Evaluate the current uses of 3D printing. Discuss the potential future Essay

Evaluate the current uses of 3D printing. Discuss the potential future of 3D printing based on current issues identified in the literature - Essay Example 3D technologies include building images layer by layer using powder and raw materials such as resins, plastics and super alloys rather than multi-coloured ink as in conventional printers (Berman 2012, p. 155). 3D printing presents many future possibilities, albeit some clearly not for the foreseeable future, including the manufacturing of final objects closer to consumers or even by the consumers themselves, with significant implications for both the society and economy. On the other hand, there are also issues ranging from social to practical, legal and economic aspects. This paper will evaluate the current uses of 3D printing and discuss its potential future based on the issues associated with them. 3D printing has evolved since the first functional 3D printer was created in 1984. The 3D printing or additive manufacturing process is a form of rapid-prototyping that fabricates three-dimensional objects using the technology of ink-jet printing. The process joins materials from three-dimensional model data to make or ‘print’ objects, usually placing layer upon layer unlike subtractive manufacturing that include cutting and moulding raw materials into objects (Stahl 2013, p. 3). Further, it mainly uses systems of 3D scanning and computer-aided design (CAD) models for production. Objects printed using the 3D technology are fabricated after successive layers of materials are solidified, fused or deposited on top of each other, whereby each layer corresponds to the objects’ cross-sectional shapes. FDM (fused deposition modeling) and SLS (selective laser sintering) are currently the most common 3D printing technologies. Technological developments have made the conce pt more accessible and affordable, widening the range of current and potential users beyond the previous rapid prototyping systems that fundamentally targeted engineering and industrial applications. According to Stephens, Orch & Ramos (2013, p. 334), 3D printing may better be understood by viewing what

Japan Profile Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Japan Profile - Assignment Example The country lacks natural resources and arable lands. The population of Japan is 127.4 million people (CountryWatch, 2009). Tokyo is the capital of Japan. The main religions practiced in Japan are Buddhism and Shinto. The official language of the nation is Japanese, but English is taught in all secondary schools for business purposes (CountryGrams, 2009). Japan’s weather goes through the four seasons. In the northern region, winters can be cold, while the southern parts of tropical weather prevail. The climate is mostly hot and humid. The time difference between Melbourne, Florida, and Tokyo, Japan is 13 hours. The monetary unit utilized in Japan is the Yen. The conversion rate in the foreign exchange markets of the dollar to yen is 1: 93.62 (Xe, 2009). The address of the U.S. Embassy in Japan is 1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Toyko 107-8420 Japan, and the phone number are 03-3224-5000 (Usembassy, 2009). Japan’s society is a group-oriented society. The family is the foundation of Japanese society. Employees are very loyal in Japan and people that hold power are respected. Whenever a person receives a favor or gift, they feel obligated to return the favor. Businessmen wear suits and ties in public, while women wear dresses and slacks. In Japan, the traditional greeting is a bow, but when greeting foreigners handshakes is the norm. Women are visualized as inferior to men in the workplace. Yawning in public is seen as impolite. Japanese people are very punctual and offended when people are late for appointments. The Japanese diet consists of rice, fresh vegetables, seafood, fruit, and small portions of meat most of which are seasoned with soy sauce or sweet sake (CultureGrams, 2009). Other popular meals include sushi, miso, and sashimi. The most popular sport in Japan is baseball. Other popular sporting activities are soccer, volleyball, and jogging. Men are raised to become the head of the family.

