathering/decline in terms of crude steel production for the top ten steel producing nations.However, by acquisition of Corus and other(a) assets, Tata Steel at once ranks among worlds top ten (Table 2) largest steel producers with current steel production capacity of 32.0 mpta. After five years of its expansion programme, Tata Steel is direct worlds second most geographically alter steel producers.Mission StatementIn its mission statement Tata Steel expresses that while honesty and integrity ar the essential ingredient of a loyal and stable enterprise, profitability provides the main spark for scotch activity. Founded way back in 1907, Tata Steel stress on their core ideology in its vision statement by making emphasis on their people, supplier of choice, innovative approach and their conduct. Tata Steels vision statement is now became a tangible asset, which provide right direction to their managers and employees. Tata Steel has highly skilled employee asset of 81,000 spread over five continents. Tata Steel stress on creating differential value for their customer with help of continuous improvement in their duty process and product technology.Value Chain AnalysisThe value cooking stove is an economic tool used to determine the strategic resources unattached to a confederation. Basic principle of the Value Chain Analysis is that the basis for a war-ridden advantage of a firm lies primarily in the application of the bundle of valuable resources at the firms disposal. To transform a short-run agonistical advantage into a sustained emulous advantage requires that these resources are heterogeneous in nature and not perfectly mobile (Barney, 1991, p105-106 Peteraf, 1993, p180). Effectively, this translates into valuable resources that are neither perfectly imitable nor synonymous without great effort (Barney, 1991, p117). Tata Steel has few major strategic capabilities which are valuable, unique and non-substitutable.Tata Steels Strategic CapabilitiesTata Steels strategic capabilities are presented in Table 3, below.Table 3ResourcesCompetencesThreshold CapabilitiesThreshold ResourcesThreshold CompetencesSteel production intendts at variant geographical locations.Production and Sales management.Offices and buildings at various geographical locations.All other general management skills.Sufficient tag on of cranky(prenominal) materials for steel making.Sophisticated IT skills.Sufficient cash flow.Safety management.Pool of skilled personnel.Excellent customer service. IT carcass in place.Efficient management structure.Logistic, freight and shipment facilities.Effective employee welfare agreement.Capabilities for Competitive AdvantageUnique ResourcesUnique CompetencesVarieties of products which caters to industries resembling Infrastructures, Automobiles, Aviation, Energy etc. very(prenominal) competent sales team with high negotiation skills which create market for their products.Tata and Corus brands.Excellent use of IT systems for very effective use in sales process. passing capable management team.Continuous developing and upgrading impudent products to serve different industry trains.Online portal Metal junction for buyers.Highly skilled managers and directors who improve and body forth the company success.A century experience in steel making.Integrated supplier and buyer management.Strong financial backing from group. dispiritedest constitute steel producer in world.Very strong presence in India which is a big market for their product s.Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) to eliminate risk associated with various processes.First mover advantage through innovative products processes.Continuous Improvement Process (CIP).Excellent RD for cutting edge technology and products.Operational efficiency and comminuted quality control.Many proprietary products such as Tata Tiscon etc.Long-term relationship with buyers and suppliers.Porters basketball team Forces AnalysisTata Steel has registered double digit growth in past few years except their atomic number 63an business. By applying Porters Five Forces analysis principal, we can evaluate the Tata Steels market competitiveness and its current and future scheme towards intense competition faced at various fronts.Threat of New Entrants LowThreat to youthful entrants in any industry sector is a major challenge. However in steel industry entry barrier is high hence threat of new entrants are relatively low base on factors such as huge capital investment, economies of scale , government policies and product differentiations.Steel industry requires huge capital investment to set up an corporate steel production facility plant which is currently close to US$ one billion/mtpa as per Steel Manufacturers Associations recent estimate. This deters any new entrants entranceway in this field. By increasing their production capacity to 50mtpa and wide variety of products they can lower their cost, hence more profit, sustainability and these conditions are unfavourable to any new entrants.Raw material is a major issue with corruption related to mining allocation and land acquisition, it makes difficult to new entrants to come in this field. confused regulatory clearance and environmental issues also pose big barriers to new entrants. Entry barriers in terms of product differentiation are very low in steel industry.Competitive Rivalry HighThe steel industry is truly global in terms of competition with large steel producing countries like China significantly infl uencing global prices through their aggressive exports. In steel industry, branding is not very common hence little differentiation exists between their competing products. Tata Steel faces stiff competition with their competitors such as Arcelor