U.S. Army

Objectives1.1Recognize a situation, problem, issue, or opportunity that needs addressing. 1.2Determine the significance, scope, magnitude, and feasibility of finding a solution to the situation, problem, issue, or opportunity. 1.3Identify ethical issues involved in business research.1.4 Describe the business research process. ReadingRead Ch. 1 of Business Research Methods. Read Ch. 2 of Business Research Methods. Read Ch. 3 of Business Research Methods Read Ch. 4 of Business Research Methods. Participation & Discussion QuestionsParticipate in class discussion 4 out of 7 days in a week. & Respond to weekly discussion questions. Nongraded Activities and Preparation Resource: Business Research Methods Review the â€Å"Bringing Research to Life† sections of Ch. 1 & 3 of Business Research Methods.Respond to the following:†¢What evidence is presented that shows effort was made to understand the management dilemma? †¢Identify and classify all of the variables in the U.S. Ar my’s dud shell research. †¢What was Myra’s hypothesis for the U.S. Army’s dud shell research? What was the U.S. Army’s hypothesis? Nongraded Activities and PreparationResource: Business Research Methods Review Exhibit 4.1, â€Å"The Research Process,† in Ch. 4 of Business Research Methods.Find a case study of a research example in which a clear statement of the management dilemma leads to a precise and actionable research.Explain the management dilemma, the management question, and the research question(s).Answer the following questions:†¢Why did you consider the research to be actionable? †¢Was the business research process followed in its entirety?IndividualCurrent Events in Business ResearchWrite a 300-word summary of the business research process by describing the business research process from your experience in the workplace or in an article you find through the University Library. Format your paper consistent with APA guidelin es.Week Two: The Purpose of Business ResearchDetailsObjectives2.1State the purpose of the business research. 2.2Develop appropriate research questions and hypotheses. 2.3Identify dependent and independent variables in business research. ReadingRead Ch. 5 of Business Research Methods. Read Ch. 6 of Business Research Methods. Read Ch. 11 of Business Research Methods. Review Ch. 3 of Business Research Methods.ParticipationParticipate in class discussion 4 out of 7 days in a week. & Respond to weekly discussion questions.Nongraded Activities and PreparationApp DevelopmentIt is estimated that it costs approximately $55,000 to generate an application (app) for the Apple ® iPhone ® mobile digital device. Just offering an app is not a guarantee of success. The most successful apps are sold as downloads and they offer functional value. In addition, Apple takes weeks to review an app.Based on this information, answer the following questions:†¢If you worked for Apple, what research wo uld you want see in a proposal to approve a new app for the iPod ® mobile digital device? Why? †¢What research would not be appropriate? Why?IndividualBusiness Research EthicsResources: The University Library or the Electronic Reserve Readings Find an article using the University Library or in the Electronic Reserve Readings that discusses unethical business research conduct that has resulted in individuals or a firm being convicted, or at least tried for, this conduct. Some examples include the following:†¢Asking inappropriate questions †¢Skewing research results †¢Failing to maintain participants’ confidential information †¢Using participant information for unintended purposes such as selling goods or services Summarize the article you researched.Write a 750-word paper in which you address the following questions: †¢What unethical research behavior was involved?†¢Who were the injured parties? †¢How has the unethical behavior affecte d the organization, the individual, and society? †¢How could the unethical behavior be avoided or resolved? Format your paper consistent with APA guidelines.Learning Team ReflectionCollaborate with your learning team to discuss the previous week’s objectives. Discuss how you can apply them to a business setting or situation.