The impact of gender in research

The impact of gender in research Does the gender of the interviewer effect the response rate, interview and the results obtained? Many researchers have investigated the effect that interviewers gender has on research, this paper seeks to examine if there is an effect and how relevant that effect is. It will draw on academic papers, business examples and a case study. Hyman et al (1954) were one of the first to examine the effect gender-of-the interviewer has on the interview process; they found respondents replied differently to male and female researchers. Since then there has been an abundance of research in the field, much of the research is based on and argues that gender-of-interviewer effects are evident on, topics related specifically to feminism, politics and other sensitive issues. This paper will analyse the research and apply it to a case study. With the main aim to determine if the gender-of-interview affects all interview areas or whether it is topic specific. It is important to understand what is meant by interviewer effects; interviewer errors are expected to occur differently in every interview whereas interviewer effects refers to a specific interviewer characteristic i.e. gender (Dijkstra 1983). Interviewer effects look at how interviewer variance can bias the results of research. The case study being looked at took place in Oldham, it was a consultancy project investigating participation rates of food waste recycling, with the main objective to increase participation rates. The methodology used was semi-structured interviews and drop off questionnaires. The interviewers were made up of two women and three men. Researchers went out in pairs, for safety reasons, the researchers went out in four pairings, three pairs made up by a women and male interviewer and the final pairing was comprised of two male researchers. Due to time constraints and the nature of the work this case study was unable to talk to residents about their impression of interviewer-gender-effects. However all interviewers were interviewed extensively by the author of this paper, to grasp their view of the effect gender had. The main topics covered were response rates, lengths of interviews and results obtained. Does the gender-of-interviewer affect response rate? Gender can affect the response rate; Smith (1972) suggests that women are less likely to invite men interviewers into their home explaining that it is due to the perceived danger, this argues Smith can be an issue for male interviewers conducting research. When looking at the Oldham Case study this was evident, the response rate for the mixed paring had a higher response rate to the male only pairing. The mixed pairings had a response rate average of ? and the male only pairing had a response rate average of  ¼. This is backed up by Dommeyer (2008) whose study examined how using a photo in the cover letter of a drop off questionnaire effects responses. Female interviewers prove to obtain a higher response rate. His research found that rivalling the gender was only productive if they were female. Bean and Medewitz (1988) had similar results when sending out cover letters with a female signature; a higher response rate was produced than when a male signature was used 35% and 26% resp onse rate respectively. Moreover, Catonia et al (1996) experiments found that on a phone interview when respondents were given the opportunity to request a gender 82%, of women and 72% of male respondents did request with the majority selecting a female, suggesting that respondents prefer female interviewers. When interviewed, Keith from the Oldham case study expressed: Sandra seemed to get a higher response rate then I did, we quickly realised this and Sandra became the interviewer and I the scriber. Johnson and Delamater (1976) discuss, whilst looking at response rates in sex surveys, the effect gender has on respondents agreeing to be interviewed. They argue that the gender of the interviewer can have a substantial effect on response levels; attributing it to the type of survey suggesting that if they are embarrassed about the topic being discussed they may be less likely to opt to participate, especially with someone from the opposite gender. In the Oldham case study this can be compared to respondents who do not participate in recycling and are therefore are less likely to agree to be interviewed, however the gender of the interviewer is unlikely to make a difference there. Benny et al (1956) notes that male interviewers gain fewer responses to female interviewers and most of these are from female respondents. Rourke and Lakner (1989) discuss the gender bias that exists within the data collection.. How does gender affect the results obtained? Huddy et al (1997) looked at the effect that the gender-of-interviewer had in two surveys, where male and female interviewers were randomly assigned to interview male and female respondents. With the first survey; gender of interviewer had more of an effect on less educated and younger respondents. However these results were not replicated in the second survey. Yang and Yu (2008) argues that well educated people are not affected by gender as much because they are more use to inter-gender relations. Huddy et al (1997) also attribute it to the fact that people that are more educated are more confident in the company of the other gender. WHAT IS EDUCATION IN OLDHAM? Many researchers have suggested that the gender of the interviewer only has an effect on certain topics. Huddy et al (1997) suggests that the gender-of-interviewer is more predominant when; politics and views on feminism are discussed. Bellou and Del Boca (1980) found stronger gender-of-interviewer effects among women respondents on questions about the existence of gender inequality whereas men tend to be more affected when questions about women movements arose. Flores-Macias and Lawson (2006) claim that in the past research has shown effect on social and political issues when interviewed by different gender. Using a survey on households in Mexico the research tries to add to the field, they found gender effects were confined to sensitive questions, they concluded gender-interviewer effects are limited to gender topics. TOPIC OF RECYCLING In contrast Kane and Macauley (1983) note the opposite; Women were most effected by questions on womens movements for example collective action and women shared interest, while men were more effected by the interviewers gender when answering work-related gender equalities. Gender bias was highest with questions related to controversial politics and womens movements. Kane and Macaulay (1993) research looks at the effects of interviewer gender on responses in particular on gender-related survey questions. They look at if gender effects are present and how it differs from male and female. Huddy et al (1997) argue respondents are susceptible to gender-of-interviewer effects across a broad spectrum of gender-linked items. Groves and Fultz (1983) found that economic indicators receive more optimistic responses when interviewed by a male interviewer rather than a female interviewer. Landis et al (1973) reported that when women were interviewed by male interviewers they gave more feminist responses on womens roles. Kane and Macaulay (1993) summarise stating after analysing gender-attitude it is clear that interviewer-gender bias is present, it tends to include respondents giving a critical response to female interviewers than to male. On standard debate topics men are more likely to be effected by the gender of the interviewer and are less likely on less familiar topics. Womens responses vary dramatically in their responses to male and female interviewers on various issues. They did not see a vast difference in interviewer gender effects for example respondents to male respondents. It is therefore questionable on it social power effects conversational power in the interview process. Both male and female respondents are at times affected by interviewer gender. In contrast Herod (1993), who is a geographer, believes that the gender-of-interviewer can effect responses on any topic discussed. He argues that gender relations are an important aspect that can shape the interview process, gender can shape the type of data collected especially when carrying out interviews. Backing this up is McDowell (1992) who explains how interviews raise the issue of gender, Schaenberger (1992) agrees gender makes a difference (p.217). In the Oldham case study gender.. look at results! Herod (1993) gender can shape the use of interviews as a research tool (p.306). Even when all respondents are of the same gender, gender bias still shapes the interactions between interviewer and interviewee. Feminists support this statement gender is significant in society it is always going to effect gender relations in the research process (Keller 1985). Herods paper looks at work conducted across different disciplines on gender and its effect on interviewing. Turner and Martin (1984) in the classic work discuss how the gender-of-interviewer and the respondent has significant effect, the different options (male interviewer, female respondent/ male interviewer male respondent etc) have different effects in influencing opinions and feelings. Eagly and Carli (1981) showed a statistical relationship between the gender of the interviewer and outcome of the interviews showing both; respondents giving different answers to male and female researchers, but also researchers interpreting it differently. Thus this demonstrates that an interviewers gender can affect respondents answers. Looking at the Oldham case this can be demonstrated through interpretation of answers, when looking at how the answers were interpreted it is completely a subjective task, when a male was interrupting it, the results appeard whereas when a female was interrupting it is seemed. Even when it is the same gender there is an effect, Aries (1976) suggested that men tend to be more aggressive and macho to a male interviewer. Herod (1993) explains whereas a male interviewer may display one type of behaviour with female researcher he may show a different one to a male therefore obtaining different results. Oldham case study.. Piliavan and Martin (1978) found that in a group setting men and women acted differently, in the Oldham council case study, researchers went out in pairs often a man and women researcher, Aries (1976) explains that she observed women were less likely to interact than men in a mixed group. This could have affected female respondents answers when being interviewed by a male and female researcher in the Oldham case study. Moreover Herod (1993) notes the difference in the way male and female genders interpret information, on an interview he refers to the type of language used. Carli (1991) claims that women and men use language differently. Lakoff (1975) argues that women have to be socialised to use language that is less assertive then men and womens expressions are tentative. Herod (1993) puts forward that these stereotypes have implications when men and women interpret language. Sociolinguist, Deborah Tanen (1990) claims that men and women have different beliefs of how conversations are meant to work, as well as different views on the role of conversational interaction and building relationships (Wolfram Schilling-Estes, 1998). Herod (1993) explains that there is a danger in trying to generalise about gender relations in such broad categories. Arguing that they themselves did not look at race or class and how these shape gender. There is a need to look at how gender can mean different things in different context. Interviewing is about how interviewers generate meanings and understandings. Are men or women more affected by gender-of-interviewer? Whelcher (1987) and Ballou and Del Boca (1980) both argue that male respondents show more effect from gender-of-interviewer. Whelcher (1987) documents that men give more democratic responses to male interviewers as they try to give the response that they feel the male interviewer wants to hear. Ballou and Del Boca (1980) states how men give more democratic responses to female interviewers. Landis et al (1973) explain that it is expected that during an interview relationships are formed between respondent and interviewer and thus the behaviour of the respondent is influenced by their perception of the circumstances. Warren (1988) argues that women are better at building a rapport when interviewing. Landis et al (1973) found from their results that the women interviewed gave a more feminist response to the male interviewer, noting that the statistics were significant. They summarise that the gender of the interviewer does have a marked effect on response to women. Hyman et al (1954) found that gender of interviewer effected female respondents results when a male asked the question; 61% agreed with the statement, but when they were interviewed by women only 49% agreed. Hyman concluded women felt more obliged to give conventional opinions to a male interviewer. Benny et al (1956) note that both men and women act differently in the company of the other gender; acting more formally and expressing less. Benny et al (1956) and Hyman (1954) both argue that women in the presence of men talk more traditionally are more formal and tend to give the expected answer. Oldham Case study then this >It could be argued that as both these papers are dated, the findings may be less relevant. Macaulay (1993) claim the more egalitarian answers are more persuasive among male respondents when interviewed by a women. Flores-Macias and Lawson (2006) found that men are more likely to be effected rather than women. Furthermore that the social context has an effect, culture for example in Mexico City men were more susceptible to gender bias backing this up. Approximately 30% of men interviewed by men felt women rights were urgent however 40% interviewed by women felt it an issue. They also found women were more progressive when interviewed by men. Holbrook et al (2003) argue that effect from respondents believe they try to answer what interviewers want. Oldham Case study Davis et al (2010) argue that interviewer effects can impact the data obtained. They looked at measuring and controlling interviewer effects. Effects can occur from interviewer related issues such as the way questions are read, probes are used, instructions to survey etc (OLDHAM CASE study difference between male and female). Davis et al (2010) discuss how gender is the most noticeable characteristic of an interview and therefore is most susceptible to having an effect. In the past women were considered better interviewers because they are seen as less threatening and therefore there has not been as much research on this topic. But since telephone interviews gender has become more of an issue as no longer can the respondent see socioeconomic status, physical attractiveness, personal demeanour (Huddy et al 1997, p.197). Huddy et al (1997) note that there is growing evidence that respondents are more likely to give a feminist view to a female interviewer as the respondent seeks to give the answer they think the interviewer wants to hear. OLDHAM CASE Huddy et al (1997) had two goals from their study to test for the existence of gender-of-interviewer effects across a range of gender related questions. And to explore the characteristics of respondents most liable to gender-of-interviewer. Huddy et al (1997) wanted to test to see if the existence of gender-of-interviewer effected a range of topics or just gender related questions to achieve this they used two surveys both containing questions that dealt with womens issues and womens movements. Their results showed respondents were more likely to give a feminist view to a female interviewer on 11/13 gender related topics. However the difference obtained by male and female interviewers was small and consistent and was only significant for a minority of questions. The topics that showed gender-of-interviewer effects differed from the two surveys in the first, carried out in 1991 the largest gender-of-interview effects occurred on questions relating to feminist identity whereas in the second, obtained in 1993 they were on topics on abortion and anti-sexual harassment legislation. In both surveys a female interviewer collected more feminist views then a man. They did find, however that gender bias occurred most on both surv eys when topics on controversial politics were broached. With Huddy et al (1997) second goal they discovered significant interaction between interviewer gender and education less-well educated respondents were more influenced then well educated by the interviewers gender. Despite this the same results were not emulated in the second survey but they argue this could be because the gender bias was not as affluent either. To reinforce this Huddy et al (1997) assessed the statics of education and effect of gender on respondents with 12 and 17 years of education. They found that gender-of-interviewer effects were more prevalent with less educated respondents. Overall respondents with less formal education were more likely to be effected by the gender-of-interviewer and on gender related questions. Huddy et al (1997) note that gender bias decreases with age and income was the only demographic characteristic that did not increase. But how important is it, does it have a large enough effect to matter? Huddy et al (1997) found that small differences in their study. They conclude that it depends on the survey being administered. If it will effect then it is crucial that an equal number of men and women are randomly assigned to respondents. Finally Huddy et al (1997) believe that from their results it can be seen that gender could effect any type of survey and use the beginning of their first survey to demonstrate this point; where gender bias is present and the topic of the survey has not been disclosed. Huddy et al (1997) argue the view gender-of-interview effects questions is premature because; rarely have researcher controlled the individualism of interviews when examining gender-of-interviewer effects, few studies have measured the size of effects across a broad spectrum of questions to see if the effect is on feminist questions or all topics. Bellou and Del Boca (1980) did look into this in their 1980 study. Huddy et al (1997) continue explaining that effects are not standard even for questions on the same topic and few studies have tested the statistical significance across several variables with the same respondent. Huddy et al (1997) suggest that not enough research on which gender is most prone to gender-interviewer-bias as there is a contrast in theories. Lueptow, Moser and Pendleton (1990) argue women are more likely to give feminist views to a female interviewer, which they proved through telephone interviews. In contrast Ballou and Del Boca (1980) contrasted stating male respondents are more vulnerable to female interviews and appear more feminine. McDowell (1988) disagrees arguing that there is no gender split in research methods but rather a stereotyping in gender characteristics. Little work has been done on the effect of the interviewers gender; as traditionally interviewing was a female occupation Williams (1964) in his classic paper hypothesised that the greater the amount of social difference between interviewer and respondent the more likely of gender bias. Demonstrates the importance of the gender of interviewer and that the subject can have an effect.