Mittal, POSCO etc.Bargaining Power of Suppliers HighTata Steel enjoys greater autonomy in raw materials supply as they bear mines for raw material supply. Tata Steels fully integrated supply chain system keeps abundant supply of raw material for their plants. However, other steel producers, who dont have their own mines, have to rely on raw material suppliers. On global level raw material market is dominated by the three mining giants BHP Billiton, CVRD and Rio Tinto. They make mineral market as oligopolistic and supply two-thirds of the processed iron ore to steel producers hence command very high negociate power. Other steel producers, who dont have their own mining operations, must buy raw material at market prevailing price and pass t hat ascent to consumers which makes them less competitive.Threat of Substitute Products LowNew materials may pose threat to viability of steel. Aluminium, plastics and other composite materials are being considered as substitute in sectors like auto, aviation etc. Concrete is another substitute material that may pose threat to use of steel in infrastructure and zilch sectors. Some of the substitute materials such as aluminium itself are very costly, hence doesnt pose very big threat against steel producers. However the growth led by infrastructure sector, automobile sector, aviation sector and consumable goods will keep demand up for steel hence more growth for Tata Steel.Bargaining Power of Buyers AverageBargaining power of buyers is very limited due to their fragmentation. Big players of the major steel consumers in sectors such as auto, aviation, zippo etc may squeeze greater amount of bargain. On the other hand these bulk consumers may offer long term procurement offer to the company hence more revenue generated. However, small and retail consumers are scattered, though they consume significant amount of steel production, dont have the same bargaining powers as in case of big players.Tata Steel Group SWOT AnalysisSWOT analysis of any firm provides knowledge about the challenges and opportunities faced by Tata Steel group in future. They are detailed below.(S)trengthsTata Steel has acquired vast mineral reserves which is a key to their operations. These reserves can cater their raw material demand for next three decades. Tata Steels mineral reserves are located at various strategic geographical locations such as India, Australia, Canada, Mozambique, Oman, ivory Coast etc.Tata Steel has very capable, credible and reliable top management. Their successful global expansion plan in last five years proved this. Tata Steel has successfully acquired and integrated Corus Europe, NatSteel Indonesia and Millennium Steel Thailand.Tata Steel uses custom made state of art integrated information management system for their routine operation. Their advanced RD capability has improved further by acquiring Corus which is world renowned for its product innovation.Tata Steel uses Tata Groups strong distribution and retail network. Its Groups demand for steel is very high due to their presence in most of the sectors.Currently Tata Steel produces 32 mpta of steel and by completion of DPCL project its center capacity will reach to 50mpta which will make it second biggest steel producer in world.Tata Steel has structured risk management process in place in their operation known as Enterprise Risk Management (ERM). ERMs key function is to identify risk at every level and mitigate the same.Tata Steel mitigates very well the cyclicality situation which occurs in steel industry occasionally by its broad spectrum of its product portfolio.Tata Steel expansion plan has consolidated its position worldwide and by diversifying its portfolio and market is in proc ess to become a pioneer in steel industry.Tata Steel has very strong brand value for its products. This has strengthened further by acquiring Corus which itself is a big brand. Their successful integration with Corus was a benchmark in corporate history.(W)eaknessesTata Steels real(a) debt burden of US$9.8 billion is a major weakness. Their debt equity ratio is currently 1.77, which reflects company finances are met by debt due to Corus acquisition.Its European business (Corus) has a high exposure to spot price and a high operational gearing thus creating very high risk of price volatility.Tata Steel relies for some raw material on international suppliers, which expose their profitability in case of steep rise in their prices.Tata Steels Indian operation is very much hampered by lack of infrastructure, shortage in power supply, lesser productivity, bureaucratic hurdle in export etc.Additional levies and tax compel by local government put them in less profit making situation. The s ubsidies provided by some nations (China etc) will make their product less competitive in price hence reduce their demand.(O)pportunitiesCurrently the emerging economies are undergoing huge infrastructural developments, which require significant amount of steel in all sectors. In India the scope for expansion of its steel products are enormous in every sector, which Tata Steel can exploit very well with its increased production capacity. As per World Steel Association estimate, the consumption of steel will be doubled in next two decades.By Acquiring Corus and improving its own RD activities, Tata Steel moved towards a better product differentiation and enhanced product portfolio which provide them new opportunities over its competitors.Their geographical locations with integrated operations and merchandising strategy are a key factor in capturing market share and increasing their financial performance. They can implement Coruss advanced automation technology in their own plants to improve productivity, economies of scale, cost reduction, increased output and operational efficiency to achieve better performance. by-line recent recession, various assets (minerals, plants facilities etc.) are procurable at a very low price due to their financial difficulty. Tata Steel, with strong backing from its parent group can secure future supplies of raw materials for steel making.With increased steel production capacity of 50 mpta, they will be the second largest steel manufacturer after Arcelor Mittal and most geographically diversified company with wide variety of product mix.