A Day in the Life of David M. Foster

A day in the life of David M. Foster begins early. The alarm clocks begin sounding at 0445 Monday morning, even though I don’t get up until almost 0530. I am a deep sleeper and have a hard time waking up. My wife, Sarah, is not a heavy sleeper and is constantly awoken by my myriad of alarm sounds while I attempt to wake up enough to get out of bed. At 0530, I get up, turning off all the alarms so as not to aggravate my wife further. In a face-saving gesture, Sarah says nothing and acts as though she were asleep the entire time.Face-saving behaviors are â€Å"techniques used to salvage a performance (interaction) that is going sour† (Henslin, 2011, p. 114). Sarah has acted this way so that I don’t feel badly about waking her, even though we both know that my inability to get up quickly irks her each and every morning. I have to catch the bus, so I rapidly get dressed and grab my bag. When I get to the bus stop, there are several people there, but because the tempe rature is so low (about 20 degrees), no one says much. We generally keep to ourselves that early in the morning anyway.I do nod to those who are senior to me in rank and position in the military, as is customary for the services. One is expected to give the â€Å"greeting of the day†, basically a â€Å"good morning† to those who are senior in rank to you. Because I am of a junior rank, even as a seasoned NCO, I play that role. I have been playing that role for more than 15 years at this point and have come to acknowledge that it is part of my self-concept (Henslin, 2011, p114). At 0550, the bus arrives, late as usual. Just as soon as I sit down on the bus, I shoot off a text message to my supervisor, SFC Cooper, letting her know that I’m on the bus.The reason for this is two-fold. One, accountability formation is at 0630 (the bus ride is 20 minutes, minimum) and two, to let her know that I’m on the bus and didn’t just oversleep. The US Military ing rains certain standards of action into you as resocialization. Resocialization is â€Å"the process of learning new norms, values, attitudes, and behaviors† (Henslin, 2011, p86). These standards become norms. Norms are â€Å"expectations or rules of behavior that reflect and enforce behavior† (Henslin, 2011, p46).One of hese norms is that you must arrive 10 minutes prior to any formation. This is not a more, but a folkway. Not arriving at the appointed time violates a more. A folkway is a â€Å"norm that is not strictly enforced† (Henslin, 2011, p49), while a more is a â€Å"norm that is strictly enforced because it is thought essential to core values or to the well-being of the group† (Henslin, 2011, p49). At 0615, we arrived at the gate to Patch Barracks, the military Kaserne, or installation. The civilian guard is a Local National, so I greet him with a â€Å"Guten Morgen† (German for Good Morning).If he had been one of the few American guards, I would have just spoken in English. At 0635, after our accountability formation, I change into my uniform for the day, the Army Combat Uniform. The Uniform helps to indentify the subculture that we all belong to. Each service has its’ own uniform and its’ own subculture. A subculture results from â€Å"the values and related behaviors of a group that distinguish its members from the larger culture† (Henslin, 2011, p49). The US Military is a subculture of the United States of America and the US Army is a subculture of the US Military.Fast forward to after breakfast, its 0800 and I arrive (ten minutes early) for the Equal Opportunity Leader (EOL) Course that I am attending this week. Here I meet SFC Trussell, the instructor for the course and also the Equal Opportunity Advisor (EOA) for the Stuttgart, Germany area. SFC Trussell is my senior, so I defer to him and address him as â€Å"Sergeant†, which is in line with our folkways and mores. During the first part of the training today the students are all required to create a â€Å"badge†. This is done using a graphic and 5 words to describe your characteristics, list your demographic information, and group affiliations.The point of this exercise is as an â€Å"Ice-breaker† but also to help others understand how you relate to the world around you. The rest of the day is dry and boring. Having 15 years of experience, most of the course material in the EOL course is not new to me. Sarah has driven down to Patch Barracks and dropped off the car, so I don’t have to catch the bus home tonight. At 1715, I swing by the office and check in with SFC Cooper and answer a few emails to my counterpart at our higher headquarters. Nothing new, mostly routine stuff. At 1740, it’s into the car and off for the 40 minute drive home.Traffic is much worse in the evening than in the morning. I get home at 1820, walk through the front door, and immediately drop everything because here comes Molly. Molly is 4 years old and runs for me as soon as I open the door, yelling â€Å"Daddy’s home†! I grab her off the floor and give her hugs and kisses, transitioning from my role as â€Å"Soldier† to my roles of â€Å"Father† and â€Å"Husband†. This goes on with Molly for about 5 minutes before she begins to lose interest (as 4 year olds generally do) and I put her down, giving Sarah a kiss and asking how her day was.Our interaction is not very detailed as we both need time to decompress from our recent role changes. Sarah has gone from mother mode to wife mode as I have just entered the father role and can assist in taking care of the children. About 30 minutes later, dinner is ready and out pops Ellie. Ellie is 13 and regardless of the questions asked, her responses are seldom more than a word or two, â€Å"typical† behavior for a teenager. At 1920, dinner is over and it’s washing up time. At this point, everyone dri fts off to do whatever we normally do, sticking with our own routines.I log into my online game, Eve Online, and chat with my friends there. Molly goes back to her â€Å"before bed† cartoons, Ellie disappears back into her room to do whatever teenagers do in their rooms, and Sarah logs onto her computer to chat with friends on Facebook and read the English newspapers online. I play Eve Online until 2200, the appointed time for my group to play, chatting about work, news, and such while engaging in space combat. At this point it’s time for me to pack my bag again for the next day, preparing to start all over. At 2245, it’s into bed and lights out. Day done!As I typed my Journal, I realized that the majority of my day is consumed by playing the role of Soldier. The structure of the US Military is such that almost every facet of your daily life, from the time you wake up, to the clothes you where, to the way you address people, is determined prior to the situation. Out of a 17 hour day, more than 12 hours of it is consumed by the â€Å"Soldier† role. Because I have been in the US Military for 15 years, I am fully indoctrinated and invested in this system, whether I realize it or not. I also realized that there is a specific moment when I transition from the Soldier role.Specifically, this is the moment I walk through the door and am â€Å"attacked† by my youngest daughter. If not for her, I might get â€Å"stuck† in the Soldier role, unable to do anything else. The importance of keeping this â€Å"Soldier† role at the forefront every day is simple: it provides the livelihood for me and my family. Without the US Military, and my participation in it, I would be forced to find alternate means to care for my family. I posses skills to do so now, but only because the US Military taught them to me. I was socialized in adulthood in the US Military. A day in my life is likely similar to most.The discerning factor is probab ly the US Military ties, though many of my classmates are also members of a military subculture. The subculture of the US Military dominates my daily life by design. The US Military requires individuals to be prepared to do extraordinary things and so requires a higher level of commitment (and indoctrination) than a job at McDonald’s might. The role of Soldier is a vast part of â€Å"who I am†, but I am also â€Å"Father† and â€Å"Husband†, as well as â€Å"friend†, â€Å"coworker†, â€Å"peer†, and â€Å"superior† to many, many people. I wouldn’t change a thing†¦. well, maybe the 0445 alarm clock. Journal All times in 24 hour clock. 8 February 2013 0445Alarm Sounds 0530Get out of Bed without waking wife any more than alarm has already. 0530-0545Dress in US Army Improved Physical Fitness Uniform (IPFU) 0545Grab bag, packed night before, and head to bus-stop.Temperature well below freezing with snow on the ground. N od to others at bus-stop, no one really speaks, too cold. Several of the people at the bus-stop are higher ranking (which is normal). 0550Bus arrives, late as usual. Sent text message to SFC Cooper (Supervisor and Platoon Sergeant) saying â€Å"On the Bus†. 0550-0620Bus ride to Patch Barracks. Pulled hat down and slept (which is also normal). 615Showed ID Card to Gate Guard, said â€Å"Good Morning† in German since the guard is a German national. 0620Depart bus at second stop and walk to gym for first formation. 0625Drop bag in locker room, head to formation. Make sure supervisor/Platoon Sergeant see that I am present. Get brief for day from Detachment Sergeant (Upcoming events, etc. ). Fall out of formation because I am not doing Physical Training, reminded Platoon Sergeant/Detachment Sergeant that I had EO Course this week. 0635Back into Locker room to change into Army Combat Uniform (ACU’s).0635-0715Shower, Shave, change, etc. 0715Depart Gym to Kantine for br eakfast. 735Arrive Kantine, order eggs, sausage, Brotchen, coffee in German because the cook is a German national that has been working there for a significant period of time. 0740Pay for Breakfast in Euro instead of US Dollars 0750Drop tray and head to Equal Opportunity Leader (EOL) Course across the parking lot. 0800Met SFC Trussell, the instructor and also the Stuttgart Garrison Equal Opportunity Advisor (EOA). 0830During first block of training must complete the â€Å"Badge† exercise. Required to use 5 words and a picture to describe characteristics, demographic data, and group affiliation (annotated below).Stood up in front of class of 24 other Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO’s) and explained my â€Å"Badge†. I know several of them, some from my Unit and some from other units in the area. Schedule for the class is tight, trying to finish 6 days of training in 5. Keep most of my comments to myself so as not to drag out the class with empty discussion. 0900-11 30Some interaction with classmates, though not much. It’s day one of the course and we are just getting to know one another, as well as keep up with the fast pace of the rather dry subject matter.Couple of â€Å"smoke breaks† thrown in, but not on any schedule (I’m a pack a day habit). 1048Sent â€Å"I Love You† text to wife. Got same in response. 1130Break for lunch. Walk to food-court. Lunch at Burger King. Remark to clerk about high prices and how they are similar to US Prices. Had a chicken sandwich, fries, and sweet tea. 1245Head back to class. 1300-1700Instruction resumes, not much deviation from the morning block. 1630Got a text from the wife, car has been left at work for me to take home so I don’t have to ride the bus. Reply with â€Å"Thanks Babe† 1700Class ends, pack up and leave classroom.Speak with SFC Williams (from my unit) briefly about the class and whether or not to go back to office before heading home. 1715Enter office to check email and find SFC Cooper still there (Workday ends at 1700). She asks me about class and I explain that it’s fast paced but dry. I have been in the Army 15 years, I know all of the course material from previous training. Checked email and responded to several requests for information from my counterpart (SFC Stewart) at the level above me (BDE). 1740Log-off computer and go to car. 1745-1820Traffic and drive home.825Enter home, Molly (4) runs to me yelling â€Å"Daddy, Daddy! †. Pick her up and give her a big hug and kiss. She immediately begins telling me about her day, though most of her responses are â€Å"I don’t remember† to questions I ask. 1830Put Molly down and kiss wife, ask her how her day was. Response is â€Å"not bad†. She asks how my day was and I respond with â€Å"long and boring. Class is dry. † 1830-1845Change into regular clothes. 1845Check personal email, nothing important, mostly spam. 1850Sit down to dinner, eati ng English Shepard’s Pie. Molly complains and Ellie (13) comes out of her room long enough to eat.Try to start conversation and basically get one word answers. Typical Teenager responses. 1920Dinner finished, clear table and rinse dishes. Back onto computer to play. 1930Log in to Eve Online (MMORPG) and greet my â€Å"friends†. 4 people who live in the same town are my â€Å"corps mates†. 1930-2200Rambling conversation about work and Eve, all during co-op play using very expensive (in-game) items to earn massive amounts of in-game currency. 2200â€Å"eve time† ends, log off. 2215-2240Pack bag for tomorrow, say good night to wife (who stays up later than me). 2245Lights out and to sleep.