Creating a Computer Program in the C Language about Super Smash Brothers Melee :: Biophysics Programming Gamecube

Super Smash Bros. Melee At first I had absolutely NO idea what to do for my biophysics final project. I wanted to make my program at least slightly interesting and this summer program is practically full of gamers. I decided to benefit my peers and myself by making my final project a program revolving around the Nintendo Gamecube game, Super Smash Bros. Melee. Before I wrote my program I needed the statistics of the win percentages of computers when they play a specific character. Both computer players have one life and both of them are at level 9 difficulty, the highest level difficulty in the game. I chose the map called â€Å"Final Destination† because random maps, although they create less bias, made the battle between two characters most of the time 50/50. I had the two computers fight for about twenty or thirty games to get statistically significant evidence for the win percentages of a computer character versus another. My program calculates the number of games needed to play to collect enough coins to collect a certain goal of trophies. Super Smash Bros. Melee uses a slot machine system for players to put coins in to have a chance to receive a new or old trophy. My program, however, can not actually be utilized to calculate anything in the game, for I had to add some tweaks to my program to make it more interesting for the viewers. The tweak I added was whenever the computer you were â€Å"betting on† won, you would win 5 coins, and whenever the computer lost, you would win 0 coins. That is not true in the real game, because two level 9 computers facing off would only get 1/10th of a coin each game. Each character in Super Smash Bros. Melee is numbered off in alphabetical order so I could input the win percentages between two computers. There are 25 playable characters in the game, but with the allotted time given, I had no time to test over 300 different combinations of characters (25x25 matrix) in one weekend. Instead of testing all twenty five characters, I tested five of them(which is still a lot of testing!). My program inputs are: 1) Character # whom you are betting on 2) Character # whom your character is battling 3) Starting Number of Trophies 4) Desired Number of Trophies(max 242)