(T)hreatsSteel Industry is major source of greenhouse gas emission, which makes them very vulnerable against many litigation and statute law in future.The raw materials used in steel production are non-renewable and their source is depleting very fast.Due to rising cost of steel products, the end users are looking for substitutes of steel which can be a major threat to Tata Steels business.Intens e competition among international steel player and cheap steel available from China are another major threat to Tata Steels performance.Tata Steels huge debt is one of major threats against them. The rising interest will increase their debt burden.Future OutlookFollowing two years of worst global economic downturn, the world seems to be regaining some economic stability. There is moderate growth from developed world however emerging economies are registering very strong and sustainable growth with robust domestic market.Before recession, the steel demand was very strong with over 6% growth during last decade this is primarily driven by robust growth in BRICS nations (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa), South East Asia and middle(a) East. By 2025, as per forecast BRICS countries will have 46% of global population and will consume 65% of the global production and will have three quarter of the global GDP.The raw materials for steel making are going at record due to high d emand, higher freight place and monopoly of three big natural resources companies. The effects of the above factors are reflected in higher steel price and decrease in profit margin of steel companies. However Tata Steels strategy adopted over last five years for securing long term contract for raw materials supply or acquiring new raw material mines at various geographical location has helped them to keep their prices competitive and making whole operation as viable. Tata Steels integration with Corus has completed successfully and producing better result than expected. Tata Steels strategic effort of capacity expansion and effort to secure raw materials source at various geographical locations yielding constructive results.Tata Steels upstream integration process ambition will lead them to achieve 100% self-sufficiency in India and around 50% self-sufficiency in Europe in next 5 years. Tata Steel is investing heavily in RD to get breakthrough technologies and develop new product s and services that reduce the production cost and environmental impact over the product lifecycle. To improve its processes, priority is given to energy conservation schemes in technology break-through such as Ultra Low Carbon Steel making and in other innovative projects where the Group has proprietary technology.ConclusionsIt was the best of times, it was the worst of times, this famous quote meant a lot to Tata Steel. Five year back, just after starting of their ambitious global expansion plan, they were hit by worldwide financial tsunami which tested their resilience. Their well formulated and proved business strategy has shown resilience and ability to withstand the unprecedented highs and lows of a future that often comes unheralded. They have taken proactive initiative across all geographies to minimise aftermath shock of recession. Their strategy began to pay off towards the last quarter of year 2009, when they rebounded to profit after the turmoil of recession. Undeterred by the economic turbulence, the Company continued to place emphasis on working practices in health, safety and corporate citizenship, with specific initiatives taken in all these areas.In addition, a continued focus on engineering solutions for customers is helping it maintain its position of a product pioneer. Tata Steel believes in staying alert to future opportunities while neer letting go of its core values. This is the philosophy that has underpinned its growth over the years and one that remains its key driving force.The strategy adopted by Tata Steel during last five years to become a global player paid off. They increased their revenue and production by six fold by capacity expansion or acquisition. They achieved raw material self-sufficiency of 50% by year 2010 and by year 2012 they aim to increase it to 60% by more investment in mines acquisition. In last five years Tata Steel became a global player from a local steel producer with currently global presence in 50 markets and manufacturing operations in 26 countries.Appendix A Reference ListTata Steel Group one-year Report 2009-10G Johnson, K Scholes R Whittington (2008), Exploring Corporate Strategy, 8th Edition Text Cases, Harlow Financial Times Prentice Hallhttp//www.tatasteel.comBarney, J. 1991. Firm Resources and sustained competitive advantage, Journal of Management, 17 (1) pp99-120.Barney, J.1995. Looking inside for competitive advantage, Academy of Management Executive. 9(4). Pp49-61.Peteraf, M. A. (1993). The cornerstones of competitive advantage A resource-based view, Strategic Management Journal, 14 (3), 179-191Porter, M.E. (2008). The five competitive forces that shape strategy, Harvard Business Review, January, 78-93.Porter, M.E. (1996). What is Strategy? Harvard Business Review, Nov-Dec, 61-78.