Economics of Transition Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2000 words

Economics of Transition - Essay Example This competition not only transformed the contours of politics in the twentieth century but also led to the creation of two parallel and competing economic systems. Transition can be defined as the race of transformation of centrally planned economies into free markets. Such a transformation can be seeing as occurring after the political events that decimated the Soviet Iron Curtain. Transition is characterized by liberalization, macro-economic stabilization, restructuring and privatization and legal and institutional reforms. Countries have employed disparate transition models owing to the distinct initial circumstances that prevailed at the time when transition process materialized. Moreover, transition circumstances can also be seen as the product of the country’s peculiar socio-economic realities. While some countries like China embraced a slow and steady economic transformation approach, others like Russia adopted an aggressive and speedy model. It was envisaged that a sw ift approach could be undertaken for the privatization of small corporate entities as well as liberalization of prices and macro-economic stabilization, without encountering much economic problems (International Monetary Fund, 2000, p.3). The significance of transition for these economies can be attributed to the fact that any immature measures for transition tend to lead to economic collapse. This was all the more clear for example in the Russian banking sector failure in the late nineties. This paper will analyse how rent-seeking activities of financial institutions can have a bearing on hardening budget constraints in the transitional process. 2. Soft and Hard Budget constraints It was Kornai who invented the term ‘soft budget constraint’ to elucidate economic behaviour of the communist economies. This concept is deemed as the focal point of the subject of transition from socialist to capitalist economies. The term itself is derived from microeconomic terminology to shed light on a pragmatic economic social syndrome. The necessity of implementing hard budget constraints is accentuated repeatedly in relation to transition of socialist economies. The disintegration of the banking sector of East Asian economies during the nineties era can be comprehended by studying soft budget constraints (Kornai et al., 2003, p.54). The soft budget hypothesis denotes a condition under which firms incurring losses are bailed out by banks. Banks can undertake this role in both, capitalist and socialist economies. However, its repercussions in socialism make it a potential problem since banks are compelled by the state to rescue loss-making entities, for safeguarding employment or pursing other aims. The entanglement of state and banking into one entity means that any failure on the part of the banks will reflect clearly in the finances of the state. Typical failure in these circumstances leads to massive cuts in social sector development. Under a soft budget const raint, capital is injected in the loss making firm by the banks to keep them afloat and in a position to pay taxes, therefore acting as a disincentive for privatization. Research on the issue practically proves by applying a model based on the local authorities, a bank and firm (Brandt et al., 2003, p.13). The bank managers’ propensity to lend loans to private firms rather than SOEs will escalate as

Muslim jesus Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words

Muslim jesus - Essay Example In Islam, however, while Jesus is not divine, he certainly existed and was regarded a great teacher of his day. Upon examining various accounts of Jesus and his time spent on earth, it is prudent to conclude that the Muslim account of Jesus is more similar to the true account of the historical Jesus as compared to the Jesus of the Christian faith. This report will, therefore, reflect the reality that the historical Jesus can be seen as more of a zealot or criminal as opposed to a divine being, as recounted in the varied accounts of the Christian gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. While Islamic teaching does regard Jesus as having been a human being who was a messenger of God, the Muslim faith rejects the idea that he was God, nor was he the begotten son of God. In fact, Islamic scripture teaches that anyone who believes that Jesus either God or the Son of God is Shirk. This is to mean that the individual has committed the sin of idolatry, as Islam teaching comes form the express point of view that there is only one true God, and that His prophet is Muhammed. To attach any status approaching divinity to the personhood of Jesus is simply wrong and cannot be accepted under the Islamic faith1. Muslims simply cannot reject the notion of God’s divine oneness, as that is a fundamental tenant of their faith. As such, to make the claim that the Muslim Jesus is divine would be equatable to committing an unpardonable sin. One of the arguments in the Christian faith is that Jesus is divine as represented by the concept of the Trinity. This is to say that God, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Sprit (the Essence of Jesus that has remained after His ascension to Heaven) are all divine and the same person. As such, since Jesus is part of the Trinity, Christians argue that He was and still is divine in his own right. This, again, rejected by Islamic teaching2. The Muslim perception

Can You See the Real Me Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Can You See the Real Me - Essay Example In communication per se, had people been able to communicate effectively by means of internet and cyber chatting Where can a person expose its real self Has there been a difference of how a person shows it self face-to-face and through internet In Can You See the Real Me Activation and Expression of the "True Self" in the Internet, Bargh, McKenna and Fitzimons (2002), the idea that a person possesses a multiple sense of persona has been described by different psychologists and sociologists. True to the fact that a person can change moods and expressions in different situations, it is ideally easy to believe that a person or a stranger in the cyberworld can openly be with its "true self" rather than face-to-face situations or encounters. If a person in the cyberworld remains anonymous and is spared with the risks of social sanctions while remaining socially active, then a person can reveal its "true-self" in the internet rather than face-to-face encounters. During the process of identifying if a person in the cyberworld remains anonymous and is spared with the risks of social sanctions while remaining socially active, then a person can reveal its "true-self" in the internet rather than face-to-face encounters, forty six students enrolled in introductory psychology course in New York University of which 18 were male and 28 were female were identified as the Independent Variables (IV). These students participated by pairs of which 16 is of the same sex and 7 was cross sex. On the other hand, the Dependent Variables (DV) are the true self and actual self of the participants, wherein, the reaction to the set of tests will be observed to prove the hypothesis. CONCEPTUAL DEFINITIONS OF VARIABLES Independent variable is the variable that is controlled and manipulated by the experimenter. Dependent variable is not manipulated; instead the DV is observed or measured for variation as a presumed result of the variation in the IV.1 In this case, the students will be manipulated by the experimenter by conducting a series of tests. How they react to these tests, whether they reveal their true self or actual self, will be observed and identified as a result of the manipulation of the experimenter to the students. METHODOLOGY The gathered data were analyzed using a 2x2x2x2 repeated measures of ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) of which, then interaction mode: online or face-to-face, interaction length: 5 or 15 minutes, self concept: actual self or true self, and participants in pair were being observed. The first two factors describe the variables between participants and the last 2 factors describe the variables within the participants. OPERATIONALIZATION OF VARIABLES The participants were experimented with the use of stimuli for the computerized reaction time task consisted of trait words which are presented to the participants in random order. Consisting of 8 practice trials and 45 experimental trials, each word will appear in the center of the screen until the participant responds. 35 words of the experimental trials frequently encountered trait terms which are "wise" and "bossy" of which half are positive and half are negative. The 10 other words of the stimuli were the "actual self" and "true self" words which were generated earlier from the participants but were placed in the last part of the stimuli so that the participants will not detect its connection towards the experiment. All the sessions were conducted by a single