Fashion for a cause Essay

Having a ribbon on your outfit to support a cause is a thing of past. Today a brand needs to be more deeply involved with different social causes as well as provide us with fashionable clothes. But what is the primary motivation for a buyer in this scenario? Does he buy such products because he wants to support the social cause behind it or because of the product itself and the brand name it carries? Is it just a onetime buy? Is the consumer completely aware about the social concern the product is working for? Are the Indian customers ready to adopt such brands? Objectives 1. To understand if there is a direct relationship between the social concern factor and the brand equity of the product. 2. To know the primary motivation of the buyer of such brands. 3. To check the brand loyalty of these consumers for such brands. 4. To check if the consumers are aware of the social concern around which the product is being promoted. 5. To check if the consumers in India are ready to adopt such social brands. 2 CHAPTER 2 3 Review of Literature (Fernandez, 2013) ‘It is not how much we give, but how much love we put into giving,’ wise words by Mother Teresa. In today’s world that is fuelled by money, it is endearing to find people who try to fuel the world with love – and so, it is in this nature that companies have started to verge toward campaigns themed with more ‘selfless giving‘. In the past few years there have been a trend towards various noble causes: charity events, concerts, and other philanthropic endeavours brought about by various companies in a number of industries. There are also a wide a number of advocacies that include: AIDS, HIV, cancer, global warming, gay rights, and many others, in need of charitable donations. And while the whole idea of fashion-brands-going-the-extra-mile-for-a-better-cause may give us the warm feeling and a restored faith in humanity, there is still that quiet looming reminder that in the world of business, nothing comes free. (Times of India, 2013) Fashion may be used to promote a cause, for example, to promote healthy behaviour, to raise money for a cancer cure, to raise money for local charities, for example a Juvenile Protective Association, (Martin, 2013) or to raise donations for a children’s hospitals. (Sultan, 2011) â€Å"Most people do not take the time to donate to the charities yet a small donation can make a very big difference in another person’s life. The most important aspect of donating to charity is the fact that you will be helping out a needy person get basic human necessities improving a life in the process. † In today’s busy life not many people take out time to make donations and do charity work but everyone has time to buy new clothes and if buying these clothes can help someone in need wouldn’t that be worth it? (Singh, 2013) â€Å"The global appeal and charitable nature of stores like Being Human not only gives a unique shopping experience to the customers, but also gives them satisfaction of doing good. † The idea of following a film star always appeals to the masses. (Khan, 2013) â€Å"All fashion labels are about looking good, Being Human is also about doing good. † (Beig, 2013) â€Å"Wearing Being Human means you ‘look good, do good’ because you help people by the simple act of slipping on your clothes every day. † (Mandhana, 2013) â€Å"The ‘Being Human’ line is designed to offer comfort, quality and style while supporting an endeavour of good cause. † (Chase, 2009) In a study of how a clothing brand’s affiliation with a social cause would affect buyer’s spending habits the research team conducted a survey of â€Å"Generation Y† college students to find out how their support of an existing line of apparel, 7 For All Mankind, might change should the brand begin campaigning with, say, Breast Cancer Awareness. The study reported that both college men and women would hold such brands to a higher esteem in general, and 89% would likely switch from Brand A to Brand B if Brand B was associated with a socially/environmentally focused cause (assuming price and quality are held constant). Additionally, 72. 4% stated they had intentionally purchased a brand name product due to the fact that the brand was affiliated with a cause they agreed with. 4 (Markson, 2012) Purpose is being integrated into marketing efforts in more concerted ways and with favourable consumer response. According to Markson, the marketing world is coming to an understanding that purpose must carry as much weight in crafting an effective ad campaign as the traditional â€Å"Four P’s of Marketing†: Price, Placement, Product and Promotion. In the United States, after quality and price, social purpose (at 47 percent) ranks higher as a purchase motivator than brand loyalty (27 percent) and design and innovation (26 percent). In addition, if a brand of similar quality supports a good cause, 75 percent of consumers claim they would buy it and 76 percent claim they would recommend and share positive experiences about such a brand. Sixty-two percent of U. S. consumers say they would also switch brands if a brand of similar quality supported a good cause. Finally, U. S. consumers’ willingness to actually promote a brand that supports a good cause jumped 19 percent from 2008 (47 percent) to 2010 (66 percent). (Barkley Cause Survey, 2010) A full 88 percent of American men say it is important for a brand to support a cause. Such a finding points to a new masculine ideal taking hold, an evolution beyond the bad-boy tough guy ideal. American men are comfortable with having a good heart. Maybe they don’t want to wear it on their sleeve. But they do want to contribute through their purchases, and in fact a majority demands it, 55 percent of men said they would switch brands from a company that did not support a cause to one that did. (Storm, 2013) Fashion is fun, but sometimes it’s more than that. Certain brands answer to a higher calling than simply making shoppers look fabulous and consumers seem willing to pay extra for it. According to Nielsen’s Global Corporate Citizenship Survey, 46 percent of consumers are willing to pay more for products and services from companies that give back to society. (Nielsen, 2012) New findings from a Nielsen survey of more than 28,000 online respondents from 56 countries around the world provide fresh insights to help businesses better understand the right audience for cause marketers, which programs resonate most strongly with this audience, and what marketing methods may be most effective in reaching these consumers. In the study, respondents were asked if they prefer to buy products and services from companies that implement programs that give back to society. Anticipating a positive response bias, respondents were also asked whether they would be willing to pay extra for those services. For the purposes of this study, Nielsen defines the â€Å"socially conscious consumer† as those who say they would be willing to pay the extra. Two thirds (66%) of consumers around the world say they prefer to buy products and services from companies that have implemented programs to give back to society. That preference extends to other matters, too: they prefer to work for these companies (62%), and invest in these companies (59%). A smaller share, but still nearly half (46%) say they are willing to pay extra for products and services from these companies. These are the â€Å"socially conscious consumers,† as defined by and focused upon in this report. Sixty three percent of global, socially-conscious consumers are under age 40, they consult social media when making purchase decisions and are most concerned about environmental, educational and hunger causes, according to a new study from Nielsen, a leading global provider of information and insights into what consumers watch and buy. 5 6 Few of the brands I came across during my research: 2. 1 Sseko Designs Mission and Impact on Sseko Designs official webpage: Sseko Designs uses fashion to provide employment and scholarship opportunities to women pursuing their dreams and overcoming poverty. To date, they’ve enabled 33 to continue on to University. They provide employment (along with access to a comprehensive social impact program) to their team of 45 women in Uganda. And they do it all through a financially selfsustaining model. Issue 1: Female students, due to a lack of economic opportunity, are not able to continue on to university and pursue leadership positions in society. Solution 1: Sseko Designs provides employment during the 9 month gap between high school and university where high potential young women are able to earn and save enough money to pay for college tuition. 50% of their salary each month goes into a savings account that is not accessible until tuition is due. This ensures that their income goes towards education. This also protects the women in the program from the social pressure they often feel from their families to give away the money they are earning which can perpetuate the cycle of poverty. At the end of each term, Sseko Designs grants university scholarships that match up to 100% of the savings each woman has made during her 9 month session with Sseko. Issue 2: In a patriarchal and male dominated society, women are not afforded the same employment and economic opportunities as their male counterparts. Although 66% of the world’s labour is done by women, they own less than 1% of the world’s assets. As long as women are not afforded educational and professional equality, extreme poverty will continue to exist. Solution 2: For every dollar a women in a developing economy earn, she will reinvest 90% of it into her family. Empower a woman and you empower an entire community. In addition to providing employment to women working their way towards university, Sseko partners with women from all walks of life. Sseko employs university graduates who comprise the upper level management team. These are women that use their education, experience and voice to help shape their company. Sseko also works to provide employment for women who have aged out of the education system and have no other form of income generation. They partner with a local non-profit in Uganda that works with young women who have recently come out of the commercial sex industry. Providing stable, dignifying and fair wage employment is a key component to keeping women from entering back into prostitution. They believe that every woman has the capacity to end the cycle of poverty and that it can be done in a way that is fair, dignifying, honouring and life-giving. Issue 3: Although charities and non-profits play a vital and necessary role in all societies, sometimes charity and aid can play a negative role by enabling dependencies and damaging the local economies. Like any of us, our African friends need and desire opportunity, dignity, job creation and empowerment. Solution 3: Instead of treating the symptoms, they aim to address the deeper, underlying issues of extreme poverty. Although Sseko Designs has been built for the purpose of impacting a 7 specific social sector, they have chosen very intentionally to use a sustainable, self-sufficient business model to do this. Their hope is to help create industry and fair-trade with the belief that a large component of economic development lies in the business sector. They believe in the power of responsible consumerism. Instead of competing for limited donor dollars, they hope consumers will think about the story behind their â€Å"stuff. † If they considered the impact that each product they consume has on the lives of those who produced that product and chose to see consumerism as a force and opportunity for positive social change, they believe the world would be filled with beautiful products with even more beautiful stories. 2. 2 World Clothes Line Everyone loves the smell of a clean t-shirt. Or the feeling of a new sweatshirt, soft. Or the look of a brand new outfit, confident and ready to conquer the day. Yet every day, millions of people around the world do not have a clean change of clothes. No options. No choice. World Clothes Line is dedicated to helping them. World Clothes Line will match every item sold with a new item for someone in need. Therefore, when customers purchase merchandise for themselves, they also provide clothing for others. In January 2010, World Clothes Line was born. 2. 2. 1 Their Vision As given in their name, their vision is to clothe the world. At World Clothes Line, they give clothes to people who need them. Through the generosity of their customers and dedication of their team, they hope to spread their message and continually help others. Their â€Å"shoot for the stars† goal is to create an active clothing collection for every country of the world. 2. 2. 2 Their Clothes Their styles are basic: t-shirts, sweatshirts, pants. Their main concerns are functionality, protection, and comfort. The designs are unique. They find that most people are inspired by the world. Every World Clothes Line collection is designed specifically to reflect its country’s people and culture. World Clothes Line is a socially conscious brand. All items are manufactured sweatshop-free at fair wages with environmentally-friendly practices. 8 2. 2. 3 Why Clothes? Clothing is one of our most basic needs. It ranks among air, food, water, and shelter. Clothing provides protection from the elements, reducing the effects of sun exposure, wind rash, and frostbite. It also provides defence against diseases, many of which are spread through mosquitoes and other insect bites. Proper clothing contributes to cleanliness, comfort, ease of movement and overall health. The simple act of changing and washing clothes can prevent infection, chafing, skin disorders and the spreading of viruses. However, in cases of extreme poverty, clothing is often one of the first needs to be ignored. Statistically, more than one billion people in the world live on less than one dollar a day. Almost 2. 7 billion people (that’s 40% of our population) survive on less than two dollars per day. In such circumstances, daily necessities like food and water take top priority. Clothing, which can be reworn, therefore is reworn. Day after day. After day†¦ At World Clothes Line, they make clothes their number one priority. 2. 3 No One Without N. O. W: One At A Time No One Without water is their non-stop mission. Every product in a purchase provides clean water to one person for 25 years through a concrete Bio-sand filtration system and their partnership with Thirst Relief International. Studies have proven that these filters effectively remove more than 90% of bacteria and 100% of the parasites found in untreated water. Nearly one billion people lack access to clean water and each year 2. 5 million people die from contaminated water, 90% are under 5 years old. The World Health Organization has declared a worldwide water crisis among the world’s poorest people. Society has conditioned us to be overwhelmed with statistics and the quantity of need in the world. The easy thought process is to say â€Å"there’s too much and I’m only one person†. By taking one step at a time, one day at a time, one person at a time, they’re breaking down numbers and they believe in the power of one. 9 No One Without has aligned themselves with the Thirst Relief mission: â€Å"To overcome death and disease resulting from the consumption of contaminated water by providing safe, clean water to those in need around the world. † 2. 3. 1 Why Water? The solution to the clean drinking water need is found in the concrete Bio-sand filter. The Biosand filter has the ability to produce safe, clean drinking water from both contaminated surface water, and ground water sources. As a result, the simple yet affective technology provides a long-term, sustainable and economical drinking water solution to those in poverty stricken areas around the world. Thirst Relief International currently has Bio-sand filter placements in Brazil, Cameroon, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. No One Without will follow Thirst Relief International around the globe on the quest for clean water. 10 2. 4 TOMS In 2006, American traveller Blake Mycoskie befriended children in a village in Argentina and found they had no shoes to protect their feet. Wanting to help, he created TOMS, a company that would match every pair of shoes purchased with a pair of new shoes given to a child in need. One for One. Realizing this movement could serve other basic needs, TOMS Eyewear was launched. With every pair purchased, TOMS will help give sight to a person in need. One for One. Over the past seven years, they’ve listened and learned with every pair of new shoes given. With the support of their amazing network of Giving Partners and the continued support of their community, they’ve reached this major milestone and proven that business can fuel good and sustain giving. They have seen remarkable results with shoe giving. Shoes are helping improve school attendance and enrolment. They’re combined with screenings to combat malnutrition. They’re given in conjunction with medication to fight hookworm. Further, their model is one that can work beyond shoes. Since they launched TOMS Eyewear, they’ve helped restore sight to more than 150,000 individuals around the world. And they look forward to finding new ways to help others. They currently make Giving Pairs in Ethiopia, Kenya, Argentina and China. Within two years, they will produce one third of their Giving Shoes in the regions where they give them. By producing more shoes locally they will create and support jobs in places where they are needed. They are testing production in India and are looking to expand manufacturing in Africa and other regions. In Haiti, they are in the early stages of getting production off the ground. They’ve also partnered with local artists to create a line of hand-painted shoes for their customers – helping create and support jobs in a place where they also give. And they’re looking to offer more styles that feature locally produced textiles. Their sight giving empowers communities and supports sustainable eye-care organizations in the developing world. They work with locally based organizations that train residents to provide professional care. So it’s an investment in clinics, people and even local jobs. 11 2. 5 Common Threadz Common Threadz is a non-profit organization helping orphans & vulnerable children in developing nations to reach their full potential through the empowerment of the children, their caretakers & the local grass roots community organizations that support them. 2. 5. 1 School Uniforms for Orphans & Vulnerable Children This was the first initiative that Common Threadz created in 2008. For every t-shirt or bracelet that they sell from their Shop to Help Store, they give a school uniform to an orphan or vulnerable child (OVC) so they can go to, or stay in school. Some of the children they care for had been refused schooling for not being able to afford a uniform. Uniforms are a requirement in most schools in Africa and they want to make sure that all these children have the chance to go to school, make friends and learn so that they can reach their full potential. Since the inception of this program, hundreds of uniforms have been handed over to OVC’s. Typically a uniform will last a year and so there is an ongoing need for uniforms. As the caregivers they continuously work to identify the OVC’s in need and as support for this program grows, they plan to hand over many more uniforms in the future. 2. 5. 2 Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) Mentor Program They currently operate a mentor program in Obanjeni, South Africa. This program teams responsible and employed adults from the local community with orphans and vulnerable children (OVC’s) as role models on a one-to-one basis. Each of their mentors supports many children, meeting with each child for at least one hour per week. The mentors spend time helping with homework, chatting about personal hygiene, advising on healthy lifestyles and most of all, listening to the child. In some cases these mentors have come back to them to report abuse and a child has had to be moved to a place of safety and the police and social workers are called in. The mentors are their ears and eyes in the community. The program has rolled out with many young children and teenagers benefiting greatly. Still in its infancy, this program has been a great success and will be replicated and expanded moving forward. 2. 5. 3 The Feeding Program Common Threadz provides the funding and nutritional guidance for grassroots non-profit organizations in rural South Africa, such as Siyathuthuka Obanjeni, to provide daily meals to over 200 orphans and vulnerable children (OVC’s) that they have identified in the area. Proper nutrition is a fundamental need for the children to grow and learn and although the government says that it’s a child’s right not to go hungry, this is far from the reality for many thousands of children in South Africa. This program has grown from its inception last year when caregivers began to cook three meals a week for children after school. Now an employed cook prepares a cooked meal every day for the children to eat after school and in April 2010 they started to provide high protein porridge for the children to eat on their way to school, as the teachers have indicated that it is very difficult for the children to concentrate when they are hungry. 12 Once again this program has much room to expand and reach many more needy OVC’s but it would not be possible without the support of their customers. 2. 5. 4 Shoes for Kids This program complements the School Uniforms Programme by providing new school shoes to barefoot children in need, namely orphans and vulnerable children (OVC’s). School uniforms might give these children entrance to school, however many of them walk for up to four hours a day to go to school barefoot. A new pair of school shoes is usually the only new pair of shoes most of these children will ever receive and for most of them it will be the only pair of shoes they will own. All it takes is $10 to provide an OVC with a new pair of shoes so that they can go to school with confidence. 2. 6 Threads for Thought What began as a small business manufacturing and marketing graphic tee shirts that were made exclusively from organic cotton, gave back to charity, and promoted a cleaner environment, or advocated for peace, has grown into a complete lifestyle brand. They have never deviated from their primary mission, to promote a sense of responsibility for those who share this world with us, but rather than simply broadcasting that message on the front of tee shirts, the company has incorporated those principles into their very existence. 2. 6. 1 How their threads are sustainable Threads 4 Thought fabrics are made using the most sustainable materials possible such as organically grown cotton and polyester derived from recycled water bottles. Their fabrics are dyed using low impact dyes whenever possible & often the water used in the dye process is purified and then reused rather than being discarded. 13 2. 6. 2 Organic Cotton vs. Conventional Cotton ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Organic cotton is 90% less toxic than conventional cotton. Conventional cotton crops use more than 25% of all the insecticides in the world and 12% of all the pesticides while growing on only 2. 5 % of cultivated lands in the world. Organic cotton uses untreated seeds that are never genetically modified while conventional cotton uses genetically modified seeds, hurting the crops & soil over time. Organic Cotton plants stay strong through crop rotation and retain water efficiently due to increased organic matter in the soil. Conventional cotton plants use synthetic fertilizers. Organic Cotton fields use seasonal freezes and water management for defoliation. Conventional cotton does this through the use of toxic chemicals. Weeds are physically removed by hand hoeing and cultivation. Farmers use beneficial insects and trap crops to control pests. Conventional cotton uses a toxic aerial spraying technique. 2. 6. 3 Turning Plastic into fashion 1. The plastics are sorted according to colour and SNV plastics. 2. Next, the plastic goes through a sterilization process. Then, it is dried and crushed into chips. Next, liquefaction occurs under high temperatures, as a mixture of the recycled chips and some new plastic from petroleum derivatives are melted together to form a smooth, syrup-like material. 3. The first threads are formed when the liquefied material is forced through holes and exposed to air. The hardened threads, called tow, then go through a strengthening process. 4. The â€Å"drawing† process strengthens the molecular bonds of the tow; the tow is pulled to double their size and then shrunken. 5. The threads then go through a dryer where they develop a woolly texture. The texture is inspected for strength and thickness, and then spun into a finer yarn that is then ready to be dyed and knit into fabric. 14 2. 7 147 Million Orphans Profits from 147 Million Orphans are directed to the 147 Million Orphans Foundation, where they are given to Love+ 1 Projects and feeding programs. The 147 Million Orphans Foundation was created to impact the lives of children through the provision of food, water, and medicine. They invest directly in projects that help provide these basic needs to those who desperately need it, and most of their projects occur in Haiti, Honduras, and Uganda. As with any good foundation you must lay one brick at a time. Whether that is a medical clinic in Haiti, homes in Honduras, Water Wells in Sudan, or a store house full of food for Uganda, they want to show the love of Christ. The rebuilding of the wall in Nehemiah was accomplished by people just doing their part and helping others to do theirs. The Love+ 1 projects are steps in rebuilding, and they would love for us to be a part of the rebuilding. 2. 7. 1 During 2012 and 2013, the Love+ 1 Projects Included: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? Provided funding for over 100,000 meals for children in Uganda, Haiti, and Honduras Helped to build clean water wells in Sudan and Honduras Provided funding for HIV education and medicine in Uganda and Haiti Provided funding for a vehicle, appliances and kitchen construction for an orphanage in Haiti Funded the construction costs of 27 homes in Mt. Olivos, Honduras for displaced families. These 2 bedroom, concrete homes with running water are allowing families to remain intact and raise their children in a healthy environment. They are building a strong community, including a school and a weekly worship service. Provided over 150 cans of formula to an infant feeding & nutrition program in Haiti Raised $200,000 of the $250,000 needed for construction of the Love+ 1 Medical Centre in Gressier, Haiti where there are currently no medical or dental facilities available to the 35,000 residents. This centre will include a doctor’s office with a pharmacy, a dental office, an urgent care clinic, and an operating room. This clinic will be located on land adjoining a school that currently serves over 400 children. Raising the final $50,000 and beginning construction of the Love+ 1 Medical Centre in Haiti – a 5,000 square foot facility with medical and dental facilities for a community of 35,000 people with no medical care. The medical facility is expected to open in October 2013 with ongoing funding needs for supplies and equipment. Construction of a tilapia pond for the community of Mt. Olivos, Honduras. Completion of the construction of all homes in Mt. Olivos, Honduras. Formula for an infant feeding and nutrition program in Haiti Food and medicine to children in Uganda, Haiti, and Honduras Bedding and supply needs for an orphanage in Uganda Food to children in Tennessee through a weekly backpack program 15 2. 8 I Am A Star I AM A STAR is built on a solid foundation of trust and collaboration. It is rooted in the Somali diaspora communities’ leadership, and it makes room for the solidarity and creativity of motivated people everywhere. Together, they’re providing relief in Somalia, and shining a light on a culture of poets, artists, mothers and fathers, children, innovators, farmers, businesspeople. Each one, a star in his or her own right. Perched on the very tip of the Horn of Africa, Somalia has suffered two decades of hardship, violence and displacement. It’s estimated that 25% of the country’s population have fled their homes, traveling to Kenya and Ethiopia or to other parts of Somalia. Since the summer of 2011, the country has faced a crippling food crisis. Between 50,000 to 100,000 Somalis have died as a result. US Secretary of State, Hillary Rodham Clinton called it â€Å"the most severe humanitarian emergency in the world today-and the worst East Africa has seen in decades. † Thanks to the spirit and efforts of the worldwide Somali Diaspora and other compassionate individuals, organizations and governments, relief is getting to people who need it. Donors have looked past the negative imagery of Somalia in the media and sent their support. That support has saved the lives of mothers and fathers, children, poets, artists, innovators, farmers, businesspeople, human beings. But there is still so much that needs to be done in Somalia. The famine has ended, but 1 in 5 Somali children are still malnourished. 2. 5 million people are still dependent on food aid in order to survive. It will take an investment of time and great effort to shake off the legacy of 20 years of war and unrest in Somalia. The country has the world’s lowest rates of school enrolment, and experts estimate that 18% of children born in Somalia will not live to age 5. 2. 8. 1 With Support from: ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? KNAAN 4Real IDEO Pivotal Labs Heroku Music for Relief Mataano Chef Roble & Co. Faarrow Mosaic 16 2. 9 Soles 4 Souls Soles4Souls is a global not-for-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty. The organization advances its anti-poverty mission by collecting new and used shoes and clothes from individuals, schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners, then distributing those shoes and clothes both via direct donations to people in need and by provisioning qualified micro-enterprise programs designed to create jobs in poor and disadvantaged communities. Based in Nashville, Tennessee, Soles4Souls is committed to the highest standards of operating and governance, and holds a four-star rating with Charity Navigator. Founded in 2004, Soles4Souls is a global not-for-profit institution dedicated to fighting the devastating impact and perpetuation of poverty through the distribution of shoes and clothing. Soles4Souls distributes shoes and clothing in two ways. Most new items collected primarily from corporations and retailers are given directly to people in need, both in the U. S. and overseas. The organization has relationships with several of the world’s leading apparel brands, which provides Soles4Souls with new but non-marketable overstocks, returns, discontinued models and other shoes or clothing items. At the same time, Soles4Souls receives millions of articles of used shoes and clothing that have been collected by individuals, schools, faith-based institutions, civic organizations and corporate partners. After sorting items in its national warehouse system, Soles4Souls typically sells the used shoes and clothing, as well as some new items allocated by manufacturers, to carefully selected micro-enterprise organizations. These both private and non-profit companies are contracted to provide shipping, financing, inventory, training and other support to ultrasmall businesses in countries like Haiti where there are virtually no jobs to generate personal income. Through the collection and sale of used (and new) clothing and shoes, Soles4Souls helps create self-sustaining jobs that generate desperately needed revenues throughout those communities. The sale of footwear and apparel to support micro-jobs also provides the majority of funding to sustain Soles4Souls operations and further expand its donations of new shoes and clothing. 17 2. 10 FEED FEED Projects’ mission is to create good products that help FEED the world. They do this through the sale of FEED bags, be