Suicide In Pop Music Culture Media Essay

Suicide In Pop Music Culture Media EssayGrowing up is troublesome enough for comely about jejuneagers and euphony has always acted as is an important crutch for them to turn to when times are hard. Music plays a vital role in youth burnish and has also become a question of morality when it comes to specific music genres that may be deemed inappropriate because of the content and message their music gives out (Zillmann and Gan, 1997 Ter Bogt, 1997).Some believe particular genres of music are potentially dangerous to young people and the music and its performers are professed as encouraging and propagating jejune marrow squash use, violating the law for glorification, delinquency (Christenson and Roberts, 1998). Genres which are included in this bracket are heavy coatlic element and rap, having a particularly negative image in the media. In past and current years, the artists of these genres have felt the heat from the authorities that deem their musical content inappropri ate material for the younger generation to try to, believing it is responsible for teen self-destructions and other negative lookal (Binder, 1993 Fried, 2003).The QuestionsSuicide is a popular theme in sub-cultural elans of music. There have been many articles in the press about artists and bands that have been cleand and targeted for the supposed responsibility of teenage fans committing self-destruction afterward listening to their music. But is it fair to be so blas and blame theseartists because their music contains suicidal references? Should the finger be so starkly pointed at these artists? Is it justifiable and fair?If not, who is to blame? The parents? Our education system? The media?All these points will be addressed in this article and concluded thoughtfully after cross-examination and circumstantial evidence presented.The Beginning-Elvis starts itThe beginning of this debate started when Rock and Roll, a advanced genre of music, detonate into the media in the 1950 s. Elvis Presley was the forefather and the voice of this generation. He created a new of type of music that people had n perpetually heard before a style of music the younger generation connected with. This voice represented their drive for life, their sexuality and belief in living their lives in the way they motivationed, not their parents. This new way was rejected and considered by the authorities as a danger to the youth as they tried to repress this new artist by implementing bans and censorships. perchance one of the most famous incidents of censorship was when Presley appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show. The appearing was broadcast with Presley only being filmed from the waist up, as his gyratory hip movements were deemed in wish manner obscene to air. The older generation shouted about their intense abhorrence and that they regarded this type of behavior to be damaging to the teen generation. They believed that it would create an epidemic and it call for to be stopped.Ye t with all this press attention focused on Presley, all this actually did was to swell the desire in the fans for him and his music. This did exactly the opposite to what the authorities wanted and propelled him to fame. They made him into the bad-boy superstar that sold millions of records worldwide by giving him his free publicity. This was the beginning of the extremism of politics in music that would occur in the future.The 70s a precursor to 1990s accusationsIn 1972, Gilbert OSullivan spent six weeks at the top of the Billboard charts with the song Alone Again. In this song, OSullivan contemplated throwing himself off a nigh tower because he had been betrayed by everyone. Leonard Cohen threatened to slit his wrists in Dress Rehearsal Rag (1971) for similar reasons.Yet because OSullivans appealed to the conservative Academy of Recording arts and Sciences edict, musical threats of suicide did not provoke anything neighboring on a moral panic in those years. The theme of suicid e was incorporated into mainstream pop coating in a thoroughly romantic fashion, just as it had been in romance novels and tragic opera where suicide was common place, yet deemed acceptable in this period.MTV and radio split1981 was a turning point for dividing the younger and older generations in musical appropriateness. On August 1st, MTV began transmission. It is fair tosay that music tv receiver has assumed radios responsibility for breaking new acts (Shuker 1994, ch. 7).Radio and MTV became divided d have got the middle on this generation gap. Radio broadcasts the old, the familiar and the reassuring, while music television assumes responsibility for the new, the unfamiliar and the shocking.FMs audience does not seem to change its tastes or look for the thrill of the new. FMs audience listened to the Eagles in the 1970s on its record players, it tuned into FM in the 1980s so it could listen to the Eagles on its car radios, and now it is the 1990s and it still wants to listen to the Eagles perhaps so it can remember the 1970s. (Turner 1993, p. 145) commercialised radio has emerged since the 1970s as one of the most evidently sites of cultural struggle. This is especially between the baby boom generations, for whom rock radio has become a predictable asylum from the anxieties of life. Yet their children for whom hip-hop, alternative and metal stand for nothing less than the manifestation of their circumstance as musical outsiders.Types of music to blame and judicature casesRock critics no longer judge music worth on grounds of composition but instead spew careless stereotypes.Heavy metal is widely generalized to be perceived as sick, depressing music to listen to. Many of the songs are reflective of the artists I-dont-give-a-damn attitude, in visual appearance and dark lyrical content. Heavy metal is the most recent target that is attracting extremist accusations that it induces its listeners to experience occultism and Satanism ranging through to se xism and racism to murderous and suicidal tendencies. (Shuker 1994, pp.260-2).Metal evolved in the 1970s out of mainstream record album-oriented rock, typified by bands deal Led Zeppelin and Deep Purple which, in turn, had their roots in the blues-based hard rock of 1960s acts like Cream and Jimi Hendrix. But because they were hardening musically at precisely the moment when radio and its coveted baby boomer demographic were softening into adult-oriented formats, metal bands were driven underground, promoting their records by means of relentless touring and by word of mouth.There is no hard evidence to support that heavy metal music is actually instructing its listeners to do bad things, just peoples perceiving this music in this way because it is not happy, bouncy music. A 1993 study showed heavy metal inspired happy feelings in most fans, with the small number of those who reported feeling worse more likely to already suffering mental health problems. Many people feel that it i s a cathartic way of venting and getting rid of their frustrations.Is it right to expect the artist to take responsibility when a teen does commit suicide after obsessively listening to their music? Is there any just cause in blaming them because their lyrics contain