Compare and Contrast the North American and European Perspectives on Essay

Compare and Contrast the North American and European Perspectives on Competitive Balance - Essay Example A higher competitive balance would be determined if the disparity of the league presentation is minimal in relation to the perfect league (Zimbalist, 508). Most persons have made sports as their professions through which, they earn their livelihood. Europe and North America are among the regions with significant ventures in sports. Both North America and Europe tend to expose their superiority in sports, but in unique ways. The regions show outstanding approaches on different types of sports such as football, boxing, basketball and athletics. North America and Europe possess similar elements in sports that are susceptible to evaluations to allow comparison and the determination of contrasts. The comparison of the sports between the two regions incorporates the balancing of the similar aspects of their sports process. The contrasts would entail the disparities in the elements of sports and the procedures incorporated in the regional sports of North America and Europe. Sporting teams i nvolve in a combined production during competition and the value of their results contributes to their product sold to the spectators. Sports are also unique because the predetermination of the results lowers the public’s turn up and decreases the demand. This exercise would incorporate the inclusion of credible examples to enhance the vividness of evaluated sports instances. European sports have postulated a significant dominance in one sport, the football. The football has become a source of aesthetics in the European countries such as England and Spain. Therefore, the European football has attracted many individuals from various regions of the globe. Consequently, the European football has undergone modifications in every aspect accompanied by enhanced degree of specializations. Europe possesses one of the largest markets of football kits and the football personalities. Europe has also the efficiently balanced football schedule that offers guidelines throughout the leagues throughout the sporting year (Zimbalist, 508). In contrast, the North America practices a diversified sports system in their competitions. The Americans have ensured minor disparities between different sports and activities. The North Americans have ensured proficient in other sports such as athletics, basketball, tennis and rugby. The consideration of different sports equally might attribute to better economic welfare since there are more sources of revenue to the states. The sports also exhibit different competitive balances in their performance equally. For instance, the National Basketball Association has attained two champions, the Celtics who dominated in 1959 and ten years after and the 76ers, which won thereafter. Other teams have also surfaced in the championships winnings such as the Lakers, Pockets and Pistons, bulls. This competition in basketball also shows that the North Americans engage actively in more than one sport, unlike the Europe. The European sports exhibit a significant degree of flexibility regarding the teams participating in tournaments and leagues. The European football leagues entail the pyramid system, which allows for the appreciation and depreciation of ranks of the teams basing on performance. The European leagues exist in different categories for instance

Operational Effectiveness of Dow Chemical Co. (Dow) Essay

Operational Effectiveness of Dow Chemical Co. (Dow) - Essay Example This essay explores basically four inter-related processes in relation to the operational effectiveness cycle.   The first process involves the leading and controlling of functional performance such as sales, production, logistics, research, and development among others. These functions are specialized to ensure that there is focus on the organization’s core competencies, which differentiate the company from its competitors. Aside from the functions, processes also play a vital role in the company’s operations. As such, measuring and improving processes or standard methods follow. Operational effectiveness also requires the constant and systematic search for opportunities to leverage the company’s core expertise. These processes result in the continuous improvement in functional performance. Dow is a $33 billion enterprise, which serves customers in more than 180 countries. The company may be virtually unknown to the end-user sector since its products are not g enerally used by consumers. Dow provides innovative â€Å"building block† chemical, plastics and agricultural products that form part of a wide range of consumer industries. Top industries for Dow’s products include automotive and transportation, building maintenance and construction, electronics and entertainment, food and food packaging, health and medicine, home care and improvement, paper and publishing, and water purification. In an interview with Mr. William S. Stavropoulos, Dow Chairman, and Chief Executive Officer, he admitted that the company has undergone massive restructuring and changes in its product line. Its corporate plan is divided into two phases, the positioning stage, and growth stage.

RF and Microwaves Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

RF and Microwaves - Essay Example In this paper, we are going to investigate the behavior of the antenna and make a proposal for a suitable solution to the circuit issue. Analysis in this experiment will be conducted using the Finite Difference Time Domain method (FDTD) method. This analysis will expose the variation of these characteristics with the height of the antenna. The Finite Difference Time Domain method (FDTD) method allows for direct calculation of the Maxwell’s curl equations on lattices in a given time domain. The choice of the rack server is very critical in the application of the Finite Difference Time Domain method (FDTD). It should have a size small enough to allow the realization of results that have high accuracy at frequencies that are very high and large enough to allow manageability of the available resources. The size of the cell is affected by the type of materials that are present in the rack server (Hiebel, 2010). The higher the amount of permittivity, the shorter the size of the wavelength that will be realized at a defined frequency and hence a smaller size of the cell will be required (Nurnberger & Volakis, 2000). This is defined by a rule that is smaller than a tenth of the size of the smallest wavelength and this can be defined by the size of the Finite Difference Time Domain method (FDTD) space and the maximum fr equency of interest. After the size of the cell has been selected, the time step that is maximum can be determined using the Courant condition of stability. Step times that are smaller are also permissible in this experiment and if they are used, they may result into results with an improved accuracy. Large time steps normally result into instability (Luebbers, 2004). In the use of the FDTD method, the field of incidence must be incident and must also be analytically specified. If the resonant geometries used are strong, the excitation of the finite- difference time-domain

Week 5 Participation 2 Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

Week 5 Participation 2 - Assignment Example Conversely, the courses covered in this program have also changed my perception of employment. Focusing on professional and personal development rather that climbing up the ladder in your career could help you lead a more satisfied life and achieve your goals (Ballew and Hvezda, 2005). Ashley, I concur with the fact this course has facilitated your comprehension of the need to further your education. Since I have similarly undergone through the same program, I have also recognized that this program alone cannot satisfy my needs in terms of achieving my professional goals. I am also in agreement that holding an important decision making role is more important that merely climbing up the ladder in your organization. As explicated by Ballew and Hvezda (2005), holding a decision making role could help you understand how corporations or organizations are run thus furthering your skills, knowledge, and