Diversity Worksheet Essay

1. What is diversity? Why is diversity valued? Diversity is the human attributes that are different from your own and different from groups to which you belong. Diversity is broken into two categories: visible and invisible. Visible diversity includes attributes like age, race, ethinicity, gender, etc. and Invisible diversity are attributes like work experience, marital status, parental status, income, religious beliefs, etc. Diversity is valued because once you can recognize some or all of the diverseness in a person, you can then recognize how unique they are. (â€Å"What Is Diversity? It’S More Than Race Or Gender – University Of †¦Ã¢â‚¬ , 2002) 2. What is ethnocentrism? In what ways can ethnocentrism be detrimental to a society? Enthnocentrism is the belief in the inherent superiority of one’s own ethnic group or culture. (dictionary.com, 2013) Ethnocentrism can be detrimental because judegment is being passed on another culture based on that on individual’s values or beliefs, thinking they are more superior or better without possibly having any knowledge of that culture and no desire to learn about it. 3. Define emigration and immigration. Emigration is to leave a country to settle in another. Immigration is oming into a new country as a permanent resident. These choices are not always vonluntary but can come from conflict or war. Involuntary migration is not as common anymore but much of the past migrations were involuntary. Emigration and immigration both contribute to minorities. (Schaefer, Chapter 1, 2012) 4. What are some of the ways groups of people are identified? Racial groups: a group that is socially set apart because of obvious physical differences. Ethnic groups: a group set apart from others because of its national origin or distinctive cultural patterns. Religious groups: a group that is associated with a religion other than the dominant faith. Gender groups: a group where males are the social majority (dominant) and females, although larger in population, are the social minority. Other groups: age, disability status, physical appearance, and sexual orientation. (Schaefer, Chapter 1, 2012) 5. Why do people label and group other people? People label and group others because they are either dominant or want to be the dominant. Being the dominant means having the power over others or things and since the United States is a democracy, majorit rules, so the majority has the power. The minority group then has lesser chances of ruling and life’s opportunites are limited. (Schaefer, Chapter 1, 2012) 6. Define culture. Is culture limited to racial and ethnic backgrounds? Explain. Culture is the behaviors and belief characterstics of a particular social, ethnic, or age group. (dictionary.com, 2013) This definition I found is vague in my opinion because culture can be included in genders, sexual orientations, nationalities, and more. Even with that the definition of culture is not limited to racial and ethnic backgrounds. Since culture is a behavior and/or belief I really think just about anyone in any kind of minority has these that are separate from others. References What is Diversity? It’s More than Race or Gender – University of †¦. (2002). Retrieved from http://www.med.umich.edu/diversity/pdffiles/file28.pdf‎ Ethnocentrism. (2013). In Dictionary.com. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/ethnocentrism?s=t Schaefer, R. T. (2012). Racial and Ethnic Groups (13th ed.). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database. Culture. (2013). In Dictionary.com. Retrieved from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/culture?s=t&ld=1136