depressive material? Some people seem to moot so.The 80s proverb an influx of court cases against artists and it was also the decade that introduced the Parental Advisory stickers. In 1985, Parental Advisory stickers were affixed by the Recording Industry Association of the States (RIAA) to audio and moving picture recordings in the United States containing offensive language and/or content. Albums began to be labeled for explicit lyrics, after pressure from the Parents Music Resource internality (PMRC). It has become known as the Tipper sticker because of Tipper Gores visible role in the PMRC.1985 saw British heavy metal artist Ozzy Osbourne qualification his first court appearance on charges that the song Suicide Solution had caused nineteen-year-old John McCullom to attempt suicide, regardless of Osbournes repeated claims that Suicide Solution was written about the death of AC/DCs Bon Scott and that, therefore, it carried a positive anti-suicide message. The case was dismissed on the grounds that song lyrics are protected speech under the First Amendment. some other court case was brought against Judas Priest in 1990, in which the song Better By You, Better Than Me was alleged to have caused the suicide of Raymond Belnap and the attempted suicide of his accomplice James Vance. What was different about this case was the fact that this case pi voted on the allegation that the band had hidden subliminal messages, buried into their recordings. The attorney for the accusation claimed that goddamned messages could be heard when playing the music is certifywards. Judge Jerry Carr Whitehead ruled explicitly at the beginning that the court was not interested in the exhibitionistic lyrical conte nt of rock songs because it was protected by the First Amendment only the so-called subliminal messages were in question, he ruled, because they did not constitute an heart-to-heart change of information. The leading sound expert for the prosecution, attempted to persuade the court that he had expose the backwards words Do it in the song and that this was a cause provocation for its listeners to commit suicide. This case was thrown out of court when Judas Priest, defending themselves, chose a section of the song and told the jury that they would hear a certain devil-may-care phrase when they played that particular part backwards. Sure enough, this silly phrase is what they heard and the case was thrown out of court.This proved that if you are listening hard enough, you can hear anything you want to hear making this claim incongruous.This case, and others like it, went a long way towards legitimizing the once-preposterous claim that subliminal messages are frequent in heavy metal music and that they exert an almost hypnotic power (Billard 1990 Henry 1990, p. 65).Lead singer, Rob Halford, noted in the aftermath of the trial,What we went through . . . we considered that only when an attack on our artistic expression. It was nothing to do with real subliminals.(Burns 1990, pp. 100-14)The 1980s saw the biggest increase in teen suicides.Lawrence Grossbergs definitive study of American culture under neo-conservatism, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place, has woven its political agenda into the mainstream of North American life, where it now manifests itself both as a moral panic. A vote from this book statesIn 1940, the major problems were listed as talking, chewing gum, making noise, running in the halls, getting out of turn in line, wearing improper clothing, not putting paper in waste baskets. Forty years on in 1982 rape, robbery, assault, burglary, arson, bombings, murder, suicide, absenteeism, vandalism, extortion, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, gang warfare, pregnan cy, abortion, and venereal disease (Grossberg 1992, pp. 185-8).Teen suicide had finish uped truly epidemic proportions, and has continued to escalate.The study concludes Individuals born in the latter part of the twentieth century, are at far greater risk than their predecessors for create suicide-related mood disorders and these disorders are manifesting themselves at a younger age (Birmaher et al. 1996, pp. 1,428-30).While it is easy for the conservatives to blame this epidemic on rock music, it is nothing but guess and there is no hard evidence to back up their ideological views.A 1997 AACAP study entitled Precipitating factors and life events in serious suicide attempts among youths aged 13 through 24 years concluded that the most common occurrence of serious suicide attempts were relationship breakdowns, other personal problems, and pecuniary difficulties. (Beautrais et al. 1997, pp. 1,543-51)Dr Barry Goldfinkel of the University of Minnesota Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Division, insistsNinety out of 100 kids who exhaust themselves resonate a psychiatric diagnosis. Kids dont commit suicide just because theyve been interact harshly or lifes dealt them a bad hand. Its the internal process going on, not merely the fact of ones horrible existence. (Wartik 1995, p. 23)Marilyn MansonIn the late 90s, Goth-rocker Marilyn Manson arrived on the scene. He was one of the biggest stars that rose through MTV and one of the most controversial to date. He stormed to the top of the charts, catapulting to worldwide fame.Manson was not your average artist. His image has been described as a brickolage of jack boots, leather, lingerie, black lipstick, eerie contact lenses and cadaverous face paint (Hebdige 1979, pp. 102-4 Thigpen 1997, p. 68).He has been arrested for exposing himself on stage and criticized for his indulgence in self-mutilation. His music was inexorably complicated up with criticism of his appearance and the visual content of his videos and he was the next scapegoat for the PMRC to target.In his opening remarks as host of the 1998 Grammy Award Show, sitcom actor, substance abuser and convicted drunk driver Kelsey Grammer promised that Marilyn Mansons skinny white ass would not be appearing on the show. It was a truly extraordinary moment. Referring explicitly to his own teenage daughter, Spencer, Grammer couched this slur in the form of an inside joke for the baby boomer parents of children with on the face of it inexplicable musical tastes. In so doing, he sustain not only the intractable conservatism of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences but also the arrogant hegemony of his own generation within mainstream musical culture. The show proceeded to reward Bob Dylan with Album of the Year, James Taylor with Best Pop Album and Elton John with Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, while lavishing unbridled adulation upon the newest crop of corporate hit-makers, including Babyface, LeAnn Rimes, Hanson and the ubiquitous Spic e Girls. Mitch Miller could not have orchestrated a more thoroughgoing tribute to the pop music status quo in America. The influence of music-based subcultures on suicide has been the subject of debate for many years.The above quote goes to show the hypocrisy and the neo-conservatism attitude that has settled in society,just like the text in Grossbergs book, We Gotta Get Out Of This Place.When the Columbine High School massacre happened, it was exposed that the teenagers