Business Model and Strategic Plan Essay Example for Free

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

Political Culture And Malaysia

Political Culture And Malaysia Abstract: Pre-1999 studies pictured Malaysia as having a subject political culture. The post-2008 survey data shows Malaysia having a participant political culture and a high level of participation. The 2008 elections which witnessed the emergence of a strong opposition in the parliament reflect the maturity of the Malaysian electorate which augurs well for democracy in the country. Keywords: Malaysian political culture, elections, electoral behaviour, reformasi, democracy The results of the 2008 elections in which the ruling coalition, Barisan Nasional (National Front or BN), lost two-thirds majority which it enjoyed, for half a century, to a loosely combined opposition parties, is argued by many to be the extension of the new idiom of politics created in 1998. The electoral change in 2008, according to several electoral studies, augurs well for the democratization of the country.  [1]   Projecting democracy for Malaysia entails an understanding of her political culture. A democratic form of participatory political system requires as well a political culture consistent with it.  [2]  It is sometimes termed the substructure of the state because its underlying values and beliefs influence the operation of all social and political organizations.  [3]  Political culture, derived from a structural-functional model of the political process, is defined as the political attitudes, beliefs, values and skills [within] an entire population, as well as those à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ within separate parts of that population.  [4]  It is the set of values within which a political system operates.  [5]  To Almond and Verba, it is the pattern of orientations to political objects among the members of the nation.  [6]  They divided orientations into cognitive, affective and evaluative dimensions. Cognitive orientation refers to knowledge of and belief about the political sy stem, its roles and the incumbents of these roles, its inputs, and its outputs. Affective orientation is feelings about the political system, its roles, personnel, and performance; while evaluative orientation is the judgments and opinions about political system and usually involves a combination of value standards and criteria with information and feeling. On this basis, Almond and Verba identified three cultural orientations: parochial, subject, and participant.  [7]  Parochialism is characterized by general ignorance about political objects. In subject political culture, citizens possess the requisite political knowledge without the sense that they could be effective political actors. Participant political culture combines knowledge about politics with a willingness to participate in the political process. After a period of some disuse, cultural approaches to understanding politics have experienced a revival in recent years. Scholars in the past did explore the political culture of Malaysia but with limited empirical evidence owing to the paucity of survey research. The contemporary political culture can, however, be analysed by using public opinion surveys conducted in Malaysia in recent years. This study reviews the findings of earlier studies on political culture which were based upon intuitive speculation supported by fragmentary evidence from several highly selective studiesà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.  [8]  This is followed by an examination of the existing political culture with the help of data from the survey conducted from 12 to 18 April 2008 in Peninsular Malaysia among 1,027 adult citizens. This random sample was stratified according to state, ethnicity, age and gender of the respondents. The distributions over age, ethnic groups and religions correspond to national figures. The interviews were conducted in Bahasa Malaysia, Mandarin, Tamil and English using the Computer Assisted Telephone Interview ( CATI) facilities of the International Islamic University Malaysia. Each interview lasted for about 25 minutes, on average. At a confidence level of 95 per cent, the survey results have a statistical precision of  ± 2.8 per cent of what they would be if the interviews were conducted with the entire voting age population residing in peninsular Malaysia. The questionnaire contained 38 items. This paper uses only part of the data (24 items) dealing with cognitive, affective and evaluational orientations and voting in the 2008 elections. The Traditional Political Culture Malaysia, with an area of 127,320 sq miles (329,758 sq km), is a federation of 13 states and 3 federal territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and the newly created administrative capital for the federal government of Malaysia, Putrajaya. According to July 2009 estimate, Malaysia has a population of 28.31 million.  [9]  Malaysia is a multicultural society, with Malays (54.2 per cent), Chinese (25.3 per cent), Indians (7.5 per cent) and others (13.0 per cent) living side by side in peace. Malays along with the natives of Sabah and Sarawak (Eastern Malaysia), are officially classified as Bumiputra (sons of the soil, or indigenes). The non-bumiputras, consist mainly of the Chinese and the Indians whose large-scale immigration took place in the 19th century with colonization and modernization. Malaysias political culture is significantly impacted by the British colonial administration.  [10]  The British looked upon the Malays as intellectually deficient and lazy. They admired the Chinese for their industry, entrepreneurship and greed; while the Indians were viewed as cheap and compliant labour. Referring to Chinese and Indians, Lucian Pye characterized Malaysian politics as a confrontation of two incompatible cultures with different systems of values and behavioural norms.  [11]  Pye, however, missed out the Indians, perhaps because they are a minority. The Malays are Muslims; they speak Bahasa Malayu and maintain traditional customs and practices. They generally live in rural areas and their relations are based on mutual help, self-respect and the concept of brotherhood in Islam. All these impart a feeling of solidarity among the Malays. Malays refer to Malaysia, particularly Western Malaysia, as Tanah Melayu (the Land of the Malays) and they are very proud of it. Chandra Muzaffar argues that Malay political culture is a complex mix of elements inherited from the feudal tradition, Western values, and Islam.  [12]  Elections and the culture that accompanies it, the product of Western influence, are an integral dimension of Malay and Malaysian political culture. The factors that influence voting patterns are the product, among others, of Malay feudal history characterized by deference to the royalty, uncritical acceptance of state authority and subservience to governmental power. Malaysian political leaders expect and they do rec eive due respect and appropriate electoral support from the Malay electorate. The Malay government is known as kerajaan that refers to the raja who ruled from the pre-colonial courts. Members of parliament and state Legislative Assembly men are referred to as yang berhormat (he who is honoured), and sustain remarkable resiliency in office. The Malay political culture is parochial and passive; they tend to relieve anxieties created by political conflict by avoidance and silence and by repressing emotions in the hope that the problem will go away if matters are smoothed over.  [13]  Islam has also impacted on Malay political attitudes and orientations. Islam brought with it a feudal political culture in the 14th or the beginning of the 15th century and reinforced the feudalism of pre-Islamic Malaysia.  [14]   The Chinese derive their values from Confucian patterns and assumptions. According to Pye, the Chinese concept of power is one of an unambiguous leader or father figure to whom the subordinates dutifully obey. Both the omnipotent leader and his dutiful subordinates are assumed to be Chinese. Complaints of all sorts should be aired and redress sought from authority figures. The idea of a Chinese leader becoming the subordinate of a foreigner is culturally unthinkable. Thus, there is no role for minority leadership in a community dominated by a non-Confucian culture. It effectively means that the Chinese cannot be subservient to the Malay majority leadership. As a result, a large number of Chinese in Malaysia feel that a truly national politics is unattainable for them.  [15]  This makes the Chinese to opt out of the majority system and focus instead on special parochial groupings.  [16]  The Chinese political culture is aggressive; they tend to release anxieties created by pol itical conflict by voicing anguish to somebody and seek sympathy even from bystanders.  [17]   Of the current population, the Chinese are the most heterogeneous. Most of them confess to one or more of the three great religions of mainland China: Buddhism, Taoism or Confucianism, and speak Hokkien, Hakka and/or Cantonese. This heterogeneity is reflected in their politics. Unlike the Malays, the Chinese were and are divided in their loyalties. Most of the Chinese supported the Malaysian Chinese Association (MCA), the component of the BN but many also identified with opposition leftist and reformist parties. Yet, the Chinese were relatively far more mobilized socially and politically than the Malays. Living in urban centres and economically better off, the Chinese had easy access to higher education which tended to make them politically better informed. Indians, oftentimes regarded as a minority race, have made significant contributions to the socio-political and economic development of Malaysia. The Indian community is generally found around the urban areas and suburban rubber estates. It is generally believed that most Indians in Malaysia are politically informed and they operate small businesses. Some Indians work as professionals or labourers. They are industrious and entrepreneurial but cherish their values and traditions. Indians are close-knit community and are deeply religious. Many Indians adhere to Hinduism, some of them profess Christianity and Islam. The earlier immigrants had forged strong ties with their homeland without forming a strong bonding with their adopted country. The 1970s and 1980s generation regard Malaysia as their homeland. The Indian community has been perceived as passive and parochial. They did not cause much anxiety to the imperial rulers. They are culturally divided and their cultural diversity may be identified with their ancestors places of origin. They are mainly Hindu Tamils from southern India, speaking Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam, and some Hindi. In the post-independent Malaysia, the Indians do not form majority of their own in any Malaysian constituency. Hence most of them opted to support the Malaysian Indian Congress (MIC) which is a component of the ruling Barisan Nasional, in order to gain access to the Barisan system of the ethnic apportionment of political power and material resources. However, a small segment of the Indian community supported opposition. Malaysias multi-ethnicity made it imperative for the elites of each ethnic group to unite in a mutually beneficial fashion. The resultant system is a variant of conosciational democracy in which elections play an important role to fill in the public positions.  [18]  In procedural terms, however, Malaysian political system is considered narrow because it constrains the practice of civil and political rights through restrictions on assembly, the strategic use of detention orders and other legal and emergency powers. Yet, the pioneering survey of political attitudes in Malaysia conducted in November 1994 found majority of 395 respondents, selected randomly, supported limited practice of democracy.  [19]  According to Welsh, Malay respondents overall opposed the expansion of democracy; the minorities, especially the Indian respondents, favoured democracy, while the Chinese respondents were more ambivalent.  [20]  There was some sort of congruence between political culture an d regime type. In the elections held between 1959 and 1995, the ruling coalition, the BN, constantly maintained two-thirds majority of seats in the parliament as shown in Table 1. Table1: Results of Parliamentary Elections, 1959 to 1995 Year Alliance/BN Opposition Parties Total Seats Seats Per cent Seat Per cent 1959 74 51.8 30 48.2 104 1964 89 58.5 15 41.5 104 1969 66 48.4 37 51.6 103 1974 135 60.7 19 39.3 154 1978 131 57.2 24 42.8 154 1982 132 60.5 22 39.5 154 1896 148 57.3 29 41.5 177 1990 127 54.4 53 46.6 180 1995 162 65.1 30 34.8 192 Source: Abdul Rashid Moten and Tunku Mohar Mokhtar, Elections and the Electoral System in Malaysia at 50: Achievements and Aspirations, edited by Syed Arabi Idid (Singapore: Thomson Learning, 2008), 199. State and Society in Transition Political cultures, though often highly stable, are not immutable. They may evolve over time, and may even be profoundly altered in a short span of time. This change may result from the spread of mass education, technological development, globalised discourses of human rights and the like. Voluntary associations and popular movements may help with the formation of new identities.  [21]  In the Malaysian context, the intense economic development programme pursued by the government over the years has led to the transformation of the state, Islamic organizations and civil societies. The political identities of the Malay, Chinese, Indian and other communities have likewise undergone changes.  [22]   The British, during the colonial period, pursued policies that created an imbalance in development between the urban sector involved in tin mining and rubber plantation and the rural sector engaged in small scale agriculture. Post-independent leaders pursued policies that aimed not merely at developing the economy and alleviating poverty but also at narrowing the differential development gap among various groups. The national development policies outlined in the Five Year National Development Plans (NDPs) in the earlier phase concentrated on improving the living standards of the rural society by providing facilities for infrastructure, social services and agricultural development. Since 1971, the government, under what was called the New Economic Policy (NEP), embarked upon a socio-economic restructuring affirmative action programme. The NEP aimed at promoting national unity and a just society by attacking poverty and reducing and eventually eliminating the identity of race with econ omic function.  [23]  In 1990, the post-NEP era began with Vision 2020 which espoused a commitment to forging a Bangsa Malaysia, a united Malaysian nation with a sense of a common and shared destiny under the leadership of Mahathir Mohamad, who served as Prime Minister from 1982 to 2003. That became the basis of the National Development Policy that aimed, among others, to strike an optimum balance between the goals of economic growth and equity.  [24]   Malaysia, under a soft authoritarian regime led by Mahathir Mohamad, made good economic progress, technological development and considerable rural-urban migration.  [25]  However, the growth was accompanied by an element of patronage leading to significant leakages and disproportionate gains to individuals and companies, such as the Renong, Technology Resources, Berjaya and Tanjong groups, associated with UMNO, the dominant party in the BN, the ruling coalition.  [26]  This state-capital nexus in Malaysia is termed party capitalism or money politics. Nevertheless, the economy grew at an average annual rate of 7 per cent during the 1990s. GDP per capita rose from RM 1,090 in 1970 to RM 14,924.3 in 2000. During 1970 to 2000, employment in agriculture shrank from 53.2 per cent to 15.2 per cent while employment in manufacturing increased from 9.0 per cent to 27.6 per cent. Literacy rate for the corresponding period rose from 58.1 per cent to 87.4 per cent. There was also a marked reduction in both rural and urban poverty.  [27]  Between 1981 and 1989, economic growth averaged 5.4 per cent which rose to 8.8 per cent between 1990 and 1996. The middle class expanded from 20 per cent of the working population in 1970 to approximately 45 per cent by 1993.  [28]  The rapid expansion of the middle class is considered as an impetus to liberalization and democratization in Malaysia. It has given rise to a consumer culture and a lifestyle dominated by shopping malls, restaurants, and Western-owned fast-food outlets.  [29]  Interestingly, this new Malay middle class was suffering from alienation presumably because they did not benefit from party capitalism by joining the elite group who enjoyed the state patronage. The growth of the middle class led to the emergence of civil societies and non-governmental organizations (NGOs). Aliran was established in August 1977 for the reform of Malaysian society guided by universal spiritual and moral values. It launched its publication Aliran Monthly in 1980. SUARAM (Suara Rakyat Malaysia, or Voice of the Malaysian People) was established in 1987 to promote freedom of expression, assembly and association. HAKAM (Persatuan Kebangsaan Hak Asasi Manusia or The National Human Rights Soceity) was formed in 1990 to work on human rights issues. Tenaganita (Womens Force) was established in 1991 to promote the rights of women workers and migrant workers. In 1993, some 50 NGOs adopted The Malaysian Human Rights Charter. Evidently, these organizations advocate various social, economic, cultural and political causes, interests, and agendas.  [30]  They have been instrumental in initiating positive changes in various spheres of life. They have helped Malaysians eng age in networking and increase their strength and confidence to solve problems with or without government assistance. Malaysians have learned to form groups, organise meetings and rallies, improve means of communication and gain new knowledge. These associations have been critical of various government policies and voiced their concern in public. Indeed, civil societies became more vocal during the reformasi period.  [31]   Reformasi and the Changes in the Electoral Behaviour In July 1997 money speculators attacked the Malaysian currency which eventually plunged the country into first recession for many years. The financial crisis widened the differences between Prime Minister Mahathir and his ambitious deputy Anwar Ibrahim who was seen as conspiring to overthrow the Prime Minister which became overt in June 1998 at the UMNO party elections in which one of Anwars supporters openly criticised Mahathir for economic mismanagement. The speech came too close on the heels of the Indonesian anti-KKN (kolusi, korupsi dan nepotisme, or collusion, corruption and nepotism) reformasi movement that toppled Suharto in May, a month earlier.  [32]  Mahathir blamed currency speculators especially George Soros for the financial crisis whereas Anwar Ibrahim blamed it upon Mahathirs obsession with unproductive mega projects and nepotism. Mahathir would not seek assistance from the International bodies to overcome the crisis while Anwar was fully committed to adopting res cue package from International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. Subsequent expulsion from the party, arrest and imprisonment of Anwar Ibrahim, on charges of misuse of power and immoral conduct, triggered the movement for reform, reformasi, demanding participatory democracy and justice for all.  [33]  The movement drew new actors, namely Malay women, youth and sections of the Malay middle class.  [34]   NGOs and civil societies cooperated and coordinated their anti-government actions. Numerous street demonstrations that followed led to the formation of Gagasan Demokrasi Rakyat (Coalition for Peoples Democracy or Gagasan), on 27 September 1998, composed of 18 political parties and organizations. Gagasans 10-point joint declaration demanded freedom of speech and assembly, impartial judiciary and the abolition of detention without trial and the draconian Internal Security Act. There also emerged Gerakan Keadilan Rakyat Malaysia (Malaysian Peoples Movement for Justice or Gerak) composed of various Muslim non-governmental organizations but included the opposition political parties like Democratic Action Party (DAP) and Partai Se-Islam Se-Malaysia (Pan-Malaysian Islamic Party, PAS). December 1998 saw the emergence of the Pergerakan Keadilan Sosial (Movement for Social Justice or Adil) under the leadership of Anwar Ibrahims wife, Wan Azizah Ismail, which pressed for political, economic and social reform. Adil, in 1999, metamorphosed into the multi-ethnic Parti Keadilan Nasional (National Justice Party or keADILan). Subsequently, KeADILan, DAP, PAS and Parti Rakyat Malaysia (Malaysian Peoples Party, PRM) formed an opposition alliance known as the Barisan Alternatif (Alternative Coalition, BA). Simultaneously, several reformasi-related websites emerged demanding more democratic space, accountability of the rulers and a participatory political system. The first reformasi website, Anwar On-line, was launched on September 1, 1998 and was followed within a few months by over fifty pro-Anwar and pro-reform websites. Well developed professional sites include AIM (Abolish the ISA Movement), Aliran Online, HarakahDaily, Bereita Keadilan, the Free Anwar Campaign, etc. The countrys first commercial on-line newspaper, Malaysiakini, was launched just nine days prior to the general election of 1999. The number of internet users rose from about 500,000 in 1999 to an estimated two million in 2002. The Internet was relatively free from government control and was an important venue for political discourse. The internet has created dense networks linking geographically dispersed activists that constitute themselves into the building blocs for bottom-up democratisation process.  [35]  As society has changed, with demographic shifts reinforced by new information technologies and globalization process, political culture has changed, too, particularly among the younger generation.  [36]  Malaysians became active citizens and took it upon themselves to know, to feel and to evaluate the policies emanating from the political system and to vote accordingly. This is clear from the voting behaviour of the Malaysian electorate in the 10th, 11th and 12th general elections. The tenth elections for parliamentary and state assemblies were held on November 29, 1999 preceded by a nine-day campaign period. The elections saw many non-governmental organizations in the forefront making their voices heard through various mechanisms including the use of internet. The BA contested the November 1999 elections with a joint manifesto: Towards a Just Malaysia free from widespread corruption, abuse of power and crippling poverty. The manifesto promised a strong national economy, enhanced government transparency and accountability, national unity and a genuinely democratic society. They took full advantage of the Internet to disseminate information. The opposition front made startling gains winning 45 out of 193 seats in the national parliament. PAS, the major component of the BA, not only retained the state of Kelantan but it also captured the neighbouring, oil-rich Terengganu. Four Malay cabinet ministers and the chief minister of Terengganu lost in the election. Prim e Minister Mahathirs winning margin in Kubang Pasu constituency in Kedah had shrunk by about 40 per cent from 1995. Most of BN candidates won with slim margins. The eleventh general elections were held on March 21, 2004 in which the BN won unprecedented 62.37 per cent of the votes and 90.4 per cent of seats in Parliament and recaptured Terengganu lost in 1999. This result shows maturity on the part of the Malaysian electorate for three reasons. One, the leadership of BN has changed. Abdullah Badawi who took office on October 31, 2003 was perceived as friendly and a man of the people. His fight against corruption; insistence on public accountability and shift from corporate mega-projects to agro-based, rural projects were well received by the electorate tired of corruption and confrontational politics.Two, the BN adopted the core reformasi demands of accountability, transparency and good governance. Its manifesto described BN as moving Toward Excellence, Glory, and Distinction. Three, the opposition front, BA, that performed well during the 1999 elections could not continue to work as a team. The cordiality between the parties waned and some of them suffered from financial difficulties and mass defections. The opposition parties contested against each other in many constituencies. Under the circumstances, the best bet for the Malaysian electorate was to vote BN. The reforms Abdullah instituted during the following four years did not meet the public expectation. A number of factors contributed to a rising discontent among Malaysians including rising crime, a number of corruption scandals, the weaknesses of the judicial system, and interferences with the appointment of senior judges and increased food and fuel prices. The opposition parties joined hands under the leadership of Anwar Ibrahim and capitalized on the public anger over transparency and accountability. Using alternative media, they highlighted the weaknesses of the government and campaigned effectively in the twelfth elections held on March 8, 2008. The electorate reversed their earlier decision in the 2008 elections denying the ruling coalition its two-thirds majority in parliament and giving the opposition parties control of 5 state assemblies. The reformasi movement is considered by many to be a clear manifestation of a change in Malaysias political culture. They reshaped the configuration of forces and, since then, Malaysian politics has changed. According to Jomo, the reformasi liberated the Malaysian and, in particular, the Malay political discourse.  [37]  Since 1998, writes Francis, a new discourse and practice of participatory democracy has gained ground among Malaysiansà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.  [38]  Meredith Weiss is emphatic: Reformasi marked a shift in Malaysian politics.à ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦ Whatever degree of institutional change has so far occurred, Malaysian political culture now leans more toward new politics-characterized by fragmentation of ethnic communities and contesting discourses of ethnicism, participatory democracy, and developmentalismà ¢Ã¢â€š ¬Ã‚ ¦.  [39]   Andres Ufen argues that the Malaysian opposition has succeeded in establishing a viable pro-democratic political culture that is hardly destructible through sheer repression.  [40]   The landslide victory achieved by the BN under Abdullah Badawi in 2004 is also a reflection of the maturity of the Malaysian electorate. Citizens voted with the belief that the new government would be responsive to their needs, wants, and purposes which is an ess