things fall apart culture essay Essays

things fall apart culture essay Essays things fall apart culture essay Paper things fall apart culture essay Paper Essay Topic: Things Fall apart TFA: CultureCulture. The beliefs, customs, arts, etc., of a particular society, group, place. Why it matters? It should matter because it defines who you are today. Think about it, it’s your way of life and your beliefs. In things fall apart Chinua Achebe addresses the theme of culture in many ways. This matter addresses the basic idea of culture around the world. At the time of the book was written (1950’S) it takes place in southern Africa around the 1850’s and people around the world (Europeans) thought Africans were uncivilized and savages and needed to be pacified. In reality they had much of the same customs as much of the world and were perfectly find with their way of life. There were many events in the book that shows culture that you’ll most likely see in real life and where you live. First, in the beginning of the story the main character named Okonkwo takes on an opponent from a rival village in wrestling. Their village takes pride in this sport and compete against rivals. Much like we do today at the Olympics. Okonkwo wins the match and is celebrated as the best wrestler at the time and becomes famous for beating his opponent. This is much like we have today, if are a good athlete you are given a social status above others. Second, later on in the book there is an event where the main character Okonkwo offers things to a god in hope of something in return. Much after that OkonKwo does something bad and he fears a god for punishment. This is what we see a lot today because many of us look up to a greater being and usually offer things or ourselves in hope of something in return and fear when we do something bad there will be consequences.I can relate when you say â€Å"who cares?†. I know this may not be important to you at the time but you have to realize that this theme was put in there for a reason so we would look at the book and analyze it and realize that this isn’t just some st ory about a village in Africa. This book shows the important

About the US Inspectors General

About the US Inspectors General A U.S. federal inspector general (IG) is the head of an independent, non-partisan organization established within each executive branch agency assigned to audit the agency’s operation in order to discover and investigate cases of misconduct, waste, fraud and other abuse of government procedures occurring within the agency. Within the federal agencies are politically independent individuals called Inspectors General who are responsible for ensuring that the agencies operate efficiently, effectively and legally. When it was reported in October 2006 that Department of Interior employees wasted $2,027,887.68 worth of taxpayer time annually surfing sexually explicit, gambling, and auction websites while at work, it was the Interior Departments own Office of Inspector General that conducted the investigation and issued the report. The Mission of the Office of Inspector General Established by the Inspector General Act of 1978, the Office of Inspector General (OIG) examines all actions of a government agency or military organization. Conducting audits and investigations, either independently or in response to reports of wrongdoing, the OIG ensures that the agencys operations are in compliance with the law and general established policies of the government. Audits conducted by the OIG are intended to ensure the effectiveness of security procedures or to discover the possibility of misconduct, waste, fraud, theft, or certain types of criminal activity by individuals or groups related to the agencys operation. Misuse of agency funds or equipment is often revealed by OIG audits. There are currently 73 offices of US inspectors general, far more than the initial 12 offices created by the Inspector General Act of 1978. Along with administrative staff and several financial and procedural auditors, each office employs special agents- criminal investigators who are often armed. The work of the IG offices involves detecting and preventing fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement of the government programs and operations within their parent agencies or organizations. Investigations conducted by the IG offices may target internal government employees or external government contractors, grant recipients, or recipients of loans and subsidies offered through federal assistance programs.   To help them carry out their investigative role, Inspectors General have the authority to issue subpoenas for information and documents, administer oaths for taking testimony, and can hire and control their own staff and contract personnel. The investigative authority of Inspectors General is limited only by certain national security and law enforcement considerations. How Inspectors General Are Appointed and Removed For the Cabinet-level agencies, Inspectors General are appointed, without regard to their political affiliation, by the President of the United States and must be approved by the Senate. Inspectors General of the Cabinet-level agencies can be removed only by the President. In other agencies, known as designated federal entities, like Amtrak, the U.S. Postal Service, and the Federal Reserve, the agency heads appoint and remove Inspectors General. Inspectors General are appointed based on their integrity and experience in: Accounting, auditing, financial analysisLaw, management analysis, public administrationInvestigations Who Oversees Inspectors General? While by law, Inspectors General are under the general supervision of the agency head or deputy, neither the agency head nor the deputy can prevent or prohibit an Inspector General from conducting an audit or investigation. The conduct of the Inspectors General is overseen by the Integrity Committee of the Presidents Council on Integrity and Efficiency (PCIE). How Do Inspectors General Report Their Findings? When an agencys Office of Inspector General (OIG) identifies cases of egregious and flagrant problems or abuses within the agency, the OIG immediately notifies the agency head of the findings. The agency head is then required to forward the OIGs report, along with any comments, explanations, and corrective plans, to Congress within seven days. The Inspectors General also send semiannual reports of all their activities for the past six months to Congress. All cases involving suspected violations of federal laws are reported to the Department of Justice, via the Attorney General.

Sustainable Development - Design and Build Without Harm

Sustainable Development - Design and Build Without Harm Sustainable development is a general belief that all human endeavors should promote the longevity of the planet and its inhabitants. What architects call the built environment should not harm the Earth or deplete its resources. Builders, architects, designers, community planners, and real estate developers strive to create buildings and communities that will neither deplete natural resources nor negatively impact the Earths functioning. The goal is to meet todays needs using renewable resources so that the needs of future generations will be provided for. Sustainable development attempts to minimize greenhouse gases, reduce global warming, preserve environmental resources, and provide communities that allow people to reach their fullest potentials. In the field of Architecture, sustainable development also has been known as sustainable design, green architecture, eco-design, eco-friendly architecture, earth-friendly architecture, environmental architecture, and natural architecture. The Brundtland Report In December 1983, Dr. Gro Harlem Brundtland, a physician and the first woman Prime Minister of Norway, was asked to chair a United Nations commission to address a global agenda for change. Brundtland has become known as the mother of sustainability since the 1987 release of the report, Our Common Future. In it, sustainable development was defined and became the basis of many global initiatives. Sustainable development is development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs....In essence, sustainable development is a process of change in which the exploitation of resources, the direction of investments, the orientation of technological development; and institutional change are all in harmony and enhance both current and future potential to meet human needs and aspirations.- Our Common Future, United Nations World Commission on Environment and Development, 1987 Sustainability in the Built Environment When people construct things, many processes take place to actualize the design. The goal of a sustainable building project is to use materials and processes that will have little impact on the continued functioning of the environment. For example, using local building materials and local laborers limits the pollution effects of transportation. Non-polluting construction practices and industries should have little harm on the land, sea, and air. Protecting natural habitats and remediating neglected or contaminated landscapes can reverse damages caused by previous generations. Any resources used should have a planned replacement. These are characteristics of sustainable development. Architects should specify materials that do not harm the environment at any stage of their life cycle - from first manufacturing to end-of-use recycling. Natural, bio-degradable, and recycled building materials are becoming more and more common. Developers are turning to renewable sources for water and renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. Green architecture and eco-friendly building practices promote sustainable development, as do walkable communities, and mixed-use communities that combine residential and commercial activities - aspects of  Smart Growth and the New Urbanism. In their Illustrated Guidelines on Sustainability, the U.S. Department of the Interior suggests that historic buildings are themselves often inherently sustainable because they have lasted to stand the test of time. This does not mean that they cannot be upgraded and preserved.  Adaptive reuse of older buildings and the general use of recycled architectural salvage are also inherently sustainable processes. In architecture and design, the emphasis of sustainable development is on the conservation of environmental resources. However, the concept of sustainable development is often broadened to include the protection and development of human resources. Communities founded on principles of sustainable development may strive to provide abundant educational resources, career development opportunities, and social services. United Nations sustainable development goals are inclusive. United Nations Goals The United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution on September 25, 2015 that set 17 goals for all nations to strive for by 2030. In this resolution, the notion of sustainable development has been expanded far beyond what architects, designers, and urban planners have focused on - namely Goal 11 in this list.   Each of these goals have targets that encourage worldwide participation: Goal 1. End poverty; 2. End hunger; 3. Good healthy lives; 4. Quality education and lifelong learning; 5. Gender equality; 6 Clean water and sanitation; 7. Affordable clean energy; 8. Decent work; 9. Resilient infrastructure; 10. Reduce inequality; 11. Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable; 12. Responsible consumption; 13. Combat climate change and its impacts; 14. Conserve and sustainably use oceans and seas; 15. Manage forests and halt biodiversity loss; 16. Promote peaceful and inclusive societies; 17. Strengthen and revitalize global partnership. Even before the U.N.s Goal 13, architects realized that the urban built environment is responsible for most of the worlds fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Architecture 2030 set this challenge for architects and builders - All new buildings, developments, and major renovations shall be carbon-neutral by 2030. Examples of Sustainable Development Australian architect Glenn Murcutt is often held up as an architect who practices sustainable design. His projects are developed for and placed on sites that have been studied for their natural elements of rain, wind, sun, and earth. For example, the roof of the Magney House was designed specifically to capture rainwater for use within the structure. The Villages of Loreto Bay in Loreto Bay, Mexico was promoted as a model of sustainable development. The community claimed to produce more energy than it consumed and more water than it used. However, critics charged that developers claims were overstated. The community eventually suffered financial setbacks. Other communities with good intentions, such as Playa Vista in Los Angeles, have had similar struggles. More successful residential projects are the grassroots Ecovillages being built all over the world. The Global Ecovillage Network (GEN) defines an ecovillage as an intentional or traditional community using local participatory processes to holistically integrate ecological, economic, social, and cultural dimensions of sustainability in order to regenerate social and natural environments. One of the most famous is EcoVillage Ithaca, co-founded by Liz Walker. Finally, one of the most famous success stories is the transformation of a neglected area of London into the Olympic Park for the London 2012 summer Olympic Games. From 2006 until 2012 the Olympic Delivery Authority created by British Parliament oversaw the government mandated sustainability project. Sustainable development is most successful when governments work with the private sector to make things happen. With support from the public sector, private energy companies like Solarpark Rodens will be more likely to put their renewable energy photovoltaic panels where sheep may safely graze  - existing together on the land. Sources Our Common Future (The Brundtland Report), 1987, un-documents.net/our-common-future.pdf [accessed May 30, 2016]What is an Ecovillage? The Global Ecovillage Network, http://gen.ecovillage.org/en/article/what-ecovillage [accessed May 30, 2016]Transforming our world: the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, The Division for Sustainable Development (DSD), United Nations, https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/post2015/transformingourworld [accessed November 19, 2017]Architecture 2030, http://architecture2030.org/ [accessed November 19, 2017]