responsible listened to Marilyn Manson. When two girls raped a nun with a crucifix and tortured her to death, it was discovered that they too, listened to Marilyn Manson. Gesticulations were made and the finger pointed at Manson for being responsible for poisoning their minds and making them commits these murders and suicides, through his music.Democratic Senator Joseph Lieberman called him perhaps the sickest artist ever promoted by a mainstream record company (Jeffrey 1996, p. 3) and put enormous pressure on his label, Interscope to cease selling his records.This was at the height of Mansons third album Antichrist Superstar. The album had reached Billboard Top 200 Album Chart at Number 3 and Manson had become the perfect scapegoat for the ethical guardians. Much like what had happened with Presley, recital was repeating itself and by his position in the charts, it is obvious to see that this press was helping sell more records than ever.It is clear from his autobiography that Manson takes himself and his music very seriously, that his analysis of organized religion is both personal and ideological, and that his music is not intended to induce self-destructive behaviour but to inspire strength and independence. He told a panel for discussion on MuchMusic (Canadas music video network)I see what I do as a positive thing. I try to go people closer to themselves. That may be further away from God but thats closer to themselves. I think thats a good thing. I thinkthat makes people stronger. . . Im trying to tell people to believe in themselves because thats all that they have to believe in. I think thats a positive thing. (MuchMusic 1996)It seems that Manson is not just a guy with a burning ambition to be an adored Rock star. He is a man that is trying to get people to open their eyes to the conformist ideals of the neo-conservative army which he believes have been trying to brain wash a nation, into believing it needs shelter and protection from themselves. He has fought back against the machine and made his messages loud and clear.A tee-shirt for sale at his concerts summarizes his agenda conciselyWarning, the music of Marilyn Manson contains messages that willKill God In your impressionable teenage mind, as a result you could be convinced to Kill your mom and dad And eventually in an act of hopeless Rock and Roll behavior you will Kill yourself. Please burn your records while there is still hope. Manson published an open letter on the Columbine killings in Rolling roc k-and-roll in which he reiterated the critique of American society that has been so forcefully articulated in his musicWhen it comes down to whos to blame for the high school murders in Littleton, Colorado, throw a rock and youll hit someone whos guilty. Were the people who sit back and tolerate children owning guns, and were the ones who tune in and watch the up-to-the-minute details of what they do with them. I think its terrible when anyone dies, especially if its someone you know and love . . . This kind of controversy does not help me sell records or tickets, and I wouldnt want it to. Im a controversial artist, one who dares to have an opinionand bothers to create music and videos that challenge peoples ideas in a world that is watered-down and hollow. In my work I turn up the America we live in, and Ive always tried to show people that the devil we blame out atrocities on is really just each one of us.So dont expect the end of the world to come one day out of the blue its be en happening every day for a long time. (Manson 1999)The AnswerIn the wake of the Columbine tragedy, the authorities are franticly trying to find short term answers to the problem of teen suicides and the bloody massacres that occur along side this. This is a problem that has not been identified and many feel that they are searching for answers in the wrong place. For example, after Columbine, the teenagers were considered to be the enemy when schools in America installed metal detectors at the entrances to stop children bringing guns into school. A short term answer to a continuing problem, surely the education and up-bringing of the child are key factors, (not the tools society hands to them on a plate, ironically)?Tipper Gores Parents Music Resource Center, feels that certain music groups are to blame for the suicides and have attacked the music industry. They professed to say that because one suburban teen had written down the lyrics to Fade to Black before taking her life that this was evidence and Proof that this music was responsible and encouraged the teen to kill themselves.In the year 2007, the next new wave of music has arrived and instead of heavily metal being targeted, emo and hip hop are now seemingly liable. Over a decade on, have we learnt from our past mistakes in teaching our misguided youth? It seems not. Just weeks ago, the Virginia Tech tragedy occurred when another troubled teen went on a rampage, killing his classmates and school teachers and then turned the gun on himself.Parents and schools have renounced their responsibility to these teens. In their absence, a psychiatric empire has been created to translate easy answers through medication.A host of psychiatric drugs provided the easy solution to teen suicide. In the absence of parents and teachers who care, todays suburban teens can pharmaceutically control their feelings. But, t what toll? Teen suicides may have declined, but, it seems that these medications have helped some teen s externalize their depression, erupting into rage.Of course, blaming the medication for the violence is as wrong as blaming the guns, the music or the violent video games and movies. It is not what teens hear in their music or see in the movies or video games that causes the rage. Its the teens inability to handle their feelings of abandonment.But perhaps people in the public eye should take some responsibility if they are communicating with people on such grand scales, as Rock stars do.Beto Cuevas, the lead singer of La Ley, felt he had to do something when he discovered a fan had committed suicide after finding out she could not meet her idols. This was the last straw in her tragic ending but Cuevas felt he had to do something and thought, that through music, he could write a song that would reach his fans.In many ways its about people helping people, Ive talked to fans who said the song has left them thinking about options. Its a problem we have in our daily lives. Sometimes its as simple as listening to someone, your children.Troubled youths have taken comfort in the darker forms of rock music- just as music lovers of all ages find consolation in the music that seems to articulate their losses, their pain and their grief. The problem lies in lacking parent and community supports.In the wake of two Australian teenage suicides, Prime Minister of Australia, John Howard, has called on parents to support their children more. I think the greatest thing that has to be said about this is that parental responsibility in the end is the key to behavior by children. disposal cant educate parents if they dont have an instinct for responsibility. And while there are things the Government can do, there is a limit before you start running up against freedom of speech.