The Characters of Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar :: Julius Caesar Essays

The Characters of Brutus and Cassius in Julius Caesar Brutus and Cassius? Of these two who is most suitable to lead the assassination plot and to lead in the civil war? Brutus and Cassius are two very different characters. Brutus is a more dominant and noble character. He is honest, naive, and sincere. Then there is Cassius who is a perceptive person and very manipulative. He is fearful, envious, and a military strategist. Both of them perceive Antony in a different way, this is where their personalities clash and their differences begin. Brutus is a good friend of Caesar, who believes highly in his principles. His principles somewhat control how he behaves. He is influenced by ideas, instead of what other people think. In the play Julius Caesar, Brutus becomes the most complex character, and he becomes the tragic hero of the play. Brutus is a very naive and trusting person when it comes to judging Antony, but he underestimates how dangerous Antony really is. (Act 2 Scene 1, 178) Brutus' decisions have had some bad consequences. Allowing Antony to speak at the funeral and deciding to risk the battle at Philippi was one of his philosophical decisions with a bad consequence. ( Act 4 Scene 3, 228) Although, he thinks that is isn't necessary to kill Antony because without Caesar, Brutus believes Antony is worthless. Brutus is a noble person and holds his country high. Even Cassius knows how noble and honorable Brutus really is. When someone is willing to die for their country, "thou art noble." (Act 1 Scene 2, 320) Everyone even Caesar, admires him and tries to be friends with him. But in the end Brutus is tragic because he tries to be better then he can be and that causes him to fall. Cassius views Caesar differently, he does not like the fact that Caesar has become godlike in the eyes of the Romans. Cassius is a different man to different people, depending on who it is he can be loving or ruthless, gentle or rough, passionate or mean. Caesar's opinion on Cassius is "Yond Cassius has a lean and hungry look; He thinks too much: such men are dangerous." ( Act 1 Scene 2, 194 ) Brutus' opinion is, "The last of all the Romans, fare thee well! It is impossible that ever Rome should breed thy fellow [equal].