No topic Personal Statement Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 1

No topic - Personal Statement Example Lastly, I was a cheerleader for our voluntary team especially in various communal activities aimed at dealing with poor dental clinical health matters. Being a patient is very disastrous. I have encountered this ever since I was ten years of age. Dental infections caught my intellectual attention back then and still do to-date. Firstly, pain caused by dental infections distracts various activities of individual patients. Secondly, being a dental patient damages a patients’ self-image. These individuals may not openly interact with others because of bad breath or colored teeth, which easily distort self-image. Concisely, as an aspiring dentist since when I was ten years old, I began by helping my uncle sterilize used blankets for new patients. Yes, this may sound uncultured or uncouth way of handling patients clinically, but in Cuba, everything is a waste. Most blankets in this country are passed to several generations. This left us the mission of clinically and cautiously cleaning these blankets to remove the adhesive and molar bands. My reasons for wanting to undertake clinical dentistry course: Healthcare professionalism in the current world has emerged to be one of the well-paying fields of professionalism. Dentistry, as a part of healthcare professionalism in the contemporary society, gives individual professionals a wider view of the clinical care system in a more evidence-based way throughout the world. I was a bit hesitant because of the mess I left behind after helping my uncle in his dentist staff. Additionally, the Cuban employment domain was not motivating at all. Most professionals back then were paid meagre salaries. This killed my dream of becoming a dentist. My parents resorted into changing my career aspirations from becoming a dentist to being a mere artist. This was my worst nightmare so far. As an artist, my parents believed that my life would be better some days in the future.

Development of Research Questions Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1750 words

Development of Research Questions - Essay Example fact Open Doors report provided by the Institute of International Education (IIE), recorded an increase of 3% to 690,923 of student enrolment during the 2009/10 academic year. So it is crucial how the courses are introduced so that the international students can follow the curriculum given the two most common challenges they have to face; that of having a grasp over English and the associated stress due to culture shift. And when the students are pursuing a highly technical course like accounting, the learning difficulty multiplies. For it is typically assumed that all students are familiar with the basic concepts of accounting, its core definitions, and main transactions. But the general perception of accounting courses among students is that they are difficult to study, and students are expected to work hard to succeed in these courses. One of the big reasons is the difficulty with English comprehension. For this special group of students, which usually enter on F-1 visa, English i s a second language and it is imperative that they master it in order to understand and grasp complex accounting matters. Typically, these students need to make extra effort to connect what they just learned and what it should mean. As a result, complex accounting material becomes even more complicated for this particular group to do well and succeed in the accounting courses. The anticipated research study will be conducted on various issues and opportunities that this unique group of students experience while taking accounting courses namely coping with English and its impact on academic performance, the consequent stress of being in a new culture and the intervention services that could be extended to them. Therefore the proposed dissertation topic is as follows: â€Å"International students in accounting course in the U.S: Challenges & opportunities†. The impact of foreign students on the educational industry in America could not be ignored both in terms of the financial aspects

Motorola Incorporation Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Motorola Incorporation - Assignment Example The company is also involved in network gadget marketing. These gadgets have a wide application within the communication sector, which include amplification of signal base for the stations, as well as the cellular transmission. The Motorola Corporation has brand recognition of being in the market area of wireless communication, broadband communication, and automotive communication, which enhances global interconnectedness. The corporation wins brand loyalty due to its engagement in the field of technology and communication innovation, which ensures that customers have an opportunity of attaining desirable brands and quality products. On the same note, the corporation has embarked on ensuring that it has a strong breakthrough in the field of technology by identifying new talents, new markets, and merging with other technology focused corporation in order to have future solutions within the field of technology (Hitt, 2009). Salient Opportunities and threats existing in Motorola’ s external environment Comprehension of Motorola’s external environment is crucial since this process results in identification of the factors, which determine the ability of the corporation to use its resources effectively and survive within the competitive environment. The well-developed brand of the corporation is one of the opportunities, which Motorola needs to use in order to attain a competitive edge within is marketing environment. Excellent promotional strategies and the overwhelming engagement of the corporation in the field of innovation present additional opportunities for Motorola. The telecommunication market has a taste of the well-placed Motorola brand, which enables the corporation to thrive in this competitive environment. Furthermore, Motorola recognizes the need of using marketing tools, which include television and successful promotional strategies that enable the company’s brand to occupy an excellent space within its marketing environment. Moreov er, Motorola ensures that its customers are satisfied effectively and incurs low costs in the production process through differentiation, which is normally generated by the excellent innovation. Because of these factors, Motorola Company has had an opportunity of attaining a large market share within the global market. Motorola Corporation participates in the Telco TV rollout services that are facilitated by Verizon. As such, the corporation has earned an opportunity of accessing a larger global market for its products. Furthermore, the corporation prides in having products, which have the ability of penetrating hybrid market where the company’s competitors cannot access. This has given the corporation a competitive edge within the telecommunication-marketing environment. Some of the countries where Motorola has penetrated effectively include Hong Kong, United Kingdom, France, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Italy. However, the company has not yet exhausted its market base an d continues to penetrate new markets at a global scene (Roy, 2000). Unfortunately, Motorola faces a stiff threat in conducting its business. This threat is competition, which emerges from Japan. Japan has introduced new telecommunication products, which are deemed to be affordable and are of high quality. These products have introduced an immense competition to Motorola products. Further, government protection policies are not present that old markets and new markets are vulnerable to both existing and new businesses. As such, the corporation has to share the telecommunication market with overseas market players. Motorola also has a threat of trade barriers, which limit the corporation from penetrating Japanese markets (Roy, 2000). Existence of wireless industries, which include Advanced Digital Broadcast introduce

Ryan Consulting Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 7750 words

Ryan Consulting - Essay Example Ryan Consulting target clients include architectural firms, quantity surveyors, engineering contractors, non-domestic building owners, and individual customers. Target markets span a variety of sectors including education, healthcare, commercial, industrial, retail, and residential. Contracts and business opportunities are therefore sought from organizations that fall under these domains. Contracts are served on an independent basis or through strategic alliances (such as in the case of Kerrigan Sheanon Newman, Charted Quantity Surveyors (letters of intent provided) as well as other engineering groups. These arrangements provide flexibility to the business in successfully securing and completing projects with varying requirement and constraints. By using extensive contacts and joint ventures with other consulting firms, Ryan Consulting is in a position to attract more business and expand into additional markets. Ryan Consulting has the primary advantage of the extensive knowledge of the local market. Despite the existence of good opportunities and a potential for long-term growth, the building services, and energy conservation market continues to face shortfalls in the Midlands region. There are over 32 engineering consultancies registered with the Association of Consulting Engineers Ireland (ACEI) that specialize in mechanical and electrical building services. Only five among them have operations in the outskirts of Dublin and Cork and are based in Galway (2), Limerick (2) and Mayo (1). However, none have an office in the Midland region.