Human Equality as an Impossible Ideal in Animal Farm :: Animal Farm Essays

How do the events in Animal Farm show compassionate equality to be animpossible ideal, not a practical reality?One of the main themes of the book is the effect of power on leadershipand how it leads to corruption, propaganda and near of all contrariety,and in this book, inequality is shown through out and there are manydifferent examples of it.The main event in the beginning of the book is obsolete majors speech,where he starts it by mentioning how unequal human are to the animalsand how they dont do any work as they are the leaders of allcreatures. He implied that the other animals should get rid of man sothat his dream can be fulfilled and create a society where all animalsare created equal. Just as Old major dies, the pigs create Animalismand the seven commandments under the intention of equality, even asthey have just automatically chose themselves as leaders of therevolution and the other animals.The rebellion wasnt really led by the pigs it occurred when theanimals got m ad later on a long day without food, the pigs unevenlybecame leaders without actually taking a huge part in it. After Mr.Jones is kicked out and the animals hope of an equal society rose,they started working hard piece the pigs didnt do any work under theexcuse of the need of supervision.Another example of the inequality of the pigs is after the appleharvest where they took it for themselves claiming that they need arousewhile the other animals are the ones who need it as they work harder.During the successful defensive fight against Mr. Jones, all theanimals fight equally, Snowball and boxer did an excellent job, overlooknapoleon who didnt turn up for the fight.Napoleon is becoming increasingly corrupt and unjust. After theeffective speech by sweet sand verbena which made snowball more popular and wasgoing to divert the votes to him, Napoleon uttered a high-pitchedwhimper and the dogs chased snowball of the farm, which confirmed theuntrustworthiness of napoleon. And subsequent ly the inequality beganto increase at a more severe rate.The animals gradually become like slaves doing napoleons plans anddoing whatever he likes, moreover they are strained to work on Sundaysbut Napoleon rests like he does all over the week.Yet he starts trading and starts progressively breaking thecommandments.What is more, he horrifies the hens after their refusal of giving thepigs their eggs for money by cutting the food supply on them andstarving them until 9 of them died, so that they agree on giving the

Environmental Problems :: essays research papers

Environmental ProblemsIn todays environment Palm Beach County alone faces many environmental problems, which female genital organ turn disastrous if not taken c be of. Included in these problems atomic number 18 air pollution, water contamination, and urban explosion.Air pollution is a major(ip) factor threatening our health and our environment. Due to the pollutants that circulate in the air, many people can come into contact with cancer causing gases. Atmospheric contaminants are derived from human practices, such as gas from automobiles, factories, and even chimneys. Pollutants do not only cause damage to our health, just now they cause damage to the health of plants and animals as well. Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide cause damage to leaves of crop plants and trees when they enter leaf pores. Exposure of leaves to air pollutants can also break down the waxy conclusion that helps prevent excessive water loss and damage from diseases, pests, drought, and frost.Water pollutio n is another problem our county faces. There are many causes for water pollution but two general categories exist direct and indirect contaminant sources. Direct sources include effluent outfalls from factories, waste treatment plants etc., which emit fluids of varying quality straightway into urban water supplies. Although these practices are regulated, this doesnt mean that pollutants cant be found in these waters. Indirect sources include contaminants that enter the water supply from soils/groundwater systems and from the atmosphere via rainwater. Soils and groundwater contain the remainder of human agricultural practices (fertilizers, pesticides, etc.) and improperly disposed of industrial wastes. The effects of water pollution are varied and can be severe. They include poisonous intoxication water, poisonous food animals, unbalanced river and lake ecosystems that can no longer support full biological diversity, deforestation from acid rain, and many other effects. These effec ts are harmful to everyone either directly or indirectly.It seems as if everywhere you look you either see construction, or a sign confirming construction willing soon be present in that particular area. Urban explosion has played a big role in Palm Beach Countys environmental problems. Construction of so many new restaurants and stores has lured many new residents to Palm Beach County. This urban sprout has slowly deteriorated the natural habitat in many areas where entire forests have been cut down in order to make room for homes and new resident areas.