The Grooming of Alice :: essays research papers

Iwo jima is an eight square-mile island of sulfuric sand and volcanic ash. It is 700 miles south of Tokyo. The Japanese put radar stations on Iwo to warn of approaching B-29's which regularly flew right over it on bombing runs to Japan. The Japs also had fighter planes on the two airstrips. Alot of young Marines enroute to the beaches of Iwo were amazed at the firepower and damage inflicted on the island by the Navy's battleships and planes. They thought that there wouldn't be any Japanese left for the Marines to fight. Little did they know that the bombs and shells weren't even getting close to the enemy. Tokyo knew the Allies were interested in Iwo Jima so they put a garrison of 22,000 troops, under General Tadamichi Kuribayashi. These troops built up the island to one of the strongest defenses in the Pacific. They added 1500 pillboxes and block houses, trenches, and hundreds of connecting tunnels. 1500 underground rooms including communications centers, hospitals able to treat 40 0 injured with beds carved into rock walls. They also constructed storage rooms for ammo, food, and water. There were tunnels large enough for soldiers to run through standing up. Block houses were built of concrete and reinforced by steel rods. Walls were 3 feet thick, ceiling were six feet thick. Block houses were camoflaged with sand so it made it difficult for US Navy flyers to spot them from the air. General Kuribayashi even had an underground command center 75 feet below the surface. Mt Suribachi was even honeycombed. For the Japanese on Iwo this was the end of the line. There was no hope of rescue from the Imperial Fleet. The Japanese soldiers had plenty of food and ammunition underground to support them for up to five months On the Marines side, General Holland 'Howlin Mad' Smith commanded the 4th & 5th divisions. General Smith requested ten days of naval bombardment, however the Navy could only provide three days with Navy battleships, cruisers, and carrier aircraft. Even then overcast weather conditions shortened that time. On 19 Feb 1945 the Marines came ashore on a long black sandy beach on the southern side of the island. The 4th & 5th Marines fought their way from shore to shore cutting Iwo in half and separating Mt. Suribachi from the rest of the island. By night fall, the Marines were firmly ashore but suffered heavy losses of 2400 casualties, including 600 dead.

Depression Essay -- essays research papers

One of the most common mental disorders in the world today affecting up to 340 million people worldwide is depression. Imagine the entire student body of Upper Darby High School infected with the exact same disease. Depression is a common but complex disorder diversely affecting a variety of people with a multitude of symptoms. The disorder may be brought into affect due to a large number of causes. What can be done? There are numerous manners in which to treat this disorder spanning from medication to counseling to support groups. Although depression is one of the most treatable mental illnesses in the world, only about one half of all cases of depression are diagnosed and successfully treated.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The most common symptoms of depression include low self-esteem, loss of energy, or lack of interest in activities previously experienced as pleasurable. Sleeping problems have also been associated with depression. A study shows roughly 80% of diseased individuals experience insomnia (depression.com 1). Possible problems may include: difficulty in falling asleep, waking up in the middle of the night with difficulty returning to sleep, waking up too early in the morning, brief periods of REM sleep, unusually long periods of stage 1 (light) sleep, or unusually brief periods of stage 3 and 4 ( deep, restorative) sleep (depression.com 1). Weight and depression are also commonly associated with each other. Many people begin loosing interest in eating which results in weight loss. Others may experience the opposite effect and gain weight by overeating. Various antidepressant medications are known to have different affects on appetite and weight (depression.com 3). Suicid al thoughts are also a more common symptom of depression. Most people do not commit suicide because of increased suicidal thoughts. The risk of doing so simply increases their suicidal tendency.   Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  Ã‚  The causes of depression remain unclear and vary from person to person. Genetic factors of depression have become a growing interest among scientist. The most probable explanation of this disorder is a chemical imbalance in the human brain. Evidence suggests that depression is caused by a deficiency in noradrenaline and serotonin neurotransmitters (depression-net.com 2). Studies have shown that people with relatives who have depression gain a one in four ... ... electroconvulsive therapy. This is reserved for only the most sever cases of depression in which a patient has not responded to medication or for some reason is unable to take antidepressants. ECT is one of the most effective treatments for depression. Over the years, it has advanced to become a safer procedure (depression-net.com 5). The World Health Organization predicts that depression will be the greatest burden of ill health to the developing world by the year 2020. It is predicted to be the second largest cause of death and disability (depression-net 1). Will the new millennium spawn a new breed of ill mannered, drug intoxicated, depressed individuals? Depression is the most common mental disorder in the world today, and yet there are still many aspects of this illness that we do not know about. The exact cause of depression remains undetermined without a cure. There is no precise test that can be given to determine weather or not an individual has depression. There is a certain lack of understanding and knowledge among society. It is abnormal for a person to commit self inflicted harm intended upon ending his or her own lives. There is help for those depressed individuals.

Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease Essay

Dementia is a set of conditions, medically diagnosed, and leading to recognized and measurable behavioral changes in an individual. Dementia of the Alzheimer’s type is a chronic cognitive disorder that is manifested in impairment of either short-term or long-term memory or even both. It has a slow onset and its etiology is unknown, although many speculate that genetics may play a role as well as the decrease in acetylcholine which is a neurotransmitter that is used to carry electrical impulses from the axon of one cell to the dendrite of another. The number of neurotransmitters have been found in the brain tissue of patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Alzheimer’s disease accounts for about 70% of dementia cases. Over 4 million people are currently diagnosed as having Alzheimer’s disease. There is not a specific age of onset although it usually occurs in late adulthood. People are living longer now and for this reason, the number of Alzheimer’s cases is on the rise. It is a neurological disorder of the brain that can cause overwhelming anxiety for both those affected and family members of those affected. In Alzheimer’s disease, normal brain tissue is replaced by neuritic plaques which basically just take up space. These brain lesions will inevitably cause death. Various bodily functions begin to be altered depending on the part of the brain affected. Usually as the disease progresses, bladder control will be lost as well as the ability to swallow. The brain lesions will often times trigger the onset of seizures. Cognitive symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease include alteration in language, ability to solve problems, and even the inability to make appropriate decisions. This may often times be the most difficult symptom for nurses and care providers to deal with legally. In the long run, patients will experience complete memory loss and aphasia. Non-cognitive changes include unexplained movements, urinary and fecal incontinence, aggression, and/or agitation. There is currently no known therapeutic treatment that can stop the progression of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. In caring for the Alzheimer’s patient, the staff must remember to refer to the patient by name and not by calling them â€Å"sweetie† or â€Å"honey†. A patient has a right to maintain dignity. If dementia is diagnosed early enough, it is advisable for the patient to designate a decision-maker which will help designate that patient’s assets. Quality of life in patients with dementia  is a big ethical topic that becomes very important in the late stages of dementia. During late stage dementia, ability to express pain or discomfort may be altered. In these patients verbal references to pain are absent, not because they’re not experiencing any pain but because they may not know how to express the degree of pain that they are experiencing. Because of this, regular administration of pain medications are often prescribed (Refer to article #1: discomfort protocol). Oftentimes, family members find themselves in a bind between providing care until the very end of life or requesting the cessation of life-sustaining measures (Refer to article #2: euthanasia and assisted suicide). Assessment should include family history, social history, memory (long-term and short-term),behavioral responses such as wandering, suicide risks, appearance, speech, and hallucinations. Oftentimes, a family member is needed to assist with subjective data as the patient may not remember some things. Sometimes, out of frustration, a person with Alzheimer’s will fabricate stories or details. This is believed to be a defense mechanism. They are in denial about having loss of memory. Nursing diagnoses include: -altered thought processes related to dementia. -impaired physical mobility. -alteration in nutrition related to neurological deficits in swallowing. -self care deficit. Goals should include ability to comply with treatment plan and ability to satisfy self-care requirements. Interventions for the Alzheimer’s patient focus on keeping the patient comfortable, nourished, and hydrated. Oftentimes, a patient will request a priest, rabbi, or minister to visit and offer religious support. In late stage Dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, comfort is usually one of the primary goals of the care team, since death is  inevitable (refer to article #3: music and dementia). It is important to speak to these patients slowly and clearly. Many times they are able understand what is being said when spoken to at a slower pace. In summary, Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia are often secondary diagnoses and because of this, they are often overlooked in the management of care and proper treatment of patients with other diagnoses. Alzheimer’s Disease does not discriminate. Nobody asks to have Alzheimer’s so it is important to remember that patients do not always act out the way they want to. Sometimes they just can’t help it.