Marketing Mix Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Marketing Mix Project - Essay Example Another important criterion that needs to be highlighted is that the target group has to be clearly examined. The price and the product provide some directions in recognizing the right audience. Choi, et al., (2014) defined marketing mix as the set of strategies that a company applies to promote and advertise its goods or services. It is the crux of marketing process. It has to be reviewed constantly to meet the changing requirements. The changes in the external environment and changes within the firm necessitate alterations in the mix. There are 4Ps which typically constitute a marketing mix. They are Place, Price, Promotion and Price. However, it has started including other Ps as well like positioning, people, packaging and politics. Nike, Inc. is a renowned designer and manufacturer of footwear, services, accessories, apparel and equipment. It is an American Multinational Corporation established in 1971. It was earlier founded by the name Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight (Gordon, 2012). Product mix is defined as the total variety of goods or services offered by the company. Nike Inc. provides a wide range of products like athletic footwear like running shoes, cleats and apparels that include jerseys, layered clothes, shorts, sports equipments for wide range of sports like baseball, tennis, ice hockey, soccer, cricket, basketball, golf, athletics, combat sports, cross training for men, women and children, etc (Huang & Sarigà ¶llà ¼, 2012). It also manufactures shoes for other outdoor sports and activities like cycling, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading, auto racing, aquatic sports, etc. Apparels also include urban fashion clothing. The first line of shoes released by Nike, Inc. in 1987 was Nike Air Max. Air Huarache, an additional line of products, was introduced in 1992. The new lines of goods that are recently added are the Nike NYX, Nike 6.0 and Nike SB shoes especially designed for

The problems of Cyprus Airways during the recent years Essay

The problems of Cyprus Airways during the recent years - Essay Example It flies to many destinations in Europe, the Middle East and the Gulf region through its scheduled operations. Its main operational base was the Nicosia International Airport, which had to be abandoned in 1974 subsequent to the Turkish invasion of the Turkish areas of Cyprus. It now uses the Larnaca International Airport as its main hub and also has a hub at Paphos International Airport. It was on September 24, 1947 that Cyprus Airways came into being as a joint business venture consisting of the Cypriot government, British European Airways and private investors. Commercial operations started on April 18, 1948 through a Douglas DC – 3 aircraft flying on regional routes out of Nicosia, the capital of Cyprus. On the basis of a charter agreement use of British European Vickers Viscount airliners commenced five years later on April 18, 1953. Another five years down the line British European Airways took over the operational aspects of all Cyprus Airways services from January 26, 1958. Expansions to the business activities of Cyprus Airways took place through the establishment of a wholly-owned charter subsidiary in 1992, as a means to tap the growing IT charter market in and out of Cyprus. A decade down the line it founded Hellas Jet in Athens, Greece, in 2002 with a seventy-five percent share in the carrier. These were the days of prosperity for Cyprus Airways. The current ownership of the Cyprus is more than sixty-nine percent with the Government of Cyprus and the rest with private shareholders making it a more of a public sector undertaking. It has tried to incorporate quality as strategy in its business model with its Business class and Economy class offering upgraded in-flight service that goes well in comparison with the quality conscious international airlines. (1). In May 2004, Cyprus joined the European Union and by August 2004, Cyprus Airways was fighting for its survival (2). In 2004 Cyprus Airways reported a net loss of CYP 39.4 million,

Marketing Mix Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Marketing Mix Project - Essay Example Another important criterion that needs to be highlighted is that the target group has to be clearly examined. The price and the product provide some directions in recognizing the right audience. Choi, et al., (2014) defined marketing mix as the set of strategies that a company applies to promote and advertise its goods or services. It is the crux of marketing process. It has to be reviewed constantly to meet the changing requirements. The changes in the external environment and changes within the firm necessitate alterations in the mix. There are 4Ps which typically constitute a marketing mix. They are Place, Price, Promotion and Price. However, it has started including other Ps as well like positioning, people, packaging and politics. Nike, Inc. is a renowned designer and manufacturer of footwear, services, accessories, apparel and equipment. It is an American Multinational Corporation established in 1971. It was earlier founded by the name Blue Ribbon Sports by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight (Gordon, 2012). Product mix is defined as the total variety of goods or services offered by the company. Nike Inc. provides a wide range of products like athletic footwear like running shoes, cleats and apparels that include jerseys, layered clothes, shorts, sports equipments for wide range of sports like baseball, tennis, ice hockey, soccer, cricket, basketball, golf, athletics, combat sports, cross training for men, women and children, etc (Huang & Sarigà ¶llà ¼, 2012). It also manufactures shoes for other outdoor sports and activities like cycling, volleyball, wrestling, cheerleading, auto racing, aquatic sports, etc. Apparels also include urban fashion clothing. The first line of shoes released by Nike, Inc. in 1987 was Nike Air Max. Air Huarache, an additional line of products, was introduced in 1992. The new lines of goods that are recently added are the Nike NYX, Nike 6.0 and Nike SB shoes especially designed for

Fast Food Essay Example for Free

Fast Food Essay Market and environmental analysis is an essential part of an organization’s External Analysis. The main objectives of a market analysis are; a)To determine how attractive a market is. b)To understand the dynamics of the market and amend strategies accordingly. Here we apply the dimensions of a Market Analysis to McDonalds corp. 1)Emerging submarkets; McDonalds failed to recognize the changing trend in customer’s preferences to better tasting, fresher food. This trend led to new sub markets emerging for tastier, fresher and fast food perceived as healthier. A few of the smaller/privately owned competitors (Cosi and Quizno’s) were able to operate in niche markets selling gourmet sandwiches and salads. The emergence of smaller restaurants offering easy access to exotic foods such as sushi and burritos created a more specialized niche market. 2)Size and Growth; With the emergence of these sub-markets and niche markets, McDonalds started losing market share. It now had to share its fast-food mass market with these newly created markets. Even though these restaurant chains were small in size, their growth opportunities presented a potential threat to McDonalds. They operated on service that was better than McDonalds at the same time providing better tasting food, which led to an increase in its sales. This sector was in the early stages of growth where as McDonalds was past the maturity stage. 3)Profitability; McDonalds profitability can be gauged by using Porters 5 factor model. a)Intensity of competition among existing customers was relatively high. Direct competitors like Wendy’s and Chik-Fil-A were able to out perform McDonalds based on service quality by providing quicker service. In comparison McDonalds had a large number of franchises, but will falling service time. b)Threat of new entrants: Other market niches like quizo’s, cosi and small restaurants offering exotic foods also provided a high degree of competition to McDonalds by offering food that appealed to changing customer preferences. The only barrier to entry that McDonalds used was to open a large number of franchises and offer an inexpensive menu; this is however changing as franchisees are leaving McDonalds, lowering the barriers to entry. c)Substitute products would include fast food options available in leading supermarkets, and cafe’s offering exotic foods like sushi. d)Bargaining power of customers. Customers are the main source of income for McDonalds. Customers were not happy with the menu offered at McDonalds and hence took their custom to other restaurants, leading to a drop in sales. e)Bargaining power of suppliers: McDonalds aimed to keep their menu prices low (source more details about suppliers) 4)Cost structure McDonalds strategic focus was on cost and service. In order to raise service quality new kitchens were installed. However, this installation was done for some franchises that did not need it and where the new additions did not help improve business. In order to keep the price of its burgers low, it asked the franchises to sell at a loss. Example: Promoting a $1 burger when the cost to make it was $1. 07. This lack in foresight resulted in rising costs to franchise owners who responded by leaving McDonalds and going over to competitors. This snowballed into falling investor confidence resulting in falling equity. Another cost issue was investing in too many takeovers which it couldn’t handle at the same time as improving service quality and revamping the menu. 5)Distribution Systems McDonalds distribution system was the large and growing number of franchises. However not many of the franchises were posting profits and as per Exhibit 1, more than 500 would have to be closed. One of McDonalds strengths is its distribution system, where in customers come in and have the same experience that they have at any other store. However, this can also be a weakness as providing a consistent experience soon becomes ordinary. 6)Market Trends The fast food casual market was quickly breaking up into fragments. With the rising immigrant population customers now had a choice of items. McDonalds realize this too late and try to counter this effect by introducing new burgers. However, the testing of the new menu does not gauge strongly enough the changing customer preferences and this poor planning led to its failure. Internally changing trends were also blindsided. Franchisees who were the closest to customers were not included in decision making and were thus disgruntled. Here was the need to change the management style from top-down to bottom-up. This would have solved some of the issues plaguing McDonalds, by providing data on what customers want and what products would have a greater chance of success. 7)Key success Factors McDonalds did have some strengths or key success factors; a)Large number of franchises that led to economies of scale. This however contrasted to the ‘small is beautiful’ concept of the niche markets. b)Complete training for franchisees to begin and run their own McDonalds proved to be a good team building exercise. c)Cost of food was low due to economies of scale and economies of size. Moreover, McDonalds was able to negotiate a reasonable price for high quality food products. McDonalds failed to realize the changing trends in the casual fast food markets, as a result of which, a large part of the market share was taken over by existing brands like Wendy’s and new players like Panera bread co. The company also failed to acknowledge competition from the niche markets serving gourmet and exotic foods. This lack in analysis led to lowering of entry barriers for new entrants, loss of market share to competitors (Wendy’s, Chick-Fil-A. ), disgruntled franchisees, and a drop in sales leading to a fall in equity value. Environmental Analysis 1)Political: 2)Economic: 3)Socio-Cultural: There are three cultural forces that influence marketers: a) persistence of cultural values, b) subcultures and c) shifts in secondary cultural values. Of the three, secondary cultural values carry the largest influence on the fast-food market. When the market is interested in convenience, they are more likely to buy fast food; if the markets secondary values shift and become interested in fitness and health, they will be less likely to buy fast food. (Monash university, 2006) The case shows this shift to gourmet and healthier foods. 4)Technological: McDonalds had begun to notice the importance of technology. The organization was looking at new technological solutions like ERP to improve their supply chain (Newman, 2002) 5)Environmental: 6)Legal: References: Monash university, 2006, Briohny’s Report, Language and Learning Online, Retrieved on 06 May 2008. http://www. monash. edu. au/lls/llonline/writing/business-economics/marketing/3. 3. 2. xml Newman, K, 2002. McDonalds seeks closer electronic relations, iStart. com:Technology in business, www. istart. co. nz, retrieved on 06 May 2008. http://www. istart. co. nz/index/HM20/PC0/PVC197/EX245/AR22537.