Beware Of Television :: essays research papers

Beware of goggle boxIt is considered that one of the greatest inventions of the twentieth centurythe televisioncompletely changed the way of a persons life. Television has brought into every home a lot of information and easy-to-reach entertainment. Is its bring on the personality, family, or children positive only or is there another side of the bills? Yes, there is. A negative one. The effect of television depends not only on the content of its programs, but there are more general aspects of influence of TV viewing on intellectual activity. To make sure of that we need to look scrupulously at every aspect of this phenomenon in general, not emphasize on the quality and content of its production.An abundance of information pouring into a persons consciousness at a fast pace does not allow him to conk out and comprehend it properly. For example, let us make a comparison between reading and viewing. The pace of reading, clearly, depends entirely upon the reader. He may read as t ardily or as rapidly as he can or wishes to read. If he does not understand something, he may stop and reread it, or go in search of elucidation before continuing. The reader can accelerate his pace when the material is easy or less than interesting, and slow overpower when it is difficult or enthralling. He can put down the book for a few moments and cope with his emotions without fear of losing anything. Unlike reading, the pace of the television fuck cannot be controlled by the viewer he cannot slow down a delightful program or speed up a dreary one. The images bear on too quickly. He cannot use his own imagination to invest the people and events portrayed on the screen with the personal meanings that would help him understand and resolve relationships and conflicts in his own life he is under the power of the show creators imagination. He becomes a passive consumer of the TV production like drugs or alcohol, the television sleep with allows the participant to blot out the re al world and enter into a pleasurable and passive mental state. Like an addict, he puts off other activities to leave out hour after hour watching TV and finds television almost irresistible.Television affects family life. In the early sixties almost each magazine articles most television was accompanied by a photograph or illustration showing a family cozily sitting together before the television trammel Dad with his arm around Moms shoulder, children sitting around the parents.

The Welfare Problem Essay -- Poor Welfare Government Essays

The Welfare Problem The poor are everywhere it seems. They are on the street corner, in the local 7 Eleven, and in the plaza. Sometimes I get sick of them and even angry with them when they pester me for funds. I ask myself, Is the best way to deal with poor, to give them money from my pocket? Its obvious that other pot have given them money from their pockets at different times. If no one had ever given them money, then these state wouldnt be standing here asking for money. The fact is, many poor people ask for money because they know they can get money that way. For about of the last 70 years our government has indirectly given the poor money from our pockets, through taxes and welfare. Not surprisingly, people have proceed to ask for money. For close to of those 70 years welfare fed the mentality that the best way to get money was to ask. I see welfare as it was first started, failed miserably and created millions of dependents in poverty instead of independents above pover ty. The welfare reform of 1996, I believe has helped the poor escape from the trap of poverty and is a more than practiced way of dealing with the poor. The idea of the United States government assisting the poor financially, originated nearly 70 years ago (Modern Welfare Programs). The depression was in full flow and the American people were demanding help from the government. Franklin D. Roosevelt signed the first federal poverty assistance act called Aid to Dependent Children Act in 1935 (Background Time for a new Approach). This laid the foundation of the current government entitlement program now called welfare. World War II brought thousands of jobs to America and slowed the growth of the entitlement program. A vast mass of people were employed either directly by the government or through other war related jobs. After the war the economy held impregnable for the next ten years (Modern Welfare Programs).In 1962, President John F. Kennedy raised the current welfare payments and renamed the program, Aid to Families with Dependent Children. Kennedy allowed states to require work in order to receive welfare, but didnt require it. Kennedy also laid out the new goal for welfare in America, it was to end poverty, not honest alleviate poverty (Background Time for a new Approach). Kennedy said welfare should be a hand up, not a hand out. Welfare continued to change... ...amilies Program, Fourth Annual Report to Congress). Welfare Reform is causing the poor to work and it is lowering the poverty rate of Children. I believe that the old entitlement programs of the historic 70 years led to an unnecessary dependence on the government for many people. Welfare reform has cut dependence on the government and helped thousands of people find work. It has helped people find meaning and value in life and commit less crime. Welfare reform is succeeding and I believe it is more compassionate on the poor person than the entitlement system. Welfare reform has provided mu ch needed help for those poor who need help in finding a job. It also has provided a way for the poor to contribute in their communities and to become independent from the government. Its not the perfect system, but it sure is an improvement on the anterior system of endless entitlements, that created over 15 million dependents on the government. As Christians we are called to have compassion on all people and I believe welfare reform is more compassionate on the poor than the entitlement system was. It helps them escape poverty instead of trapping them in poverty. That is what I call success.